I thank SOAS and Valerie Amos – leading humanitarian, former colleague and good friend – for bringing us together this evening.

And I also want to thank all of you for being here to talk about one of the most difficult and challenging issues of our time: Combating the global threat of terrorism, without compromising our respect for human rights.

Let me be clear from the outset: nothing justifies terrorism - no cause, no grievance -. 

ROME (8 November 2017) –An innovative debt-swap initiative between the Russian Federation and Mozambique has unlocked a commitment of US$40 million, which will be used by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support the Government of Mozambique to provide school meals for 150,000 children in Mozambique over the next five years.

War is a dirty business.  Smoke plumes from burning oil wells, looted industrial facilities, abandoned munitions and collapsed buildings are among the hallmarks of conflict.

Whether caused by fighting or a breakdown in government control, the damage to the environment has devastating consequences for people’s health and well-being.  It is not a new problem, but is one that can last for decades.  Areas of Europe are still affected by heavy metal contamination from munitions used during the First World War.

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – Thursday 2 November

On 15 October 2017 the Black Sea resort city of Sochi rang in the opening of the 19^th World Festival of Youth and Students. Inspired by the festival slogan “The future of our planet depends on us”, over 24 thousand young people representing 186 countries registered as participants of this historical event.

10 October 2017 (UNV, Sochi, Russian Federation) - Thirty-six UN Volunteers from thirty-two countries are participating in the XIX World Youth and Students Festival (WFYS) commencing on 14 October in Sochi.

UN Volunteers are providing organizational support throughout the festival, giving inspirational talks, and proactively getting the word out about sustainable development.

Mr. Toily Kurbanov, Deputy Executive Coordinator, says “The festival, just like volunteering, is an opportunity for youth from all corners of the world to exchange and innovate.”

On 29 September, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in cooperation with the Ombudsman of the city of Moscow and the Moscow authorities, organized an international round table "Promoting diversity and a discrimination free environment in host cities during and after the FIFA World Cup 2018 - Role of Moscow", in the premises of the Moscow city Duma. 

GENEVA (15 September 2017) – Democracy and self-determination are crucial in preventing national, regional and international conflict, but are under attack from ‘fake news’, incomplete news and political correctness, says Alfred de Zayas, United Nations Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, in a statement to mark International Day of Democracy on 15 September:

Appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Ms. Alison Smale of the United Kingdom became Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications at the UN.

Ms. Smale brings to the post almost 40 years of experience in international journalism in which she has been a reporter, an editor, and a senior leader. Before joining the UN, she served most recently (2013 to 2017) as the Chief of Bureau in Berlin for the New York Times.