A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.
Special Representative Ruiz Massieu briefs the Security Council on Haiti
On 20 July, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed the Security Councilon developments in Haiti. He highlighted recent progress in the political transition, including the adoption of a revised electoral decree, agreement on an electoral budget and the launch of voter registration. While stressing that security remains the country's most pressing challenge, he emphasized that electoral preparations and security improvements must advance together. Calling for sustained political engagement and international support, the SRSG Massieu underscored the need to translate recent momentum into tangible improvements for the Haitian people.
Deputy Special Envoy Cordone highlights progress and challenges in Syria’s political transition
On 21 July, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (DSESG) Claudio Cordone briefed the Security Council from Damascus, highlighting recent milestones in Syria’s political transition, including the establishment of the People’s Assembly and the Supreme Constitutional Court. While welcoming continued progress on institutional development and integration efforts in northeastern Syria, he stressed that meaningful participation by women and all components of Syrian society, accountability, and improvements in the daily lives of Syrians remain essential to building public confidence.
Special Envoy Grundberg continues regional efforts to support de-escalation
On 19 July, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, visited Riyadh, where he met with the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber, and representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The discussions focused on the need for immediate de-escalation, preserving the gains of the 2022 UN-brokered truce, and advancing an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process.
Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa visits Juba
On 23 July, SESG for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, visited Juba to meet with senior South Sudanese officials, including Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan, and other stakeholders on the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) and other Abyei-related issues. Discussions focused on resuming the JPSM, advancing the demilitarization of the Abyei Area, and addressing differing views on Abyei’s participation in South Sudan’s December 2026 elections. SESG Cong welcomed the commitment of Sudan and South Sudan to restart the JPSM and urged the parties to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and de-escalate public rhetoric.
UNSCOL advances consultations on Lebanon’s security and political situation
This week, Jean Arnault, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) [and Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on the Middle East conflict and its consequences], held a series of meetings with Lebanese political leaders, government officials and parliamentarians to discuss the country’s fragile security situation, the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and the Trilateral Framework agreed by the United States, Lebanon and Israel. He also met with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber to discuss Lebanon’s economic situation and prospects for financial reforms. During a meeting with a delegation representing 86 Members of Parliament, on 23 July, he received a petition addressed to the Secretary-General calling for the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate and thanked the delegation for its continued support for the United Nations and resolution 1701.
Coffee fair promotes peace and inclusion in Cauca
On 18 July, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) joined the Special Coffee Fair in Morales, Cauca, where communities, Peace Agreement signatories and local authorities came together to promote peacebuilding, inclusion and the region’s coffee tradition. Peace signatories and the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) led a campaign against stigmatization, while the Mission introduced children to the Final Peace Agreement through the #PathwaysColombia virtual reality experience, bringing peace education to life.
UN and OIC strengthen partnership at General Cooperation Meeting
From 22 to 24 July, senior representatives of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Geneva for the 17th General Cooperation Meeting. Co-chaired by Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari and OIC Assistant Secretary-General Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, the meeting brought together nearly 50 UN and OIC entities to strengthen cooperation on shared priorities, including conflict prevention, diplomacy, humanitarian action, women’s rights, climate change and countering violent extremism. ASG Khiari underscored that cooperation between the UN and regional organizations is a “force multiplier” in addressing today’s global challenges.
SRSG Imnadze discusses regional cooperation with Turkmenistan
On 21 July, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Kaha Imnadze, met with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, in Ashgabat. The discussions focused on priorities for continued cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNRCCA, regional developments, and upcoming high-level regional and international events to be hosted by Turkmenistan in 2026, including opportunities for UNRCCA’s engagement through its preventive diplomacy mandate.
Iceland contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal
This week, DPPA thanks the Government of the Iceland for its contribution of ISK 30,000,000 to the Department’s Multi-Year Appeal (MYA). The MYA is DPPA’s voluntary funding mechanism, enabling flexible, rapid support for preventive diplomacy, mediation and other core priorities. Iceland’s renewed contribution reinforces its steady backing for the UN’s political work and reflects its continued partnership in advancing conflict prevention and mediation efforts globally.
Next Week
The Security Council is expected to hold a briefing on Ukraine on 27 July, followed by an open debate on the Middle East on 28 July.
