HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
MONDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2016
 
MARKING U.N. DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR HIS SUCCESSOR TO CONTINUE WORK IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT

• As the United Nations turns 71 today, UN Day is being marked at UN offices and duty stations around the world.  There are dozens of events and activities taking place, including ceremonies, seminars, panel discussions, student briefings, art competitions, exhibitions, film screenings and special programmes on local TV or radio.
• Here in New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a proclamation declaring 24 October as UN Day across the City of New York.  The proclamation recognises the UN "for the indelible impact it has made in our great city and our world".  The proclamation was presented by NYC Commissioner for International Affairs Penny Abeywardena to Under-Secretary-General Cristina Gallach in front of UN Headquarters this morning.
• In a message to mark the day, the Secretary-General said that this year’s observance of United Nations Day occurs at a time of transition for the world and for the United Nations. He noted that the United Nations is also in transition, from its eighth Secretary-General to the ninth.  He thanked people across the world for their support -- and urged all to give their full backing to Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres in continuing our global mission of peace, sustainable development and human rights.

U.N. REGRETS LACK OF GUARANTEES TO ALLOW FOR AID TO REACH ALEPPO

• The UN regrets that adequate guarantees have not yet been provided for humanitarian and medical assistance into besieged eastern Aleppo and urges all parties to facilitate immediate and urgent medical evacuations of the sick and wounded and their family members. These are basic requirements under international humanitarian law and human rights law, and compliance is an obligation for all parties.

HAITI: U.N. CONTINUES PROVIDING HURRICANE RELIEF DESPITE HEAVY RAINS

• The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) reports that heavy rains over the past few days have worsened conditions in areas already affected by the storm, increasing the challenges to humanitarian aid distribution.
• MINUSTAH continues to facilitate the transport to the area, including an Internews team to Jeremie yesterday. The media foundation Internews will establish and support the work of community radios in the south-west of Haiti.
• On the humanitarian front, the World Food Programme (WFP) provided another 1,150 tons of food, reaching some 173,000 people between 8 and 20 October and water purification tablets are being distributed for 190,000 people.
• Thirteen trucks for 175,000 people in 307 temporary shelters were sent to Les Cayes and Jérémie last week.

IRAQ: MOSUL MILITARY OPERATION FORCES 7,000 PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR HOMES – U.N. RELIEF WING

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that more than 7,000 people are internally displaced as a result of the Mosul military operation. The situation is fluid and the numbers and patterns of displacement are fluctuating as the front lines move.
• The majority of displaced people are sheltering in host communities; some families move out of harm’s way only for a short time and quickly return home once conditions allow. Regardless of displacement pattern, all families are reported to be in a vulnerable condition and need assistance.
• Humanitarian partners continue to provide assistance wherever access allows. Partners provided assistance in Al Houd within 24 hours of its being retaken from Da’esh on 18 October, and in recent days have provided assistance packages in the newly retaken areas of Ibrahim Al Khalil and Al Adla, south and southeast of Mosul.

U.N. MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPURLIC REPORTS CIVIL UNREST, PROTESTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT, UNITED NATIONS

• The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reports violence and unrest in Bangui today, following civil unrest and protests against the Government and the United Nations. The Mission reports gunfire as well as incidents of looting in a number of neighbourhoods of the capital.
• Unconfirmed preliminary reports indicate some casualties. According to preliminary reports at least four UN peacekeepers have been injured.
• Government security forces and UN peacekeepers have been deployed to contain the demonstrations. MINUSCA has strengthened its patrols in Bangui to protect the population, including through the removal of barricades in parts of the city.
• The Mission continues to closely monitor the situation and urges for calm. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the people and the authorities of the Central African Republic, in accordance with our mandate.

U.N. ENVOY MEETS FOREIGN MINISTER OF BURUNDI

• The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Burundi, Jamal Benomar, had a constructive conversation with the Foreign Minister in Bujumbura today. 
• He will meet with more Government officials and other stakeholders in the coming days.
• The visit comes in response to a decision by the Security Council to send Mr. Benomar to Burundi in order for him to cooperate with the Government to develop, in a consensual manner, a plan and timeline for the implementation of Resolution 2303.

OPIUM PRODUCTION JUMPS 43 PER CENT, NEW U.N. REPORT FINDS

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a new report detailing a marked increase in opium production in Afghanistan. 
• The latest data from the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics and UNODC show that opium production rose by 43 per cent to 4,800 metric tons in 2016 compared to 2015 levels. The area under opium poppy cultivation also increased by 10 per cent over 2015 levels.
• Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, said that the new report shows a worrying reversal in efforts to combat the persistent problem of illicit drugs and their impact on development, health and security in Afghanistan.
• The increased production is attributed to higher opium yield per hectare, and the fact that more land is being used for opium poppy cultivation.

CLASHES IN SOMALIA’S GAALKACYO FORCE 75,000 PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR HOMES – U.N. RELIEF WING

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting that since fighting broke out in Gaalkacyo in Somalia three weeks ago, an estimated 75,000 people have been displaced to the outskirts of the town.

• That number could climb even higher as more people flee, with more clashes reported this morning.  Some 80 per cent of the displaced are women, children and the elderly.  According to local authorities, 18 people have been killed and 60 injured in the violence since 7 October.
• Humanitarian partners are scaling up their response through temporary and mobile health and nutrition facilities.

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION: CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS CLIMB TO RECORD HIGH

• The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has a reached record high, according to a new bulletin by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• The rise was fueled by El Niño, which led to droughts in tropical regions and reduced the capacity of forests and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide.
• The head of WMO, Petteri Taalas, noted that the recent agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol and phase out hydroflurocarbons is good news, and he saluted the international community’s commitment to take climate action.
• But he stressed that the emissions of carbon dioxide – which remains in the atmosphere and oceans for thousands of years – must be addressed, calling for the speedy implementation of the Paris Agreement.

WORLD POLIO DAY SPOTLIGHTS NEED TO ENSURE DISEASE’S GLOBAL ERADICATION

• Today is World Polio Day, and since the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, polio worldwide has been reduced by 99 per cent.
• Despite that progress, as long as a single child remains infected with poliovirus, children in all countries are at risk of contracting the disease.
• There is no cure for polio, but polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life.
• Over the past 12 months, in addition to polio endemic countries Pakistan and Afghanistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have supported polio campaigns in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Djibouti, Jordan and Lebanon.
• Campaigns will continue in countries with higher risk until polio is eradicated worldwide.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CREATION OF U.N. MUSEUM IN COPENHAGEN

• The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement today of the creation of the "Museum for the United Nations – UN Live."
• This new, global museum, headquartered in Copenhagen, will engage audiences on the work and values of the United Nations through on-line and other exhibits in locations around the world.
• The Secretary-General is appreciative of the many partners, including the Government of Denmark, whose support of this project helps the United Nations by making its work accessible to a broader global public.
• The Secretary-General looks forward to cooperation between the United Nations system and the Museum to help raise awareness about and build support for the Sustainable Development Goals and our efforts to build a better shared future for all.

U.N.’S ‘ANGRY BIRDS FOR A HAPPY PLANET’ CAMPAIGN HONORED WITH AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

• The UN’s social media campaign "Angry Birds for a Happy Planet" has won the award for Excellence in Advertising at the Environmental Media Association’s 26th Annual Awards Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend.
• The UN launched its “Angry Birds” campaign in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment earlier this year to encourage the public to take action on climate change and share their photos and commitments on social media.
• Since 1991, the Environmental Media Association has worked to link up the power of celebrity with raising environmental awareness in Hollywood.