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Crisp uniforms and the jingle-jangle of brass filled the corridors. With them, came an extra sense of security that permeated United Nations Headquarters in New York this week. For the eleventh year running, erect posture and striding confidence was the daily modus operandi, as the Heads of United Nations Police Components amassed for UN Police (UNPOL) Week 2016, which runs from 7-11 November.

Ahead of the inaugural World Tsunami Awareness Day on 5 November, two survivors of the most devastating tsunami in recent history – a Czech supermodel and a member of the Spanish family featured in the film The Impossible (2012) – have joined the United Nations’ commemoration of the Day.

16 years ago today, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on women, peace and security, which has since come to be famously associated with the number 1325 within the UN system.

The adoption of what has been dubbed the “New York Declaration” should make a difference in the lives of refugees and migrants, an outgoing UN Special Adviser has underscored.

The Special Representative was in New York this week, during which he briefed the Security Council on the recent events in Colombia and its implications for the work of the UN Mission. In his briefing, he highlighted to the Council a broad national consensus that had arisen around the ceasefire and stressed that the provisions in the new protocol are feasible and that its compliance will help bring peace to Colombians, who have manifested a refusal to return to violence.

On 13 October 2016, the UN General Assembly appointed, by acclamation, the former Foreign Minister of Portugal, António Guterres, as the next United Nations Secretary-General, to succeed Ban Ki-moon when he steps down on 31 December.

On 13 June 2016, the United Nations General Assembly elected Peter Thomson of Fiji to serve as President of its seventy-first session, which runs from September 2016 to September 2017. Mr. Thomson, who had had been serving as the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations until his appointment, announced that the theme of the 71st session will be ‘The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World.’

As the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, one man who has spent many years working to end poverty among the world’s poorest populations is calling for action now, by investing more in the rural poor.

A major global conference, aiming to set a ‘New Urban Agenda,’ which, in the words of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will “help us to rethink how we plan, manage and live in cities,” begins this weekend, in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.

Nicholas Haysom has experience in challenging political situations. His service with the United Nations has seen him serve as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s top political advisor at UN Headquarters in New York – but has also involved service in some of the toughest field assignment locations, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.