Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media stakeout by James Kariuki, Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, prior to the Security Council consultations on Sudan.
‘Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe’ In #Sudan’s El-Fasher
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, gave an update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in El Fasher, Sudan. As the brutal Sudan war shows no signs of ending, Mr. Türk called on the international community to intervene immediately to stop more mass killings and other flagrant war crimes against civilians.
Rival militaries from the national army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia have been battling for control of the country for nearly three years.
Something must be done to address the ‘continuous inflow of weapons’, the High Commissioner for Human Rights insisted, after recounting testimonies of survivors of atrocity crimes in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, by the RSF who overran the city last October.
Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the West Bank
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the reported decision of the Israeli security cabinet to authorize a series of administrative and enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank. He warns that the current trajectory on the ground, including this decision, is eroding the prospect for the two-State solution.
He reiterates that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated regime and infrastructure, have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law, including relevant United Nations resolutions.
Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are not only destabilizing but – as recalled by the International Court of Justice – unlawful.
The Secretary-General calls on Israel to reverse these measures and on all parties to preserve the only path to lasting peace, a negotiated two-State solution, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law.
Palestine, Syria, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (9 February 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
West Bank
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Yemen
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Western Sahara
South Sudan
Sudan
Madagascar
Haiti
Cuba
Ukraine
Cyprus
Honour Roll
WEST BANK
The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the reported decision of the Israeli security cabinet to authorize a series of administrative and enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank. He warns that the current trajectory on the ground, including this decision, is eroding the prospect for the two-State solution.
He reiterates that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated regime and infrastructure, have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law, including relevant United Nations resolutions.
Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are not only destabilizing but – as recalled by the International Court of Justice – unlawful.
The Secretary-General calls on Israel to reverse these measures and on all parties to preserve the only path to lasting peace, a negotiated two-State solution, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the UN and partners continue serving hundreds of thousands of meals every day, as well as digital cash and monthly rations, despite persistent impediments.
Also last week, food security partners completed the distribution of animal feed to more than 2,000 herders and farmers over nine days.
Meanwhile, our colleagues leading on water, hygiene and sanitation say that Gaza city continues to face a severe shortage of drinking and domestic water. This is despite a recent reopening of the valve on the Gaza city Mekorot supply line from Israel. Only 6,000 cubic metres are reaching people in the city every day, with significant water losses in hard-to-reach areas. To mitigate this shortfall, the UN and our partners have increased water production and trucked deliveries from groundwater wells and private sector desalination plants.
Since late last month, our partners have distributed over 100,000 water jerry cans, over 700,000 bars of soap, over 25,000 hygiene kits, over 400 household latrines, and 250 anti-lice kits across Gaza.
Mine action partners say that, over a week and by last Wednesday, they had conducted over 200 assessments of potential explosive hazards in support of debris removal. That’s in addition to support they provide to secure humanitarian movements and operations. Last week, they also reached over 10,000 children and adults with explosive ordnance risk education. They note this remains a major risk as 33 explosive ordnance incidents have been reported since the ceasefire came into force in October 2025, resulting in nine deaths and 65 injuries.
OCHA adds that restrictions, including limitations on the entry of items listed as “dual use” or non-humanitarian continue to hamper the humanitarian response.
Such items include spare parts and certain shelter materials. Also undermining humanitarian operations is the de-registration of some international NGOs and restrictions imposed on UNRWA and other UN agencies.
SYRIA
OCHA says that fighting has subsided in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh and Raqqa following the agreement announced on January 30th. As of February 3rd, nearly 160,000 people are still displaced.
While there has been some improvement in humanitarian access, there are still major challenges. Electricity outages continue to disrupt water systems, telecommunications are intermittent, food supply chains are constrained, and schools are still suspended in many areas.
Between 25 January and 5 February, our partners facilitated ten inter-agency convoys to Qamishli and Ain al-Arab/Kobani, delivering 154 trucks of life-saving assistance. In total, our partners have reached more than 190,000 people across 83 communities with food, medicine, fuel, winter items and other essential support.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall between Saturday and today has caused severe flooding across parts of Idleb and northern Latakia, affecting more than 5,000 displaced people. Some 1,800 tents were partially damaged and 150 destroyed. Flooding also forced the closure of a local hospital, with patients evacuated and mobile medical teams deployed. Authorities have opened collective shelters and prepared additional housing for families who need it. Our partners are relocating families, repairing shelters and delivering assistance.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-09
A Living Legacy | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
A Living Legacy is a short film by award-winning visionaries Sylvia M. Zakhary and Sing J. Lee. It brings to life the story of the United Nations — its people, its milestones, and its impact on the world over the past eight decades — building our future together.
#Sudan | We Fled With Nothing but Our Lives
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Women displaced by fighting in Sudan describe fleeing through gunfire, losing loved ones, and struggling to survive.
At Abu Al Naja camp in Gedaref, UNFPA mobile clinics are providing life-saving care to women and children who have nowhere else to turn.
Women’s leadership, impact, & a few quick questions
Source: United Nations (video statements)
María José Torres Macho, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Chile 🇨🇱, joined us in the Goals Lounge for Women Rise for All: Country Perspectives and for a few quick-fire questions we’ve always wanted to ask.
🎬 Watch the full conversation on UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1c/k1cstz74k6
Ukraine, Palestine & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (05 February 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Nigeria
Olympics
New Start Treaty
Security Council
Human Rights Office
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
Central African Republic
Chad
Peace-building Fund
Burkina
Faso Costa Rica
Honour Roll
———————–
NIGERIA
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack of 3 February, in Kwara State, in Nigeria, which reportedly killed over 100 people.
The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and of course, he wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured.
The Secretary-General reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Nigeria in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism. He stresses the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice.
OLYMPICS
The Secretary-General is arriving in Milan in a few hours, where he will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics that will take place on Friday. While there, he will meet with the new President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry.
the Secretary-General will deliver a video message for the Opening Ceremony, and he will underscore that the Olympics and the Paralympics are a beacon of hope, as well as a celebration of human potential, of teamwork, fair play and mutual respect.
Maryam Bukar Hassan of Nigeria, who was named the first Global Advocate for Peace for the UN’s Peace & Security Pillar, will also be present at the Olympics.
Along with other global influencers, she will be serving as an official Olympic Flag Bearer at the opening ceremony.
She was selected by the IOC for her ongoing commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peace.
NEW START TREATY
In a statement issued yesterday evening, the Secretary-General said that the expiration of the New START Treaty marks a grave moment for international peace and security. For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of both the Russian Federation and the United States.
The Secretary-General said that this dissolution of decades of achievement could not come at a worse time, as the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is the highest it has been in decades. Even in this moment of uncertainty, however, we must search for hope, he said.This is an opportunity to reset and create an arms control regime fit for a rapidly evolving context.
He welcomes that the Presidents of both the Russian Federation and the United States have made clear that they appreciate the destabilizing impact of a nuclear arms race and the need to prevent the return to a world of unchecked nuclear proliferation.
Mr. Guterres urges both States to return to the negotiating table without delay and to agree upon a successor framework that restores verifiable limits, reduces risks, and strengthens our common security.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-05
Angélique Kidjo: A Call to End Female Genital Mutilation
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In 2012, renowned singer-songwriter and #unicef Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo spoke out at the United Nations against Female genital mutilation (FGM) and urged countries to outlaw and end the practice. She later gave a special performance in the General Assembly Hall to raise awareness of the practice of FGM and its harmful effects.
Artificial Intelligence – Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres submitted for the consideration of the General Assembly a list of “40 distinguished individuals from every region” to serve on the new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.
Addressing the press, on the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The Panel is a direct response to the mandate given by Member States in the Pact for the Future to strengthen multilateral solutions for emerging technologies that are reshaping every aspect of our lives.”
He highlighted, “It will be the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of AI across economies and societies. And this could not be more urgent. AI is moving at the speed of light. No country can see the full picture alone””
He then recognized the office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union, and UNESCO “for their vital support of this initiative. The three organizations will provide the members to the Secretariat of the panel, and the Secretariat of the panel will be coordinated by my Special Envoy, Amandeep Gill.”
Answering a question, he said, “One of the most important things is exactly to have a scientific entity that is independent, that is reliable, that doesn’t serve the interest of any country, able to say exactly what is the state of the art of the applications of AI. And obviously one of the major concerns we have is about the weaponization of AI, and I hope that this panel will be a very important instrument to clarify what exactly is happening.”