Peace and Security

A view of Kabul, the centre of Afghanistan’s social and political life. Photo UNAMA/Fardin Waezi.

UN mission welcomes Afghan Government’s proposal for peace talks with Taliban

28 February 2018
Asia Pacific

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday welcomed the Government’s renewed call for unconditional peace talks with the Taliban and expressed strong support for its vision for peace.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provides protection to civilians fleeing recent violence in Wau (August 2016).
UNMISS

South Sudan: UN peacekeeping review urges emphasis on supporting political process

27 February 2018
Africa

A latest review of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in South Sudan has found that reaching a political solution to the ongoing conflict is the most effective way to protect civilians, a senior UN official said Tuesday, urging a renewed focus on supporting the political process.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, briefs the Security Council.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

UN can help, but Yemen’s warring parties must make concessions, commit to peace – outgoing UN envoy

27 February 2018
Middle East

A destructive pattern of zero-sum politics has plunged Yemen into ever deeper poverty and desolation, the United Nations envoy for the war-torn country said Tuesday, emphasizing that while the UN and the wider international community can try to bring about a favourable environment for a path to peace, Yemeni decision-makers must stop the fighting and bloodshed.

UNIFIL Sector East Commander, General Romero, briefs the head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, along the Blue Line in south Lebanon.
Photo: Pasqual Gorriz/UN

UN peacekeeping chief wraps up three-day visit to Lebanon

27 February 2018
Middle East

The head of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations has wrapped up a visit to Lebanon with a call on leaders from Lebanon as well as Israel to take advantage of the role UN peacekeeping can play in finding political solutions to conflict.

High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, Palais de Nations, Geneva.
UN Photo/Elma Okic

In Geneva, UN chief urges new push to free world from nuclear weapons

26 February 2018
Global

Warning that nuclear weapons pose catastrophic risks to human life and the environment, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on the international community to make a reinvigorated push to rid the world of such weapons.

Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Burundi, briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Burundi.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Amid ongoing political tensions, situation in Burundi ‘not suitable’ for credible elections – UN official

26 February 2018
Africa

Urgent efforts are needed to keep the “hard-won” gains in Burundi from eroding, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council on Monday, noting that while the security situation is calm, there is still the potential for volatility as political tensions persist.

A family struggles through a dusty environment in Afghanistan. Photo
UNAMA/Fraidoon Poya

Impact of Afghanistan’s fourth consecutive year of war on civilians 'far too high' – UN report

25 February 2018
Asia Pacific

More than 10,000 civilians have lost their lives or suffered injuries during 2017, according to the latest report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documenting the impact of the armed conflict on civilians in Afghanistan.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin

UN chief condemns Mogadishu attacks, reiterates support in fight against terrorism

24 February 2018
Africa

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the 23 February attacks in Mogadishu, Somalia, which claimed the lives of many civilians and injured numerous others.

The Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution on the immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

UN Security Council agrees 30-day ceasefire in Syria

24 February 2018
Middle East

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday in favor of a 30-day cease-fire in Syria, and demanded immediate lifting of sieges on war-ravaged enclaves like eastern Ghouta, where,  Secretary-General António Guterres warned earlier this week, some 400,000 people are living “in hell on earth.”

Secretary-General António Guterres.
UN Photo/Mark Garten (file)

UN chief inks pact to better coordinate counter-terrorism support to Governments

23 February 2018
Global

Secretary-General António Guterres has signed a United Nations systemwide agreement to improve the coordination and coherence of the Organization’s activities to help Member States implement the UN’s counter-terrorism strategy.