COVID-19 has added a layer of complexity to the highly volatile security situation in the Sahel, with terrorists capitalizing on the pandemic to undermine State authority and launch unrelenting attacks against national and international forces, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Security Council in a 5 June videoconference meeting.
The Security Council, acting unanimously in a 5 June videoconference meeting, decided to extend for one year a series of authorizations for Member States to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected of violating that country’s arms embargo.
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Beethoven Pastoral Project on World Environment Day, in New York today:
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the virtual high-level meeting “The Impact Women Leaders Are Having in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic”, in New York today:
The General Assembly, taking up a recommendation from its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on the appointment of members to the Committee on Contributions (document A/74/525/Add.3) and acting through its temporary silence procedure amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, decided on 5 June to appoint Lin Shan (China) to the 18-member body.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide, but they are rising to the challenge in ways that align with their respective mandates and the unique situations that they each face on the ground, three Force Commanders said during a 4 June videoconference meeting of the Security Council.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
The Security Council, in a 4 June videoconference meeting, decided to establish a new political mission in Sudan to assist the country in its transition towards democratic governance, provide support for peace negotiations and bolster efforts to maintain accountable rule of law and security institutions.
The Security Council in a 4 June videoconference meeting extended the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 31 December, deciding that the peacekeeping mission will maintain its current troop and police ceilings during this period.
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Global Vaccine Summit, in New York today:
