Secretary-General

Noon briefing of 21 September 2016

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM

WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2016

SECRETARY-GENERAL VOICES CONFIDENCE THAT PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE TO ENTER INTO FORCE IN 2016

  • The Paris Agreement on climate change is now closer to entering into force, with 31 more countries having joined it today at an event this morning hosted by the Secretary-General.
  • The thresholds for entry into force are 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • As of today, 60 countries have now joined the Paris Agreement representing more than 47.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Secretary-General said this morning that we have crossed one threshold and the emissions threshold is within reach.
  • He noted that commitments have been made by many other countries – including Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the Republic of Korea – to join the Agreement this year, stressing that he is convinced that it will enter into force before the end of 2016.
  • The Secretary-General said that on a personal note, this is a very special moment for him, as he has worked relentlessly to bring countries together to accelerate and strengthen the global response to climate change since taking office in 2007.

SYRIA: SECRETARY-GENERAL WARNS SECURITY COUNCIL OF “MAKE OR BREAK” MOMENT

  • The Secretary-General told the members of the Security Council that we are at a “make or break moment” in Syria and he challenged key nations to use their influence now to restore a cessation of hostilities, enable humanitarian assistance everywhere it is needed, and support the United Nations in charting a political path for the Syrians to negotiate a way out of the hell in which they are trapped.
  • The Secretary-General said that the Syrian tragedy shames us all and that the collective failure of the international community should haunt every member of this Council. Well over 300,000 Syrians have been killed, half of the country’s population has been uprooted, and much of its infrastructure lies in ruins, he said.
  • The Secretary-General added that the attack on a UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent humanitarian convoy two days ago was an outrage, resulting in several casualties and forcing the UN to suspend aid operations. He is looking at options for vigorously investigating this and other similar atrocities against civilians.
  • Staffan de Mistura, the Special Envoy for Syria, said that despite the horrors on the ground, there has been some convergence of views among the Syrian parties on the need for a unified Syrian state and for a political transition. He said that the parties are to discuss the framework for a political transition when the intra-Syrian talks resume.
  • He noted that the sides need to recognize that a transition needs to be all-inclusive and agreed among the parties.

U.N. MISSION IN COLOMBIA TO HELP ENSURE COMMITMENTS ARE KEPT, BUILD CONFIDENCE IN PEACE PROCESS

  • The Secretary-General today commended the Security Council for its unanimous, timely and effective action in responding to Colombia’s request for assistance.
  • The United Nations has been entrusted with important responsibilities, in particular in the monitoring and verification of the ceasefire and the laying down of arms, he said, adding that the deployment of the UN Mission in Colombia is now well advanced with some 200 unarmed observers and civilian staff on the ground. Their numbers will grow quickly as the next stages of the peace process are completed, and their presence aims to help ensure that crucial commitments will be kept and to build confidence in the peace process.
  • The Secretary-General commended President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon of Colombia for his vision and determination, and said it will be an honour for him to attend the signing ceremony of the peace agreements in Cartagena on Monday.
  • These comprehensive agreements offer Colombians not only the end of a conflict, but the prospect of lasting peace rooted in more equitable development, a fully inclusive democracy, and redress for millions of victims.
  • At a time of armed conflict in many other places, peace in Colombia sends a powerful message of hope to the world, the Secretary-General concluded

    ‘NO PLACE FOR DEATH PENALTY IN 21ST CENTURY,’ SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES

  • The Secretary-General today reaffirmed his conviction that there is no place for the death penalty in the 21st century.
  • Speaking at a panel event today, he said that as Secretary-General, he has had the privilege of meeting with people who have suffered wrongful convictions and could have been executed.
  • The Secretary-General stressed that the right to life is fundamental, and that the death penalty is not applied fairly and is used disproportionately against minorities.
  • He urged world leaders, legislators and justice officials to stop executions now, with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE POSES FUNDAMENTAL LONG-TERM THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT – SECRETARY-GENERAL

  • Antimicrobial resistance poses a fundamental, long-term threat to human health, sustainable food production and development, the Secretary-General said today at a high-level event on the subject.
  • He gave several examples of the reality of the issue in all parts of the world, including rising resistance to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis drugs, as well as spread of antibiotic-resistant infections from live farm animals to meat and people.
  • These trends are undermining hard-won achievements under the Millennium Development Goals, including against HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and the survival of mothers and children, the Secretary-General said.
  • He added that if we fail to address this problem quickly and comprehensively, antimicrobial resistance will make providing high quality universal health coverage more difficult, if not impossible.
  • It will require long-term commitment from everyone, he finally said, as well as deep engagement, cooperation and coordination of several sectors, and sustained financing.