Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Jack Christofides, Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), on the question concerning Haiti.

Christofides said, “We are at a critical early phase of establishing the GSF. We remain acutely aware of the suffering endured by the Haitian people, particularly those living under gang control. There is an urgent need for concrete action to restore security and hope. We are not starting from zero. But we are starting differently.”

On operational planning, Christofides added, “The mission is taking shape in a structured and deliberate manner. A deployment plan has been developed in consultation with the Haitian authorities, focused on priority areas and leveraging the specialized capabilities of contributing forces. The objective is clear: to degrade the operational capacity of gangs to a level that Haitian institutions can sustainably manage, thereby creating the time and space necessary for the State to reassert its authority.”

He said, “In parallel, we are advancing civilian deployment and establishing the core structures necessary to support intelligence-led mission planning, coordination, and oversight. The Concept of Operations has been finalized, providing a clear framework for how the mission will operate in practice, including integration with Haitian counterparts.”

Christofides added, “Force generation is progressing, with impressive pledges from Member States. An initial deployment package has been approved in line with the authorized ceiling, and deployments will take place in phases over the coming months.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRBg8bLArnA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

As interest grows in emerging ocean-based technologies—such as deep-sea mining and marine geoengineering—scientists are examining their potential impacts on marine ecosystems and the adequacy of current governance frameworks. This session will explore the state of scientific knowledge around these activities, including areas of uncertainty and concern, and discuss how science can help inform precautionary approaches and strengthen international cooperation. It will also highlight the importance of inclusive, co-produced knowledge and the need for integrated, ecosystem-based governance to guide decision-making.

Speakers:
– Dr. Peter Haugan, Co-Chair, International Science Council’s Expert Group on Ocean; Policy Director, Institute of Marine Research; and Professor, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen
– Dr. Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb, Lecturer in Ecosystem Governance & Policy, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne

Moderator:
– Léa Nacache, Communications Officer, International Science Council

Join us during the UN Ocean Conference from June 9-13 and hear about the transformation and solutions needed to accelerate action on the SDGs.

The Conference aims to drive urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Ocean science, pollution, fishing, maritime transport, biodiversity, financing and cooperation are among the issues to be tackled.

Organized by the UN Department of Global Communications, the SDG Media Zone takes the conversation out of the policy sphere and into the public discourse through impactful in-depth interviews and conversations on global issues that matter to people everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAOYgXJJhg

Source: United Nations (video statements)

This session will share preliminary findings from the World Bank’s Indigenous-led regional profiles on Indigenous Peoples in coastal and marine environments. Despite 27 million Indigenous Peoples across 87 countries depending on these ecosystems, they remain underrepresented in the global blue economy and marine policy. The session will highlight key challenges, priorities, and best practices to strengthen their direct participation, followed by a panel discussion on advancing inclusion through informed policy and partnerships.

Speakers:
– Johnson Jament, Founding Director of BlueGreen Coastal Resources, India, and Member of the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation
– Milika Sobey, Member, Women in Fisheries Network of Fiji

Moderator:
-Dianna Pizarro, Global Coordinator for Indigenous Peoples, World Bank

Join us during the UN Ocean Conference from June 9-13 and hear about the transformation and solutions needed to accelerate action on the SDGs.

The Conference aims to drive urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Ocean science, pollution, fishing, maritime transport, biodiversity, financing and cooperation are among the issues to be tackled.

Organized by the UN Department of Global Communications, the SDG Media Zone takes the conversation out of the policy sphere and into the public discourse through impactful in-depth interviews and conversations on global issues that matter to people everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y37S0eg-pI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told reporters in New York that because of today’s “extremely challenging international peace and security environment,” this year’s Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is “more important than ever.”

Nakamitsu called upon all state parties “to take their collective responsibility very seriously and call on them to engage in good faith and also flexibility.”

She said, “I am not sure if there is a high ambition as such, that, you know, extremely ambitious, detailed disarmament, commitments will be forthcoming in the NPT. But I think that shared sentiment of crisis that, my God, we need to protect this regime. Otherwise, the world will suffer from even further instability and insecurity. That shared sentiment, I think, will help states parties to engage with each other.

Taking questions from reporters, the disarmament chief said, “Israel has never admitted formally or denied. but, generally speaking, it is recognised as possessing, nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons, as, non-party. They’re not a party to the NPT.”

She said four states have been called upon “to accede to NPT as non-nuclear weapon states. Those four states are Israel, India, Pakistan, and South Sudan.”

When it comes to nuclear weapons, Nakamitsu said, “we are in a very, unfortunate situation where the gains of past, I mean, gains that we have made towards the end of the Cold War, by the INF treaty – which also does not exist anymore – and during the post-Cold War era disarmament gains, now really, one by one, gone. And we are beginning to see a reversal, in that trajectory.”

The 11th NPT Review Conference is set to take place from 27 April to 22 May 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This conference will bring together representatives from 191 states-parties to assess the implementation of the NPT and seek agreement on a final document that outlines action steps to advance its core principles and objectives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rO5uqAwjdY