Gulf Cooperation Council: Demand to cease all attacks by Iran - Briefing | United Nations

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East Khaled Khiari said that strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is “imperative.” Addressing the Security Council on its first-ever consideration of cooperation between the UN and the GCC, Khiari said, “This Council demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. These attacks, condemned by this Council, must stop now. Escalating hostilities are posing an acute and rapidly growing threat to international peace and security.” He also said, “Disruptions to maritime routes in the Gulf and surrounding waters are also having global economic repercussions. They heighten the risk of broader confrontation. All parties must respect freedom of navigation, which is a cornerstone of international maritime law. The United Nations system is fully mobilized to mitigate the consequences of this spiraling conflict. However, the most effective way to do so is clear: the fighting must stop now.” He concluded, “The ongoing escalation and its consequences underline the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action. In this regard, strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC is imperative.”


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Secretary-General’s remarks for the press stakeout today, 2 April

2 April 2026


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Bahrain on Iran: ' We'll reserve the right of self-defense'- Presser on Security Council Presidency

Press Conference by Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative, Mission of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council in April 2026, on the programme of work during the month of April. On Iran, Ambassador of Bahrain Jamal Fares Alrowaiei told reporters that his country will “reserve the right of self-defense as stipulated in article 51 in the UN Charter.” Speaking in his national capacity, the Baharian diplomat reiterated, “Iran's continuing to attack us since February 28th is a flagrant violation of the UN charter and international law principles. Iran continues to breach resolution 2817, which was presented by Bahrain on behalf of GCC countries and Jordan, and has been co-sponsored by 136 countries from the wider UN membership.” Asked about Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution focused on ensuring security in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, Ambassador Alrowaiei said, “we cannot accept economic terrorism affecting our region and our and the world. The whole world is being affected by the developments,” adding that this resolution is “of paramount importance, and it comes at a critical juncture.” He explained that this resolution aims to protect maritime security. “It is one of the most fundamental principles of international law,” Ambassador Alrowaiei said, reiterating that it is “anchoring the principles of not using maritime corridors and international corridor as a strategy to build pressure in conflicts. This would be a flagrant violation of international law and the rights of all countries that depend on those corridors.” Asked about Lebanon, the Bahrain diplomat stressed that the country “must be spared. It should not be dragged into this conflict,” adding that “Lebanon needs considerable support. These adventures are unacceptable. They must stop to serve the interests of Lebanon, and we must support the Lebanese government in its efforts.” He noted that Lebanon is making “significant efforts” in the field of disarmament to ensure the stability of Lebanon. “So why should Lebanon be dragged into this conflict?” Ambassador Alrowaiei said. He reiterate that the “Council is aware of these matters, and the Council will continue to be apprised of the developments in Lebanon.”


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UN80 Working Group on Workstream II regarding the Mandates Resolution – Presser | United Nations

Jamaican Ambassador Brian Wallace said that resolution A/RES/80/251 is not “primarily about cost, but it will result in more efficient use of resources. This is really about becoming more targeted and therefore more impactful.” The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (31 Apr) adopted a landmark resolution entitled ‘Mandate creation, implementation and review for an efficient and effective United Nations’ to strengthen how UN mandates - the decisions taken by Member States that guide the Organisation’s work - are created, implemented and reviewed across the system. The Co-chairs of the UN80 working group on workstream II - Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, and Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, briefed reporters today on their work and on the resolution. Schwalger said, “So, the resolution does call for change, change on the part of member states, and change on the part of the Secretariat as well. When it comes to member states, the resolution is very clear that member states have the sovereign right to bring whatever issues they want to the United Nations, but with those rights come responsibilities, and so the resolution also speaks to discipline and to accountability. And on the Secretariat side of the house, there are firm messages there about effective use of resources, but also giving member states the support, the advice and the tool that we need to be successful.” She also said, “When we took on this job as cochairs, we knew the UN was facing really unprecedented challenges, and we knew that this mandates resolution process was an opportunity to show our political decision makers, our citizens, but also ourselves as a UN family, that we're up to the challenge of reform, and we're up to transforming in a way that we can better take on contemporary global challenges.” Wallace said, “The adoption of the resolution by such an overwhelming majority of member states has demonstrated the willingness of the membership of the organization to hold itself to account for its decision making. This reflects a clear recognition by member states of the need for us, to be better, to be more efficient, to be more effective, so that the UN can become more impactful for the people we serve.” Answering a question, the Permanent Representative of New Zealand said, “Some of the issues in the period ahead are the thorny ones, but some of them are just simply issues that required more technical input as we as member states can make decisions on them, but I think - if you have followed the working group's progress - you will know that mandate review was one of the most difficult and thorny issue. It really speaks to the heart of member states prerogatives and so establishing the modalities of how we'll do mandate review across the system and the GA in particular - General Assembly and its bodies - will be one of the big issues to resolve in the period ahead. And of course, we as member states require the input of the Secretary General on a number of other issues.” The Permanent Representative of Jamaica stressed, “The UN remains a political organization. This is, for me, the biggest value of the organizations, it's convening power of member states, where we all sit in a room together and make decisions about what to do with the great challenges of humanity. That will remain so. But what this resolution does is it creates somewhat of a different atmosphere around that decision making that will encourage more discipline around it, that creates the visibility that allows us to make better decisions.” He also said, “This is not primarily about cost, but it will result in more efficient use of resources. This is really about becoming more targeted and therefore more impactful. After all, that's what the UN was made for, not for us to simply sit in a room and discuss problems, but to find solutions that can be implemented on the ground.”


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Middle East conflict could intensify the global affordability crisis - UN official | United Nations

The current conflict in Iran and the Middle East has the potential to multiply the current global crisis on affordability and access to housing, according to Anacláudia Rossbach, the Head of the housing and urban development agency, UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat.


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(Part 2) World Autism Awareness Day 2026: “Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value”

REFRAMING THE NARRATIVE: FROM CURE TO SHARED FUTURE Keynote: Brian Bird (Europe) Panel Moderator: Charlotte Valuer (Europe) Dr. Clarisse Fortes (Latin America) Shaheda Moosa (Africa) Sudhansu Grover (Asia) Keynote: Fatima de Kwant (Europe) WAAD CHINA Keynote: Damien Green (Asia) The 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future. At a time when misinformation and regressive rhetoric about the lives of autistic people is resurfacing, this year’s virtual event is a call to action to move beyond limiting narratives and to recognise the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person. Grounded in the principles of human rights and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this vision sees the inclusion of neurodiversity as crucial to sustainable development. When societies embrace neurodiversity, they strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, laying the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities. This year’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that advance health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic opportunity, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and strong institutions. The 2026 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day


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NO MORE MINES IN SYRIA | Towards Safer Communities and a Future Without Explosive Threats

Syria’s new chapter is beginning — but beneath the soil of war, landmines and explosive remnants still threaten every step toward recovery, reconstruction, and economic development. No More Mines. Mine action is the silent enabler that makes rebuilding possible — clearing the path for communities, development, recovery, reconstruction and a lasting peace. Invest in mine action. Invest in Syria’s future. #NoMoreMines #Syria #SyriaRecovery #MineAction #InvestInPeace #Reconstruction #SyriaRebuild #HumanitarianAction #UNMAS #PostWarSyria #OneUN


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World Autism Awareness Day 2026: “Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value” (Part 1)

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Speakers Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Charlotte Valuer, founder and CEO, Institute of Neurodiversity ION The 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future. At a time when misinformation and regressive rhetoric about the lives of autistic people is resurfacing, this year’s virtual event is a call to action to move beyond limiting narratives and to recognise the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person. Grounded in the principles of human rights and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this vision sees the inclusion of neurodiversity as crucial to sustainable development. When societies embrace neurodiversity, they strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, laying the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities. This year’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that advance health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic opportunity, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and strong institutions. The 2026 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day


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Viktor Orbán #lastweektonight

Produced by LastWeekTonight
This episode features: Viktor Orbán #lastweektonight

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Israel on the Middle East - Media Stakeout | United Nations

Informal comments to the media by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on the situation in the Middle East.


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Women Breaking Barriers | United Nations

The event will convene iconic women leaders and allies at the forefront of entertainment, science, media, and business to highlight the impact of gender-based violence on the trajectories of women and girls across the globe. This event aims to build powerful coalitions across sectors to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Join us for a high-level event recognizing trailblazing women worldwide at the close of Women’s History Month. Together, we will build powerful coalitions to help end violence against women and girls. Featuring: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed Audrey Nuna (of HUNTR/X) Sandra Kwon, Comedian, @jeenieweenie Tatyana McFadden, American Paralympic Athlete Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME Magazine Fereshteh Forough, Founder of Code to Inspire Amanda Nguyen, Astronaut, Founder & CEO of Rise Katya Echazarreta, Astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor, Astronaut


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