Noon briefing of 4 February 2026

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

WEDNESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2026

SECRETARY-GENERAL/PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC

Today, we are taking an important step to help ensure Artificial Intelligence serves all of humanity. 

I have just submitted for the consideration of the General Assembly a list of 40 distinguished individuals from every region to serve on the new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.  

The Panel is a direct response to the mandate given by Member States in the Pact for the Future to strengthen multilateral solutions for emerging technologies that are reshaping every aspect of our lives.

It will be the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of AI across economies and societies.

And this could not be more urgent. 

AI is moving at the speed of light. 

No country can see the full picture alone.

We need shared understandings to build effective guardrails, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster cooperation.  

The Panel will help the world separate fact from fakes, and science from slop.

It will provide an authoritative reference point at a moment when reliable, unbiased understanding of AI has never been more critical.  

Following an open global call that drew more than 2,600 applications, I have proposed to the General Assembly a list of individuals with deep expertise across disciplines – including machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, childhood development, and human rights.

All members will serve in their personal capacity – independent of any government, company, or institution.  

The Panel will work on a fast track. 

Its first report will be expected in time to inform the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July.

AI is transforming our world.

The question is whether we will shape this transformation together, or allow it to shape us. 

At a time of deep geopolitical tension and growing technological rivalry, we urgently need common ground – and a practical basis for cooperation based on science and solidarity.

That is what this Panel can help deliver. 

Finally, let me recognize the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union and UNESCO for their vital support for this initiative.  The three organizations will provide members to the secretariat of the Panel, and the secretariat of the Panel will be coordinated by my Special Envoy, Amandeep Gill.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT 

The Secretary-General will arrive in Milan, Italy, tomorrow, where he will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday. As he has regularly met with previous Presidents of the International Olympic Committee at the Olympics, he will also meet with Kirsty Coventry, the new IOC President. 

In a video message for the Opening Ceremony, the Secretary-General will underscore that the Olympics and Paralympics are a beacon of hope. A celebration of human potential, of teamwork, fair play and mutual respect. He will call on all parties to conflict to honour the Olympic Truce, encouraging nations to race for medals while standing united for peace. 

The Secretary-General is scheduled to return to New York over the weekend. 

YEMEN 

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Julien Harneis, said in a statement today that the Houthi de facto authorities approved flights from the UN Humanitarian Air Service flights for the month of February. Mr. Harneis notes that this will allow staff from NGOs to enter and exit Sana’a. He emphasized this is essential for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to millions of people in need in areas under the control of the Houthi de facto authorities. 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that the situation in Yemen remains dire. This year, 23 million people, that is more than half the country’s population, are estimated to need humanitarian assistance. This includes more than 18 million people who will be in need of food, and nearly half of the country's children under the age of five who will be malnourished.

SUDAN 

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is deeply alarmed by reports of deadly drone strikes in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State. According to the Sudan Doctors Network, at least 15 civilians, including seven children, were killed yesterday when residential neighborhoods were hit. Medical sources indicate that a health centre was also struck while patients were receiving treatment. 

OCHA notes that this follows a series of attacks on the city this week on civilian areas and medical facilities which have reportedly caused further civilian casualties and significantly degraded already fragile health services. Local sources report that more than half of Kadugli’s medical facilities are no longer functioning after months of siege conditions, of shelling and severe shortages.             

These incidents come as the humanitarian situation there continues to deteriorate rapidly. Famine conditions have been identified in the city, food prices have surged and malnutrition, as a result, is increasing. Key humanitarian supply routes into the city remain unavailable to us. 

The UN reiterates that civilians, that medical facilities and humanitarian workers must be protected at all times and must never be target. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access must be ensured so assistance can reach all those who so desperately need it. 

This week our Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, met with displaced families at Al Afad camp in the city of Ad Dabbah. That is in Northern State. Ms. Brown heard consistent accounts of extreme violence, fear and loss after more than 1,000 days of war in Sudan. 

OCHA reiterates their call for an end to violence and additional funding to scale up life-saving assistance. This year's humanitarian response plan calls for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people, or two out of every five people, in need in the country. 

SOUTH SUDAN 

The World Food Programme (WFP) today said that it has suspended activities in Baliet County after attacks on its river convoy in the Upper Nile State, in South Sudan. On the night of the 30 January and 1 February, a 12-boat WFP convoy transporting over 1,500 metric tonnes of vital food assistance was attacked multiple times by armed youth in the area. The cargo was then looted by the community in various locations within the County. 

WFP said that all activities will be suspended until the safety and security of its staff, its partners and its contractors is assured, and the Government of South Sudan has taken immediate measures to recover the stolen commodities. 

WFP said that access constraints and brazen attacks on humanitarian convoys threaten to jeopardise the agency’s ability to reach more than 4.2 million of the most vulnerable people. Insecurity has already forced WFP to pause its plan to preposition 12,000 metric tonnes of food ahead of the rainy season in Jonglei State. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) welcomes the progress announced by the State of Qatar in talks they facilitated between the Government of the DRC and the AFC/M23 alliance. This progress includes an agreement to operationalize the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism that was established under the ceasefire framework. 

The mission reiterates its call for a cessation of hostilities, and also reminds us that, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2808, they are explicitly authorized to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.   

As such, peacekeepers stand ready to support a credible ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, within the limits of its Security Council mandate and in full respect of the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Mission also welcomes the sustained engagement of the State of Qatar, the United States, the African Union and its Mediator, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).  

The UN remains committed to support efforts to reduce violence, protect civilians, and create the conditions for a sustainable political solution in the eastern part of the DRC. 

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 

The UN and its partners continue to make the most of the limited re-opening of the Rafah Crossing and respond to humanitarian needs across the Strip. 

Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the medical evacuation of 16 more patients, along with 24 companions, through Rafah, for treatment not currently available in Gaza. A similar number of returnees was let in last night. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) received the returnees near the Israeli checkpoint and transported them to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where – as we reported earlier this week – OCHA and its partners have established a humanitarian reception area. There, returnees can meet protection officers, psychologists and medical staff, and receive water, basic nutrition, and information about available humanitarian services.  

As of earlier today, medical evacuations of more patients and companions were ongoing, and further returns are expected today. 

Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says it has received reports of strikes hitting densely populated sites, including a school and several refugee camps. Among those reported killed were children and at least one medic, who we’re told was struck while attempting to save lives. 

In one area east of the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, casualties were reported and some 40 families were displaced, reportedly fleeing tank fire in the vicinity.  

OCHA reiterates that civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be protected. They must never be targeted or used to shield military activities. Children and medical personnel are afforded additional protection under international humanitarian law.      

Correction: the last medical evacuation through Rafah crossing - before the recent re-opening - was in mid-March 2025 and not May 2024, as mentioned on Monday. 

SYRIA 

From Syria, the UN and its partners continue to provide humanitarian aid to people in need in Ain Al-Arab, Kobani, in Aleppo Governorate. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that unexploded ordnance on roads and the presence of internal security forces are limiting people’s ability to move. 

OCHA says that the city has only about 20 per cent of the water it needs. UN partners are providing fuel for an emergency pumping station and to truck water to shelters. The commercial sector has yet to fully resume. Bakeries are open, but face fuel and flour shortages.  

Electricity is also intermittent at best, as transformers have been damaged or cables disconnected. This is limiting communications and connectivity in the area. Authorities have started repairs, and the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have also requested access for technical teams to be deployed tomorrow. 

To date, 52 humanitarian trucks have reached Ain Al Arab, providing food assistance, hygiene items, medical supplies, a mobile clinic and fuel to support pumping water and hospitals. 

OCHA adds that aid continues to be delivered in other parts of northeast Syria, including the city of Qamishli in Al-Hasakah Governorate, which is hosting the largest number of people who have been displaced in recent weeks. 

LEBANON 

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has concluded a series of week-long coordinated activities with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). These activities focused on joint operational and tactical exercises to strengthen inter-operability, mutual trust, and overall mission effectiveness, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces’ deployment south of the Litani. 

At the same time, UNIFIL continues to support local communities in the area of operations. Most recently, the Mission delivered 11,000 litres of water to the Meiss Ej Jabel Government Hospital to help address a water shortage. 

SECURITY COUNCIL 

Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, briefed the Security Council this morning on the threat posed by Da’esh, which he said has increased steadily. Da’esh, he warned, has been able to maintain access to funding streams through opportunistic fund‑raising, unlawful taxation, and kidnapping for ransom. And he said that the group and its affiliates continued to expand their presence in parts of Africa, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel. 

He highlighted three priorities from the Secretary-General’s recent report on Da’esh. First, he said, the situation in the camps and detention facilities in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic remains gravely concerning.  

Second, regarding the situation in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel, West Africa, and the Lake Chad Basin, the Secretary-General has emphasized that regional Member States must exercise political ownership and forge unified, coherent, and joint responses.  

And third, Mr. Zouev said, lasting progress requires comprehensive, whole‑of‑government and whole‑of‑society approaches, firmly grounded in the rule of law and compliant with international human rights norms.  

GREECE

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is deeply saddened by the latest tragedy yesterday in the Aegean Sea where at least 15 people lost their lives, and 24 children, men and women were injured off Chios island in Greece. UNHCR extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and stands in solidarity with all those affected and with the actors, rescuers and all those assisting the survivors. UNHCR is present at the hospital, offering support to the survivors, including access to interpretation and legal services as needed.

While the circumstances of the deadly incident are still being established, UNHCR underscores the importance of full clarity and transparency when incidents occur during lifesaving operations at sea.

The UN Refugee Agency  notes that this is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Between 2015 - 2025, 3,148 people lost their lives or went missing at sea in the Aegean. UNHCR stresses that these tragedies are preventable and States must do more to resolve conflict and address the other root causes that lead people to embark on dangerous journeys. More support is needed to countries of first asylum, as are increased legal pathways. Most urgently, more needs to be done to save lives at sea. Saving lives at sea is a legal and humanitarian imperative, and everyone must work together to uphold it.

CUBA 

In answer to questions about the current situation in Cuba, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the country, which will worsen, and if not collapse, if its oil needs go unmet. He notes that for more than three decades, the General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba.  

The Secretary-General urges all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law.  

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY 

Today is the International Day of Human Fraternity. In a message, the Secretary-General noted that on this Day, we celebrate equality, dignity and mutual understanding, and by honouring these timeless values, we can help to heal our fractured world.

HONOUR ROLL 

Belgium, Cabo Verde, Germany, India, Morocco and Slovenia paid their dues in full for the Regular Budget. This brings the number of Member States on the Honour Roll to 47.