Category: United Nations

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Sudan, Vietnam, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

-Sudan

-Secretary-General/Malaysia

-Thailand/Cambodia

-Vietnam

-Yemen

-Occupied Palestinian Territory

-UNIFIL

-Lebanon/Israel

-Ukraine

-Hurricane Melissa

-UN Women

-Exhibition

-International Day

-Briefings Tomorrow

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SUDAN

During his press conference in Malaysia, the Secretary-General responded to a question about reports indicating that the Rapid Support Forces had captured the Sudanese army headquarters in the city. Mr. Guterres said this marked a terrible escalation in the conflict. He stressed that it is high time for the international community to speak clearly to all countries interfering in the war and providing weapons to the warring parties, urging them to stop. The Secretary-General noted that the problem is not only the fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, but also the growing external interference that undermines prospects for a ceasefire and a political solution. Amid these developments, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 26,000 people fled El Fasher between yesterday and today towards the localities of Melit and Tawila, where OCHA teams are on the ground monitoring the situation and coordinating the response to the needs of the impacted population. We underscore that people seeking to leave the area must be able to do so safely, voluntarily and with dignity.

Fighting has also intensified in North Kordofan State, where reports indicate that several civilians were killed and infrastructure looted over the weekend. We once again call on all parties to immediately halt hostilities, uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure the unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to people in dire need across Sudan.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/MALAYSIA

The Secretary-General has just wrapped up his program in Malaysia, where he took part in the ASEAN-UN summit. In his remarks at the summit, he condemned once again the bloodshed in Myanmar and urged all parties to halt the fighting, protect civilians, allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and engage in an inclusive political process. The release of those arbitrarily detained, including democratically elected leaders, is essential, he added.
The Secretary-General told ASEAN leaders that under current conditions, any elections in Myanmar risk further exclusion and instability.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General held a press conference, in which he reiterated his call for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar and for a credible path back to civilian rule.

Turning to climate, the Secretary-General said the stakes are perilously high for Southeast Asia, where climbing temperatures, rising seas and worsening storms threaten lives, livelihoods and entire communities and countries. Next week, when leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, they must agree on a credible plan to close the gap to 1.5 degrees and mobilize $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035 for developing countries, he said.

Also today, Mr. Guterres delivered remarks at an event to mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, organized by the Malaysian authorities. All of those remarks were shared with you. And Mr. Guterres will be back in New York tomorrow.

THAILAND/CAMBODIA

In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General welcomed the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand as a means to consolidate the July ceasefire.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the important role played by Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN, and the United States in facilitating this Declaration. We are committed to supporting all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and development in the region.

VIETNAM

On Saturday, in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Secretary-General took part in the high-level event marking the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General said this new convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. He added that it is also a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity, and safety must be protected both offline and online.

Over the weekend, the convention gathered 72 signatories. According to our colleagues in the Treaty section, that number is one of the most significant for a multilateral treaty deposited with the Secretary-General in the last 10 years. And as the Secretary-General said during his joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Vietnam (Pham Minh Chinh) on Saturday, now, we must turn signatures into action.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLcmfObI2CY

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United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future – UN Chief’s Briefing

Source: United Nations (video statements)

"The privilege to sit at this table carries a duty — above all — to honour the faith" of those people who, for the last eight decades, have placed their trust in the United Nations to save them from the scourge of war, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the Security Council.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter entering into force, the Security Council held an open debate titled “The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future”, reflecting on the body’s legacy and the urgent need for reform amid deep global divisions.

Calling the Security Council “a vital necessity, and a powerful force for good,” Guterres warned that its “legitimacy is fragile.” He said too often members act outside the Charter’s principles, stressing that “when one nation flouts the rules, others think they have licence to do the same. And history tells us, with brutal clarity, where that road leads.”

Guterres urged Council members to remember the spirit of the Organization’s founders: “The United Nations emblem does not bear the laurel wreath of a victor, but the olive crown of a peacemaker. To the privileged few who sit at this table, I urge you — be worthy of that crown.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo1WLPNNRas

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Heroes of Tomorrow: 2025 UN SDG Action Awards

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, a signature programme of the UN SDG Action Campaign, will unveil the winners of the 2025 edition, selected from over 5,500 applications across 190 countries and territories, honouring extraordinary individuals and initiatives advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through creativity, resilience, and collective action.

The Ceremony will feature the presence of Emma Theofelus, Minister of ICT of the Republic of Namibia; Manuela Kasper-Claridge, Editor-in-Chief of Deutsche Welle; Nomzamo Mbatha, South African actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador; and Andrea Macrì, four-time Paralympian, alongside artistic performances by Italian singer-songwriter Diodato and Nigerian singer and artivist Cill, among many others.

The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme is made possible thanks to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejmOitMaxPo

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Haiti: Situation not improved, but not worsening – Press Conference | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN Special Representative for Haiti said, “We need to avoid, at all costs, that the situation worsens” in the country.

Addressing the press Carlos Ruiz Massieu said, “We reported in our latest report that the situation in Port au Prince has been maintained, has not improved, but is not worsening. But we also reported there’re more activities in advance of the gangs in other departments.”

He stressed, “It’s important to maintain, hopefully, to improve the situation while the GSF is fully deployed, and whoever really can provide additional support to the GSF and to Haiti general, I think is very much welcome because of the dire situation that they are facing.”

Answering a question on security operations, he said, “We have offered already to monitor constantly activities of whatever measures they implement in order to make them aware first, if there is a highest risk of hitting population at large, let alone children.”

He added, “Also, as we do with the Haitian National Police, more institutionally, as we do with, obviously, the MSS as part of the endeavor in the past, and we’ll do with the GSF in terms of providing all the training needed so they abide by the principles of human rights, in terms of proportionality, in terms of accountability, but also the training they need in general.”

He continued, “And with the government, what we will try to do is to offer to the government all additional capacity that they may need to implement this or to make sure that when they conduct security operations of whatever nature they decide to conduct, they have – the government – all the information needed in order to abide by these principles and to avoid the situations that we have faced in the past. “

He highlighted, “At the end of the day, the government can implement whatever security measures they believe they need to implement in order to reduce gang violence, in order to increase security, but in whatever decision they take and to utilize whatever measures they take is obviously the Haitian government, Haitian authorities have the obligation to abide by the human rights standards, and we will be working with them on that.”

He reported, “Already by first week of November the Mission will be back around 75 percent of its international capacity, 84 percent of the overall capacity of the mission, and by the end of the year, or before, we will have 100 percent capacity of the mission. And that will allow us, then really to deliver fully our mandate.”

He also said, “According to the resolution, the Office from the UN should be there by 31st March in country, the UNSOH, our enabler presence, I would say. And the GSF should be probably in full deployment – that doesn’t mean they will have all deployment after that – but in full deployment a couple of months later.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlXO-jhw6J8

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UN Day, Security Counci & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

UN Day
Security Council
Vietnam
Yemen
Occupied Palestinian Territory
UNIFIL
South Sudan
Ukraine
North Africa
Tropical Storm Melissa
International Days
Guests

UN DAY

United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. Eighty years on, the UN faces new and complex challenges, while working to adapt and strengthen itself. Through the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, and the UN80 initiative, the UN seeks to renew the foundations of international cooperation, and to ensure that it can deliver for people everywhere.

A number of events are taking place today at Headquarters and around the world to mark the Day.

SECURITY COUNCIL

Today is the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and the Secretary-General joined the Security Council session this morning to commemorate the anniversary. He joined the session via video link from Hanoi.  

He reminded Council members that the Security Council exists for sincere, hopeful people, who, for the last eight decades, have placed their trust in this institution to save them from the scourge of war.

On many pivotal occasions, the Secretary-General added, this Council has delivered on that task, helping Cambodia to emerge from genocide and South Africa to emerge from apartheid.

The Council is a vital necessity, and a powerful force for good. But at the same time, its legitimacy is fragile, Mr. Guterres said. He reiterated his call for reform of the Security Council, including the expansion of its membership.

It is our duty to forge a body that can meet the challenges of the next 80 years, one that delivers justice and safety for all, he concluded.

VIETNAM

The Secretary-General arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam earlier today, where he met with the President of Viet Nam, Luong Cuong, and also took part in an official dinner hosted by the President.  

Tomorrow, he will participate in a high-level event marking the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General is expected to say that this new convention is a powerful, legally-binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. It is also a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity and safety must be protected both offline and online. And, he will add, the convention is a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime.

About 115 Member State delegations are expected to attend the high-level event, and as we mentioned, the Convention will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification.

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. You will be able to watch both these events live on UN Web TV.

And as a reminder, on Saturday evening, the Secretary-General will head to Kuala Lumpur, where he will attend the ASEAN-UN Summit, chaired by Malaysia. On the sidelines of the Summit, he will engage in a number of bilateral discussions with counterparts at the ASEAN meetings, as well as with the Malaysian hosts. And on Monday, we expect the Secretary-General to hold a press conference.

The Secretary-General will be back in New York on 28 October. 

YEMEN

Since 2021, the Houthi de facto authorities have taken a number of steps that have made it increasingly difficult for the UN to provide assistance to Yemenis.

Their actions include the forcible entry and occupation of UN premises, seizure of assets and the repeated arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel, 55 of whom remain in detention. Two of those personnel were detained yesterday.

These actions are forcing us to reassess the way in which we work in areas controlled by the Houthis. Mr. Muin Shreim has been appointed by the United Nations to lead and strengthen ongoing efforts to seek the release of our colleagues and prevent future detention.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hfLQsyT2T8

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Gaza: Return to conflict in Gaza must be avoided at all costs – UNSCO Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).

UN senior official for the Middle East Ramiz Alakbarov said that a return to conflict in Gaza "must be avoided at all costs," reiterating that the remaining deceased hostages must be released without any further delay, and the humanitarian assistance must enter the Strip "at scale.”

Alakbarov told the Council that the UN and its humanitarian partners are working now to implement our 60-day response plan. The plan sets out concrete measures to streamline customs procedures, expand access routes, facilitate the entry of critical items, restore essential services, and ensure the safe movement of humanitarian personnel.

The senior UN official added, “To fully meet our targets and ensure an effective response requires more crossings and functional relief corridors, safe passage for aid workers and civilians, unrestricted entry of goods, sustained entry of fuel, and operational space for the UN and NGO, including renewal of NGO registration – all in accordance with humanitarian principles.”
On reconstruction, Alakbarov emphasized that it will “require a collective effort and should be Palestinian led.”

“Working with the Palestinian Authority, international partners, civil society, and the private sector, the UN is prepared to mobilize and help coordinate these efforts in line with the ceasefire commitments and the New York Declaration, and building on the Arab Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction,” he added.

The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process stressed that the world body will continue to “support all efforts to end the occupation and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with international law and UN resolutions, realizing a two-State solution – Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part – live side-by-side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrMj8l99LnQ