security council

Photo: UNAMA/Fardin Waezi
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Afghanistan: Security Council resolution calls for ‘equal and meaningful participation of women’  

17 September 2021
UN Affairs

The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Friday, specifying the importance of “equal and meaningful participation” of women in public life. 

Displaced people living in Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria carry newly received winter clothing kits, distributed by UNICEF.
© UNICEF/Delil Souleiman

Syria ‘caught in a downward spiral’ UN relief chief tells Security Council 

15 September 2021
Humanitarian Aid

The UN humanitarian affairs chief warned on Wednesday that Syria, after more than a decade of war, remains “caught in a downward spiral” and that “the country will continue to be a place of tragedy, so long as the conflict continues.” 

UNMISS established a base in Yei at the request of the town's inhabitants, to guard against ongoing violence.
UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

New South Sudan Parliament can ‘infuse urgency’ into peace process

15 September 2021
Peace and Security

South Sudan has made history with the appointment of two women to senior leadership positions within its Transitional National Legislature, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council on Wednesday, as he encouraged parties to build on these gains in efforts to overcome significant political and security headwinds.

Vegetables are sold amidst the rubble of the old town of Benghazi in Libya.
UNOCHA/Giles Clarke

Elections represent an opportunity for stability and unity in Libya

10 September 2021
Peace and Security

With just over 100 days until landmark elections in Libya, political leaders must join forces to ensure the vote is free, fair and inclusive, the UN envoy for the country told the Security Council on Friday. 

A screen in an interpreter's booth shows Malala Yousafzai addressing the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, on 9 September, 2021.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

Global community can still shape ‘new reality’ in Afghanistan

9 September 2021
Peace and Security

While the choices available in Afghanistan are “not comfortable” ones, continued international engagement and unwavering commitment to the country’s people can help steer the situation to its best possible outcome, the UN’s senior official in Kabul told the Security Council on Thursday.

A Chinese police officer deployed to the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), talks to a young girl whilst on patrol (file photo).
UN Photo/Albert González Farran

National ownership critical, once guns fall silent, Security Council hears

8 September 2021
Peace and Security

Although UN peacekeeping missions can help put a country on the right track following conflict, only a commitment from national governments can keep it there over the long term, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a Security Council meeting on Wednesday to examine support for the transition towards lasting peace.  

An Afghan girl was injured when a school in Kabul’s district 13 came under attack. For Mary Robinson, “women’s rights are not Western rights”
© UNICEF Afghanistan

Security Council must not fail women, girls of Afghanistan, Elders warn 

7 September 2021
UN Affairs

The Security Council cannot fail the women and girls of Afghanistan, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson warned on Tuesday, as she reminded its 15 members of the relentless work carried out over nearly 20 years to secure their rights through constitutional, legislative and policy changes. 

A community in an isolated area of Afghanistan relies on mobile clinics run by humanitarian agencies for primary health care.
IOM

Security Council urges Taliban to provide safe passage out of Afghanistan

30 August 2021
Peace and Security

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Monday that calls for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children.

A woman brings her child to a clinic in Wajirat in Southern Tigray in Ethiopia to be checked for malnutrition.
© UNICEF/Christine Nesbitt

Catastrophe ‘unfolding before our eyes’ in Ethiopia’s Tigray region – UN chief

26 August 2021
Peace and Security

A military confrontation that started 10 months ago in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region is spreading, with serious political, economic and humanitarian implications for the country and the broader region, the Secretary-General warned the Security Council on Thursday.

Destroyed buildings in eastern Aleppo city, Syria, where chemical weapons were allegedly used. (file photo)
OCHA/Halldorsson

Increased Syria violence prompts largest civilian displacements in a year, as gridlock stymies political talks

24 August 2021
Peace and Security

Progress towards resolving Syria’s decade-long conflict has reached an impasse, the chief United Nations mediator told the Security Council on Tuesday, as an uptick in fighting throughout the country led to some of the largest civilian displacements in a year.