Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 16, 2026 UN
The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the UN Secretary-General's visit to Brussels, the shelling of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, the delivery of humanitarian aid to frontline areas of Ukraine, and the extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Afghanistan.
The UN Secretary-General's visit to Brussels
The UN Secretary-General will arrive in Belgium on Tuesday for an informal discussion with members of the European Council. The visit will be part of a series of meetings focusing on the state of international relations, cooperation between the UN and the European Union, and prospects for strengthening multilateralism. The Secretary-General will hold separate bilateral meetings with European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. During the talks, the parties are expected to exchange assessments of the current global situation and discuss the role of the EU and the UN in responding to international crises.
UN peacekeepers attacked in Lebanon
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on MondayOn March 15, peacekeeper patrols came under fire three times in the south of the country. Two patrols returned fire in self-defense and then resumed their mission. There were no casualties among the peacekeepers. The mission emphasized that the presence of weapons outside state control in its area of operations violates Security Council Resolution 1701, and attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute a war crime.
Delivery of humanitarian aid to frontline areas of Ukraine
UN humanitarian agencies in Kyiv report that numerous civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure have been recorded following a series of overnight and early morning drone and missile strikes in Ukraine over the weekend. National and international non-governmental organizations, the Ukrainian Red Cross, and UN agencies are working on the ground. They are providing first aid, psychological support, legal counseling, repair materials, and financial assistance to victims. On Friday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, together with partners, dispatched two humanitarian convoys to frontline areas. Electric generators, solar lamps, ready-to-eat food, feminine hygiene kits, blankets, and diapers were delivered to the Kupyansk area in the Kharkiv region and to Kherson.
Extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Afghanistan
On Monday, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for another three months. The decision was made amid growing humanitarian and human rights challenges in the country. The UN Secretariat emphasized that the Organization remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan through "principled and pragmatic engagement" within the political mission. The Secretary-General reiterated his call on the country's de facto authorities to lift restrictions imposed on women and girls. António Guterres also welcomed the Security Council's call to restore access for female UN staff to the Organization's premises in Afghanistan.
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