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Source: United Nations (video statements)

Presenting the findings of the Review on the Future of all Forms of United Nations Peace Operations, Secretary-General António Guterres said, “peace cannot be brought in from abroad,” and stressed that “peace operations can only be effective if their mandates support the national actors who ultimately hold the key to sustainable peace.”

The Secretary-General said peacekeeping “must adapt again to dramatic new realities” as “we are witnessing a resurgence of conflict between states. And an intensification of internal conflicts — now increasingly internationalized, more protracted, and harder to resolve.”

He said, “we see the increasing military use of drones and the looming prospect of autonomous lethal weapons, powered by artificial intelligence. The growing involvement of transnational criminal networks. A wider range of State and non-state actors getting their hands on deadly technologies. The renewed threat of nuclear weapons. The frequent targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. And a mounting sense of impunity, as parties violate international law and States ignore their Charter obligations.”

At the same time, Guterres noted, “comprehensive peace agreements are less common.”

He said, “over the past three decades, our missions were deployed primarily to support conflict parties in reaching and implementing a comprehensive peace agreement after a civil war. But today such frameworks are increasingly rare, harder to achieve, and more fragile.”

The Review, the Secretary-General said, outlines ways to “strengthen partnerships, including through structured consultations among the Security Council, host States, troop- and police-contributing countries, and the Secretariat.”

He said, “peace operations should be focused on areas where they hold a clear, comparative advantage — particularly politics and security and, where mandated, the protection of civilians. Missions must also remain responsive to realities on the ground. When circumstances change significantly, mandates must evolve accordingly.”

Guterres stressed that “responsible stewardship of resources is essential,” and added that “delivering on our commitment to efficiency and effectiveness across all peace operations requires a sharper focus on impact and results.”

He called for a sharper focus on peacemaking; stronger partnerships with host States; focused and adaptable mandates; a clear division of labour; more agile operations; greater cost-efficiency and accountability; readiness and technological capability; and stronger global-regional partnerships.

At the Summit of the Future in 2024, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, which among various actions, requested the Secretary-General to “undertake a review on the future of all forms of United Nations peace operations, taking into account lessons learned from previous and ongoing reform processes, and provide strategic and action-oriented recommendations for the consideration of Member States on how the United Nations toolbox can be adapted to meet evolving needs, to allow for more agile, tailored responses to existing, emerging and future challenges.”

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) jointly led the review on the future of all forms of United Nations peace operations.

The outcome of this review has been submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council in August 2026 as a report of the Secretary-General.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcmMIPaHop0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

On Saturday, 29 August 2026, on the UN International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council is honoured to present a special conversation with filmmaker Michael Russell Gunn, director of THE BRINK OF WAR.

THE BRINK OF WAR is based on the incredible true story of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit in Iceland, where President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met inside Höfði House for a high-stakes, closed-door negotiation at the height of the Cold War. Stripping away political theater, the film captures two opposing leaders locked in intense dialogue as they confront the existential threat of nearly 70,000 nuclear weapons and dare to imagine the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals. Though the summit ultimately collapsed over disagreements regarding the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), the mutual trust forged in that room paved the way for the groundbreaking 1987 INF Treaty a year later. By highlighting how direct, honest communication averted global catastrophe, the film serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of diplomacy on the UN International Day Against Nuclear Tests.

The UN International Day Against Nuclear Tests reminds us that dialogue, mutual understanding, and the courageous pursuit of peace remain our strongest safeguards against atomic escalation and nuclear annihilation. Established by the UN General Assembly to raise global awareness about the catastrophic dangers of nuclear testing, this observance underscores that even the deepest geopolitical divides can be bridged when nations choose dialogue and negotiation over confrontation. THE BRINK OF WAR dramatically reinforces this vital message, showing that true leadership requires looking past suspicion to secure a safer, nuclear-weapon-free world for future generations.

Movies hold the unique power to promote universal ideals, principles, and values so deeply enshrined by the United Nations, including peace, development, respect for human rights, cultural appreciation, the dignity of the human person, and equal rights for all. Founded at the United Nations Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures.

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press encounter by United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, on Ebola outbreak.

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Let me begin with a word about the horrifying flooding in Nepal and China. I extend my deepest condolences to families of the victims and express my solidarity with all those affected. The United Nations is mobilizing supplies and humanitarian teams and we pledge to support national efforts to deliver emergency aid and support.

I want to provide an update on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with an urgent appeal to step up action to get it under control.

My main message is this: The outbreak is the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record. It is growing faster and wider than the response to contain it. But it can be stopped.

We know how to contain Ebola – how to interrupt transmission – and how to save lives.

But we must also overcome another virus – the virus of indifference.

Because international attention, political focus and resources are still lagging behind the reality unfolding on the ground.

The Ebola crisis is first and foremost a human tragedy affecting families and communities on an extraordinary scale.

It is now the largest Ebola outbreak in the history of the DRC.

As of August 25th, 5,713 cases have been confirmed, claiming 2,744 lives.

And with about 500 new cases being reported every week, the outbreak continues to expand across a vast area – with women and children being hit especially hard.

The challenge is immense.

We are facing a public health emergency in one of the world’s most fragile settings.

For example, three decades of conflict in Ituri province alone have displaced one million people and severely weakened access to food, healthcare and other basic services.

Across the region, more than 12 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection.

Meanwhile, health systems are overstretched. Infrastructure is weak. Entire communities remain difficult to reach.

Frontline workers are also operating under perilous conditions.

More than 40 health workers have lost their lives in the effort to save others.

Health workers have been infected. Treatment centres and ambulances have been attacked.

Humanitarian personnel face both the threat of the virus and the threat of violence.

They deserve our recognition and support.

The Government of the DRC is heading up the response – with the United Nations, led by the World Health Organization, and partners teaming up to assist.

We have appointed a UN Senior Ebola Coordinator – and are aligning behind 5 priorities.

First, community engagement is being expanded to build trust and counter fear and misinformation.

Second, surveillance systems are being strengthened to identify and isolate cases more rapidly.

Third, treatment and care capacity are being increased.

Fourth, safe and dignified burial operations are being expanded.

And, fifth, we are working to stop Ebola from spreading further.

The Congo River and busy routes across the region connect millions of people and communities.

And so we are reinforcing preparedness and coordination with South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Africa CDC is also playing a critical role, mobilizing expertise and solidarity from across the region.

Together with many dedicated partners, these efforts are helping to build an integrated response on the ground.

But let’s be clear:

Every gap in funding and operational support makes the Ebola response more challenging.

We are doing everything possible to invest in that response – including through more than $80 million from UN pooled funds and support from partners.

We have put forward a detailed $2.13 billion humanitarian needs and response plan.

This is 48% funded – thanks in large measure to a major contribution by the United States.

But current resources will last weeks – not months.

Without additional funding, vital operations will run out of money just when they need to expand.

That is why I am appealing for the remaining $1.1 billion to fully fund the humanitarian response plan, recognizing that even more will be needed in the future.

The world still has an opportunity to get ahead of this crisis.

But time is not on our side.

The Ebola outbreak deserves far greater attention than it is receiving today.

The communities affected deserve far greater assistance.

And the response deserves far greater support.

The world has the knowledge, the means, and the resources to stop this outbreak.

It is time to summon the collective determination to act before the cost becomes more deadly, more difficult, and more expensive.

Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6OJDz08bQA