When the UN General Assembly opens each September, all UN member states are invited to address the world body. For the past three years, this has not been true for Myanmar. Following the February 2021 military coup, no statement has been delivered on behalf of Myanmar because national leadership remains contested between the military and the people's movement that opposes the military's takeover. Each side claims to represent the people of Myanmar. 

At the end of July, QUNO Programme Assistant Ailih Weeldreyer attended New York Yearly Meeting’s summer sessions. The meeting was held under the theme “Dare to Hope, Dare to Heal, Dare to Witness.” This focus encouraged Friends to reflect on messages of renewal and action to uplift voices silenced by historical and ongoing injustice. Friends in the New York region demonstrated the ways they are living these messages through partnerships in their communities and around the world.  

On 12 August, QUNO NY, in collaboration with Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), hosted a virtual event titled “Discerning the Path Forward – Quaker Engagement in the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent”. The event gathered Friends across the global Quaker family to reflect, worship, and discern how QUNO and Quakers are called to engage with the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD).   

Quakers have a long history of supporting peace and nonviolent solutions. The Quaker commitment to dialogue and diplomatic solutions led to the establishment of Quaker UN offices in Geneva and New York at the inception of the United Nations. Since that time, we’ve partnered with the UN to uphold the dignity and worth of all so that peace can flourish. 

On 15 April, a special Meeting for Worship in recognition of the fourth session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) was held at Quaker House in New York.

The fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) took place from 14 April through 17 April at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. QUNO NY, representing Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), submitted a statement to the Forum’s Secretariat sharing the perspective of Quakers worldwide on the thematic discussion on Systemic Racism and Policymaking: A human rights-based approach.  

QUNO NY Representative Kavita Desai joined a panel discussion entitled “Promise of World Peace: A Coherent Approach to Peace and Security” on February 7th. Hosted by the Bahá’í International Community (BiC) and the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations, the discussion focused on the UN General Assembly Revitalization process that makes recommendations on the functioning of the UN System, such as coordination among UN principal organs, rules of procedure, and accessibility.  

On 12 February 2025, QUNO NY staff attended the annual Civil Society Townhall with the President of the General Assembly. Under the theme “Unity in Diversity for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere,” President of the 79th General Assembly, Philémon Yang of Cameroon, engaged with members of civil society on their role in implementing the Pact for the Future.

On 14 December, QUNO New York Programme Assistants joined faith-based partners in a silent vigil outside the United States Mission to the UN. For over an hour, the group held a quiet presence to bring attention to the ongoing massacres of civilians in Gaza and the escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Each October, shortly after the opening of the year’s General Assembly, the UN observes Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) week. The week includes an open debate in the UN Security Council, which this year was entitled “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment.” QUNO, in partnership with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), hosted a side event to extend this conversation beyond the walls of the UN, welcoming panelists from Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, and Palestine to speak to a full house of civil society and representatives of Member States.