14 - December 2019
This Week in DPPAis a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Qatar
“We need to reimagine a new global order with justice and accountability at its core”
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo visited Qatar to attend the Doha Forum between 14 and 15 December. The Forum is a global platform for dialogue, bringing together leaders in policy to build innovative and action-driven networks. During a panel titled, “The United Nations at 75: A Time for Renewal and Innovation”, she said the world needed to reimagine a new global order with justice and accountability at its core. While in Doha, Ms. DiCarlo also held bilateral talks, including with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. In a meeting with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khare, she emphasized the UN’s support to the upcoming elections in the country. With Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Sharif, she discussed Iran’s HOPE initiative to reduce tensions in the Middle East. For more information, contact us.
Security Council
West Africa and the Sahel “shaken by unprecedented violence”
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), briefed the Security Council on inter-communal violence and terrorism in West Africa on 16 December. He told the Council that the region has been “shaken by unprecedented violence” in recent months. “Curbing the financial and supply corridors used by armed groups, and the links with illegal trade, requires international cooperation; targeted sanctions and other measures recommended by Panels of Experts, are relevant for leverage,” Mr. Ibn Chambas said.
Read his full statement here | Read more in UN News
Peace will be the issue of paramount importance to the new administration in Afghanistan
Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), briefed the Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 16 December. He provided an update on developments since voting took place in late September. "When the election is completed with credibility, it will become a milestone in the history of establishing a representative political system of the country”. Mr. Yamamoto explained that preliminary results are yet to be announced as stakeholders want to ensure the electoral process was as transparent and credible as possible. “Whatever the outcome of the presidential election may be, peace will be the issue of paramount importance to the new administration," he said.
Read his full statement here | Read more in UN News
Israeli-Palestinian conflict in “fragile phase”
Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov briefed the Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 2334 (2016) on 18 December. “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in a fragile phase with the occupation deepening, political uncertainty prevailing, and volatile regional dynamics threatening to further de-stabilize the situation,” Mr. Mladenov told the Council.
Read his full statement here | Read more in UN News
Briefing on the Iran nuclear deal
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on nuclear non-proliferation and resolution 2231 on 19 December. The resolution backed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed by China, France, Russia, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Iran in July 2015. “Certain actions taken by the United States, since its withdrawal from the Plan, are contrary to the goals of the Plan. The re-imposition of its national sanctions lifted under the Plan, as well as its decision not to extend waivers for the trade in oil with Iran and certain non-proliferation projects, may also impede the ability of Iran and other Member States to implement the Plan and 2231,” Ms. DiCarlo said. She added that since July: “Iran has surpassed JCPOA-stipulated limits on its uranium enrichment level, as well as limits on its stockpiles of heavy water and low-enriched uranium.”
Read her full statement here | Read more in UN News
Pedersen: “The Constitutional Committee needs to be nurtured, and genuinely supported if it is to succeed”
Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen briefed the Security Council on the situation in Syria on 20 December. He updated the Council on the work of the Constitutional Committee. “The Constitutional Committee needs to be nurtured, and genuinely supported if it is to succeed. This is the responsibility of the Syrian parties. International stakeholders, too, have a supporting role to play. I know I can count on the support of this Council in that regard,” Mr. Pedersen said.
Read his full statement here
Afghanistan
Bamyan youth meet to discuss social cohesion
Youth activists in Afghanistan’s central highlands province of Bamyan gathered at a UN-backed symposium to strategize on ways to promote social cohesion in the interest of advancing peace, locally and nationally, on 15 December. Some 40 young activists from seven districts across Bamyan attended the event, organized by UNAMA’s Bamyan regional office.
Read more on UNAMA’s website
Protecting Human Rights in Afghanistan spotlighted at Kunduz university symposium
Participants at a UN-backed seminar at Kunduz University on 19 December underscored the crucial importance of human rights for peace and stability, and highlighted the special role of young people as constructive agents of change in promoting and protecting rights.
Read more on UNAMA’s website
Central Asia
Annual meeting with Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states
The ninth annual Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states, convened by UNRCCA, took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 14 December.
Read more on UNRCCA’s website
Capacity-building workshop and meeting of Central Asian water experts in Ashgabat
UNRCCA convened a regional capacity-building workshop in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 17-18 December dedicated to water cooperation in the Central Asian region.
Read more on UNRCCA’s website
Libya
Women activists trained on the integration of a gender perspective in the Universal Periodic Review
In collaboration with OHCHR, UNSMIL completed a three-day training on the integration of gender perspective in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process on 17 December.
Read more on UNSMIL’s website
Somalia
Delegations of AU, EU, IGAD and UN hold consultations with stakeholders in Kismayo and Garowe
A senior delegation of some of the country’s international partners visited Jubaland’s capital Kismayo on 17 December and Puntland’s capital Garowe on 18 December to discuss national priorities.
Read more on UNSOM’s website
Colombia
Former combatants and victims of the conflict join in song for reconciliation
Victims of the armed conflict and former FARC, ELN, and AUC combatants sang together with the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra on 17 December during a "Reconciliation Concert" organized by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.
For more information, contact us
Business roundtable between ex-combatants and businessmen in Meta
In Villavicencio city on 17 December, ex-combatants and businessmen from the department of Meta met at a business roundtable to discuss commercial ideas.
For more information, contact us
Montserrat
Decolonization Committee visits Montserrat
The Special Committee on Decolonization, also known as the C-24, is wrapping up a visit to the Caribbean island of Montserrat, which is under United Kingdom administration.
Visit the Decolonization Unit’s website
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