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Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain and Oman today expressed concerns about instability in the Middle East region, citing the links between peace and development, and emphasizing the importance of being good neighbours to each other.

Telling the United Nations General Assembly that over the 25 years of Eritrea’s independence it has faced a “concerted onslaught” of difficulties – incessant hostility, occupation, and sanctions – the country’s Foreign Minister today said that resilient Eritrea and Eritreans, at home and abroad, were nevertheless able to fend off the attacks on their nation and protect their hard-won freedom.

In a world of increased uncertainty and volatility, with sluggish growth, growing xenophobia and rising nationalism and protectionism, the United Nations is essential for the survival andprosperity of small states, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the General Assembly today.

Amid the unprecedented military assault on eastern Aleppo, where fireballs from incendiary bombs “light up the pitch darkness,” the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria today strongly appealed to the Security Council – particularly permanent members Russia and the United States – to rescue a recently collapsed cessation of hostilities, end the bloodshed and speed aid into the iconic city where, overall, some two million people remain under a de facto siege.

Following a “productive” meeting today with Mustafa Akýncý, Turkish Cypriot leader, and Nicos Anastasiades, Greek Cypriot leader, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed their joint commitment to intensify efforts even further, in line with their stated desire to achieve a comprehensive settlement in 2016.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has taken note of the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Gabon on the appeals lodged against the preliminary results of the 27 August 2016 presidential poll, as well as its confirmation of Ali Bongo Ondimba as President-elect, according to a statement issued by a UN spokesperson today, which adds that the Organization will continue to support the democratic process in the West African country.

In his address to the General Assembly today, Ibrahim Ahmed Abd al-Aziz Ghandour, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sudan, said the 2030 Agenda and other frameworks before the United Nations are vital for all countries and he hopes that calls for reform will be heeded so the Organization becomes a true platform for implementing principles of international legality and “a bulwark for justice.”

Burundi has rejected deliberately politicized or falsified reports on the human rights situation in the country and will produce a comprehensive survey on the issue in response to a recently-released United Nations-backed inquiry, its Minister for External Affairs told the General Assembly today.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly today, Erlan Abdyldavev, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, expressed support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which contain a number of targets that are priorities for his country, including poverty reduction, high-quality education, health care, economic growth and environmental protection.

As the world sharpened its focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must recognize the stakes for small island developing States, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Dominica told the United Nations today, noting that the 2030 Agenda must drive action on climate change, environmental protection and access to clean energy, all critical concerns for Caribbean countries.