HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

THURSDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2022

LEBANON 
The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the death of an Irish peacekeeper from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He was killed in an incident that took place on 14 December in the area of Al-Aqbieh, outside of UNIFIL’s area of operations in South Lebanon. Three of his colleagues were injured, of whom one remains in critical condition. 
The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who died and to the people and the Government of Ireland. He wishes a full and fast recovery to those injured. He urges a swift investigation by relevant authorities to determine the facts related to the incident and the need for accountability.  
The Secretary-General extends his deepest appreciation to all the men and women serving with UNIFIL, and he recalls the importance of ensuring their safety and security and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.  
 
One of the peacekeepers injured has undergone surgery at a hospital in Saida and remains in critical condition with severe head trauma. The other two peacekeepers are being treated at the same hospital for minor injuries. They are all part of the Irish contingent in UNIFIL.  
Separately, an investigation is being conducted, also in cooperation with the Lebanese armed forces.
  
PEACEKEEPING  
This afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will speak at the official launch of the Group of Friends to Promote Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers.  
Mr. Lacroix is expected to say that while very few of those responsible for such crimes have been brought to justice, some significant progress has been achieved since 2019.  In the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali, there has been an increase in the number of alleged perpetrators identified and detained, as well as cases with national investigations. 
Mr. Lacroix will add that accountability is a key element in the UN’s overall efforts to improve the safety and security of peacekeepers. It is critical for countries hosting operations to bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice, in accordance with their international obligations.

UKRAINE 
Turning to Ukraine. Today, in Kyiv, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, wrapped up a four-day visit to Ukraine. 
This morning, in a press conference with Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, Mr. Griffiths thanked the Ukrainian authorities for the constructive and open relationship and highlighted three priority needs: 
He said that the first is electricity, without which there are no medical services, no transportation and no light. The second is de-mining, with Ukraine probably now the most mine-polluted country in the world. And thirdly, restarting the elements of a local economy.  
Mr. Griffiths noted that, since the beginning of the war, humanitarian agencies have reached just under 14 million people with assistance, adding that aid operations will continue in Ukraine.   
Also on Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the UN in that country, Denise Brown, condemned the attack in Kherson today that killed a paramedic with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and another civilian.    
The strike hit a building used by local authorities, volunteer groups and humanitarian organizations to distribute aid to people in Kherson. Some other civilians were injured. 
Ms. Brown said that it is shocking to know that a place that is used to support civilians, particularly the elderly, in need of assistance because of the war has been hit. 
In a Tweet, Mr. Griffiths said that the attack is a tragic reminder of the extraordinary risks that front-line humanitarian workers undertake. 

ETHIOPIA 
In Ethiopia, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that access into the Tigray region has continued to gradually improve since the peace agreement. Food and other supplies are being transported through four corridors through Afar and Amhara regions into Tigray.  
Between 15 November and 8 December, the Government of Ethiopia and our partners have mobilized more than 1,600 trucks to deliver more than 63,800 metric tons of food and more than 4,000 metric tons of health, shelter, education, protection supplies, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene supplies. Airlifts of nutrition and health supplies have also been delivered, while regular humanitarian passenger flights have been flying in much- needed human capacity to scale up our response. 
The first humanitarian convoy movement for staff from Mekelle to Shire, within Tigray, also took place on 9 December and have continued since. However, given the scale of the needs and the previous interruptions of aid, we need to ensure that these deliveries are sustained at scale. 
Meanwhile, electric lines and telecommunications have started being restored in some places, including in Axum and Shire. This has a positive impact on humanitarian operations and the communities they serve, but further progresses is needed on resumption of basic services for the population. 
Assistance and rehabilitation work in conflict-affected areas in Afar and Amhara are also being scaled up, but more is needed especially in areas where displaced populations are returning, following improved security. 

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Montreal today, where she spoke at COP15 – the 15th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity. She said that delegates have made significant progress. In recent days, she said, they have completed negotiations on half of their agenda, but warned that there is still so much more to do – and time is running out.  
She said we need to agree on an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework and ensure its implementation, adding that developed countries must support developing nations with financial resources, technical expertise and capacity-building, all that to ensure that the framework is implemented fairly and equitably across all countries.  And we need much greater clarity around how the wealth resulting from rapid advancements in genetic sequencing technologies and commercial applications  will be shared equitably, she added.  It is crucial that we leave Montreal with these three elements in place.

SECURITY COUNCIL  
This morning, during a Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, the head of the UN counter terrorism office, Vladimir Voronkov, said that despite continuing leadership losses by Al-Qaida and Da’esh, terrorism in general has become more prevalent and more geographically widespread, affecting the lives of millions worldwide. 
In recent years, terrorist groups have continued to exploit instability, fragility and conflict to advance their agendas. 
He noted the situation in West Africa and the Sahel remains urgent, as terrorist groups strive to expand their area of operations. 
Also briefing was Weixiong Chen, the Acting Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate – better known as CTED.

ARMENIA/AZERBAIJAN  
Concerning the situation around Armenia and Azerbaijan, in a statement, the Secretary-General said he is following with concern the ongoing developments around the Lachin corridor. The Secretary-General urges the sides to de-escalate tensions and to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with the previously reached agreements. The Secretary-General reiterates his support to the ongoing mediation efforts.   
 
AFGHANISTAN 
In Afghanistan, our team there, led by Resident Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov, continues to support women since the Taliban takeover a year and a half ago. This year, the International Labour Organization created and sustained nearly 1,700 jobs for women and trained almost 470 women on entrepreneurship and decent work practices.  
The UN Population Fund provided reproductive, maternal health and psychosocial support services to three million women and girls through 540 facilities across170 districts in Afghanistan. UNFPA also kept midwifery services running in nearly 20 facilities in seven provinces. And  UNDP supported almost 800,000 women to access primary health services, distributing COVID-19 kits and deploying mobile health services. The UN Development Programme also boosted livelihoods for 170,000 women with temporary employment opportunities. UN Women also reached 20,000 women with essential services, including cash-for-work, psychosocial support, and learning opportunities, also funding over 300 women-led organizations. 
  
PRESS BRIEFING TODAY 
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, briefed reporters on the end of Pakistan’s tenure as G77 President.