HIGHLIGHTS OF
THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
Wednesday,
January 23, 2008
BAN KI-MOON
PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN U.N. STAFF
In Geneva today,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led all staff in paying tribute to
colleagues who died in the 11 December attack in Algiers with a minute of
silence, and he unveiled the tattered flag that had flown over the UN office
in that city.
The Secretary-General
said that, to
honor the fallen UN staff, the United Nations must do even better in
explaining, to the public and the media, “what we stand for and what we don’t,
why we are there and who we are”.
He added that he is continuing consultations on the
precise composition of the independent panel of experts to review the safety
and security of UN personnel and premises around the world and its terms of
reference, and that he hopes to finalize it very soon.
The Secretary-General, at a
press conference today, said that after the panel reports back with its
recommendations, “we will work with member states to ensure better safety and
security of UN staff and premises all around the world”.
He also told the press in
Geneva that he will pay particular attention this year to marking the 60th
anniversary of the
Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and to pushing nations to implement the
Millennium Development Goals,
notably those on water.
Earlier in the day, the
Secretary-General participated in the kick-off of the 2008 Consolidated
Appeal, urging
nations to provide equitable funding to deal with humanitarian crises, whether
in Somalia, the occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo or Nicaragua.
He also
addressed the
Conference on Disarmament, renewing his call on the member states to adopt the
balanced and carefully crafted Presidential Decision so that it can go back to
its substantive work. He warned that the Conference has not lost its
relevance, but is in danger of losing its way.
This evening, the
Secretary-General is traveling to Davos, where he will address the World
Economic Forum, to draw attention once more to the need for the world’s
poorest to have access to clean water.
Asked about reports that
Algerian officials intended to meet with UN officials to convey their
opposition to the investigative panel, the Spokeswoman noted that the
Secretary-General had met earlier today with the Algerian Foreign Minister,
and had mentioned the panel both in his remarks at the memorial ceremony and
at the press conference.
At the memorial ceremony, she
noted, he had said that, “after consulting with the countries concerned and
receiving their understanding, I am setting up an independent panel of experts
to review the safety and security of UN personnel and premises around the
world.”
NEW SECURITY MEASURES HAMPER AID
DELIVERY IN GAZA
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in
the Near East (UNRWA) today reports
that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains very difficult.
According to UNRWA, the Israeli authorities have
introduced new security measures – mainly for sugar and flour – which are
hampering the delivery of aid. The agency did manage to get three truckloads
of powdered milk in today, but it had been hoping for 9. In addition, an
expected truckload of medicines never made it through.
On a positive note, however, UNRWA did receive materials
today that will allow it to continue its food distributions.
Regarding fuel, UNRWA says only 200,000 liters went to
the main power plant in Gaza today. An additional 750,000 liters went
yesterday. This falls well short of the 2.2 million liters promised by the
Israeli authorities. If the current fuel levels continue, the power plant may
shut down by the end of the week, UNRWA adds.
Asked about reports that
thousands of Gaza residents have traveled across the Rafah crossing today into
Egypt, the Spokeswoman said that the incident underscores how serious and
fragile the situation in Gaza remains at this moment.
She noted that on Tuesday,
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe had
expressed
his detailed concerns over the situation, including his call for regular and
unimpeded delivery of fuel and other basic necessities.
She added that, at the press
conference in Geneva today, the Secretary-General was asked about the
situation in Gaza and the Rafah crossing. He said it was a very serious
situation, and that he was deeply concerned.
Okabe added that the
Secretary-General said that he had taken his own efforts to address the issue,
to help ease the tensions as well as the humanitarian suffering of the people
in Gaza. He said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert just
before departing New York, and had urged him strongly to ease the
restrictions on the crossing and to provide the necessary fuel.
The Spokeswoman added that the
Secretary-General called on the parties to resolve outstanding issues
peacefully through dialogue. He said he hoped Israel did not pursue the
collective punishment of the general public, and also called for a halt to
rocket fire against Israel.
HUMAN RIGHTS DIMENSION OF
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
MUST BE ADDRESSED
Today in Geneva, the Human Rights Council began a
special session on the occupied Palestinian territory. A draft resolution
is being considered. The session is expected to continue into tomorrow.
Addressing the special session today, High Commissioner
for Human Rights Louise Arbour
said that, unless broader steps were taken, both by the parties to the
conflict and by the international community, the situation for Palestinians
and Israelis could only continue to deteriorate. All parties concerned should
put an end to the vicious spiral of violence before it becomes unstoppable,
she said.
Arbour stressed that the international community must
intensify its efforts to ensure that the human rights dimension of the
conflict is properly addressed, regardless of the development of a political
settlement. She said it is imperative that Israel, the Palestinian Authority
and Hamas respect the long-standing international legal obligations to which
they are bound. We have her full remarks upstairs.
SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET ON SITUATION
IN GAZA
AFTER EXTENDING U.N. MISSION IN NEPAL
The Security Council
this morning
extended by six months the mandate of the UN Mission in Nepal.
Then, at 3:00 this afternoon, the Security Council
resumed consultations on the Middle East, to continue discussions on a draft
Presidential Statement concerning the situation in Gaza.
BAN KI-MOON ENCOURAGED BY CONGOLESE
PEACE CONFERENCE
The Secretary-General
congratulates the
Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
as well as the organizers and participants in the Conference for Peace,
Security, and Development in North and South Kivu on the successful conclusion
of the Conference.
He is very encouraged by the
commitment of the armed groups of North and South Kivu to end all hostilities,
as outlined in the “Actes d’engagement,” signed by these groups and the
Government of the DRC on 23 January.
The Secretary-General
considers the “Actes d’engagement” an important step towards restoring
lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, and a complement to the
Joint Nairobi Communiqué of November 9, 2007.
He calls on all parties to act
quickly and effectively to implement agreements reached within the framework
of the “Actes d’engagement” and on the Government of the DRC to quickly
act on the recommendations of the Conference.
He reaffirms the commitment of
the United Nations to support the Congolese parties in ending the suffering of
the population in the Kivus.
The Secretary-General also
calls on the international community, and particularly the DRC’s neighbours in
the Great Lakes region, to fully support the implementation of these
commitments.
In related news, the terms of a $390 million good
governance project were approved by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and
the Government of the DRC. The agreement will be formally signed next week. It
will allow for a UNDP-led effort to restore and improve government
competencies in political governance, state administration, economic, judicial
and security sector reform.
U.N. AGENCIES REACH OUT TO KENYANS
DISPLACED BY VIOLENCE
The UN Country Team says that security conditions in
Kenya are deteriorating rapidly,
with 70 houses burned down and more than a dozen civilians killed in political
violence in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, UN agencies have completed an assessment tour
of internally displaced person (IDP) camps in the town of Molo, where they
found an urgent need for shelter, blankets, water and sanitation. UN-HABITAT,
for its part, sent teams out to several towns, including Nairobi and Eldoret,
to assess damaged homes, and verify IDP figures and conditions in IDP camps.
UNICEF has continued its immunization campaign against
measles and polio in all of these camps. Working with Kenyan authorities, the
World Food Programme has completed distributions to some 67,000 IDPs in the
Rift Valley.
More than 70,000 schoolchildren and nearly seven hundred
teachers are now confirmed to have been displaced by the crisis.
BANDITRY THREATENS FOOD SUPPLIES IN
DARFUR
The World Food Programme (WFP)
says that a
rash of banditry is threatening food supplies to more than two million people
in Darfur, raising the possibility that rations will have to be cut.
WFP is urging Sudanese authorities to ensure the safety
of main routes in Darfur.
So far this year, bandits have stolen 22 WFP-contracted
trucks and abducted their drivers -- 18 drivers are still missing.
Meanwhile, the High-Level Committee of Government and UN
officials established by the Joint Communique on the facilitation of
humanitarian activities in Darfur
extended the moratorium on restrictions on humanitarian operations until
January of 2009.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
says that this is an important and welcome development, as it will enable
humanitarian agencies, and particularly non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
to carry out vital humanitarian assistance without interruption in Darfur.
NGOs remain the main implementers of UN projects in Darfur.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations
Jean-Marie Guehenno continues his visit to Sudan.
Guehenno was today in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur,
where he met with staff from the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation
in Darfur (UNAMID) and
also conferred with representatives of South Darfur’s Civil Society, and with
the Deputy Governor of South Darfur state.
He was in El Fasher yesterday and visited the Zam Zam
camp housing internally displaced persons and paid a courtesy call on the
Deputy Governor of North Darfur state, who pledged the support of his
Government to UNAMID.
TIMOR-LESTE STILL FACES ENORMOUS
CHALLENGES
The Secretary-General, in his latest
report to
the Security Council on the work of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT),
says that, despite an improvement in the overall security situation throughout
the country, Timor-Leste continues to face enormous challenges.
He says that intensified efforts to promote dialogue to
defuse existing tensions and foster greater political consensus, as well as
the strengthening of inclusive democratic processes, will be essential for
achieving sustainable stability and prosperity in the country.
The Secretary-General says that the national police
service is one of the most critical institutions warranting sustained
assistance, adding that daily public disturbances highlight the need for a
continued UN police presence.
He recommends a 12-month extension of UNMIT at its
present composition and strength.
RECORD AMOUNT OF FOOD BOUGHT FROM
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
The World Food Programme (WFP) says it
purchased a
record amount of food from developing countries last year. WFP bought more
than two million metric tons, valued at some $760 million dollars from 69 such
countries. Uganda was the largest supplier.
WFP’s Executive Director Josette Sheeran called local
purchases a “win-win solution to hunger”. With food prices soaring, buying
food in developing countries results in lower costs. Also, the food has a
shorter distance to travel to reach the areas where it is being distributed.
In order to best support local markets, WFP’s policy is
to buy locally when there is an abundance but to avoid such markets at times
of scarcity, so as not to drive up prices.
WFP is expanding its procurement activities to purchase
directly from low income farmers and groups.
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization is
highlighting the launch of projects in five African countries aimed at
reviving agricultural output and creating new marketing opportunities. These
initiatives are taking place in Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and
Sierra Leone.
DAVID BECKHAM VISITS SIERRA LEONE
FOR UNICEF
Football star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David
Beckham recently completed a visit to Sierra Leone, where he travelled with
UNICEF representatives to draw attention to the issue of child survival.
The trip took place in connection with the
release of UNICEF's
yearly flagship report – “The State of the World's Children 2008.” This year’s
report cites Sierra Leone as having the highest rate of infant mortality in
the world.
NEW EMPLOYMENT REPORT TO BE ISSUED
The International Labour Organization will soon
release its 2008 Global Employment Trends report.
The study looks at a broad range of statistics on the
effect of turbulence in the credit market and rising oil prices on the global
employment picture.
**The guest at noon was Ian Martin, the
Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations
Political Mission in Nepal.
Office of the Spokesperson for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
