"LAKHDAR BRAHIMI"

The Chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson, told the Security Council that “women’s rights are not Western rights, they are fundamental human rights,” stressing that “we cannot allow the women and girls of Afghanistan to be deprived of these rights, including the right to leave the country.” UNIFEED

Security Council must not fail women, girls of Afghanistan, Elders warn.

Press Conference by Geraldine Byrne Nason, Permanent Representative of Ireland and Security Council President, on the programme of work for September.

The Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Khawla Matar, told the Security Council that Special Envoy Geir Pedersen had met today in Damascus with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and had agreed “on the importance of strict observance of the agreed Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure” and “is working to narrow the differences and hopes to be in a position to convene the Constitutional Committee shortly.” UNIFEED

Veteran Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen assumed his post as the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Syria at the UN Geneva office. UNTV CH

The former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, speaking on behalf of the Elders, said that “when the Security Council fails to act, it undermines the world’s faith in the United Nations and gives confidence to autocrats that they can commit terrible atrocities and escape accountability.” UNIFEED

On the fiftieth anniversary of the Six-Day War, achieving a negotiated two-State outcome was the only way to lay the foundations for an enduring peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Security Council heard at 7977th meeting.

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said, after 50 years of Israeli occupation, achieving a negotiated two-state solution “is the only way to lay the foundations for enduring peace” adding that now “is not the time to give up on this goal.” UNIFEED

Press briefing by representatives of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

Mary Robinson, a former United Nations official and a representative of “The Elders”- an independent group of global leaders - said the United States would become “a rogue state” if it pulls out of the Paris climate change agreement. UNIFEED