Security Council
Secretary-General emphasizes the power of multilateralism in Council briefing
Speaking to the Security Council on 14 December, Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that strengthening multilateralism to address global challenges has been his highest priority since assuming office. He said he will present a “New Agenda for Peace” in 2023 that will address the full range of new and old security challenges — local, national, regional and international. He added that the Black Sea Grain Initiative shows that the United Nations still has a unique and important role in brokering solutions to global challenges.
Read his full remarks here
Special Representative Bathily briefs the Council on his efforts in Libya
In his briefing to the Security Council on 16 December, Abdoulaye Bathily, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said that work on the security track has resulted in some notable achievements, and the economic track is building some momentum, which can be built on. The political track, however, is showing little sign of progress. He told the Council members that we need to apply pressure on the country’s political leaders on the urgency of finalizing the constitutional basis. He said that we need to think creatively about ways to ensure free, fair, transparent and simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections are organized.
Read his full remarks here
Colombia
Verification Mission attends inauguration of mural commemorating victims of the armed conflict
On 10 December, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia participated in the inauguration of a mural as part of the commemoration of International Human Rights Day in Roncesvalles, Tolima, located in the center-west of the country. The mural represents the memory of the victims and the families of the more than 80,000 people who disappeared during the armed conflict. The Mission supported this activity, along with the Missing Persons Search Unit created by the Final Peace Agreement, and the Mayor's Office. Victims, former combatants, and the local community also participated.
Peace and reconciliation dialogue in Nariño
The UN Verification Mission in Colombia facilitated a dialogue from 10-11 December for peace and reconciliation between the indigenous people of the Awá community and former combatants during a sports championship and mural painting event. The participants highlighted the importance of UN’s support in their reconciliation processes, which represents a crucial step towards achieving peace in the territory.
Central Asia
UNRCCA convenes fifth Central Asian Expert Forum
On 10 December, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) organized the Fifth Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Expert Forum serves as a platform for leading Central Asian think-tanks to discuss regional issues and deepen regional cooperation. Participants addressed issues such as climate change and transboundary water resources management, food security, and security in information and communication technologies. A set of concrete recommendations and ideas were proposed and will be submitted to Central Asian states for further consideration.
SRSG Gherman co-hosts women leaders’ caucus annual meeting, UNRCCA convenes annual meeting with deputy foreign ministers of Central Asian states
On 10 December, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the UNRCCA, Natalia Gherman, co-hosted the annual meeting of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC). SRSG Gherman said that the Caucus “spearheads the regional dialogue and collaborative approach to promotion of implementation of the Women Peace and Security Agenda and symbolizes the Central Asian States’ commitment to jointly address challenges in the field of gender equality in the region.” On 11 December, the 12th annual meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states took place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Deputy Foreign Ministers expressed support for the activities of the Regional Centre, including preventing extremism and countering terrorism, climate change and water diplomacy.
Lebanon
Special Coordinator for Lebanon launches Debate on Rebuilding Trust
This week, Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka launched a series of roundtable discussions with Lebanese stakeholders on the theme of rebuilding trust. Wronecka advocated for a Lebanese-led process of dialogue on a new social contract to reinforce national unity. She also noted the importance of restoring confidence through inclusion and the empowerment of different segments of society, including women, youth, persons with disabilities. Other participants highlighted the importance of combating corruption and ensuring the independence of the judiciary as a necessary starting point. In a separate discussion involving eight media editors-in-chief, the Special Coordinator underlined the need to restore a system of values and respect for those values, including through education.
Iraq
UNAMI delegation visits Karbala
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visited Karbala, a city in central Iraq, on 11 December with Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Claudio Cordone. The delegation met with Governor Nassif Al-Khattabi to discuss the general situation and ways to further UN collaboration with the governorate. The delegation also visited the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, where they met with Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai, representative of the Supreme Religious Authority His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani; as well as the Warth International Foundation for Cancerous Tumors, which is run by the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, where they met with patients and staff.
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