Source: United Nations (video statements)
Comments to the media by Ulugbek Lapasov, Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations, alongside Permanent Representatives of Central Asia on the Central Asian Summit of Heads of State which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 16 November 2025.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Marking the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, UN Global Advocate Giles Duley said that persons with disabilities are assets for workforce, reiterating the need to look at the societal barriers that are holding them back from achieving what they can.
The Global Advocate spoke to reporters in New York.
He highlighted the importance of listening to what the reality is like for people with disabilities.
Duley said, “Too often people with disabilities are presented as inspiration, as resilient people. And of course, they are. But that means the stories of those left behind who are truly vulnerable are often ignored or forgotten. We can’t romanticize the idea of disability.”
Speaking about Gaza, the Global Advocate said, “People with disabilities whenever there is a crisis are the ones most vulnerable,” adding that “people living on top floors of apartment buildings, when the electricity is gone, cannot evacuate. When warnings are done by sound, people who are deaf do not get them. When people in wheelchairs and there’s rubble in the streets, they lose all accessibility.”
Duley also pointed out that the society “have to stop looking at people with disabilities as victims.”
He said, “We should look at them as assets, because some of the most resilient people you will meet in the workforce are people with disabilities, people who have struggled their whole lives, people who have met those challenges.”
“For me, resilience is life’s gift for your suffering and challenges,” the Global Advocate said, adding, “It gives you strength that enables you to be an amazing part of the workforce. There are barriers that stop those people and so rather look at them as the problem, we must always look at the societal barriers that are holding them back from achieving what they can.”
Duley also said, “Sixteen to 17 percent of the world’s population label themselves as having disability. The stories we hear are only about the ones that we feel comfortable listening to. Unfortunately, the stories that are uncomfortable are the ones we need to be telling.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
This video, presented by the United Nations Victims’ Rights Advocate, marks the first day of the 16 days of activism and the global campaign to end digital violence against women and girls. It highlights how abuse transcends physical spaces and follows victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN and related personnel into the digital world, emphasizing the urgent need for a victim-centered approach. The message calls for collective action to create safe, respectful digital environments and uphold the rights and dignity of all victims.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Press conference by Giles Duley, UN Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations for the International Day for Persons with Disabilities
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Occupied palestinian territory
-Lebanon/israel
-Sudan
-Mozambique
-Myanmar
-Migrants and refugees/Latin America and the Caribbean
-International day of persons with disabilities
-Guest tomorrow
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to receive reports that air strikes, shelling, gunfire and other Israeli military operations are causing more civilian casualties, displacement and destruction in Gaza. In recent days, hundreds of families were reportedly displaced in the At Tufah and Ash Shuja’iyyeh neighbourhoods in eastern Gaza city, following strikes and movement of military machinery.
The UN and its partners continue to provide assistance to people in need across the Strip wherever we can have access. The UN healthcare partners report that six additional healthcare service points have opened since Sunday.
Yesterday in Rafah, a team from the World Health Organization(WHO) also managed to reach the European Hospital, which remains non-operational, to move some vital equipment to functioning healthcare facilities.
However, attempts to gain access to Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza continue to be denied by the Israelisecurity authorities.
WHO reported that the agency facilitated the referral and transfer of the first patient to the Emirati Field Hospital since before last year’s Rafah incursion, which had rendered the facility inaccessible. The hospital is the only functioning medical facility serving the Rafah area.
Preparations for winter are a key priority for the UN and our partners, and we continue to deliver shelter supplies and other critical items to the most vulnerable households. Since Sunday, some 4,400 families received tents, tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing and kitchen sets across Gaza through UN-coordinated deliveries.
In addition, UN partners managing displacement sites report that work is ongoing to help prepare suitable locations for those seeking to leave high-risk areas, including shoreline communities.
In Khan Younis, an estimated 4,000 households live along the coast, with some 1,000 at especially high risk due to their proximity to the water line. Some of these families have reportedly started to relocate to the two sites identified as being safe by the localmunicipality.
In the ongoing effort to improve access to water and sanitation, our partners report that 42 truckloads of debris have been cleared over the past 48 hours to reach the Al Amal, Tel al Dhahab and Asian wells in Beit Lahiya, in North Gaza. Repairs are expected to begin soon.
In the meantime, UN partners working to reduce risks of explosive ordnance warn that unexploded remnants of war continue to pose a threat to civilians. Over the past week, they were able to carry out 50 assessments across Gaza to help lower the risks for aid workers. Just last week, six people were reportedly killed and 10 others injured in two incidents involving explosive ordnance in Gaza City and Deir al Balah.
OCHA continues to call for unimpeded, safe and sustained access for humanitarian workers and supplies to reach people in need. Impediments must be lifted to allow teams to scale up the delivery of humanitarian assistance faster and more efficiently. Civilians must always be protected, and safe passage must be ensured for those wishing to flee. They must also be allowed to return to areas should they wish to.
LEBANON/ISRAEL
Today, UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) hosted the fourteenth meeting of the five parties cessation of hostilities mechanism at its headquarters in Naqoura.
Chaired by the United States with the support of France, the meeting saw for the first time the participation of delegations of Israel and Lebanon included civilian representatives which marks a significant step forward and we look forward to continued momentum in that front.
The Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon was also present in the meetings.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-03
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
Source: United Nations (video statements)
United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Representative in Mozambique, Xavier Creach, connecting from Erati, said that 100,000 people had arrived in northern Mozambique in past two weeks alone, having faced several attacks from armed groups. Humanitarian workers are unable to provide the assistance people need, forcing some to return to very unsafe areas. UNHCR calls for stronger international support now.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced millions. The United Nations remains in close contact with national authorities and stands ready to support ongoing relief and response efforts.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
December marks the conclusion of the UN Assistance Mission’s for Iraq mandate, following more than two decades of support to the country through transition and shifting regional dynamics. Addressing the Security Council, the UN’s top envoy in the country said Iraq’s progress was shaped by sustained international support and years of costly effort.
Mohamed Al Hassan, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) highlighted major developments in Iraq’s repatriation efforts, praising Baghdad for showing “commendable leadership” in accelerating the return of its nationals from northeast Syria.
He said, “To date, approximately 20,800 people have returned to Iraq – no small feat, by any measure,” adding that continued resources are essential to ensure “dignified and sustainable reintegration,” from basic services to livelihood support.
He also welcomed Iraq’s election to the Human Rights Council but cautioned that the role carries new obligations. Membership, he said, comes with “responsibility to uphold the highest standards” on human rights, particularly regarding minorities, women, youth, freedom of expression, and “respect of the rights of girls and refraining from underage marriages.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Floods in Asia
-Iraq
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Syria / Israel
-Ukraine
-Mozambique
-UNDP
-Artificial Intelligence
-Haiti
-Abolition of Slavery
-Force Commander / UNISFA
-Guest Tomorrow
FLOODS IN ASIA
The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life caused by severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. More than 1,000 people have reportedly been killed, with many missing and millions affected as heavy rains continue to inundate large areas.
The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with all those affected by these devastating floods.
The United Nations is in close contact with authorities in all four countries and stands ready to support relief and response efforts. UN Country Teams remain at the disposal of Governments to provide necessary assistance.
IRAQ
This morning, the Security Council heard, for the last time, from the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a briefing on the situation in Iraq. The mission will conclude its mandate on 31 December this year.
Mohamed Al Hassan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, opened by expressing profound appreciation to the Government and people of Iraq who have stood as partners to the UN through some of the nation’s most challenging chapters.
He recalled that when the Council established UNAMI 22 years ago, Iraq was confronting the legacy of dictatorship, regional wars, internal conflict, foreign occupation and the terror of Da’esh. But with the support of the international community, Iraq emerged stronger.
The UN underscores that UNAMI’s departure does not mark an end to the Iraq-UN partnership.
The UN will continue to stand by Iraq to build on its hard-won gains, and we hope that a new Government will be formed without delay.
Finally, the UN look forward to transferring the mandate on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing property, including the national archives, from UNAMI to a Senior Representative, as decided by the Security Council.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-02
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
