Welcome address | Focus Session – Appia Roadmap for shaping the European tokenised financial ecosystem.
Explore the Eurosystem’s programme on tokenised wholesale central bank money that is paving the way for a future-ready, integrated financial ecosystem leveraging tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT) and how it shapes the development of a European tokenised financial ecosystem. Learn more about how this strategic initiative brings together the Eurosystem as well as public and private sector stakeholders, with the aim of building integrated, innovative and resilient tokenised wholesale financial markets in Europe.
For the first time famine has been confirmed in two different parts of the world at the same time – the first ever famine in the Middle East, in Gaza, and in Sudan, where famine has persisted for over a year amid the largest hunger and displacement crisis on the planet. In this session panelists will discuss how experts determine when a famine is taking place, and what urgent actions are now needed from world leaders to save lives in Gaza and Sudan.
Speakers:
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commission-General
Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director
Edem Wosornu, OCHA Director Operations and Advocacy
Moderator:
Ian Philips, Director, News and Media Division, UN Department of Global Communications
SDG Media Zone website: https://www.un.org/en/sdgmediazone
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
The Chief of the South African National Defence Force(SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola briefs the media on the deployment of joint operations across the country.
The Generals will be joined by the Co-Chairs of the NATJOINTS.
Details are as follows:
MEDIA RSVP:
Brig Athlenda Mathe 0820408808
Time: 14:00
Date: Sunday, 15 March 2026
Venue: NATJOINTS COORDINATION CENTRE, 01 Rebecca road, Tshwane.
Media enquiries:
SAPS
Major General Nonkululeko Phokane
0836456252
SANDF
Brigadier General Selina Rawlins
083 410 1177nie Masemola will today brief the media on the deployment of joint operations across the country.
The Generals will be joined by the Co-Chairs of the NATJOINTS.
Details are as follows:
MEDIA RSVP:
Brig Athlenda Mathe 0820408808
Time: 14:00
Date: Sunday, 15 March 2026
Venue: NATJOINTS COORDINATION CENTRE, 01 Rebecca road, Tshwane.
Media enquiries:
SAPS
Major General Nonkululeko Phokane
0836456252
SANDF
Brigadier General Selina Rawlins
083 410 1177
"This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states,” UN Secretary-General said in Beirut during his visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Beirut earlier today (13 March).
He arrived from Ankara and landed in Lebanon at a critical and timely moment for country and the wider region.
Upon his arrival, he said this is a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon who did not choose this war. They were dragged into it.
The Secretary-General appealed to both parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and stop the enormous suffering of civilians in the region.
The Secretary-General also finished a round of meetings with President Joseph Aoun, with the Speaker of Parliament, and Nabih Berri, and with the Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
In all his meetings, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’ strong support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for the Lebanese State’s exercise of a monopoly on the use of force in its own country.
Discussions with Lebanese officials focused on the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, including the establishment of lasting security and stability across the Blue Line and beyond.
In his meetings, the Secretary-General was accompanied by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, his Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon; Imran Riza, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon; and Major General Diodato Abagnara, the Force Commander of our peacekeeping forces in the country.
In remarks to the media, the Secretary-General said that he hopes that his next visit to Lebanon will be a visit of a Lebanon in peace.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Lebanon also launched a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of $308.3 million to provide life-saving support to one million people impacted. And that will cover for the next 3 months.
Guterres emphasized that the success of this effort will depend on swift and flexible funding, as well as ensuring that humanitarian workers can safely reach those who are most in need.
He also called for respect of international humanitarian law, and that includes the protection of civilians.
The Secretary-General is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow for media in Lebanon, and we expected him back on Sunday.
A special event hosted by the UN Goals Lounge in collaboration with the Chaka Khan Foundation marking a shared commitment to global well-being and mental health. The Foundation uplifts overlooked communities through wellness, education and creative expression. Together, the UN and the Chaka Khan Foundation will honor the power of stillness and its connection to global well-being and will feature music, guided meditation and inspiring reflections from cultural and spiritual leaders.
In a time of global challenges—from armed conflicts and climate crises to rapid technological change—meditation offers a powerful pathway to cultivate peace, unity, and compassion. The United Nations World Meditation Day serves as a timely reminder of the importance of nurturing human consciousness to address these pressing issues and foster harmony within ourselves and our communities. By cultivating inner peace, individuals contribute to building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world for current and future generations.
To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, recalling the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Additionally, the General Assembly acknowledged the link between yoga and meditation as complementary approaches to health and well-being.
Speakers:
Chaka Khan: Award-winning artist and co-founder Chaka Khan Foundation
Gayle King [Moderator]: Award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings
Melissa Fleming: United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
Michael Beckwith: Founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center
Annemarie Hou: Executive Director, UN Office for Partnerships
Performers:
Michael Beckwith: Founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center
Sara Auster: Sound Therapist
Call to action/announcement:
Join the UN in making stillness a statement
Meditate
Share
Inspire
Let’s build a healthier world—from the inside out.
What can be mobilized from session?
Global Awareness & Engagement: Inspire individuals and communities worldwide to embrace meditation as a tool for well-being, aligned with SDG 3.
Partnership & Collaboration: Activate networks across wellness, music, and social impact sectors to support ongoing healing initiatives.
