Press briefing addresses UN representation, member-state actions and accountability questions

During the question-and-answer session, reporters raised several items about UN representation, member-state actions and accountability.

On the Board of Peace, a reporter asked whether the UN would be represented. Steph said Nikolai Mladenov 'does not work for the United Nations' now and that Tom Fletcher had been invited but was unable to attend; she said the UN continues to feed information into Board of Peace discussions through Tom Fletcher and Ramiz Alakharov.

When asked whether the Vatican (the Holy See) had coordinated with the UN after deciding not to participate in the Board of Peace, Steph declined to comment on the Holy See’s choices, saying permanent observers and member states have their own positions.

A reporter asked whether the UN believes Iran’s election as vice chair of the UN Charter Committee is consistent with the Charter. Steph said the election of states to UN bodies is decided by member-state votes and that it is not the secretary-general’s role to condemn an election; she said the SG will call out violations of human rights when warranted.

Kiaota Tanaka asked whether the UN had received formal communications from the United States about withdrawing from certain UN entities including the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Steph said the UN has been in touch with the U.S. but suggested that specific questions about U.S. intentions be directed to U.S. authorities.

On allegations in the Epstein files, a reporter said a UN Rights Council panel suggested evidence may meet the threshold for crimes against humanity. Steph said judicial systems of implicated member states should investigate allegations fully so those responsible are held to account.

The briefing included no decisions on representation or additional UN actions; the spokesperson reiterated institutional boundaries and urged domestic accountability where judicial processes are implicated.