Source: United Nations (video statements)
Secretary-General António Guterres is in Angola, and today he addressed the 7th Annual African Union – European Union Summit, which is taking place in Luanda. He underscored that the AU and EU have the power to uphold the Charter, broker agreements, and steer the world towards a more stable, more inclusive reality – where international law prevails and injustices and inequalities are progressively eliminated.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Angola
– Secretary-General/COP30
– Secretary-General/G20
– Security Council
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Ukraine
– Central African Republic
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Trafficking in Persons
– Jamaica
– World Conjoined Twins Day
– Guests Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/ANGOLA
And today, in an official visit to Angola, the Secretary-General addressed the 7th Annual African Union – European Union Summit, which is taking place in the capital Luanda. He pointed out that that right now, the world is changing at a radical rate. He noted that technology barrels ahead, climate chaos reigns, and inequalities deepen.
The Secretary-General said that we are moving towards a multipolar world, with global power in flux. Against the risks of division of the world into two blocs, led by two big powers, he stressed that we need an interconnected multipolarity, with an inclusive network of intense relations on trade, development, financial institutions, and with increasing political coordination.
The Secretary-General said that together, the AU and the EU make up 40 per cent of UN Member States.
He underscored that the AU and EU have the power to uphold the Charter, broker agreements, and steer the world towards a more stable, more inclusive reality – where international law prevails and injustices and inequalities are progressively eliminated.
Today, he also spoke at a National Assembly Special Session held to hear an address by the Secretary-General. Speaking to the media afterwards, he emphasized that we need a profound reform of the global financial architecture that reflects today’s world, that provides accessible and predictable financing rather than penalizing the victims of crises they did not cause. He added that we also need to give African countries their rightful place in every international institution, including financial institutions and the United Nations Security Council.
Also this morning, the Secretary-General met the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/COP30
As you have seen, COP30 closed this weekend in Belém, Brazil, with the Parties reaching an agreement.
In a statement, the Secretary-General said that the COP agreement shows that multilateralism is alive, and that nations can still come together to confront the defining challenges no country can solve alone.
The Secretary-General noted that COP30 has delivered progress – including a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035 as a first step towards closing the adaptation gap, a Just Transition Mechanism, a new dialogue aimed at enhancing international cooperation on trade and the recognition that we are now heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees Celsius. He also mentioned the launch of a Global Implementation Accelerator and a recognition to take forward the outcomes of the UAE Consensus, which includes a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
But COPs are consensus-based, the Secretary-General said, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach. He added that he cannot pretend that COP30 has delivered everything that is needed.
The Secretary-General pointed out that the gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide, and he understands many may feel disappointed, especially young people, Indigenous Peoples and those living through climate chaos. He said that COP30 is over, but our work is not, and he will continue pushing for higher ambition and greater solidarity.
To all those who marched, negotiated, advised, reported and mobilized, the Secretary-General said, do not give up. He told them: History is on your side, and so is the United Nations.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-24
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Joint statement delivered by Ambassador Cha Jihoon, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, on Strengthening International Cooperation to Address Trafficking in Persons associated with Emerging Technologies.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media Stakeout by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on the Middle East.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Delegates to the COP30 Conference of the Parties in Belém, Brazil wrapped with agreement on a sweeping package to scale up climate finance and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Edem Wosornu, Director, Crisis Response Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
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UN humanitarian official Edem Wosornu told Council members that humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and partners, continue to deliver humanitarian assistance wherever access allows.
She said, “Collective centres are being expanded to host new arrivals, while inter-agency convoys deliver food, water and medical supplies to those who remain in the hardest-to-reach front-line communities.”
Wosornu highlighted that between January and September, humanitarian partners reached more than 4.2 million people – over two thirds of the target for 2025.
The UN humanitarian official underscored, “we seek sustained, predictable humanitarian access where civilians face growing humanitarian needs and have received little to no international assistance.”
She urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure – including humanitarian and medical personnel and assets – and for safe, predictable and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need.
Wosornu also stressed, “Underfunding has a human cost: 72,000 displaced people lack adequate shelter; Survivors of conflict-related related sexual violence are left without access to specialized care; An estimated 640,000 women and girls were affected by cuts to vital services, including those addressing gender-based violence; Overall, a growing mental health crisis leaves millions without psychosocial support.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The Hope Championship for Amputee Football in the Gaza Strip is organized by the Palestine Amputee Football Association as part of efforts to support the injured and affirm their continued participation in official sports activities. Most of the players participating in amputee sports teams were injured in wars and military operations over the past years in the Gaza Strip. Player Farah Youssef, said, “My message to those like me: do not give up, keep going. Despite the injury and the amputation, keep going.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Kayoko Gotoh, Officer-in-Charge of Europe, Central Asia and Americas Division, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
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The UN political affairs official Kayoko Gotoh reiterated the Secretary-General’s repeated call for “a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
Kayoko Gotoh at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations spoke to the Council on the situation in Ukraine.
She noted that, at least 26 people, including three children, were reportedly killed in a Russian drone and missile attack on the western city of Ternopil. Dozens more, including children, were reportedly injured. Many remain missing under the rubble. She highlighted that this was one of the war’s deadliest strikes on civilians.
Gotoh also noted that the war is reported to be increasingly affecting civilian populations inside the Russian Federation, too. According to Russian authorities, in 2025 Ukrainian drone strikes have killed 392 people, including 22 children, in the Russian Federation and in the areas of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation. She told the Council that the United Nations is not in a position to verify or confirm these reports and figures.
The past months have once again highlighted the fragility of nuclear safety and security during an active war, the UN official told the Council.
She said, “We commend the work of the IAEA and continue to urge the sides to act responsibly.”
“Any nuclear incident would have unimaginable consequences not only for Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but far beyond. Such risk must be avoided at all costs,” Gotoh reiterated.
The UN official also said that the international community is encouraged by the resumption of diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire and a search for lasting peace earlier this year.
Nearly four years into this war, as the attacks escalate and casualties grow, and calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire increase, such efforts are even more critical, she said.
Gotoh urged “concerted and inclusive diplomatic efforts resulting in tangible progress towards a just and lasting peace. The alternative is to risk letting the war prolong, expand and escalate further to even more dangerous levels.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– secretary-general
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon/Israel
– Ukraine-Humanitarian
– Ukraine
– Moldova
– Nigeria
– Mali
– South Sudan
– Jamaica
– World Television Day
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SECRETARY-GENERAL
Today, the Secretary-General arrived in South Africa, to participate at the G20 Summit, which kicks off tomorrow. He had a press conference earlier today, which you may have seen on UNwebtv. He said that his message to G20 leaders over the next two days is simple: Now is the time for leadership and vision.
We are living through tumultuous times, he said, with conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid are all inflicting massive suffering around the world. Pointing out that the world’s largest economies, the G20 can hold enormous influence to ease that suffering, ensure that economic growth is widely shared, and set our world on a better, more peaceful course for the future.
Mr. Guterres said that over the next two days, he will call on G20 members to use their leverage to lead the action we need – economic action, climate action and action for peace. His remarks have been shared with you. We sent out the Q&A from the transcript a few moments ago.
Tomorrow, he will address three sessions. One on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leaving no one behind; another one on building a resilient world and the G20’s potential contribution and the last one will be "A fair and just future for all: Critical minerals; decent work; and artificial intelligence”.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Spokesman presented an update about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the horrific things that took place earlier this week.
And as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, I can tell you that the information we have received is truly horrific. This is about the deadly deadly violence that took place between the 13th and the 19th of November in several localities of the Lubero Territory, in North Kivu.
According to information gathered on the ground by our human rights colleagues from the peacekeeping mission, the attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group – the ADF. They took place in the Bapere and Baswagha [chefferies] and resulted in the killing of 89 civilians, including at least 20 women and an as yet undetermined number of children.
In Byambwe, which is about 60 kilometres west of Lubero, at least 17 civilians — among them women who were receiving care in the maternity ward — were killed inside the health care centre that was operated by the Catholic Church. During the attack, four wards housing patients were set on fire.
Other places, including Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili were also impacted by serious abuses, including abductions, the looting of medical supplies, the burning of homes and the destruction of property belonging to communities already facing severe humanitarian vulnerabilities.
We of course extend our condolences to the families and communities and we express our solidarity with all those affected. As you know, violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Mission remains fully committed and will continue to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity. The UN Peacekeeping Mission is working in close coordination with government authorities, the Armed Forces of the DRC, regional partners engaged in joint operations, as well as local organizations.
The Peacekeeping mission urges the Congolese authorities to promptly initiate independent and credible investigations to identify the individual perpetrators and accomplices of these horrific massacres and bring them to justice. We also reiterate our call on armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing humanitarian scale-up – which is, as you know, made possible by the ceasefire – is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating, and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside Gaza, among other challenges.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-21
