The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today released its newest survey on opium cultivation. The agency estimates that poppy cultivation in Myanmar has increased by 33 per cent in the first season since the military takeover.

While the International Criminal Court’s trial stemming from the Security Council’s first-ever referral of a situation has progressed swiftly with an intended close by February, Sudan has not met its commitments, the Court’s top prosecutor told the 15-member organ today, urging it to not allow those who wish to frustrate accountability to run down the clock.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report that the ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

In the Central African Republic, United Nations peacekeepers have concluded a joint mission with the Central African security forces to better protect people in the country’s west. Over a period of one month, peacekeepers conducted over 100 patrols and 30 aerial surveillance missions.

The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in connection with the examination of the seventh report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Sudan (document S/2022/627), agreed to convey the following messages through a public statement by the Chair of the Working Group:

In Sudan, where humanitarian needs are at a record high, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, today launched the 2023 appeal for $1.7 billion in aid. An estimated 15.8 million people, one third of the population, will need life-saving assistance next year, up 1.5 million from 2022.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Ruchira Kamboj (India):

In South Sudan, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim Peter Van der Auweraert strongly condemned today the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State, which has displaced over 9,000 people. The United Nation is working with aid partners to provide food, access to water, sanitation, hygiene and healthcare facilities.

The sanctions regime on Sudan was established solely to help bring peace to Darfur and not to punish Khartoum, the Head of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) emphasized to the Security Council as she presented her quarterly update today.