Rejection of two-State solution by Israeli leadership 'unacceptable', says Guterres

Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Denmark and Greece elected to UN Security Council

They will replace Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland, whose terms end on 31 December. In a secret ballot, the elected countries secured the required two-thirds majority of Member States present and voting in the 193-member General Assembly. The new members will join existing non-permanent members Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and…

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Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Among them were 135 women and men who worked for the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA), killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza since 7 October. Many were killed along with their families and within the communities they served. “That is by far the highest number of our personnel killed in a single conflict…

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Myanmar: UN rights office warns of growing crisis in Rakhine state

UN chief condemns escalating violence and civilian attacks in Myanmar

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General “strongly condemns” recent attacks by the Myanmar military in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region that have reportedly claimed the lives of many civilians. “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the widening regional ramifications of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and reiterates his appeal for a unified approach,” Mr….

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Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

President-elect Yang also served as the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Africans of the African Union, demonstrating “unwavering dedication” to the principles of peace, sustainable development and human dignity, Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly said. “His steadfast leadership has also been characterized by a consistent commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and inclusivity –…

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Keep global spotlight on Haiti as millions go hungry, WFP official says

Keep global spotlight on Haiti as millions go hungry, WFP official says

“We now have five million people in Haiti that are acutely food insecure, of which 1.6 million are classified as facing emergency food insecurity conditions,” said WFP Country Director Jean-Martin Bauer, speaking via videolink to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York. “These are the highest numbers on record. These are the highest numbers we’ve…

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Orlando Bloom describes ‘devastating impact’ of DR Congo violence on women and children

Orlando Bloom describes ‘devastating impact’ of DR Congo violence on women and children

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom visited the region  for the first time this week to see the dire conditions there for himself. “The staggering scale of the conflict in eastern DRC, the horrific level of violence, and its devastating impact on the children and women I met is heart-wrenching,” said Mr. Bloom. “No child should…

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UN investigative team hands over key ISIL crime data to Iraq

UN investigative team hands over key ISIL crime data to Iraq

Thus far, some 28 terabytes (TB) of data have been transferred, representing a majority of the 40TB held by UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD). Briefing ambassadors at the Security Council, UNITAD acting head Ana Peyró Llopis said she has regularly engaged with Iraqi officials, notably the judiciary, survivors…

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