Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
How much did HS2 Limited pay consultants in the last year? In this question from Lord Berkeley, members question the government on topics including value for money, the progress of the project compared with the overall budget spent, and future timelines and cost estimates for completing HS2.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms. Nonceba Mhlauli, attends the 10th Ephraim Mogale Career Expo at the Laerskool Sports Ground in Marble Hall, Limpopo.
“For two decades, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund have helped communities emerge from the darkness of war,” Secretary-General António Guterres said, addressing the Peacebuilding Commission’s annual session marking the 20th anniversary of the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund.
“That spirit of healing and of hope could not be more vital today. Across the globe, we are witnessing more conflicts than at any point since the Second World War,” the Secretary-General said.
The session is part of UN Peacebuilding Week 2026, running June 22-26 at UN Headquarters in New York. The commemoration is mandated by 2025 General Assembly resolution A/RES/80/11 and Security Council resolution S/RES/2805 on the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, timed to coincide with the Commission’s first session in June 2006.
Guterres cited the Commission’s record across several countries, pointing to its role grounding peacebuilding “in local realities” in Colombia, convening across borders in the Sahel to advance the UN Integrated Strategy, supporting the Central African Republic’s first local elections in 30 years, and helping Liberia transition from the departure of UN peacekeepers to a nationally owned strategy.
He credited the Peacebuilding Fund with acting as a “catalytic financing instrument” that has backed more than 70 countries worldwide and said the Fund — now bolstered by assessed contributions — is also helping states “from Mauritania to São Tomé and Príncipe” draft national prevention and peacebuilding strategies under the Pact for the Future. He called the shift to assessed funding “a true vote of confidence” but urged Member States to keep up voluntary contributions to match “the speed and scale peacebuilding demands.”
He closed by urging all Member States “to renew their commitment to a future free from violence.”
Opening the session, Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, called it “an immense privilege to open this annual session in the very room where, 20 years ago, the United Nations made the wager that has since defined an era — that peace, once won, must be preserved, and that this cannot be done by any single actor acting alone.”
He added that “over two decades, our commission has fully served the objectives of its founding resolution and has provided the countries on its agenda with sustained attention and long-term support,” noting it had brought together “the development system, international financial institutions, regional organizations, civil society and the private sector” around the same table.
Leonor Zalabata Torres, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, also addressed the session in her capacity as President of the Security Council for June. She said national efforts to build, sustain and maintain peace “are essential to the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security,” and reaffirmed the Council’s recognition of the Peacebuilding Commission “as an intergovernmental advisory body for coordination and convening, as well as a dedicated platform for bringing together relevant actors” in support of national peacebuilding efforts.
According to UN figures, the Peacebuilding Fund has invested more than $2 billion since becoming operational in 2006, supporting over 75 countries and territories through 24 UN entities and more than 80 civil society organizations.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts a dinner in honour of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Customs Union
(SACU) ahead of the 9th SACU Summit
Two deadly earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing at least 164 deaths and widespread destruction in and around the capital, Caracas as international assistance begins to arrive early Thursday, with UN agencies rapidly deploying aid, support and rescue teams.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
From advance ticket purchases to fans traveling from around the world, World Cup ticket sales generate a range of economic activity.
In this episode of The Economy – How Do You Measure That?, Jim Tebrake and Erich Strassner explain how official statistics measure these transactions and what they reveal about GDP, household consumption, and international trade in services.
Watch to discover the statistics behind the world’s biggest sporting event.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Venezuela/Earthquakes
– Venezuela
– Colombia
– Sudan
– UNIFIL
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Central Emergency Relief Fund
– Uganda
– Ukraine
– UN Charter Day
– The Day of the Seafarer
VENEZUELA/EARTHQUAKES
The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.
Initial reports indicate significant destruction across several states, including in the capital Caracas. Many people have reportedly been killed and injured, while others remain trapped or are still missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged and basic services have been disrupted.
The United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilizing assistance and working closely with the Government and our partners to support the response. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is facilitating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams.
The Secretary-General welcomes the offers of solidarity and support from Member States at this critical time.
The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela.
VENEZUELA
The Government of Venezuela has declared a state of emergency, while international support is rapidly mobilizing, including incoming Urban Search and Rescue teams from different countries and multiple offers of assistance from across the region and beyond.
Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement this morning that the UN and our humanitarian partners are fully mobilized to support the people of Venezuela. UN agencies are mobilizing assistance and will deliver support as quickly as possible. Our team in country is in close contact with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and relevant national authorities.
A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas, with the UN supporting efforts on the ground to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible.
OCHA is also supporting the coordination of incoming international search-and-rescue teams expected to arrive in the coming hours.
For its part, UNHCR says that the effects of the earthquake are likely to exacerbate existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced people and communities already facing barriers to services. These risks include heightened risks of gender-based violence and unsafe or inadequate housing, and reduced access to health care, water, education and livelihoods, among others.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-25
The European Commission is aiming to simplify taxation for companies in the EU, making it simpler and more attractive for business to operate in the Union.
With a record level of conflict worldwide — and an estimated 20,000 lives lost to violence each month — UN Peacebuilding Chief Elizabeth Spehar explains why peacebuilding is the smartest investment we can make.
ASG Spehar addresses the root causes of conflict and the conditions necessary for lasting peace.
Since it began operating in 2006, the Peacebuilding Fund has:
• Invested over USD 2 billion
• Supported more than 75 countries and territories
• Worked through 24 UN entities and over 80 civil society organizations.
From supporting Colombia’s peace process and justice for victims, to safeguarding peacekeeping gains in the Central African Republic.
