HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

THURSDAY, 22 JANUARY 2015

 

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN DAVOS TO ATTEND WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

  • The Secretary-General arrived in Davos, Switzerland, this morning where he will take part in the World Economic Forum.
  • He held meetings with the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the Vice Chancellor of Austria, Michael Spindelegger. He also attended the World Food Programme (WFP) Hunger Award Ceremony.

POISON OF HATRED LOOSE IN TOO MANY PLACES, WARNS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN MESSAGE TO ANTI-SEMITISM MEETING

  • The General Assembly, held an informal meeting this morning to discuss concerns about the rise in anti-Semitism around the world. Speaking to the Member States by video message, the Secretary-General said that anti-Semitism is one of the oldest forms of prejudice known to humankind and that an UN that wants to be true to its founding aims and ideals has a duty to speak out against anti-Semitism.
  • The Secretary-General warned that the poison of hatred is loose in too many places. Jews remain targets, as do Muslims and so many others. Our responses must avoid perpetuating the cycles of demonization and playing into the hands of those who seek to divide.
  • He added that we must also avoid another trap involving the Middle East conflict. Grievances about Israeli actions must never be used as an excuse to attack Jews. In the same vein, he said criticisms of Israeli actions should not be summarily dismissed as anti-Semitism. This only suppresses dialogue and hinders the search for peace.

BETTER DISASTER EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS HAVE HELPED SAVE LIVES GLOBALLY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERA

  • Marking ten years after the adoption of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNISDR) Hyogo Framework for Action, the Secretary-General said that early warning systems, improved weather forecasting and greater understanding of the dangers posed by natural disasters have helped to save thousands of lives.
  • The Framework, which focuses on building the resilience of disaster-affected communities and countries, was adopted just weeks after the Indian Ocean Tsunami which as you would recall claimed, which as you would recall claimed some 227,000 lives. Since its adoption, there have been more than 3,400 internationally reported disasters triggered by earthquakes, floods, storms, drought, heatwaves and other natural hazards.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED ABOUT DETERIORATING SITUATION IN D.R. CONGO

  • In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including in Kinshasa and other cities following the adoption of a draft electoral law by the National Assembly, currently under further review in the Senate.
  • He deplored the loss of lives and injuries caused, so far, and calls on the national security forces and demonstrators to refrain from further violence and exercise maximum restraint.
  • The Secretary-General underscored the Government's responsibility to provide political space for the peaceful expression of opinions. Demonstrations should be conducted in a peaceful manner. While violence is not acceptable, the response to violent protests must also be proportionate.
  • The Secretary-General called on all key stakeholders to resume political dialogue and ensure that elections-related matters are discussed in an inclusive and peaceful fashion in the appropriate fora.
  • The Secretary-General reaffirmed the readiness of his Special Representative to use his good offices to help narrow the gap between the main actors involved.
  • The Secretary-General reiterated the need for a credible, peaceful, and timely electoral process, in accordance with the Constitution.
  • The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, briefed the Security Council today on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and our strategic review of the UN Mission (MONUSCO).
  • Mr. Ladsous said that over the past few days, we have witnessed troubling incidents relating to the electoral process in Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu and Lubumbashi. He expressed deep concern about the violence and deplored the loss of lives, destruction of property and acts of looting.
  • He said that reports of security forces using force against peaceful unarmed demonstrators and arbitrary arrests are troubling and that reports that the DRC Government ordered internet sites, text messaging services and radio stations to be shut down are alarming.
  • Mr. Ladsous added that the UN would be happy to work with the Government to enable it to recommend an accelerated the drawdown, provided conditions permit. However, he said that MONUSCO's drawdown will depend on the Government's commitment and ability to make tangible progress on neutralizing armed groups, in particular the FDLR and ADF; building the capacity of the army and the police in a sustainable manner and holding credible elections which would contribute to consolidating stability, in accordance with the Constitution.

RENEWED FIGHTING IN UKRAINE OVERSHADOWS SIGNS OF PROGRESS, WARNS U.N. OFFICIAL

  • The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, briefed the Security Council yesterday on Ukraine, which he said was confronting the worst hostilities in eastern Ukraine since the cease-fire and Minsk Protocol were agreed on 5 September.
  • Encouraging signs of progress, such as the exchange of hundreds of prisoners, are quickly being overshadowed by renewed fighting and a deepening political stalemate.

LIBYA: U.N. MISSION CONDEMNS ATTACK AGAINST CENTRAL BANK IN BENGHAZI

  • The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the reported armed attack against the country’s Central Bank branch in Benghazi.
  • The Mission calls for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the situation
  • UNSMIL said that the incident and the latest ceasefire breaches stress the importance of moving ahead urgently with the dialogue process, which remains the best solution to Libya’s deteriorating political and security situation.
  • It called on all parties to do more to make sure that the truce, which the parties unilaterally agreed to last week, is fully respected in order to create a conducive environment for the dialogue. 

U.N. EBOLA OFFICIAL CALLS ON MALI TO REMAIN VIGILANT DESPITE PROGRESS

  • During a trip to Mali, the head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, congratulated the country for the end of active transmission of Ebola. However, he called on Mali to remain vigilant.
  • On 18 January, the UN and Mali officially declared the end of the active transmission of the Ebola epidemic 42 days after the last new case was registered. Eight people had been infected with the virus, including six who had died.

NEW DEPUTY HEAD OF U.N. MISSION IN SOMALIA ARRIVES IN MOGADISHU

  • The Secretary-General’s new Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga, arrived in Mogadishu today to support peace- and state-building process in the country.
  • In the coming days, he is expected to meet with officials from the Federal Government and Parliament, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). 

U.N. HONOURS TEN COUNTRIES WHO HAVE PAID THEIR DUES FOR 2015 IN FULL

  • Publically acknowledging Member States who pay their dues to the UN in full and on time, the Spokesman said that as of today, ten countries are on the honour roll: Armenia, Bhutan, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Senegal and Singapore.
  • He said that the Dominican Republic and Senegal were the first countries to pay their dues in full on 1 January 2015.
  • The Spokesman added that updates on dues are available on the Committee on Contributions website.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Responding to a question on the Secretary-General’s response to the incident reported near the Golan area on Sunday, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General is concerned about the violation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria and the potential consequences of the reported incident of 18 January.
  • He added that the Secretary-General called on all concerned to exercise maximum calm and restraint, to refrain from any action that could undermine the stability of the area, and to act responsibly to prevent any escalation in an already tense regional environment.
  • The Secretary-General urges respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions.
  • Responding to another question on the attack by a Palestinian on a bus in Tel Aviv yesterday, which injured several Israelis, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General condemns the attack. There can be no justification whatsoever for deliberate attacks on civilians and the Secretary-General continues to call on all sides to refrain from further exacerbating an already tense environment.

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