Security Council debates closer links between multilateral organizations in Europe and Asia

New York: Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the move to increase cooperation between the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday.

Security Council: Two draft resolutions, zero consensus on ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib

New York: The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to reach consensus on either of two competing resolutions on a cessation of hostilities in Idlib, Syria: the last province in the war-torn nation that is still largely held by rebel forces.

Political solutions ‘prerequisite to sustainable peace’, Lacroix tells Security Council

New York: While peacekeeping is an “essential tool” for preventing conflict and reducing the risk of relapse, “political solutions are a prerequisite to sustainable peace”, the United Nations peacekeeping chief told the Security Council on Monday.

‘Perseverance is key’ to Iraq’s future, UN envoy tells Security Council

New York, Aug 29 (IBNS): Although Iraq is “hard at work building on progress made to date”, a top United Nations official told the Security Council on Wednesday that decades of trouble continue to impact the present, but cautioned “we have not seen the end of it yet”.

Security Council must ‘come together’ to address the plight of children trapped in armed conflict, says UN envoy

New York, Aug 3 (IBNS): It is “vitally important” that the Security Council “come together” on the current plight of children affected by armed conflict across the globe”, Virginia Gamba, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said on Friday.

‘Do something’; UN relief chief urges Security Council action to stop the Syrian carnage unfolding ‘in front of your eyes’

New York, July 31 (IBNS): Bombing and shelling in Syria for more than 90 days by the Government and Russia have led to “carnage in the so-called de-escalation zone” of Idlib, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Tuesday, in his seventh update since the “current onslaught” began.

With Libyans now ‘fighting the wars of others’ inside their own country, UN envoy urges Security Council action to end violence

New York, July 30 (IBNS): Fighting in Libya “shows no signs of abating”, the head of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL), told the Security Council on Monday, painting a grim picture of worsening humanitarian conditions, and warning that the instability and influx of foreign weapons is fueling a proxy war in the north African country.

Human cost of Ukraine conflict is growing, Security Council told

New York, July 17 (IBNS): The human cost of the conflict in Ukraine is growing, the UN political chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, during a briefing on the current situation in the country.

Security Council approves ‘historic’ political Haiti mission, ending UN peacekeeping role in the country

New York, June 26 (IBNS): The Security Council on Monday approved a resolution to create a UN “Integrated Office” in Haiti, designed to support the country’s government in strengthening political stability and good governance. The Office, named BINUH, will replace the 15-year long peacekeeping mission, MINUJUSTH, on October 16.

‘Regional security and integration’ in Central Africa under threat, Security Council warned

New York, June 5 (IBNS): Recurrent and often deadly clashes between pastoralists and farmers in several countries in Central Africa continue to cause “serious concern”, threatening “regional security and integration”, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Tuesday.

Eight years in, Syria still embroiled in conflict ‘that no longer sparks outrage’, Security Council hears

New York, May 29 (IBNS): After eight years of deadly air strikes and terrorist attacks that have left hundreds of thousands of Syrians dead and millions of others injured, United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller asked the Security Council on Tuesday, the hard-hitting question: “Can’t this Council take any concrete action when attacks on schools and hospitals have become a war tactic that no longer sparks outrage”?

‘Great cause of concern’ UN chief tells Security Council, surveying 'bleak' state of civilian protection

New York, May 24 (IBNS): Marking 20 years since the UN Security Council added the protection of civilians to its agenda, Secretary-General António Guterres told the chamber on Thursday that while safeguards were stronger, “compliance has deteriorated”. 

Palestine refugees’ relief chief warns Security Council money to fund Gaza operations will run out in mid-June

New York, May 23 (IBNS): The head of the UN relief and works agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Wednesday that despite weathering a “truly existential crisis” over funding last year, money to continue operations this year in the Gaza Strip will only last until mid-June.

Security Council: UN calls for ‘spirit and letter’ of Ukraine agreements to be upheld, as Russia issues simplified citizenship decree

New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): The UN’s political affairs chief has urged all parties to the peace plan protocol for eastern Ukraine known as the Minsk Agreements, to avoid “any unilateral steps” that could undermine efforts to demilitarize the eastern conflict zone.

Protect women’s rights ‘before, during and after conflict’ UN chief tells high-level Security Council debate

New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Over the course of the past decade, there has been “a paradigm shift” in understanding the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict on international peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council during a high-level debate on Tuesday.