In March, MONUSCO marked a transition with the appointment of James Swan as its new head, while the mission continued its stabilization efforts. In Ituri, Operation "Nyundo II" successfully secured the release of fourteen hostages, alongside community-led repairs on the Fataki-Lodha road. Regarding security and human rights, the Acting Head of Mission denounced the tragic killing of a UN staff member, while UNJHRO highlighted the urgent need to…

Today, on 3 April 2026, MINURSO celebrated the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action under this year’s theme: “

When Home Is No Longer Safe: A Family’s Return in Sudan In many parts of Sudan, families returning home after conflict face a hidden danger: explosive hazards. During fighting, explosive items can fall into residential areas without detonating. Long after the violence stops, these items remain a serious threat to civilians. For families trying to rebuild their lives, these hidden hazards can turn homes, parks, and neighborhoods into dangerous…

As we enter April, we commemorate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (IMAD). Since its inception in 1997, UNMAS has responded to conflicts across the world, working to mitigate the impact of explosive ordnance on communities. Since establishing a programme in the OPT in 2009, UNMAS has worked with partners and local communities to minimize explosive risks and support peace. Throughout this period UNMAS has…

Landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices exact a devastating toll on civilians, especially children...

The world marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April, reaffirming the essential role mine action plays in securing peace, enabling recovery, and driving sustainable development. This year’s global theme, “Invest in Peace, Invest in Mine Action,” highlights a fundamental truth: peace cannot be sustained where landmines, cluster munition remnants, and other explosive ordnance continue to endanger…

New York, 1 April 2026 – The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has published a digital exhibition titled Signs of Safety. The exhibition aims to highlight the universal and indiscriminate risks posed by explosive ordnance, how these threats are perceived by children across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, and Syriat, and the key role that affected communities play in championing safety messaging. With the International Day for…

Dear Colleagues, As part of UNTSO’s continued commitment to climate action and sustainable development, and in recognition of the importance of leading by example, UNTSO joined the Secretary-General in observing Earth Hour 2026, as in previous years. Accordingly, non-essential lights at UNTSO Headquarters in Jerusalem were switched off in observance of Earth Hour on Saturday, 28 March 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. This collective effort highlights…

Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari Remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon New York, 31 March 2026 Mister President, Amid the wider escalation across the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate drastically. Since the last emergency meeting of this Council on Lebanon on 11 March, and the closed consultations held on 17 March, Hizbullah and Israel have both expanded the scale and scope of their…

The killing of three UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon in the past two days has highlighted the grave dangers for the 10,000 military personnel who make up the bulk of UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon – and for the communities caught up in intense clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah fighters. “It's extremely volatile, extremely dangerous, and you know, we see the situation for us as peacekeepers, also for the civilians who…