Peace and Security

Serbs and Albanian women working together in a butchery in Kosovo.
UNMIK/ Video Capture

Kosovo elections: ‘Most significant change’ in 12 years, Security Council hears

31 October 2019
Europe

Elections held earlier this month in Kosovo represent “the most significant change in the political landscape” there in a dozen years, the UN mission chief told the Security Council on Thursday.

Secretary-General António Guterres (2nd left) and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (right) attend the Sixth Istanbul Mediation Conference, Turkey. (31 October 2019)
UN Photo/Emrah Gruel

Thursday’s Daily Brief: The power of mediation, Southern Africa food crisis, urban deaths, climate meeting update and Iraq protest latest

31 October 2019

A recap of Thursday’s top stories: Guterres in Turkey underscores successes of mediation; 45 million lack food across Southern Africa; rights experts push to release Palestinian hunger striker; new UN health report targets causes of urban deaths; Climate change conference finds a new home; Iraq protests put country at ‘a crossroads’

Secretary-General António Guterres (at podium) delivers opening remarks at the 6th Istanbul Mediation Conference in Turkey on 31 October 2019.
UN Photo/Emrah Gruel

Syria’s groundbreaking constitutional talks: ‘a clear success of mediation’ says Guterres in Turkey

31 October 2019
Global

Mediation is “one of our most important tools to reduce and end conflict”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the sixth Istanbul Mediation Conference, in Turkey's largest city on Thursday.

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (left), Special Representative to the African Union and Head of the UN Office to the African Union and Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, brief Security Council members via video conferencing.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

From ‘strength to strength’ UN-African Union security partnership growing, Security Council hears

30 October 2019
Africa

The Security Council highlighted the growing partnership on matters of peace and security between the United Nations and African Union (AU) on Wednesday amidst calls to bolster overall effectiveness.

Syria, Al-Hasakah Governorate, 12 October 2019, hostilities in north-eastern Syria are leading tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
WFP/Alan Ali

Wednesday’s Daily Brief: Iraq protests, ‘historic’ Syria talks, Chile pulls out of COP25, Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, new nuclear watchdog chief

30 October 2019

A recap of Wednesday’s stories: new Syria talks begin in Geneva; Chile pulls out as host of major climate conference; UN calls for national talks to break cycle of violence in Iraq; UN chief voices ‘serious concern’ over Guinea-Bissau political crisis; IOM suspends South Sudan Ebola screening; UN atomic watchdog appoints new leader.

 

(L to R) Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa; Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, brief reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Reparations for sexual violence in conflict – ‘what survivors want most, yet receive least’

30 October 2019

Ten years ago, the UN Security Council established a mandate to prevent and address the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence. At a commemorative event on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief described that commitment as essential to “highlight, prevent and seek justice for this crime”.

Schoolchildren in eastern Aleppo in the Syrian Arab Republic return from the first day of school, passing the rubble of nearby houses. (21 September 2016)
© UNICEF/Rami Zayat

‘Historic’ new Syria talks should focus on relief for war-weary civilians, says UN negotiator

30 October 2019
Middle East

Work on drafting a new foundational text for war-torn Syria officially began at the UN in Geneva on Wednesday with representatives from the Syrian Government and opposition sitting face to face and preparing to discuss the country’s future for the first time in the nearly nine-year conflict.

Street scene in Baghdad, Iraq.
Photo: UNAMI/Sanaa Kareem

Iraq protests: UN calls for national talks to break ‘vicious cycle’ of violence

30 October 2019
Middle East

The UN’s most senior official in Iraq, visited protesters in central Baghdad on Wednesday, calling for “a national dialogue to identify prompt, meaningful responses to break the vicious cycle of violence” which has roiled the country during the past five days.

A mother waters the plants adorning her son's grave in the disputed Kashmir region.
©John Isaac

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: Slow progress on women and peace, rights in Kashmir, Venezuela refugees, Guterres on key Syria talks

29 October 2019

A recap of Tuesday’s top stories: ‘Real change’ too slow for women’s peace and security role; UN rights chief urges India to ‘unlock’ Kashmir restrictions; UN chief welcomes milestone Syria constitution meeting.

Malawian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) greet children while on patrol in August 2012.
ONUCI/Patricia Esteve

‘Real change’ involving women in peace and security, still too slow, Guterres tells Security Council

29 October 2019
Global

The Women Peace and Security agenda must continue to be “one of the top priorities of the United Nations”, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday, in an open debate on how best to accelerate change.