Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Trafficking in Persons
– Lebanon/Israel
– Sudan
– Ukraine
– Guest
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-25
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by ICC Caucus on behalf of the members of the Security Council that are state parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: Sierra Leone and Denmark, along with France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom; on the report of the International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s Office to the Security Council on the situation in Libya.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, on Saturday, 29 November 2025, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council – dedicated to advancing UN global causes through the transformative power of storytelling, will present an event featuring Palestine’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film – PALESTINE 36.
PALESTINE 36 explores the Arab Revolt of 1936–1939 against British colonial rule. Directed by Annemarie Jacir, the film lays the historical groundwork for what followed in 1948 and beyond, making the events an urgent story to bring to the screen. This pivotal moment is essential for understanding the Palestinian question, which has been on the agenda of the United Nations for nearly eight decades. The film features an extraordinary international cast, including British Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune), Irish acclaimed Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), and Palestinian Emmy-nominated Hiam Abbass (Succession). PALESTINE 36 is Annemarie Jacir’s fourth consecutive film to be selected as Palestine’s Oscar submission for the Best International Feature Film.
On this occasion, the event will be opened with remarks delivered by H.E. Mr. Riyad H. Mansour, Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. Movies hold the unique power to promote universal ideals, principles, and values so deeply enshrined by the United Nations – including peace, development, respect for human rights, cultural appreciation, the dignity of the human person, and equal rights for all. Founded at the United Nations Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Security Council briefing by Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, on the Middle East.
UN senior official for the Middle East Ramiz Alakbarov reiterated that the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza “must be fully implemented,” urging “the parties to urgently reach an agreement on the modalities to implement the next phases.”
The Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) spoke to the Council via video link.
He noted that since coming into effect last month, the ceasefire has largely held in Gaza. However, recent Israeli airstrikes on populated areas have caused numerous casualties and significant destruction. Palestinian militants in Gaza have also continued sporadic attacks on Israeli soldiers causing fatalities.
The Resident Coordinator said that families in Israel have been reunited with their loved ones, who were held hostage by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups under intolerable conditions in Gaza, “but the bodies of three hostages have yet to be returned, with families waiting in agony for that day to come.”
“The bodies of the deceased hostages must be returned immediately,” he reiterated.
Alakbarov also underscored that all efforts must be made to identify missing Palestinians. These families also deserve closure.
The Resident Coordinator highlighted that with the ceasefire largely holding, the United Nations has redoubled efforts to mobilize and scale up humanitarian assistance – “seizing the moment to reach the population wherever they are.”
He said, “We must not risk a reversal. The coordinated international effort needs to be expanded, both in the immediate term to consolidate the ceasefire, and over the longer term to realize a more secure and just future for all.”
Alakbarov also highlighted that the decisions made now will determine whether the ceasefire endures or unravels, adding that UN resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2803 (2025), and President Trump’s 20-point plan provide that pathway forward.
He said, “The United Nations remains committed to seizing this critical opportunity to move from crisis management to conflict resolution,” adding that “all our efforts must be guided by the imperative of establishing a genuine political process that will resolve the Israeli – Palestinian conflict once and for all.”
The Resident Coordinator continued, “The New York declaration and initiatives such as the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution can play a vital role. They mobilize political will, investment, and solidarity around a shared political vision.”
Turning to developments in Lebanon, Alakbarov reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for the parties to “uphold their obligations to maintain the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.”
He also echoed the Secretary-General’s call for “an immediate cessation of all violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York ‘We urge all actors to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further escalation, and remind the parties that civilians and civilian areas must not be targeted’ following a deadly Israeli airstrike on a residential area in southern Beirut on Sunday.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Secretary-General António Guterres is in Angola, and today he addressed the 7th Annual African Union – European Union Summit, which is taking place in Luanda. He underscored that the AU and EU have the power to uphold the Charter, broker agreements, and steer the world towards a more stable, more inclusive reality – where international law prevails and injustices and inequalities are progressively eliminated.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Angola
– Secretary-General/COP30
– Secretary-General/G20
– Security Council
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Ukraine
– Central African Republic
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Trafficking in Persons
– Jamaica
– World Conjoined Twins Day
– Guests Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/ANGOLA
And today, in an official visit to Angola, the Secretary-General addressed the 7th Annual African Union – European Union Summit, which is taking place in the capital Luanda. He pointed out that that right now, the world is changing at a radical rate. He noted that technology barrels ahead, climate chaos reigns, and inequalities deepen.
The Secretary-General said that we are moving towards a multipolar world, with global power in flux. Against the risks of division of the world into two blocs, led by two big powers, he stressed that we need an interconnected multipolarity, with an inclusive network of intense relations on trade, development, financial institutions, and with increasing political coordination.
The Secretary-General said that together, the AU and the EU make up 40 per cent of UN Member States.
He underscored that the AU and EU have the power to uphold the Charter, broker agreements, and steer the world towards a more stable, more inclusive reality – where international law prevails and injustices and inequalities are progressively eliminated.
Today, he also spoke at a National Assembly Special Session held to hear an address by the Secretary-General. Speaking to the media afterwards, he emphasized that we need a profound reform of the global financial architecture that reflects today’s world, that provides accessible and predictable financing rather than penalizing the victims of crises they did not cause. He added that we also need to give African countries their rightful place in every international institution, including financial institutions and the United Nations Security Council.
Also this morning, the Secretary-General met the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/COP30
As you have seen, COP30 closed this weekend in Belém, Brazil, with the Parties reaching an agreement.
In a statement, the Secretary-General said that the COP agreement shows that multilateralism is alive, and that nations can still come together to confront the defining challenges no country can solve alone.
The Secretary-General noted that COP30 has delivered progress – including a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035 as a first step towards closing the adaptation gap, a Just Transition Mechanism, a new dialogue aimed at enhancing international cooperation on trade and the recognition that we are now heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees Celsius. He also mentioned the launch of a Global Implementation Accelerator and a recognition to take forward the outcomes of the UAE Consensus, which includes a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
But COPs are consensus-based, the Secretary-General said, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach. He added that he cannot pretend that COP30 has delivered everything that is needed.
The Secretary-General pointed out that the gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide, and he understands many may feel disappointed, especially young people, Indigenous Peoples and those living through climate chaos. He said that COP30 is over, but our work is not, and he will continue pushing for higher ambition and greater solidarity.
To all those who marched, negotiated, advised, reported and mobilized, the Secretary-General said, do not give up. He told them: History is on your side, and so is the United Nations.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-24
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint statement delivered by Ambassador Cha Jihoon, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, on Strengthening International Cooperation to Address Trafficking in Persons associated with Emerging Technologies.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media Stakeout by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on the Middle East.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Delegates to the COP30 Conference of the Parties in Belém, Brazil wrapped with agreement on a sweeping package to scale up climate finance and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.
