Stephane Kulimushi Mutanda is a young social entrepreneur, basketball player and coach from the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently based in Uganda. He is the founder of the Refugee Basketball Academy (RBA), an initiative that empowers refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship and education.
Stephane is one of the 17 Young Leaders for the SDGs selected by the UN Youth Office who are leading efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To learn more: https://www.un.org/youthaffairs/en/stephane-kulimushi-mutanda
“Women are disappearing from peace and mediation processes. I am sure this is something we will all come to regret,” UN Women Executive Director told the Security Council.
Briefing the Council during an open debate on women, peace and security (WPS) titled “Peace is decided with women: Emerging from conflict by enhancing their participation,” Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, said, “When we pursue peace without women’s voices—without women at the table, leading alongside men—our efforts become compromised, fragile, and ultimately not serious.”
She also noted that the UN led a ‘mere’ three peace processes last year, comparing to 14 peace processes 15 years ago. “The path to genuine gender equality in the pursuit of peace matters far less when the UN’s role is increasingly being sidelined, when this multilateral system is under immense pressure,” Bahous said.
Two women civil society representatives also briefed the Council. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate said, “Women are not victims to be protected alone. They are leaders, mediators, negotiators and architects of peace.”
Kaavya Asoka, Executive Director of NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security presented findings of a survey carried by the coalition among women’s rights activists. According to the findings, the main barriers for women’s rights activists in their participation are unbridled militarization and conflict; flagrant violations of international law; deeply rooted patriarchal norms in their societies, laws and institutions; male-dominated political structures that exclude women from peacemaking; unprecedented attacks on women’s rights, including sexual and gender-based violence and retaliation against women for participating in public and political life; lack of funding; and little political will or accountability for those perpetuating their exclusion. “In other words, they reinforced what women civil society have been telling you for 25 years,” Asoka said.
Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio chaired the meeting, which is a signature event of Colombia’s June Council presidency. She said, “Colombia presides today drawing on the experience of a country that has learned a fundamental lesson: sustainable peace is not possible without the full, effective, meaningful and safe participation of women, young women, adolescents and girls.”
She added, “Colombia urges States to develop and implement national action plans and participatory peace processes. Because nothing about us, without us. Nothing without us when it concerns our peace, our security and our rights.”
Speaking to reporters before the Council’s debate she urged all States “to fully implement Resolution 1325 and subsequent Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security through concrete and verifiable actions.”
Informal interactive dialogue with Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, candidate for the for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/327, the President of the General Assembly will convene webcast interactive dialogues with all candidates for the position of Secretary-General.
The process of appointing and selecting the next Secretary-General is based on General Assembly resolutions and will be guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity.
On 5 September 2025 the General Assembly adopted resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, which sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations. Resolution 79/327 builds on previous related resolutions, which introduced significant improvements to the selection and appointment process of the Secretary-General.
Informal interactive dialogue with Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, candidate for the for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/327, the President of the General Assembly will convene webcast interactive dialogues with all candidates for the position of Secretary-General.
The process of appointing and selecting the next Secretary-General is based on General Assembly resolutions and will be guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity.
On 5 September 2025 the General Assembly adopted resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, which sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations. Resolution 79/327 builds on previous related resolutions, which introduced significant improvements to the selection and appointment process of the Secretary-General.
This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme “ Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which emphasizes the importance of Yoga for all ages. Yoga can be a valuable practice for healthy aging because it supports many of the abilities that help people stay active, independent, and engaged as they grow older. By combining gentle movement, stretching, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, while also supporting mental well-being and stress management. Because yoga can be adapted to different fitness levels and health conditions, it offers an accessible way for many older adults to maintain their physical and emotional health. These benefits support several goals of the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), including promoting independence, reducing fall risk, enhancing quality of life, and encouraging person-centered approaches to health and well-being.
The United Nations Headquarters’ observance in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, New York on Thursday 9 July 2026, of the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.
The United Nations Headquarters’ observance of the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica takes place on Thursday, 9 July 2026. Mr. Chaloka Beyani, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide will host the proceedings. The observance includes survivor testimony, remarks delivered by the CdC on behalf of the Secretary-General, remarks delivered by the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (via video) and a senior representative of Bosnia Herzegovina.
The latest Hunger Hotspots 2026 report – jointly issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) – warns that acute food insecurity could deepen across 13 countries and territories over the outlook period of June to November 2026.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General Travel
– Deputy Secretary-General Travel
– Peacekeeping
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment
– Human Rights
– Security Council/UN Women
– Women Peacekeepers
– International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
– Yvonne Murray
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is still in the Dominican Republic, but he is about to leave Santo Domingo on his way back to New York.
Earlier today, he met the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader. The President and the Secretary-General discussed international and regional developments, including the situation in Haiti.
Mr. Guterres also met with our UN colleagues working in the country.
Yesterday, as you saw, he concluded his visit to Haiti with a press conference. He said that for the first time in many years, Haiti has a chance to turn a corner, but only if the international community assumes its responsibilities.
He appealed to the world to step up, to fund the humanitarian response and progressive recovery and to support the Haitian institutions and the Gang Suppression Force.
The transition is moving, he added. Everyone, the international community and Haiti’s leaders alike, must do their part to turn this momentum into concrete results.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVEL
The Deputy Secretary-General is currently enroute to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the London School of Economics and Political Science’s Global School of Sustainability Forum 2026.
At the Forum, she will engage with global leaders, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss pathways for advancing sustainable development in a rapidly changing global context. She is expected to underscore the importance of accelerating climate action, strengthening international cooperation, and advancing solutions that deliver tangible results for people and planet. The Forum will bring together international leaders and stakeholders to explore challenges and opportunities for building a more sustainable future.
While in London, the Deputy Secretary-General will also convene a meeting on maternal health and child survival together with Goals House, bringing together partners and stakeholders to advance renewed action and investment to improve health outcomes for women, children, and communities.
The Deputy Secretary-General is scheduled to return to New York on Sunday, 21 June.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-17
Since its launch in March 2025, the UN80 initiative has moved into a decisive phase. Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, joins UN News to discuss what has changed, what results are already emerging, and how the United Nations is working to become more effective at a time of growing financial and political pressure.
