Posts

Posted on

GovC announcement of new phase

Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

The digital euro would complement banknotes and extend the benefits of cash to the digital sphere.

This is important because euro cash brings us together. It’s our money.

Europeans would have the freedom to use the digital euro for any digital payment, online or offline, throughout the euro area.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e1cLYGAeeto

Posted on

Resolution 1325: Why Does Peace Last Longer When Women Are at the Table? | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

As UN Security Council Resolution 1325 marks its 25th anniversary, Harriette Williams Bright from UN Women explains how this landmark framework advances equal rights for women. Yet the numbers tell a stark story: in 2024, only 7% of peace negotiators were women, revealing how far we still need to go. Investing in women peace builders means investing in long-term peace, as inclusive peace processes address root causes of conflict and create lasting outcomes for all generations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHJFvP1nxDg

Posted on

Sudan/Humanitarian, Gaza & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
Sudan/Security Council
Sudan/Humanitarian
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon/Israel
Yemen
Hurricane Melissa
Viet Nam
Clarification
Financial Contribution
Briefings Today and Tomorrow

SUDAN/SECURITY COUNCIL

This morning, Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, briefed Security Council members on Sudan. She said that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra has invited both parties, the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to separately enter into technical talks with the UN, focused on de-escalation and the protection of civilians. She added that both parties have shown encouraging signs of their willingness to engage. Ms. Pobee urged Member States with leverage over the parties to encourage them to take this critical step and called on the Security Council to use all tools available to demand peace in Sudan.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, also briefed the Council, describing the horrific humanitarian situation in El Fasher. He said that the Sudan crisis is fundamentally a failure of protection, and of our responsibility to uphold international law. The violence extends beyond Darfur as well. Mr. Fletcher noted that across Sudan, and despite the massive threats, cuts, and constraints to our work, the humanitarian community has reached 13.5 million people between January and August.

The Security Council also issued a press statement expressing grave concern about the violence in and around El Fasher.

SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN

Staying in Sudan. A joint UN convoy from the UN Refugee Agency, the UN Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme has reached the towns of Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, delivering urgently needed food, health, and relief supplies to families cut off for months by siege and conflict.

This marks the first major joint UN convoy to the area since the conflict began.

Despite the long and fraught journey, and the looting of some aid en route, the mission represents a vital breakthrough toward establishing sustained humanitarian access. We, once again, underscore the urgent need for safe passage, protection of aid workers, and continued cooperation to deliver life-saving assistance to all hard-to-reach areas in Sudan.

We and our partners are scaling up response efforts also in Tawila. Mobile health clinics there are providing urgent medical and nutrition services for people who have newly arrived there.

The UN and our partners are also sustaining water, sanitation and hygiene operations across Tawila, Melit and surrounding areas, trucking safe water, installing latrines, distributing hygiene kits and conducting cholera prevention campaigns.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Later this afternoon, the Secretary-General will address the Conference in support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region via pre-recorded video message.

He will tell participants that this conference must be a turning point and will urge donors to support the Humanitarian Response Plan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which remains underfunded.

He will also call on parties to honour their commitments under the Washington Peace Agreement and Doha Declaration of Principles, and to comply fully with Security Council resolution 2773.

The Secretary-General will also reiterate our support for peace efforts, including through MONUSCO’s support for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

And in a statement, our colleagues at UNICEF also reminded participants of the conference that more than 12 million children across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Burundi depend on humanitarian aid simply to survive.

Full Highlights
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-10-30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34ecu88kQg

Posted on

High-level Opening- World Cities Day 2025

Source: United Nations (video statements)

On 31 October 2025, the Global Observance of World Cities Day, will be linked to people-centred smart cities. It will showcase how data-driven decision making, technology, and AI can be used to improve urban life and recover from current shocks and crises. It will also focus on promoting smart city initiatives centered on people.

Bogotá video
World Cities Day 2025 video
Welcome Notes:

Opening address by Mr. Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia

Welcome remarks by Ms. Helga Rivas, Minister of Housing, Cities, and Territory, Colombia

Message by Mr. António Guterres,
United Nations Secretary-General read by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat

Video message by Mr. Nga Kor Ming, President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, and Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia

Statement by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat

Ministerial Remarks:
Perspectives on Urban Development

Ms. Edna Elena Vega Rangel, Secretary of Rural, Territorial and Urban Development, Mexico

Mr. Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, China

Cultural Performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUpDeCZpQT4