MIL Video Engine

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain.

“There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It’s like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can’t let it wither away.”

An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle.

[00:00] Introduction
[01:02] A look behind the curtain
[05:36] Facing the Press Corps
[07:24] When you just don’t know
[08:23] Supporting journalists off-camera
[09:36] The importance of slowing down
[11:03] How his journalism background guides him today
[14:06] Navigating the press and leaving social media behind
[17:15] Highlighting forgotten crises
[19:17] Humanizing the facts
[21:29] What keeps Steph awake at night
[23:44] When funding disappears
[24:53] Ensuring that we are not numb
[27:52] Announcing colleagues’ deaths
[29:56] “If we can’t help one…”
[31:40] Early lessons from an international childhood
[38:00] Ways to relax and looking toward the future
[39:59] A message for young people
[40:37] Closing remarks

Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNSpox #Media

About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts62LeKDpoc

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“Overall, little improvement on the services,” said the World Health Organization’s representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warning that only half of Gaza’s hospitals are even partly functional. Speaking to reporters via video link from Gaza, Rik Peeperkorn said damage, access restrictions and shortages continue to cripple the health system despite limited signs of recovery.

Briefing the UN press corps in New York, Peeperkorn said he had visited several key facilities in recent days, including Nasser Medical Complex and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Khan Younis, as well as Al-Shifa, Al-Rantisi and Al-Ahli Arab hospitals in Gaza City, and a primary health care site in Beit Lahia in the north. “So overall, little improvement on the services,” he said, noting that “50% of hospitals, 18 out of 36, and 43% for primary health care centers, 84 from the 195, are partly functional.”

He said access constraints remain a major obstacle. The Indonesian Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia are “currently beyond what you call the ceasefire line, so-called yellow line,” he said, while Kamal Adwan Hospital sits “a little bit almost on this yellow line.” Peeperkorn added that WHO missions to reach Kamal Adwan to establish a primary health care facility “have been, unfortunately, until now, denied.”

Despite the challenges, he pointed to limited progress in Gaza City, where Al-Shifa Hospital has resumed some services. “Shifa Hospital is working again as a partially functional tertiary care hospital,” he said. “Ten operation theaters are functional, and outpatient departments are partially functional.” He added that the hospital hopes to expand capacity, saying it “need and want to expand to 700 beds.”

Peeperkorn said visits to multiple facilities highlighted both hardship and resilience. “What is heartening to see in all of the hospitals we went to,” he said, “is the rehabilitation work going on.” He described “an immense resilience” driven by “local ingenuity and repurposing of materials from damaged and destroyed buildings,” even as he stressed that building materials remain scarce and costly. “By now one would expect that building materials, cement, etc. would have entered Gaza,” he said, adding that while conditions are extremely difficult, “it’s happening, and I would say that is good news.”

At the same time, shortages of medicines and equipment persist. Peeperkorn said hospital staff consistently told WHO they had expected improvements following the ceasefire. “They said, we expect now there is a ceasefire that shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and also spare parts for imaging medical equipment, they will see a flow of these, and unfortunately, not yet,” he said. He warned that “approximately 50 percent of the 650 essential medicines are close to zero stock or have less than three months’ supply.”

He also highlighted worsening living conditions as winter rains intensify. “The rainy winter clearly has set in, making people even more vulnerable,” Peeperkorn said, describing “thousands and thousands of makeshift tents amidst this rain and wind.” He said shelter conditions remain “deplorable” and stressed that “way more shelter material and tents need to get in.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMOjL0RWXhM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The head of UN peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacoix said, “The recent developments in South Kivu undeniably illustrate the gap that exists between diplomatic efforts and the reality experienced by civilian populations affected by the ongoing hostilities,” calling for the immediate implementation of resolution 2773 (2025).

Lacroix briefed the Council today (12 Dec) on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the work of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

As indicated in the Secretary-General’s latest report, the UN peacekeeping chief highlighted that DRC continues to face a security and humanitarian crisis, with civilian populations in the affected areas being the primary victims. In recent days, the new offensive launched by the AFC/M23 in South Kivu has revived the specter of a regional conflagration with incalculable consequences.

He called for “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and the respect by the parties for the commitments made within the framework of the Washington and Doha processes,” adding that it “remains essential if diplomatic progress is to finally translate into a tangible improvement in the situation on the ground.”

The Under-Secretary-General reiterated, “At this critical juncture it is essential that the Security Council do its utmost to create the conditions necessary for MONUSCO to play its role in protecting civilians, while meeting the growing expectations related to its role in supporting ongoing peace efforts.”

“It is also vital that Member States ensure that the Mission is provided with the necessary resources to deliver on its core, mandated responsibilities,” he added.

Lacoix also highlighted the role of the Security Council is “more crucial than ever.”

He said, “A clear, united, and resolute response from the Council is essential to prevent an escalation of the conflict, avert the risk of fragmentation of the DRC, and contain the growing regionalization of violence.”

“The Council has the necessary political and normative tools to enforce its resolutions, support ongoing mediation efforts, and send an unequivocal message to all parties regarding the imperative of respecting the ceasefire, international humanitarian law, and the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the Under-Secretary-General concluded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWm43-gIZOc

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Storm Byron has struck Gaza with force, deepening the suffering of already displaced families, the World Health Organization’s representative in the occupied Palestinian territories reported during a UN press conference in New York on Friday. According Dr Rik Peeperkorn, the cold, rainy winter has set in in Gaza, leaving people even more vulnerable to disease amid compromised water and sanitation systems. Winter conditions, combined with poor water and sanitation, are expected to drive a surge in acute respiratory infections, including influenza as well as hepatitis and diarrheal diseases, he concluded.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bj-aqJvGNMw

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)

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