Security Council

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, in New York today:

On 11 December, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will launch its Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024. This is the annual overview of humanitarian trends and needs worldwide — as well as interagency plans to respond to the crises.

The Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza due to a veto cast by the United States, following a debate earlier in the day that was urgently called for by the UN Secretary-General.

The Secretary-General went before the Security Council today to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to avert a humanitarian catastrophe that could have ramifications for peace and security in the region and beyond, two days after he invoked Article 99 of the United Nations Charter.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council debate on “Transnational organized crime, growing challenges and new threats”, in New York today:

On 4 December 2023, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya issued its Implementation Assistance Notice (IAN) 7: “Guidance to Member States on the application of the humanitarian exemption established by resolution 2664 (2022) to the asset freeze established under resolution 1970 (2011)”.

Adopting a presidential statement today, the Security Council recognized the importance of enhancing international and regional cooperation to counter transnational organized crime during a day-long open debate on that subject, in which speakers detailed national experiences with the phenomenon and discussed how best to address it.

With the onset of winter and ongoing Russian Federation attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukrainians are facing a worsening humanitarian situation and limited access to basic services, the Security Council heard today in a meeting focusing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Iraq and Security Council members must consider the final status, more than the end date, of a mandate governing the UN Team investigating atrocity crimes by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, urged a Special Adviser during his briefing today, warning that the Team’s abrupt ending, scheduled for September 2024, could negatively impact survivors and victims of those crimes.

The Security Council will hold in December two separate open debates on transnational organized crime and the threats from small arms, its President for the month said at a Headquarters press conference today.