A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events and developments globally. ASG Khiari warns of escalating fighting and rising civilian toll in Ukraine On 20 April, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, briefed the Security Council on developments in Ukraine. He noted that a temporary Easter truce announced from 11 to 12 April was not respected, with…
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, arrived in Goma on Friday, April 24, 2026, as part of his first field visit to the eastern part of the country since taking office and which started on 20 April with Beni. This visit comes amid persistent security challenges and ceasefire monitoring responsibilities for MONUSCO. Upon his arrival at Goma…
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held a round of meetings this week with Lebanese political, security and religious representatives. In exercising her good offices role, the Special Coordinator discussed with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ongoing efforts to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and advance stability in Lebanon. Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert also met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces…
New analysis underscores urgent need for coordinated responses to protect civilians. Bogotá, Colombia – 15 April 2026. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Colombia has launched a new technical paper titled “Uncrewed Aircraft Systems with Explosive Payloads: Emerging Threats and Challenges for Colombia”, highlighting the growing humanitarian risks associated with the use of weaponized drones by non-state armed groups. Presented…
WAU – In 2016, clashes between armed forces caused almost 40,000 people to flee Wau town in search of a safe haven. By 2020, many had resettled in other parts of the country while about 10,000 former residents remained in the Naivasha protection site, established by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and partners. Since then, the site has undergone various changes regarding protection mandates and different partner organizations providing…
YAMBIO – Victoria* gazes lovingly at the upturned face of the four-month-old infant lying on her lap. She brushes her palm gently across his forehead and giggles as the baby coos and gurgles and kicks his tiny legs in the air. She leans back and smiles, her eyes glinting with pride, revelling in the newfound joy of motherhood. Just shy of 19, her smile and calm demeanour conceal the many horrors that she’s battled. And survived. Abducted by an…
À Obo, dans le Haut-Mbomou, 80 représentants de partis politiques ont bénéficié, le 21 avril, d’une formation organisée par la Délégation sous-préfectorale des élections (DSPE) avec l’appui de la MINUSCA, afin de renforcer leurs compétences dans les bureaux de vote le jour des scrutins. Les modules développés ont porté notamment sur les droits et devoirs des représentants des partis politiques dans les bureaux de vote, ainsi que sur le code de…
As Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory prepare to go to the polls on 25 April, the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, welcomes the efforts of the Central Elections Commission to organize local elections in the West Bank and the municipality of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. “Saturday’s elections represent an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their…
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on 22 April, officially handed over the newly rehabilitated 37‑kilometre stretch Abyei–Agok road, a key supply route constructed by its Vietnamese Military Construction Engineering Contingent 4. The re-opening of the road, which serves as a lifeline for communities across Abyei, will support the delivery of humanitarian aid, economic recovery and peacekeeping efforts. The rehabilitation…
Did you know only 14 per cent of all people working in cloud computing are Women? Or how about that only 1 in 5 engineers is a woman? This data, from the 2021 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, was shared by…
Did you know only 14 per cent of all people working in cloud computing are Women? Or how about that only 1 in 5 engineers is a woman? This data, from the 2021 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, was shared by…
I want to thank the Members of the Lebanese Parliament who are here today, and your colleagues who couldn’t be here, for your kind words, solidarity, and support. We have been touched by the outpouring of condolences and…
Text from Daniel Barasa It has been so long since I was free, felt at home, and did not worry about how others will misunderstand or think about me. I have met many activists and participated in several networking activities…
Text from Daniel Barasa It has been so long since I was free, felt at home, and did not worry about how others will misunderstand or think about me. I have met many activists and participated in several networking activities…
“From today on, I’ll deal with any incidences of early or forced marriage, child abductions, killings, rape, theft, or robbery, in a decisive manner,” said John Chatim, Commissioner of Duk County of Jonglei State…
I want to thank Prime Minister Miqati for his visit today and for the strong solidarity he has shown UNIFIL and its peacekeepers. It is much appreciated. I want to thank the Lebanese government and authorities, who have been…
On 16 December, MINURSO celebrated Kazakhstan National Day by raising its flag at the Mission headquarters in Laayoune next to the UN flag. Kazakhstan Independence Day marks the day in 1991when the Supreme Soviet of the USSR…
WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL – “I think we’ve been making progress on resolving tensions and violence that frequently arise during seasonal cattle migration,” says Luciano Sayo, Deputy Head of the Oversight Committee that monitors…
Ahead of South Sudan's annual migration season, stakeholders in Warrap hold discussions on avoiding violence and conflicts with their neighbours in Western Bahr El Ghazal. Photo by Zejin Yin/UNMISS WARRAP - "Seasonal movement…
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka launched this week a series of roundtable discussions with Lebanese stakeholders from different fields and backgrounds on the theme of rebuilding trust between the citizens…
From 14 to 15 December, UNOAU together with the AU Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security co-organised the 3rd Africa Forum on Women, Peace, and Security in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme of this year’s…