Press Releases and Statements

Interview of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Ján Kubiš with France 24 13 August 2020 Beirut, Lebanon France 24 : What are the consequences of the Beirut Port explosion? SCL Ján Kubiš: The consequences are terrible. First of all it is about human beings. You know well that there were over 170…

Ján Kubiš, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations, today briefed the Security Council in a virtual session that discussed the UN Secretary General’s latest report on the implementation of Security Council…

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut today. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon…

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. We mark tomorrow’s 75th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Charter at a time of colossal global upheaval and risk. From COVID-19 to climate disruption, from racial injustice to rising inequalities, we are a world in turmoil. At the same time, we are an…

I address you today with a deep sense of concern over the evolving situation in Israel and Palestine. We are at a watershed moment. Israel’s threat to annex parts of the occupied West Bank has alarmed Palestinians, many Israelis and the broader international community. If implemented, annexation…

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY), the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Commemoration of the United Nations’ 75th Anniversary and Devex, are excited to announce the launch of an Essay Competition for the best essay by a young…

In response to speculative stories referring to possible UN withdrawal from Lebanon in some media outlets in the past days, the United Nations considers it necessary to deny such unsubstantiated speculations. The UN is not planning to stop its operations and evacuate its staff from Lebanon. On the…

Global research on COVID-19 continues to be conducted, including how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted. Current evidence suggests that most transmission occurs from symptomatic people through close contact with others. Accordingly, most recommendations…

Every year the world celebrates World Environment Day on 5 June, a day dedicated to focusing efforts of the governments, businesses and citizens on pressing environmental issues. This year’s theme is biodiversity — a call to action to combat the accelerating species loss and degradation of the…

Interview of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis with Al-Jazeera Q: Do Lebanese authorities seem to understand that this time around there will be no blank checks? A: Well, I hope that they do. These are the messages that are coming from the international community and this is the message…