Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/Travel
Middle East
Lebanon
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lacroix/Trip Announcement
Mexico
Security Council/South Sudan
Cameroon
Haiti
Haiti/Humanitarian
Afghanistan
Exhibition/Sudan
Guest
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
Today, in The Hague, the Secretary-General addressed a solemn sitting to celebrate the 80th anniversary of International Court of Justice inaugural session.
The Secretary-General said that it is easy to forget the world of eighty years ago. Europe, and far beyond, lay in ruins, and The Hague itself was scarred and shaken. And yet, he said, in that dark and difficult moment, world leaders made a defining choice, a choice to reject a future ruled by coercion and violence, and to embrace a future rooted in the United Nations Charter and international law.
The Secretary-General stressed that the Court’s decisions, including provisional measures, are binding on the parties to a case, and respect for those decisions is not optional; it is a Charter obligation. Yet today, he said, violations of international law are unfolding before our eyes, warning that when the law of force replaces the force of law, instability becomes contagious.
The Secretary-General emphasized that to weaken international law is to erode the foundations of global stability, and to strengthen it is to invest in a world governed by justice, not fear. His full remarks have been shared with you.
Also today, the Secretary-General had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister for General Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten.
This afternoon, the Secretary-General will meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen, and will have meeting with Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
MIDDLE EAST
The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement today by the Islamic Republic of Iran that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire.
The Secretary-General considers this a step in the right direction. The United Nations’ position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties.
The Secretary-General remains fully supportive of the diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East. He also hopes that, together with the ceasefire, this measure will contribute to creating confidence between the parties and strengthen the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan.
LEBANON
The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and commends the role of the United States in facilitating the ceasefire. He reaffirms the support of the United Nations to all efforts to end hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line. The Secretary-General hopes that this ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) towards a long-term solution to the conflict.
Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert continues her good offices engagement with all stakeholders to support the parties to fully implement resolution 1701 towards a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports that peacekeepers have not detected projectiles fired from north to south or airstrikes in the area of operations since midnight.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-17