Source: United Nations (video statements)
Remarks by Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nation, on the situation in the country and the region.
Colombia, Iran, Lebanon & Other Topics – Daily Press Briefing (9 March 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Tom Fletcher Briefing
Trip Announcement
Town Hall with Women Civil Society Leaders
Colombia
Middle East/Iran
Lebanon
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Security Council/Syria
Security Council/Afghanistan
Afghanistan Refugees
South Sudan
Ukraine
Myanmar
Cuba
Violence Against Children
Gender-Discriminatory Nationality Laws
International Day of Women Judges
TOM FLETCHER BRIEFING
Tomorrow, at 2pm in Geneva, which will be 9am here in New York, given the time difference, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, will be speaking to reporters.
He’ll update you all on the progress made in his goal this year to reach 87 million people with life-saving aid. For that, the humanitarian community will need $23 billion.
Connection details will be shared later for those of you who want to join.
TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
Every year, the Secretary-General undertakes a Ramadan solidarity visit. This year, he will travel to Türkiye, to the capital Ankara, to pay tribute to the extraordinary generosity of the Turkish people. Over many years, during his tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees and then as Secretary-General, António Guterres has witnessed Türkiye open its doors and communities to millions of people forced to flee violence and persecution. The Secretary-General will meet, during his trip, with representatives of non-governmental organizations working to support refugees in Türkiye.
Türkiye has provided refuge and support, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with nearly 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, including more than 2.3 million Syrians.
While in Türkiye, the Secretary-General will receive the state award, the “Atatürk International Peace Prize.”, which he will accept on behalf of UN personnel throughout the world. This recognition, as you are well aware, comes at a time of immense suffering around the world.
The unfolding crisis in the Middle East stands as a tragic example of that. During his visit, the Secretary-General is scheduled to hold discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan.
TOWN HALL WITH WOMEN CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS
This morning, the Secretary-General participated in a town hall with women civil society leaders.
In his opening remarks, he thanked them for being on the frontlines every day, defending hard‑won rights for women and girls and for building coalitions when societies are being pulled apart.
These are trying times, he said. A bitter wind is blowing around the world, hardening attitudes, and fueling a backlash against women’s rights.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-10
Afghanistan: Risks of Terrorism, Narcotics, Migration – Security Council Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Georgette Gagnon said that the country “could again become a driver of regional and global instability, in the form of out-migration, terrorism, narcotics and more.”
Addressing the Security Council, Gagnon said, “The conflict with Pakistan has had punishing human and economic costs. We reiterate the Secretary General’s deep concern about the escalation and impact on civilian populations, his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the two countries to resolve any differences through diplomacy. We urge both sides to recommit to a ceasefire without delay and safeguard the protection of civilians. I also reiterate our request to ensure the free flow of humanitarian assistance into Afghanistan.”
She continued, “It is difficult to predict the outcome of the conflict in the Middle East, but it is already affecting Afghanistan. With the border closed between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran provided an alternative trade route that is now also increasingly uncertain due to the ongoing conflict. The prices of basic commodities in Afghanistan have begun to rise, stressing Afghanistan’s already fragile economy. Instability in the region, on both of Afghanistan’s longest borders, undermines Afghanistan’s stability.”
She stressed, however, “that Afghanistan’s continued alienation from the international system remains the central issue. It prevents other issues, such as economic self-sufficiency, security cooperation, counter-terrorism commitments, human rights concerns, and the humanitarian crisis, from being fully addressed. If these issues are not dealt with, Afghanistan could again become a driver of regional and global instability, in the form of out-migration, terrorism, narcotics and more.”
She also said, “The humanitarian situation is taxing the resilience of Afghan communities. Since 2021, international partners have responded generously to address urgent humanitarian needs. This year, however, the humanitarian crisis is worsened by significant funding cuts, growing needs—including due to large-scale return of refugees—and policies of the de facto authorities that prioritize ideological rigidity over the well-being of the Afghan people. Restrictions on women working in the humanitarian sector is one clear example.”
Afghanistan: Repression of Women and Girls – Joint Media Stakeout | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint statement on behalf of the Shared Commitments holders on Women, Peace and Security (Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama and the United Kingdom) and members of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, delivered by Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations, ahead of the Security Council briefing on UNAMA.
Anne Hathaway on International Women’s Day 2026 | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Leading voices on women’s rights and justice joined UN Women for the official United Nations commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
At a time when women’s rights face renewed backlash around the world, the International Women’s Day 2026 event, held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, underscored the power of women and girls, across generations, movements and cultures, in all their diversity, coming together to defend equality and demand change for all women and girls.
Anne Hathaway, actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador stated, “Our choosing to celebrate today does not signal that we are here to accommodate injustice. No. Our celebration today affirms our determination to outlast it. Don’t let us wait, please. Happy International Women’s Day.”
Aligned with 70th Commission on the Status of Women, the observance is conceived as a single, continuous political moment that will elevate global attention to justice as the critical bridge between rights on paper and rights in practice, reaffirming collective resolve to confront persistent setbacks, violence and the denial of rights.
Bringing together Member State delegations, global leaders, advocates, Goodwill Ambassadors and global voices, the observance served as a high-visibility platform to galvanize leadership, media engagement and concrete action towards ensuring equal access to justice for all women and girls.
Staying at the Table: Women Leading Through Change | Goals Lounge| United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Women’s leadership does not diminish with age—it deepens. Yet too often, women are expected to narrow their roles or step out of visibility just as their experience and influence grow. This conversation creates a moment to recognise women’s leadership across the life course and to reaffirm the value of authority built over time.
Aligned with the priorities of the Commission on the Status of Women, the discussion brings together women whose leadership spans business, culture and public advocacy, illustrating how influence can be carried forward to shape institutions, narratives and policy agendas. It challenges ageism alongside sexism, reframing later stage leadership not as reinvention, but as continuity of power, voice and public contribution.
Linking lived experience to the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, the conversation moves beyond personal narrative to structural questions: what enables women to keep leading across stages of life, what barriers still limit that leadership, and what commitments are needed to ensure women’s experience is recognised as a public asset. The focus is clear—enabling women to continue shaping decisions and driving impact at every age and stage of life.
Moderator:
Karen Davila, Broadcast Journalist, Television News Anchor and Radio Presenter, UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines
Speakers:
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria
Loida Lewis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, TLC Beatrice, LLC and Reginald F. Lewis Foundation
Joint Statement on the Repression of Women and Girls in Afghanistan | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint statement on behalf of the Shared Commitments holders on Women, Peace and Security (Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama and the United Kingdom) and members of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, delivered by Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations, ahead of the Security Council briefing on UNAMA.
Gender Equality, Iran & Other Topics – Daily Press Briefing (9 March 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)
Middle East/Iran
Lebanon
Sudan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
South Sudan
Abyei
Security Council
Financial Contribution
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
The Commission on the Status of Women is holding its seventieth session here at UN Headquarters in New York, focusing on rights, justice and action for all women and girls.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the opening of the session. He stressed that gender equality is, and always has been, a question of power. “No step forward for women’s rights has ever been given. Every step has been won.”
Mr. Guterres highlighted progress within the UN, noting that women now make up half of all UN workforce across professional and higher categories, with parity in senior leadership reached two years ahead of schedule. “We did it not by lowering standards, but by widening the search for talent,” he said.
He also warned that globally, the picture remains deeply concerning. As conflicts rage in the Middle East and elsewhere, women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence and the displacement. He added that the number of women and girls living within 50 kilometres of deadly conflict is at its highest level in decades, while conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 87 per cent in just two years.
And just to flag that there will be several side events this week, including one today at 4:45 p.m. in Conference Room 2, where the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict will launch a Global Network on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence prosecutions.
MIDDLE EAST/IRAN
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, we continue to raise the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement of people.
We are particularly concerned by the number of reports of recent strikes on oil facilities, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region, with immediate possible impacts on safe water and air that people need to breathe and on food. This comes on top of strikes on water desalination plants reported in several countries.
And I can tell you that our colleagues at the World Health Organization are particularly following the health impacts of all of these.
The Middle East was already facing immense humanitarian needs prior to this latest escalation.
We reiterate again that all possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure.
SUDAN
In Sudan, the UN is very alarmed by the series of drone strikes we have seen in recent days across several states in Sudan.
In West Kordofan State, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that strikes in the localities of Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on Saturday reportedly hit a market, possibly killing more than 20 people and injuring many others.
In neighbouring North Kordofan, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in the village of Umm Kereidim on Friday. The International Organization for Migration said that in the village, more than 200 people had to flee their homes.
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that yesterday in East Darfur State, a strike on a fuel market in the city of Ad Duyain reportedly killed seven civilians, including a pregnant woman and a child.
We reiterate, yet again, that the parties must adhere to international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including markets, homes and schools, must never be targeted. Rapid, safe, unhindered humanitarian aid must be allowed at all times.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-09
International Women’s Day 2026 | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
United Nations celebrates International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls."
#IAmMalala
#IWD2026
Israel on Iran – Security Council Stakeout (9 March 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Remarks to the press by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on the situation in Iran.