Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said “The work of our peacekeepers matters. It is worth defending. Peacekeeping is worth the investment.”

Addressing the press on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, Lacroix said, “At this moment, UN peacekeeping’s entire budget, which is 5.38 billion dollars – that’s the budget for one year. The same amount is spent in 16 hours – one six – on global military spending, so it’s not even a full day. And if you want another measure, the budget of peacekeeping for one year for all operations is less than half the amount it costs to organize the upcoming FIFA World Cup.”

He continued, “It’s a fact that the cost of supporting peacekeeping is far lower than the cost of responding when conflict spirals out of control, and therefore I call on this International Day of Peacekeeping is clear: Let us invest in peace. We need the political and financial backing of member states. We need parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. We need the support from all those who can hold their governments accountable for their actions.”

He stated, “Peace does not happen by accident. It requires political will, sustained support, and investment.”

Answering a question, he said, “UNIFIL – and whatever may come next, if anything – it’s about supporting. It’s about supporting Lebanese people; it’s about supporting political efforts. This is really what peacekeeping is about, and that applies also to Lebanon.”

Addressing the press virtually from Goma, Sergeant Matías Reyes, who serves at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) spoke about his experience in January 2025, when he rescued wounded Congolese soldiers seeking refuge at a MONUSCO base.

He said, “Dozens of soldiers of the FARDC who have been wounded sought refuge and medical assistance. When I saw them in that situation I acted immediately. I carried on my shoulders 12 of these Congolese soldiers who were severely wounded and I took them to a safe area within the base where a medical tent was located. At that time, I did not think of myself, or of the risks involved. I was deeply worried about their lives because I knew that each second could have made a difference.”

Earlier this morning, Sergeant Matías Reyes received the Mbaye Diagne Medal.

Answering a journalist’s question, Major Abhilasha Barak of India, who serves at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and named the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year, said, “Talks should take place; diplomacy should come to action and hopefully the ceasefire will continue. And then we can move on to rebuilding, not just physically with their roads and destructed homes, but also the post trauma, which they are going under, so we must work on that as a community, as a government, and as peacekeepers, and rebuild Lebanon.”

Police Inspector Stephanie Königs, winner of this year’s Woman Police Officer of the Year Award, served at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

She shared with the press what it takes to have an impact and emphasised the need for more woman in the field.

She explained, “Going out in the field, it’s very obvious that half of the population is women, so it’s for them much more comfortable to talk to a woman police officer, and to share their concerns, their opinions, their perspectives. So, these conversations, they are not just nice: they shape what we are doing on the ground in our operational daily life.”

Today, more than 51,000 civilians, military, and police personnel serve in 11 UN peacekeeping missions, confronting increasingly complex and interconnected challenges shaped by a shifting geopolitical landscape.

In this era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope.

The International Day pays tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifice, as well as the resilience of the communities they support.

It also solemnly honors the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, including 59 in 2025 alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep5jRdxkOuk

Source: United Nations (video statements)

High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said, “the current Government of Syria has been working with the OPCW Technical Secretariat to obtain clarifications on the full extent and scope of the programme developed by the previous Government and ensure Syria’s long-term compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).”

Nakamitsu briefed the Council on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) on the elimination of the chemical weapons programme of the Syrian Arab Republic.

She said, “the OPCW Technical Secretariat shares that, following an improvement in the regional security situation that permitted a safe and secure resumption of operations, the OPCW Technical Secretariat recommenced its deployments to the Syrian Arab Republic, in coordination with the Syrian National Authority.”

At the beginning of May 2026, a team from the OPCW Office of Special Missions (OSM) deployed to the Syrian Arab Republic to advance efforts to establish a complete and accurate inventory of the remnants of the chemical weapons programme developed by the previous Syrian Government. This deployment focused on several high-priority, undeclared sites in the northern coastal and central areas of the country, broadly within a geographic triangle encompassing Hama, Homs, and Latakia. Visits to these sites were conducted in full coordination with the Syrian National Authority and with substantial support from the relevant Ministries of the Syrian Government.

The High Representative said, “the findings include dozens of chemical munitions previously undeclared to the OPCW, including the same type of aerial bombs that were used in the chemical attacks in Ltamenah in March 2017 and Khan Shaykhun in April 2017. Rockets were also found, of the same type as those that were used in the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta in August 2013.”

Nakamitsu added, “the OPCW further reports that findings include quantities of separately stored chemicals and related equipment, which is currently being analysed, and thousands of pages of documentation.”

She highlighted that the OPCW Technical Secretariat has further emphasized the importance of effective support from the current Syrian Government, adding “this cooperation will remain critical going forward, as the newly discovered elements now need to be declared and destroyed, under the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s verification.”
The High Representative continued, “further investigations and deployments to additional sites will be required in order to discern the full scope of the chemical weapons programme developed by the previous Government.”

She reiterated, “given the risks posed by any remaining elements of the chemical weapons programme, these steps must be completed with urgency.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P8yNQCHVaw

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In August 2025, the United Nations established two pathbreaking mechanisms for global cooperation on AI: the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. Together, they translate shared principles into practice by bridging scientific evidence, policy dialogue, and international cooperation. The first session of the AI Dialogue takes place in Geneva, Switzerland on 6 and 7 July 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XDkLIw2azes

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
– UN Peacekeepers Day
– UNIFIL
– Lebanon
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Middle East
– Cyprus
– Libya
– Democratic Republic Of The Congo
– UNOPS
– Food Price Index
– World Environment Day
– The Fight Against Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing
– International Days/Weekend
– Programming Note/Monday

UN PEACEKEEPERS DAY

To mark UN Peacekeepers Day, the Secretary-General laid a wreath to commemorate the nearly 4,500 people who have lost their lives since we began our peacekeeping work almost 80 years ago.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said that as events of this very week remind us, peacekeepers continue to face peril in the cause of peace – and we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice.

UN Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the international community’s most effective responses to conflict. Across the globe, Mr. Guterres said, the UN Blue Helmet is a symbol of hope for communities in their darkest hour.

He said he is inspired by the women and men who wear the Blue Helmet, as they are protectors of the vulnerable, and guardians of hope in places where hope is often in short supply.

UNIFIL

Just to give you a quick update on the status of the two peacekeepers who were injured on Wednesday, I can tell you that they continue to receive treatment at a UNIFIL medical facility in south Lebanon. We wish them a swift and full recovery.

UNIFIL continues to observe intensive Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity across UNIFIL’s area of operations, including sustained airstrikes and helicopter fire in both sectors, East and West. Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported a total of 773 firing incidents originating from IDF positions south of the Blue Line within the area of operations. In addition, 15 trajectories of projectiles were detected from north to south, including one crossing the Blue Line, while ground forces observed 29 projectile interceptions by Israel over the area.

Peacekeepers also observed IDF personnel and vehicles establishing two roadblocks near a UNIFIL position in Sector West. UNIFIL’s freedom of movement is essential for the implementation of its mandate and must be fully respected.

Also yesterday, UNIFIL observed two armed drones flying over or near a UNIFIL position north of Bayyadah. One of the drones dropped a grenade in the vicinity before turning back. Incidents of this nature are of concern, and we reiterate that all parties must avoid actions that could endanger UN personnel and assets.

In coordination with OCHA, the mission facilitated three humanitarian missions to Tyre in Sector West yesterday.

LEBANON

Earlier today, our Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Mr. Imran Riza, launched with the Lebanese government the revised Flash Appeal calling for an additional $331.5 million to cover the period from June to August. This brings the overall ask for the Flash Appeal, running from March through August, to nearly $640 million, and this is to sustain life-saving efforts for 1.4 million people.

You will recall that the Secretary-General announced the initial appeal three months ago in the immediate aftermath of the escalation. Donors have up till now provided $186 million to bolster the humanitarian response, and we and our partners have reached some 680,000 people. However, humanitarian needs are rising, and essential services, including health care and water systems, continue to be severely impacted.

Reminding that some 1 million people remain displaced because of the conflict, Mr. Riza called for sustained international support to enable the delivery of a broad range of life‑saving assistance, protect civilians, and help restore critical services in affected areas.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-05

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Syjs4bavo

Source: United Nations (video statements)

World Environment Day 2026 was celebrated in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together government leaders, climate advocates, artists and citizens to highlight the urgent need for climate action.

Speaking at the event, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen warned that rising temperatures and intensifying climate impacts are affecting communities worldwide, while emphasizing that solutions already exist and must be deployed urgently and at scale.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0AXbFosF6bk

Source: United Nations (video statements)

What happens when anyone with a 3D printer can potentially manufacture a firearm? Ahead of the 2026 Meeting to Combat Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, Izumi Nakamitsu and Rachel Bolton-King explore the growing threat of illicit firearms and the technological changes reshaping the global security landscape.

Read more from UN News:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/06/1167616

For more information:
https://meetings.unoda.org/poa-salw/bms9-2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHGYXqaDK8

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press Conference by Carl Skau, Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Skau warned that the Middle East crisis could push some 45 million people into hunger. The escalation of geopolitical tension in the Middle East since February 28, 2026 has profound implications for global food security.

In an early projection released in March, WFP estimated that 45 million people would fall into acute food insecurity should oil prices remain around USD 100 per barrel through the end of June.

Other partners have warned of broad implications for the global food system in the short and medium term, due to the crisis’ impact on supply chains and energy and fertilizer markets.

To better ascertain country level food security dynamics, WFP worked with local partners to conduct three case studies in May in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.

Addressing the press today (4 Jun) Skau said, “in Somalia, we’re seeing 2.5 million people additional now being acutely food insecure. In Afghanistan the number is 2.3 million and in Sri Lanka1.3. In all three countries there is a different mix of issues that is driving this. Increased prices is one, but there is also the element of one underfunded humanitarian responses and development responses, but also that the cost of doing business, if you will, the cost of running humanitarian operations has gone up dramatically.”

On Ebola and the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Skau said, “This is really a crisis in a crisis already. In Ituri province, where the outbreak reportedly started, hundreds of 1000s of people are already displaced, and only in the past couple of months we saw additional tens of thousands of people displaced. And it’s a place where a million people are also acutely food insecure, and we are just barely meeting the minimum requirements in terms of response that has been underfunded now for many years, but even more severely so over the past few months, but we are stepping up.”

On the humanitarian financing, he said “We are facing a perfect storm, with, you know, record high levels of hunger, is now, you know, risking to get even higher, and at the same time, we have seen historic drops in our funding, with a 40 percent drop year to year last year.”

He stressed, “We’re not seeing the same kind of response when we also have sudden onset crisis that we used to. One example of that is Lebanon, where you basically have a greater crisis now than you did two years ago, and now we’re only seeing about half of the money coming forward that we saw last time. Frankly, the government is doing all it can. It’s doing all the right things. I think, as a humanitarian and UN system, we also, you know, we were well prepared and were geared up, working closely with those government and local authority efforts, and so everything is in place in a way. What is lacking is of course a ceasefire, so that we can access all the people and that people can return, but secondly it is the funding.”

Answering a question, he said, “We have been able to respond at scale in Gaza since the start of the ceasefire, but under increasing pressure over the past few weeks, I should say, or since the war in the Gulf escalated, and so you know we have been able to somewhat stabilize the food security situation.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4uu_7ysZOE