United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is in Beirut on a solidarity visit, stressing that words must be matched by action. Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East Mr. Guterres launched a Flash Humanitarian Appeal for US$308.3 million to provide crucial humanitarian aid to support the people of Lebanon. This emergency funding will cover essential needs like food and clean water for the next three months, highlighting the urgent situation in the middle east.
The President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, told journalists in New York that “gender equality has never been more supported globally than today. But at the same time, we have never seen such organised attempts to roll back these successes.”
As the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week, Baerbock said, “all around the world we can see women rights are the benchmark for the strength, freedom and economic development of societies. So therefore, in the interest of all.”
She said, “if countries would close the gender pay gap, the productivity all around the world, the GDP would increase by 12 trillion US dollars. If we would close the digital divide between men and women, the world economy would grow until 2050 by over 100 trillion US dollars. This is the GDP combined between the United States and China.”
The PGA said, “women rights are in the interest of all. Yet, as we have seen over the last week, not only women rights are under attack, it’s also true for the international order.”
She stressed that “defending the UN charter” remains her central priority of the 80th session of the General Assembly.
Turning to UN reform, Baerbock said, “we need even more and very serious debate how to modernise this institution and make it more efficient and more delivering on the principles.”
On the election of the next Secretary-General, she said, “this next Secretary General should provide strong and dedicated, effective leadership skills with experience in governance structures, but also with regard to United Nations, with regard to, management skills of this institution in the light of, the reforms.”
The PGA stressed the importance of regional diversity and noted the consensus “by 193 member states to strongly, call on member states for the nomination of women.”
Five candidates have so far been nominated: Michelle Bachelet of Chile; Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica; Macky Sall of Senegal, and Virginia Gamba and Rafael Mariano Grossi, both from Argentina.
The informal dialogues with candidates are expected to begin on the 20th of April. Each candidate will have a three-hour session, allowing member states, NGO, sufficient time to ask questions. Candidates will also be required to provide financial disclosure.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/Travels
Lebanon
UN Interim Force in Lebanon
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Strait of Hormuz/Humanitarian
Attacks on Synagogues
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Briefings/Monday
Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
The Secretary-General arrived in Beirut earlier today. He arrived from Ankara and landed in Lebanon at a critical and timely moment for country and the wider region. Upon his arrival, he said this is a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon who did not choose this war. They were dragged into it.
The Secretary-General appealed to both parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and stop the enormous suffering of civilians in the region. The Secretary-General just finished a round of meetings with President Joseph Aoun, with the Speaker of Parliament, and Nabih Berri, and with the Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
In all his meetings, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’ strong support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for the Lebanese State’s exercise of a monopoly on the use of force in its own country. Discussions with Lebanese officials focused on the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, including the establishment of lasting security and stability across the Blue Line and beyond.
In his meetings, the Secretary-General was accompanied by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, his Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon; Imran Riza, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon; and Major General Diodato Abagnara, the Force Commander of our peacekeeping forces in the country.
In remarks to the media that have been shared with you, the Secretary-General said that he hopes that his next visit to Lebanon will be a visit of a Lebanon in peace.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Lebanon just launched a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of $308.3 million to provide life-saving support to one million people impacted. And that will cover for the next 3 months.
He also emphasized that the success of this effort will depend on swift and flexible funding, as well as ensuring that humanitarian workers can safely reach those who are most in need. He also called for the respect of the international humanitarian law, and that includes the protection of civilians.
The Secretary-General is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow for media in Lebanon, and he is expected him back in New York on Sunday.
LEBANON
The UN, along with its humanitarian partners, and together with authorities, are scaling-up urgent assistance to displaced people in Lebanon. As of March 12th, we distributed some 632,000 hot meals and 18,000 ready-to-eat meals.
We’ve also provided more than 382,000 litres of bottled water and over 1,700 cubic metres of clean water through water trucking. More than 211,000 litres of fuel have been supplied to sustain water services to reach 700,000 people.
Government figures indicate that many people continue to be displaced. More than 822,000 people, including nearly 300,000 children, have registered with the Government as being displaced. And around 128,000 people are sheltering in nearly 600 collective sites across the country. We, of course, imagine that the actual number of displaced is much higher.
The UN once again reiterates the need for safe and sustained humanitarian access so that we, and our humanitarian partners, and the Government and humanitarian system can reach people who needs help.
UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) today said that the situation in southern Lebanon continues to deteriorate, with rockets and missiles fired at Israel and airstrikes in Lebanese territory, resulting in increasing casualties, including civilians, displacement and destruction.
UN Peacekeepers continue to observe artillery shelling in Sector East as well as ground incursions by the Israel Defense Forces up to seven kilometers inside Lebanese territory.
The UN continues to urge all sides to cease hostilities and recommit themselves to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. That resolution remains essential for the safety and security of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.
Peacekeepers remain on the ground in this difficult environment, assisting civilians to move to safer areas and continuing to monitor and report on the situation.
The volatile security situation continues to restrict movements of the peacekeepers.
UNIFIL will continue to facilitate humanitarian access and supporting missions by ourselves and international organizations, including the Lebanese Red Cross to support delivery of essential humanitarian aid to people living in UNIFIL’s area of operation.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-13
Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2026 (15 March).
"The world’s 2 billion Muslims hail from all corners of the globe, reflecting the vast diversity of humanity itself.
Yet they often face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and profiling. These worrying trends are fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and outright hate, which can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
Governments must take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom and combat discrimination, including by ensuring full compliance with international human rights law.
Online platforms must work to wipe out hate speech and harassment against people based on their religion or belief.
And all people need to speak out against bigotry, xenophobia and discrimination wherever they find it.
That’s why I appointed in May 2025 the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia to enhance our collective response.
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let’s re-commit to the equality, human rights and dignity of every person, no matter their faith.
Let’s eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community".
More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/anti-islamophobia-day
Top official at UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) told reporters, “Airstrikes and cross border clashes have disrupted the delivery of humanitarian assistance and contributed to both primary and secondary displacement,” reiterating the Secretary-General’s call for “restraint de-escalation for the parties to recommit to a ceasefire and for renewed diplomatic engagement.”
Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) spoke to reporters via video link,
She said, “looking ahead, we’re concerned that after Eid al-Fitr, the situation could deteriorate further and we urge both sides to step back, accept mediation and prevent a broader regional crisis.”
Gagnon also reminded the de facto authorities of their international obligations on counterterrorism, “particularly on concerns raised by neighboring States.”
She also briefed on how the conflict in the Middle East is already negatively affecting Afghanistan, “with traditional trade corridors disrupted and instability affecting regional supply routes, prices of basic commodities in Afghanistan are rising, adding pressure on an already fragile economy.”
“Humanitarian partners anticipate new inflows of Afghan returnees, adding strain to the communities that are already hosting millions who have returned since 2023,” Gagnon added.
The top UNAMA official also said, “the continued shocks economic, humanitarian and political underscore Afghanistan’s isolation from the international system, which remains a core obstacle to addressing the country’s longer term stability, economic growth and human rights concerns.”
On the UN’s engagement, she said, the mission continues to “pursue principled and pragmatic political engagement through the Doha Process, in line with the independent assessment and the mandate given by the UN Security Council.”
“This engagement is the only structured multilateral platform where the concerns of all the Afghan people, the international community and the de facto authorities can be addressed fairly and constructively,” Gagnon added.
She also said, “the de facto authorities decisions continue to undermine prospects for reintegration, particularly restrictions on women and girls, and the ban preventing UN female national staff from reporting to their places of work.”
“These measures are inconsistent with Afghanistan’s international obligations and impair our ability to deliver assistance and reach, particularly women and girls,” the top UNAMA official concluded.
‘Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,’ UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a ceremony in Türkiye while accepting the Atatürk International Award for Peace.
The UN chief met President Erdogan of Türkiye to discuss developments in the Middle East and other key issues.
His visit to Türkiye is also the latest solidarity visit to a Muslim nation to mark the holy month of Ramadan in what has become an annual tradition.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, our humanitarian colleagues remind us that the region is home to some of the largest numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally. The recent escalation risks deepening civilian suffering and causing further damage to already fragile civilian infrastructure.
According to UNHCR, more than 4.1 million people have been internally displaced in Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan since the beginning of the escalation. Additionally, some 117,000 people have sought refuge in another country. It’s important to note these numbers are based on data provided to us by authorities.
We and our humanitarian partners are continuing to provide humanitarian aid to people impacted across several countries and remain ready to ramp up our response in support of national authorities where needed.
IRAN
And just on Iran alone, our colleagues at UNHCR are telling us that between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside their country as a result of the ongoing conflict.
This is a preliminary assessments, and that adds up to about 3.2 million people.
UNHCR says that most of them are reportedly fleeing from Tehran and other major urban areas towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety.
They say this figure is likely to continue to rise as hostilities persist, adding that, as you can imagine, it will just add another level of humanitarian needs.
Also affected are refugee families hosted in Iran. Most of them are Afghans, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks.
UNHCR is adapting its response to these growing needs, working with national authorities and partners to assess emerging needs and strengthening preparedness as population movement increases.
We join them in emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians, to maintain humanitarian access, and ensure that borders remain open to those seeking safety, in line with country’s international obligations.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-12
The Head of United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his part said both Hizbullah and the Israeli government are in violation of Council resolution 1701 and noted that peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “have remained in position in line with the mandate this Council has provided, while continuously reassessing the force’s posture against prevailing risk.”
Lacroix said, “many rockets have been launched from south of the Litani River, which demonstrates the presence of unauthorised armed personnel, assets and weapons south of the Litani River,” while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “have issued displacement orders for the entire UNIFIL area of operations and intensified daily strikes, impacting multiple locations in the UNIFIL area of operations.”
He said, “UNIFIL continues to maintain constant contact with the parties to avoid misunderstandings, de-conflict and de-escalate where possible.”
