HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2014

MARKING INTERNATIONAL DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS FOR END TO NUCLEAR TESTS

• The Secretary-General spoke this morning at the General Assembly’s informal meeting to mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
• He voiced regret that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty has still not entered into force, 18 years after opening for signature.
• The Secretary-General called on the world community not to allow despair or cynicism to erode our commitment to this great common cause.
• He noted that in places such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, he met people who have refused to be defeated by their tragedies.
• The Secretary-General said that we must listen to their words and imagine the effects of these detonations as if they were experienced by each of us. Only then can we can better understand the imperative to renew our commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests.

U.N. RELIEF CHIEF TO VISIT IRAQ

• The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, is expected to visit Iraq from 11-14 September to see how UN agencies can further support the aid efforts in that country.  
• During her visit, she will meet senior Iraqi and Kurdish officials as well as visit displaced communities. She is expected to hold a press conference in Baghdad on 14 September.
• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that as the winter approaches, UN agencies and their humanitarian partners will continue to increase their assistance. Up to 1.8 million people have been displaced since the beginning of the year in Iraq.

AFGHANISTAN: U.N. ENVOY ENDORSES CALL ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES

• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš, today endorsed a call made by the Ulema Council, Afghanistan’s religious council, asking both Presidential candidates to resolve their differences and come to an agreement on the formation of a government of national unity soon.
• Mr. Kubiš’ meeting is a part of his ongoing engagement with the various political groups in Afghanistan in support of the electoral process.

GAZA: U.N. HOPEFUL GAZA CEASEFIRE WILL BE REACHED IN COMING DAYS

• In response to questions about the UN’s role in supporting the ceasefire reached in Gaza, the Spokesman said that according to the office of UN Special Coordinator Robert Serry, the United Nations on the ground is in intensive negotiations with the parties to finalize an understanding on access mechanism for the reconstruction of Gaza. We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached within the next few days.

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF U.N. STAFF PENSION FUND

• The Secretary-General has appointed Carolyn Boykin of the United States as Representative of the Secretary-General (RSG) for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
• The position is full-time RSG, established by the General Assembly in March this year, will assist the Secretary-General in carrying out the fiduciary responsibilities for the investment of the assets of the Fund. In her new role, Ms. Boykin will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Pension Board, and will be responsible for the overall investment policy, and oversight and management of the investments of the Fund.
• Ms. Boykin is currently President of the Bolton Partners Investment Consulting Group, in Maryland.

U.N. TO GIVE PRESS TOUR OF REFURBISHED GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL

• The high-level segment of the General Assembly will open in the newly-refurbished General Assembly Hall following the Capital Master Plan. Assistant Secretary-General Michael Adlerstein, who leads the Capital Master Plan, will give a guided tour of the General Assembly Building and an on-the-record briefing to UN Resident Correspondents tomorrow.