HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 2015

 

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL HEADS TO SAN FRANCISCO TO CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.N. CHARTER

  • The Secretary-General will be in San Francisco tomorrow to take part in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.
  • The main event, which will start at 12 p.m. Pacific Time, will be shown ‘live’ during a special event that will take place in Conference Room 2 at 2:40 p.m. here. 
  • The event in San Francisco, will also feature remarks from the President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, the Governor of California, Edmund G. Brown Jr., the Mayor of San Francisco, Edwin M. Lee, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

A SIMPLE CALL OF ACTION IS NOW A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL AS U.N. GLOBAL COMPACT TURNS 15

  • Speaking at an event marking the 15th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, the Secretary-General said that the initiative, which started as a simple call to action, has now become a global force for good.
  • He added that it has been instrumental not just in reshaping global business practices, but also in opening the UN’s doors to a business community that for too long saw little common ground or shared interest.
  • The Secretary-General also today announced the appointment of Lise Kingo as the next Executive Director of the Global Compact. She will succeed Georg Kell, who retires later this year after over 25 years of service to the UN.
  • The Secretary-General expresses his gratitude for the outgoing Executive Director’s services to the Organization and for his commitment in fostering cooperation between the private sector and the UN. He is particularly appreciative of Mr. Kell’s exemplary leadership in the creation and management of the UN Global Compact since its launch in 2000.
  • Ms. Kingo, who assumes the role on 1 September, will bring a wealth of experience and passion to the Global Compact, coupled with extensive knowledge and understanding of strategic leadership and implementation of corporate sustainability through building partnerships with key stakeholders. She was most recently the Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Management at Novo Nordisk A/S from 2002 to 2014.

FUNDING SHORTAGE CONTINUES TO HAMPER AID EFFORTS IN SYRIA

  • The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that a shortage of funds is hampering humanitarian and development assistance efforts to meet the needs of 3.9 million refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria, as well as more than 20 million people in affected local communities hosting them in neighbouring countries, according to a report released today.
  • Only a little over $1 billion of the $4.5 billion called for in the regional refugee plan has been received as of the end of May, or about 23 percent.
  • The High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, has warned that we are so dangerously low on funding that we risk not being able to meet even the most basic survival needs of millions of people over the coming six months.
  • Already, as a result of the funding shortfall, 1.6 million refugees have had their food assistance reduced this year; 750,000 children are not attending school; and lifesaving health services are becoming too expensive for many, including 70,000 pregnant women at risk of unsafe deliveries.
  • Some 86 per cent of urban refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line, while 45 per cent of refugees in Lebanon live in sub-standard shelters. 

U.N. WELCOMES NEW COMMITMENT IN COTE D’IVOIRE TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE

  • The Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for another year.
  • Also on Cote d’Ivoire, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, welcomed the signed commitment of 47 commanders from the Forces Républicaines de Côte d’Ivoire (FRCI) to fight against sexual violence and ensure respect for international human rights and humanitarian law within all the units under their command.
  • She said this signing was another concrete step by Côte d’Ivoire in consolidating the gains achieved since the end of the conflict and she stressed that the chain of command must be fully engaged to work in ending the involvement of soldiers in sexual violence.

SOMALIA: U.N. ENVOY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON CONVOY FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

  • The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a United Arab Emirates convoy in Mogadishu yesterday that has resulted in some casualties.
  • According to the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the attack was against civilians and international officials providing critical peacebuilding and state building support to Somalia. 

NEPAL: TWO MONTHS ON, PEOPLE AFFECTED BY EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE TO NEED VITAL AID

  • The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that two months after the first of two devastating earthquakes hit Nepal, some 2.8 million of the people affected continue to require vital humanitarian assistance.
  • Despite the needs, only 36 per cent of the $422 million requested for humanitarian assistance has been received so far.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has also called on all partners to work together towards the early recovery and reconstruction of Nepal’s health care systems.
  • The agency warns that the health of people who survived the earthquakes could be at risk if we do not prioritize efforts to rebuild and restore regular health services.

U.N. RIGHTS CHIEF CALLS OPENING OF OFFICE TO MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN D.P.R.K. “A BREAKTHROUGH”

  • In his remarks to the press at the conclusion of his visit to the Republic of Korea, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said that the opening of a field office to work on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a breakthrough that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
  • He stressed that the people of the DPRK are currently facing the consequences of what appears to be the worst drought in living memory, compounded by decades of disastrous agricultural practices and chronic economic mismanagement.
  • To avert the extremely high risk of famine, the Government must engage with its neighbours and with humanitarian agencies. He added that the right to food, to health, and other social and economic rights are just as important as civil and political rights.
  • Mr. Zeid also met with three Korean women who were forced to become “Comfort Women” during World War II. Calling for adequate and universal recognition of their suffering, he said that he firmly believes and hopes that a satisfactory solution could be found. 

U.N. RIGHTS OFFICE CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS OF EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY POLICE DURING PROTESTS IN ARMENIA

  • The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern today at credible reports of excessive use of force by police officers in Armenia, including against journalists, in their handling of protests in Yerevan on 23 June. The Office calls on the authorities to investigate the incidents thoroughly and promptly.
  • The Office welcomes the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, expressing the Government’s commitment “to democracy, fundamental freedoms and protection of human rights in Armenia”.
  • It encourages the Government to ensure that this commitment is translated in the way it responds to these protests, and it also encourages all parties to engage in a constructive dialogue and to refrain from violence.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • In response to a question about civilian casualties in Yemen, the Spokesman said that health facilities report that more than 2,800 people have been killed and 13,000 injured there since violence escalated in March.
  • At least 1,400 civilians have lost their lives, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that as of 16 June, at least 279 children had been killed and 402 injured since the escalation of violence.
  • In response to a question on the new constitutional amendment Sri Lanka, the Spokesman said that amendment, if implemented appropriately, brings renewed hope for democracy and the rule of law.
  • In this regard, it is important that the Government consults broadly with all political parties, civil society, and above all victims and their families, to ensure full national support and ownership of these processes.
  • The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) remains engaged in discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on the need for transparent and inclusive processes to develop credible mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation.
  • On question regarding violence in Malakal, South Sudan, the Spokesman confirmed that the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported violence involving Dinka and Shilluk youths at the Malakal Protection of Civilian sites on Tuesday.
  • Clashes erupted during a violent demonstration by Darfuri traders and Dinka internally displaced people over the planned demolition of unauthorised shops in the new Protection of Civilians extension site.
  • The Mission's formed police unit personnel intervened, using tear gas to disperse the crowds. There were no reported casualties from this incident.

 

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