Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media stakeout by Dr. Kamil Idris, Prime Minister of Sudan, on the situation in the country.
United Kingdom on the situation in Myanmar – Security Council Media Stakeout
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, on the situation in Myanmar.
A lifetime championing refugees, with Filippo Grandi | UN ‘Awake at Night’ podcast teaser
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Filippo Grandi has devoted more than three decades to easing the suffering of refugees: “My pride after all these years is that the center of this effort of my lifetime has been on people, and especially on the people that suffer most in the world, including refugees.”
Now, shortly before his term comes to an end, and as more than 117 million people worldwide remain forcibly displaced, the long-serving UN High Commissioner for Refugees is welcoming a rare moment of hope for one of the world’s largest refugee populations. “Home means your house, your family, your friends, your work, your school, and it is fantastic when, like in Syria […] people can go back to their homes. This is what most refugees want.”
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, not only helps those who flee war and persecution, but also those who choose to go home when peace returns. Appearing on Awake at Night for a second time, Filippo Grandi reflects on the dangers of divisive politics, the human cost of painful budget and staff cuts, and shares his hopes and dreams for life after the UN.
Libya: Progress remains stalled by institutional deadlock – UNSMIL Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Four months after unveiling a UN-backed political roadmap for Libya, progress remains stalled by institutional deadlock and mistrust, UN Libya envoy Hanna Serwaa Tetteh told the Security Council.
Briefing the Council in New York, Tetteh said efforts to advance electoral preparations had failed to meet agreed timelines, despite repeated engagement with Libya’s rival political bodies. She recalled that committees from the House of Representatives and the High Council of State had agreed in October to reconstitute the High National Elections Commission within two weeks, but “despite multiple efforts and engagements with these institutions, this did not happen.”
Tetteh said a subsequent agreement signed on 28 November, under UN auspices, established a mechanism to select new HNEC board members, with a deadline of 11 December to finalize the process. That deadline also passed without action.
“It is my assessment that the delays are a manifestation of the lack of trust between the two institutions, their own internal divisions, and the inability to overcome their differences and agree on the way forward to resolve the current impasse,” Tetteh said, adding that she recognized “the serious efforts by some members to advance these two processes.”
Despite the setbacks, Tetteh highlighted the launch of a new UN-facilitated dialogue process held inside Libya earlier this month, describing it as a key component of the roadmap.
“On 14 and 15 December, UNSMIL launched the inaugural meeting of the Structured Dialogue which is one of the three core components of the Roadmap,” she said. “This is the first process of this magnitude to be held on Libyan soil.”
She said participants included representatives from sovereign institutions, civil society, political parties, academia and cultural and linguistic groups, alongside other state institutions.
Security Council Renews #MONUSCO Mandate DRC
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The UN Security Council voted unanimously to renew the mandate of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for one year, until 20 December 2026.
The draft resolution renews MONUSCO’s mandate until 20 December 2026, maintaining its current troop ceiling of 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers, 443 police personnel, and 1,270 personnel in formed police units.
Gaza: 75% of population to face extreme levels of food insecurity – UN Chief | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The latest IPC report shows famine has been pushed back in Gaza. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned the gains are “fragile,” and urged full implementation of the ceasefire and a clear path toward a two-state solution.
Guterres spoke to reporters in New York on the situation in Gaza. He said that far more people are able to access the food they need to survive, adding that the UN is preparing more than 1.5 million hot meals every day and delivering general food assistance packages across Gaza.
The UN chief said, “Clean water is reaching more communities. Some health facilities have reopened. And in the wake of the brutal winter storms, we acted immediately to provide tents, blankets, clothing and other support.”
“This is a testament to the hard work of humanitarians and Member States, along with growing cooperation with the Civil-Military Coordination Center,” Guterres highlighted.
The Secretary-General also cautioned that gains are fragile, stating that 1.6 million people in Gaza — more than 75 percent of the population — are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.
Guterres pointed out that the needs are growing faster than aid can get in, stressing “We need a truly durable ceasefire. We need more crossings, the lifting of restrictions on critical items, the removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding, and unimpeded access – including for NGOs.”
The UN chief also warned not to lose sight of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank.
He said, “Palestinians there face escalating Israeli settler violence, land seizures, demolitions and intensified movement restrictions. Tens of thousands have been displaced following operations by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank.”
Guterres reiterated, “International law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law — must be upheld across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
“The International Court of Justice indicated provisional measures. These are binding and must be implemented,” he added.
The Court’s Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 was clear, the UN chief said, explaining “Israel is under the obligation to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid, to cooperate with the United Nations in carrying out our mandates, and to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel, including in times of armed conflict."
The Secretary-General reiterated his support for UNRWA, “which plays an indispensable role in serving the Palestinian people — in Gaza and elsewhere in the region.”
“This is a crisis born of human decisions. It can be resolved through human choices – if there is the political will to act,” Guterres said.
He concluded, “The perverse and prolonged suffering must end. Palestinians need a horizon of hope. The ceasefire must be implemented in full. The endless cycle of violence must be broken. And the way must be cleared to an irreversible path to a two-state solution.”
Asked about reports of Israel’s decision to delay implementing phase two of the agreement, Guterres said, “I think that it is essential to move to phase two, and I don’t think that we should have any pretext to avoid it.”
He continued, “I believe, obviously, that it is very important that the remnants that are still missing are found and given back to their families. But at the same time, I think it’s very important to move with the peace process as a whole.”
Asked about his phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this week, the Secretary-General said, “The situation is obviously very tense. That is why we have been consistently appealing for de-escalation, for dialog and for international law to be fully respected.”
Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
#Gaza: Hunger, Suffering — and the Urgent Path to Peace
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Over 75% of Gaza’s population is facing extreme food insecurity and malnutrition. Families endure immense suffering. Children sleep in flooded tents, while access to farmland, neighborhoods, and essential services remains severely restricted.
As the UN Secretary-General has warned, ending the suffering requires urgent political will — an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, and sustained humanitarian access. Breaking the cycle of violence is essential to restore hope and to advance a credible path toward a two-State solution, where Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, dignity, and security.
The Power of Youth in Peacebuilding | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In 2024, the United Nations marked the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2250—a landmark commitment to the global Youth, Peace and Security agenda. On 15 December, the UN Youth Office, in partnership with the UN system and with the support of Member States, convened a high-level stocktaking event and an intergenerational Peace Circle to reflect on progress, elevate youth leadership, and renew political commitment for the decade ahead.
We are grateful to young people around the world leading peacebuilding and conflict-resolution efforts in their communities. We see you and we stand with you.
‘Get Going’ on Tech Governance #Interview #Gordon-Levitt
Source: United Nations (video statements)
As the world debates how technology is shaping societies, actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been sharing why people and purpose must remain at the heart of the digital future.
UN News’ Vibhu Mishra spoke with him on the sidelines of a high-level UN meeting marking 20 years of global cooperation on the internet and digital technologies.
Mr. Gordon-Levitt reflected on creativity, inclusion and the responsibility that comes with powerful digital tools, especially as technology becomes more embedded in everyday life.
He said he was inspired by people working not just for profit, but to make the world better – even when the challenge feels like a “David and Goliath” battle.
More: https://news.un.org/en/audio/2025/12/1166630