Source: United Nations (video statements)
Hybrid press briefing by Ambassador Mike Waltz, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Jeremy P. Lewin, Senior Official for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher on funding to the humanitarian system.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Press conference by Andrew Saberton, UNFPA’s (United Nations Population Fund) Deputy Executive Director for Management. He briefed reporters on his recent mission to Chad and the situation for women and girls in the country.
Eastern Chad is facing a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis as 927,452 refugees have crossed into Chad since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, bringing the number of displaced people in Chad to approximately 1.3 million.
Women and children make up 75 percent of the refugee population, underscoring the deeply gendered impact of the humanitarian crisis.
Among the displaced are approximately 68,880 pregnant women, while more than 91,000 babies are expected to be born in refugee camps over the next year.
Chad already records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world—860 deaths per 100,000 live births—and the current influx is pushing an already fragile and overstretched health system to its limits.
Overcrowded camps and limited healthcare are sharply increasing risks for women and newborns, turning every delivery into a potentially life-threatening event.
During a seven-day high-level mission to Chad, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Management Andrew Saberton travelled to: the capital N’djamena, as well as Abeche and Adre in eastern Chad; and to Idrimi Refugee Camp in Iriba, to witness the scale of the emergency firsthand.
UNFPA teams are on the ground supporting the Government of Chad to strengthen emergency reproductive health services; deploy mobile clinics and set up safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence.
However, operations are increasingly constrained by a mammoth funding gap for UNFPA’s humanitarian response with just 2.5 percent of UNFPA’s Chad programmes funded. This represents a 44 percent drop on our poor funding in 2025.
Despite its own severe economic and humanitarian pressures, Chad continues to keep its borders open to people fleeing violence.
UNFPA expressed deep appreciation for the Government of Chad and existing donors supporting the response, while warning that current resources remain far below what is needed.
UNFPA calls on the international community to sustain and scale up support and ensure that the needs and dignity of women and girls remain at the centre of the humanitarian response.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/Travel
UNIFIL
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Sudan
Sudan/Humanitarian
South Sudan
Nigeria
Ukraine
Haiti
Republic of Korea
Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is in Addis Ababa, where he is wrapping up his day. Earlier he participated in the 10th African Union-United Nations High-Level Dialogue, alongside the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary-General said that this was a moment of great emotion for him, as it most likely would be his last summit with the African Union as Secretary-General. He told the African Union delegation that they could count on the United Nations to support the AU fully in their initiatives and ensure that the international community understands that Africa’s success is absolutely essential for global success.
Following a working lunch, the Chairperson and the Secretary-General publicly signed a Declaration Reaffirming the Principles of the Joint Frameworks. The declaration reaffirms the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, emphasizing their shared commitment to multilateralism, African leadership, and the integrated pursuit of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
In remarks to the press afterwards, the Secretary-General said that from the start of his mandate, he has taken steps to build a unique strategic partnership with the African Union.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for fairer representation of Africa among the Security Council’s permanent members. “This is not about privilege or symbolism,” the Secretary-General said. “This is about ensuring that the Council is fit for purpose and able to act with legitimacy and effectiveness.”
Referring to a number of conflicts on the continent, the Secretary-General enumerated the various examples of the close cooperation between the UN and the AU in support of the African Union’s “silencing the guns” initiatives.
In concluding his opening remarks, the Secretary-General said he had always believed that Africa should be seen for what it is: a continent of immense richness and promise. In answer to a question from a journalist on foreign interference in African conflicts, the Secretary-General said that it was absolutely intolerable that countries external to Africa interfere in African conflicts, providing weapons and political support, only to serve their own strategic or economic interests.
Later in the afternoon, the Secretary-General, along with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, were joined by President Emmanuel Macron for a meeting. During the meeting, they discussed the needed reforms of the multilateral and international financial architecture in an effort to make it more fair to those on the African continent, and beyond. They also exchanged views on the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East and how to mitigate it for African countries.
UNIFIL
Our peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon say they are increasingly concerned about the activities of Hezbollah members and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, including the increased use of drones, which has resulted in explosions in and around their bases and that puts peacekeepers at risk.
On Monday, three presumed Hizbullah drones detonated in an area where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers could have been present, within metres of UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters. Another drone detonated in the same area on Tuesday.
A few minutes later, a presumed Hizbullah drone detonated inside UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters. No one was injured, but some buildings were damaged.
UNIFIL continues to remind all actors to avoid operating in proximity of United Nations positions and personnel, and further urge all actors to avoid any actions that could put peacekeepers in danger. UNIFIL protested IDF presence, activities, and movement of personnel and vehicles near the headquarters. Peacekeepers have also protested the activities of non-state actors near our positions to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Despite the challenges, peacekeepers continue to impartially report what is happening on the ground in south Lebanon to the Security Council.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-13
Source: United Nations (video statements)
During a wide-ranging visit to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN Global Peace Advocate Maryam Bukar Hassan, aka alhanislam, took part in a patrol by the Bangladeshi contingent of the UN mission, MONUSCO. Hassan engaged with women traders and community leaders on the security and economic challenges they face on a daily basis. She also met with women peacekeepers from the Bangladeshi, Indonesian, and Nepalese contingents, who shared their experiences in peacekeeping and the realities of their engagement as women serving communities.
Lastly, Hassan visited Martyrs’ Monument, which was erected in tribute to fallen peacekeepers. She reflected on the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers who have to spend time away from their families to protect people in some of the world’s most complex environments.
#Bangladesh #InvestInPeace #ServingForPeace
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“While the overall security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains stable, potentially disruptive tensions remain an issue of concern,” the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina said.
Briefing the Security Council in New York today (12 May), High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt said, “We are witnessing deliberate attempts to deconstruct state-level institutions by blocking them and preventing them from performing the responsibilities they were created for.”
Schmidt outlined four priorities for the current year. “The preservation of the institutional order established under the Dayton Peace Agreement, restoration of institutional functionality, a resolution of the issue of apportionment of state property and ensuring the timely introduction of election technologies ahead of the General Elections in October 2026,” he said.
The briefing, Schmidt’s last before his anticipated departure, came days after he announced his resignation. “Under the prevailing circumstances, I took my personal decision to end my mandate as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the Dayton General Agreement for Peace and several United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions and which I have received by Decision of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council in 2021,” he said. “The process to appoint my successor has begun and I plan to depart my role in June.”
Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the Council under rule 37, warning that the country had narrowly avoided armed conflict in the past year. “A very difficult year 2025 is behind us. The anti-Dayton policy of the leadership of the entity Republika Srpska brought Bosnia and Herzegovina to the brink of armed conflict. The war scenario was avoided thanks to institutional and responsible action in the legal and foreign policy domains,” he said.
Bećirović added, “Bosnia and Herzegovina has fulfilled the conditions to receive an invitation for membership in NATO. Our results would have been even better if there had not been constant obstructions and blockades from the entity Republika Srpska.”
Turning to the question of responsibility for the country’s political crisis, the Presidency Chairman said, “The problem of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not High Representative, but rather the anti-Dayton policy that openly advocates the destruction of the Dayton Peace Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
He also said, “Advocating ethnic divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a policy. It is a direct threat to peace.”
Also addressing the Council under rule 37, Serbia’s Permanent Representative Radomir Ilić reaffirmed his country’s support for the peace framework. “Serbia reaffirms its consistent and principled position of respect for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, which remains the cornerstone of peace, stability and constitutional order in the country,” he said.
Ilić added, “The issue is not centralization versus decentralization nor functionality versus protection. What is needed is precisely what the Dayton Agreement Peace Agreement has already prescribed: constitutional balance and functionality through consent.”
He concluded, “Serbia believes that the future of Bosnia-Herzegovina lies in the hands of its legitimate domestic actors. Dialog, compromise and mutual understanding among them are indispensable.”
Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva said, “We recall that the Bosnian issue remains on the agenda of the Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and there has been a long-standing practice of approval of High representatives. This did not apply to Christian Schmidt.” She said, “Schmidt never had, nor does he currently have the right to speak on behalf of the international community, nor to send any documentation to the Security Council.”
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In a world tormented by war, crises and an already fragile economy, financing challenges, including in response to shocks, continue to obstruct progress towards sustainable development. Many of the poorest and most vulnerable countries are experiencing a “financing squeeze”, suffering from historically high debt service burdens, unprecedented declines in aid, and structurally low tax revenue. A more fragmented world economy is undermining trade, investment and capital flows.
On-demand video link on UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19/k19e7vy6zq
Read more: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/feature/may-2026/delivering-promise-sevilla
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
• Secretary-General Travel
• UNIFIL
• Lebanon/Humanitarian
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Sudan
• Ukraine
• Security Council
• International Day
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
In Nairobi today, the Secretary-General participated in the opening session of the "Africa Forward Summit: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth", co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that the title for this conference is apt, given that Africa is a driver of global change: "This is not a continent waiting for solutions. This is a continent producing them,” he said.
He underscored Africa’s efforts in reforming an international system that was designed largely without African voices and continues to operate without adequate representation from the continent.
The Secretary-General said that Africa’s obstacles include collapsing aid budgets, borrowing costs twice those of wealthy nations, 600 million people without electricity, and a climate crisis that Africa did not cause but suffers from disproportionately.
In closing, he pushed for increased partnership – one that is equal, mutually beneficial, and generational. When Africa succeeds, the whole world wins, he said.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Secretary-General held a number of bilateral discussions. With President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, he exchanged views on the recent developments in the Sahel. He also commended the president on his efforts to promote regional security and cooperation.
Later, the Secretary-General met the President of Egypt, Abdelfattah Al Sisi. They discussed the situations in Sudan, Libya and the Middle East.
The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s constructive diplomatic engagement to resolve regional issues.
About an hour ago, the Secretary-General left Nairobi for Addis Ababa to attend the annual AU/UN conference.
UNIFIL
UNIFIL peacekeepers have reported a concerning increase in drone activity, particularly in Sector West. Over the past 24 hours, peacekeepers observed multiple drones flying over or near UN positions in Shama, Al Mansouri, Al Bayada, and between Ramyah and Beit Lif. An armed quadcopter exploded after crossing Al Bayada hill. At this stage, UNIFIL has not confirmed the origin of the drones observed.
Separately yesterday, three presumed Hizbullah drones impacted an area near UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura where Israel Defense Forces troops were present. No UN property was damaged and no peacekeepers were injured. An additional drone crashed inside the headquarters area on Sunday; it was unarmed, and an investigation into its origin is ongoing. Preliminary findings indicate the drone was of Iranian manufacture, suggesting it was a Hezbollah asset.
UNIFIL continues to remind all actors to avoid operating in proximity to United Nations positions and personnel, and urges all parties to refrain from actions that could endanger peacekeepers. UNIFIL has protested the presence and activities of Israeli soldiers and vehicles near its headquarters to the Israel Defense Forces, and the activities of non‑state actors near UN positions to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Peacekeepers continue to report extensive Israel Defense Forces military activity across the area of operations, including high‑density armored movements, large‑scale engineering and demolition works, and sustained logistical traffic. Yesterday, peacekeepers recorded 340 launches of projectiles attributed to the Israel Defense Forces and 11 attributed to non-state actors in Lebanon, including Hizbullah.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-12
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Press Conference by Bjørg Sandkjær, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Juliette Biao, UN Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFF) on the launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travel
– Hantavirus
– UNIFIL
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Haiti
– Ukraine
———————-
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
Today in Nairobi, the Secretary-General, along with President William Ruto of Kenya, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UNON Director-General Zainab Bangura, participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for a new conference hall and the inauguration of a new office complex on the grounds of the UN Offices in Nairobi (UNON).
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that this was a reaffirmation of the central role that Africa – and Kenya – play in the life and future of the United Nations. The UN presence in Nairobi is “where the future of multilateralism is being shaped – every day,” Mr. Guterres said.
The new offices buildings are the UN Nigeria office’s first net-zero building – featuring year-round, on-site solar power. The expanded conference facilities will add further solar installations, bringing the complex to energy neutrality by 2030.
In a press conference after the groundbreaking at UNON, the Secretary-General said that the United Nations must be closer to the people it serves – connected to their realities and equipped to support the solutions they are building.
He added that, too often, “African countries are expected to live with decisions made in institutions where they do not have equal voice.” This is why reform of the Security Council cannot wait, along with reform of the international financial institutions, where Africa is clearly under-represented.
HANTAVIRUS
This morning, the World Health Organization said that there are nine cases of hantavirus infection, seven of which are confirmed, including the latest case reported by France. Three deaths have also been reported among the cases.
WHO announced that the last remaining passengers on the hantavirus-hit cruise ship will have disembarked the MV Hondius by the end of today. Passengers are departing the Canary Islands by specially arranged flights.
WHO said that more than 30 crew members will remain on the ship and will sail it onward to Rotterdam, a journey expected to take several days.
Over the weekend, the Secretary-General expressed his support for the government of Spain and others as they manage the hantavirus in close coordination with WHO.
While the current public health risk from the virus remains low, the Secretary-General stressed that it’s important that international health efforts ensure the safety of all, including passengers and crew of the MV Hondius.
Today, WHO had a team of eight staff in Tenerife in the Canary Islands coordinating with the Spanish authorities and other partners on site.
UNIFIL
A quick update from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Between Friday and today, UNIFIL has continued to record extensive military activity across its area of operations. During this period, peacekeepers observed more than 1,296 trajectories of projectiles attributed to the Israel Defense Forces, and 64 trajectories of projectiles attributed to Hizbullah.
Incidents involving the denial of freedom of movement to UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to occur daily. On Saturday, an IDF tank blocked a UNIFIL movement near Al Qawzah in Sector West and an IDF bulldozer restricted peacekeepers’ movement near Al Bayada also in Sector West, forcing the UNIFIL personnel to turn back in both instances. We reiterate the responsibility of all actors to ensure UNIFIL has unrestricted freedom of movement in the discharge of its mandated functions.
LEBANON
From Lebanon, OCHA reports that the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate despite the ceasefire that was announced on April 17th..
More than 100 strikes were reported in the past 24 hours alone, while 87 people were killed over the weekend. Today, the Ministry of Public Health reported that two paramedics affiliated with the Islamic Health Committee were killed, and several others were wounded, in airstrikes targeting health‑related sites in the towns of Qalaway and Tibnin in southern Lebanon. The paramedics were responding to earlier incidents when they were killed.
Since the start of the escalation on March 2nd, the World Health Organization has recorded 158 attacks on healthcare, resulting in 108 deaths and 249 injuries.
Attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel are unacceptable and further undermine an overstretched health system and access to emergency care for civilians.
Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-11
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The World Health Organization is supporting the response to a hantavirus outbreak aboard a passenger ship after its arrival in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Passengers and crew are disembarking under health monitoring measures, with specially arranged flights taking them home as WHO teams continue investigations and advise governments on follow-up procedures.
