HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ,
ASSOCIATE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Friday, October 2, 2009
SECRETARY-GENERAL LEAVES SWEDEN FOR DENMARK
The Secretary-General has arrived in Copenhagen after completing his official visit to Sweden.
Earlier today in Stockholm, the Secretary-General met with the Speaker of Parliament and representatives of political parties and then spoke with Swedish Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). He then went to Copenhagen, where he was scheduled to have a working dinner with the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
The Secretary-General and Mrs. Ban also plan to meet this evening with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, and Mrs. Rogge.
On Saturday in Copenhagen, the Secretary-General is scheduled to give the keynote speech to the Olympic Congress. He will discuss how the Olympic Committee’s Sports for Environment agenda is helping to make the concept of ‘Green Games’ a reality. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Copenhagen, entitled “The Road to Copenhagen: Meeting the Climate Challenge.”
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEFERS ACTION ON GAZA RESOLUTION
This morning in Geneva, the Human Rights Council decided to defer action on a draft resolution concerning human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. That draft dealt with the Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, which had been headed by Justice Richard Goldstone.
Because of that decision, which was requested by the draft resolution’s sponsors, the Human Rights Council will now take up the text at its thirteenth session, to be held in March 2010.
In related news, the Human Rights Council today adopted six resolutions and one decision on a wide variety of subjects, including on: freedom of opinion and expression; elimination of discrimination against women; the adverse effects of toxic waste dumping on human rights; the effects of foreign debt on human rights; extreme poverty and human rights; Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar; and promoting human rights in accordance with traditional human values and international human rights law.
U.N. WELCOMES ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN EXCHANGE
Asked about the UN reaction to the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a videotape of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Spokesperson said that the United Nations welcomes today’s developments and hopes to see further progress and a speedy resolution to these important issues.
He added that the Secretary-General had repeatedly called for the release of Gilad Shalit. He has also consistently called for the opening of crossing points into Gaza.
U.N. HELPING WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS IN QUAKE-HIT INDONESIA
The UN is working with the Government of Indonesia to help the people of West Sumatra, and to coordinate the relief efforts of the international humanitarian community.
A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is currently on the ground to help the Government in coordinating with international search and rescue teams. Emergency funds are also on standby to complement the Government’s relief efforts.
Preliminary assistance provided by the UN includes family kits, school tents, health reproductive kits, and heavy equipment for search and rescue efforts.
Following the earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia, which measured 7.6 on the Richter Scale, latest reports show 715 people dead, 2,400 injured, thousands trapped under buildings, and about 20,000 houses severely damaged, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The number of internally displaced persons is unknown at this time, but initial rapid assessments are underway and will provide a clearer picture of the number of fatalities, injured and displaced. Electricity and communication have not been restored.
PHILIPPINES: U.N. AGENCIES RUSH RELIEF SUPPLIES TO STORM SURVIVORS
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the tropical storm that hit the Philippines has affected more than 3.1 million people and claimed the lives of 293 people, while 42 people are reported missing.
OCHA says that nearly 651,000 people are accommodated in 508 evacuation shelters.
Relief efforts are being slowed by the approaching Typhoon Parma, which is expected to hit the Philippines this weekend. OCHA is very concerned, as some 8.5 million people live in the path of the typhoon and 1.8 million people are living in areas that are expected to bear the full force of the storm.
A flash appeal will be launched in Geneva on 6 October 2009. An application for funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund is under preparation to support the projects presented in the appeal.
The World Food Programme’s first response had been to roll out 750 metric tons of food, mostly rice, for 180,000 people affected by the storm there. The World Food Programme is looking to launch an emergency food relief programme for 1 million people for a 3-month period.
UNICEF is working to ensure that 20,000 children could return to school as soon as possible.
The World Health Organization’s regional centre in the Philippines has sent first aid kits, as well as 10,000 containers of water.
FOOD RATIONS GIVEN TO TYPHOON VICTIMS IN LAO P.D.R.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is rapidly expanding its operations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, following a destructive typhoon that hit the southern part of the country on Wednesday.
WFP’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, has said she is “extremely concerned” about people’s ability to “get back on their feet.” In the meantime, the agency is providing rations of rice and canned fish to the survivors.
IRAQ MISSION GETS NEW DEPUTY CHIEF
The Secretary-General has appointed Christine McNab of Sweden as his Deputy Special Representative for Iraq. Ms. McNab will head the Development and Humanitarian Support component of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). She will also serve as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.
She will replace David Shearer. The Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Shearer’s leadership and contribution to improved coordination of the United Nations system in Iraq.
Ms. McNab has a wealth of experience in development cooperation, with a particular focus on public sector reform, democratic governance and capacity development in support of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. She currently serves as the UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She held a similar position from 2002 to 2006 as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan.
SOMALIA: CIVILIANS BEARING THE BRUNT IN LATEST UPSURGE IN FIGHTING
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says that the civilian population in Somalia is bearing the brunt in the latest upsurge in fighting in the troubled South Central region. The Agency says that its local partners report that 145 people have been killed and another 285 injured in heavy clashes throughout Somalia, mainly in Kismayo and Mogadishu, in September alone.
Yesterday, Al Shabaab said it had taken control of the southern city of Kismayo from their former allies, Hisb-ul-Islam. According to hospital sources, some 12 people were killed and 50 others injured, UNHCR says.
The Agency says that the rate of displacement of civilians within Somalia had diminished over the last two months, as compared to May and June, but it is still high, with 17,000 people displaced within Somalia during September alone. UNHCR fears that, if the fighting between Al Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam escalates, more than half a million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Afgooye corridor, some 30 km south of Mogadishu, could be affected and uprooted once again.
UNHCR provides protection and assistance to more than 515,000 Somali refugees in the nearby countries of Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda. There are also more than 1.5 million IDPs in the country and the number is constantly increasing.
Also today, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, congratulated Somaliland officials on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the way forward to holding presidential elections, which had been previously postponed.
Asked about allegations of the diversion of food aid to Somalia, the Spokesperson later clarified that the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Somalia Monitoring Group are both looking into this matter.
WFP systematically follows an established procedure to check the contractors it works with in Somalia. Given the seriousness of the allegations raised, in June, WFP hired two external investigating companies with experience in Somalia. Based on those findings, WFP launched a formal investigation under its own Inspector General at the end of August.
When the investigations are complete, WFP will determine its course of action, Haq said.
U.N. ENVOY BILL CLINTON WELCOMES 500 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EXECUTIVES TO HAITI
The UN Special Envoy for Haiti, Bill Clinton, has welcomed 500 international business executives to the country, as part of his two-day visit, which concludes today.
According to the Office of the Special Envoy, the trade delegation traveling with Clinton was the first of this kind to the country in over 25 years. The visit coincided with an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Investment Conference and an International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference – bringing together an unprecedented number of companies and investors to Haiti.
On Thursday, Clinton spoke before the Inter-American Development Bank conference, emphasizing the significant business opportunities in Haiti, in such industries as agriculture, renewable energy, textiles, and infrastructure. “This is the right time to invest in Haiti,” he added.
The UN Special Envoy also met with Haitian President René Préval and Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis.
Today, Clinton is traveling to the northern coast of Haiti to highlight tourism opportunities. This morning, he visited the Sans Souci Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and national park.
HONDURAS: U.N. OFFICIAL CONCERNED BY CURTAILING OF CIVIL LIBERTIES
The Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Koïchiro Matsuura, today voiced concern over civil liberties in Honduras, following a government decree that curtails such liberties for a period of 45 days.
Matsuura says he is particularly concerned about freedom of expression in the country.
He adds that it is important that political tensions in Honduras be resolved in a manner that recognizes the rights of citizens to engage in informed debate.
He calls on the authorities to reconsider their position in light of democratic principles and to ensure that respect for good governance is maintained.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL BRIEFS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON RULE OF LAW
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro this morning addressed an informal meeting of the General Assembly on the rule of law.
The Deputy Secretary-General, who was also speaking in her capacity as Chair of the UN Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group, noted that the Organization is now engaged in rule of law activities in more than 120 countries.
Her remarks also include an update on the implementation of the UN Joint Strategic Plan, which she described as a significant step in coordinating the work of the nine leading UN departments and agencies engaged in rule of law activities. She said the Plan will strengthen coherence, keep Member States engaged and reinforce global action for the rule of law.
BAN KI-MOON HONORS GANDHI’S LEGACY ON NON-VIOLENCE DAY
Today is the International Day of Non-Violence. In a message marking this occasion, the Secretary-General urges people to celebrate and embody the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by heeding his call for a movement of non-violence.
He highlights the UN’s work to end violence, for example by striving to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction. The call to non-violence also applies to stopping the human assault on our planet, adds the Secretary-General.
On this Day, the Secretary-General also urges all partners to join his UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.
The Deputy Secretary-General is also expected later today to deliver remarks on this year’s observance of the International Day of Non-Violence, which celebrates the legacy of Gandhi. She is expected to underline UN efforts to reach a world free of weapons, and underscore how the UN’s drive to combat climate change can contribute to reducing the causes of violent conflicts.
CLIMATE CHANGE: PROGRESS TOWARDS EMISSION CUTS REMAINS DISAPPOINTING
Negotiators have concluded the first week of the UN Climate Change Talks in Bangkok. The talks are the penultimate negotiating session ahead of the Copenhagen conference in December.
Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said he found it encouraging that progress was being made towards effective draft agreements in key areas. He underlined the progress made in adaptation, technology, and building capacity to deal with climate action in developing nations. He also said he found it very positive to see negotiators finally getting into the text and beginning to slim it down.
De Boer however warned that progress toward higher industrialized world emission cuts remained disappointing. Progress on finance, he added, was disappointing as well.
John Ashe, the Chair of the Working Group under the Kyoto Protocol, also said that progress was urgently needed next week on a higher level of ambition in terms of emission reduction pledges.
The Climate Change Talks in Bangkok will run through 9 October.
NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ACTION UNDERTAKEN TO END FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
The Secretary-General’s report to the General Assembly on girls is available today. The report highlights activities undertaken to end female genital mutilation. The Secretary-General says that ending female genital mutilation/cutting will contribute to the achievement of several Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.
He adds that the goal of the Inter-agency Statement on Female Genital Mutilation -- which is the overall abandonment of female genital mutilation/cutting in one generation – could be reached if support and collaboration are strengthened.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO FOCUS ON MIGRATION
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) says that the 2009 Human Development Report will be launched this Monday in Bangkok. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark and the Prime Minister of Thailand will be there for the launch.
This year’s report demonstrates that migration – both within and between countries – can improve the lives of millions of people – including those who move, those in destination communities and those that remain at home. The Human Development Report, which comes out once a year, is an independent report commissioned by UNDP.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
PEACEKEEPING CHIEF HEADS TO SOUTH ASIA: Next week the Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, will travel to Bangladesh, India and Pakistan as part of an official visit to top troop-contributing countries. One of the main purposes of Mr. Le Roy’s trip is to thank the countries for their long-standing dedication to peacekeeping and engage in an open discussion regarding current and future peacekeeping challenges.
URBAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATES RISE IN LATIN AMERICA, CARIBBEAN: Urban unemployment rates have reached 8.5% in the second quarter of this year, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean and the International Labor Organization’s second joint bulletin. This means that 2.5 million additional people are joining the ranks of the unemployed. According to the joint bulletin, the unemployment figure could reach 18.4 million.
SECURITY COUNCIL AGREES ON MONTHLY SCHEDULE: The Security Council this morning adopted its programme of work for October, in its first consultations under the Vietnamese Presidency of the Security Council.
MYANMAR POLITICAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE FREED: In response to a question, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has learned of the court’s decision to reject Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal. His position has been clear and remains the same: Aung San Suu Kyi and all remaining political prisoners should be free and allowed to participate in their country’s political process.
DEPUTY ENVOY’S SEPARATION BEING PROCESSED: Asked about the status of the former Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Afghanistan, Peter Galbraith, the Spokesperson said that Galbraith’s separation from service is being processed now. He will be employed up the completion of that process. As of 30 September 2009, he added, Galbraith no longer executed the functions of DSRSG.
U.N. DEDICATED TO UPHOLDING THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE: The Spokesperson declined to comment on remarks about homosexuality attributed to the President of the General Assembly. He noted that, although the Member States as a whole have not come to a formal decision on that topic, the United Nations is dedicated to upholding the rights of all people, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS[1]
3 - 9 October 2009
Saturday, 3 October
The Secretary-General will be in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he will give the keynote address at the opening of the International Olympic Committee’s congress. He will also give a lecture on climate change at the Copenhagen University.
Sunday, 4 October
The Secretary-General will meet with the Danish Foreign Minister and the Climate and Energy Minister.
Starting today and until 8 October, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mr. Githu Muigai (Kenya), will undertake a country visit to the United Arab Emirates, at the invitation of the Government.
Monday, 5 October
Today and tomorrow, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva where he will address the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecom World and will hold a press conference.
The Security Council will hold an open debate on women and peace and security.
Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, will be in Pakistan today and tomorrow, as part of an official visit to top Troop Contributing Countries that will also take him to Bangladesh (8 October) and India (13-15 October). One of the main purposes of Mr. Le Roy’s trip is to thank the countries for their long-standing dedication to peacekeeping and engage in an open discussion regarding current and future peacekeeping challenges.
The UNDP 2009 Human Development Report “Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development” will be launched today. The main launch will take place in Bangkok, with the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark.
Today is World Habitat Day.
Tuesday, 6 October
The 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference will start today and run through 23 October in Paris. During the session, the General Conference is expected to endorse the nomination of Irina Bokova (Bulgaria) as the new Director-General of the Organization.
The guest at the noon briefing, John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, will brief on a new humanitarian flash appeal for areas in the Philippines recently devastated by natural disasters.
Wednesday, 7 October
There are no major events scheduled for today.
Thursday, 8 October
This morning, the Security Council will hear a briefing on Somalia. It is also expected to adopt a resolution on ISAF authorization.
Today is World Sight Day.
Friday, 9 October
Today is World Post Day.
[1]This document is for planning purposes only and is current as of DATE \@ "HH:mm" 14:10 DATE \@ "dddd, dd MMMM, yyyy" Friday, 02 October, 2009.
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