"SOVEREIGNTY"

The General Assembly adopted a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, expressing deep concern regarding the unprecedented challenges faced by the Kimberley Process arising from ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts. UNIFEED

Assistant-Secretary-General Khaled Khiari reiterated the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the Israeli attack on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus and said, “the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law.” UNIFEED

At a joint press encounter with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told journalists that as we live in a “chaotic world,” with the superpowers at odds with each other, it is very important to stick to clear principles - the United Nations Charter, international law, territorial integrity of countries and international humanitarian law. EUROPEAN COMMISSION

During a joint press encounter with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Secretary-General António Guterres said they are meeting at a particular “dark moment,” when Europe’s role on the global stage is more important than ever. EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said that the tensions in the region need to be urgently de-escalated, “starting with the immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza” and that “we equally plainly need urgent de-escalation inside Syria.” UNIFEED

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, said, "Two years on – and a decade since Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol – the war in Ukraine remains an open wound at the heart of Europe." UNIFEED

Marking two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, General Assembly President Dennis Francis chaired a plenary debate on the Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, and said, “the world bore witness as that fateful day marked the onset of a series of protracted, illegal and flagrant violations of the UN charter and of international law.” UNIFEED

World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said a new pandemic accord being negotiated in Geneva will “help countries drive a more equitable response” and will “boost collectively health safeguarding,” as well as “enhance cooperation.” WHO

The head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, requested the Council’s support for “an urgent, dedicated and truly multidimensional response” to the threat by Explosive Ordnance Devices (EODs) both for the protection of civilians, and safety and security of peacekeepers. UNIFEED

Briefing the Security Council, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, Catriona Laing, said, "Somalia is demonstrating that a country can emerge from prolonged conflict to one that delivers for its people and acts as a force for good in the region.” UNIFEED