From the noon briefing today on the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of more UN personnel.

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/highlight/2025-12-23.html

The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand as a positive step towards alleviating the suffering of civilians, ending current hostilities, and creating an environment conducive to achieving lasting peace. The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation to Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, as well as China and the United States, for their efforts in support of a peaceful resolution of the situation. The United Nations stands ready to support efforts aimed at sustaining peace and stability in the region. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/2025-12-27

Highlights of the UN System for Monday, 29 December 2025: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight

As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act. As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10%. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let’s resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars. Peace must prevail. It’s clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2025-12-29/secretary-generals-new-year-message

A solemn ceremony was held on Monday at @UNISFA_1 headquarters in Abyei to honour the six peacekeepers who lost their lives in drone attacks in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/notes-correspondents/2025-12-15/note-correspondents-the-attack-unisfa-base-kadugli

On Friday, 26 December 2025, heavy machine gunfire from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions south of the Blue Line impacted close to a UNIFIL patrol inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra in southern Lebanon. The gunfire followed a grenade explosion nearby. The blast from the gunfire and the explosion left one United Nations peacekeeper injured. In a separate incident on Friday, another UNIFIL patrol reported machine gunfire from south of the Blue Line in immediate proximity to their position near the village of Kfar Shouba. UNIFIL had informed the Israel Defense Forces about the activities in those areas in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line. In recent days, incidents of restriction of UNIFIL’s movement by local individuals have also taken place in the Mission’s area of operations. Any act that may jeopardize the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers is completely unacceptable. We reiterate our call to all actors to cease activities that risk the wellbeing of peacekeepers and interfere with their mandated activities in support of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. We remind the parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/2025-12-26

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the adoption of amendments to the Law to Cease UNRWA Operations by the Knesset of Israel The Secretary-General condemns the adoption by the Knesset on 29 December 2025 of amendments to the Law to Cease UNRWA Operations. These amendments seek to further impede UNRWA’s ability to operate and carry out its mandated activities. The Law and its amendments are inconsistent with the status and international legal framework applicable to UNRWA and must be immediately repealed. UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations. The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA, its property and assets, and to its officials and other personnel. Property used by UNRWA is inviolable. The Secretary-General recalls Israel’s obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. In its Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025, the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel is under an obligation to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations, including UNRWA, and its personnel, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Secretary-General reiterates his strong support for UNRWA, which plays an indispensable role in serving the Palestinian people – in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. UNRWA’s continued operations in Gaza contribute to the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict on the ground. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/2025-12-31

Highlights of today's noon briefing [22 December 2025]: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?xyz

The Secretary-General has received a phone call from H.E. Nicolas Maduro, the President of the Bolivaria Republic of Venezuela, regarding the current tensions in the region. During the call, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations' position on the need for Member States to respect international law, particularly the United Nations Charter, exert restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/2025-12-17