Guterres urges Security Council to act over Israel-Palestine crisis as threat to international peace and security

Guterres urges Security Council to act over Israel-Palestine crisis as threat to international peace and security

In a letter to the Council, Mr. Guterres invoked Article 99, contained in Chapter XV of the Charter. This says that the UN chief “may bring to attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.” In a statement to journalists along with the…

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Civil society an ‘unwavering force’ for peace: UN official

Civil society an ‘unwavering force’ for peace: UN official

Elizabeth Spehar, UN Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, emphasized the importance of civil society. “Civil society organizations are on the frontlines of peacebuilding, all over the world,” she said, adding: “As an unwavering force for peace, they are our strongest allies, from the grassroots to the global stage. We want to enable civil society to better…

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Secure peace with inclusive, sustainable development, UN chief says

Secure peace with inclusive, sustainable development, UN chief says

Addressing an open debate of the Security Council on the link, António Guterres said that while development alone cannot guarantee peace, it is an essential component. “No peace is secure without inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind,” he said, drawing parallels to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable…

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World News in Brief: Ethiopia food aid resumes, ‘Stop the Lies’ campaign against big tobacco, Syria ruling, climate action – key to peace

World News in Brief: Ethiopia food aid resumes, ‘Stop the Lies’ campaign against big tobacco, Syria ruling, climate action – key to peace

WFP food aid in the country, which was suspended in June, will aim to reach 3.2 million people after the relaunch. ‘Working around the clock’ WFP chief Cindy McCain said that the agency’s teams and partners “have been working around the clock to get to this point.” The UN agency’s new approach will rely on…

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Women in Islam: Mohammed calls for action on education, empowerment and peace

Women in Islam: Mohammed calls for action on education, empowerment and peace

Addressing an international conference in Jeddah on the rights and the role of women in Islam, she called for action in the areas of education, economic empowerment and peace.  End Israel-Gaza conflict  With “the human catastrophe unfolding in Israel and Gaza”, she reiterated the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the killing of civilians, and the taking of…

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World’s diverse biospheres ‘making peace with the natural world’

World’s diverse biospheres ‘making peace with the natural world’

These sites promote biodiversity conservation with sustainable use and are located across 134 countries, with 21 new reserves added in the past two years alone. The rapid expansion of this network testifies to the growing awareness that our common future depends upon reconciling lifestyle with greater respect for nature, said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UN…

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International support critical to forge lasting peace in Central African Republic

International support critical to forge lasting peace in Central African Republic

Ms. Rugwabiza, who also heads the UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA, presented its latest report covering developments in the wake of the 31 July constitutional referendum. She said MINUSCA continues to support Government efforts to “decentralize” the peace process with armed groups, including recent initiatives to extend state presence in areas that have been…

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More action needed to advance women’s role in global peace and security

More action needed to advance women’s role in global peace and security

Addressing the Council’s annual debate on resolution 1325, he appealed for countries to “urgently bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality” through concrete action in the areas of participation, financing and leadership. “Of 18 peace agreements reached last year, only one was signed or witnessed by a representative of a women’s group or organization,” he…

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Explainer: Why women’s role in sustaining peace is more critical than ever

Explainer: Why women’s role in sustaining peace is more critical than ever

On 25 October, the United Nations will mark the adoption in 2000 of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) to improve the protection of women and girls during conflicts, and recognize their leadership and unique roles in peace processes.  Today, more than 600 million women and girls live in conflict-affected countries. In 2022, the United Nations verified nearly 2,500…

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