UN - UN Affairs

1. Number of aid workers killed in Gaza conflict, highest in UN history: Guterres

   The United Nations paid tribute on Thursday to the 168 staff members who lost their lives in 2024. They include 126 personnel killed in Gaza, all but one of whom served with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA. 

2. United States, Ukraine among new members elected to UN Economic and Social Council

   The General Assembly on Wednesday elected a new slate of members to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the principal body responsible for coordinating the Organization’s work on sustainable development and economic issues.

3. Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

   Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia were elected on Tuesday to serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with two-year terms beginning in January 2026.

4. UN calls for ‘immediate and unconditional’ release of aid workers arbitrarily detained in Yemen

   As June marks one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen, the UN Secretary-General has reiterated his call for their release, urging they be freed “immediately and unconditionally.”

5. Germany’s Annalena Baerbock elected President of the 80th General Assembly

   Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the General Assembly’s 80th session on Monday. Her appointment comes as the regional group that includes Western Europe takes its turn at the helm of the world body.