Category: United Nations

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.

[00:00] Introduction
[01:22] A life devoted to people
[04:55] Why displacement has nearly doubled
[08:24] What peace really means
[10:51] The meaning of home
[12:54] Why hate-fueled narratives are dangerous
[16:13] When humanity shines
[18:07] What keeps Filippo awake at night
[24:37] The pain of letting colleagues go
[28:19] Watching refugees return home in hope
[31:15] Witnessing violence and unresolved conflicts
[32:57] Rage, indignation, and negotiation
[34:47] A life of service worth every sacrifice
[36:39] His next chapter
[40:07] His hope for the UN
[41:00] Geneva, City of Refuge
[42:50] “Don’t Lose Heart”: A final message to colleagues and listeners
[43:30] Closing remarks

Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNCHR #Refugees

About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsUjhlKN-P4

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ffZOCH5fw

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In a video briefing to the press, a World Food Programme official reflects on a recent visit to Gaza, describing the conditions faced by displaced families during winter — including mothers with newborns living in tents, limited food access, and unsafe surroundings.
An on-the-ground account of the humanitarian situation as witnessed during a WFP field visit.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uKeZN30FKgs

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, echoed concerns about instability and funding shortfalls. She said recent violence underscored the fragile situation. “Last week’s attack in Palmyra, and other suspected ISIL attacks in recent months, also illustrate the fragile situation in many areas,” she said, adding that such violence undermines prospects for development and investment.

Msuya warned that aid operations are being constrained by lack of resources. “With our humanitarian appeal for 2025 only 30 per cent funded, there are millions more people that we can’t help,” she said, noting reductions and disruptions in critical assistance.

Civil society voices also addressed the Council. Mariam Jalabi, co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, appealed to Syrians at home and in the diaspora to continue pursuing justice and accountability. She called on Syrians to “celebrate the anniversary of our liberation” and to ensure that “the voice of the Syrian people be the source and compass of all authority.”

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“Syrians have made great strides since a year ago, but serious obstacles remain,” UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council.

Briefing the Council, she said the Syrian government has restored state institutions, begun integrating armed factions under a single command, issued a constitutional declaration and formed a new cabinet, with indirect legislative elections held in October.

DiCarlo also pointed to shifting international dynamics. “Many countries have lifted bilateral sanctions on Syria,” she said, noting that the US Congress had repealed the Caesar Act and that the Security Council last month adopted resolution 2799, removing designations on President Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab.

However, she warned that security risks persist, particularly in southern Syria. “Israeli airstrikes and incursions in the south have aggravated the security situation,” DiCarlo said, citing a late-November incursion into the town of Beit Jinn that, according to Syrian authorities, killed 13 people and displaced families. She reiterated the Secretary-General’s call on Israel to refrain from violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMSgN0_UD6Q

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press conference by Antoine Renard, World Food Programme’s (WFP) Palestine Representative, on the situation in Gaza following his recent visit to the Strip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65e8S4eKiXM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Colonialism
– Syria/Security Council
– Sudan
– Haiti
– Venezuela
– Aviation
– International Days
– Guest Today

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that UN agencies and more than 200 international and local non-governmental organizations issued a statement yesterday urging the international community to take immediate and concrete actions to press the Israeli authorities to lift all impediments to NGO operations and humanitarian access across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in the Gaza Strip.

They warned that restrictive policies – including a new registration system for international NGOs that relies on vague and politicized criteria – are undermining relief efforts and risk the collapse of the humanitarian response.

They also stress that many essential supplies such as food, medicine, hygiene items and shelter materials remain stuck outside Gaza – and that dozens of international NGOs face deregistration and forced closure by year’s end. The loss of NGO capacity would severely disrupt life-saving services including healthcare, nutrition treatment, water and sanitation, and emergency shelter at a time when needs are acute and alternatives cannot fill the gap.

The UN and our partners continue our efforts to scale up assistance across the Gaza Strip despite these challenges, with a focus on providing winter support to mitigate the impact of harsh weather conditions.

Our partners say that since the ceasefire came into effect in mid-October and as of Tuesday, they have distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to nearly 139,000 households, compared with over 40,000 in September.

Each household received digital payments equivalent to about 378 US dollars. Altogether, more than 305,000 households in the Gaza Strip have received at least one payment this year.

Our partners providing education services report that on Tuesday, they distributed hygiene materials to more than 90 temporary learning spaces across the Strip, benefiting nearly 115,000 school-age children. These supplies are particularly critical during the winter rainy season, as they improve sanitation conditions and reduce health risks in overcrowded spaces.

Also on Tuesday, three new temporary learning spaces were established in northern Gaza – two in Gaza City and one in North Gaza governorate – bringing the total number of operational learning spaces across the Strip to more than 400. Several multi-purpose tents were also installed to foster safer learning environments for enrolled students, many of whom are receiving education for the first time.

Finally, our health partners report that constraints affecting the entry into Gaza of emergency medical teams have eased somewhat in recent weeks. Denial rates have fallen to about 20 per cent, compared with 30 to 35 per cent before the ceasefire. There are currently more than 340 emergency medical team staff in Gaza.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va5uzYN3nUI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties in Yemen to “exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue.” He also “strongly” condemned the continued arbitrary detention of UN staff and partner personnel.

Guterres spoke to reporters after a closed consultation on the situation in Yemen.

Guterres pointed out that earlier this month, forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council – or STC – advanced on Hadramawt and al-Mahra, adding that he told the Security Council, unilateral actions will not clear a path to peace. A full resumption of hostilities could have serious ramifications on regional peace and security – including on the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aden, and in the Horn of Africa, he said.

The UN chief urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue. “This includes regional stakeholders, whose constructive engagement and coordination in support of UN mediation efforts are essential for ensuring collective security interests,” he said.

Guterres continued, “The sovereignty and territorial integrity in Yemen must be reserved. Yemen needs a sustainable, negotiated political settlement where it embraces the aspirations of all Yemenis; And brings this devastating conflict to an end.”

The Secretary-General also strongly condemned the continued arbitrary detention of 59 UN colleagues and partner personnel – as well as staff from NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions.

He called for their “immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with international law.”

Guterres also noted that in recent days, Houthi de facto authorities referred three of UN colleagues to a special criminal court.

The UN chief stressed, “This referral must be rescinded. They have been charged in relating to their performance of United Nations official duties.”

He reiterated, “These charges must be dropped.’

“The continued detention of our colleagues is a profound injustice to all those who have dedicated their lives to helping the people of Yemen,” Guterres underscored, adding that the United Nations and its partners “must never be targeted, arrested, or detained in connection with their official duties.”

“We must be allowed to perform our work without interference,” the Secretary-General emphasized.

Guterres concluded by saying the path to peace is possible, and the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Yemeni people along this path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5XvxA0BSUQ

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, on the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt tells UN News’ Vibhu Mishra why digital cooperation, creativity and inclusion matter at a time when technology is reshaping societies worldwide. Speaking on the sidelines of a high-level UN event, he reflects on responsibility, opportunity and the human side of the digital future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WIwhO8HlWQ