Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Ambassador Sangjin Kim, Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of September on the Council’s program of work for the month.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
China
Papua New Guinea
Yemen
Afghanistan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sudan
Nigeria
Myanmar
New Resident Coordinators/Sudan and Bosnia and Herzegovina
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CHINA
Over the long weekend, the Secretary-General was in Tianjin, in China, where he was invited to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation leaders’ summit.
Speaking during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus session yesterday, the Secretary-General said that as we are moving towards a multipolar world, we need principled leadership to strengthen multilateralism, uphold the rule of law, and deliver for people – as reflected in the Pact for the Future. He added that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is uniquely positioned to help shape a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Secretary-General told the leaders of the Summit it is past time for a ceasefire leading to a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace – in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.
The Secretary-General also reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and unimpeded, safe and sustained humanitarian access.
While there, the Secretary-General had several bilateral meetings, including with the President of China, the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the President of Iran.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The Secretary-General has now arrived in Papua New Guinea. Earlier today, he met the country’s Governor General, Bob Bofeng Dadae, as well as the Prime Minister, James Marape.
Later in the day, during a press conference with the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General said he was honoured to be the first UN Secretary-General to visit Papua New Guinea and to join in celebrating fifty years of the country’s independence.
For the past five decades, he said, Papua New Guineans have taken on a profound task: to weave their breathtaking diversity into one people, and one country that leaves no one behind.
Papua New Guinea has long led the charge for climate justice, he said. And as the UN Climate Conference in Brazil approaches, he added, the world must move faster to keep the 1.5 degrees limit alive and also to produce a credible path to achieve the $1.3 trillion dollar objective decided in Baku during the last Climate Conference.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will address a special session of the Parliament to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.
YEMEN
In a statement issued over the weekend on Yemen, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the arbitrary detentions of UN personnel by the Houthi de-facto authorities in Yemen. He further condemned the forced entry into the premises of the World Food Programme (WFP), the seizure of UN property, and attempts to enter other UN premises in Sana’a.
The total number of UN detained staff in this moment, after this latest action now stands at least at 18. This is in addition to the 23 colleagues already arbitrarily detained, some since 2021. You will recall that one of our colleagues died while being held by the Houthis and that took placein February of this year.
The Secretary-General strongly reiterates his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained, including all other personnel from the UN, international organizations, NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
UN personnel and from UN partners must never be targeted, they must never be arrested, and they must never be detained while carrying out their duties on behalf of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, justconcluded a visit to Muscat, in Oman, where he met with senior Omani officials, as well as Ansar Allah chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam, and representatives of the diplomatic community.
In these meetings, Mr. Grundberg reiterated his strong condemnation of these detentions, stressingthat these detentions, as well as the forced entry into UN premises and taken of UN property by Ansar Allah, seriously endangers our ability to operate in Yemen and deliver much-needed assistance to the people of Yemen.
He also emphasized that these actions put all UN staff and operations at risk and underscored the fundamental obligation to respect and protect the safety of our colleagues.
Mr. Grundberg also expressed his deep concern over the continuous cycle of hostilities between Ansar Allah and Israel and its repercussions inside Yemen and for the wider region.
Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=02%20September%202025
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Remarks to the press by Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres alongside Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape following a bilateral meeting.
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On Tuesday, 2 September, the UN Secretary-General arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
At the invitation of Prime Minister James Marape, the Secretary-General takes part in events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Papua New Guinea’s independence.
On Wednesday, 3 September, the Secretary-General is scheduled to deliver an address to the Parliament, during which he will highlight how in just 50 years, in a land of over 800 languages and countless traditions, the people of Papua New Guinea have undertaken the task of forging a nation from profound diversity, with a shared commitment to speak with one voice for peace, for dignity, and for progress.
He will also emphasize that this is his first trip to the Pacific since the landmark advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – in which the region played a central role.
You will recall that the opinion affirms that addressing the climate crisis is a legal obligation under international law.
This will be the first visit to Papua New Guinea ever by a sitting UN Secretary-General.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, on Iran Non-Proliferation.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
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Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, was speaking a day after the latest wave of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine, with at least 23 people killed in the capital, Kyiv.
“The mounting death toll and devastation caused by the intensifying fighting over the summer, run counter to the significant efforts over the past few months to give diplomacy a chance,” he said.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched 598 drones and 31 missiles overnight between 27 and 28 August.
Four children aged between two and 17 were among those killed in Kyiv and 64 people were injured. Several buildings were damaged in 33 locations across all 10 districts of the city.
“Most of the fatalities occurred in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, where a missile reportedly struck a five-story residential building, demolishing it from the first to the fifth floor,” he said.
Civilian casualties also were reported in five other regions – Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson – and a train depot in Vinnytsia region was reportedly hit.
Mr. Jenča said these strikes “are only the latest in the brutal escalation of country-wide aerial attacks.”
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. In July, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, recorded rising civilian casualties across 18 regions and the capital.
Last month “set a new, tragic record for monthly casualties”, with 286 killed and 1,388 injured – the highest number since May 2022, the top UN official said.
The impact of the conflict has also been felt by civilians in Russia. Local authorities have reported casualties there, including in the border regions of Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk.
Russian officials also reported that a fire broke out after a Ukrainian drone was shot down near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.
Although the UN is unable to verify these reports, the growing impact of the conflict on civilians in Russia is of concern, he said, reiterating UN condemnation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“We are also concerned about the impact of the expanding and escalating fighting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine as we are entering the fourth winter of the full-scale war,” he continued.
He underlined the UN’s full commitment to supporting civilians, adding that targeted winter support preparations are underway for 1.7 million people, though more donor funding is urgently needed.
On the diplomatic front, he said the Secretary-General has welcomed recent efforts led by the United States President. This includes separate meetings this month between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, in Alaska, and another between the Presidents of the US and Ukraine and European leaders in Washington.
The UN has also welcomed earlier rounds of direct talks between senior Ukrainian and Russian officials held in Istanbul between May and July, and commended prisoner exchanges that have continued to take place as a result.
“However, as large-scale attacks against civilians persist and civilian casualties rise, the current diplomatic momentum is at risk of rapidly fading if the focus on the need to end the violence and engage in genuine peace talks is not maintained,” he said.
“We therefore urge all concerned to urgently de-escalate the situation and to redouble efforts to create conditions for inclusive diplomatic efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and a just peace.”
Mr. Jenča concluded his remarks by renewing the Secretary-General’s appeal for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) to the United Nations, on Iran’s Non-Proliferation issue.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by E3 Ambassadors; Ambassador Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari, Permanent Representative of France, and Ricklef Johannes Beutin, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany, on non-proliferation.
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France, Germany and the United Kingdom urged Iran to “take the necessary steps to address the international community’s serious concerns over its nuclear program, reiterating that the triggered mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran “does not mark the end of diplomacy.”
UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward spoke to reporters today (29 Aug) in New York, together with Ambassadors from France and Germany.
On Thursday (28 Aug), the three countries notified the Security Council that they “believe Iran to be in significant nonperformance of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” Ambassador Woodward said.
She explained, “Since 2019, Iran has increasingly and deliberately ceased performing almost all of its JCPOA commitments. This includes the accumulation of high enriched uranium stockpile, which lacks any credible civilian justification. In fact, according to the IAEA, Iran the only country without nuclear weapons producing high enriched uranium. Iran has stopped providing IAEA access agreed under the JCPOA.”
“Moreover, it has recently significantly reduced the access to nuclear material and sites. It is obliged to provide under the NPT,” the UK Ambassador added.
She noted that her country, France and Germany are “making every effort to resolve this diplomatically,” by offering Iran an extension to snapback, “should Iran take specific steps to address our most immediate concerns.”
“Our asks were fair and realistic,” Ambassador Woodward explained, “Iran’s resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, Iran’s compliance with its IAEA obligations, and steps to address our concerns regarding the high enriched uranium stockpile.”
However, she said, as of today, “Iran has shown no indication that it is serious about meeting them. It is not implementing its obligations to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. It has not reengaged in negotiations with the United States with a view to reaching an acceptable diplomatic resolution.”
“Our notification to the Security Council has now triggered a 30 day period. It does not mark the end of diplomacy,” the UK Ambassador highlighted, adding that the extension offer “remains on the table.”
“We urge Iran to reconsider this position to reach an agreement based on our offer, and to help create the space for a diplomatic solution to this issue for the long term. Otherwise targeted UN sanctions focused on tackling Iranian nuclear proliferation return at the end of this 30 day period,” Ambassador Woodward said.
She reiterated, “We remain determined that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. While we have been left with no choice but to take this course of action, we remain committed to diplomacy and to the peaceful resolution of threats to global peace and security.”
“There remains a clear diplomatic pathway forward should Iran choose to take it,” the UK Ambassador concluded.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, on Iran Non-Proliferation.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Sudan
Commissioner of the International Commission against Impunity/Guatemala
Ninth Austrian World Summit
Human Rights/Climate Emergency
Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
Gaza
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Ukraine
South Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Photo Exhibition
World Bicycle Day
Financial Contribution
Briefings – Today
SUDAN
You will have seen the horrific developments in Sudan in which five members of a UN humanitarian convoy were killed last night and several more were injured during an attack near Al Koma in North Darfur.
I can tell you that we condemn in the strongest terms this horrendous act of violence against humanitarian personnel who literally put their lives at risk attempting to reach vulnerable children and families in the famine-impacted areas.
This joint WFP-UNICEF 15-truck convoy had travelled over 1,800 km (just about 1,118 miles) from Port Sudan, and they were carrying food and nutrition supplies. The Agencies were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when it was attacked. The route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks.
Multiple trucks were burned in the attack, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged. It is devastating the supplies have not reached the civilians in need. This is the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over a year.
All attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles must stop. They are a violation under international humanitarian law. And we call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
We call for safe, secure operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties, not just in Sudan, but in all conflict-impacted countries. Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
And for those who were killed in line of duty in Sudan, we extend our condolences to their families and loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery for the wounded. Shirin
COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION AGAINST IMPUNITY/GUATEMALA
The Secretary-General is concerned about the announcement by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala regarding the issuance of arrest warrants against former Commissioner of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Iván Velásquez, former CICIG Head of Investigations Luz Adriana Camargo — now Colombia’s Attorney General — along with 24 other former CICIG national staff and independent justice officials who collaborated with CICIG.
The Secretary-General reiterates that the Commission’s international personnel, under the terms of the agreement between the UN and the Government of Guatemala regarding the establishment of the Commission, enjoys immunity from legal process with respect to acts done in the performance of their mission which continues even after the completion of their employment with CICIG. He recalls that under this agreement, the Government of Guatemala agreed to protect the personnel of CICIG – whether international or national – from abuse, threats, reprisals or acts of intimidation in virtue of their work for CICIG.
The Secretary-General reiterates his concern at the numerous reports that criminal prosecution is being carried out against those who sought to shed light on cases of corruption and worked to strengthen rule of law and the justice system in Guatemala.
Full Highlights:https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20June%202025&_gl=1%2Azpvnb1%2A_ga%2AMTc3MDMwNDcyOS4xNzMzMDUxOTcy%2A_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z%2AczE3NDkwNTk5MzMkbzY0JGcxJHQxNzQ5MDYxNDQzJGozNSRsMCRoMA..
Source: United Nations (video statements)
he head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says every hour counts to try to save vulnerable people suffering from famine and conflict in devastated Gaza. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini points out that the Agency has not been able to deliver food since the ceasefire broke down in March.
