Each workday, Stephane Dujarric regularly appears before the cameras of journalists to perform his daily task: launching the press briefing with updates on flashpoints, from the war in Gaza and Sudan to climate conferences. But behind his steady tone, the word 'responsibility' he stresses reflects a turbulent world.
Mounting Pressures
The UN is under immense strain as conflicts escalate and major powers increasingly criticize multilateral mechanisms. Dujarric – who has served as spokesperson since 2017 – admits: 'We reflect the truth even when the truth is uncomfortable for anyone.'
Beyond delivering daily news, he plays a key intermediary role in connecting information between the Secretariat and over 190 member states. This places him in a bind between diplomatic demands and the duty of transparent communication.
Numbers Tell the Challenge
According to internal statistics, Dujarric chairs over 240 press briefings each year. In 2025 alone, 70% of reporters' questions directly concerned armed conflict and humanitarian crises. 'There are days when I have to answer the same bad news from three different fronts within 20 minutes,' he says.
A 'Quiet Hero' of the UN
Colleagues describe him as a 'quiet hero' – always remaining calm even when besieged by journalists. He never shows hesitation, even when faced with pointed questions about the UN's effectiveness. 'My job is not to make everyone love the UN, but to provide accurate information so they can judge for themselves.'
