Category: United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Secretary-General/Travel
Secretary-General/International Energy Agency
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Libya
Sudan
Financial Contribution

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL

The Secretary-General has arrived in New Delhi, and he has just started his programme of activities there.

In the evening, he attended a dinner organized by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for the high-level participants of the AI Impact Summit.

Tomorrow morning, Mr. Guterres will take part in the Summit’s opening ceremony, which will be followed by a plenary with Heads of State and Government. In his remarks to the AI Summit, he will say that meeting in India brings this conversation closer to the realities shaping much of the world, because the future of AI cannot be decided by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires. He will call for AI to be accessible to everyone, to benefit everyone and to be safe for everyone.

We have shared these remarks under embargo – and we will issue them as soon as they are delivered.

Throughout the day, the Secretary-General will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and ministers attending the summit. He will also meet with our UN colleagues based in India.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY

This morning, the Secretary-General addressed via a video message the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting, which is taking place in Paris. He noted that we have entered the age of clean energy, and renewables are now the cheapest, fastest and safest source of new electricity almost everywhere.

The Secretary-General highlighted that those who lead this transition will lead the global economy of the future. Yet, he said, some fossil fuel interests remain hell-bent on slowing progress, spreading disinformation; pretending that a transition is unrealistic or unaffordable.

The Secretary-General noted that the world’s addiction to fossil fuels is one of the greatest threats to global stability and prosperity. He stressed that we must stop treating the transition away from fossil fuels as taboo, and that delay will only breed instability.

The Secretary-General called for a dedicated global platform to deliver a fair, orderly, affordable transition plan away from fossil fuels aligned with 1.5 degrees objectives.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Turning to Gaza, our humanitarian colleagues report that families across Gaza are marking the first day of Ramadan today in harsh conditions – in unsafe shelters or out in the open, and with limited access to essential goods and services.

At the Rafah crossing, conditions for passengers remain inadequate, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us.

The UN and our humanitarian partners have visited the re-opened crossing and have noted gaps in basic facilities, including limited availability of latrines and handwashing stations, raising concerns for hygiene at the collection points. People are experiencing prolonged waiting periods, often in areas with limited shade, with insufficient seating and a lack of wheelchairs. The condition of the access road to and from Rafah is also of concern, particularly for patients being medically evacuated.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2FqdWOPmI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

This short video walks through each step and clarifies how global consensus is built around one of the most important leadership roles in international governance.
It highlights how dialogue, diplomacy, and global consensus come together to shape one of the most important leadership roles in international governance.
Take a moment to watch and deepen your understanding of how the UN chooses its top official.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hINShw3CS4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Joint stakeout on Libya led by Ambassador Archie Young, Interim Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, on behalf of the Security Council signatories of the Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security (CPS) – Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, and the United Kingdom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCDYHiP6GoQ

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for the 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting.

Excellencies,

I am pleased to address the International Energy Agency’s Ministerial Meeting.

We have entered the age of clean energy.

Renewables are now the cheapest, fastest and safest source of new electricity almost everywhere.

Investors know it: last year, two trillion US dollars flowed into clean energy – nearly twice as much as into fossil fuels.

Those who lead this transition will lead the global economy of the future.

Yet some fossil fuel interests remain hell-bent on slowing progress;

Spreading disinformation; pretending that a transition is unrealistic or unaffordable.

Let’s tell it like it is:

The world’s addiction to fossil fuels is one of the greatest threats to global stability and prosperity.

Three-fourths of humanity lives in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels;

Dependent on energy they do not control – at prices they cannot predict;

Watching development budgets siphoned into fuel bills;

At the constant mercy of geopolitical turmoil and supply disruptions.

This insecurity is baked into the system.

We must stop treating the transition away from fossil fuels as taboo.

Delay will only breed instability.

History is littered with the wreckage of failed transitions – broken economies, scarred communities, and lost opportunities.

We face a choice:

Design the transition together – or stumble into it through crisis and chaos.

That is why today, I am calling for a dedicated global platform for honest dialogue on transitioning away from fossil fuels.

This platform must bring together producers and consumers, developed and developing countries, public and private financial institutions and civil society.

It must be a space to sequence the decline of fossil fuel investment with the rapid scale-up of clean energy;

And to deliver a global transition plan that aligns investment, energy security and climate goals – with concrete milestones and robust finance, particularly for developing countries;

This shift must be fair, orderly, affordable, and aligned with 1.5°C – protecting workers and communities, and connecting hundreds of millions of people to modern energy services.

I urge you to help us create this platform and move faster, together.

This is how we cut emissions, strengthen energy security, power development, and build lasting stability.

The IEA has helped make the clean energy transition undeniable.

Now let’s make it unstoppable.

Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7inG8G7h6nA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“At the current pace, it will take us seven years to remove all the rubble,” said United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo, briefing reporters via video link.

During a press conference held at UN headquarters in New York De Croo described “extremely painful conditions to live in” and said UNDP is working on a three-part recovery effort focused on rubble removal, temporary housing and restarting the private sector.

On debris clearance, he said, “Rubble removal – we have done approximately 0.5 percent of the total. At the current pace, it will take us seven years to remove all the rubble.” He added that “90 percent of the people of Gaza today live in the middle of that rubble, which is extremely dangerous also from a health point of view and unexploded weapons which are there,” underscoring the scale and risks of the task.

Turning to shelter, De Croo said, “The second dimension on which we work is recovery housing. As I said, 90 percent of the population lives in what you could even, not even call tents. I mean, this is very, very rudimentary tents.” He stressed that UNDP’s recovery housing units are “definitely not reconstruction, but it’s an improvement on what is available for the moment.”

“So far, we’ve been able to build 500 of these. We have 4000 which are ready,” he said, but added that “the needs are gigantic between 200,000 and 300,000 units are necessary to give people a better living. Not the living that they should have, but a better living than what’s available for the moment.”

The third track, he said, focuses on livelihoods. “And then third dimension which we work on is private sector restarts. Private sector has been in hibernation.” Through “limited investment and limited work for cash programs,” he said UNDP has been able, “for example, in food processing, to get back going.”

To scale up assistance, De Croo said the agency has “one big ask to the Israeli authorities and that is to have more access, more access for material to do debris removal, more access with our recovery housing units and more access to help the private sector that we can restart.”

He said, “We understand the security concerns of the Israeli authorities, but that would not be a reason to not provide organizations such as UNDP, other UN organizations and international NGOs to provide us the more access that is definitely needed, to be able to help more people.”

Answering a question about Board of Peace he said, with 2.2 million people in Gaza, “In the current circumstance, we really need all hands. And it’s really all hands on deck and all type of support, being it financial or being it operational is welcome.” He added, “any help in providing more access in a safe way would be to their help.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_5jbyjLsZ4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Reading a statement on behalf of over 80 Member States and organizations, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said, “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank.”

He added, “Such decisions are contrary to Israel ‘s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation.”

He also said, “We reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardize the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict.”

He concluded, “Ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and implementing the two-State solution, where two democratic States, an independent and sovereign Palestine and Israel, live side by side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders on the basis of the 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, remains the only path to ensure security and stability in the region.”

Statement was read on behalf of Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chad, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon , Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, The Gambia, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe, League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RIQ30YmOoo

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
– India
– Jesse Jackson
– Yemen
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Libya
– Burkina Faso
– Madagascar
– Ukraine
– Peacebuilding Fund
– Global Tourism Resilience Day,

INDIA

The Secretary-General left New York a short while ago. He is heading to New Delhi to take part in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit. He is scheduled to participate in the Summit’s opening ceremony, which takes place on Thursday, as well as a session on the role of science in international AI governance.

The Secretary-General, as we mentioned, will have bilateral meetings with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and others that are in New Delhi.

JESSE JACKSON

Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a giant of the civil rights movement in the United States and a longtime champion of human rights, equality and justice around the world. Reverend Jackson lent his powerful voice to the UN’s work against racism, against apartheid and for human rights, including by taking part in a number of events here at Headquarters. The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to his family, hisloved ones, his friends, as well as the Government and the people of the United States.

YEMEN

Today, the Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Moscow, in the Russian Federation. There, he discussed with officials, including the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Alimov, the latest developments in Yemen and they exchanged views on ongoing efforts to return to an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under the auspices of the United Nations. He underscored the complexity of the conflict and the regional challenges including Red Sea security, as well as the need for Security Council unity and sustained international engagement to prevent further instability.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpPYY6j6L2Q

Source: United Nations (video statements)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/G3NfZYeu3EE

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Robotic dancers took centre stage at a New Year gala hosted by the #chinese Book Club at UN headquarters. The theme: Hail the Galloping Globetrotter, Eighty Springs Young, honours the United Nations’ commitment and contributions to global governance over the past eight decades.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K4ALmLz8oLM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
India Trip Announcement
Geneva Trip Announcement
Secretary-General/Travel
Senior Personnel Appointments
West Bank
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Decolonization
Ukraine
Colombia
New Resident Coordinators – Angola and Mexico
Financial Contribution

INDIA TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will travel to New Delhi, in India, where he has been invited to take part in the AI Impact Summit.

He is scheduled to participate in the Summit’s opening ceremony, a plenary with Heads of State and Government, as well as a session on the role of science in international AI governance.

The Secretary-General will have bilateral meetings with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, as well as with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He will also meet with leaders attending the Summit, tech leaders and members of the International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.

While in India, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to take part in a roundtable organized by our UN colleagues to discuss renewable energy and energy transition. With India emerging as a global leader in renewable energy expansion, the discussion will bring together senior figures from industry, finance, policy and civil society to identify concrete steps to further accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen grids and storage, and mobilize investment at scale. This engagement is part of the Secretary-General’s continued efforts to advance a faster, fairer and more inclusive global energy transition, aligned with the Paris Agreement.

GENEVA TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT 

On Sunday, the Secretary-General will arrive in Geneva, Switzerland. The following day, he will deliver remarks at the opening of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council. Later on Monday, the Secretary-General will address the High-Level Segment of the 2026 Session of the Conference on Disarmament.

While in Geneva, the Secretary-General will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and Ministers attending the opening of the Human Rights Council, as well as a meeting with a group of human rights nongovernmental organizations. He is also scheduled to participate in an event hosted by the Vice-President of the Swiss Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis, to mark the completion of the Portail des Nations building, the new Visitor Centre for the UN in Geneva.

The Secretary-General will be back in New York on Monday night.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL

The Secretary-General has returned to New York from Addis Ababa, where, on Saturday, he spoke at the opening of the 39th African Union summit. He praised the UN’s partnership with the African regional organization, saying it has grown stronger over the past decade.

Looking ahead, Mr. Guterres added, we continue to have three major areas of focus in our work with the African Union: peace, economic action and climate action. He also renewed his call for reforms of the Security Council, saying the absence of permanent African seats is indefensible.

Later in the day, Mr. Guterres held a press conference and told reporters that Africa is navigating some of the world’s hardest challenges and doing so with determination, creativity, and resilience.

Turning to climate, he called on developed countries to triple adaptation finance, mobilize 1.3 trillion US dollars a year by 2035, and increase contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund.

With the right support, Africa will become a renewables powerhouse, he said. Mr. Guterres added that Africa’s critical minerals and resources will help create new industries and jobs, building value at home, not exporting value away. The plundering and exploitation of Africa’s resources must end, he said.

Throughout the day, the Secretary-General continued to hold bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summit.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXqr3KvqRFI