Category: United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– Briefings Tomorrow
– Senior Personnel Appointment
– UN General Assembly
– Ukraine
– Ukraine/Humanitarian
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Jerusalem
– Haiti
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Yemen
– Sudan
– Pakistan
– Afghanistan
– Nigeria
– Human Rights
– International Literacy Day
– Micronesia/New Resident Coordinator

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BRIEFINGS TOMORROW
Tomorrow, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a briefing here on the launch of the UN Secretary-General’s report entitled The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future.
The Secretary-General will be here to make opening remarks, but he will not take any questions.
He will be joined by Izumi Nakamitsu, the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and Haoliang Xu, Acting Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). .
Then, at noon, the incoming President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, will speak to you at the General Assembly Stakeout area.
The Secretary-General will hold a press conference next week, most likely on Tuesday, September 16th, ahead of the General Assembly.

SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT
Today, the Secretary-General is appointing Mr. Miroslav Jenča of Slovakia as Special Representative for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.
He will succeed Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu of Mexico, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service.
Mr. Jenča brings more than 35 years of experience in diplomacy, mediation, leadership and oversight of UN peace operations, as well as close knowledge of the Colombian peace process and its regional and international context. 
He is currently serving as Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the United Nations Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, a role he has held since 2019. 

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
We’ve seen in the last few days a high volume of misinformation regarding whether a vote had taken place in the General Assembly to move the high-level session out of New York. I want to be clear that there was no such vote in the General Assembly and that I am not aware of any preparations being made to move the General Assembly’s high-level session.

UKRAINE
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attacks by the Russian Federation on 7 September, which killed and injured several people, including children. The attacks struck a Government building in central Kyiv and damaged residential and other civilian infrastructure in the capital and other regions of Ukraine.
The targeting of government institutions represents a further escalation of the conflict. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable and must end immediately.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in Ukraine, one that fully upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=08%20September%202025

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, concluded a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 3 to 7 September. He visited Kinshasa, Bunia, Fataki, and Beni, accompanied by senior MONUSCO and UN peace operations officials.

In Kinshasa, Mr. Lacroix met with President Félix Tshisekedi, the Prime Minister, members of the government, and opposition leaders. He conveyed the UN’s continued commitment to supporting peace and stability in the DRC. The Congolese authorities emphasized the necessity for MONUSCO to continue fulfilling its mandate, expressing clear support for the Mission’s efforts.

Mr. Lacroix emphasized that hundreds of thousands of Congolese people, including displaced persons, rely on MONUSCO for daily protection — particularly in areas like Fataki and Beni, where joint operations with the FARDC continue against armed groups.

He highlighted the importance of international diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha processes, and called for intensified engagement to achieve tangible results such as a ceasefire and reduced violence. He reiterated the UN’s readiness to support the implementation of the Security Council’s resolution 2773.

He also cautioned about the severe financial challenges confronting UN peacekeeping, urging Member States to contribute the necessary resources to enable the peacekeeping missions to fulfill the mandates they have assigned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKtGQl65AsA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told press that the UN Secretary-General strongly condemns the 8 September 2025 terror attack in Jerusalem, in which at least six people were killed and many others injured. He conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to those who were wounded.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qRmLYVGdVWg

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Standing behind the United Nations rostrum on the International Day Against Nuclear Testing, Oemwa Johnson, calls on the General Assembly to heed a growing global call for nuclear justice. As the Youth Representative of the Republic of Kiribati, Ms. Johnson is one of the many young people around the world whose ancestors have been affected by the toxic aftermath of nuclear tests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Gpjy1XDmY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report that the ongoing offensive on Gaza City has further intensified this Friday, increasing the damage to civilians and the facilities on which they depend to survive.

Earlier that day, Israeli forces attacked a high-rise building that they say was used to execute attacks against them. Initial information collected by OCHA indicates that tents sheltering displaced people were damaged nearby. We are also concerned by the announcement that more high-rise buildings will be attacked soon.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c0cOBjLd_HE

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, has released $10 million in response to the urgent need for food, water, shelter and other lifesaving provisions following this week’s devastating earthquakes and aftershocks in eastern Afghanistan.
On the ground, humanitarians are ramping up the response to assist communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsICSMjjgX0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

According to the latest assessments, more than 2,200 people have lost their lives and approximately 84,000 people have been affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan, a UN Development Programme (UNDP) official said.

Addressing the press today (05 Sep) from Dubai, Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan said, “According to the latest assessments, more than 2,200 people have lost their lives, and nearly 3,700 have been injured. At least 6,700 homes have been destroyed, and we have seen entire villages built on steep hillsides have collapsed.”

He continued, “Approximately 84,000 people affected by the earthquake. Schools, health facilities have collapsed. 68 major water sources have been destroyed, cutting off access to safe water for thousands of people, and FAO indicates that perhaps close to a million livestock have also been affected in some of those provinces.”

He said, “The emergency response is scaling up. Thousands of tents and nonfood items are now arriving for distribution. Mobile health teams are treating the injured. More than 20,000 people have already received food assistance, and water trucking and sanitation facilities are being set up to prevent the outbreak of disease.

He highlighted, “This tragedy, and this is one of the main points I want to convey, comes on top of multiple overlapping crises that Afghanistan has been experiencing.”

He stressed, “75 percent of the population – that’s 3 out of every 4 Afghans are struggling to survive at a subsistence level, meaning they can barely afford to meet their basic needs.”

He added, “So, the region that has been shot by the earthquake is also one of the main areas where returnees are resettling, and they’re often in extremely poor housing conditions and with limited livelihood opportunities. Host communities already under significant pressure are now facing even greater challenges, and this is why our response must go beyond immediate relief.”

He also said, “While the restrictions are going to remain a broad structural issue, in this specific earthquake response, we have not seen evidence of a systematic ban on women either participating in the relief efforts or receiving urgent medical care.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFx7WXCkf8

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travel
– Cyprus
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Afghanistan
– Haiti
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Ebola
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Human Rights
– India
– Food Price Index
– International Day of Clean Air
– Air Quality
– International Days
– Financial Contributions

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York.
Earlier today, he spoke to the media just before leaving Papua New Guinea. He told journalists gathered in Port Moresby that he felt gratitude and solidarity for the role played by the country today, especially as it relates to its contribution to address climate change.
Papua New Guinea does not contribute to climate change, he said, adding that the country has a negative emissions record, due to an enormous carbon sink: its rainforest and the ocean.
The international community, which benefits from the country’s forests and oceans, must pay back, Mr. Guterres said. First, the international community needs to accept that there must be climate justice. Countries like Papua New Guinea must have all the support that was promised to address adaptation needs, to build resilience and to protect people and country against the devastating impact of climate change.
But, he added, there must also be justice in the way international financial institutions address the problems of development. The Secretary-General reiterated his call for reforms of the international financial systems.

CYPRUS
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Maria Angela Holguin, is set to travel to Cyprus next week. She will meet the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, on 12 September, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, on 15 September. She is also expected to engage with the representatives of the two leaders, among other Cypriot stakeholders.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing offensive on Gaza City has further intensified today, increasing the damage to civilians and the facilities on which they depend to survive.
Earlier today, Israeli forces attacked a high-rise building that they say was used to execute attacks against them. Initial information collected by OCHA indicates that tents sheltering displaced people were damaged nearby. We are also concerned by the announcement that more high-rise buildings will be attacked soon.
These developments are forcing increasing numbers of people to flee, in a place where just about everyone has already been displaced, often many times, and famine has just been confirmed. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in the north, people are simply exhausted.
They can’t afford to move south, not only because displacement sites are overcrowded, but also because transport can cost more than $1,000.
Between Wednesday and yesterday, our colleagues tracking population movements in Gaza recorded nearly 3,000 movements from the north to the south. That brings the total since 14 August to nearly 41,000.
Meanwhile, OCHA reports that in more parts of the Strip, Israeli authorities require any movement of humanitarian personnel to be coordinated with them in advance. On Wednesday and yesterday, our teams attempted to coordinate 29 such movements, but 19 of them were either denied outright or initially approved but then significantly delayed or otherwise impeded on the ground. Only nine were facilitated, and one had to be cancelled by the organizers.
Despite the impediments, we were able to collect some fuel and supplies related to water, hygiene and sanitation from the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings and transfer some other items within the Gaza Strip. Our teams could also repair a road in Rafah that’s needed to improve cargo flow in the south. And as we mentioned yesterday, they were able to assess the conditions and needs of displaced people in North Gaza.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization distributed critical nutritional supplies to support hospitalized infants and patients at Al Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis. These included 4,900 units of infant and high-protein formula and 2,000 feeding components.
To respond to famine and malnutrition adequately, humanitarians working in Gaza continue to call for scaled-up, sustained, and safe access – so that enough food and medicines can enter the Strip and reach those who need them. And we need sustained and unimpeded access directly to the north, including Gaza City.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=05%20September%202025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQFyk5HN958

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing guests today are Stephen Rodriguez, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Afghanistan, and Anatoly Balovnev, UNDP Regional Area Manager in Afghanistan. The briefing is on the 31 August earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s eastern region and provide an overview of the situation and outline urgent response and recovery needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFx7WXCkf8

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travel
– Cyprus
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Afghanistan
– Haiti
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Ebola
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Human Rights
– India
– Food Price Index
– International Day of Clean Air
– Air Quality
– International Days
– Financial Contributions

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York.
Earlier today, he spoke to the media just before leaving Papua New Guinea. He told journalists gathered in Port Moresby that he felt gratitude and solidarity for the role played by the country today, especially as it relates to its contribution to address climate change.
Papua New Guinea does not contribute to climate change, he said, adding that the country has a negative emissions record, due to an enormous carbon sink: its rainforest and the ocean.
The international community, which benefits from the country’s forests and oceans, must pay back, Mr. Guterres said. First, the international community needs to accept that there must be climate justice. Countries like Papua New Guinea must have all the support that was promised to address adaptation needs, to build resilience and to protect people and country against the devastating impact of climate change.
But, he added, there must also be justice in the way international financial institutions address the problems of development. The Secretary-General reiterated his call for reforms of the international financial systems.

CYPRUS
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Maria Angela Holguin, is set to travel to Cyprus next week. She will meet the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, on 12 September, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, on 15 September. She is also expected to engage with the representatives of the two leaders, among other Cypriot stakeholders.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing offensive on Gaza City has further intensified today, increasing the damage to civilians and the facilities on which they depend to survive.
Earlier today, Israeli forces attacked a high-rise building that they say was used to execute attacks against them. Initial information collected by OCHA indicates that tents sheltering displaced people were damaged nearby. We are also concerned by the announcement that more high-rise buildings will be attacked soon.
These developments are forcing increasing numbers of people to flee, in a place where just about everyone has already been displaced, often many times, and famine has just been confirmed. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in the north, people are simply exhausted.
They can’t afford to move south, not only because displacement sites are overcrowded, but also because transport can cost more than $1,000.
Between Wednesday and yesterday, our colleagues tracking population movements in Gaza recorded nearly 3,000 movements from the north to the south. That brings the total since 14 August to nearly 41,000.
Meanwhile, OCHA reports that in more parts of the Strip, Israeli authorities require any movement of humanitarian personnel to be coordinated with them in advance. On Wednesday and yesterday, our teams attempted to coordinate 29 such movements, but 19 of them were either denied outright or initially approved but then significantly delayed or otherwise impeded on the ground. Only nine were facilitated, and one had to be cancelled by the organizers.
Despite the impediments, we were able to collect some fuel and supplies related to water, hygiene and sanitation from the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings and transfer some other items within the Gaza Strip. Our teams could also repair a road in Rafah that’s needed to improve cargo flow in the south. And as we mentioned yesterday, they were able to assess the conditions and needs of displaced people in North Gaza.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization distributed critical nutritional supplies to support hospitalized infants and patients at Al Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis. These included 4,900 units of infant and high-protein formula and 2,000 feeding components.
To respond to famine and malnutrition adequately, humanitarians working in Gaza continue to call for scaled-up, sustained, and safe access – so that enough food and medicines can enter the Strip and reach those who need them. And we need sustained and unimpeded access directly to the north, including Gaza City.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=05%20September%202025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQFyk5HN958