Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the Toyota Hilux-Line-Off Ceremony, which marks the commencement of local production of Toyota’s latest generation Hilux model and showcasing South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities.
The ceremony is held at the Toyota South Africa Motors Manufacturing Plant in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal province.
Toyota’s R10.4 billion investment reinforces South Africa’s position as a leading automotive manufacturing hub and demonstrates continued investor confidence in the country’s industrial sector.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY, HONOURABLE NONCEBA MHLAULI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE NELSON MANDELA DAY STUDENT LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE AND STUDENT SERVICES EXPO
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY, HONOURABLE NONCEBA MHLAULI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE NELSON MANDELA DAY STUDENT LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE AND STUDENT SERVICES EXPO
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY, HONOURABLE NONCEBA MHLAULI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE NELSON MANDELA DAY STUDENT LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE AND STUDENT SERVICES EXPO
Comments to the media by Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations, and Ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown II, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations, on behalf of the Security Council’s International Criminal Court Caucus, following the ICC Deputy Prosecutor’s briefing to the Security Council.
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Following the meeting, the Security Council’s ICC Caucus briefed reporters outside the chamber. Denmark’s representative criticized the Rapid Support Forces for its lack of engagement. “The Rapid Support Forces has failed to respond to cooperation requests,” said Erik Laursen, Ambassador of Denmark, calling the group’s non-cooperation with the Council’s accountability mechanism deeply concerning.
Liberia’s envoy stressed that accountability efforts must extend beyond Darfur. “While the ICC’s mandate is currently limited to the situation in Darfur, we emphasize that accountability, action and cooperation pursuant to the Council’s referral is central to preventing this further cycle of atrocity crimes in other regions of Sudan,” said Ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown II.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Gulf
Senior Personnel Appointment
Pakistan
Sudan
Central African Republic
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Venezuela
Security Council
Cuba
WHO/UNICEF Report
WHO/Dementia
World Youth Skills Day
GULF
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the continuing military escalation in the Middle East region. He calls on all parties to take immediate steps for de-escalation and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
The Secretary-General reiterates that a return to full-scale hostilities would exact an intolerable toll on civilians and have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security and the global economy.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The exercise of navigational rights and freedoms must be respected by all parties in accordance with international law.
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT
The Secretary-General announced today the appointment of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain as Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates group, alongside Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados. The Secretary-General underscored the urgent need to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and welcomed Prime Minister Sánchez’s leadership in advancing sustainable development.
The SDG Advocates are influential leaders who support the Secretary-General in raising global ambition and action to keep the promise of the SDGs. The Secretary-General also expressed appreciation to former Co-Chair Justin Trudeau of Canada for his service. Prime Minister Mottley will continue in her role as Co-Chair.
PAKISTAN
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has begun a visit to Pakistan to spotlight the growing humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis and what it means for countries like Pakistan, which are on its front lines.
Earlier today in Islamabad, he met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and they discussed diplomatic efforts underway in the Middle East, the delivery of humanitarian aid through convoys across the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and partnership on global disaster preparedness.
Mr. Fletcher will also hold talks with Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior government officials, as well as with our humanitarian partners.
During his four-day visit, Mr. Fletcher will meet communities affected by floods and melting glaciers to hear directly about their needs, recovery efforts and local solutions. He will also visit community-based flood mitigation and preparedness initiatives.
He will underscore the need for sustained international solidarity, including funding for preparedness and early action ahead of disasters and investment in locally-led climate adaptation.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-15
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, on Nelson Mandela International Day, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council is honoured to present a special conversation with lead actor Keenan Arrison on THE HEART IS A MUSCLE — South Africa’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, and winner of the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Directed by Imran Hamdulay, the film is a portrait of inherited trauma, the slow courage of forgiveness, and what it means to be a father — themes that speak directly to the values at the heart of the United Nations: the protection of human rights, the pursuit of reconciliation, and the belief that vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. As the film reminds us — and as Mandela showed the world — it is in choosing to break the cycle, to forgive, and to rise, that our common humanity is most fully expressed.
Opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Mxolisi Nkosi, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations; Mbongiseni Buthelezi, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation; and Ndaba Mandela, Founder and Chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.
Cinema holds the unique power to illuminate the universal ideals enshrined by the United Nations — peace, human rights, cultural dignity, and equal rights for all. Founded at United Nations Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures.
Learn more about Mandela Day at the United Nations:
https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/
Jobs are changing. Workers need new opportunities.
Through the EU’s new Skills Guarantee, six pilot projects will help almost 1,000 workers in the car industry at risk of unemployment move into new jobs through training and upskilling.
By bringing together workers, companies and training providers, these projects will test new ways to make career transitions smoother, faster and more secure.
