Press Conference by Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative, Mission of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council in April 2026, on the programme of work during the month of April.
On Iran, Ambassador of Bahrain Jamal Fares Alrowaiei told reporters that his country will “reserve the right of self-defense as stipulated in article 51 in the UN Charter.”
Speaking in his national capacity, the Baharian diplomat reiterated, “Iran’s continuing to attack us since February 28th is a flagrant violation of the UN charter and international law principles. Iran continues to breach resolution 2817, which was presented by Bahrain on behalf of GCC countries and Jordan, and has been co-sponsored by 136 countries from the wider UN membership.”
Asked about Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution focused on ensuring security in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, Ambassador Alrowaiei said, “we cannot accept economic terrorism affecting our region and our and the world. The whole world is being affected by the developments,” adding that this resolution is “of paramount importance, and it comes at a critical juncture.”
He explained that this resolution aims to protect maritime security. “It is one of the most fundamental principles of international law,” Ambassador Alrowaiei said, reiterating that it is “anchoring the principles of not using maritime corridors and international corridor as a strategy to build pressure in conflicts. This would be a flagrant violation of international law and the rights of all countries that depend on those corridors.”
Asked about Lebanon, the Bahrain diplomat stressed that the country “must be spared. It should not be dragged into this conflict,” adding that “Lebanon needs considerable support. These adventures are unacceptable. They must stop to serve the interests of Lebanon, and we must support the Lebanese government in its efforts.”
He noted that Lebanon is making “significant efforts” in the field of disarmament to ensure the stability of Lebanon. “So why should Lebanon be dragged into this conflict?” Ambassador Alrowaiei said.
He reiterate that the “Council is aware of these matters, and the Council will continue to be apprised of the developments in Lebanon.”
Jamaican Ambassador Brian Wallace said that resolution A/RES/80/251 is not “primarily about cost, but it will result in more efficient use of resources. This is really about becoming more targeted and therefore more impactful.”
The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (31 Apr) adopted a landmark resolution entitled ‘Mandate creation, implementation and review for an efficient and effective United Nations’ to strengthen how UN mandates – the decisions taken by Member States that guide the Organisation’s work – are created, implemented and reviewed across the system.
The Co-chairs of the UN80 working group on workstream II – Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, and Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, briefed reporters today on their work and on the resolution.
Schwalger said, “So, the resolution does call for change, change on the part of member states, and change on the part of the Secretariat as well. When it comes to member states, the resolution is very clear that member states have the sovereign right to bring whatever issues they want to the United Nations, but with those rights come responsibilities, and so the resolution also speaks to discipline and to accountability. And on the Secretariat side of the house, there are firm messages there about effective use of resources, but also giving member states the support, the advice and the tool that we need to be successful.”
She also said, “When we took on this job as cochairs, we knew the UN was facing really unprecedented challenges, and we knew that this mandates resolution process was an opportunity to show our political decision makers, our citizens, but also ourselves as a UN family, that we’re up to the challenge of reform, and we’re up to transforming in a way that we can better take on contemporary global challenges.”
Wallace said, “The adoption of the resolution by such an overwhelming majority of member states has demonstrated the willingness of the membership of the organization to hold itself to account for its decision making. This reflects a clear recognition by member states of the need for us, to be better, to be more efficient, to be more effective, so that the UN can become more impactful for the people we serve.”
Answering a question, the Permanent Representative of New Zealand said, “Some of the issues in the period ahead are the thorny ones, but some of them are just simply issues that required more technical input as we as member states can make decisions on them, but I think – if you have followed the working group’s progress – you will know that mandate review was one of the most difficult and thorny issue. It really speaks to the heart of member states prerogatives and so establishing the modalities of how we’ll do mandate review across the system and the GA in particular – General Assembly and its bodies – will be one of the big issues to resolve in the period ahead. And of course, we as member states require the input of the Secretary General on a number of other issues.”
The Permanent Representative of Jamaica stressed, “The UN remains a political organization. This is, for me, the biggest value of the organizations, it’s convening power of member states, where we all sit in a room together and make decisions about what to do with the great challenges of humanity. That will remain so. But what this resolution does is it creates somewhat of a different atmosphere around that decision making that will encourage more discipline around it, that creates the visibility that allows us to make better decisions.”
He also said, “This is not primarily about cost, but it will result in more efficient use of resources. This is really about becoming more targeted and therefore more impactful. After all, that’s what the UN was made for, not for us to simply sit in a room and discuss problems, but to find solutions that can be implemented on the ground.”
The current conflict in Iran and the Middle East has the potential to multiply the current global crisis on affordability and access to housing, according to Anacláudia Rossbach, the Head of the housing and urban development agency, UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
UNIFIL
Lebanon
Syria
Strait of Hormuz
Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sudan
Haiti
Peacebuilding
Resident Coordinators
Senior Personnel Appointments
Financial Contribution Summary
UNIFIL
The situation in the Middle East continues to be very volatile, with ongoing hostilities gravely impacting our peacekeeping operations. Tragically, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has suffered three fatalities as we announced previously.
These incidents are unacceptable and demand full accountability.
Investigations are underway, and, despite the challenging situation on the ground, we should be able to update you very soon on their outcome. These indeed take time, as technical experts examine physical evidence on the scenes, while others look at context and liaise with parties to collect and verify information. The circumstances on the ground are such that deconflicting with parties in some instances have prevented timely access to the incident scenes for the investigation, which has caused delays.
However, as he briefed troop-contributing countries earlier today on the situation there, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Head of UN Peacekeeping, reiterated our firm commitment to establishing the full facts and circumstances surrounding each of these events. He also reminded that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
Meanwhile, he stressed that developments on the ground were continuously being monitored to enhance safety and security and mitigate risks, including physical measures, reduced exposure, and strong communications.
He also expressed his most sincere gratitude for the commitment of your courageous women and men serving in our peace operations in the Middle East under such challenging conditions, fulfilling mandates given by the Security Council.
On the ground, UNIFIL peacekeepers witnessed today large explosions and demolitions in the village of Naqoura, nearby UNIFIL Headquarters.
According to the Mission, the level of indirect fire remained very high across the area of operations. The level of IDF military activity also remained high, with an axis of activity over Bent Jbeil, Ainata, Naqoura and Bayddah. Peacekeepers are continuing to detect rockets launches from the area of operations towards Israel and on IDF troops advancing inside Lebanon.
Missile interceptions were also observed in the area of operations including Naqoura, Yaroun, Maron Ar-Ras, El Adeisse, Tyre, Markaba and Alma ash Sha’b.
UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in positions and monitor the situation.
LEBANON
Today, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, met in Beirut with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.
Mr. Fletcher spent the last two days witnessing first-hand the devastating impacts on the conflict that Lebanon has been dragged into on the humanitarian situation in the country. He visited a collective shelter and met with displaced families and frontline responders, including Lebanese Red Cross staff and ambulance teams.
The scale of humanitarian needs continues to outpace available resources. We’ve received just $94 million of the $308 million requested in the Flash Appeal — just one third of what we need. We urgently need more funding to sustain and scale up the humanitarian response as needs surge.
We and our humanitarian partners continue to step up efforts to protect and help people.
We have reached thousands of children and their caregivers with psychosocial support, and are working to reunite families and alert people to the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war.
Mr. Fletcher also visited the country’s border with Syria.
More than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the start of the escalation, and Mr. Fletcher met with families who have chosen to return to Syria from Lebanon. Many told him of their determination to return to their communities and contribute to rebuilding their country.
We and our partners on both sides of the border continue to support people on the move and ensure that aid reaches those most in need.
SYRIA
Following his visit to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher will travel to Syria, where he will join Under-Secretary-General Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, to underscore the need to move from a humanitarian response to development, recovery and reconstruction.
During their visit, they will meet with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, and other senior Government officials, as well as with people who have returned to Syria following years of conflict.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-01
The UN General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution to strengthen how mandates for UN organizations are created, implemented and reviewed – marking a major milestone under the UN80 Initiative.
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption, describing it as a “historic resolution” and “a major step” that establishes a critical building block for a 21st century United Nations system that is more effective, more accountable and better equipped to deliver results in a changing world.
“The resolution adopted today reflects a shared understanding of the full mandate lifecycle – and a shared commitment to strengthen each step of it,” the Secretary-General told Member States.
“Today’s resolution helps translate the ambition of the UN80 Initiative into concrete, practical action.”
Mandates – decisions adopted by Member States that guide the work of the United Nations – sit at the core of the Organization’s ability to deliver on peace and security, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance.
The resolution strengthens the full mandate lifecycle by introducing measures to: Strengthen mandate creation, bringing greater discipline, coherence and transparency, and encouraging mandates that are clearer, sharper and more focused, backed by better information for decision-making from the outset; Strengthen implementation, with more user-oriented and data-driven reporting, better coordination and more effective use of resources; Strengthen review and accountability, including through a culture of continuous improvement grounded in evidence, accountability and results.
Together, these measures aim to reduce duplication and fragmentation, while easing the reporting burden on Member States and strengthening delivery across the system.
The resolution builds on the work of the General Assembly’s Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review, co-chaired by Ambassador Brian Wallace of Jamaica and Ambassador Carolyn Schwalger of New Zealand.
Panel
Moderator: Flavia Callafange (Latin America)
Amrit Khurana (Asia)
Leticia Sabatella (Latin America)
Joao Carlos Costa (Europe)
Kelly Smith (Latin America)
Swara Swami (Asia)
Nishant Sriram (Asia)
The 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future. At a time when misinformation and regressive rhetoric about the lives of autistic people is resurfacing, this year’s virtual event is a call to action to move beyond limiting narratives and to recognise the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person.
Grounded in the principles of human rights and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this vision sees the inclusion of neurodiversity as crucial to sustainable development. When societies embrace neurodiversity, they strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, laying the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities. This year’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that advance health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic opportunity, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and strong institutions.
The 2026 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day
Panel
Moderator: Charlotte Valeur (Europe)
Ayanwole Boluwatife Joshua (Africa)
Vincent Obisie-Orlu (Africa)
Hector Mendonça Ishikawa (North America)
Martin Cortes Araneda (Latin America)
CLOSING REMARKS
Charlotte Valeur (Europe)
The 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future. At a time when misinformation and regressive rhetoric about the lives of autistic people is resurfacing, this year’s virtual event is a call to action to move beyond limiting narratives and to recognise the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person.
Grounded in the principles of human rights and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this vision sees the inclusion of neurodiversity as crucial to sustainable development. When societies embrace neurodiversity, they strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, laying the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities. This year’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that advance health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic opportunity, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and strong institutions.
The 2026 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day
UN mine action experts briefed reporters on the programme’s operations in Ukraine and Afghanistan. UNMAS chief Kazumi Ogawa reiterated, “when UNMAS can do its job, it is to save lives.”
Kazumi Ogawa, Director of UNMAS, Nick Pond, Chief of Mine Action Section for UNAMA and Paul Heslop, UNMAS Special Adviser to the Resident Coordinator and United Nations Country Team in Ukraine briefed reporters ahead of the the International Day International Day for Mine Awareness (4 Apr).
Speaking to reporters via video link from Kabul, Nick Pond, Chief of Mine Action Section for UNAMA said, “Afghanistan has the third highest explosive ordnance casualty rates in the world, with around 50 people killed or injured every month, of which almost 80 percent are children.”
“That means there’s at least one casualty every single day,” he highlighted, adding “90 percent of these casualties are from unexploded ordnance and abandoned munitions that have been left behind after over 40 years of conflict.”
He explained that most of these casualties are boys, typically killed or injured when tampering with ordnance that they find when tending animals or playing.
Pond pointed out that the biggest challenge faced by the sector is the lack of funding, “reduced support for a country that sits way down the list of global humanitarian priorities, governed by a de facto authority that is not internationally recognized, has reduced the number of de-miners delivering clearance, risk education and victim assistance from around 15,000 in 2011 down to 1,300 this month.”
He continued, “coupled with almost 2.8 million returnees from neighboring countries last year, earthquakes, floods and an ongoing conflict with Pakistan, These are exceptionally challenging times for the Afghan people.”
Pond also emphasized that there’s much opportunity for mine action in Afghanistan.
He said, “this is the birthplace of humanitarian demining, and a depth of expertise exists within the national and international NGOs. The de facto authorities are supportive of the sector, and improved security situation means that access is possible across most of the country, and Afghanistan is a signatory to all international demining conventions.”
Pond highlighted, “with increased funding, there is a very real opportunity to free this country from contamination, allowing Afghan people to restore their livelihoods unhindered by the remnants of war.”
Bank in New York, UNMAS expert Paul Heslop told reporters that in Ukraine, the impact of unexploded ordnance have been “bad enough” – about 11 billion US dollars impact a year to the Ukrainian economy from the presence of mines, a reduction in between 3 and 5 percent of GDP growth, and the effects of global energy prices and more importantly, still effects of global food prices and food security.”
He added, “what we’re now seeing in the Iranian conflict is an even bigger consequence in terms of global energy prices. You know, and what will be what is the impact of having a 100 million US dollars tanker with 300 million dollars of crude oil in it and being sunk? There’s not just the economic consequence of that. There will be environmental consequences, there’s the loss of confidence and the increase in oil prices.”
Heslop also pointed that that there are over 60,000 war amputees in Ukraine, most of them men between the age of 25 and 55.
He said, “what’s going to happen when they come home? They’re going to need to find jobs. They’re going to need retraining.”
There is also added dimension on the responsibility of caring for the war amputees – which will probably fall onto their mothers, their wives, their girlfriends, their sisters, their daughters. Heslop said, “what are we doing now to help prepare those women for the trauma they’re going to have to deal with when veterans, heroes return home with shattered bodies and try and start to rebuild their lives.”
The UNMAS expert reiterated that mine actions is not just about “walking forward and cutting the red wire or the blue wire, but it’s what are the consequences of this? How do we make it work? How can we make a difference?”
Heslop also mentioned that new technologies that have been proven and trialed in in Ukraine at the moment. He said, “we developed a system with the state emergency services where over 30,000km² of land were assessed using satellite imagery, drone imagery with AI and human data analytics. That’s 30,000,000,000m² of land, was returned safely at a cost of around 100,000 US dollars,” he added.
He continued, “we’re seeing new sensors that can be mounted on drones. We’ve seen underwater robotics. We’re seeing demining robotic dogs that can go out and search areas safely,” reiterating that “all of these require investment. But that investment in the technology in Ukraine can be then replicated.”
Secretary-General António Guterres today (31 Mar) welcomed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to his office at UN Headquarters and thanked the Mayor for the outstanding relationship and support received from the host city.
Noting the critical role that cities play in today’s world, the Secretary-General discussed with the Mayor how to deepen the cooperation with the City of New York.
After the meeting, Mamdani said, “we are so proud to be the host city of the United Nations, and we’re proud at what it represents, which is the fact that we are part of something larger than just ourselves.”
Mamdani said, “this is a city where more than 3 million New Yorkers were born outside of this country, myself included. And the United Nations is something that we are proud to welcome each and every day. And we’re excited to continue that partnership.”
In a readout of the meeting, the Secretary-General said he looks forward “to continuing the dialogue between the United Nations and New York City.”
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, told the Security Council that Israeli forces “are in control of substantial areas immediately north of the Blue Line,” and expressed concern that politicians in Israel “now openly speak of the intention of an extended so-called security, or buffer zone, with the destruction of villages along the Blue Line and several bridges across the Litani River.”
Lacroix said, “civilians suffering from the hostilities, continues to mount, while the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), “has now also suffered fatalities.”
He said, “these are sadly not the only dangerous incidents faced by UNIFIL’s courageous peacekeepers” as there has been “a worrying increase in denials of freedom of movement and aggressive behaviour.”
In the last week only, Lacroix noted, “thousands of trajectories were observed in both directions, as well as attacks by fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.”
He said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “are advancing deeper into Lebanon, and clashes have been observed, including a very close proximity to UNIFIL headquarters in the Naqoura, which has been the subject of multiple impacts.”
