SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: ‘Diplomacy must prevail’ over Iran following US military intervention, urges Guterres

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: ‘Diplomacy must prevail’ over Iran following US military intervention, urges Guterres

The UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Sunday that the bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites by the United States marks a “perilous turn”, warning that the region cannot endure yet another “cycle of destruction.” António Guterres said the must be an immediate ceasefire and returned to “serious, sustained negotiations.” We’ll have live updates from […]

Ukraine: Security Council hears of escalating attacks, diplomatic developments

Ukraine: Security Council hears of escalating attacks, diplomatic developments

“As we are facing renewed escalation on the ground and crisis elsewhere, it is critical to maintain focused attention on the urgent need for peace in Ukraine,” said UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča – one of two senior officials briefing the ambassadors. In the three weeks since the Council last met on Ukraine, Russia has carried […]

Development is ‘the first line of defense against conflict,’ Guterres tells Security Council

Development is ‘the first line of defense against conflict,’ Guterres tells Security Council

Ambassadors met to debate how poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment are fuelling conflict and instability, at a time when hostilities are increasing and demand for humanitarian aid is rising as resources dwindle.   Every dollar spent on prevention could save up to $103 in conflict-related costs, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  Sustainable development critical Conflicts […]

Security Council meets in emergency session over Iran-Israel conflict, amid strikes and counterstrikes

Security Council meets in emergency session over Iran-Israel conflict, amid strikes and counterstrikes

The Council cleared its original schedule to address the rapidly evolving crisis, also hearing from the head of the UN-backed international nuclear watchdog, who warned of the grave risks to regional stability and nuclear safety. Overnight from Thursday into Friday, Israeli military strikes targeted nuclear facilities across Iran, including the Natanz enrichment site. Media reports […]

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: US vetoes new resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: US vetoes new resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages

The United States has vetoed a new draft resolution on Gaza, standing as the lone vote against the text which called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and others and the immediate lifting of all aid restrictions. Follow live coverage from our Meetings Coverage Section and […]

Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

They will serve through the end of 2027 on the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. They will join the five non-permanent members elected last year – Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia – who will serve through 2026. The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members – China, France, Russia, […]

Ukraine: Hopes for peace on life support, Security Council hears

Ukraine: Hopes for peace on life support, Security Council hears

“The longer the war continues, the longer its regional and global impacts will be felt, and the more difficult it will be to find a peaceful resolution,” said Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She recalled the adoption of Security Council resolution 2774 in February – the first since Russia’s full-scale invasion […]

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Ambassadors debate safety of civilians with 36,000 lives lost during conflict last year

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Ambassadors debate safety of civilians with 36,000 lives lost during conflict last year

We’re live as the Security Council convenes for its annual open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, with briefings from UN relief chief Tom Fletcher and the head of UN Women Sima Bahous. Ambassadors will discuss evolving threats, including use of heavy weapons and the rise of lethal autonomous killing machines such […]

90 days to economic collapse: UN and experts sound alarm over security at sea

90 days to economic collapse: UN and experts sound alarm over security at sea

Addressing a high-level debate of the Security Council, António Guterres said that oceans and seas are “sending a clear SOS,” as maritime spaces face escalating pressure from both traditional threats and new dangers – including piracy, armed robbery, trafficking, terrorism, cyberattacks and territorial disputes. “From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together,” he […]

Gaza: Starvation looms for one in five people, say food security experts

Gaza: Starvation looms for one in five people, say food security experts

“Goods indispensable for people’s survival are either depleted or expected to run out in the coming weeks…The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity,” said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) platform. In its latest update, the IPC estimated that one in five people in Gaza – 500,000 – faces starvation. Prices have […]

UN Security Council extends South Sudan mission amid rising instability

UN Security Council extends South Sudan mission amid rising instability

Introduced by the United States and supported by 11 other Council members, the resolution extended the mandate of UNMISS until 30 April next year. This action follows a short nine-day “technical rollover” approved by the Council on 30 April to allow more time for negotiations. Through the text – adopted on Thursday – the Security […]

Security Council urged to stand firm as Bosnia and Herzegovina faces deepening crisis

Security Council urged to stand firm as Bosnia and Herzegovina faces deepening crisis

High Representative Christian Schmidt briefed on latest developments surrounding implementation of the 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended more than three years of bloodshed and genocide following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The accord, also known as the Dayton Peace Agreement, established a new constitution and created two […]

Anthrax outbreak compounds security crisis in eastern DR Congo

Anthrax outbreak compounds security crisis in eastern DR Congo

And with nearly seven million people forcibly displaced by violence since advances by M23 rebels earlier this year, the DRC is facing one of the world’s most complex displacement crises, according to the UN migration agency (IOM). Living in overcrowded and under-resourced camps, displaced populations are increasingly vulnerable to both disease and attack. Since January […]

UN Security Council condemns Jammu and Kashmir terror attack

UN Security Council condemns Jammu and Kashmir terror attack

In a press statement issued on Friday, Council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Governments of India and Nepal. They also extended wishes for a speedy and full recovery to those injured in Tuesday’s attack in which a group of gunmen fired on […]

Security Council debates precarious path forward for a new Syria

Security Council debates precarious path forward for a new Syria

Four and a half months after the fall of the Assad regime, the interim authorities have begun taking formal steps towards political reform, the Security Council heard on Friday. These include the formation of a broader, more diverse cabinet and initial plans to establish an interim People’s Assembly. However, the process remains tenuous and incomplete, […]