… The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday on the widening Israeli offensive following its capture of the strategic medieval castle of Beaufort, diplomatic sources told AFP. …
… He called for reform of global peace and security governance, particularly the UN Security Council, saying it is “indefensible” for Africa to lack permanent representation. …
… On peace and security, leaders backed African-led solutions through the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and called for stronger cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 2719. …
… The Secretary General’s advocacy for Africa’s voice in the UN system follows ongoing efforts for the continent to have permanent membership in the UN Security Council. …
… institutions of governance in the world were done without the African presence and the region is paying the huge price for debt,” he said.Guterres renewed calls for reforms to global governance systems, insisting Africa deserves permanent representation at the UN Security Council …
… e took effect on April 8. - 'High alert' - Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Washington was "not looking for a fight" over the waterway, while warning that any more attacks would be met with a "devastating response." Washington and Gulf countries have drafted a UN Security Council …
… Rubio accused Iran of "holding the world's economy hostage" through threats to shipping and the laying of sea mines, and said Washington and Gulf allies had drafted a UN Security Council resolution demanding Tehran halt attacks and disclose the location of mines. …
President Ruto participated in the G7 Summit in France as an agenda-shaping partner and stated that Kenya will benefit from G7-backed financial reforms including guarantees, risk-sharing instruments, and improved debt restructuring frameworks aimed at lowering capital costs for developing countries. Ruto positioned Africa as a partner in global growth and raised concerns over "capital injustice" and outdated perceptions affecting African borrowing costs.
President Ruto participated in the G7 Summit in France as an agenda-shaping partner and stated that Kenya will benefit from G7-backed financial reforms including guarantees, risk-sharing instruments, and improved debt restructuring frameworks aimed at lowering capital costs for developing countries. Ruto positioned Africa as a partner in global growth and raised concerns over "capital injustice" and outdated perceptions affecting African borrowing costs.
President William Ruto told Group of Seven leaders at a summit in France on June 16 that Africa must be treated as an equal partner in global affairs, not a problem to be solved or recipient of charity. Ruto called for UN Security Council reform to ensure Africa's voice, saying extraction and aid-dependent relationships are no longer acceptable.
Gang violence has killed at least 2,300 people in Haiti this year, with 1,100 injured and 99 kidnapped, the UN said Monday. The UN human rights chief urged authorities to tackle impunity and accelerate deployment of the new Gang Suppression Force to address the crisis.
Guyana has nominated its UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett to run for UN secretary-general, a post that will be vacant at the end of the year when incumbent Antonio Guterres completes two terms. President Irfaan Ali highlighted Rodrigues-Burkett's leadership during Guyana's recent non-permanent Security Council membership.
Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador are running to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN secretary-general at the end of the year. All three candidates argued during a Geneva debate that it is time for a woman to lead the UN for the first time in its 80-year history.
China's UN envoy urged the Security Council to exercise prudence on the Iranian nuclear issue amid disagreement over sanctions, stressing Iran's legitimate right to peaceful nuclear use alongside non-proliferation concerns. Eight countries led by France called for full implementation of recently reimposed sanctions, noting Iran possesses highly enriched uranium at levels where manufacturing a nuclear device cannot be excluded.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, stated that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme is "absolutely non-negotiable" in a statement published by state media, ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement reiterates Pyongyang's longstanding insistence on its right to nuclear and ballistic missile programmes despite UN Security Council sanctions.
The 35th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened in Vienna, with officials calling for stronger international cooperation and more agile criminal justice systems to address complex security threats including organized crime, corruption, cybercrime, and terrorism.
Israel and Hezbollah clashed overnight despite a US-announced agreement to halt fighting ahead of US-hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon. Israel's deepening offensive in Lebanon, including heavy bombardment and ground invasion, has threatened to undermine a wider Middle East ceasefire involving the United States and Iran.
Israel said Monday it would target Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, as it stages its deepest incursion into Lebanon in two decades, citing repeated ceasefire violations. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Israel's expanded operations in Lebanon, while the EU called for a halt to military escalation.
The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes on Monday as negotiations to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz remained deadlocked over disagreements on Iranian nuclear efforts and fighting in Lebanon. The US military carried out "self-defense strikes" on Iranian radar and drone control sites in response to a downed US drone, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a US military air base in retaliation.
President William Ruto has sustained his push for a permanent seat for Africa at the UN Security Council, describing it as a make-or-break decision for the global body.
Armed gangs swept through neighbourhoods north of Haiti's capital, forcing more than 5,000 people to leave their homes since Sunday, according to the International Organization for Migration. Homes were looted and set on fire, shops and schools were vandalised, and medical workers reported an unprecedented spike in gunshot victims.
World leaders are renewing discussions about giving Africa greater representation in global governance, particularly in institutions shaping finance, security, trade and diplomacy. The continent argues that current global systems, built after World War II, do not reflect modern realities and continue to disadvantage developing economies.
President Ruto opened the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi alongside French President Macron, calling for Africa's development to move away from dependency and unsustainable borrowing towards domestic resource mobilization. He cited Kenya's affordable housing financing model and urged stronger cooperation grounded in sovereign equality and mutual respect rather than hierarchy.
African leaders and French representatives adopted the Africa Forward 2026 Summit Declaration in Nairobi, outlining a partnership agenda focused on peace, agriculture, health, energy, digital transformation, and economic growth based on mutual respect and co-development. The declaration emphasizes African-led security solutions, agricultural transformation, UN Security Council reform, and cooperation on climate-smart practices and terrorism prevention.
President William Ruto and UN Secretary-General António Guterres broke ground for the expansion and modernisation of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, which Ruto said will position Nairobi as a premium hub for conferences and exhibitions. Kenya is investing $1.1 billion in support of Nairobi's infrastructure upgrade, including roads, street lighting, river regeneration, and ICT systems.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed his push for fair representation of African countries in the multilateral system, arguing that Africa has demonstrated potential in clean energy, digital innovation, peacebuilding, and economic transformation, but is held back by global obstacles including unjust borrowing costs and debt burdens.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in Nairobi at the Africa Forward Summit 2026, criticized the global financial system for disadvantaging African countries, noting that African nations pay more than three times more than developed countries to obtain loans and are excluded from major global decision-making institutions. He called for reforms including permanent African representation on the UN Security Council and a stronger voice in global financial institutions.
US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday with resumed bombing at increased intensity if it does not agree to a peace deal, after halting his "Project Freedom" campaign in the Strait of Hormuz with hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations.
President Trump announced the US will pause its operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Rubio said the US has completed offensive operations against Iran while reserving the right to respond to further attacks on shipping.
The fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, scheduled for May 31 in New Delhi after a nine-year delay since 2015, aims to reset bilateral engagement in trade, energy and development partnerships. Africa is the largest recipient of India's overseas development assistance, with over $10 billion extended through Lines of Credit across 41 countries.