Noon briefing of 16 January 2026

  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,

DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 16 JANUARY 2026

SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS  

The Secretary-General arrived in London earlier today in advance of his participation of the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the General Assembly in London in 1946.  

Today, the Secretary-General just met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued support to multilateralism. They discussed the war in Ukraine. Among other topics, they discussed Sudan and UN reform.   

Earlier today, the Secretary-General met with Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London. They discussed the role of cities in dealing with climate change.  

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the UNA-UK conference, entitled, “UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future”. This will take place at Methodist Central Hall in London, where the first meeting of the General Assembly took place in 1946.   

In his remarks the Secretary-General is expected to say that as we wish to make the world fairer, it is critical that the international system reflects today’s reality, including the drive to update the Security Council and to reform the unjust and unfair international financial architecture. He will say that at a time when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, the world needs civil society movements everywhere that are fearless and persistent and that make it impossible for leaders to look away.  

BBNJ  

Tomorrow, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement, will enter into force, after receiving the necessary ratifications from Member States.  

In a video message, the Secretary-General will say that the day marks a watershed moment for the ocean. He will say that this is a historic achievement – for people and planet; for international cooperation and the United Nations.  

This treaty establishes the first legal framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean that lie beyond national borders.   

The Secretary-General will commend the Parties to the Agreement and will urge all States to join.  

GAZA  

In a statement we issued yesterday, we said that the announcement on 14 January of the launch of Phase Two of President Trump's 20-point plan -- including the establishment of a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza and of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza -- is an important step.  

Any initiative that contributes to alleviating the suffering of civilians, supporting recovery and reconstruction, and advancing a credible political horizon is a positive development.  

The Secretary-General recalls Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and underscores that all efforts must be guided by relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.  

UNRWA  

In a statement we issued yesterday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the Israeli authorities’ unlawful entry on 12 January 2026 into a United Nations property in occupied East Jerusalem, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Jerusalem Health Centre, and the order of its temporary closure.   

The Secretary-General is also deeply concerned that UNRWA has been informed that utility providers will soon cease supplying electricity and water services to multiple UNRWA facilities in occupied East Jerusalem.    

The Secretary-General deeply regrets that the Israeli authorities have continued to take further action inconsistent with its obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.    

The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel to immediately take steps to return and restore the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound and the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and to ensure that essential utilities to UNRWA premises are maintained. 

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY  

Turning to the Gaza Strip, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that ten additional temporary learning sites in the Gaza Governorate have been renovated so far this month. Overall, more than 440 spaces are now operational, serving about 270,000 students with the help of more than 6,300 teachers.   

We again call for the lifting of restrictions on education supplies, including stationery, so that more children can receive education.   

We and our partners also continue to support people affected by the recent winter storms. This week, more than 200 tents were distributed to families, alongside thousands of tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes, cooking and serving utensils, and solar lights.   

As a reminder, more than one million people across the Gaza Strip still urgently need shelter assistance and durable shelter solutions, including repairs to damaged homes and emergency shelter kits.    

UNIFIL  

UNIFIL reports that this morning small arms fire from an Israel Defense Forces tank south of the Blue Line hit a UNIFIL position in Kfar Shouba in Sector East. The bullets hit a sentry post and one penetrated one of the position's living accommodations, probably after ricocheting. Fortunately, no one was injured.   

Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers discovered an explosive device connected to a detonating cord near Adeisse in Sector East. The peacekeepers set up a security cordon and prepared to check another house. Soon after, a drone that had been hovering overhead dropped a grenade about 30 metres from the peacekeepers. Fortunately, no one was injured.    

During both incidents, UNIFIL sent a “stop-fire” request to the Israel Defense Forces.   

We again stress that endangering the lives of the peacekeepers is completely unacceptable. The parties must uphold their responsibilities to ensure the safety and security of the peacekeepers and inviolability of UN premises.   

Meanwhile, UNIFIL continues operations to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in discovering unauthorized weapons caches and unexploded ordnance. Yesterday the peacekeepers found five antipersonnel mines near Blida in Sector East.   

Peacekeepers observe continued Israel Defense Forces land and air activities in the Mission’s area of operations.  

IRAN  

The Security Council yesterday afternoon was briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee on the situation in Iran. She told Council members that for nearly three weeks, popular protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran have rapidly evolved into nationwide upheaval, resulting in significant loss of life.  

She recalled that the Secretary-General has expressed deep concern over the reported excessive use of force in Iran and stressed the urgent need to prevent further casualties. All deaths should be promptly, independently, and transparently investigated. Those responsible for any violations must be held to account in line with international norms and standards.  

Ms. Pobee also noted with alarm various public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran. This external dimension adds volatility to an already combustible situation, she said.  

She said that the Secretary-General remains convinced that all concerns regarding Iran, including those related to the nuclear issue and ongoing protests, are best addressed through diplomacy and dialogue. He urges maximum restraint at this sensitive moment and calls on all actors to refrain from any actions that could lead to further loss of life or ignite a wider regional escalation.  

SYRIA  

Moving to Syria. Following a joint mission to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the Regional Directors of UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF pledged to strengthen coordinated support for Syrians returning home and those still hosted across the region.  

During their visit, the Regional Directors met with governments, donors, and families to assess needs, address gaps, and identify where support can be expanded in a more coordinated and efficient manner. They said improved conditions inside Syria are essential to ensure voluntary, safe and dignified returns, while sustained assistance in host countries helps families make informed decisions about their future.  

Just to note that after more than a decade of displacement, around 3 million displaced Syrians inside and outside the country were able to return home. At the same time, around 4.5 million Syrians are still hosted in neighbouring countries.  

SUDAN/CHAD  

The High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, today underscored the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and protection for people fleeing the brutal war in Sudan, and for greater support for refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity.  

During a visit to Chad, the High Commissioner called for urgent humanitarian support to address the growing needs of refugees and host communities. He highlighted that the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan has driven large numbers of people into eastern Chad, overwhelming already stretched resources and services.   

The UN refugee agency and its partners are working with the government of Chad to expand assistance, including shelter, food, water, health and protection services. Mr. Salih urged the international community to step up funding and solidarity to save lives and help rebuild futures for displaced families.   

UKRAINE  

From Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that between yesterday and this morning, front-line hostilities and attacks across the country killed and injured several civilians, including a child. This is according to Ukrainian authorities.   

Energy facilities and civilian infrastructure were also damaged, including hospitals. Nationwide scheduled and emergency power outages continue as nighttime temperatures plunge to –15°C.   

Our humanitarian colleagues note that the Government has declared an energy emergency. In the capital Kyiv, around 130 apartment buildings remain without heating, and scheduled power outages continue across all residential districts. Schools have been instructed to extend winter holidays until 1 February, with similar decisions expected elsewhere.   

Our humanitarian partners continue to support communities and provide aid, including hot meals, heater and charging stations, but additional assistance is urgently needed.    

VENEZUELA   

Turning to Venezuela, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today said that that we, along with our partners, continue to deliver aid across the country. This includes food, school meals, health care and psychosocial support.   

We also continue to coordinate with authorities, monitor humanitarian needs nationwide and inform people about the humanitarian services available to them.  

Our humanitarian colleagues note that years of turmoil have left many families without reliable support. One in four people in Venezuela need humanitarian assistance.   

OCHA calls on donors to keep support flowing for life-saving aid. This year’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calls for just over $600 million. In 2025, the response plan was only 17 per cent funded, one of the lowest globally.   

HONOUR ROLL  

Liechtenstein paid its full dues to the Regular Budget.  Liechtenstein’s payment brings the number of Member States on the Honour Roll to 15. 

**Guest welcome  

Noon briefing guest today was Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, who is in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.