Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
 
Good morning. It is a great pleasure to be with you again.
 
Today, I am announcing that in the exercise of my good offices, I have asked Martin Griffiths, the Coordinator of our humanitarian work worldwide, immediately to explore with the parties involved the possible agreements and arrangements for a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine.
 
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion one month ago, the war has led to the senseless loss of thousands of lives; the displacement of ten million people, mainly women and children; the systematic destruction of essential infrastructure; and skyrocketing food and energy prices worldwide.
 
This must stop.
 
The United Nations is doing everything in its power to support people whose lives have been overturned by the war.
 
In the past month, beyond their support to refugee hosting countries, our humanitarian agencies and their partners have reached nearly 900,000 people, mainly in eastern Ukraine, with food, shelter, blankets, medicine, bottled water, and hygiene supplies.
 
There are now more than 1,000 United Nations personnel in the country, working via eight humanitarian hubs in Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Uzhorod, Chernivitzi, Mukachevo, Luhansk and Donetsk.
 
The World Food Programme and partners reached 800,000 people in the past month and are scaling up to reach 1.2 million people by mid-April. 
 
The World Health Organisation and partners have reached more than half a million people in the most vulnerable areas with emergency health, trauma and surgery kits.
 
Just today a convoy of trucks brought food, medical and other relief supplies from WFP, WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF to Kharkiv, to be delivered by our national partners to thousands of people in hard-hit areas.
 
Our agencies and partners are procuring vital supplies and setting up pipelines for delivery throughout Ukraine in the coming weeks.
 
But let’s be clear. The solution to this humanitarian tragedy is not humanitarian. It is political.
 
I am therefore appealing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to allow for progress in serious political negotiations, [aimed] at reaching a peace agreement based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.
 
A cessation of hostilities will allow essential humanitarian aid to be delivered and enable civilians to move around safely. It will save lives, prevent suffering, and protect civilians.
 
I hope a ceasefire will also help to address the global consequences of this war, which risk compounding the deep hunger crisis in many developing countries that already lack fiscal space to invest in their recovery from the pandemic, and now face soaring food and energy costs.
 
I strongly appeal to the parties to this conflict, and to the international community as a whole, to work with us for peace in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and across the world.
 
Thank you.
 
**Questions and Answers
 
Spokesman:  Edie Lederer, Associated Press.
 
Question:  Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary General. Can you expand a bit on what Mr. Griffiths is being asked to do? And is he going to go to the region? Is he going to try and meet with senior leaders, both in Moscow and in Ukraine? And how quickly is he going to basically start this peace effort?
 
Secretary-General:  Well, he will immediately start. He's in Kabul today and he will be coming back, and he already made some contacts. And, of course, I hope that he will be able to go to both Moscow and Kyiv as soon as that becomes possible. It's very important to establish a serious dialogue with both parties in relation to the possibility of this humanitarian ceasefire.
 
Question:  [Off mic] And you mentioned the possible appeal to the rest of the world. Are you asking the European Union, other regional organizations...?
 
Secretary-General:  No, I've been in close contact with several countries that have been talking to the parties at the highest level in order to explore the different forms of mediation leading to a political solution. I've been in very close contact with our Turkish friends, with Qatar, with Israel, with India, China but also France, Germany. And it is my belief that all these efforts are essential in order to create the conditions to allow for, finally, this war to come to an end.
 
Question:  [Off mic] And are all those countries supporting your... this effort?
Secretary-General:  I hope so.
 
Spokesman:  Alan Bulkaty, RIA Novosti.
 
Question:  Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary General. You mentioned... you're calling for the immediate ceasefire in your intervention. As far as you remember, the draft resolution considered last week by the Security Council contained the provisions about the negotiated ceasefire, but the Security Council failed to adopt it. Do you consider it as a mistake?
 
And the second question, please: What are your expectations of tomorrow's humanitarian meeting by the Security Council on Ukraine?
Secretary-General:  Well, first of all, the Security Council decides whatever the Security Council decides, but that doesn't mean that anyone in the Security Council is against a negotiated ceasefire, as you mentioned. So, I strongly hope that there will be goodwill from all sides in order for this ceasefire to take place.
 
And I believe the briefing tomorrow will be a humanitarian briefing about the humanitarian situation, as far as I know. There will be elements of our humanitarian agencies that will be briefing the Security Council.
 
Spokesman:  Sherwin Bryce Pease.
 
Question:  Secretary General, Russian leaders at the highest levels continue to assert their right to use nuclear weapons if and when a scenario is required for such a move. We are also seeing reports of nuclear facilities in Ukraine being targeted by strikes. Are you concerned that we are now on the cusp of either a biological conflict here or a nuclear war?
 
Secretary-General:  Well, I was, this morning, in contact with Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and there will be a number of very important initiatives by IAEA in the next few days in order to guarantee the security of the nuclear facilities inside Ukraine.
 
And I know that there is a very close contact of Rafael Grossi to both the Russian and the Ukrainian authorities on this, and he has my full support in the initiatives that he will take in the next few days.
 
On the other hand, I can't imagine the possibility of having a nuclear, a biological or a chemical war in this scenario. That will be... [Cross talk]
 
Question:  [Off mic, inaudible] it's also an unimaginable conflict in the first place, Secretary General.
 
Secretary-General:  That would be something that I believe will be avoided. It must be avoided.
 
Spokesman:  Pam Falk.
 
Question:  Thank you. It's Pamela Falk from CBS News, Secretary-General. Is there any reason you have to believe that a ceasefire is actually being agreed to by the two sides, by Russia in particular? And is there any way the UN can enforce that if a ceasefire comes into play? Thank you.
 
Secretary-General:  Well, as a matter of fact, I've been hearing in different positions taken by both the Ukrainians and the Russian Federation, in the motion that was presented to the Security Council, reference to ceasefire. So, I think this is the moment in which I believe it makes sense for the UN to assume the initiative.
 
And, of course, it depends on the will of the parties, when a ceasefire is established, to define the arrangements necessary to make the ceasefire persist.
 
Spokesman:  Thank you very much.
 
Secretary-General:  Thank you very much.
 
Question:  Mr. Secretary-General, do you have a comment on what President [Joseph] Biden said on President [Vladimir] Putin, that he cannot remain in power?
 
Secretary-General:  I think we need de-escalation, we need military de-escalation and rhetoric de-escalation.

UKRAINE
Today, in a statement, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, said that the UN was able to safely bring food rations, medical supplies and household items to Kharkiv for thousands of people, provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). She noted that thanks to the UN national partner the Ukrainian Red Cross, these supplies will be delivered to the most vulnerable communities in hard-hit Kharkiv, as well as hard-to-reach areas like Izium, Balakliia and Chuhuiv.
Ms Lubrani said that the UN and its partners have managed to reach over 890,000 vulnerable people with lifesaving aid since 24 February. However, this is not enough, she stressed. 
Ms Lubrani pointed out that the UN continues to scale up its relief operations so that it can reach the most vulnerable people in dire need. To do so, she emphasized that the UN must be guaranteed safe passage by parties to the fighting.

EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS
The Secretary-General welcomed in a statement the convening of the informal consultations in Geneva from 6 to 8 April 2022, which aim to develop a political declaration to protect civilians from the harm arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 
Since 2009, the Secretary-General has consistently highlighted the severe impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and has repeatedly called on parties to conflict to avoid their use to prevent harm to civilians and civilian objects. 
When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, 90% of the casualties are civilians resulting in lasting trauma endured by millions of girls, boys, women and men.  
Populated areas across regions have endured devastating suffering from a hail of explosive weapons with wide area effects. 
Certain types of explosive weapons with wide area effects were originally designed for use in traditional, open battlefields. When used in populated areas they inflict massive and often indiscriminate destruction impacting civilians and civilian objects, including health facilities, schools, water and sanitation facilities, energy and other critical infrastructure, and the environment.  
The damage and destruction of civilian objects and critical infrastructure can have reverberating effects on the civilian population far beyond the moment and point of impact. Such effects are devastating, for example, the long-term loss of access to education, health services, water, communications and livelihoods, which constitute an infringement of economic, social and cultural rights of the affected population. 
The long-lasting destructive and disruptive effects of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas represent a main driver of mass displacement, both within States and across borders, while also hampering the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of displaced communities to their places of origin. 
Furthermore, the use of these weapons in populated areas often results in high levels of explosive ordnance contamination, which obstructs stabilization and reconstruction efforts long after hostilities have ceased. Removal through mine action activities is also complex, costly and dangerous.  
The Secretary-General welcomes the work undertaken by States so far to develop a political declaration that addresses the humanitarian as well as associated human rights impact arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.  
The Secretary-General calls for a strong text that includes an express commitment to avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas, because of the significant and foreseeable likelihood of their indiscriminate effects. 
The Secretary-General supports the development of a political declaration, as well as appropriate limitations, common standards and operational policies in conformity with, and further to existing requirements under, international humanitarian law relating to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Bangkok today where she delivered special remarks to the opening of the ninth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
On the margins of the Forum, the Deputy Secretary-General also met with the incoming Chair of the Forum, the Socioeconomic Planning Secretary at the National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines - and other Ministers attending the forum - to discuss the socio-economic recovery from the pandemic and challenges in advancing sustainable development against the backdrop of the crisis in Ukraine and expected impacts on food security, energy and fiscal space.
The Deputy Secretary-General also met with the Prime Minister of Thailand to thank him for the generous hosting of a regional and country UN presence and to exchange on the UN-Thailand partnership.
The Deputy Secretary-General also held a dialogue with youth, including members of an advisory board to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in Thailand, to discuss climate action and gender equality. The Youth Panel shared their efforts to eliminate single-use plastic and food waste, and to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH
We continue to be concerned about reports of continued tensions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. We welcome both efforts for de-escalation in the trilateral format and the engagement by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. All efforts must be made to ensure full respect for the ceasefire and full implementation of agreed commitments. We continue to urge the sides to refrain from any actions and statements that could escalate the situation and to address all outstanding issues, including humanitarian concerns of the people on the ground, through direct dialogue and within existing formats.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is very concerned by the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri province. An escalation in violence there has led to the killing of an estimated 400 civilians and the displacement of over 83,000 people since the beginning of the year.
In the week of 11 March alone, an estimated 80 civilians were killed in Ituri’s territories of Irumu and Mambasa.
Humanitarians have also observed an increase in attacks on Internally Displaced People (IDP) sites and in areas where displaced people are seeking shelter. At least five IDP sites have been attacked since November 2021.
The violence has affected the ability of aid organizations to deliver assistance, forcing them to delay, suspend or relocate operations. Last week, an international NGO announced the suspension of its health and nutrition projects in Nizi and Bambu (Djugu Territory).
More than 488,000 people have been affected by the destruction of health centres and schools in Ituri in 2021
The humanitarian community stresses that all parties have the obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects, including IDP sites. Attacks directed against civilians, including IDPs, are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.
As of today, some 1.9 million people are displaced within Ituri province, one third of all people displaced in the DRC. Some 3 million people, more than half of Ituri’s population, are severely food insecure.
Despite challenges, including limited access, UN agencies and humanitarian partners last year provided food, shelter, medicines, water and other relief to around 1.26 million people in Ituri.
Urgent funding is needed to allow the UN and partners to provide a rapid and comprehensive humanitarian response in Ituri.

YEMEN
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the recent escalation of the conflict in Yemen including Friday’s aerial attacks on civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia by the Houthis and the subsequent Coalition airstrikes in Sana’a, reportedly killing eight civilians, including five children and two women. These airstrikes also resulted in damage to the UN staff residential compound in Sana’a.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about reports of ongoing airstrikes in Hudaydah city and the targeting of Hudaydah’s ports, which provide a critical humanitarian lifeline for the Yemeni population. The Secretary-General calls for a swift and transparent investigation into these incidents to ensure accountability.
As the conflict enters its eighth year, the Secretary-General reiterates his calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately deescalate, cease hostilities and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. He urges the parties to engage constructively, and without preconditions, with his Special Envoy to reduce violence and urgently reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict in Yemen.
 
AFGHANISTAN
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, arrived in Afghanistan today. While there, Mr Griffiths is expected to visit humanitarian response programmes, families and communities affected by the humanitarian crisis, and to meet with the de facto authorities.
On 31 March, the United Nations and the Governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Qatar will cohost the high-level pledging event on Supporting the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan.
 
PHILIPPINES 
The UN Refugee Agency today commended the Philippines for acceding to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, becoming the 78th country to do so. 
UNHCR commended the strong commitment of the government to fulfilling the right of all individuals to a nationality and legal identity. 
“This shows a true commitment to closing the gaps that leave people, especially children, at risk of statelessness. Ensuring that everyone enjoys the right to a nationality is also part of building a peaceful and more stable world,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. 
The 1961 Convention provides several safeguards to prevent statelessness at birth and later in life. Most importantly, it allows children to acquire the nationality of the country in which they were born if they cannot be accorded any other nationality. 

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
The 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) closed its two-week long session on Friday.
The agreed conclusions adopted by Member States are a blueprint for world leaders to promote women’s and girls’ full and equal participation and leadership in the designing and implementation of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies.
The Commission called on the United Nations system, international financial institutions and multi-stakeholder platforms to continue supporting Member States to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes.
The outcome document also calls for leveraging and strengthening the full, equal and meaningful participation and influence of women and girls.  Specific efforts must be made to amplify the voices and knowledge of marginalized women, including indigenous women, older women, women with disabilities, migrant women and those living in rural, remote, conflict and disaster-prone areas.