A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events
and developments globally.
UN condemns attacks on civilians and calls for renewed diplomatic efforts on Ukraine
On 27 July, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division Kayoko Gotoh briefed the Security Council on the escalating consequences of the war in Ukraine. She warned that intensified attacks on civilians continue to exact a devastating toll on civilians in Ukraine and the Russian Federation. “These attacks are unacceptable, inexcusable and must stop now,” she said, underscoring the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts.
Alakbarov urges implementation of Gaza recovery plan and action in the West Bank
On 28 July, Deputy Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov briefed the Security Council on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. While noting limited improvements in humanitarian conditions in Gaza, he stressed that implementation of Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and support for early recovery remain essential. He also warned of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank, calling for urgent steps to prevent further violence, protect civilians and preserve the viability of a political process towards a two-State solution.
Secretary-General makes first official visit to Syria
From 25 to 27 July, Secretary-General António Guterres made his first official visit to Syria, accompanied by Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Claudio Cordone. During meetings with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, senior government officials, civil society representatives, women's organizations and members of Syria's diverse communities, the Secretary-General welcomed progress in the transition while emphasizing the importance of inclusive participation, accountability, transitional justice and reconciliation. The delegation also visited Sednaya Prison to pay tribute to the victims of the former regime.
UN good offices continue to support dialogue in Cyprus
From 28 to 29 July, the Secretary-General visited Cyprus as part of his good offices mission, accompanied by Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín. He met separately and jointly with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, reaffirming the United Nations' commitment to supporting the Cypriots in their search for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue.
UNRCCA advances dialogue on regional security and cooperation
On 29 July, the Security Council held consultations on the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) where the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UNRCCA, Kaha Imnadze, briefed Council members on the work of that office. Ahead of the briefing, on 23–24 July, the SRSG visited Washington, D.C. where he met with senior officials of the Department of State, the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and representatives of security-focused think tanks. Discussions focused on regional developments, preventive diplomacy and UNRCCA's priorities, including preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, climate change and transboundary water management, and the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas.
UNSCOL strengthens engagement with communities across Lebanon
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], visited Tripoli and Akkar in northern Lebanon, Sidon in the south, and Zahleh and Baalbek in the east to engage with local authorities, communities and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on ways to strengthen security, stability and social cohesion. During the visit, he toured UN-supported initiatives promoting livelihoods and resilience, met with displaced Lebanese and Syrian refugees, and reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to supporting communities across the country. Concluding his tour with a visit to an LAF border regiment, he pledged to continue mobilizing international support to help strengthen State authority.
Women lead reintegration initiatives in La Guajira
On 25 July, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) accompanied We Effect Latin America on a visit to productive initiatives led by the peace signatories' cooperative COOMPAZCOL in Conejo, La Guajira. The visit highlighted how tailoring, agricultural production and community enterprises are supporting sustainable reintegration and local development, with women playing a leading role in strengthening the cooperative's resilience and long-term sustainability.
SRSG Jenča visits Chocó to reinforce support for peace implementation
Between 26 and 27 July, SRSG and Head of the UNVMC Miroslav Jenča visited the department of Chocó, where he met with peace signatories, ethnic representatives, State institutions and civil society to discuss progress and persistent challenges in implementing the Final Peace Agreement. In Quibdó, he highlighted the resilience of a fish farming project led by peace signatories as an example of the potential of reintegration. The SRSG also met with representatives of the Colombian Army, the Ombudsperson's Office, the Catholic Church and the Inter-Ethnic Solidarity Forum of Chocó (FISCH) to discuss the humanitarian situation and security guarantees for communities. He emphasized that "even in complex contexts, progress is possible through perseverance, collective effort and a determined commitment to implementing the Final Peace Agreement."
UN and League of Arab States deepen cooperation on shared priorities
From 27 to 29 July, senior representatives from the United Nations and the League of Arab States (LAS) met in Geneva for the General Cooperation Meeting between the two organizations and their specialized bodies. Co-chaired by Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Khaled Khiari and LAS Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Manzlawiy, the meeting brought together around 40 UN and LAS entities to strengthen collaboration on shared priorities. In his opening remarks, ASG Khiari underscored that cooperation and joint action are "force multipliers" that enable both organizations to deliver greater impact in advancing peace, security and sustainable development.
UNTMIS supports strengthening digital reporting skills in Puntland
From 26 to 28 July, the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) supported a three-day Digital Newsroom Transformation training in Garowe, organized by the Puntland Ministry of Information. The training brought together 25 journalists to strengthen skills in mobile journalism, digital storytelling and multimedia production, while reinforcing ethical reporting, content verification and audience engagement across digital platforms.
UN reports highlight civilian casualties and human rights concerns in Afghanistan
On 28 July, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a series of updates on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. The reports document 499 civilians killed and 1,216 injured in cross-border armed violence between 1 October 2025 and 30 June 2026 and note an increase in casualties caused by unexploded ordnance, and raised concerns regarding women's rights, access to education and UN premises, corporal punishment, media freedom and the enforcement of the hijab requirement in Herat City.
Next Week
Denmark will assume the presidency of the Security Council in August.
