Source: United Nations (video statements)
vivor, as he shares his story on World Polio Day and highlights the importance of polio vaccine. Learn about the global Polio Eradication Programme and the efforts of UNICEF and partners to end polio now for good through vaccination.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
UN Day
Security Council
Vietnam
Yemen
Occupied Palestinian Territory
UNIFIL
South Sudan
Ukraine
North Africa
Tropical Storm Melissa
International Days
Guests
UN DAY
United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. Eighty years on, the UN faces new and complex challenges, while working to adapt and strengthen itself. Through the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, and the UN80 initiative, the UN seeks to renew the foundations of international cooperation, and to ensure that it can deliver for people everywhere.
A number of events are taking place today at Headquarters and around the world to mark the Day.
SECURITY COUNCIL
Today is the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and the Secretary-General joined the Security Council session this morning to commemorate the anniversary. He joined the session via video link from Hanoi.
He reminded Council members that the Security Council exists for sincere, hopeful people, who, for the last eight decades, have placed their trust in this institution to save them from the scourge of war.
On many pivotal occasions, the Secretary-General added, this Council has delivered on that task, helping Cambodia to emerge from genocide and South Africa to emerge from apartheid.
The Council is a vital necessity, and a powerful force for good. But at the same time, its legitimacy is fragile, Mr. Guterres said. He reiterated his call for reform of the Security Council, including the expansion of its membership.
It is our duty to forge a body that can meet the challenges of the next 80 years, one that delivers justice and safety for all, he concluded.
VIETNAM
The Secretary-General arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam earlier today, where he met with the President of Viet Nam, Luong Cuong, and also took part in an official dinner hosted by the President.
Tomorrow, he will participate in a high-level event marking the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General is expected to say that this new convention is a powerful, legally-binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. It is also a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity and safety must be protected both offline and online. And, he will add, the convention is a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime.
About 115 Member State delegations are expected to attend the high-level event, and as we mentioned, the Convention will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. You will be able to watch both these events live on UN Web TV.
And as a reminder, on Saturday evening, the Secretary-General will head to Kuala Lumpur, where he will attend the ASEAN-UN Summit, chaired by Malaysia. On the sidelines of the Summit, he will engage in a number of bilateral discussions with counterparts at the ASEAN meetings, as well as with the Malaysian hosts. And on Monday, we expect the Secretary-General to hold a press conference.
The Secretary-General will be back in New York on 28 October.
YEMEN
Since 2021, the Houthi de facto authorities have taken a number of steps that have made it increasingly difficult for the UN to provide assistance to Yemenis.
Their actions include the forcible entry and occupation of UN premises, seizure of assets and the repeated arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel, 55 of whom remain in detention. Two of those personnel were detained yesterday.
These actions are forcing us to reassess the way in which we work in areas controlled by the Houthis. Mr. Muin Shreim has been appointed by the United Nations to lead and strengthen ongoing efforts to seek the release of our colleagues and prevent future detention.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-24
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).
UN senior official for the Middle East Ramiz Alakbarov said that a return to conflict in Gaza "must be avoided at all costs," reiterating that the remaining deceased hostages must be released without any further delay, and the humanitarian assistance must enter the Strip "at scale.”
Alakbarov told the Council that the UN and its humanitarian partners are working now to implement our 60-day response plan. The plan sets out concrete measures to streamline customs procedures, expand access routes, facilitate the entry of critical items, restore essential services, and ensure the safe movement of humanitarian personnel.
The senior UN official added, “To fully meet our targets and ensure an effective response requires more crossings and functional relief corridors, safe passage for aid workers and civilians, unrestricted entry of goods, sustained entry of fuel, and operational space for the UN and NGO, including renewal of NGO registration – all in accordance with humanitarian principles.”
On reconstruction, Alakbarov emphasized that it will “require a collective effort and should be Palestinian led.”
“Working with the Palestinian Authority, international partners, civil society, and the private sector, the UN is prepared to mobilize and help coordinate these efforts in line with the ceasefire commitments and the New York Declaration, and building on the Arab Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction,” he added.
The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process stressed that the world body will continue to “support all efforts to end the occupation and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with international law and UN resolutions, realizing a two-State solution – Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part – live side-by-side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint stakeout, delivered by Ukraine, on Russia and Ukraine.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on United Nations Day (24 October 2025).
“ ‘We the peoples of the United Nations…’
These are not just the opening words of the United Nations Charter – they define
who we are.
The United Nations is more than an institution. It is a living promise – spanning
borders, bridging continents, inspiring generations.
For eighty years, we have worked to forge peace, tackle poverty and hunger,
advance human rights, and build a more sustainable world – together.
As we look ahead, we confront challenges of staggering scale: escalating conflicts,
climate chaos, runaway technologies, and threats to the very fabric of our
institution.
This is no time for timidity or retreat.
Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can
solve alone.
On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of your
United Nations.
Let’s show the world what is possible when “we the peoples” choose to act as one.“
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travel
– Security Council
– International Court of Justice
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Niger
– Tropical Storm Melissa
– Tunisia
– International Day
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is on his way to Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will participate in a high-level event marking the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in December of last year; this landmark treaty is the first comprehensive global framework to address cybercrime.
While in Vietnam, the Secretary-General will also hold bilateral meetings with senior Vietnamese officials.
Before he headed to Hanoi, the Secretary-General met with the group of Francophone Ambassadors accredited to Geneva. He gave them an overview of the UN80 process and discussed a variety of other global issues.
And for tomorrow, which is UN Day, the Secretary-General will participate via video link in a Security Council session to commemorate the United Nations’ 80th anniversary.
SECURITY COUNCIL
Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council on Israel and Palestine this morning and he said that the ceasefire agreement represents hope for a better future, but the dynamics are extremely fragile.
He told Council members that a return to conflict must be avoided at all costs. The remaining deceased hostages must be released without any further delay. Humanitarian assistance must enter the Gaza Strip at scale to meet the enormous needs of the population wherever they are. All parties must abide by their commitments under the deal and agreements should be reached to implement the next phase.
Mr. Alakbarov said that, as tracked by the UN 2720 Mechanism for Gaza, humanitarian partners have scaled up aid delivery, with a 46 per cent increase in aid tracked by the UN entering the Strip in the first week of the ceasefire. But he added that much more still needs to be done, and he pointed to the need for more crossings and functional relief corridors, safe passage for aid workers and civilians, unrestricted entry of goods, sustained entry of fuel, and operational space for the UN and NGOs, including renewal of NGO registration.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-23
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Sudan is facing one of the world’s most severe emergencies, with more than 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, including over 9.6 million who are internally displaced and nearly 15 million children. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban explains how the United Nations is helping to address this complex emergency.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media stakeout by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on Hostages Release and Peace Process.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
A UN-backed global transit system is streamlining border procedures, saving time and money for transport operators and Customs authorities.
The TIR (International Road Transport) Convention provides for a standard, internationally recognized Customs document, the TIR Carnet, which also serves as proof of existence of an internationally valid guarantee.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) administers the TIR Convention, which was established in 1959 and currently has 78 Contracting Parties – 77 Member States and the European Union.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint Press Briefing by Professor Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur counter terrorism and human rights, and Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, following the presentation of their reports to the General Assembly’s Third Committee on human rights.
