Category: United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
Sudan
Paris Agreement
Ethiopia/Eritrea
Secretary-General/Travels
Myanmar
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon/Israel
Security Council
Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa
Central African Republic
Ukraine
DoP20
International Days

SUDAN

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by reports that at least 30 civilians were killed, with many others injured, in a drone strike on the town of Katila in South Darfur State on 8 December.

The attack reportedly took place roughly 150 kilometres south-west of the state capital, Nyala. It comes as the toll of escalating violence on civilians across the Darfur and Kordofan regions – particularly through increasing drone strikes – continues to grow rapidly. Further civilian casualties were reported in another strike on the town of Kutum, in North Darfur State, on the same day.

The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He demands that all parties abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, across all areas of active conflict in Sudan.

With the 1,000-day mark of this devastating conflict approaching, the Secretary-General reiterates his call on all States with influence over the parties to take immediate action and use their leverage to compel an immediate halt to the fighting and stop the arms flows that are fueling the conflict. He also calls on the parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. The United Nations stands ready to support genuine steps to end the fighting in Sudan and chart a path towards a durable peace.

PARIS AGREEMENT

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Paris agreement.

In a social media post, the Secretary-General said a decade ago, the world found the courage to adopt the Paris Agreement, a pillar of hope for humanity.

Today, he added, we must find courage once again.

The Secretary-General called for 2026 to kickstart a new decade of implementation.

The climate crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time, he said.

Together, we can – and we must – build a liveable future for all.

ETHIOPIA/ERITREA

And today marks the 25th anniversary of the Algiers Agreement, a landmark peace treaty that formally ended the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and established a crucial framework for peaceful relations between the two nations.

In a statement we issued this morning, the Secretary-General reiterated the steadfast support of the United Nations for the Algiers Agreement. At a time of renewed tensions, the Secretary-General urges Eritrea and Ethiopia to recommit to the vision of lasting peace and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity embodied in the Algiers Agreement and strengthen efforts to build good neighbourly relations. He calls upon both countries to continue working with regional and international partners to advance development cooperation for the benefit of all. 

Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-12

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The UN Security Council met today to hear briefings on the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), warned of intensifying violence in eastern DRC, repeated waves of displacement, restricted humanitarian access, and deepening human suffering.

Briefers stressed that civilian protection must remain at the center of all political and diplomatic efforts, and that progress should be measured not by agreements signed, but by whether people are safer — in their homes, on the roads they travel, and in the places they seek care. They also underlined the urgent need for sustained international engagement and adequately resourced humanitarian action.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hVR4BvgqM6Y

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations political mission wraps up its work in Iraq, where UN agencies will stay to continue to support the country and its people. The head of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, explains that after 22 years, it will close at the end of 2025. He expresses confidence that Iraq is now ready to open a new chapter and voices hope that the country can be a model for the region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDsJ8B-Gy8c

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN humanitarian agencies expressed deep concern for up to 100,000 people believed to remain trapped in El Fasher, Darfur. As displacement spreads across Darfur with more than 12 million people uprooted nationwide, the UN warned that needs are rapidly outpacing resources, calling for urgent, unimpeded access to prevent further loss of life.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yGOttoQ9hwg

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Comments to the media by Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95nLkv47KM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations political mission wraps up its work in Iraq, where UN agencies will stay to continue to support the country and its people. The head of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, explains that after 22 years, it will close at the end of 2025. He expresses confidence that Iraq is now ready to open a new chapter and voices hope that the country can be a model for the region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDsJ8B-Gy8c

Source: United Nations (video statements)

World Food Programme (WFP) is working on the recovery and rehabilitation with countries in the Caribbean after Hurricane Melissa, urging investing more on anticipatory actions to climate shocks, a WFP senior official said.

WFP’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Lola Castro, briefed reporters from Port au Prince, Haiti today via video link.

On Haiti, Castro said that the Programme managed to distribute in advance cash transfers to over 50,000 people to prepare for the storm.

On the overall situation in the region, the Reginal Director said, “What we are trying to do now, after reaching over 725,000 people in the four affected countries, most affected countries in the region, World Food Program we are trying now to really work on the recovery and rehabilitation through a number of tools. Homegrown, school feeding; working with the governments on social protection systems that register everybody who is affected by these shocks.”

She reiterated the importance of investing more on anticipatory action. Castro said that the Programme this time managed to do cash transfers, to send messages, to move the food from eastern Cuba to western Cuba and other non-food items before the storm strike, and then to help the people in immediate hours of the aftermath of the storm.

Asked about humanitarian access in Haiti, Castro said that 90 percent of Port-au-Prince is occupied by gangs – making it “very, very difficult” to move by road.

“But we have an excellent UN security and access teams that negotiates the access of humanitarian assets, not only food but also water, medication, other needs that the population has,” she added.

The Regional Director reiterated, “It is extremely important to understand that we follow all humanitarian principles, and we basically are targeting very vulnerable, affected populations.”

Castro also said, “We ensure that that food reaches the people with our teams and with the NGOs and the civil society that ensure that the food and the non-food items also for other UN agencies reaches the people.”

She explained, “We have monitors on the ground, we have presence on the ground, and we confirm this happens,” adding that it’s “extremely difficult. It’s very dangerous.”

The Regional Director also said the access in Haiti is “very complicated and it’s not getting better unfortunately.”

Moving onto Jamaica, Castro said that the situation is “very, very delicate.”

She said, “we have been trying to work together with the government in both a mix of in-kind distributions, but also moving all these people into the social protection system of the government so that they can receive cash transfers if possible before Christmas. So they can as the markets are restarting already, they can go and buy what they need to restart their lives and livelihoods.”

On Cuba, the WPF official said, “there is quite a big challenge. And also access roads and infrastructure has been heavily damaged in Cuba, including the electricity that is barely working in this area while the government is trying to restart.”

She added, “initially we started with around 185,000 people receiving the first days in the shelters, and almost 800,000 people were moved to shelters in Cuba, so there was no loss of life, which is very fortunate. The preparedness works. They are very well on that. And 185,000 people receive immediate food now.”

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“The Central African Republic is preparing on 28 December to hold a historic quadruple election,” the UN’s envoy for Central Africa told the Security Council.

Abdou Abarry, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa, said the polls (legislative, regional, municipal and presidential) mark a turning point as Bangui strengthens peace efforts at home and works to secure borders with Chad and Cameroon. “The financing of the 2024–2028 National Development Plan by the country’s partners, amounting to 9 billion dollars, is further proof of this recovery,” he added.

Abarry also warned that UNOCA’s ability to carry out its mandate is being undermined by funding shortages. “While we are aware of the financial difficulties our Organization is currently facing, we cannot ignore the impact they have on the functioning of the Office,” he said, noting a “20 percent reduction in staff” and travel constraints that “seriously hamper our ability to carry out our good offices in a region that greatly needs them.”

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN Chamber Music Society presents HARMONY – Global Electronic Music Concert & Album Launch in Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations.

On Wednesday, 17 December 2025, in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of United Nations, the UN Chamber Music Society will present its first global electronic music album – HARMONY. Electronic music is a universal language that has brought people together from all over the world, spreading peace, positivity and inclusivity. The UN Chamber Society is embarking on an ambitious project, re-interpreting electronic music into a lush orchestral setting, as newly arranged and performed by the musicians of the UN Chamber Music Society. The project will encompass an album release with re-interpreted arrangements of music from some of the world’s most cutting-edge electronic artists, and culminating in a high-profile virtual concert in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, which will be broadcasted internationally through the global platforms of the United Nations: UN Web TV and UN YouTube.

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.

The music programme of HARMONY will feature and celebrate electronic music works, integrated with classical music arrangements, from all regional groups of the world, representing an artistic tapestry of musicians from diverse backgrounds. HARMONY will feature newly arranged and performed orchestral interpretations of works by some of the world’s most innovative electronic artists, including ARTBAT, Paul van Dyk, Kiesza, KSHMR & Marnik, Lachi, Francis Mercier, Mr Tout Le Monde, Sultan + Shepard, and Julio Victoria. By celebrating the works of composers from diverse backgrounds, we help to realign the world of electronic music – symbolizing our hopes of building bridges of understanding of human rights. Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council is dedicated to promoting the United Nations’ goals and values at large – through the universal language of music.

100% of the UN Chamber Music Society’s streams of HARMONY will be donated to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
sym.ffm.to/un_harmony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-A9WDd8seo

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Humanitarian
Secretary-General Travel
Deputy Secretary-General
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Security Council
Sudan
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Mountain Day
Guest Today
Guest Tomorrow

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the escalation in violence in South Kivu and its humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of over 200,000 people since 2 December. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the offensive by the Alliance Fleuve Congo/ Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) in several locations in South Kivu Province, including Kamanyola, Luvungi, Katogota and Uvira, which has resulted in civilian casualties.

He calls for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, in line with Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). He underscores that this escalation risks seriously undermining efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution of the crisis and increases the risk of a broader regional conflagration. He urges the parties to abide by their commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed on 4 December, and to fully respect the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 15 November.

The Secretary-General notes that the United Nations is fully mobilized to work with partners to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need and reiterates his readiness to continue supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, in line with the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO/HUMANITARIAN

Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that the number of people affected by the fighting since December 2nd has risen significantly.

[New reports indicate that more than half a million people have been displaced.]

While some families have started returning to areas where it is now relatively calm, the vast majority of them remain in overcrowded sites, where they face heightened protection risks and increased threats of disease outbreaks, including cholera and mpox.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI5CF_6lO2Q