HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
U.N.
HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Friday, June
8, 2007
BAN KI-MOON
HAILS G-8 AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
spoke to
reporters today at a press conference of the Group of Eight Summit in
Heiligendamm, Germany, telling them that it is only fitting that climate
change dominated the agenda, and calling it “a defining issue of our era”.
He said he wholeheartedly welcomed that the G8 leaders
agreed on strong and early action to combat climate change, and that the
United Nations is the forum for negotiating future global action on climate
change. But he added, “While this is an important step, it is only a first
step – a beginning, not an end.” The Secretary-General informed the G8 leaders
of his intention to convene a high-level meeting on climate change on
September 24, the day before the opening of the General Debate.
The Secretary-General said that this year marks the
mid-point of our work to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
by 2015. He warned, “We have far to go indeed, especially in Africa.” This is
why, he said, he has offered to chair a new MDG Africa Steering Group of all
the major players to help refocus the efforts to achieve the Goals in Africa.
Asked about the views of G8 members on climate change,
the Spokeswoman reaffirmed that the Secretary-General welcomes the strong and
early action by G8 leaders on the issue.
U.N. CLIMATE
CHANGE CONVENTION WELCOMES G-8 STATEMENT
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is
welcoming today’s Joint statement by the German G-8 Presidency and the
Heads of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, in which they called
for constructive participation in the negotiations on a comprehensive
agreement at the UNFCCC Conference in Indonesia in December.
Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer says he is very
encouraged by the latest developments, which give a promising signal as to the
political will with which climate change is being addressed. He also welcomed
the instruments to address climate change contained in the G-8 communiqué,
particularly the carbon market and its role in creating economic incentives
for developing countries.
GLOBAL FUND
APPLAUDS G-8 COMMITMENTS
ON UNIVERSAL TREATMENT ACCESS
The
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is
applauding the G8’s re-commitment to universal access for treatment. It
notes that the G8 leaders had pledged $6 to 8 billion per year for the Global
Fund, calling it “very good news.”
The Executive Director of the Fund
said the G8 agreement was a strong one that would make it possible to defeat
the pandemics of AIDS, TB and malaria.
BAN KI-MOON DISMAYED AT IRANIAN PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
ON ISRAEL
The Secretary-General was
shocked and
dismayed at the remarks attacking Israel attributed to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 3 June, in which he says
repeatedly that the world could witness the “destruction of the Zionist
regime” soon.
The Secretary-General points out that the State of Israel is a full and
long-standing member of the United Nations with the same rights and
obligations as every other member. He reminds that under the United Nations
Charter, all members have
undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial
integrity or political independence of any State.
The
Secretary-General has repeatedly made his views clear on this issue.
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL MEMBERSHIP IN
GENEVA CONVENTION
PROTOCOLS
Friday 8 June is the 30th anniversary of
Protocols I and II
additional to the 1949 Geneva
Conventions. The 1977
Additional Protocols supplement the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and provide
very important legal protections for civilians and others in both
international and internal armed conflicts.
Additional Protocol I is significant for strengthening the protection of
civilians during international armed conflict. Balancing both military and
humanitarian needs, Additional Protocol I brings together two formerly
separate areas of law concerning armed conflict: the law concerning the
conduct of hostilities, and the law protecting civilians and those who no
longer take an active part in hostilities. It sets forth essential rules
reminding parties that the methods and means of warfare are not unlimited and
prohibits the use of weapons which are of a nature to cause superfluous injury
or unnecessary suffering. It also sets forth the principle of distinction,
according to which parties to a conflict must distinguish between the civilian
population and combatants, and between civilian objects and military
objectives, and may only direct operations against military objectives.
Additional Protocol II is the first treaty of its kind to address internal
armed conflicts or “civil wars”. It prohibits attacks on the civilian
population and objects indispensable for their survival. It also sets forth
protections for those not or no longer taking part in hostilities.
At
present, 167 States are party to Additional Protocol I and 163 States to
Additional Protocol II.
The Secretary-General
calls on all States currently not party to the 1977 Additional Protocols
to become party to these instruments.
NUCLEAR
TERRORISM CONVENTION TO ENTER INTO FORCE
The International
Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism will enter
into force on 7 July, following the ratification of that Convention by its 22nd
state, Bangladesh, yesterday. The Convention requires 22 ratifications or
accessions to enter into force.
The Convention aims to prevent
and suppress nuclear terrorism, bring to justice planners and perpetrators of
nuclear terrorist acts and promote cooperation among States in those fields.
SECURITY
COUNCIL BRIEFED ON CYPRUS AND DARFUR
The Security Council this morning held consultations on
Cyprus, with Michael Moller, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative
for that country, briefing Council members on the work of the UN peacekeeping
force there.
After that, Jan Eliasson, the Secretary-General’s Special
Envoy for
Darfur, is talking about the recent work by him and by African Union
Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim to reinvigorate the Darfur peace process.
Then, in the afternoon, the Security Council will hold an
open meeting to discuss the work of the Special
Court for Sierra Leone. Deputy
Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro will address that meeting. The President and the Prosecutor for that court will
brief the Council on its work and completion strategy, and will also note the
Special Court’s need for securing funding, with available funds expected to be
exhausted by this November.
U.N. POLITICAL
CHIEF MAKES SURPRISE VISIT TO SOMALIA
During an unannounced visit to Mogadishu today, Under
Secretary-General for Political
Affairs Lynn Pascoe
expressed solidarity with the people of Somalia while encouraging the leaders
of the Transitional Federal Government to reach out to opponents for the sake
of peace and reconciliation.
“The international community is willing to help Somalis
in all areas as long as there is progress on the ground,” Pascoe told
reporters at the Mogadishu airport. He was in Mogadishu for about four hours,
during which time he met with the Somali President and Prime Minister along
with members of the cabinet. Pascoe also met with Ali Mahdi, the chairman of
the committee charged with organizing the upcoming National Reconciliation
Conference.
Pascoe is on a weeklong mission aimed at shoring up peace
and stabilization efforts in Somalia. Tomorrow he heads to Asmara for a
meeting with Eritrean President Asias Afewerki and then to Cairo to meet with
the Egyptian foreign minister and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab
States.
On Sunday, Pascoe will be in Addis Ababa to meet with the
Ethiopian Prime Minister and African Union Chairman Alpha Omar Konaré before
heading to Brussels, where he will meet on Tuesday with European Union
officials. He is expected back in New York Wednesday to brief the
Secretary-General and then the Security Council on Thursday, June 14.
SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE IN BAHEL TRIAL
On Thursday, the Spokesperson issued a
statement in
which the Secretary-General noted the verdict
announced in federal court in Manhattan against Sanjaya Bahel. He is satisfied
that justice has been done.
The Secretary-General once
again reaffirms his support for the work of the United Nations’ own Office of
Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)
and the Procurement Task Force. The evidence
supporting this guilty verdict was based in large part on the extensive work
done by the Task Force. Their 86-page report about Mr. Bahel's conduct was
given to the Office of the US Attorney the Southern District of New York in
July of last year.
The evidence gathered by the
PTF supported the criminal charges against Mr. Bahel and Nishan Kohli, a
principal of a company that did business with the UN and who pleaded guilty to
bribing Mr. Bahel and testified against him.
The Secretary-General very much
appreciates the diligence and effort put into this case by the US Attorney’s
office. In continuing these investigations, the United Nations stands ready to
cooperate with law enforcement authorities in every concerned Member State.
The Secretary-General expects
all vendors, contractors, and their representatives, to conduct their business
with the United Nations with highest levels of integrity and honesty. Those
who fail to do so will not be permitted to continue doing business with this
organization.
The Secretary-General remains committed to actively
pursuing any fraud and wrongdoing at the United Nations. Such actions tarnish
the reputation of the organization and the tens of thousands of UN employees
who work honourably and honestly.
BAN KI-MOON EMPHASIZES COMMITMENT TO U.N.
PROCUREMENT REFORM
The Secretary-General is
committed to achieving the highest level of performance, quality control and
accountability for the Procurement Service.
He very much appreciates the
efforts made by OIOS in helping bring about a stronger and more accountable
procurement service. The Secretary-General and his staff are in fact working
closely with OIOS to implement many of their recommendations.
The Secretary-General is very
much aware that more needs to be done. Procurement reform is a dynamic process
that needs to remain in tune with the ever-changing commercial market place
and the needs of the organization.
This is an ongoing and
continuous process. No system will ever be 100% percent corruption-proof. That
is why we continuously have to upgrade our oversight and training in all our
duty stations.
Currently, the Procurement
Service is taking early action on its reform, which it outlined to the General
Assembly less than a year ago. A number of actions have already been taken,
aimed at strengthening internal control measures to prevent and mitigate the
risks to which procurement process is open. Plans are being made at making
the procurement process more transparent and also making it more equitable for
firms from developing countries.
The vendor debarment process
has been significantly improved. The Procurement Service works closely with
OIOS and the Procurement Task Force dealing with the suspension of vendors who
refuse to cooperate with our investigations.
The Secretary-General expects
all vendors, contractors, and their representatives, to conduct their business
with the United Nations with the highest levels of integrity and honesty.
Those who fail to do so will not be permitted to continue doing business with
this organization.
Asked about support in the
General Assembly for procurement reform, the Spokeswoman said that the
Secretary-General has a procurement reform package as part of his larger
reform effort, adding that it was one of his priorities.
SOMALIA: U.N.
ASSESSMENT FINDS HIGH LEVELS OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN
A recent assessment by the Food and Agriculture
Organization, conducted in five settlements of internally displaced persons in
Baidoa District, found that nearly one in five displaced children suffer from
acute malnutrition.
Preliminary findings from three other nutritional
assessments in the Gedo region found similar numbers, but also noted that
there had been some limited recovery since the previous assessment.
SECRETARY-GENERAL FULLY SUPPORTS CALL FOR JUSTICE IN SREBRENICA MASSACRES
Asked about a letter sent by the group Women of Srebrenica, the Spokeswoman
said she had just learned that the United Nations had received legal documents
relating to the case and that the survivors of the Srebrenica massacres are
absolutely right to demand justice for the most heinous crimes committed on
European soil since World War II.
The Secretary-General joins them in that demand, without reservation,
and expresses his deepest sympathies to them and to the relatives of those
brutally executed at Srebrenica, almost 12 years ago, Okabe said.
Those indicted for having planned, orchestrated and carried out the attacks
must be brought to justice, she added. Yet, Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic
remain at large. The international community should not rest until they are
apprehended and brought to trial.
Nor should the UN rest until it is fully-equipped to prevent such tragedies
from occurring in future within its peacekeepers' midst. To that end, the
Spokeswoman said, the former Secretary-General's report of 1999, on the Fall
of Srebrenica, highlighted in very frank terms the actions that need to be
taken by the UN -- namely, the Security Council members, the Secretariat, and
military and civilian personnel on the ground -- to avoid a repeat of those
tragic events. Since then, new UN peacekeeping
forces have been provided with
clearer mandates and more robust rules of engagement, to help protect
civilians under imminent threat.
Asked whether the United Nations was waiving its immunities in this matter,
the Spokeswoman said that the fact that the United Nations is immune from
legal process under the
Convention
on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in no way diminishes
the United Nations' commitment to assist the people of Srebrenica in the
aftermath of their horrific tragedy.
Asked whether the Secretary-General is satisfied with the follow-up on
Srebrenica, Okabe said that the UN continues to do everything within its
ability to bring those responsible for the atrocities to justice, and to
assist in the recovery of Srebrenica and the region. These efforts have been
through the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia (ICTY), as well as through a
variety of efforts of other United Nations bodies and international partners.
REFUGEE AGENCY
EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT RACIST ATTACKS IN UKRAINE
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
is expressing concern at increasing racist attacks against asylum seekers,
refugees and other foreigners in Ukraine.
In the latest incident, an Iraqi asylum seeker was killed
last Sunday. That incident remains under investigation. UNHCR has asked the
Government to keep it informed of developments in the case.
HIGHLY
CONTAGIOUS PIG DISEASE SPREADS FROM AFRICA TO GEORGIA
The Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is
expressing concern over the possible spread of a highly contagious pig
disease. The FAO reports that Georgia has been hit by African Swine Fever and
warns that the disease could also threaten Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russian
Federation.
According to the FAO, this is a dramatic development in the international
distribution of the disease, which was previously almost entirely confined to
sub-Saharan Africa. The transboundary animal disease has the potential for
wide international spread, FAO says. African Swine Fever does not affect
humans but has serious socio-economic consequences for rural livelihoods.
Asked
about actions being taken in response to the outbreak, the Spokeswoman said
that the European Union, the World Organization for Animal Health and FAO will
send a joint team of experts to Georgia in the next days to assess the
situation and advise the government on immediate control measures.
NEW MENINGITIS
VACCINE SHOWS PROMISE
The
World Health Organization says that it has a new meningitis vaccine is showing
great promise. The vaccine is expected to be much more effective than any
other vaccine currently on the market, according to preliminary findings of
tests conducted in Western Africa.
Margaret
Chan, the WHO Director-General, said the initial results of the vaccine’s
performance brought real hope that the lives of thousand of children,
teenagers and young adults will be saved by immunization.
HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL SESSION TO GET UNDERWAY NEXT WEEK
The Human Rights Council is scheduled to begin its fifth
session next week in Geneva on Monday.
During the session, which lasts through the 18th
of June, the Council is expected to take up a wide range of human rights
issues, including food, racism, housing, and extreme poverty.
OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES G-8 ENGAGEMENT ON KOSOVO:
Asked about the Secretary-General’s views on recent proposals for
Kosovo, the Spokeswoman said that he
welcomes the engagement of the G8 on the issue of the final status process for
Kosovo, and added that it is important that the process maintain a forward
momentum.
BAN KI-MOON WOULD WELCOME FURTHER EFFORTS ON DARFUR:
Asked about an initiative on
Darfur proposed by France, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General
has expressed concern about the pace at which events are proceeding on Darfur,
and would welcome the engagement of the G-8 in efforts to speed up the process.
THE WEEK AHEAD
AT THE UNITED NATIONS
[This document
is for planning purposes only and is subject to change.]
Monday, June 11
This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold
consultations on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and the UN
Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In the afternoon, it is scheduled to hold
consultations on Lebanon and resolution 1559.
The United Nations and the African Union are expected to
meet with the Government of Sudan on the proposed hybrid operation for Darfur in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 11 and 12 June.
At 3 p.m. in Room. 226, a senior UN official will give a
background briefing on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
At 10 a.m. in the Trusteeship Council, the Open-ended Ad
Hoc Working Group of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations will meet
to complete its work and finalize its report before holding its 200th meeting,
with a view to adopt the report.
From 12 to 1:15 p.m. in Conference Room D, there will be a
briefing on the UN-IPU Global Centre for Information and Communication
Technologies in Parliament.
For the next two weeks, the annual session of the Executive
Board of UNDP and of UNFPA will be held in Conference Room 2.
In Geneva, the Human Rights Council’s fifth session gets
underway.
In Rome, the 11th session of the Commission on
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture meets all this week.
Tuesday, June 12
This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a
private meeting with troop contributing countries of the UN Disengagement
Observer Force (UNDOF), followed by consultations on UNDOF and on the 1591 Sudan
Sanctions Committee.
At 12.30 p.m. in Room. 226, Mr. Jakob Kellenberger,
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, will brief the press
following his meeting with the Secretary-General.
Wednesday, June 13
This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold
consultations on Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire sanctions and on Sudan. Following a
luncheon with the Secretary-General, the Council in the afternoon is scheduled
to hold consultations on the multi-national force in Iraq, as well as a debate
on that force and on the UN Mission in Iraq.
At 10 a.m. in Conference Room 4,
the Secretary-General; Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica; and Vinicio Cerezo
Arévalo, former
President of Guatemala will address the opening
session of a one-day conference entitled “A firm and lasting peace in Central
America: The pending agenda 20 years later.”
At 12.30 p.m. in Room. 226, Oscar Arias, President of Costa
Rica, and Vinicio Cereze Arévale, former President of Guatemala, will brief the
press.
From today through Friday in Delft, the Netherlands, the
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is organizing a Symposium entitled:
“Water for a Changing World: Enhancing Local Knowledge and Capacity”.
Thursday, June 14
Today is World Blood Donor Day. The World Health
Organization plans to launch “Safe Blood for Safe Motherhood”, a new initiative
to improve the availability and use of blood in obstetric care, as well as new
data from a recent survey on world blood safety.
This morning the Security Council is scheduled to adopt
resolutions on the UN Mission in Cyprus, as well as on Côte d’Ivoire sanctions,
followed by consultations on Somalia. The Security Council mission to Africa is
scheduled to depart today.
At 12.45 p.m. in Room. 226, there will be a press
conference by Mr. Bruno Cathala, Registrar of the International
Criminal Court.
At 3.20 p.m. in Room. 226, Mr. Jorge Sampaio, High
Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, will brief the press following
his meeting with the Secretary-General.
Today and all next week at Headquarters, the seventeenth
Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea will be held.
Friday, June 15
In Helsinki, the two-day conference on Fragile States -
Fragile Groups, organized by United Nations University and the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs, will tackle economic and social vulnerability.
From 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjold Library,
there will be a meeting on the transition to the rule of law and an inclusive
market economy.
Office of the Spokesman for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
