Addressing the Security Council, Lisa Doughten, Director of the Crisis Response Division of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported, “On January 29th, the de facto authorities again entered multiple UN offices in Sana’a without permission, commandeering equipment and vehicles. The de facto authorities have also continued to withhold clearances for UN Humanitarian Air Service flights to Marib. UNHAS flights into Sana’a resumed over the weekend following a month-long suspension caused by the lack of necessary clearances from the de facto authorities.”
She continued, “Such interference and impediments come at a time when the humanitarian situation is more desperate than ever. This year, 22.3 million people – or half the population – will need humanitarian assistance – an increase of 2.8 million from last year. Yemen continues to face the region’s most severe hunger crisis. Today, over 18 million people face acute food insecurity. Yemen is also the country with the largest number of people – 5.5 million – experiencing IPC Phase 4 emergency food security conditions or above.”
Press conference by Alexandre Zouev, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, on the International Day to Prevent Violent Extremism.
"UN senior official for counterterrorism Alexandre Zouev said while seizing the opportunities of new and emerging technologies to prevent violent extremism, the risks with transparency and accountability in full respect for human rights must be managed.
The United Nations marked the fourth observance of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, under the theme “Preventing Violent Extremism in the Age of New and Emerging Technologies”.
Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counterterrorism Alexandre Zouev briefed reporters in New York.
On artificial intelligence, Zouev said, “this technology holds real promise for prevention, from early detection of harmful narratives to more targeted, community informed interventions. But they’re also being misused to amplify myths and disinformation, spread violent extremism content, and enable recruitment and radicalization to terrorism, especially of young people and teenagers.”
The UN top counterterrorism official also said, “We are expanding our practical support to help Member States navigate emerging risks in digital spaces. And that includes new workstreams on artificial intelligence and online gaming systems while reinforcing evidence-based, human rights-based prevention approaches.”
He added, “this complements ongoing capacity building efforts to strengthen strategic communications, empower young people and develop PCVE (Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism) policies ensuring coherence between traditional prevention approaches and technology driven initiative.”
Asked about repatriation and reintegration of former fighters, Zouev said that they should be investigated, adding “if they committed some crimes, they should be prosecuted according to national or international standards of prosecution and law.”
He pointed out that there is also the aspect of women with children, who are the former or current wives of the former fighters. He took Central Asia, the governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as example, who are “making a great effort to reintegrate and socially rehabilitate families of former fighters because they had also certain citizens of these countries recruited.”
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 77/243, the International Day provides a platform for Member States, the United Nations system and all relevant stakeholders – including civil society, religious leaders, the private sector, academia and the media, to come together to strengthen the international community’s resolve to address the conditions conducive to terrorism, to raise awareness on the threat of violent extremism, and to renew collective action to prevent its spread.
The observance aims to promote inclusive, human rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to prevention, grounded in dialogue, partnerships and community-led solutions."
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/African Union Summit
Yemen
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Kosovo
Ukraine
Bangladesh
Madagascar
International Days
Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT
The Secretary-General is about to arrive in Addis Ababa. As we mentioned yesterday, he is travelling to Ethiopia to take part in the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.
While there, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ethiopian authorities as well as heads of State and Government from the continent.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General has also been invited to take part in the Second Italy-Africa summit, organized on the sidelines of the African Union Summit. On Saturday Mr. Guterres will address the opening session of the African Union Summit. And he will hold a press conference, scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m.
YEMEN
This morning, the Security Council met to discuss the situation in Yemen. The Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, addressed the Council remotely from Riyadh, where he recently met with Yemen’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Shaya al-Zindani, and members of the Presidential Leadership Council.
Mr. Grundberg underscored the need for an inclusive political process under UN auspices to reach a negotiated settlement capable of sustainably ending the conflict in the country. In this context, he also raised serious concerns regarding the continued detention of UN staff and others.
This week marks one year since the tragic death of a staff from the World Food Programme (WFP) while he was being held in arbitrary detention by the Houthis. Mr. Grundberg noted that no investigation has been conducted by the authorities.
Today, 73 UN personnel, along with civil society members and individuals linked to diplomatic missions remain arbitrarily detained. The UN continues to pursue every avenue, at all levels, in order to resolve this issue.
Focusing on the humanitarian situation, Lisa Doughten, the Director of the Financing and Outreach Division at OCHA said that over 18 million people face acute food insecurity in Yemen. Despite severe challenges, we and our partners are continuing to provide aid wherever we can.
She noted that next week, in Amman, donors, UN agencies, and international and national non-governmental organizations will convene to refine aid delivery and ensure the most vulnerable continue receiving assistance amid growing operational constraints.
She added that our partners remain active in areas held by the de facto authorities in Yemen and will assume a greater share of frontline operational work. Ms. Doughten urged the Council to actively support these efforts.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In a statement released today, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) announced that Vivian van de Perre, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission ad interim, has begun a visit to Goma as part of the Mission’s preparations to support ceasefire monitoring and verification, following consultations with Congolese national authorities.
The Department of Peace Operations confirmed that Ms. van de Perre arrived via Goma airport earlier this morning and is engaging with relevant counterparts to advance practical arrangements for the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.
The Mission stated that the visit marks an important operational step after the prolonged disruption of airtraffic in and out of Goma since January of last year.
Under Security Council resolution 2808 (2025), the Mission is authorized to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, including through technical and logistical support to the International Conference on the Great Lakes via the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus. The peacekeeping mission reaffirmed that such support will be provided within its mandate and in full respect of the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that yesterday they coordinated 10 humanitarian missions with the Israeli authorities. The movements were to areas where Israeli forces remain deployed.
These missions allowed UN teams to collect incoming relief items such as food, vaccines, fuel and health supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Kerem Abu Salem crossing, as well as the Zikim crossing.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-12
Secretary-General’s video message on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadan.
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For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred period of reflection and prayer.
Ramadan also represents a noble vision of hope and peace.
But for too many members of the human family, this vision remains distant.
From Afghanistan to Yemen, from Gaza to Sudan and beyond, people are suffering the horrors of conflict, hunger, displacement, discrimination and more.
In these difficult and divided times, let us heed Ramadan’s enduring message.
To bridge divides.
To deliver help and hope to those who are suffering.
And to safeguard the rights and dignity of every person.
Every year, I pay a special solidarity visit to a Muslim community and join in the fast.
And every year I come away heartened by Ramadan’s spirit of peace and compassion.
May this Holy Month inspire us to work as one to build a more peaceful, generous and just world for all people.
Bintou Keita knows instinctively that some moments call for a more human response than words alone can offer. Once, at a ceremony to mark the end of the devastating Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, she found herself hesitating to deliver her pre-prepared statement to a grief-stricken crowd.
“I have my statement, but I can’t deliver [it] because there’s something else I have to do before. And in that moment, what came to me was humming, so I did it. And at that moment, the tears – my own, the tears in the audience – came out. These people were grieving, were still mourning.”
Bintou Keita has retired after 36 years with the UN, most recently the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of the peacekeeping mission there. In this episode, she reflects on times when peacekeepers saved thousands of lives, on hopes for a people reeling from decades of violence, and shares why she learned to never say never again.
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #Peacekeeping
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organization of parliaments, will present the findings of a major new study on political violence against lawmakers by the public, both online and off.
Presented by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong with IPU Human Rights Manager Mr. Rogier Huizenga.
Moderated by the Permanent Observer of the IPU at the UN Paddy Torsney.
Drawing on a survey of hundreds of parliamentarians worldwide, and in-depth case studies in Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia and the Netherlands, the research reveals what kind of intimidation legislators face, where and against whom it occurs, and how hostility from the public harms not only the elected representatives themselves but democracy a whole.
The report will be discussed at the 2026 Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations on Thursday, 12 February 2026 – Friday, 13 February 2026 in co-hosted by the President of the General Assembly.
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71 percent of lawmakers globally report having experienced violence from the public, “whether online or offline or both,” according to a new report on political violence against parliamentarians issued by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union speaking at United Nations Headquarters in New York outlined findings from the report entitled When the Public Turns Hostile: Political Violence Against Parliamentarians, which examines rising intimidation and harassment of elected representatives by members of the public.
He said, “violence is heavily concentrated online, with between 65 and 70 percent of MPs in the five countries reporting online abuse.” The report draws on a survey of hundreds of parliamentarians and five in-depth country case studies in Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
“The most common forms of public intimidation reported by the Members of Parliament are insults and degrading language, the spread of false or misleading information, and threats,” Chungong said. “Most respondents believe that the situation is deteriorating. In Argentina and the Netherlands, eight out of ten MPs, up to 80 percent, reported an increase in violence over the past five years.”
He added, “Online violence is frequently triggered by elections, high-profile legislative debates or polarizing political or cultural issues.” According to the findings, “Women are more affected than men. 76 percent of women MPs across the case studies presented in this report reported exposure to violence, compared to 68 percent of men.”
Referring to the United States, Chungong said, “When we look at the situation in the United States, which then are revealing, we see that the phenomenon is very acute, where we are seeing more attacks against politicians and even their families.” He cited an arson attack targeting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, an assault on the husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and a recent physical attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a town hall event.
Chungong warned, “This phenomenon has the potential to impact negatively on democracy.” He said increasing public hostility has “serious consequences, not only for the safety and well-being of the individual lawmakers, but also for the functioning of Parliament and the quality of democratic debate.”
“Many lawmakers we surveyed report that they are self-censoring online, being more careful about what they say in public,” he added.
The IPU, headquartered in Geneva, is convening its annual Parliamentary Hearing this week at UN Headquarters in New York, co-organized with the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The meeting is expected to bring together around 250 participants, including approximately 150 Members of Parliament from around the world.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Trip Announcement/AU Summit
Canada
Sudan/Quintet
Sudan/Humanitarian
Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Democratic Republic Of The Congo/Humanitarian
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Ukraine
Women And Girls In Science
Financial Contributions
Briefings
TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT/AU SUMMIT
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to take part in the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.
While there, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ethiopian authorities as well as heads of State and Government from the continent.
On Friday, the Secretary-General has also been invited to take part in the Second Italy-Africa summit, organized on the sidelines of the African Union Summit.
On Saturday Mr. Guterres will address the opening session of the African Union Summit. In his remarks to the continent’s leaders, he will highlight that the African Union is a flagship for multilateralism.
He will also reflect on the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, which in the past decade has reached new heights.
Also on Saturday, the Secretary-General will hold a press conference that is scheduled to take place at 3pm.
We will keep you posted on the Secretary-General’s activities, and he will be back in the office on Monday [16 February].
CANADA
The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the tragic shooting in Tumble Ridge, British Columbia. He extends his deepest condolences to those affected and his sympathies to the Government and people of Canada.
SUDAN/QUINTET
In a statement released today, the Quintet, comprising the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, European Union and the UN, expressed grave concern at the continued escalation of the conflict in the Sudan and called for the immediate halting of any further military escalation.
The group also emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and halt the flow of weapons and fighters sustaining the violence. As Ramadan approaches, it urged support for efforts to secure a humanitarian truce consistent with international law and Security Council resolution 2736.
The Quintet reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a Sudanese-led, inclusive political dialogue toward ending the war.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-11
UN Secretary-António Guterres said he is was saddened to learn of the tragic shooting that took place in Tumble Ridge, British Columbia in Canada. He extends his deepest condolences to those affected and his sympathies to the Government and people of Canada.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, paid an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the security crisis and the monitoring of the ceasefire.
His visit began in Kinshasa with high-level talks with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and the President of the Senate. These discussions addressed MONUSCO’s role in upholding the ceasefire, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, as well as the Mission’s support to the Congolese authorities for the stabilization of the East and the protection of civilians.
Anthéa Bourhis, an AI and plankton imaging analyst, collects plankton from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea and brings the samples back to the Villefranche Oceanography Lab (LOV) for storage and imaging.
Plankton sustain life on Earth: phytoplankton have produced more than half the oxygen we breathe, and zooplankton form the foundation of the marine food chain. Climate change threatens this fragile world, making research on plankton more important than ever.
Today, February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
