
Secretary-General Appoints Major General Wang Xiaojun of China Force Commander of MINURSO
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Major General Wang Xiaojun of the People’s Republic of China as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western…

Celebrating Women’s Day
On the occasion of International Day of Women, SRSG Madame Kim Bolduc sent a message to all MINURSO staff member. Here is the full text: "Today as we commemorate the International Women’s Day, I wish to share with my…

Deeply Concerned about Increased Tensions in Western Sahara, Secretary-General Urges Unconditional Withdrawal of Armed Elements from Buffer Strip
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the increased tensions in the vicinity of Guerguerat in the Buffer Strip in southern Western Sahara between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border. Armed elements of both…

The Secretary General António Guterres’ address to staff
Dear colleagues, this is indeed a very emotional moment for me. I am humbled and happy to be with all of you here today. Ten years ago, I had the chance to start being a staff member of the UN, and I had the privilege to…
Strong Commitment to Female Empowerment Key to Gender Equality, Secretary-General Says at International Women’s Day Observance Event
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the commemoration of International Women’s Day in Nairobi today: Today, on International Women’s Day, we have thousands of meetings like this one — meetings that…
Secretary-General Announces Launch of Report ‘Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: A New Approach’
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message today on the launch of the report “Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: A New Approach”: One of my most…
Women’s Rights Reduced, Restricted, Reversed, Secretary-General Says in Observance Message, Citing Outdated Attitudes, Entrenched Male Chauvinism
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for International Women’s Day, observed on 8 March: Women’s rights are human rights. But, in these troubled times, as our world becomes more unpredictable and…

Secretary-General Welcomes Withdrawal of Moroccan, Frente Polisario Elements from Western Sahara’s Guerguerat Area, Urging Adherence to Ceasefire
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres: We welcome the withdrawal of all Frente Polisario elements from the Guerguerat area, between the berm and the border with…

MINURSO commemorates the International Day of Peacekeepers
On On 29 May each year, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peacekeepers. The Peacekeepers Day is an opportunity to remember and honor the men and women who have lost their lives while serving the United…

The SRSG chaired the memorial parade for Major Kalil Touré from Guinea
OBITUARY On 1 June 2017, the last farewell in uniform was given to Major Kalil Touré from Guinea with a memorial parade. Major Kalil Touré arrived in MINURSO on 27 May 2016 as a peacekeeper to monitor the ceasefire. During…

Refugees Day
21 June 2017 – Facing a fast-growing refugee crisis, Uganda is set to host in its capital, Kampala, a 'Solidarity Summit' with the support of the United Nations, to rally international support for refugees and host…

The United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peacekeepers
On 29 May each year, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peacekeepers. The Peacekeepers Day is an opportunity to remember and honor the men and women who have lost their lives while serving the United…