UN Affairs

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Informal dialogue on UN chief selection process gets underway

7 May 2021

The current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, laid out his case for a second five year term on Friday to Member States, saying that he was offering a “humble approach” to deal with today’s multiple challenges, as an honest broker and bridge builder, focussed on solutions.

MINUSMA/Harandane Dicko

Security Council upholds role of multilateralism in a complex world

7 May 2021
Global

The President of the UN General Assembly on Friday urged countries to “do better” in making COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone, everywhere, warning that “good intentions are no match for vaccines in arms.” 

MINUSMA/Harandane Dicko

UN chief pledges to keep ‘memories alive’ of those who died in service during 2020

6 May 2021
Global

The United Nations paused on Thursday to honour 336 personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2020: the highest number ever in a single year. 

UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN staff must be protected, as they undertake life-saving work, Guterres says on International Day

25 March 2021
Global

The United Nations Secretary-General has called on all countries to support the international treaty protecting UN staff and associated personnel, to ensure all those who carry out the vital work of the Organization have the safety they need to fulfill their mission. 

UNIC Bogotá

Secretary-General appoints Jean Arnault as his personal envoy on Afghanistan

18 March 2021
Asia Pacific

The United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday announced the appointment of seasoned mediator Jean Arnault as his new Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues, reflecting the Organization’s continued commitment to the peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict in the country. 

© UNICEF/Ahmed Salim Yeslam

‘Some light at the end of the tunnel’ as pandemic turns one - Guterres

11 March 2021

After 12 months where the world has faced “a tsunami of suffering”, the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines represents “some light at the end of the tunnel” said the UN chief on Thursday, marking the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) issuing its pandemic alert.

©UNOCHA

Make 2021 a year of possibility and hope, UN chief tells General Assembly

28 January 2021
Global

Following an “annus horribilis” of death, disaster and despair, 2021 must be a year of transformation, Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN’s 193 Member States on Thursday. 

UN Photo/DB

Guterres hails entry into force of treaty banning nuclear weapons

22 January 2021
Global

The first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades, came into force just after midnight on Friday, hailed by the UN Secretary-General as “an important step towards a world free of nuclear weapons”.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

As COVID deaths pass two million worldwide, Guterres warns against self-defeating ‘vaccinationalism'

15 January 2021

With more than two million lives now lost worldwide to COVID-19, the UN Secretary-General appealed on Friday for countries to work together and help each other to end the pandemic and save lives. In a video statement, Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the absence of a global coordinated effort has worsened the pandemic’s deadly impact.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

Guterres to seek second five-year term as UN Secretary-General

11 January 2021

António Guterres confirmed on Monday that he will be seeking a second five-year term as UN Secretary-General, which would begin in January 2022.