HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2025
SECRETARY-GENERAL/FRANCE
Earlier today, the Secretary-General arrived in Paris where, tomorrow, he will attend the Artificial Intelligence summit, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
He is expected to tell leaders gathered there that the growing concentration of AI capabilities in the hands of a few companies and countries risks widening global inequalities and deepening geopolitical divides.
He will underscore that we must prevent a world of AI "haves" and "have-nots," and he will call on AI leaders to pool expertise and cooperate with each other. He will emphasize that it is in the interests of government and technology leaders to commit to global guardrails.
While in Paris, he is also expected to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders during a working dinner later today.
He will also have a bilateral meeting with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, prior to attending the AI summit.
The Secretary-General will leave Wednesday evening for the African Union summit.
YEMEN
Following the recent detention by the Houthi de facto authorities of eight additional United Nations personnel, including six working in Sa’ada governorate, which has impacted the UN’s ability to operate, the Secretary-General has instructed the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations, in the absence of the necessary security conditions and guarantees, to pause all operations and programmes in Sa’ada governorate, Yemen.
This extraordinary and temporary measure seeks to balance the imperative to stay and deliver with the need to have the safety and security of the UN personnel and its partners guaranteed. Such guarantees are ultimately required to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts.
This pause is to give time to the de facto authorities and the United Nations to arrange the release of arbitrarily detained UN personnel and ensure that the necessary conditions are in place to deliver critical humanitarian support guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality, independence and humanity.
The United Nations remains fully committed to assist the millions of people in need across Yemen.
LEBANON
The Secretary-General welcomed the formation of a new government in Lebanon under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the new government on its priorities, including the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Resolution 1701.
The United Nations reiterates its commitment to support Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence in accordance with the Taif Accords and the Baabda declaration, and the effective implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1559, as well as other relevant Resolutions which remain essential to the stability of Lebanon and the region.
For its part, the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in their re-deployment in southern Lebanon, as well as for Government institutions in their efforts to extend State authority and help people return to their villages to start rebuilding.
The peacekeepers remain committed to supporting stability that will bring a return to normalcy for people living on both sides of the Blue Line.
LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN
On the humanitarian front, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the humanitarian situation remains precarious - with ongoing military operations, sustained displacement, and damage to critical infrastructure which impact displaced communities across the country.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 90,000 people are still displaced in the country. More than 890,000 are back in their communities of origin but are facing damaged homes and challenges to access services. The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to assist displaced and returning families with essential aid, including shelter and healthcare support, food, hygiene kits, and winter assistance.
The UN remains concerned about protection risks, particularly for those returning to heavily impacted areas where unexploded ordnance, collapsed structures, and damaged water and sanitation systems pose additional threats.
EGYPT
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, was in Egypt this weekend, following his travels to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory last week.
While in Cairo, he met with the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, to discuss the crises facing the region and the need for bold, creative responses.
Mr. Fletcher also held meetings with Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity,
Dr. Maya Moursy, as well as with the head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, Dr. Amal Emam.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that recent winter storms have destroyed at least five child-friendly safe spaces in Khan Younis and the Middle Area.
This will significantly impact the provision of community-based mental health and psychosocial support activities.
The storms also destroyed the Jabalya women and girls' safe space, the largest such site in northern Gaza, serving nearly 500 women and girls each month,
The UN and its partners continue to observe movement across the Netzarim corridor in both directions as people return to their neighbourhoods. At the same time, humanitarians in Gaza continue to re-establish their presence in newly accessible areas across the Strip.
Partners report that since the start of the ceasefire, more than 1.5 million people have received food parcels across Gaza. For its part, the World Food Programme has distributed food parcels, hot meals and cash to more than 860,000 people since the ceasefire. As community kitchens open in new areas, partners are providing more meals.
Meanwhile, work continues to repair water wells across Gaza. However, the widespread destruction of infrastructure and shortages of spare parts, generators and solar panels are affecting efforts to boost water production.
Nearly 60 health partners provide primary and secondary health services across the Gaza Strip, ensuring access to essential care. The UN Population Fund has distributed sexual and reproductive health supplies, expected to benefit more than 65,000 people in Gaza over the next three weeks.
With support from UNFPA, another health partner has opened three temporary primary healthcare centres in Gaza and a temporary medical point in Jabalya.
Meanwhile in the West Bank, OCHA reports that ongoing operations by Israeli forces in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas continue to cause civilian casualties, with at least 40 people reportedly killed since the beginning of the operations on 21 January.
The UN and partners continue to support Palestinians affected by the ongoing operation in Jenin, which continues to drive displacement. The World Food Programme and its partners have reached nearly 1,200 households with cash assistance.
LIBYA
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed shock and concern at the discovery of two mass graves in Libya containing the bodies of dozens of migrants, some with gunshot wounds.
Nineteen bodies were discovered in Jakharrah (around 400 km south of Benghazi), while at least 30 more were found in a mass grave in the Alkufra desert in the southeast. It is believed the second grave may contain as many as 70 bodies.
The circumstance of their death and the nationalities remains unknown. Their graves were both discovered following a police raid, during which hundreds of migrants were rescued from traffickers.
Today, the Advisory Committee for Libya concluded its inaugural two-day meeting in Tripoli. Participants engaged in productive discussions on the committee's rules of procedures and workplan, including plans for the second meeting next week. They also held a structured discussion on the main contentious issues within the existing electoral framework.
And yesterday, Stephanie Koury, the Deputy Special Representative for Libya, spoke at the inaugural meeting of the Libyan Advisory Committee. She told the Committee members that she expects that the outcome of their deliberations will help inform subsequent phases of the political process and support Libyan decision-makers and institutions to overcome the current political deadlock.
Ms. Koury said that she hopes this Committee can be a space to constructively discuss and propose pragmatic and politically implementable options paving the way for the holding of national elections.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The United Nations welcomes the holding of the joint Southern African Development Community-East African Community summit held in Tanzania on Saturday, which reaffirmed the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Nations remains committed to supporting the immediate measures announced, including an immediate ceasefire, the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, and measures to ensure the security of Goma and its key infrastructure.
The UN reiterates its call for the immediate resumption of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, which are essential for a lasting resolution to the crisis. The United Nations remains fully engaged alongside the Congolese people and is determined to continue fulfilling its mandate in support of peace initiatives, contributing to a stable and secure future.
SOMALIA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that drought conditions are looming in several areas of the country due to prolonged extreme dry conditions, with hundreds of thousands of families likely to be impacted. Water sources are drying up, and pastoralists are abandoning their homes in search of water and pasture. In areas where people rely on commercial water supplies, prices have risen to unaffordable levels for many families. Already, 4.4 million people in Somalia are facing high levels of food insecurity – with conditions projected to worsen, as the April to June rainy season is forecast to start late and fall below normal levels.
Somalia faces a protracted crisis fueled by conflict, poverty, widespread displacement, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and lack of access to basic services. This year, about one third of the population – nearly 6 million people – are estimated to need humanitarian assistance. Women, girls, and marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable. The UN and its partners, took early action late last year in areas facing expected poor rains, including with support from the Somalia Humanitarian Fund and the Central Emergency Response Fund. However, resources remain limited: This year’s $1.42 billion humanitarian appeal for Somalia – which aims to reach 4.6 million people with critical support – is just 12 per cent funded, with less than $177 million received to date.
SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, the Security Council held a briefing on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security.
Vladimir Voronkov, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism, told Council members that terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to global peace and security, one that no State can confront in isolation.
He noted that Member States must prioritize comprehensive, long-term responses that address the conditions conducive to terrorism while strengthening the rule of law and upholding international human rights and humanitarian law.
Also, addressing the Security Council on the twentieth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security, Natalia Gherman, the Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, highlighted the UN’s efforts to support Member States in addressing the challenges.
She said that facilitating accountability for terrorism offenses and promoting human rights in counter-terrorism efforts remain priorities.
CYPRUS
Rosemary Di Carlo, the head of the Political and Peacebuilding Department, is visiting Cyprus
Today, Ms. DiCarlo met with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides and Mr. Ersin Tatar, respectively, to discuss the way forward on the Cyprus issue in preparation for an informal meeting in a broader format. In both meetings, Ms. Di Carlo reiterated the UN’s continued commitment to peace on the island. While in Cyprus, Ms. Di Carlo also met with women’s groups. She stressed that women’s participation in peacemaking efforts is not just a matter of fairness and equality, it is smart peacemaking.
Ms. Di Carlo urged the leaders to engage with them and other civil society representatives and incorporate their views.
REPORT/AFRICA
A report released today by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns that Africa is at the epicentre of overlapping global crises – economic shocks, climate disruptions and geopolitical tensions – that compound vulnerabilities.
The report calls for stronger regional trade networks to reduce dependence on external markets, enhance stability, mitigate global shocks and unlock the $3.4 trillion potential of the continental free trade area.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Today is World Pulses Day. For centuries, pulses – also known as legumes - have been vital to sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
Today is also the International Day of the Arabian Leopard.
The rapid disappearance of this animal represents a major setback for biodiversity conservation in its native region, underscoring the urgency of addressing the nature crisis that threatens ecosystems worldwide.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Poland and Tonga paid their full dues to the regular budget, taking us to a total of 51 fully paid-up Member States.
GUEST TOMORROW
Tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be Bruno Lemarquis, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He will brief reporters virtually on the situation in the DRC.
**Noon briefing guest today was José Antonio Ocampo, Chair of the International Commission of Experts (ICE) on Financing for Development and Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He briefed on the launch of the report entitled “Financing a sustainable future: Proposals for a renewed global development finance agenda”.
