Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Nigeria
Olympics
New Start Treaty
Security Council
Human Rights Office
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
Central African Republic
Chad
Peace-building Fund
Burkina
Faso Costa Rica
Honour Roll
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NIGERIA
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack of 3 February, in Kwara State, in Nigeria, which reportedly killed over 100 people.
The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and of course, he wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured.
The Secretary-General reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Nigeria in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism. He stresses the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice.
OLYMPICS
The Secretary-General is arriving in Milan in a few hours, where he will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics that will take place on Friday. While there, he will meet with the new President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry.
the Secretary-General will deliver a video message for the Opening Ceremony, and he will underscore that the Olympics and the Paralympics are a beacon of hope, as well as a celebration of human potential, of teamwork, fair play and mutual respect.
Maryam Bukar Hassan of Nigeria, who was named the first Global Advocate for Peace for the UN’s Peace & Security Pillar, will also be present at the Olympics.
Along with other global influencers, she will be serving as an official Olympic Flag Bearer at the opening ceremony.
She was selected by the IOC for her ongoing commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peace.
NEW START TREATY
In a statement issued yesterday evening, the Secretary-General said that the expiration of the New START Treaty marks a grave moment for international peace and security. For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of both the Russian Federation and the United States.
The Secretary-General said that this dissolution of decades of achievement could not come at a worse time, as the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is the highest it has been in decades. Even in this moment of uncertainty, however, we must search for hope, he said.This is an opportunity to reset and create an arms control regime fit for a rapidly evolving context.
He welcomes that the Presidents of both the Russian Federation and the United States have made clear that they appreciate the destabilizing impact of a nuclear arms race and the need to prevent the return to a world of unchecked nuclear proliferation.
Mr. Guterres urges both States to return to the negotiating table without delay and to agree upon a successor framework that restores verifiable limits, reduces risks, and strengthens our common security.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-05