Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Assistant Secretary-General Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee told the Security Council that the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has shown “encouraging signs” in its peace efforts in the subregion, yet “deepening multidimensional security and humanitarian crises, socio economic pressures and, most worryingly, restrictions to civil and political rights have increased.”

Pobee said, “two fulcrums of instability stand out in Central Africa, Eastern Chad and the Lake Chad region,” and noted that “with the conflict in the Sudan in its fourth year, its direct impact on Chad cannot be overemphasised.”

She said, “the influx of over 900,000 Sudanese refugees and 300,000 Chadian returnees, including over 800,000 children since April 2023, has placed a significant strain on national resources,” and has “undermined social cohesion in Chad’s eastern provinces, exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis.

Civilians in Cameroon and Chad, Pobee said, “continue to suffer indiscriminate attacks and human rights abuses by the various Boko Haram affiliated and splinter groups,” as they are “exploiting the limited presence of state authorities and services in those areas.”

The Multinational Joint Task Force, she said, “remains an essential cross regional mechanism to combat the violent extremist threat in the Lake Chad Basin.”

The political affairs and peacebuilding official said, “there is a worrying trend of increasing restrictions on civil and political rights in several parts of Central Africa,” warning that “if not reversed, these could contribute to a narrowing civic space, affecting long term stability and leading to conflict.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slm4G1P0Y7E

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Indrika Ratwatte, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator ad interim, at the Security Council, on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

Speaking via video link, Ratwatte said, “international humanitarian law is clear: civilians and civilian objects, including humanitarian personnel and assets, must be protected.”

He continued, “these rules exist to limit suffering and preserve dignity precisely when there is war, and they must be respected. Accountability for violations and measures to prevent them are essential.”

The OCHA senior official also pointed out that Ukraine remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Today, 10.8 million people require humanitarian assistance. Yet OCHA has received less than half the funding needed to reach them.

Ratwatte said, “we recognise the enormous pressures on humanitarian budgets as crises continue to emerge and deepen around the world. But needs in Ukraine have not diminished.”

He continued, “for communities in need, funding is the difference between help reaching them, or not. It allows humanitarian organisations to remain present, respond rapidly and support those facing the greatest risks.”

The Acting Assistant Secretary-General concluded with three asks to the Council. He said, “first, use all your influence to reverse the erosion of protection for civilians. Do not allow this level of civilian harm and suffering to become the new normal. Second, help preserve and expand our humanitarian operations to reach civilians in need wherever they are. Where access is possible, it must be safeguarded. Where it is impeded, it is vital to open it. Third, ensure humanitarian organizations have the funding needed to remain present where needs are greatest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifLaQuPsbBc

Source: United Nations (video statements)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2DiaDUfq8k

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Informal comments to the media by Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, on behalf of Bahrain, Denmark, Greece, the United Kingdom, Latvia, the United States, United Arab Emirates, France and the European Union, on non-proliferation and the situation in Iran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSoXtaVyUaU

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a remark for for the Nineteenth Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD).

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aGiAiNiKe6M

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Joint statement of the Security Council members signatories of the Joint Pledges related to Climate, Peace and Security on Central Africa, UNOCA, Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, and the United Kingdom. Ambassador Leonor Zalabate, President of the Security Council and Permanent Representative of Colombia will deliver the statement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ2Vu9heAVQ

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
– Persons With Disability
– Middle East
– Middle East Envoy
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Security Council / Central Africa
– Security-Council/Ukraine
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo、
– Financial Contribution

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

This morning, the Secretary-General delivered remarks to the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the General Assembly Hall.

He noted significant progress, saying that the Convention has now been ratified by 192 countries and one regional organization. More than 90 per cent of countries have laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and nearly 80 per cent prohibit discrimination in hiring. These advances have helped millions gain access to education and employment. At the same time, the Secretary-General stressed that major challenges remain. The latest UN Disability and Development Report shows that almost all disability-related Sustainable Development Goal indicators are off track.

Mr. Guterres urged governments to empower persons with disabilities as full partners in policymaking and decision-making.

MIDDLE EAST

A statement we issued last night expressed the Secretary-General’s alarm at the renewed escalation in the Middle East. He calls on all concerned parties to immediately stop attacks, exercise maximum restraint, and refrain from any action that could further inflame an already volatile situation.

The Secretary-General urges all parties to fully abide by the ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran and Gaza, and to avoid any steps that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Mr. Guterres is also deeply concerned by the decision by Israel to close crossings into Gaza. He reiterates his call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza.

The Secretary-General underscores that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. He further calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. The full statement is online.

MIDDLE EAST ENVOY

The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, is in Washington, D.C., where he arrived yesterday. He is meeting with officials of the United States Government and representatives of Washington‑based think tanks.

These engagements are part of Mr. Arnault’s ongoing consultations aimed at exploring Member States’ perspectives on pathways toward a sustainable resolution of the conflict in the Middle East, including in the context of Pakistani‑mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran, as well as regional efforts to advance relations grounded in full respect for national sovereignty and mutual security.

Mr. Arnault is also meeting with senior officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to speak about the economic impact of the conflict on regional and global economies. Discussions are focused on measures undertaken by governments and businesses worldwide to mitigate the consequences that continue to deepen as the conflict remains unresolved.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-09

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RB7ehyLU0w