HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY
MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
UN
HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Friday,
September 4, 2009
BAN KI-MOON REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA’S COMMISSION
AGAINST IMPUNITY
Today, as the International Commission against Impunity
in Guatemala (CICIG) marks its second anniversary, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
reaffirms his strong support and appreciation for CICIG’s
ground-breaking efforts to help strengthen the justice sector and rule of
law in Guatemala. He commends CICIG Commissioner Carlos Castresana and his
staff for their dedication and notes with satisfaction the broad support the
Commission has earned from all sectors of Guatemalan society.
The Secretary-General calls on Guatemala’s political
and judicial authorities to strengthen their commitment to the fulfillment
of CICIG’s mandate over the coming two years. He urges full respect for the
Commission’s mandate and independence, and calls for prompt action on legal
and institutional reform proposals made by CICIG aimed at removing obstacles
to the identification and prosecution of criminal organisations.
The Secretary-General encourages the international
community to continue to provide political and financial support to the
Commission. The people of Guatemala deserve judicial institutions they can
trust and be protected by, and the United Nations is pleased to be
assisting, through CICIG, towards these ends.
BAN KI-MOON WRAPS UP WEEK-LONG EUROPE TRIP
The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York
after completing a week-long trip to Austria, Norway and Switzerland.
Before leaving Geneva today, the Secretary-General met
with World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan, with whom he
talked about the UN response to H1N1 influenza.
He then met with the President of Mozambique, Armando
Emilio Guebuza, and they talked about climate change and peace and security
issues in Africa. He also had meetings with the heads of the International
Labour Organization and the International Telecommunications Union.
The Secretary-General yesterday discussed climate
change and other topics in meetings with a series of leaders who were
attending the third
World Climate Conference. Among them were the Presidents of Tajikistan,
Slovenia and Ethiopia and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
In response to a question, the Spokeswoman noted that
the Secretary-General met on Thursday with Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister
for Disaster Management and Human Rights of Sri Lanka.
They discussed the conditions in camps for internally
displaced persons (IDPs), particularly with the approaching monsoon season.
They also discussed the return of IDPs, as well as the importance of free
movements of people among the camps and free movement of UN and
international humanitarian workers. They talked about the importance of
reconciliation, and they also discussed accountability, particularly in
light of the recent accusations of extrajudicial executions.
UNITED NATIONS
TO SEND TEAM FOLLOWING AIR STRIKES IN AFGHANISTAN
Peter Galbraith, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special
Representative for Afghanistan, today expressed his concern about reports of
casualties among civilians from an air strike against stolen trucks in the
Aliabad district of Kunduz province.
As an immediate priority, everything possible must be
done to ensure that people wounded by this attack are being properly cared
for, and that families of the deceased are getting all the help they need,
he said. Steps must also be taken to examine what happened and why an air
strike was employed in circumstances where it was hard to determine with
certainty that civilians were not present. The UN Assistance Mission for
Afghanistan (UNAMA)
is sending a team to look into the situation.
HUMANITARIAN
SERVICES IN PAKISTAN SHIFTING FOCUS
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) says that humanitarian services in
Pakistan are shifting focus from hosting communities to areas of return,
to better meet the needs of the increasing number of returning displaced
persons.
As of 1 September, over 234,500 families (or roughly
1.64 million people) have returned to their homes. The rate of IDPs
returning home from camps and host communities has slowed significantly in
the past few weeks, OCHA says.
The World Food Programme and humanitarian agencies
dealing with food have been asked to cover the food needs of over 56,000
families (some 392,000 individuals) in the district of Swat. The aid
community currently has 14 humanitarian hubs in Swat, Buner and Bajaur, and
this will be increased.
REFUGEE AGENCY
URGES CHINA FOR ACCESS TO MYANMAR-CHINA BORDER AREA
Following reports of refugees fleeing fighting in parts
of Myanmar in recent weeks, the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR)
has called on the Chinese authorities to allow access to the border area.
The refugee agency has also proposed a joint needs assessment.
UNHCR hopes to visit these locations to assist the
Government in the provision of humanitarian assistance and to determine
whether any of the people who remain there are in need of international
protection, should the situation deteriorate in the Wa State near the
Myanmar-China border.
The Refugee Agency has expressed deep appreciation to
the Government of China for hosting this population and for everything the
authorities in Yunnan Province are reported to have done in terms of
providing emergency shelter, food, clothing and medical care for the 13,000
or so refugees who are accommodated in seven camp sites.
Although they have not been able to visit these
locations, UNHCR has been receiving consistent reports and are aware of
Chinese official media reports that some of the 37,000 ethnic Chinese Kokang
people who crossed into China from Myanmar have begun returning home.
HEAVY FIGHTING
CONTINUES IN YEMEN
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
reports continued heavy fighting between Al Houti forces and Government
troops in the Sa’ada governorate in northern Yemen. It says that the
situation is most critical in the city of Sa’ada, which has been cut off
from the rest of the world for more than two weeks. The road to Sa’ada is
extremely dangerous as clashes continue.
There has been no water or electricity in Sa’ada city
since 12 August, UNHCR reports. Food reserves are running low and the
situation is becoming untenable for families, many of whom are hosting
friends, relatives or neighbours displaced by the street battles.
The Refugee Agency adds that it still has no access to
Al Jawf province, where an estimated 4,000 internally displaced persons are
seeking shelter. UNHCR estimates that some 150,000 people have been affected
by conflict in Yemen, including those displaced by recent hostilities.
UNITED NATIONS
HOPES FOR FORMATION OF NEW GOVERNMENT IN LEBANON
Michael Williams, the
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, met today with Lebanese Prime
Minister-designate Saad Hariri and congratulated him on his recent
initiatives to engage all the parliamentary blocs in the discussions on
forming the government. Williams told reporters afterward that he hopes the
formation of a new government will be accomplished soon, particularly given
the many social, economic and security challenges that it will have to face.
He added that he is pleased with the calm that has
prevailed in southern Lebanon.
WORLD FOOD BODY
MAKES APPEAL TO FEED 3.5 MILLION HUNGRY SOMALIS
The World Food Programme, (WFP) is urgently
appealing for 217,000 metric tons of food – the equivalent of $218
million - to feed 3.5 million people by the end of October when stocks will
run out.
The appeal follows a recent FAO report indicating that
half the Somali population, or 3.8 million people are in need of assistance.
WFP is calling for critical donor contributions to avert a looming
humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia.
Meanwhile a delegation from the UN Political Office for
Somalia (UNPOS), led by the Deputy Special Representative for Somalia,
Charles Petrie, has visited Somaliland this week, to explore ways of
strengthening the UN’s engagement in Somaliland. The delegation met with
representatives of various political parties and civil society plus other
officials. They also held a constructive meeting with the President of
Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for
Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, welcomed the visit and said he hoped it was
proof of Somaliland’s determination to move towards peace and compromise.
“Somaliland has an impressive history of resolving its internal tensions
peacefully, and I hope this tradition will be used to address the current
challenges,” Ould-Abdallah said.
FLOODS ACROSS
WEST AFRICA AFFECT SOME 350,000 PEOPLE
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) reports that floods across West Africa have affected an
estimated 350,000 people.
Burkina Faso appears to be the worst hit country with
some 110,000 people relocated, mainly in the capital, Ouagadougou. The
authorities have reported five deaths and the main university hospital was
flooded with patients needing to be evacuated.
A seven-member UN assessment team should be in
Ouagadougou today to determine what level of humanitarian assistance is
required.
Other affected West African countries, where heavy
rains have caused damage, are Benin, Niger, Ghana, Guinea and Senegal.
U.N. MARKS
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF TIMOR-LESTE REFERENDUM
The
United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste today held a ceremony marking the
10th anniversary of the announcement of the result of the United
Nations-organized Popular Consultation which led to Timor-Leste's
independence.
At the ceremony, attended by President Jose Ramos-Horta,
100 Timorese UN staff members who have served the United Nations
continuously since 1999 received awards as recognition of their service.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Atul
Khare, highlighting the unique nature of the relationship which has
developed between the Timorese people and the UN. He added that a great
friendship has been developed over the past ten years between Timorese UN
staff members, and international staff members as well as UN Volunteers from
all over the world.
W.H.O.: SUPPORT
NEEDED IN THE PHILIPPINES FOLLOWING CONFLICT, FLOODS
The World Health Organization's representative to the
Philippines says that urgent financial and material support is needed to
strengthen the health response to recent conflict and flooding in the south
and reduce the suffering so many people are facing.
WHO is requesting more than $ 900,000 to ensure the
continued provision of health services to the internally displaced people
living inside and outside temporary settlements in the conflict-affected
regions.
Health services in the camps are now being provided by
understaffed and poorly supplied mobile teams. Public health services in
communities hosting displaced people have been adversely affected as scant
resources have been diverted into camps.
Recent flooding has made matters worse, displacing more
people. Local authorities have estimated that around 300,000 people had been
affected by monsoons, and more can be expected with the typhoon season
approaching.
MAJOR CARBON
DIOXIDE EMISSIONS CUTS WILL LEAD TO FASTER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
reports that faster action on climate change may be possible if nations
make significant cuts in carbon dioxide emissions. It will offer a big boost
to climate, crops and human health. UNEP’s Executive Director Achim Steiner
says, “It is clear that the world must deploy all available means to combat
climate change. At this critical juncture, every transformative measure and
substance contributing to climate change should not be overlooked”.
Also, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) are
stepping up their collaboration on climate and weather data. Severe
weather that is brought on by climate change has a direct impact on food
security. Their partnership will offer more information for WFP to help
fight hunger worldwide.
DEPUTY JOINT
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED FOR DARFUR
The Secretary-General and the African Union
Chairperson, Jean Ping, today appointed Mohamed Yonis of Somalia as Deputy
Joint Special Representative for Operations and Management in the African
Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
Currently serving as
Director of Mission Support in UNAMID, Mr. Yonis brings to his new post
extensive management and operational experience, particularly in relation to
Darfur.
He succeeds Hocine Medili of Algeria. The
Secretary-General is grateful to Mr. Medili for his tireless dedication and
invaluable service to the United Nations over the past thirty-seven years.
DEPUTY
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TRAVEL TO ITALY
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro will travel to Rome,
Italy, this Monday to deliver the keynote address at a ministerial-level
international conference on violence against women. This conference is being
held under the auspices of the Italian G8 Presidency.
The Deputy Secretary-General will speak about the UN’s
work to end violence against women and girls. And she’ll highlight the
Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign, which calls on world leaders to launch
national campaigns aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against
women and girls in all parts of the world.
During her visit, the Deputy Secretary-General will
hold bilateral meetings with the Italian Foreign Minister and Italy’s
Minister for Equal Opportunity. The Deputy Secretary-General will also
travel to the Vatican to meet with Pope Benedict XVI.
She will also meet with staff from the Rome-based UN
Agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food
Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York on
Friday, 11 September.
U.N. RELIEF AND
WORKS AGENCY REJECTS ANY DENIAL OF THE HOLOCAUST
Asked whether the UN Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the near East (UNRWA)
has engaged in denial of the Holocaust, the Spokeswoman asserted that
UNRWA rejects any denial of the Holocaust as an
historical event.
She said that UNRWA
implements a programme on human rights, conflict resolution and tolerance in
its schools in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza. In Gaza,
UNRWA is strengthening this programme by developing a dedicated human rights
curriculum anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNRWA, she
said, is committed to human rights education.
Asked about criticism of
senior UNRWA officials by the Simon Weisenthal Center, Okabe said that the
senior officials are ably carrying out their jobs in providing assistance to
the Palestinian people.
OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S VIEWS ON D.P.R.K. ISSUE ARE CLEAR:
Asked about the Secretary-General’s response to the letter sent to the
Security Council by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the
Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General has repeatedly made clear his views
concerning the need for a diplomatic solution to the DPRK nuclear issue.
BAN KI-MOON, QUARTET OPPOSE FURTHER SETTLEMENTS:
Asked about Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory,
the Spokeswoman noted the Secretary-General’s position against further
settlement activity, as well as the position expressed by the Quartet.
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRANSMITTED IRAQI REQUEST TO SECURITY
COUNCIL: Asked about a letter from the Prime Minister of Iraq asking for an
investigation into recent bombings there, the Spokeswoman said that the
Secretary-General has transmitted the letter to the President of the Security
Council, and it is up to the Security Council to decide how to move forward.
LETTER ON SWITZERLAND WITHDRAWN: Asked about a
reported letter from Libya concerning the dissolution of Switzerland, the
Spokeswoman said it was her understanding that the letter has been withdrawn.
THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS
5 - 11 September 2009
Monday, 7 September
The UN headquarters will be
closed today for Labor Day.
Today, Deputy Secretary-General
Asha-Rose Migiro will travel to Rome, Italy, to deliver the key-note address at
a ministerial-level International Conference on Violence against Women.
This conference is being held under the auspices of the Italian G8 Presidency.
Today through 18 September, UN Special Rapporteur
Margaret Sekaggya will be in Colombia assessing the situation of human rights
defenders in the country.
Tuesday, 8 September
Today and tomorrow, the Secretary-General will be in Mexico
City where he will open the 62nd Annual Department of
Public Information-Non-Governmental Organizations Conference [9-11
September]. The theme of this year’s Conference is
For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!
While in Mexico, the
Secretary-General is also expected to meet President Felipe Calderón to discuss
issues such as climate change, the Millennium Development Goals and human
rights.
Paul Farmer concludes his first official visit to Haiti as
the newly appointed Deputy Special Envoy to the country. He started his trip on
4 September.
The guest at the noon briefing will be Janos Pasztor,
Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team. He will brief
on the preparations for the upcoming High-level Event on Climate [22 September]
as well as on other climate change related developments.
At 1.30 p.m. in Room-S226,
President of the General Assembly
Miguel
d'Escoto
Brockmann and Heiner Flassbeck from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
will hold a press conference to launch the 2009 Trade and Development Report.
The report will provide extended analysis on issues raised in the UN Conference
on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development (June
2009).
Wednesday, 9 September
The Security Council will hold consultations on the UN
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and 1737 (2006) Committee in the morning and an open
debate on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
in the afternoon.
Thursday, 10 September
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Werner
Obermeyer from the World Health Organization and Brian Mishara from the
International Association for Suicide Prevention will hold a press conference on
suicide prevention as guests at the noon briefing.
At 4 p.m. in Room-S226, President of the
General Assembly
Miguel
d'Escoto
Brockmann and Joseph Stiglitz, Chairman of the Commission of Experts of
the President of the General Assembly on Reforms of the International Monetary
and Financial System, will hold a pre-publication launch of the report of the
Commission.
Friday, 11 September
No major events are scheduled
for today.
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