A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.
USG DiCarlo holds bilateral meetings on the margins of the OAS Summit in Panama
On the margins of the Organization of American States (OAS) Summit in Panama, Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo met with the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to discuss regional developments and support for Haiti. During her visit, USG DiCarlo also represented the Secretary-General at events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, reaffirming the United Nations commitment to dialogue, cooperation and the peaceful resolution of differences.
USG DiCarlo warns of narrowing window to avert wider escalation in Sudan
On 26 June, USG Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan, warning that intensified fighting around El Obeid could place hundreds of thousands of civilians at immediate risk and further destabilize the wider Kordofan region. She called on the parties to exercise restraint, engage in good faith towards a humanitarian truce and support efforts toward a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive, Sudanese-owned political process. The USG also highlighted Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General (PESG) Pekka Haavisto’s engagement with the conflict parties and regional actors to help de-escalate violence and advance prospects for peace. Ahead of the briefing, on 25 June, PESG Haavisto also briefed the media, warning that any further escalation around El Obeid would place hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk.
ASG Khiari calls for renewed diplomatic efforts as civilian toll rises in Ukraine and the Russian Federation
On 22 June, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, briefed the Security Council on Ukraine, condemning continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in both Ukraine and the Russian Federation. He highlighted escalating aerial attacks, growing civilian casualties, damage to cultural heritage sites, and continued risks to nuclear safety. Stressing that recovery efforts must be anchored in peace, ASG Khiari called for “concerted diplomatic efforts towards a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and renewed negotiations for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
Deputy Special Envoy Cordone highlights opportunities and challenges in Syria’s political transition
Briefing the Security Council on Syria’s political transition on 22 June, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (DSESG) Claudio Cordone said that the country is in “a critical phase, with opportunity and fragility existing side-by-side.” He highlighted the need to establish the People’s Assembly, advance transitional justice and ensure the meaningful participation of women and all components of Syrian society. DSESG Cordone also reported continued engagement between the United Nations and the Syrian authorities, while expressing concern over delays in the transition, developments in Sweida and continued Israeli military activity in southern Syria.
2026 Session of the Special Committee on Decolonization
The UN Special Committee on Decolonization held its two-week June session from 15 to 26 June at Headquarters in New York. Chaired by Ambassador Menissa Rambally of Saint Lucia, the meeting brought together representatives from UN Member States, along with voices from Territories and petitioners.
During the session, representatives from the Territories and petitioners shared firsthand updates and concerns, including discussions on Puerto Rico. The Committee also explored broader issues, such as the implementation of the Declaration on Decolonization and the dissemination of information on decolonization. By the end of the meeting, the Committee considered 22 draft resolutions, many of which are recommended to General Assembly through the Fourth Committee.
Special Envoy Grundberg discusses prospects for political process during London visit
On 24 June, Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for Yemen, concluded a visit to London, where he met with Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, UK Ambassador to Yemen, Abda Sharif, as well as other senior UK officials, members of the diplomatic community and experts. Discussions focused on prospects for advancing an inclusive, internationally supported, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices as the only viable path to long-term stability.
Special Envoy warns Myanmar’s crisis is deepening as calls grow for inclusive dialogue
On 19 June, Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar briefed the General Assembly on the country’s increasingly bleak political, humanitarian and security situation. Warning that Myanmar’s crisis continues to deepen with growing regional implications, she highlighted rising displacement, worsening humanitarian conditions, transnational crime and continued violence against civilians. Stressing that military-administered elections have not resolved the crisis, she called for an end to the fighting on all sides, the release of all arbitrarily detained persons, and continued international solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
Young peacebuilders strengthen cross-border dialogue in the Fergana Valley
The Young Peacebuilders Cross-Border Initiative opened in Fergana Valley on 22 June, bringing together more than 30 young people from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to promote dialogue, trust and cooperation across the region. Held under the framework of the Fergana Peace Process, the initiative builds on the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border agreement, the trilateral agreement and declaration adopted by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Khujand while giving young people from border communities a practical role in advancing peace. Opening the event, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze stressed that “young people should not be observers of the Fergana Peace Process; they should be part of shaping its practical content.”
UNOWAS and UNODC promote youth-centered approaches to drug prevention
On 23 June, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dakar to address the growing challenge posed by emerging drugs in Senegal. Bringing together government officials, regional organizations, UN entities, civil society and youth representatives, participants examined the impact of new psychoactive substances on public health, social cohesion and regional security. Discussions emphasized prevention, community-based responses and stronger cooperation between youth and security actors to build more resilient communities.
Housing initiative supports sustainable reintegration in San Juan de Arama
On 24 June, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) joined the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) in delivering 147 homes to peace signatories at the Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration (TATR) in San Juan de Arama. The initiative marks an important step in supporting sustainable reintegration by promoting stability and long-term community integration. Recipients reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement and to strengthening peaceful coexistence and dialogue with neighboring communities.
Young peacebuilders discuss digital governance at Jeju Forum
This week at the Jeju Forum, young peacebuilders participating in DPPA’s Futuring Peace in Northeast Asia initiative explored the importance of inclusive and responsible digital governance in advancing the Youth, Peace and Security and Women, Peace and Security agendas. They highlighted how intergenerational and cross-regional engagement has strengthened networks for peace and collaboration, and discussed the role of young women as leaders and peacebuilders in digital spaces. In a video message, ASG Khiari underscored DPPA’s support for youth leadership, stressing that young people “are not only the future of peace. They are its present.”
UN marks first-ever Peacebuilding Week
From 22 to 26 June, the United Nations held the first-ever Peacebuilding Week, bringing together Member States, UN partners, civil society, international financial institutions and the private sector to mark two decades of the UN peacebuilding architecture, including the Peacebuilding Commission and the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund. Held under the theme "Partnerships for Innovation, Inclusion and Impact," the week was an opportunity to take stock of 20 years of progress and to look ahead to the partnerships and investment that sustaining peace will require.
The week's flagship event was the Annual Session of the Peacebuilding Commission, celebrating 20 years of the UN peacebuilding architecture in the General Assembly Hall, chaired by Ambassador Omar Hilale of Morocco. Secretary-General António Guterres opened the event, joining senior UN officials, Member States, development banks, regional organizations, civil society and private sector representatives to examine how partnerships can strengthen innovation, inclusion and impact in peacebuilding. The week also featured a General Assembly Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace.
The Joint Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Economic and Social Council, "From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Social Cohesion Through Job Creation in Peacebuilding Contexts," examined how decent work and economic opportunity can strengthen social cohesion in places affected by conflict. A Peace Circle, "Financing and Partnerships for Youth-led Peacebuilding," placed young peacebuilders at the centre of the conversation on the financing and support their work needs to grow.
The event "Peacebuilding through Innovation: Advancing SDG 16 through Innovative Partnerships, Finance and Technology," attended by Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, explored how new partnerships, financing and technology can reshape the way peace is built and sustained.
On inclusion, "From Geneva to New York: Taking Stock of the CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding," attended by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, brought civil society, the UN and Member States together to reflect on how far the Dialogue process has come and where it goes next.
The week also made the case for investing in peace. "Investing in Peace when the World Pays for War," a conversation and report launch by the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office’s Impact Hub, set out why prevention remains one of the smartest investments the international community can make at a time of rising conflict and strained resources. The première of The Gambia Peacebuilding Impact Spotlight documentary brought to life the stories of communities rebuilding after crisis, a reminder of what two decades of peacebuilding looks like on the ground.
Next Week
DPPA to launch landmark publication on UN special political missions
On 30 June, DPPA will launch a new publication, United Nations Special Political Missions 1945–2025: An Overview, at UN Headquarters (CR-7, 3pm). The event will feature a panel discussion with USG DiCarlo and other speakers, marking the first comprehensive public record of the history of United Nations special political missions since 1948.
The Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on the Middle East on 29 June. In July, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will assume the presidency of the Security Council.
