Noon briefing of 1 December 2023

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2023

This morning in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, the Secretary-General spoke at the opening ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28.
He told the gathered world leaders they can still prevent a planetary crash and burn, but that they will need cooperation and political will.  
The Secretary-General said the success of COP28 depends on three areas: drastically cutting emissions, accelerating a just and equitable transition to renewables and delivering climate justice for developing countries. 
The Secretary-General underscored that we must listen to the science, which says that the 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce, not abate, but phase out all fossil fuels with a clear timeframe aligned with 1.5 degrees celsius.  
Mr. Guterres also had a message for fossil fuel company leaders: Do not double down on an obsolete business model. Lead the transition to renewables.  
And he urged governments to help the fossil fuel industry make the right choices – by regulating, by legislating, by putting a fair price on carbon, by ending fossil fuel subsidies, and by adopting a windfall tax on profits of these companies.  
The Secretary-General also spoke at the Local Climate Action Summit, where he urged local leaders to develop plans for a net-zero future, demand a seat at the table to draft climate national policies and to invest in renewables. 
And he also had a conversation with UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and SDG Advocate Dia Mirza. The recording of that conversation will be published tomorrow. 

CLIMATE
In addition to the Secretary-General’s activities in Dubai, several reports were launched at COP28.
UNEP, the UN Environment Programme, launched “An Eye on Methane: The Road to Radical Transparency”. That report says that high-tech, accessible and reliable data that informs countries, companies and the public about methane emissions that could revolutionise reporting systems, accelerate climate action, and hold polluters to account.
The report says that atmospheric methane is at the highest level in recorded history. Global methane emissions must be reduced by 40 to 45 per cent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
In another report, colleagues at the UN Convention to combat desertification said that drought-related data points to an unprecedented emergency, where the massive impacts of human-induced droughts are only starting to unfold.
According to their report, called ‘Global Drought Snapshot,’ few - if any- hazards claim more lives, cause more economic loss and affect more sectors in societies than drought.
The report calls for nature-positive farming techniques, efficient water management, disaster preparedness and early warning systems, to increase global drought resilience.
Finally, our friends in Rome at the Food and Agriculture Organization also issued a report, which concludes that agrifood systems are facing an escalating threat from climate change-induced loss and damage. The report says that actions – including increasing financing — must be taken to address their vulnerabilities.

GAZA
In a tweet issued this morning, the Secretary-General said he regretted the resumption of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. He urges all concerned parties to swiftly find a way to resume the pause in the fighting and facilitate the release of more hostages.
We appeal to the parties not to resort to further military action that can only make the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza worse and to spare civilians from more suffering.
The Secretary-General reaffirms his call for a true humanitarian ceasefire.
Just wanted to give you a bit more granularity on what we have been able to achieve and what our colleagues on the ground have been able to achieve since the the start of the pause.
The humanitarian pause, which lasted for seven days, had allowed us a major increase in the delivery of basic supplies into and across Gaza, primarily through the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies and, of course, with the support of UN agencies. However, as the Secretary-General told Security Council members this week, the level of aid remained completely inadequate to meet the growing needs.
Between 24 and 29 November, 630 metric tonnes of flour were distributed to about 224,000 people in the south. We also distributed 63,000 blankets and mattresses.
Cooking gas had been entering daily from Egypt during this period and has been available, or at least had been available, at one distribution centre in the south, in not enough quantities unfortunately to meet the demand.
Since the start of the pause until the 29^th [November], approximately 4,850 metric tonnes of food, primarily rice, flour, and canned food; 1,700 metric tonnes of other supplies; as well as 1,110 metric tonnes of bottled water; also 148 metric tonnes of medical supplies and 29,500 litres of fuel were delivered to UNRWA shelters, hospitals and warehouses in northern Gaza.
Any continuation in the uptick the delivery of basic supplies into and across Gaza is now, of course, uncertain because of the resumed hostilities, which obviously makes the distribution of humanitarian goods that much more difficult, not only for the humanitarian workers but also for those for whom the aid is intended.
We must have at least the same volume of fuel and other humanitarian goods enter Gaza that was entering during the pause.

UNRWA
On behalf of UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, the Spokesman flagged a post by an Israeli journalist on Twitter [X], claiming a connection between an Israeli hostage and an UNRWA schoolteacher in Gaza. He said no more information is available at this time, besides what was posted.
UNRWA takes these allegations extremely, extremely, seriously. UNRWA is determined to find out whether this information is genuine or not. They are in contact with the author of the post or the allegation and whoever else may be in a position to assist UNRWA in determining the facts of this case.

LEBANON
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, UNIFIL reports the resumption of shelling today across the Blue Line, with at least two civilians in southern Lebanon reported to have been killed as a result. That is according to local sources.
Peacekeepers have also had to take shelter.
The Mission is closely monitoring the situation and continues to engage the concerned parties to halt the violence immediately.

SYRIA
The Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in SYria, Sudipto Mukerjee, warned today in a statement about the current militarization of a water facility in Ebreha town, in Deir Zor Governorate.
Access to the water station has been severely restricted since 23 [November] due to the facility reportedly being used as a military outpost during nighttime hours.
The military use of the Ebreha water station prevents workers from operating or repairing it, depriving at least 45,000 people in the area of a safe drinking water source.
The Ebreha water plant and the water treatment it supplies need extensive maintenance and rehabilitation to be fully functional and operational, and for the water to be safe for drinking. This will require full, unfettered access to both plants by the technicians.
The Deir Zor Governorate has been experiencing a sharp rise in hostilities in the recent months. The violence has claimed multiple lives and displaced over 25,000 men. Women and children.
Mr. Mukerjee called on all parties to take all feasible precautions to protect civilian objects against attacks in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. This includes not using civilian objects for military purposes.

GUINEA-BISSAU
The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Guinea-Bissau. He urges all relevant stakeholders to exercise calm and demonstrate respect for the rule of law and judicial due process. He also encourages members of the security and armed forces to continue refraining from interference in national politics.
The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting the Government and the people of Guinea-Bissau in their efforts towards consolidating peace and stability.

SOUTH SUDAN
And in South Sudan, the peacekeeping mission there – UNMISS - reports that they have intensified patrols in the area around Leer town in Unity State, following reports of an attack by pro-government forces and armed youth on a base operated by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
The Mission calls for an immediate end to the fighting and is supporting local authorities who are working to restore calm and security.
After the incident on 28 November, thousands of civilians fled from the impacted area and are seeking shelter in Leer town. Mr. Nicholas Haysom, the head of the Peacekeeping mission there, has expressed deep concern over reports of youth being mobilized and increasing defections of armed personnel. He stresses that this may destroy the trust and gains made by parties to the peace process and worsen the humanitarian situation.
Our Mission is engaging with officials in the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) and in the Liberation Movement in opposition [SPLM-IO] and authorities across the State to avoid further violence.

SOMALIA
In Somalia, the Humanitarian Coordinator there, George Conway - together with the Government and the Somali NGO consortium - have jointly warned that the country is in the midst of a disaster as devastating rains and floods continue to spread.
Since October, and we have been reporting this to you, some 2 million people have been impacted by torrential rains, flash floods and riverine floods. More than 750,000 people are displaced from their homes and nearly 100 people have been killed, throughout different parts of the country.
The continuing heavy rains and floods are expected to swamp at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland through December.
With one month to go until the end of the year and despite massive needs, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia– which seeks more than $2.6 billion to meet the needs of 7.6 million people – is only 42 per cent funded at $1 billion. Aid organizations cannot meet current and new needs without additional resources.

INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Today is World AIDS Day.
AIDS-related deaths have fallen by almost 70 per cent since their peak in 2004.
In his message, the Secretary-General calls to “finish the job” because AIDS is beatable.
Tomorrow is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. In his message, the Secretary-General calls to remember the victims of the past, particularly the millions of African people ripped from their homes, exploited, brutalised or killed during the transatlantic slave trade.
And on Sunday, it is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. On this important Day, the Secretary-General calls on the world to work side-by-side with persons with disabilities to design and deliver solutions based on equal rights in every country and in every community.