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…
One of the 16 entries to the art competition Peace Begins with Me, organized by UNMISS and the University of Juba, being deservedly photographed. Photos: Gregorio Cunha/UNMISS CENTRAL EQUATORIA - More than 10,000 kilometres…
U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S THE SECRETARY-GENERAL --- MESSAGE FOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 3 May 2023 For three decades, on World Press Freedom Day, the international community has celebrated the work of…
KABUL - On World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations expresses serious concern for the future of Afghanistan’s media, with journalists forced to work in climate of intimidation and fear amid increased restrictions by the…
WESTERN EQUATORIA- Picture the scene: School children, traders, youth, men, women, elderly people, the local chief’s wife; some carrying someone, others being carried by someone else, across the river separating Sakure with…
On 24 April 2023, the 27th contingent of peacekeepers from the Republic of Korea held a completion ceremony for its Taekwondo classes in Abbassiyah and Burgholiyah, south Lebanon. The ceremony was attended by senior Korean…
CENTRAL EQUATORIA - More than 10,000 kilometres separate Juba from New York, but such is the power of art that the visions of peace emanating from paintings displayed at the Peace Begins with Me exhibition in the former city…
Mogadishu – Marking World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations in Somalia today acknowledged the vital work carried out by the country’s media and reaffirmed its commitment to support efforts to promote and protect its civic…
On 24 April 2023, the 27th contingent of peacekeepers from the Republic of Korea held a completion ceremony for its Taekwondo classes in Abbassiyah and Burgholiyah, south Lebanon. The ceremony was attended by senior Korean…
On May 3, 2023, Ms. Hester Adriana Paneras, Head of Institutional and Operational Partnership Service at UNOAU, participated on the panel at the launch of the Challenges Forum Mission Leadership Digital Tool. Effective…
While eastern DRC is facing an upsurge of child rights abuses, MONUSCO's Child Protection Section organised a capacity building workshop for protection focal points, whistleblowers and members of the Joint Technical Working…
Thanks to UNMISS engineers from China, the nearly 30,000 community members of Raja county in Western Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan, no longer need to suffer during the country's long rainy season. Chinese peacekeepers…
Tripoli — As Libya moves toward establishing electoral laws, female members of the High Council of State and the House of Representatives have agreed to work together to advocate for greater women’s representation in the…