"REINTEGRATION"

After concluding a two-week mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the country, Bintou Keita, said, “the last mile in peace operations is the hardest,” and added that “by listening to the people, we are committed to protecting, and consulting with close partners working in the field, we can ensure a responsible drawdown.” MONUSCO

Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (S/2023/477)

Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report to the Security Council, the Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), Carlos Ruiz Massieu, said “implementation is gaining traction across several sections of the Agreement, including those that had been lagging behind despite having the greatest potential to address the root causes of the conflict.” UNIFEED

The open debate will provide an opportunity for Member States to consider the findings from the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (to be issued as A/77/895-S/2023/363). Conflict continues to affect children to alarming levels, as outlined in the report.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said, “We should never forget that behind each verified violation is the life of a child, with its own individual story. 18,890 children were affected last year, and yet their stories are not told.” UNIFEED

The open debate will provide an opportunity for Member States to consider the findings from the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (to be issued as A/77/895-S/2023/363). Conflict continues to affect children to alarming levels, as outlined in the report.

In 2022, children continued to be disproportionately affected by armed conflict. The United Nations verified over 27,000 grave violations, impacting close to 19,000 boys and girls in 24 country situations and one regional monitoring arrangement that covers the Lake Chad Basin, the latest edition of the annual UN report says. UNIFEED

Secretary-General António Guterres said, “When it comes to combatting terrorism, we must stand as one against this global threat. And we are.” UNIFEED

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.