Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
Iran
Middle East
Lebanon
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Afghanistan/Pakistan
Cuba
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Afghanistan/Pakistan
Cuba
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Global Advocate for Human-Centric Digital Governance
Financial Contribution 
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IRAN

The Secretary-General asserts once more that the war in the Middle East must stop. Diplomacy must prevail.

All Security Council resolutions must be implemented. The latest one, resolution 2817, must be respected, as we see that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted.  

MIDDLE EAST

And the World Food Programme (WFP) is warning today that the total number of people around the world facing acute levels of hunger could reach record numbers in 2026 if the escalation in the Middle East continues to destabilize the world’s economy.

New analysis by WFP estimates that almost 45 million more people could fall into acute food insecurity or worse (known as IPC3+) if the conflict does not end by the middle of the year, and if oil prices remain above $100 a barrel. These would add to the 318 million people around the world who are already food insecure. 

LEBANON

Turning to Lebanon, our UNIFIL peacekeepers report continued exchanges of fire in both directions across the Blue Line, including rockets, missiles, artillery, mortars and direct fire, as well as interceptions of projectiles and airstrikes inside its area of operations in southern Lebanon.

The peacekeepers are observing reinforcement of Israeli Defense Forces forces in several areas north of the Blue Line, especially in Sector East. Near Khyam in Sector East, about five kilometers north of the Blue Line, peacekeepers yesterday monitored the concentration of dozens of military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and tanks. In addition, peacekeepers continue to observe reinforcement of IDF forces near Kfar Kila in Sector East.

We continue to urge all sides to cease hostilities, avail themselves of diplomatic channels and recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

And in line with this call, today and in closed consultations, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, are both briefing the Security Council via VTC on the implementation of the resolution.

LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN

On the humanitarian front in Lebanon, our colleagues at OCHA report that we and our partners continue to scale-up humanitarian assistance, providing food, shelter, water and medical support to families forced to flee their homes.

To date, UN agencies, including World Food Programme, UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF, and our non-governmental partners have distributed more than 1.1 million hot meals and 38,000 ready-to-eat kits, as well as more than tens of thousands of mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets and hygiene and menstrual hygiene kits to collective shelters. Hundreds of thousands of litres of clean water have also been delivered.

Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6bVibynqpM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Memorial Ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.

The Department of Global Communications in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations, will hold a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EDT in the General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters. Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications will host the proceedings. Speakers will include the Deputy Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, the Representative of the African Union and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Rwanda. The commemoration will also feature remarks by the President of Ibuka, testimony of a genocide survivor, the lighting of memorial candles and musical elements.

More info: https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/commemorations-2025.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhO6lYobKOI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations is pleased to welcome actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the UN’s first Global Advocate for Human-centric Digital Governance.

In this role, Mr. Gordon-Levitt will collaborate with the UN to help shape a digital future that is inclusive, innovative and human-centred. He will bring his creativity, perspective and influence to the UN Internet Governance Forum, amplifying the UN’s commitment to human rights and accountability in the digital age.

From online safety to access and opportunity, his advocacy will help ensure that the human impact of technology on everyday life is never overlooked.

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