United Nations Security Council

Pakistan raised concerns at the UN Security Council about ongoing terrorist group operations in Afghanistan, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State's Khorasan chapter, which it claims use Afghan safe havens to threaten regional security. The remarks coincided with discussions on Kashmir, where Pakistan accused India of 'state terrorism' following the 2019 revocation of the region’s special status.

The U.N. Security Council conducted a straw poll for seven candidates vying to become the next U.N. Secretary-General. While candidates agree on the U.N.'s indispensable role, they differ on addressing its challenges, with Rebeca Grynspan and others emphasizing institutional renewal and leadership, and others focusing on trust and delivery gaps.

Pakistan commemorated Youm-i-Istehsal, marking the 2019 revocation of Kashmir's special autonomy by India. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Kashmiri self-determination, condemning India's 'illegal' actions and calling for a peaceful resolution to the dispute to achieve lasting regional peace.

The US and 10 Asian and European allies warned companies against hiring North Korean IT workers, who use false identities to generate foreign currency for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The alert highlights methods like identity impersonation, cryptocurrency, and AI tools to obscure activities, posing security risks including data theft and sensitive information breaches.

China assumed the role of 'penholder' for the first time in guiding the UN Security Council's renewal of the UNAMA mandate in Afghanistan, marking a shift in Beijing's diplomatic approach. The move reflects China's growing economic and security interests in Afghanistan, despite initial resistance from the US and competition from Pakistan and South Korea.

The White House announced a framework to demilitarize Gaza, requiring Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its military forces. However, Hamas and Israel have conflicting conditions for implementation, with Hamas demanding Israel's withdrawal before disarmament and Israel insisting on Hamas disarming first. The plan, led by Trump officials, aims to transform a 20-point proposal into an actionable roadmap, with estimated implementation taking 200-350 days.

The UN Security Council initiated the selection process for the next Secretary-General with a closed-door straw poll. Antonio Guterres, the current UN chief, is set to complete his term on the final day of 2026, with the new leader starting on January 1, 2027.

The article discusses the resurgence of division talk in Jammu and Kashmir and its potential dangers. It references a 1950 United Nations Security Council report on J&K by Owen Dixon, who was then the Chief Justice of Australia.

The United Nations Security Council will begin straw polls to narrow the field of seven candidates for the next U.N. secretary-general, who will replace António Guterres.

India stated that the UNSC reform process cannot be delayed by divisive interests of a few countries. The 80th IGN session failed to produce any meaningful outcomes or initiatives for implementing reforms, according to UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish.

The U.S. walked out during a United Nations Security Council meeting where France addressed Ukraine, accusing France of 'disingenuous grandstanding' over comments comparing the U.S. to North Korea, Russia, and other authoritarian states on human rights votes.

Pakistan's Foreign Office condemned Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on Kashmir, calling them 'highly provocative and irresponsible' and warning India against underestimating Pakistan's resolve to counter 'adventurism'. Singh asserted there would be 'no talks with Pakistan' and claimed Azad Jammu and Kashmir is 'illegally occupied', prompting Pakistan to accuse India of undermining UN resolutions and regional peace.

Russia’s attacks on civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea have blocked Ukrainian ports, with no vessels entering since the corridor’s 2023 establishment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of targeting global food security, while Maersk halted operations at Chornomorsk Fishing Port, redirecting cargo to Romania’s Constanta Port. Ukraine requested an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to address Russia’s attacks on maritime navigation.

Pakistan rejected India's attempt to 'distort facts' regarding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) at a UN Security Council debate, calling India's unilateral suspension of the treaty 'simply illegal'. India accused Pakistan of state-sponsored terrorism, while Pakistan denied the claims and alleged India's sponsorship of groups like Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army.

The WTO warns that surging demand for critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, and rare earths is driving conflict in resource-rich regions such as Congo and Sudan, where illegal mining fuels violence. However, the organization highlights an opportunity for these nations to leverage their mineral wealth for economic transformation through local processing, strengthened international law, and cooperative strategies to avoid being locked into low-value production.

The WTO warns that rising global demand for critical minerals like lithium and cobalt risks fueling conflict in resource-rich regions, particularly in Africa, but also presents an opportunity for economic transformation if managed through local processing and international cooperation. The UN highlights how mineral exploitation in Congo and Sudan has exacerbated violence, while urging resource-rich nations to leverage their reserves for inclusive growth.

The U.S. government, through envoy Mike Waltz, pledged to crack down on Haitian gangs using social media to fundraise and recruit. Gangs in Haiti use platforms to celebrate violence and post content to attract members, prompting U.S. intervention. The U.N. has also targeted gang leaders like Johnson André, who was banned by YouTube in 2023.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has advanced its first Libya trial over abuses at Mitiga Prison, charging Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri with 17 war crimes and crimes against humanity. El Hishri, a senior official at the prison, is accused of overseeing systematic abuse, including torture and rape, during Libya's post-2011 turmoil. The ICC judges found sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Pakistan's support for the kingdom's security. Saudi Arabia intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Houthis, prompting Pakistan to emphasize regional peace efforts. A Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia pledges mutual defense against attacks.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the international community to support human rights in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir and resolve the dispute per UN Security Council resolutions. They reaffirmed Pakistan's solidarity with Kashmiris seeking self-determination, citing India's occupation forces and 2019 actions as violations of their rights.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz confronted Iran's representative Amir Saeid Iravani during a UN Security Council meeting, accusing Iran of drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. Iran's envoy denied the claims, alleging U.S. and Bahraini disinformation, while Waltz presented images of attack aftermath to challenge Tehran's narrative.

US envoy Mike Waltz warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz during an emergency UN Security Council session. The session was convened at Bahrain's request following Iranian strikes.

On June 27, 1957, Hurricane Audrey struck the Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, resulting in as many as 600 deaths. Other historical events include the 1844 deaths of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, the 1950 UN Security Council resolution supporting South Korea, the 1967 debut of the first ATM by Barclays Bank, and the 2005 guilty plea of BTK serial killer Dennis Rader.

Pakistan and China co-organized an informal United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to discuss ensuring the full and effective implementation of UNSC resolutions. Participants emphasized the need for realistic mandates, clear implementation pathways, and addressing unresolved conflicts such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

India criticized Pakistan for making 'unwarranted' remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during a UNSC Arria-formula meeting. The Indian ambassador stated that Jammu and Kashmir is a matter 'strictly internal' to India.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a Pakistan- and Denmark-sponsored resolution to strengthen accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers, backed by 153 member states. The resolution condemns attacks on peacekeepers, calls for investigations and prosecutions, and emphasizes cooperation to end impunity.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to enhance accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, sponsored by Pakistan and Denmark with over 150 cosponsors. The resolution authorizes the Secretary-General to support investigations and prosecutions of violent acts against peacekeepers, emphasizing that attacks will not be met with impunity.

The UN Security Council approved a resolution to better identify and prosecute those attacking peacekeepers, sponsored by Pakistan, following increased attacks in Palestine and Lebanon. Seven UN peacekeepers were killed by Israel in Lebanon since March 2, and 80 of 136 UN personnel deaths in 2026 were from Unrwa in Gaza.

A UK parliamentary committee was told the UK failed to prevent a massacre in Sudan's el-Fasher due to prioritizing relations with the UAE over civilian safety. Human rights investigator Nathaniel Raymond claimed the UK ignored warnings about UAE-backed paramilitaries committing genocide, despite being uniquely positioned to act as the UN penholder for Sudan.

Ukraine's UN envoy Andrii Melnyk accused Russia of attacking civilians, children, and cultural heritage, citing the strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He defended Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries as legitimate and warned Moscow it would never hold occupied Ukrainian lands.

The United Nations Security Council has raised concerns over a reported build-up of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) troops near El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, warning of a potential ground assault and risk of mass atrocities. The council urged the RSF to halt its offensive against the city.

The United Nations Security Council has urged Sudan's paramilitary RSF to avoid attacking the city of El-Obeid, warning of potential mass atrocities.

The United Nations Security Council has urged the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan to avoid launching an attack on the city of El-Obeid. The warning highlights concerns over potential mass atrocities in the region.

Norway has proposed a bill to ban trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, citing they violate international law and hinder peace. The bill prohibits Norwegian exports, imports, property purchases, and services related to settlements, with violations punishable by law.

France warns that UN sanctions on Iran will not be lifted without its approval, emphasizing the need for major concessions from Iran and addressing its ballistic missile program and support for proxies. The foreign minister stated that French approval, as a UNSC member, is legally required for any sanctions relief, and France, along with Britain and Germany, seeks a role in shaping upcoming nuclear negotiations.

France's foreign minister states that UN sanctions on Iran will not be lifted without France's approval and emphasizes the need for a final accord addressing Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile program, and support for proxies. France, a UN Security Council veto-holder, insists on its role in regional stability discussions.

Iran and the United States signed a preliminary agreement to end hostilities, with Donald Trump signing the memorandum of understanding during a dinner with Emmanuel Macron in Versailles. The deal halts military action, requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and sets a 60-day period to negotiate a final agreement, with the U.S. committing to withdraw military forces and lift sanctions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Haiti amid escalating gang violence that has displaced over 1.5 million people and killed 2,300 this year. A new UN-backed gang-suppression force, approved by the Security Council, will replace an underfunded Kenyan-led mission and include troops from Jamaica, Chad, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that future US-Iran negotiations will be 'more difficult' than the initial stage, noting significant hurdles remain despite recent diplomatic progress. He emphasized the need for the UN Security Council to support talks and highlighted ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East and Gulf region amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

India argues that reforming the UN Security Council would be ineffective if only the non-permanent category is expanded. The discussion centered on the 'Elements Paper', which outlines convergences and divergences among UN member states regarding the reform of the UN body.