- Press Releases
In Banjul, Special Representative Simão reaffirms United Nations’s support to The Gambia to consolidate peace and democracy
Dakar, 08 May 2025 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday, a three-day visit to The Gambia. The mission was part of the Special Representative’s continued…
- Press Releases
Special Representative Simão concludes four-day visit to Niger, reaffirms United Nations’ commitment to supporting stability, peace, and development
Dakar, 21 May 2025 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, has concluded a four-day visit to Niger. This visit is part of UNOWAS ongoing commitment to support Niger in its efforts to…
- Press Releases
Special Representative Simão concludes visit to Burkina Faso, expresses solidarity and renews United Nations Support
Dakar, 25 May 2025 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a four-day visit to Burkina Faso. Following his visit to Niger, this trip was also part of UNOWAS ongoing…
- Press Releases
Special Representative Simão Concludes Visit to Guinea, Reaffirms United Nations Commitment to Supporting a Peaceful and Inclusive Transition
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a three-day visit to Conakry, Guinea. The purpose of this visit was to continue discussions with the transitional…
- Press Releases
- News stories
- Statements
Statement by SRSG Simão at the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS
Abuja, 22 June 2025 Your Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government; Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS Member States; Your Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, President of the…
- Press Releases
To the Security Council, Special Representative Simão calls for a collective response to challenges in West Africa and the Sahel
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, presented this Thursday to the United Nations Security Council the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)…
- Press Releases
Young people in West Africa and the Sahel advocate for decent work and equitable access to education in emergencies
Dakar, 28 August 2025 - The fourth edition of the Annual West Africa and Sahel Youth Forum was held in Dakar, from 26 to 28 August 2025, under the theme: "Employment and education in emergencies for young women and men: building a peaceful and safe West Africa and Sahel". Organized by the United…
- Press Releases
At the launch of Liberia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, DSRSG Barrie Freeman reaffirmed the UN’s resolve to support the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda
Dakar, 30 August 2025 - As part of UNOWAS continued engagement, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Ms. Barrie Freeman, concluded today a two-day visit to Liberia to support the launching of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (PAN…
- Press Releases
Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão calls for collective mobilization to strengthen information integrity in West Africa and the Sahel
REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION INTEGRITY IN WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL Dakar, 05 September 2025 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, participated on 5 September in the final stage of the Regional Conference…
- Press Releases
Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão concludes his mission in Côte d’Ivoire, exhorts stakeholders to commit to peaceful elections
Dakar, 25 September 2025 – Ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election scheduled for 25 October 2025, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, has concluded a high-level mission to Côte d’Ivoire. This visit was part…
- Special Coordinator
Michael C Williams
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Michael C. Williams of the United Kingdom as his Special Coordinator for Lebanon in August 2008. Mr. Williams previously served as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and the Secretary-General's…
Michael C Williams
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Michael C. Williams of the United Kingdom as his Special Coordinator for Lebanon in August 2008. Mr. Williams previously served as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and the Secretary-General's…