UN Noon Briefing: Iraq, Ukraine Peace Talks, Gaza Crisis, Angola, and More (16 May 2025)

UN Secretary-General's Engagements

• 🌍 The Secretary-General met with the President of Iraq in Baghdad to discuss regional issues and UN-Iraqi cooperation.
• 🤝 He also met with the African Union Commission Chairperson and a Sudanese delegation, emphasizing dialogue for a solution in Sudan and civilian protection.
• 🇪🇬 Discussions with the Foreign Minister of Egypt covered the situations in Gaza and Sudan.
• 🇸🇾 Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will address the Arab League Summit, focusing on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

• 🕊️ The UN welcomes the direct negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, the first in three years.
• 🤝 Discussions included a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange, with the UN noting the roles of Turkiye and the United States.
• 🇺🇦 The UN hopes these talks will lead to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, supporting efforts for a just and sustainable peace.

Deputy Secretary-General's Visit to Angola

• 🇦🇴 Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is in Angola to chair a retreat focused on Sustainable Development Goals and mobilizing investments.
• 🛤️ She visited the Lobito Corridor, highlighting its potential for economic diversification and job creation.
• 🏥 Ms. Mohammed also visited a hospital supporting nutritional response and cholera containment efforts.
• 🕊️ Discussions with Angolan leadership focused on peace and sustainable development, reaffirming support for the 2030 Agenda.

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

• 💔 Intense hostilities in Gaza have caused mass displacement and destruction, with reports of at least 250 deaths in 36 hours, including at least 45 children.
• 🏥 Healthcare facilities, including the European Gaza Hospital, have been rendered out of service, severely limiting vital medical care.
• 🏠 Over 17,000 people have been displaced from northern Gaza, with ongoing displacement in southern areas.
• 🍲 Despite severe constraints, 18 kitchens reopened, preparing 340,000 hot meals by community members sharing food stocks.
• 🚫 Humanitarian partners continue to call for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted and for an immediate ceasefire.

Other Regional Updates

• 🇵🇸 In the West Bank, settler vandalism continues, particularly targeting water infrastructure, while the UN Human Rights Office calls for an end to extrajudicial killings.
• 🇱🇧 UNIFIL peacekeepers faced aggression from individuals in civilian clothing during a routine patrol, with shots fired and damage to vehicles.
• 🇱🇾 The situation in Tripoli remains tense, with demonstrations continuing; the UN urges restraint and respect for peaceful assembly.
• 🇸🇴 In Somalia, the UN is reprioritizing humanitarian response to reach 1.3 million people due to funding cuts.
• 🇾🇪 In Yemen, a critical funding appeal of $1.4 billion is needed to reach 8.8 million people with life-saving activities.
• 🇨🇴 Colombia has seen over 66,000 newly displaced people in the first five months of 2025, with humanitarian response severely curtailed by funding shortfalls.

International Days and Events

• 🕊️ The International Day of Living Together in Peace aims to foster unity in diversity for a sustainable world.
• 💡 The International Day of Light celebrates advancements in light-based technologies.
• 💻 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day highlights the urgency of gender equality in digital transformation.
• 🏔️ The Secretary-General addressed the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue) in Nepal, emphasizing the impact of climate change on vulnerable nations.