Election process underway in Central African Republic

Over 90 tons of sensitive electoral materials, including ballot papers, tally sheets, and other election forms, arrived in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Monday, 2025. The UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA will help dispatch them throughout the country, as part of its security, logistics and technical support, as part of its mandate. This operation represents a key step in the organization of the combined elections scheduled for December 28, 2025.


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Security Council, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | UN

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Security Council Occupied Palestinian Territory Lebanon/Israel Sudan Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Democratic Republic of the Congo SECURITY COUNCIL Today, Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council and said that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, as we have seen with continued attacks and strikes in Gaza. The UN is doing its part to support the ceasefire and meet the staggering needs of the population, he added. He urged Israel and Hamas to fully implement the ceasefire, exercise maximum restraint, and adhere to international law, including relevant UN resolutions. The ceasefire must be consolidated to enable recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, he added. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts. Mr. Alakbarov said that while hunger has improved due to increased aid and commercial foodstuffs, key protein sources remain out of reach for most of the population, alongside severe shortages of clean water, medical care, and shelter. Humanitarian access remains restricted, with aid convoys facing logistical and security obstacles. He called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and allow the full, unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance. The Deputy Special Coordinator also condemned rising settler violence across the West Bank, which intensified during the olive harvest. Attacks have become more frequent and violent, often with the presence or support of Israeli security forces. OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that heavy rains are compounding the already dire conditions that families are enduring. Our partners report that the storm continued overnight and into today, causing severe flooding of more than 40 designated emergency shelters – mostly in Khan Younis and Gaza City. Some displaced families sought shelter in bathrooms or temporary learning spaces after their tents were damaged. The latest estimates from our partners indicate that some 700 tents have been damaged or otherwise impacted by the flooding, with thousands of people affected. Teams helping manage displacement sites are clearing blocked drainage channels and pumping floodwater away from shelter yards. In recent days – and despite ongoing challenges to the humanitarian response – the UN and our humanitarian partners have been working to address the needs of families across the Strip, despite the harsh conditions on the ground. Yesterday, the UN and our partners coordinated nine humanitarian movements inside Gaza with the Israeli authorities. Four were facilitated and three were impeded but eventually completed. These missions allowed us to collect critical supplies from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings – including food, fuel, blankets, tents, and winter clothing. The other two missions were impeded – and only one of them was able to be partially accomplished.  In Khan Younis, damage to the Bani Suhaila Mekorot water pipeline was repaired yesterday, after access to the facility was granted by the Israeli authorities. The UN and our partners continue to provide support to affected families through a system that was set up for a rapid, joint response to flooding alerts. It brings together UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, working side by side to distribute tents, tarp, warm clothes, blankets and dignity kits across Gaza. Last Saturday, our partners providing nutrition support distributed 7.5 kilograms of high-energy biscuits per household to more than 1,000 families who were affected by the latest rainstorm in various areas. Also, our partners supporting agricultural services told us that the distribution of veterinary kits resumed on Sunday after being temporarily paused due to adverse weather. Since the start of the distribution on 9 December, approximately 400 herders have received these kits, along with animal fodder. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-16


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E5 on West Bank and East Jerusalem - Media Stakeout | United Nations

Joint stakeout led by James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, on the West Bank and East Jerusalem.


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Ban Ki-moon Calls for Security Council Reform and Stronger UN Leadership for Peace | United Nations

Former UN Secretary-General and an emeritus member of the Elders, Ban Ki-moon, said that to truly promote leadership for peace, the international community must fundamentally reform and reinvigorate the Security Council. Ban spoke at the Council’s meeting under the theme of Maintenance of international peace and security: Leadership for peace. The former UN chief said, “I am of the view that UN leadership must more confidently reassert its active political role in diplomacy for peace, including mediating and settling crises.” “Member States must support this role, and guard against situations in which only powerful countries dictate political settlements. And this needs to start here, in this Council, in this Chamber,” Ban added. He suggested that the next Secretary-General should be empowered by a single, seven-year term, explaining that two five-year terms leave the Secretary-General overly dependent on this Council’s Permanent Members for an extension. Ban also highlighted that the Council “must be made fit for purpose for the twenty-first century world, rather than the twentieth century.” He said, “The Council has long been plagued by divisions and disruptive tactics. But the irresponsible way many States now disregard their obligations today is especially concerning. “ In particular, some Permanent Members of this Council regularly undermine the UN’s universal peace and security mandate; through their use of the veto to shield themselves, their allies, and their proxies from accountability,” the former UN chief said, He continued, “Without concrete reforms to curb the arbitrary use, and misuse, of veto power by permanent members, the UN's sense of helplessness will not be overcome. Civilians will remain unprotected in conflict. Impunity will still reign.”


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#UN Peacekeepers Killed in Drone Attack in Kordofan, #sudan

Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers - all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)


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Ban Ki-moon calls for Security Council reform #unsc #securitycouncil

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the Security Council today, suggesting that the next Secretary-General be appointed for a single seven-year term rather than two five-year terms, arguing that the current system is overly dependent on permanent members for extensions.


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UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum opens in Riyadh

The 11th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations opened in Riyadh this Sunday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the Conference by recalling the audience: 'Twenty years ago, we launched an initiative to help show that humanity – in all its diversity – could talk, listen, and build together. Today, that vision is more urgent, than ever. Bringing it to life requires the timeless tools of dialogue and diplomacy.'


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UN Secretary-General in Iraq as UN Mission Comes to a Close

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will conclude operations this month, but UN support for Iraq will continue, Secretary-General António Guterres said at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad on Saturday. 'Against all odds, the Iraqi people never wavered in their commitment to building a peaceful, inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions,' he said.


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Tgi Fridays waitress Brittany Bell went viral for helping a mom calm her toddler mid-meltdown

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A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, with Stéphane Dujarric | Awake at Night

Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain. “There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It's like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can't let it wither away.” An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle. [00:00] Introduction [01:02] A look behind the curtain [05:36] Facing the Press Corps [07:24] When you just don’t know [08:23] Supporting journalists off-camera [09:36] The importance of slowing down [11:03] How his journalism background guides him today [14:06] Navigating the press and leaving social media behind [17:15] Highlighting forgotten crises [19:17] Humanizing the facts [21:29] What keeps Steph awake at night [23:44] When funding disappears [24:53] Ensuring that we are not numb [27:52] Announcing colleagues’ deaths [29:56] “If we can’t help one…” [31:40] Early lessons from an international childhood [38:00] Ways to relax and looking toward the future [39:59] A message for young people [40:37] Closing remarks Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt #podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNSpox #Media About Awake at Night Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.


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Health Situation in Gaza - Press Conference | United Nations

“Overall, little improvement on the services,” said the World Health Organization’s representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warning that only half of Gaza’s hospitals are even partly functional. Speaking to reporters via video link from Gaza, Rik Peeperkorn said damage, access restrictions and shortages continue to cripple the health system despite limited signs of recovery. Briefing the UN press corps in New York, Peeperkorn said he had visited several key facilities in recent days, including Nasser Medical Complex and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Khan Younis, as well as Al-Shifa, Al-Rantisi and Al-Ahli Arab hospitals in Gaza City, and a primary health care site in Beit Lahia in the north. “So overall, little improvement on the services,” he said, noting that “50% of hospitals, 18 out of 36, and 43% for primary health care centers, 84 from the 195, are partly functional.” He said access constraints remain a major obstacle. The Indonesian Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia are “currently beyond what you call the ceasefire line, so-called yellow line,” he said, while Kamal Adwan Hospital sits “a little bit almost on this yellow line.” Peeperkorn added that WHO missions to reach Kamal Adwan to establish a primary health care facility “have been, unfortunately, until now, denied.” Despite the challenges, he pointed to limited progress in Gaza City, where Al-Shifa Hospital has resumed some services. “Shifa Hospital is working again as a partially functional tertiary care hospital,” he said. “Ten operation theaters are functional, and outpatient departments are partially functional.” He added that the hospital hopes to expand capacity, saying it “need and want to expand to 700 beds.” Peeperkorn said visits to multiple facilities highlighted both hardship and resilience. “What is heartening to see in all of the hospitals we went to,” he said, “is the rehabilitation work going on.” He described “an immense resilience” driven by “local ingenuity and repurposing of materials from damaged and destroyed buildings,” even as he stressed that building materials remain scarce and costly. “By now one would expect that building materials, cement, etc. would have entered Gaza,” he said, adding that while conditions are extremely difficult, “it’s happening, and I would say that is good news.” At the same time, shortages of medicines and equipment persist. Peeperkorn said hospital staff consistently told WHO they had expected improvements following the ceasefire. “They said, we expect now there is a ceasefire that shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and also spare parts for imaging medical equipment, they will see a flow of these, and unfortunately, not yet,” he said. He warned that “approximately 50 percent of the 650 essential medicines are close to zero stock or have less than three months’ supply.” He also highlighted worsening living conditions as winter rains intensify. “The rainy winter clearly has set in, making people even more vulnerable,” Peeperkorn said, describing “thousands and thousands of makeshift tents amidst this rain and wind.” He said shelter conditions remain “deplorable” and stressed that “way more shelter material and tents need to get in.”


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