Thousands of displaced families in the Gaza Strip are living through escalating fear and suffering inside overcrowded tents as rodents and insects spread through shelters and displacement camps amid deteriorating health and environmental conditions caused by mounting waste and the collapse of sewage services.
Teams from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) carry out sanitation campaigns and pesticide spraying operations inside displacement camps and schools turned into shelters, amid warnings that health risks will worsen if the waste and infrastructure crisis continues unresolved.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement saying he was deeply alarmed by reports of drone strikes near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Secretary-General recalled that he has consistently warned against any further escalation of the Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed of a fire at an electrical generator near the UAE’s sole nuclear plant on Monday.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
SG Travels/Japan
Deputy Secretary-General
United Arab Emirates
World Health Assembly
Iraq
Lebanon
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Ebola/Democratic Republic of the Congo
Somalia
Sudan
Ukraine
Protection of Civilians week
Guests tomorrow
SG TRAVELS/JAPAN
The Secretary-General is in Tokyo, where today, he attended an event at UN University with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu, entitled “Celebrating 70: Japan–UN Cooperation, Expo 2025 & the Future of Multilateralism,” held as Japan marks the 70th anniversary of its admission to the United Nations.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that he has visited Japan more than 20 times in his capacity as UN High Commissioner for Refugees and as Secretary-General. He has always found strategic cooperation and support that benefited millions of people around the world. The Secretary-General added that the spirit of working together for human progress was on full display at Expo 2025 and the UN Pavilion in Osaka in Japan.
Also on Monday, the Secretary-General held a meeting with the Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae. They exchanged views on global and regional peace and security, including the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, as well as on UN reforms.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will chair the sessions of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, also known as the CEB, which brings together the heads of the UN system’s organizations. CEB Members will reflect on current world affairs. And they will engage in deliberations on Megatrends: Transforming the World and the UN80 initiative.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, in her capacity as Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Group, convened a meeting of the Group in Tokyo today, bringing together heads of UN agencies.
Discussions focused on leveraging the full strength of the United Nations development system to respond to the scale of today’s challenges and get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Secretary-General said earlier today that he was deeply alarmed by reports that drone strikes set fire yesterday to an electrical generator within the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Secretary-General has consistently warned against any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and this incident provides yet another reason for all sides to halt the fighting completely.
There must be no further attacks near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. Attacks on nuclear installations are totally unacceptable, a violation of international law and must be condemned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is following the situation closely and is in constant contact with the UAE authorities, ready to provide assistance, if needed.
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Also today, the Secretary-General addressed the opening of the World Health Assembly via a pre-recorded video message.
He said that the annual gathering is a vital opportunity for Member States to align and accelerate efforts to address global health challenges, in a context where challenges have rarely felt more daunting.
Over the past year, cuts to bilateral and multilateral aid have disrupted health systems and widened inequalities, he said.
The World Health Organization has reprioritized and recalibrated, while preserving core functions while providing technical leadership, operational support, and a trusted convening space.
The Secretary-General said WHO stands at the centre of our global health architecture, adding that it must be strong and independent, with ample and sustainable financing.
His full message is online.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-18
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.
Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for the Opening Ceremony of the Thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.
Following her visit to Havana, the Director of the United Nations humanitarian office, Edem Wosornu, said Cuba faces “an increasingly complex situation” with a “cumulative, impact of climate shocks, hurricane, drought, economic contraction, and prolonged energy shortages due to measures placed on the country.”
Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said that there has been progress towards accountability and sustained international and regional engagement, while unresolved tensions, economic hardship, and repeated violations of Syria’s sovereignty persist.
The Deputy Special Envoy briefed the Council today (15 May) on the situation in Syria via video link.
He started by highlighting the developments in the fight against impunity. On 10 May, Atef Najib appeared in court on trial for crimes committed at the outset of the revolution in Daraa in 2011. Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad and others are being tried in absentia in the same case.
Cordone explained, “the charges include the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations, arbitrary detention, torture, including of children, and killings in custody. The indictment invokes both Syrian and international law, as incorporated into the Syrian legal system by the Constitutional Declaration.”
“It is a commendable effort to situate accountability within a broader legal framework which reflects Syria’s international human rights commitments,” the Deputy Special Envoy added.
Cordone also emphasized that how Syria addresses these crimes “will serve as a key test of the country’s commitment to justice and the rule of law,” adding that “ensuring due process will be essential to building public trust, holding individual perpetrators to account, not their community. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and any confessions should be delivered in court.”
He expressed the UN’s support efforts to “ensure that all judicial proceedings are conducted in line with fair trial standards, including the fundamental right to legal representation,” adding “we also trust that these proceedings can disclose the full truth surrounding the crimes – one of the central demands of survivors.”
The Deputy Special Envoy pointed out that Suweida faces persistent political and security instability, with weekly demonstrations over demands for the release of detainees, the return of displaced persons, and greater local autonomy.
“Rivalries among Druze factions inside Suweida continue. While around 20,000 displaced persons have returned, more than 150,000 remain displaced. Efforts are ongoing to address key rehabilitation and educational challenges,” he said.
Cordone also stated that the UN remains “deeply” concerned by ongoing presence and military activities of the Israel Defense Forces east of the ceasefire line, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
He reiterated the call on Israel to “cease violations and adhere to the 1974 agreement,” and called on Israel to “clarify the fate of detained Syrians and release all those held in breach of international law.”
For his part, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, told the Council that humanitarian needs remain enormous in the country. About two-thirds of the population – 15.6 million people – most of them women, girls and children, will require help this year.
However, the OCHA chief said, “current funding levels mean we will reach only about half of them. Large-scale returns are a sign of positive change, but they are also increasing pressure on already limited services, housing, livelihoods and infrastructure.”
Fletcher also said, “the prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz means that the cost of food and fuel is rising, with immediate consequences for communities already on the edge.”
He said, “diesel is up around 17 percent, the cost of electricity by several hundred percent in some areas. Subsidized bread prices remain unchanged – but loaves are 12 percent smaller.”
The Under-Secretary-General thanked all those donors who are stepping up to support the hyperprioritised Syrian appeal, led by the US (with $160m), the EU (63m) and Japan (42m), reiterating that his Office is ready to receive support from other countries in the world.
Fletcher concluded by presenting three asks to the Council, “Back the mission: fund the prioritised plan to remove remaining humanitarian needs. Two: back the transition by rebuilding infrastructure, economic opportunity, and hope. And three: stay the course.”
For his role, Syrian Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi criticized Israel, “every time you talk about recovery, Israel launches a new attack. Every time we talk about the protection of civilians, Isreal attacks Syrians and their livelihoods. Every time we talk about stability, Israel through its acts of aggression against Syria, proves that it is the biggest hurdle in front of achieving stability in Syria. Every time we reaffirm our commitment to diplomacy brokered by the US, and we thank them for their efforts, we see that Israel continues with its attacks. Every time we commit to international law and to 1974 agreement, Israel violated it.”
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands as his new Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security. She will succeed Gilles Michaud of Canada, to whom the Secretary-General expressed his utmost gratitude for his leadership and tireless service to the Organization amidst the challenges posed by the increasing complexity of crises.
Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in diplomacy, mediation and international security. She has served since 2024 as the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, working with national, regional and international actors to advance stability in the face of compounding domestic and regional crises. She also served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) from 2018 to 2024. She was also Minister of Defence of the Netherlands.
SECURITY COUNCIL/SYRIA
This morning, the Security Council members held an open session on Syria. Briefing via VTC, Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, said that he hopes to soon reach an understanding with the Government on broad areas for cooperation, building on proposals made in March and the valuable discussions held since then, as well as on the relocation of the Geneva-based staff to Damascus. Mr. Cordone said that he will return to Damascus next week to advance discussions on the transition and his Office’s role in supporting it.
For his part, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, warned that humanitarian needs in Syria remain significant. About two-thirds of the population – that’s about 15.6 million people – and most of them are women and children, require help this year.
He added that current funding levels mean we will reach only about half of them. Almost halfway through the year, the humanitarian appeal is still barely more than 16 per cent funded, with some $480 million received towards the $2.9 billion needed.
He underscored that predictable and flexible humanitarian financing is essential to reach more people and make full use of improved access that we now have to many areas in Syria.
YEMEN
In a statement issued last night, the Secretary-General welcomed the deal reached between the parties to the conflict in Yemen to release more than 1,600 conflict-related detainees, the largest such release agreed upon since the start of the conflict in Yemen. This achievement is the result of weeks of direct negotiations in Amman, Jordan, under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Secretary-General calls on the parties to move swiftly toward implementing the deal in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), so that families can be reunited as soon as possible. He also calls on them to work toward further releases, in line with their obligations under the 2018 Stockholm Agreement to release all conflict-related detainees for all.
He calls on the Government of Yemen and the Houthis to build on the positive momentum generated by Thursday’s deal and engage constructively with his Special Envoy on Yemen towards an inclusive political process for a just and lasting peace in Yemen.
The Secretary-General further urges the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained personnel from the United Nations, NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions. He reaffirms that the United Nations system is determined to work through all possible channels to secure their safe release. The full statement is online.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-15
