Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
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Highlights:
– 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)
– Guest Speaker Tomorrow Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
– Damascus Church Attack
– Security Council meeting on Iran, Secretary General Remarks.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=23%20June%202025
Established in 1957 to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) is an autonomous part of the United Nations system with 180 member countries. The IAEA monitors nuclear facilities, reports on nuclear activities, oversees safety, urges diplomacy and promotes the use of nuclear technologies for a better future.
On 23 June 2025, during the the EU-Canada Summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold a press conference together with António Costa, President of the European Council, and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada.
The summit is an opportunity to enhance the EU-Canada strategic partnership and for leaders to reinforce their cooperation at different levels, from trade to economic security, energy, crisis management, and justice and home affairs, in light of the rapidly changing geopolitical and economic context.
The EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership is expected to be agreed. Leaders will also issue a joint statement.
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to geo-engineering and the environment.
Dr Roz Savage MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701963
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Find out more about how petition debates work: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/content/194347/how-petitions-debates-work/
Stay up-to-date
Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions
Statement to the Security Council by Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on threats to international peace and security.
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The nuclear non-proliferation regime that has underpinned international security for more than half a century is on the line.
The dramatic events in Iran have become even more serious with last night’s bombardments and the potential widening of the conflict.
We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall.
Iran, Israel, the Middle East need peace and there is a path for diplomacy.
We must return to the negotiating table and allow the IAEA inspectors, the guardians of the NPT, to go back to Iran’s nuclear sites and account for the stockpiles of uranium, including, most importantly, the 400kg enriched to 60%.
Any agreement, any arrangement will have as a pre-requisite the establishment of the facts on the ground. This can be done only through IAEA inspections. IAEA inspectors are in Iran, and they must do their job. This will require a cessation of hostilities so that Iran can let the teams into the sites under the necessary safety and security conditions.
Any special measures by Iran to protect its nuclear materials and equipment can be done in accordance with Iran’s safeguards obligations and the Agency. This is possible.
Madame President,
Based on information available to the IAEA, let me update you on what has occurred at Iran’s nuclear sites since I last addressed this Council three days ago.
Craters are visible at the Fordow site, Iran’s main location for enriching uranium to 60%, indicating the use by the United States of America of ground-penetrating munitions. This is consistent with statements from the US. At this time, no one – including the IAEA – is in a position to assess the underground damage at Fordow.
At the Esfahan nuclear site, additional buildings were hit overnight, with the US confirming their use of cruise missiles. Affected buildings include some related to the uranium conversion process. Also at this site, entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit.
At the Natanz enrichment site, the Fuel Enrichment Plant has been hit again, with the US confirming that it used ground-penetrating munitions.
Iran has informed the IAEA there has been no increase in off-site radiation levels at all three sites.
The situation at the other sites remains as I described to the Council three days ago.
We continue to monitor the situation and encourage the Iranian regulator to maintain its indispensable contact with the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre.
Madame President,
The IAEA has consistently underlined, as stated in its General Conference resolution, that armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked.
I therefore again call on maximum restraint. Military escalation threatens lives and delays a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. It also threatens the global non-proliferation regime.
As I stated three days ago, I am ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate. With your support, the IAEA can deploy nuclear safety and security experts to Iran, in addition to our safeguards inspectors, wherever they are needed.
Madame President,
There is arguably no more important and universally supported endeavour than ensuring that we use the enormous power of the atom for good rather than destruction.
Let us not allow the window to close on diplomacy. Let us not allow the non-proliferation regime to fail.
Irrespective of individual positions and views, one thing is certain, and this is the simple truth: we will not be safer if there are more nuclear weapons in more states around the world.
The IAEA is ready to do its part to bring this military confrontation to an end.
Young economists have a vital role to play in shaping Europe’s future. Every year we recognise this through the Young Economist Prize, a research competition that offers talented students the chance to share their fresh perspectives on today’s challenges.
Finalists are invited to the annual ECB Forum on Central Banking, and the overall winner is awarded €10,000.
The theme of the 2025 ECB Forum on Central Banking is “Adapting to change: macroeconomic shifts and policy responses ”. The Forum will take place from 30 June to 2 July 2025 in Sintra.
The Smurfs are joining forces with the United Nations ActNow campaign and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to encourage people, especially children, to Speak Up & Speak Out to empower themselves and others, and to create a blueprint for a better world. Rihanna, Hannah Waddingham, Billie Lourd and Amy Sedaris want you to know that everyone – every child – has the right to be treated fairly, and to speak up and be heard! Our voices all matter and we are loudest when we speak together. So, #ActNow! For more information, visit https://www.un.org/en/actnow. #ActNow
The UN History of Innovation tells the story of a bold and revolutionary United Nations, throughout its history and for the future.
The UN History of Innovation is a journey through time that reveals a bold and often unexpected side of the United Nations—one defined by creativity, experimentation, and transformation. From early breakthroughs to present-day innovations, this initiative highlights how the UN has continuously adapted to meet the world’s evolving challenges. More than a retrospective, it invites reflection on the spirit of innovation that has shaped the Organization’s past—and the imagination needed to shape its future.
Produced by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA)Innovation Cell.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Introduced in the 14th century, the woolsack is thought to have been designed to reflect the economic importance of the wool trade in England. Today, it’s filled with wool from Britain and across the Commonwealth. Discover the history and significance of the seat of the Lord Speaker with Curator of the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection, Eloise.
Watch the full film on the House of Lords YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7PSkYx-5KM&feature=youtu.be
Find out more about the role and work of the Lord Speaker https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/lord-speaker/
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It plays a crucial role in examining bills, questioning government action and investigating public policy. Find out more https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/
If you’re interested in seeing it for yourself, why not book a tour of the Palace of Westminster? https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/
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