| Calendar |
December 5
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed
Security Council adopts a resolution on peace and security in Africa
The Seventh Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention begins in Geneva through December 22.
December 6
Secretary-General arrives in Durban, South Africa, where he will take part in the opening of the High-Level segment of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-17).
Security Council receives a briefing and holds consultations on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
December 7
International Civil Aviation Day is observed
Security Council holds a meeting of troop-contributing countries on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), UN Office in Burundi (BNUB) and holds a debate on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
December 8
Security Council is briefed and holds consultations on the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).
December 9
International Anti-Corruption Day is observed
Security Council holds consultations on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and on Liberia sanctions.
An event titled, "Social Media and Human Rights" is held in Geneva. It will be moderated by Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. The President of the Human Rights Council, Laura Dupuy Lasserre, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, will also take part.
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Watch live coverage of many of the events listed above at www.un.org/webcast
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December 5, 2011, Bonn, Germany - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) is pictured at the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn, Germany, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (front, center); Hamid Karzai (front, left), President of Afghanistan; and William Hague (second row, between Mr. Ban and Ms. Merkel), Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom. UN Photo/Mark Garten
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Challenges are many but Afghanistan's partners will stay the course, says Secretary-General
The challenges ahead as Afghanistan seeks to consolidate peace and development are large but the international community will not be deterred in its support for the country's efforts, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged on December 5 at an international conference in Bonn.
 "Success requires effective engagement from us all, now and for the long-term," Mr. Ban told the meeting, which brought leaders from over 100 countries and international organizations back to the German city where they charted a path for a post-Taliban Afghanistan some 10 years ago.
"Over the past decade, our unity and resolve have been tested. And yet, we have persevered, together, on behalf of the Afghan people," he stated. "That road that started in Bonn brings us back once again."
The Secretary-General noted that President Hamid Karzai's chairmanship of the conference demonstrates the authorities' willingness to own the processes that will shape their future.
"At the same time, we know that the cycle of suffering has not been broken," he said. "I am deeply concerned that violence remains a constant factor in the daily life of the Afghan people. It is hard to build when violence hijacks the reconstruction and development agenda."
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Libya: Security Council extends mandate of UN support mission The Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations mission in Libya until the middle of March next year, and expanded its tasks to include assisting the North African country's transitional government in its efforts to address the threat of arms proliferation.  | |
December 2, 2011, United Nations, New York - Vitaly I. Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN and President of the Security Council for December, chairs a meeting of the Council at which Members unanimously adopted resolution 2022 (2011), extending the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until March 16, 2012. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
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The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) was established by the Council in September for an initiative period of three months. In a December 2 unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body extended the mandate until March 16, 2012. The mission's initial mandate was to support the National Transitional Council in its reconstruction efforts after the end of the conflict, including restoring the rule of law, drafting a new constitution, promoting reconciliation and preparing for elections. The Council decided in the resolution that "the mandate of UNSMIL shall in addition include, in coordination and consultation with the transitional government of Libya, assisting and supporting Libyan national efforts to address the threats of proliferation of all arms and related materiel of all types, in particular man-portable surface-to-air missiles." Read more
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ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Sudanese minister for Darfur crimes
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested an arrest warrant against Sudanese Defense Minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur.  According to a news release issued by the court on December 2, the evidence led the prosecutor to conclude that Mr. Hussein is one of those who bears the greatest criminal responsibility for the same crimes and incidents presented in previous warrants of arrest for government minister Ahmed Harun and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, both of whom have been indicted by the court.
The alleged crimes that Mr. Hussein is allegedly responsible for were perpetrated during attacks on the towns and villages of Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar and Arawala in the Wadi Salih and Mukjar localities of West Darfur from August 2003 to March 2004. The attacks followed a common pattern: Sudanese government forces surrounded the villages, the Air Force dropped bombs indiscriminately and foot soldiers, including militia or Janjaweed, killed, raped and looted the entire village, forcing the displacement of four million inhabitants. Currently, 2.5 million people remain internally displaced. Read more
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DR Congo: Security Council welcomes holding of elections, urges calm
The Security Council has congratulated the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for turning up in large numbers to cast their ballots in this week's presidential and legislative elections, calling it a demonstration of their commitment to democracy.
 In a press statement on December 2, the Council reminded all political leaders and candidates that they are responsible for ensuring a fair and peaceful electoral process.
Members of the Council urged candidates to exercise restraint as they await the results of Monday's elections, stressing that any disputes must be resolved peacefully through the established legal and mediation mechanisms, including the National Mediation Committee.
The 15-member UN body stressed the need for "thorough, credible, impartial and transparent investigation into such acts of violence, in order to bring to justice those responsible." They also underlined the need to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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On World AIDS Day, UN officials say end to epidemic is within reach
As the world heads into the fourth decade of AIDS, it is finally in a position to end the epidemic, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, leading a chorus of United Nations officials in calling for the political will, investments and determination to reach this goal.  "Momentum is on our side. Let us use it to end AIDS - once and for all," Mr. Ban said in his message for World AIDS Day, observed on December 1.
"The progress we have made so far is proof that we can realize our vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths," he added. The number of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 20 percent since 1997, Mr. Ban noted. New infections are continuing to decline in most parts of the world. In addition, treatment has averted 2.5 million AIDS-related deaths since 1985, saving 700,000 lives last year alone. "But, to end AIDS, we need to deliver even greater results," stressed the Secretary-General. "We must build on the political commitments, investments, energy, activism and determination that have brought us to this turning point." Read more
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Week in Pictures
Geneva Rights Council Condemns Abuses in Syria
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December 2, 2011, Geneva, Switzerland - Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe (center), Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), speaks with reporters outside the Geneva-based Human Rights Council during its special session on Syria. The Council overwhelmingly voted to adopt a resolution condemning Syrian authorities' "gross and systematic" violations of human rights during their months-long crackdown on protesters - with a vote count of 37 in favor, 4 against, and 6 abstentions. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
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______________________________________________ South Sudan Celebrates World AIDS Day | |
December 1, 2011, Juba, South Sudan - A bird's eye view of celebrations for World AIDS Day, including the participation of staff members of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). UN Photo/Isaac Billy
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