ARCHIVES
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
MONDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2011
SECRETARY-GENERAL VOICES SADNESS AT DEATH OF WANGARI MAATHAI
- The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to
learn of the death of Professor Wangari Maathai. A globally recognized champion for human
rights and women’s empowerment, Professor Maathai
was a pioneer in articulating the links between human rights, poverty,
environmental protection and security – for which she was awarded the 2004
Nobel Peace Prize.
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- Professor Maathai
contributed over many decades to furthering the ideals and objectives of
the United Nations. In recognition
of her deep commitment, the Secretary-General named her a UN Messenger of Peace
in December 2009, with a focus on the environment and climate change. In
June 2010 the Secretary-General asked her to join an eminent group of
personalities responsible for using their global credibility and renown to
boost progress toward the Millennium
Development Goals. She served
effectively and enthusiastically in both roles.
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- Professor Maathai’s
association with the United Nations spans decades. She was known throughout the development
and human rights community not just for her inspirational eloquence, but
for her human warmth. Her passing
is a loss for the people of Kenya and the world, in particular as we
prepare for next year’s crucially important Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable
Development.
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- The Secretary-General extends deep
condolences to Professor Maathai’s family and
friends. At this time of sorrow,
let us remember the remarkable contributions of a remarkable woman.
LIBYA: TOP U.N. POLITICAL OFFICIAL OUTLINES KEY CHALLENGES
- The Security Council heard a briefing
this morning on Libya
from the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe. He
informed the Council that the UN Support Mission in Libya is establishing a presence in Tripoli, which, he said,
displays remarkable normality.
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- Mr. Pascoe drew attention to four key
challenges facing the National Transitional Council: steps to address
national reconciliation and unity; control over the large stock of
sophisticated arms amassed by the Qadhafi Government;
the need to secure mass grave sites and investigate human right
violations; and the welfare of African migrants and third country
nationals.
SECURITY
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PALESTINIAN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
- On Monday afternoon, the Security Council will hold
consultations on the admission of new members. On Friday, the
Secretary-General transmitted the Palestinian application given to him by
President Mahmoud Abbas
to the President of the Security Council.
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- Asked about the Secretary-General’s
meetings with President Abbas, the Spokesperson
noted that they had met briefly on Friday after the handover of the
letter.
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- Asked about to further steps, Nesirky said the Secretary-General was hoping that the
two parties concerned would review the statement
made by the Quartet on Friday and respond to it in a positive and favorable manner.
SECURITY
COUNCIL CALLS FOR REJECTION OF VIOLENCE IN YEMEN
- In a press
statement on Sunday, the Security
Council referred to the heightened tensions and continuing violence in
Yemen.
Council members urged all sides, in the period after President Ali
Abdullah Saleh’s return to Yemen last
Friday, to reject violence, including against peaceful and unarmed civilians,
and show maximum restraint.
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- They called on all parties to move
forward urgently in an inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led process of
political transition, on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council
initiative, that meets the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people for
change. They also called upon all the parties to respect their obligations
under applicable international law.
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- The Secretary-General remains greatly
concerned about the volatility of the situation in Yemen. Special Advisor Jamal Benomar is continuing his efforts in Yemen. The
Secretary-General urges all sides to engage with the Special Advisor in a
constructive manner aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the
current crisis.
SPOKESPERSON:
SECURITY MISUNDERSTANDINGS RESOLVED
- In response to questions, the
Spokesperson said that, last week, there were some unfortunate
misunderstandings involving security between UN uniformed officials and
security officials of member delegations.
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- Nesirky said
that the Secretariat believed that these have been satisfactorily resolved
and that prompt action had been taken. Necessary action is also being
taken to prevent such misunderstandings in the future, he added.
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- He said that the UN was grateful for
the understanding and forbearance shown by all concerned during this
period of heightened security.
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- Nesirky also confirmed
that the Secretary-General had met with the Turkish Prime Minister.
OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
U.N. SPEAKS OUT AGAINST DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACKS IN IRAQ: The acting
head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has strongly condemned
Sunday’s terrorist attacks targeting government buildings in Kerbala. Dozens
were killed and many others were injured in this incident.
AIR
POLLUTION REACHING CRITICAL LEVELS, SAYS WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: Air
pollution is reaching levels in many cities threatening people’s health, according
to air quality data – including information from nearly 1,110 cities in more
than 90 countries – released by the World Health Organization (WHO). It
estimates that more than 2 million people die every year from breathing in tiny
particles from both indoor and outdoor air pollution.
FORMER SPOKESPERSON FOR BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI PASSED
AWAY: Joe Sills, who worked for three years as a Spokesperson for
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, died on Sunday, having suffered a stroke.
Prior to that, he had also been Associate Spokesperson for Javier Pérez de Cuellar. He later worked as Director of the UN
Information Centre in Washington,
D.C. He earned the highest
compliment for any spokesperson: He was someone that you could always trust.
Office of the Spokesperson for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, SA-1B15
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
