HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,

DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 1 NOVEMBER
 

COP 25
First of all, I want to start with something I know many have been asking about in recent days, which is the venue of the 25th Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. I just want to let you know that in a statement published a few minutes ago, the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa, said they are  pleased to announce that the Conference of Parties Bureau has agreed that COP 25 will take place from 2-13 December in Madrid, Spain.
 
Secretary-General
The Secretary-General met this morning with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation for the strong cooperation and support of Turkey to the United Nations. 
They both expressed their full backing to the ongoing Syria Constitutional Committee meetings and the need to find a political solution to the conflict in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.
President Erdogan presented the Secretary-General with a Turkish plan for new settlement areas for the return of Syrian refugees.
The Secretary-General stressed the basic principles relating to the voluntary, safe and dignified return of refugees. He informed the President that UNHCR will immediately form a team to study the proposal and engage in discussions with Turkish authorities, in line with its mandate.
They also had a constructive exchange of views on a number of ongoing situations in the region, including Yemen, Libya and the Middle East peace process, as well as several additional issues of mutual concern in other parts of the world.
The Secretary-General also reaffirmed his backing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and a group of development partners in relation to a programme of support for Turkey’s action on climate change.
The Secretary-General also briefed the President on his visit to the UN Technology Bank and thanked Turkey for hosting and financially backing this important initiative. The Secretary-General stressed the need for increased international support for the Bank serving the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Least Developed Countries. And the Secretary-General has left Turkey now and is on his way to Thailand.  
 
Cameroon
You will have seen that last evening, the Secretary-General said he was saddened by the death, earlier this week, of at least 43 people following a landslide in the city of Bafoussam, in Western Cameroon.
He expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims and affirms the readiness of the United Nations to contribute to ongoing efforts to address the needs of the affected population.
 
Pakistan
And the Secretary-General was deeply saddened by the loss of life following a fire, which erupted on a train travelling between Karachi and Rawalpindi, in Pakistan, yesterday.
The Secretary-General extends his deep condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the people and Government of Pakistan. He wishes a swift and full recovery to those who were injured.
 
Colombia
The UN Human Rights Office has signed an agreement with Colombia, which will allow the Office to remain and operate in the country with its full mandate for a further three years.
Over the past 22 years, the Office has worked very closely with the Government and others to protect and promote human rights, as well as to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Government and the FARC.
The UN Human Rights Office stresses once again the urgent need for effective protection and preventive measures for indigenous peoples across the country.
You can read more about this online.
 
Ecuador
Juan Gabriel Valdés, adviser to the Secretary-General, traveled to Quito on 29-30 October. The visit follows a request to the United Nations by the Government of Ecuador, indigenous organizations and different social sectors for support in reaching an understanding about how to bridge their differences.
Ambassador Valdés met President Lenín Moreno, members of the Government and social leaders, whom he congratulated for halting the escalation of social tension experienced in early October through a constructive attitude and willingness to engage in dialogue.  He urged the parties to continue to bring their positions closer together and avoid situations that hinder dialogue. The objective of all national actors must be to reach consensual solutions that benefit the entire country and facilitate governance, inclusive dialogue and prosperity. 
The United Nations reiterates its readiness to accompany an inclusive and nationally-led dialogue process that contributes to the fulfillment of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
Venezuela
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, will visit Venezuela from 4 to 6 November 2019 to learn first-hand about the humanitarian situation and strengthen cooperation and coordination among the various humanitarian organizations operating in the country.
During the visit, Mr. Lowcock is scheduled to meet with senior government officials and members of the National Assembly, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies and the diplomatic community, among others.
He will also assess the humanitarian response supported by the UN staff on the ground and meet with people affected by the crisis.
The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan calls for US$223 million to assist 2.6 million people and focuses on providing life-saving humanitarian aid and protection and strengthening community resilience.
 
Haiti unrest
According to information verified by the UN Office for Human Rights, at least 42 people have died and 86 were injured in Haiti since the latest round of protests began on September 15th. Most of them suffered gunshot wounds. Reports indicate that security forces were responsible for 19 of the deaths while the rest were killed by armed individuals or unknown perpetrators.
Journalists were among the casualties, with one was killed and 9 injured. As such, the Human Rights Office urges all people to refrain from targeting journalists and to respect the freedom of the media.
 
Nigeria
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that more than 35,000 people have been affected – with 19,000 people displaced – by the worst flooding in seven years in north-east Nigeria’s Adamawa state.
The Government is leading the response and providing shelter for those who have been affected.
For its part, the UN and its partners are providing water, hygiene kits, and essential drugs, among other supplies.
Adamawa is one of the states most affected by the decade-long conflict in north-east Nigeria, with 7.1 million people still in need of urgent assistance.
The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria seeks $848 million to help 6.2 million people and is 59 per cent funded so far.
 
World Food Programme
In Somalia, Beletweyne district and other areas have been severely affected by unusually heavy rains and flooding, and humanitarian needs are dire.
As part of the Flood Response Task Force, the World Food Programme (WFP) is working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and other government agencies.
WFP is also collaborating with sister UN agencies to coordinate the response and reach the hardest-hit people.  
The Agency plans to assist 4,000 families from seven villages in Beletweyne district.
Trucks loaded with WFP food are due to arrive in Beletweyne today and 24 metric tons of high-energy biscuits will be distributed by helicopter in a series of flights to Beletweyne, the Agency said.
 
UN Female Police Officer of the Year
I’m pleased to announce that Major Seynabou Diouf of the Senegal National Police has been selected as the 2019 United Nations Female Police Officer of the Year.
Major Diouf currently leads a task force that helps to prevent and end sexual exploitation and abuse with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in Goma (North Kivu).
She also leads the UN Police Women’s Network, which connects female officers for mentoring, training, professional development and mutual support. 
The United Nations Female Police Officer of the Year award was established in 2011 to recognize exceptional contributions of female police officers to UN peacekeeping and to promote the empowerment of women.
In choosing Major Diouf, the selection committee commended her exemplary service, which has a direct and positive impact on the community and the Congolese national police.
We have her full bio in our office.
 
Press Conference
And following my briefing, at 12.30, Ambassador Karen Pierce, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom and President of the Security Council, will be here to brief on the Council’s programme of work for the month.