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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
UN
HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Monday,
December 1, 2008
ON WORLD AIDS
DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF UNAIDS
Today is World AIDS Day. To mark the occasion,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the
appointment of Michel Sidibé of Mali as the next Executive Director of
the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, known as UNAIDS. Mr. Sidibé will take up
his new position on 1 January 2009.
Speaking in Doha earlier today, the Secretary-General
made that announcement and
said AIDS continues to be one of the most devastating epidemics in
history. He noted that people are still being infected with HIV faster than
we can treat them.
He added that, as we commemorate this year the sixtieth
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is indeed
shocking that people living with HIV are still denied entry, stay and
residence rights in certain countries. The Secretary-General said he will
work hard to eliminate such travel bans with the concerned national leaders.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi
Pillay
said that marginalization of and hostility against sexual minorities,
sex workers, injecting drug users, prisoners and other vulnerable groups all
combine to drive them underground and away from HIV services. Like all
people, these groups are entitled to the right to health, she said.
UNAIDS, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the UN Population Fund released a new
report today. It says that early diagnosis and treatment can
significantly improve the prospects for survival of newborn babies exposed
to HIV. "Today, no infant should have to die of AIDS," said WHO
Director-General Margaret Chan.
OPENING
DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, BAN KI-MOON STRESSES NEED TO BUILD LINKS BETWEEN ALL
NATIONS
The Secretary-General on Saturday
opened the Conference for Financing for Development in Doha, Qatar,
which he started by reaffirming international solidarity with the government
and people of India, as they mourn the victims of the outrageous terrorist
attacks in Mumbai.
He told the leaders gathered for the Conference that,
without exaggeration, we can say that the well-being of our people and the
health of our societies — even the future of our planet — depend on what we
do in the weeks to come. To promote needed coordination, we need to build a
bridge between the G-20 and the rest of the world — the entire community of
nations, he said.
The Secretary-General yesterday spoke at several side
events held in Doha. He told a high-level
event on food that volatile food prices are a cause of suffering, but
they are also a symptom that the global food system is in crisis. He urged
funding for food assistance, cash transfers and safety nets.
Speaking at a
side event on education, the Secretary-General stressed that the impact
of the world’s financial crisis on development gains in education made since
2000 is a major concern for all countries and all citizens. The Millennium
Development Goals cannot be achieved without education, he said.
And he told a high-level event on debt that there has
been good progress in providing relief to the Heavily Indebted Poor
Countries. Now, he added, we need to do more to relieve the debt of other
States that are climbing the development ladder.
The Secretary-General held a number of bilateral
meetings in Doha on financial and regional issues. Those meetings included
bilateral discussions with President Idriss Deby of Chad; President Francois
Bozize of the Central African Republic; Jean Ping, chairman of the African
Union Commission, and the AU-UN Joint Mediator for Darfur, Djibril Bassole.
Asked whether the
Secretary-General had met in Doha with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe,
the Spokeswoman confirmed that they had a one-on-one meeting about which
they had agreed not to disclose specific details. She noted that the meeting
included discussion of humanitarian and power-sharing issues, and that the
Secretary-General had raised concerns expressed in his earlier
statement on
Zimbabwe.
She noted, in response to a
further question, that the Secretary-General had not met with President Omar
al-Bashir of Sudan while both were in Doha.
WORLD ECONOMIC REPORT PREDICTS STEEP
DOWNTURN AND FALLING INCOMES
Today in Doha, the Department of Economic and Social
Affairs released the “Global Outlook” chapter of its 2009 World Economic
Situation and Prospects
report, which finds that world per capita income is expected to decline
next year, amid a calamitous and global economic downturn that will last
into 2009 and likely beyond.
If the current credit squeeze isn’t addressed in the
coming months, developed countries could enter into a deep recession in
2009, dragging down growth in developing countries to levels that threaten
poverty reduction efforts and political stability, according to the report.
It calls for massive and better-coordinated economic
stimulus packages, as well as stronger regulation of financial systems and
other reforms.
LEBANON TRIBUNAL WILL BE OPERATIONAL BY
MARCH
The Secretary-General yesterday met in Doha with
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, and he announced afterward that the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon is fully on track to commence functioning on 1
March 2009.
He added that he and Prime Minister Siniora agreed that
the launch of the Special Tribunal will be a significant step towards the
end of impunity and hoped that the Security Council will endorse the plan.
The Secretary-General added that there will now be a
build-up in momentum, with a coordinated transition starting on 1 January
2009, during which the staff of the International Independent Investigation
Commission (IIIC) in Beirut will gradually transfer to The Hague. This will
be carried out in a manner that ensures that there is no interruption to the
Commission’s investigation.
In his
third report on the preparations for the Special Tribunal, the
Secretary-General says that all practical arrangements will be in place for
the Prosecutor to arrive on 1 March.
MUMBAI ATTACKS: BAN KI-MOON CALLS FOR
FULL COOPERATION WITH INVESTIGATION
Asked whether the Secretary-General would
seek to intervene to prevent any deterioration between India and Pakistan
following the Mumbai attacks, the Spokeswoman noted that the
Secretary-General was among the first to express his strong condemnation of
these attacks, as well as his sympathy and solidarity with the Government
and people of India.
That solidarity extends also to other
nations who lost citizens in these heinous attacks, she said.
The Secretary-General, Okabe said,
reiterates his strong condemnation today.
He also joins in the call by Indian
authorities for full cooperation by all concerned, both inside and outside
the country, with their investigation.
U.N. CLIMATE CHANGE TALKS GET UNDERWAY IN
POLAND
The latest round of UN-backed climate change
negotiations got
underway in Poznan, Poland, today.
During the two-week session, negotiators are discussing
the first draft of a document that could serve as the basis for a new global
climate change deal, to be reached by the end of next year.
At today’s opening session, U.N. Framework Convention
Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said the current meeting also needs to
achieve progress on issues which are important in the short run, such as
adaptation, finance, technology and reducing emissions from deforestation
and forest degradation.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chairman
Rajendra Pachauri
told the Conference that he sensed that climate change was “still seen
as distant and undefined”. He stressed that there was a wealth of
scientific information to serve as a basis for action. He said emissions
must start declining by 2015 if the world is to embark on a course that will
limit climate change.
The Secretary-General will be attending the
negotiations next week.
U.N. HUMANITARIAN AGENCY SUSPENDS CASH
DISTRIBUTIONS IN GAZA
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA)
reports that it is still unable to get shekel bank notes into Gaza’s banks.
As a result, the Agency’s distributions of cash to some
94,000 of the poorest people in Gaza remain suspended.
UNRWA adds that its school feeding program for 200,000
children requires 200,000 shekels per day. Schools are currently operating
on credit with vendors, but are sounding the alarm bells that they will be
forced to stop shortly if they do not receive the cash.
ENVOYS COMPLETE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS IN
REGION TO END CRISIS IN D.R. CONGO
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo Olusegun Obasanjo and Co-Facilitator former
Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa have completed their second round of
consultations in the region beginning late last week.
On Thursday, the Mr. Obasanjo met with President Denis
Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo
.
On Friday, the Co-Facilitators consulted with President
Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as with the
Foreign Minister of that country.
On Saturday they met with the Head of the National
Congress in Defense of the People (CNDP), Laurent Nkunda.
The Special Envoy intends to remain closely engaged
with the principals and other actors in the region.
He looks forward to the holding of a second regional
summit of Heads of State, tentatively scheduled for mid-December 2008.
DRC: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL EXPRESSES
CONCERN AT DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION
The Human Rights Council’s eighth special session,
which focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
wrapped up today in Geneva. In its resolution, which it adopted by
consensus, it expressed serious concern at the deteriorating human rights
and humanitarian situation in North Kivu, and it called for the immediate
end to all human rights violations there.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Council’s Universal
Periodic Review Working Group began its third session this morning in
Geneva. The Universal Periodic Review was created by the General Assembly in
2006. It involves evaluating the human rights records of all 192 UN Member
States once every four years.
This morning, the Working Group reviewed the
fulfillment of human rights obligations by Botswana. In the afternoon, it
took up the Bahamas.
U.N.
HUMANITARIAN CHIEF STRESSES NEED FOR PROTECTION OF SUDANESE CIVILIANS
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John
Holmes has
concluded his six-day visit to Sudan by reiterating the importance of
the protection of civilians and urging improved cooperation with the
Government of Sudan in facilitating humanitarian assistance in Darfur and
elsewhere in Sudan.
Holmes said: “What we need above all in Darfur is a
comprehensive ceasefire, followed by a rapid peace settlement. But as long
as we don’t have peace so that people can return home, the humanitarian
response will be needed.
He added, “The key issue remains protection on all
levels; protection of civilians, particularly women and children, safety and
security for aid workers and respect for the fundamental principles of
humanitarianism to enable us to continue assisting those affected by
conflict and natural disaster.”
He also emphasized the challenging security environment
which Darfur poses for aid workers trying to deliver vital assistance for
4.7 million conflict affected people.
So far this year, there have been 11 killed; 261
vehicles hijacked; 172 assaults on premises; 35 ambushes/lootings of
convoys; 189 staff abducted; 28 wounded; and 25 relocations.
During his visit, Holmes was also updated on the
enormous challenges facing the south. He urged donors to continue their
funding to confront critical humanitarian and recovery issues, particularly
in the health sector, and encouraged the Government of Southern Sudan to
step up efforts to provide basic services and develop key sectors such as
`agriculture.
The UN Mine Action Office, meanwhile, reports that it
has successfully completed a series of workshops to jointly develop a
transition framework and a plan to transfer the ownership of the Sudan Mine
Action Programme to the National Mine Action Centre based in Khartoum, and
the South Sudan Demining Commission (SSDC) based in Juba.
ATTACKS ON WORKERS IN IRAQ AND
AFGHANISTAN CONDEMNED
On Saturday morning, a rocket hit near a UN compound in
the International Zone in the
Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Two people were killed and 15 others were
injured among staff of a catering company supporting the UN facilities. In a
statement, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack and
expressed his condolences to the families of victims and his hopes for a
speedy recovery to the injured catering staff.
Meanwhile, in
Afghanistan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Kai Eide,
yesterday said that an Afghan woman who worked on a contract for the UN
Refugee Agency was shot dead in the eastern province of Nangarhar last week;
he condemned her murder and called for a thorough investigation.
U.N. ENVOY VISITS NEPAL TO ASSESS IMPACT
OF CONFLICT ON CHILDREN
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for
Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, is visiting Nepal from
today until 6 December to assess firsthand the impact of the conflict on
children.
During the six-day visit, the Special Representative
will pay particular attention to the issue of the release and the
reintegration of former child soldiers as well as the current use of
children by armed groups and their participation in political violence.
In line with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, she
will advocate for the immediate release of the 2,973 Maoist Army elements
disqualified as minors remaining in Maoist cantonments.
Also during the visit, Coomaraswamy is set to meet with
the Government and other relevant stakeholders as well as meet with the UN
country team, members of civil society and children affected by conflict in
an effort to ensure greater protection for children.
The Special Representative will follow-up on the
recommendations of the Security Council on the situation of children in
Nepal.
BAN KI-MOON LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION
Asked about the Secretary-General’s
reaction to the announcement of the incoming US foreign policy team by
President-elect Barack Obama, the Spokeswoman said that the
Secretary-General had already spoken with the President-elect on 19 November
and said that he looks forward to working with the new U.S. administration.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
CROATIA ASSUMES SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENCY: With
the start of a new month, Croatia has taken over the rotating Presidency of the
Security Council. Ambassador Neven Jurica of Croatia is holding bilateral
talks with other Council members today on the programme of work for December,
and the Council is expected to hold consultations on that programme tomorrow.
U.N. LAUNCHES HUMANITARIAN APPEAL FOR
KYRGYZSTAN: The United Nations, in consultation with the Government of
Kyrgyzstan and other humanitarian partners, has
issued a Humanitarian Flash Appeal for $20 million in response to
significant energy shortages at the start of Kyrgyzstan’s tough winter season.
The appeal will ensure energy and power for critical facilities and meet the
basic needs of the 800,000 most vulnerable people in the country. If fully
funded, the appeal will support 580,000 food insecure people in their
nutritional needs; 210,000 people in their basic shelter needs; provide backup
power systems to 336 priority healthcare institutions and; ensure that 2 million
residents of the three largest cities have uninterrupted water supply over the
winter.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TRAVEL TO TURIN: The
Deputy Secretary-General will travel tomorrow to Turin, Italy, to chair the
Ninth Session of the United Nations System Staff College Board of Governors on 4
December. While in Turin, she will meet with the Mayor on 3 December. During
that meeting, she will emphasize the UN's gratitude for the support the city has
given to the Staff College. She will return to New York on 5 December.
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