Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The Council met on a Letter dated 6 December 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. "We are at a breaking point," said  the Secretary-General, and continued: "There is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences. We anticipate that it would result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt. I fear the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region." The Letter invokes Article 99 of the UN Charter and calls on the Security Council to act on the situation in Gaza. “More than eight weeks of hostilities in Gaza and Israel have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the letter states. Under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations the Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.Eleanor Roosevelt. [Exact date unknown]José de la Gasca, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of December, chairs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia. The Council unanimously adopted resolution 2714 (2023) lifting the previous arms embargo on Somalia.Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, entertains UNESCO visitors on the grounds of her home in Hyde Park, New York. [July 1948]José de la Gasca (front right), Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of December, speaks with Sérgio França Danese (front left), Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, ahead of the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa.Secretary-General António Guterres (seated at third from right) on his way to the Base General Bernardo O'Higgins in Antarctica. The Secretary-General is visiting Antarctica to see the deadly impact of the climate crisis. While in Antarctica the Secretary-General saw the Collins and Nelson Glaciers, as well as the Kopaitic Island, which is home to penguins and other species which are being impacted by climate change.Security Council votes on a draft resolution on the situation in the Middle East put forth by the United Arab Emirates. The resolution took note of and acted upon the letter dated 6 December 2023 of the Secretary-General, under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations. The resolution expressed grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population; and emphasized that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. The resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution received 13 votes in favour, one against (United States) and one abstention (United Kingdom). The resolution was not adopted due to the veto by one of the Permanent Members of the Security Council (United States). A view of council members voting in favour of the resolution.A woman of Soweto, a black township some ten miles away from Johannesburg. All urban blacks are required by law to live in "township" well away from the "white" town and cities that are dependent on their labour.A view of participants during the high-level pledging event on the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2024. The event aims to mobilize financial resources to ensure the CERF is well-placed to effectively provide time-critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance in response to the exponentially growing humanitarian needs.Riyad Mansour (at microphone), Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, briefs reporters on recent developments in Gaza together with Permanent Representatives of the Arab Group.Secretary-General António Guterres visits Antarctica to see the deadly impact of the climate crisis. While in Antarctica the Secretary-General saw the Collins and Nelson Glaciers, as well as the Kopaitic Island, which is home to penguins and other species which are being impacted by climate change.Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt of the United States holding a Declaration of Human Rights poster in Spanish. [Exact date unknown]A view of the Japanese Peace Bell Garden with the trees in Autumn colors. The Peace Bell is a gift to the United Nations by the UN Association of Japan.A view of penguins at the Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva in Antarctica. The penguins are currently laying and incubating their eggs. Secretary-General António Guterres visited Antarctica to see the deadly impact of the climate crisis. While in Antarctica the Secretary-General saw the Collins and Nelson Glaciers, as well as the Kopaitic Island, which is home to penguins and other species which are being impacted by climate change.Angeli Achrekar, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, briefs reporters on the World AIDS Day report, entitled: “Let Communities Lead”. World AIDS Day is observed 1 December.Ahmad Faisal Muhamad (second from left), Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations and Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, chairs the special meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (29 November). At left is Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and at second from right is Dennis Francis, President of the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly. The event was organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.The UN family of organizations is often called upon to help in times of disaster - natural and man-made. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides legal protection and material assistance to refugees. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) helps the victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 1972 a UN Disaster Relief Office was established headed by a Disaster Relief Coordinator. The tasks of the new office include directing international relief efforts in cases of natural and other disasters, promoting the prevention and prediction of natural disasters, providing advice to Governments on pre-disaster planning, and disseminating information relevant to disaster relief. Members of a Palestine Refugee family at the Baqa's camp near Amman, East Jordan. [1977]Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with Daniel Noboa Azin, Constitutional President of the Republic of Ecuador and President of the Security Council for the Month of December.Sing for Hope performs during the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November).A concert in honour of the 22nd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held at United Nations Headquarters tonight. Artists who performed in the concert were: The Bartok Quartet: Peter Komlos, first violin; Sandor Devich, second violin; Geza Nemeth, viola; and Karoly Botvay, cello. They performed works by Bartok and Haydn. Pianist Malinee Peris (Ceylon) performed works of Chopin and Ravel. The Preamble to the Declaration of Human Rights was read by Joan Fontaine and a selection of his compositions was performed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra. Edvard Hambro (Norway), President of the 25th session of the General Assembly, made a statement. Duke Ellington chatting with (l. to r.) Secretary-General U Thant. Edvard Hambro (Norway), President of the General Assembly; and Ralph J. Bunche, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs.

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