Forging Peace in Syria: Great opportunities, grave risks
As the fighting intensified, the UN never stopped working behind the scenes to bring about a political solution that would deliver dignity, freedom and justice for the Syrian people. Here are some of the key developments where the UN has…
Uprooted Syrians mulling return mustn’t be pushed, says UNHCR
For those forced to flee the country’s 13-year war, “they are considering how safe Syria is to return to, and how far their rights will be respected before they can make an informed, voluntary decision to return home; they must be…
Syria crisis: Nothing must stop peaceful transition, says UN Special Envoy
“Syria is now at a crossroads with great opportunities for us, but also with grave risks. And we need really to look at both,” said Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria. “We know that, of course, HTS is now…
Middle East: Live updates from Syria and the wider region for 9 December
The historic power shift in Syria adds new layers of complexity to the Middle East crisis, with ongoing hostilities in Gaza, violence in the West Bank, and a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. Millions across the region continue to rely on…
Syrians now have ‘historic opportunity’ to build a peaceful future, says Guterres
As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, where opposition forces declared victory overnight on State television, the UN chief said in a statement: The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine. There is…
First Person: Tears of joy as Argentinian city children encounter nature for first time
Ana Di Pangracio works for the civil society organization Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales or FARN which is involved in projects to restore degraded land in Argentina. She spoke to UN News in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she was attending…
UN galvanizes regional migrant and refugee response amid persistent challenges
The Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), co-led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced the 2025-2026 regional response plan to support over…
Children of Sudan show ‘a strength that deserves recognition’
Despite the staggering challenges, he found hope and resilience in their stories. The nearly 19 months of relentless conflict in Sudan has devastated millions, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. Over five million children have been forcibly displaced,…
Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban ban on women attending medical classes
OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described the new directive, which reportedly took effect on Tuesday, as “yet another direct blow” by the de facto authorities against Afghan women and girls. “It is profoundly discriminatory, short-sighted and puts the lives of women…
Guterres calls for ‘serious dialogue’ to end surging violence in Syria
António Guterres held a stakeout outside the Security Council chamber to address the “grave and dramatic developments” that are unfolding. “I just spoke with President Erdoğan of Türkiye to discuss the latest,” he said. “I emphasized the urgent need for…