Category: United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Bahrain together with the United States, with the backing of Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, circulated a draft resolution earlier this week to the Security Council on the situation of Strait of Hormuz. It calls on Iran to cease attacks, mining, and tolling in the Strait as well as to participate in the UN’s efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor.

Speaking to reporters today (7 May) in New York, Bahrain’s Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei said, “the draft resolution is guided by the clear principal – freedom of navigation in accordance with the international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.:”

Ambassador Alrowaiei emphasized that it also supports ongoing efforts to seek durable peace in the region and encourages dialog in the regard. “This initiative reflects our strong commitment to regional security, to multilateral cooperation, and to the peaceful resolution of dispute,” he said.

US Ambassador Mike Waltz pointed out that the draft revolution is “an evolution “of resolution 2817. It “requires Iran to do some very simple, straightforward things, the Ambassador said, “cease its attacks on commercial shipping, cease mining and remove its mines from an international waterway; cease tolling, charging illegal tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, and allow the UN to move forward with humanitarian aid, lifesaving aid, through that international corridor.”

The US Ambassador stated that now it is left for the international community to choose, “are the countries of the Council choosing to stand with a regime that slaughters its own people, that brutalize its neighbors, that strangles the world’s economy? Or are they standing with the shining cities of Manama, Kuwait City, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha with the people that seek a better future for not only their people, but for the region and for the world?”

“I know what decision the United States is making,” Ambassador Waltz reiterated, “we’re choosing to stand with the freedom of navigation. We’re choosing to stand with international law. We’re choosing to stand with our partners as we move forward.”

For his part, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed Abushahab said, “while the draft resolution does not give any authorization or impose sanctions on Iran, by acting under Chapter VII, the Council would make clear that its decisions in this resolution are binding and that the Council is serious about them, and that it may consider further measures if its decisions are not implemented.”

Ambassador of Qatar Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said, “we look forward to continuing our engagement intensively with Member States to secure the support for this timely Security Council resolution on guaranteeing the freedom of navigation while protecting maritime waterways.”

The Ambassadors at the press encounters are US Ambassador Mike Waltz, Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mohamed Issa Abushahab, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulaziz M. Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Ambassador Tareq M. A. M. Albanai, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEHDGa1Z0Bo

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– beyond GDP
– Migration Review Forum
– Hantavirus
– Lebanon
– UNIFIL
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Western Sahara
– Sudan
– Somalia
– Security Council/UNISFA
– Human Rights
– Happening at the UN
———————————–
BEYOND GDP

This afternoon at 3 pm, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP will present their report to Member States, outlining recommendations for a country-owned and universally applicable set of indicators that go beyond GDP to guide policy and decision-making.

The Secretary-General will make remarks at the event and will say that the report being launched today is a landmark step in correcting a longstanding blind spot in measuring progress: The over-reliance on Gross Domestic Product.

He will say that while GDP will continue to be an important measurement, it will not be the only one. Our world needs a more sophisticated, more diverse, and more humane accounting system.

The report, titled “Counting What Counts: A Compass of Progress for People and Planet,” offers the United Nations’ first global framework for moving beyond GDP, proposing a wider set of measures to guide economic policy toward well-being and environmental sustainability.

MIGRATION REVIEW FORUM

This morning, in the General Assembly, the Secretary-General addressed the International Migration Review Forum.

He reminded Member States that migration is an integral part of the human story, an activity as old as humanity itself, adding that migration is not the crisis. The crisis, he said, is the world’s collective failure to manage it together.

Since the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Secretary-General said Member States have taken concrete steps to expand regular pathways, to strengthen labour mobility initiatives, to improve search‑and‑rescue, enhance data systems, and support for safe return and reintegration.

HANTAVIRUS

I want to give you an update on the situation regarding the hantavirus, and this from our colleagues in Cabo Verde, where Patricia Portela de Souza, who is the Resident UN Coordinator in that country, together with the World Health Organization Representative there, Dr. Ann Lindstrand. They worked closely with national authorities to support the response to cases of hantavirus linked to a commercial vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship, according to our information, is sailing for the Canary Islands. So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths.

In line with the framework of International Health Regulations, the response so far has involved close coordination between national authorities, and bilateral partners — particularly the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, many of whom are coordinating remotely from outside the country, as well as the vessel’s own operators.

WHO and the UN team have also supported with tracking and investigating cases, guidance to health professionals, infection prevention measures on board the ship, laboratory investigations and the provision of medical supplies for the vessel. A WHO expert boarded the ship in Cabo Verde, and has been joined by two doctors from the Netherlands and an expert from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. They will stay aboard the ship until it reaches its next destination in the Canary Islands.

They are conducting a medical assessment of everyone on board and gathering information to assess the risk of infection.

The World Health Organization has provided guidance to the ship’s operator on the management of health on board the vessel. They are developing step-by-step operational guidance for the safe and respectful disembarkation and onward travel of passengers and crew when they arrive.

More broadly, WHO will continue to work with the countries to ensure that the patients, the contacts, the passengers and crew have the information and support they need to stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus.

LEBANON

Moving to Lebanon. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the humanitarian situation there remains volatile. Wednesday evening’s Israeli strike on Beirut’s ‌southern suburbs caused a new wave of displacements of civilians, who, as you can imagine, had already been impacted by months of conflict. This was the first attack on Lebanon’s capital since the ceasefire announcement of April 17th and its subsequent extension. This is obviously a very alarming development. We are deeply worried also about reports of civilians also being killed in the attack and that also includes children.

Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-07

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCS4sXpwB9o

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Opening remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Opening of the International Migration Review Forum 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y9Qp74Plfo

Source: United Nations (video statements)

How can the United Nations work more clearly, coherently and effectively in a rapidly changing world?
This short explainer video breaks down the practical implications of the General Assembly resolution on Mandate Creation, Implementation and Review for an Efficient and Effective United Nations — a key milestone under Workstream 2 of the UN80 Initiative.
Featuring Ambassadors Brian Wallace of Jamaica and Carolyn Schwalger of New Zealand, Co-Chairs of the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review, the video explains:
▪️ What UN mandates are
▪️ Why mandate reform matters
▪️ What changes in practice
▪️ How the resolution aims to improve clarity, coordination, accountability and delivery across the UN system
▪️ What happens next as implementation moves forward
At its core, the resolution is about helping the United Nations focus better, work better and deliver better for people and planet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLEooW9uS0o

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, explains why the NPT (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) Review Conference this year is critical for nuclear disarmament.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1jxFMSJ6goI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

An outbreak of deadly hantavirus aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has triggered an international public health response.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating evacuations and risk assessments following the death of three people and multiple suspected infections.

To date, one case has been confirmed after verification in a laboratory, but there are five additional suspected cases among those on board.

"The World Health Organization is judging that the risk of a global outbreak is low" said Ann Lindstrand, WHO Representative in Cabo Verde.

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– Secretary-General Statement/Ted Turner
– Middle East
– Lebanon/Humanitarian
– UNIFIL
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Chad
– Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation
—————————————————————————–

SECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENT/TED TURNER

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Turner – a visionary whose conviction, generosity and audacious spirit left a lasting imprint on the United Nations and our world.

Ted Turner believed in the United Nations – and in its purpose – at a defining moment. And he invested in that mission.

Ted Turner bet on humanity – and in the process helped strengthen the security of his own country and reinforce our common values.

His $1 billion dollar commitment to the United Nations – and subsequent creation of the United Nations Foundation – represented at the time the largest individual philanthropic gift in modern history.

But it was not just his commitment of resources, his legacy will be his ongoing advocacy for the United Nations and the importance of diplomacy.

Ted Turner never stopped pushing for the world to do better, and to do better through the United Nations.

He helped expand our reach, mobilize partnerships, and drive action on many of the defining challenges of our time – from global health to peace, human rights, and the protection of our planet.

I am deeply grateful for his extraordinary commitment to international problem-solving and his unwavering support for the ideals of the United Nations Charter. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

His legacy endures – as we keep striving for a stronger United Nations and a better world for all.

MIDDLE EAST

Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefed the Security Council in closed consultations this morning on the Middle East. She talked about the recent missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

Ms. DiCarlo underscored that from the start of the conflict on 28 February, the Secretary-General has condemned all unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond. He has also stressed that Security Council resolution 2817 must be respected and civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.

The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, is continuing diplomatic consultations in the region.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at a comprehensive and durable resolution of the conflict.

LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN

Turning to Lebanon, we have seen the reports of the newly issued evacuation orders for a dozen Lebanese areas across South, Nabatieh and Bekaa areas. We note with deep concern these evacuation orders and airstrikes against Lebanese towns, targeting areas both south of the Litani River and far beyond it, including Saida and the West Bekaa. We reiterate that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be respected and protected at all times.

This is forcing further displacement of civilians already impacted by months of hostilities. We and our humanitarian partners continue to support the response. The UN Refugee Agency and our partners have reached more than 158,000 displaced people with psychosocial support, dignity kits, cash assistance and other services.

However, significant risks persist, including movement restrictions, psychological distress, lack of documentation and heightened exposure to exploitation, particularly for women and children.

Meanwhile, OCHA reports that as strikes continue, particularly in southern Lebanon, the death toll is rising daily. Overnight, one emergency worker was killed, three others were injured in an Israeli strike in the southern municipality of Kfar Dounine in Nabatieh. Another emergency worker was injured in a subsequent strike in the same area while responding.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4GWRxdN7tg

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Joint comments to the media delivered by Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations, and Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, on Iran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36lQXO69f2Y

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press conference by Zoe Brennan, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Spokesperson, and Jonathan Prentice, Head of the UN Network on Migration, on the launch of the World Migration Report. They were joined virtually by Pablo Rojas Coppari and Stuart Russell Campo from IOM’s research team to address any technical questions on the report.

Zoe Brennan said ensuring safe and regular pathways, supporting skills, mobility and strengthening regional cooperation “are concrete steps that respect national borders and priorities and help countries manage migration more effectively while delivering real benefits for economies and people alike.”

Brennan said, “when migration is well managed, it supports jobs, economic growth, stability and social cohesion,” and added that “migrants contribute as workers and entrepreneurs and consumers, and through the skills, innovation and connections they bring across borders.”

By the end of 2024, she said, “an estimated 83.4 million people were internally displaced within their own countries, the highest number ever recorded, driven by conflict, violence and disasters.”

This, Brennan said, “underscores that most displacement happens within countries rather than across borders.”

Responding to a reporter’s question, Stuart Campo from IOM’s research team said, “while we saw in the last year a reduction in attempted crossings on the central Mediterranean route, which is one of the major routes, we saw a doubling in the number of migrants who went missing or were found dead. So, this shows that these routes are becoming more dangerous and treacherous.”

According to the report, international migration remains relatively uncommon in global terms, with around 304 million international migrants worldwide in mid-2024, 3.7 percent of the global population.

Human displacement, the report finds, continues to rise, with over 120 million people displaced globally by the end of 2024, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons, reflecting the scale and persistence of protracted conflicts and compounding crises.

Environmental disruption is now a defining feature of contemporary mobility, as record‑breaking temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and storms increasingly interact with poverty, weak infrastructure and governance challenges to influence displacement, migration, and immobility, according to the report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IammWgU1YUI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Back from a mission to the moon, astronauts from Artemis II arrived at United Nations Headquarters with a message for humanity about our shared purpose on Earth.

A month after completing their historic flyby of the Moon, the astronauts from NASA’s Artemis II mission landed at UN Headquarters in New York this week with a message that sounded like a reminder: humanity is capable of extraordinary things when it acts together.

Their visit on Thursday followed a long-standing tradition – cosmonauts and astronauts have been coming to the UN for decades to speak about peace, international cooperation, and our shared global future.

The four-person crew carried out the farthest human spaceflight in history, travelling beyond the far side of the Moon and safely returning to Earth after 10 intense, demanding, and inspiring days.

In that short time, as noted during the event, they “captured the imagination of billions” and rekindled a sense of shared human participation in the exploration of space.

Tradition and continuity
The General Assembly building has long welcomed pioneers of the space age, starting with Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova – the first man and woman in space.

Their October 1963 visit symbolised not only technological progress but also the idea that cosmos is a domain where humanity can be united.

Since then, representatives of many nations have repeatedly addressed the international community, emphasising that space exploration is impossible without cooperation and shared responsibility.

Artemis II continues that legacy. The mission represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a model of international partnership, involving multiple countries and institutions, including the European Space Agency, with scientific instruments and systems developed by specialists from around the world.

“I had the opportunity to talk to everyone on the way here – I mean to these three pretty normal but pretty overachieving Americans and a Canadian,” said US Ambassador Mike Waltz, who hosted the evening discussion in front of an invited audience of excited earthlings with the astronauts.

The crew stressed that their task was not only to test a spacecraft, but also to remind people on the ground that humanity can achieve great things when it works together.

Earth from deep space
For all the astronauts, the most powerful experience was seeing Earth from deep space.

From hundreds of thousands of miles away, the planet appeared small, fragile, almost weightless against the vast darkness – an image that underscored both Earth’s uniqueness and the rarity of life itself.

“I always felt urged to just be grateful for what we were seeing and to be grateful for what we were eventually going back to,” said pilot Victor Glover.

Astronaut Christina Koch described a sudden awareness of humanity’s scale within the boundless universe.

“You realize that actually there’s nothing absolute or guaranteed about this, and that actually there is such thing as a global scale…this scale is our world and what we do with it is our choice.”

Read More: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167427

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgOR8pndMf4