Source: United Nations (video statements)
Press Conference by Anna Joubin-Bret on the new UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents.
Gaza: Ceasefire remains fragile – Special Coordinator Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“On 11 December, the Israeli cabinet decided to approve or regularize 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank,” a senior UN official told the Security Council, warning that settlement activity this year has reached record levels.
Briefing the Council, Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said the decision included the settlements of Ganim and Kadim in the northern West Bank, which had been evacuated by Israel in 2005. He said that “in 2025, settlement advancement reached its highest level since UN tracking began in 2017,” urging Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, and recalling the International Court of Justice advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, which obliges Israel “to cease all new settlement activities, evacuate settlers, and end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory promptly.”
Alakbarov also raised concerns over developments in East Jerusalem, telling Council members that “on 8 December, Israeli authorities forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, seizing property and replacing the UN flag with an Israeli flag.” He recalled that the Secretary-General strongly condemned these actions and emphasized that the “compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference.”
Turning to the humanitarian situation, Alakbarov said UN winterization efforts were underway, “distributing tents, blankets and other essential supplies, reaching people where they are.” However, he warned that “conditions remain dire, and the risk of hypothermia is increasing with the onset of winter weather,” confirming that the first hypothermia-related death of a two-week-old newborn boy from Khan Younis, was confirmed earlier today.
Election process underway in Central African Republic
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Over 90 tons of sensitive electoral materials, including ballot papers, tally sheets, and other election forms, arrived in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Monday, 2025.
The UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA will help dispatch them throughout the country, as part of its security, logistics and technical support, as part of its mandate.
This operation represents a key step in the organization of the combined elections scheduled for December 28, 2025.
E5 on West Bank and East Jerusalem – Media Stakeout | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint stakeout led by James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, on the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Ban Ki-moon Calls for Security Council Reform and Stronger UN Leadership for Peace | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Former UN Secretary-General and an emeritus member of the Elders, Ban Ki-moon, said that to truly promote leadership for peace, the international community must fundamentally reform and reinvigorate the Security Council.
Ban spoke at the Council’s meeting under the theme of Maintenance of international peace and security: Leadership for peace.
The former UN chief said, “I am of the view that UN leadership must more confidently reassert its active political role in diplomacy for peace, including mediating and settling crises.”
“Member States must support this role, and guard against situations in which only powerful countries dictate political settlements. And this needs to start here, in this Council, in this Chamber,” Ban added.
He suggested that the next Secretary-General should be empowered by a single, seven-year term, explaining that two five-year terms leave the Secretary-General overly dependent on this Council’s Permanent Members for an extension.
Ban also highlighted that the Council “must be made fit for purpose for the twenty-first century world, rather than the twentieth century.”
He said, “The Council has long been plagued by divisions and disruptive tactics. But the irresponsible way many States now disregard their obligations today is especially concerning. “
In particular, some Permanent Members of this Council regularly undermine the UN’s universal peace and security mandate; through their use of the veto to shield themselves, their allies, and their proxies from accountability,” the former UN chief said,
He continued, “Without concrete reforms to curb the arbitrary use, and misuse, of veto power by permanent members, the UN’s sense of helplessness will not be overcome. Civilians will remain unprotected in conflict. Impunity will still reign.”
UN Peacekeepers Killed in Drone Attack in Kordofan, Sudan | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Abyei, Sudan, Australia & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Abyei
– Sudan
– Sudan/Humanitarian
– Oman
– Secretary-General Travels
– Australia
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Syria
– Ukraine
– Belarus
– Central African Republic
– Security Council
– Global Refugee Forum
– Guest Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
————————————–
ABYEI
Following the attack on the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, on 13 December, which resulted in the killing of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injury of nine others while on duty with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), this morning, a solemn ceremony was held at the Mission headquarters in Abyei to honour the six peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their remains are being escorted back to Bangladesh.
The injured peacekeepers, who were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on 13 December, are being treated at UNISFA’s hospital. The Mission’s top priority is to ensure that everything possible is done to provide the necessary medical care for the injured.
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw Affram, visited Kadugli today to assess the situation and to engage with the peacekeepers on the ground and other relevant parties.
The Mission has taken all necessary steps to protect its personnel and facilities by reinforcing protection measures at the Kadugli logistics base to ensure their safety and is closely coordinating with relevant stakeholders to assess the situation.
SUDAN
On Saturday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the horrific drone attacks that targeted the United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan. The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries – all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Yesterday, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Mr. Muhammed Yunus, to express his condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh and to convey his solidarity following this horrific attack.
In the statement, the Secretary-General underscored that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, and he reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. Such attacks against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.
SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
Further on Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the situation across the Kordofan region is rapidly worsening, with civilians facing mounting risks as hostilities intensify.
We are alarmed by reports that yesterday, a drone attack struck a hospital in the town of Dilling, in South Kordofan State, killing at least six people and injuring 12 others – that’s according to initial information from the UN Human Rights Office. Other reports indicate that medical personnel were among the injured.
OCHA reminds all parties that attacks on hospitals and health workers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law. Medical facilities and civilians must be protected at all times, and those responsible must be held to account.
Meanwhile, in the east of Kadugli, the state capital of South Kordofan, artillery shelling was reported yesterday, posing further risks to civilians.
The escalating violence is driving new displacement. Our colleagues with the International Organization for Migration estimate that more than 1,700 people were displaced between Thursday and Saturday from several towns in South Kordofan.
The security situation also remains volatile in North Kordofan State, including in the state capital, El Obeid, where further attacks have been reported.
Despite the insecurity, we and our partners continue our efforts to provide life-saving assistance as funding and access allow. With the World Health Organization and national authorities conducting a cholera vaccination campaign in South Kordofan, Abu Jubeihah locality, it is essential that sustained access is facilitated and security is guaranteed.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-15
#UN Peacekeepers Killed in Drone Attack in Kordofan, #sudan
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric | Awake at Night teaser
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain.
“There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It’s like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can’t let it wither away.”
An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle.
The Elders delegation on Security Council reform & other topics – Media Stakeout | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media stakeout by a delegation from The Elders, the group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, comprised of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, following the Security Council open debate on leadership for peace.