Strait of Hormuz: Hunger looming | Fertilizer shipments cannot wait
As the Persian Gulf crisis continues, the clock is ticking for farmers who rely on fertilizer shipped via the Strait of Hormuz – and millions worldwide who depend on their crops, particularly in vulnerable countries such as war-torn Sudan.
In normal times, one third of global fertilizer trade passes through the maritime corridor located south of Iran, but tanker traffic has essentially come to a standstill.
In response, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres established a task force to facilitate the safe passage of fertilizers and related raw materials for humanitarian purposes.
It is headed by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services across the world.
Briefing by Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), on the country.
Jenča told the Security Council that with the presidential campaign now in full swing ahead of elections on 31 May, the Mission is adding its voice to the call for authorities and all concerned “to ensure a safe and peaceful environment, free of violence and free of stigmatization.”
Jenča noted that a number of rural areas are still strongly impacted by the presence of illegal armed groups, and their ongoing clashes over territorial control and illicit economies are bringing violence and hardship to entire communities.
On the recent legislative elections, held in March, he said, “despite concerns during the campaign period over incidents of violence and the presence of illegal armed groups in conflict affected regions, adequate measures were taken and Election Day was not adversely affected by security incidents, a demonstration of Colombia’s strong institutions.”
He reiterated his condemnation of reported threats against presidential candidates and called for state authorities “to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process.”
Jenča said the latest report of the Secretary General on Colombia, which he was presenting, “traces implementation across the three pillars of the mandate, as established by the Security Council in Resolution 2798 of last October. Reintegration of former combatants, security guarantees, and comprehensive rural reform.”
He said these were “three elements at the core of the final peace agreement, whose implementation contributes to peace and security in the country.”
On rural reform, the UNVIC official said, it was “fundamental for consolidating lasting peace and security in Colombia” as it “aims to extend state presence and address inequalities that have fuel conflict in the country for decades.”
By unlocking viable economic opportunities, he said, “it can also provide sustainable alternatives to illicit economies, thereby helping to break the cycle of violence.”
Interactive dialogue with Mr. Macky Sall. Mr. Sall was nominated on 2 March 2026 by Burundi.
The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner.
General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization.".
Interactive dialogue with Ms. Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis. Ms. Grynspan was nominated on 3 March 2026 by Costa Rica.
The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner.
General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization.".
Informal comments to the media by Michelle Bachelet Jeria, Candidate for UN Secretary-General, following her Interactive dialogue for the position of the next Secretary-General.
Comments to the media by Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, President of the Security Council for the month of April 2026 and Permanent Representative of the Mission of Bahrain to the United Nations, on Lebanon.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Petersberg Climate Dialogue
Senior Personnel Appointment – ESCWA
Lebanon/Israel
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Yemen
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Afghanistan
Security Council/Colombia
Security Council/Ukraine
Migrants
UNESCO Sites/Report
Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Haiti
PETERSBERG CLIMATE DIALOGUE
This morning, the Secretary-General addressed via a video message the 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, which is taking place in Berlin, in Germany. He noted that the conflict in the Middle East has triggered the most severe energy crisis in a generation, and it makes one fact crystal clear: fossil fuels are not just wrecking our planet, they are holding economies hostage.
The Secretary-General underscored that there is another way. Last year, he noted, clean energy investment surged to 2.2 trillion dollars worldwide – double fossil fuel investment.
The Secretary-General pointed out that renewables deliver what fossil fuels never can: real and lasting energy security. But, he said, that requires action on three fronts. First, we must respond to the energy crisis without deepening the climate crisis.
Second, we must build the infrastructure that can deliver this transition, and third, it is time to mobilize finance at scale.
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT – ESCWA
Personnel appointment that I want to read into the record. Yesterday evening, the Secretary-General appointed Rania A. Al-Mashat of Egypt as the next Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, otherwise known as ESCWA.
She succeeds Rola Dashti of Kuwait, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service to the United Nations. The Secretary-General also extends his appreciation to Mourad Wahba who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Secretary until Ms. Al-Mashat assumes her position.
She comes to us as an international expert in economic diplomacy, with over 25 years of experience in macroeconomic policy; central banking and monetary policy frameworks.
For eight consecutive years (2018-2026), she was a Minister in Egypt on three portfolios: Tourism, International Cooperation and Planning, as well as Economic Development and International Cooperation.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-21
Informal comments to the media by Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, ahead of the interactive dialogues for the position of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Interactive dialogue with Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi. Mr. Grossi was nominated on 26 November 2025 by Argentina.
The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner.
General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization."
