Middle East: Dangerous escalation of hostilities - Peace Operations Chief | United Nations

The Head of United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his part said both Hizbullah and the Israeli government are in violation of Council resolution 1701 and noted that peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “have remained in position in line with the mandate this Council has provided, while continuously reassessing the force's posture against prevailing risk.” Lacroix said, “many rockets have been launched from south of the Litani River, which demonstrates the presence of unauthorised armed personnel, assets and weapons south of the Litani River,” while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “have issued displacement orders for the entire UNIFIL area of operations and intensified daily strikes, impacting multiple locations in the UNIFIL area of operations.” He said, “UNIFIL continues to maintain constant contact with the parties to avoid misunderstandings, de-conflict and de-escalate where possible.”


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Youth in the spotlight as UN DESA examines mental health and population trends | United Nations

Last month, UN DESA launched the World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Well-being, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, youth-informed mental health policies. Another report is now underway, this time homing in on the latest youth population trends, helping policymakers use population foresight to address the needs of young people everywhere and to ensure that demographic change supports equitable and sustainable development. Read more: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/feature/march-2026/youth-spotlight-un-desa-examines-mental-health-and-population


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Middle East: Renewed violence largely erased recent progress - DPPA Briefing | United Nations

Addressing a Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said, “amid an already devastating escalation in the Middle East, the decision by Hizbullah to attack Israel on 2 March has again drawn Lebanon into a conflict it neither sought nor can afford.” In turn, DiCarlo said, Israel “has carried out extensive strikes in southern Beirut, across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa and Baalbek regions. These operations have reportedly killed over 570 people and left over 1,400 injured, according to the Lebanese government.” She said, “Hizbullah must cease its attacks on Israel and cooperate with the government's efforts to assert full state authority and establish a monopoly over weapons,” while Israel “must halt its military campaign in Lebanon and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.” DiCarlo stressed that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Lebanon and Israel must be upheld”


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Russia on Ukraine - Security Council Media Stakeout | United Nations

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described Ukraine’s March 10 missile strike on the the city of Bryansk a “barbaric crime” and accused Western countries of direct involvement. Speaking to reporters today (11 Mar) in New York, the Russian Ambassador said, “On March 10th, the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv committed yet another barbaric crime against the civilian population of our country by carrying out a missile strike on Bryansk, a busy business district located in close proximity to multiple apartment residential buildings, children's goods stores, a university and other civilian infrastructure came under deliberate attack. “ He said, “As a result of this strike, seven people were killed and 42 were injured.” Ambassador Nebenzia said, “the expired head of the regime, Zelenskyy speaking to the press, described this heinous attack as a successful operation and thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their service,” adding that “this is yet another striking example of the sheer cynicism with which the Kyiv authorities treat attacks that claim lives of civilians.” The Russian diplomat pointed out “it is entirely obvious” that “such an operation would be technically impossible for the Ukrainian armed forces to conduct on their own.” He said, “the use of advanced Western weaponry takes place only with the direct involvement of foreign specialists who guide the targeting.” Ambassador Nebenzia continued, “certain NATO countries provide the necessary intelligence data,” stating “the Western sponsors of Zelenskyy bear full responsibility for the killing of civilians.” He said, “instead of giving peace negotiations facilitated by the United States a genuine chance, Kyiv and London are seeking ways to further escalate tensions.” The Russian Ambassado accused Ukraine to use such tactic, saying “it has been repeatedly employed whenever a real prospect of settlement begins to emerge." "It is hardly a coincidence that the timing of this attack coincided with signals from Washington expressing hope that negotiations with the Ukrainian settlement have reached ‘a turning point and that achieving peace is entirely possible,’" he said. Ambassador Nebenzia also criticized the United Nations, he said, “Where is the statement from the Secretary-General himself? The continued silence from this and similar grave incident incidents raises serious questions about the impartiality and consistency of the organization's approach.” He called on the UN Secretariat to “abandon the policy of double standards and to provide an appropriate, clear and unequivocal assessment of this heinous attack.”


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Soap Opera Cameos #lastweektonight

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Israel on the Middle East - Security Council Stakeout | United Nations

Remarks by Ambassador Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, on the situation in the Middle East.


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Syria: Chemical Weapons eliminations efforts - ODA Briefing | United Nations

The Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo, told the Security Council that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Syrian Arab Republic “have continued to engage on how to eliminate any remnants of the chemical weapons programme developed by the previous government.” Addressing a Council meeting on the implementation of resolution 2118 on Syria’s chemical weapons programme, Ebo recalled that “since 2014, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has not been able to confirm that the declaration submitted by the previous government was accurate and complete.” He said, “in addition to the 26 declared chemical weapons-related sites, information made available to the OPCW suggests that there are more than 100 other sites that may have been involved in the previous government’s chemical-weapons related activities. As part of its work on this matter, the OPCW Technical Secretariat plans to visit all these locations.” Ebo said the new Government of Syria “has been working with the OPCW Technical Secretariat to obtain clarifications on the full extent and scope of the programme developed by the previous Government and to ensure Syria’s long-term compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.” He urged Council members “to unite and show leadership in providing the support that this unprecedented effort will require” and added that the United Nations “stands ready to support and will continue to do our part to uphold the norm against the use of chemical weapons – anywhere and at any time.”


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Afghanistan: Risks of Terrorism, Narcotics, Migration – Security Council Briefing | United Nations

UN Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Georgette Gagnon said that the country “could again become a driver of regional and global instability, in the form of out-migration, terrorism, narcotics and more.” Addressing the Security Council, Gagnon said, “The conflict with Pakistan has had punishing human and economic costs. We reiterate the Secretary General’s deep concern about the escalation and impact on civilian populations, his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the two countries to resolve any differences through diplomacy. We urge both sides to recommit to a ceasefire without delay and safeguard the protection of civilians. I also reiterate our request to ensure the free flow of humanitarian assistance into Afghanistan.” She continued, “It is difficult to predict the outcome of the conflict in the Middle East, but it is already affecting Afghanistan. With the border closed between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran provided an alternative trade route that is now also increasingly uncertain due to the ongoing conflict. The prices of basic commodities in Afghanistan have begun to rise, stressing Afghanistan’s already fragile economy. Instability in the region, on both of Afghanistan’s longest borders, undermines Afghanistan’s stability.” She stressed, however, “that Afghanistan’s continued alienation from the international system remains the central issue. It prevents other issues, such as economic self-sufficiency, security cooperation, counter-terrorism commitments, human rights concerns, and the humanitarian crisis, from being fully addressed. If these issues are not dealt with, Afghanistan could again become a driver of regional and global instability, in the form of out-migration, terrorism, narcotics and more.” She also said, “The humanitarian situation is taxing the resilience of Afghan communities. Since 2021, international partners have responded generously to address urgent humanitarian needs. This year, however, the humanitarian crisis is worsened by significant funding cuts, growing needs—including due to large-scale return of refugees—and policies of the de facto authorities that prioritize ideological rigidity over the well-being of the Afghan people. Restrictions on women working in the humanitarian sector is one clear example.”


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Anne Hathaway on International Women's Day 2026 | United Nations

Leading voices on women’s rights and justice joined UN Women for the official United Nations commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. At a time when women’s rights face renewed backlash around the world, the International Women’s Day 2026 event, held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, underscored the power of women and girls, across generations, movements and cultures, in all their diversity, coming together to defend equality and demand change for all women and girls. Anne Hathaway, actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador stated, “Our choosing to celebrate today does not signal that we are here to accommodate injustice. No. Our celebration today affirms our determination to outlast it. Don’t let us wait, please. Happy International Women’s Day.” Aligned with 70th Commission on the Status of Women, the observance is conceived as a single, continuous political moment that will elevate global attention to justice as the critical bridge between rights on paper and rights in practice, reaffirming collective resolve to confront persistent setbacks, violence and the denial of rights. Bringing together Member State delegations, global leaders, advocates, Goodwill Ambassadors and global voices, the observance served as a high-visibility platform to galvanize leadership, media engagement and concrete action towards ensuring equal access to justice for all women and girls.


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Staying at the Table: Women Leading Through Change | Goals Lounge| United Nations

Women’s leadership does not diminish with age—it deepens. Yet too often, women are expected to narrow their roles or step out of visibility just as their experience and influence grow. This conversation creates a moment to recognise women’s leadership across the life course and to reaffirm the value of authority built over time. Aligned with the priorities of the Commission on the Status of Women, the discussion brings together women whose leadership spans business, culture and public advocacy, illustrating how influence can be carried forward to shape institutions, narratives and policy agendas. It challenges ageism alongside sexism, reframing later stage leadership not as reinvention, but as continuity of power, voice and public contribution. Linking lived experience to the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, the conversation moves beyond personal narrative to structural questions: what enables women to keep leading across stages of life, what barriers still limit that leadership, and what commitments are needed to ensure women’s experience is recognised as a public asset. The focus is clear—enabling women to continue shaping decisions and driving impact at every age and stage of life. Moderator: Karen Davila, Broadcast Journalist, Television News Anchor and Radio Presenter, UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Speakers: Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria Loida Lewis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, TLC Beatrice, LLC and Reginald F. Lewis Foundation


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