HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 1 AUGUST 20202
BLACK SEA INITIATIVE
This morning, this morning the Secretary-General spoke with the media regarding the cargo ship loaded with more than 26-thousand tonnes of corn that today became the first commercial ship to sail from the port of Odesa since 26 February, as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The Secretary-General said that this ship – the Merchant Vessel Razoni – is loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn, and hope. Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraine’s ports to feed their families.
The Secretary-General notes that today’s departure is an enormous collective achievement by the Joint Coordination Centre, set up last week in Istanbul under United Nations auspices, with representatives from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and Türkiye.
He stressed that ensuring that grain, fertilizers, and other food-related items are available at reasonable prices to developing countries is a humanitarian imperative and that people on the verge of famine need these agreements to work, in order to survive.
The Secretary-General said that this war must end, and peace must be established, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. He said that he hopes that today’s news can be a step towards that goal, for the people of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and for the world.
CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE NPT
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the opening of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
He told participants that the Conference takes place at a critical juncture for our collective peace and security as humanity is in danger of forgetting the lessons forged in the terrifying fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Geopolitical tensions are reaching new highs, he said, adding that States are seeking false security in stockpiling and spending hundreds of billions of dollars on doomsday weapons that have no place on our planet.
The Secretary-General also added in his remarks that the conference is more essential than ever and for this reason he will be going to Japan to take part in the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima, which is held on 6 August every year. The ceremony aims to console the souls of those lost to the atomic bombing, as well as to pray for the realization of lasting world peace. The Secretary-General will honour the victims of the bombings and commemorate all victims of WWII. He will reiterate his call to world leaders to urgently eliminate stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Secretary-General spoke this morning to President Félix Tshisekedi, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the conversation the Secretary-General conveyed his condolences and also apologize for yesterday’s incident which involved UN peacekeepers and took place in Kasindi, on the border of the DRC and Uganda. The Secretary-General said that the United Nations is totally committed to peace and to coordinating with Congolese armed forces and working with the FARDC. To solve the situation and bring about stability in eastern DRC, effective dialogue is needed, he said, and for that to happen, the UN demands the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 group, and call on all armed groups to cease all forms of violence.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General expressed his outrage, following this incident. He also stressed in the strongest terms the need to establish accountability for these events and welcomed the decision of his Special Representative in the DRC, Bintou Keita, to detain the Mission personnel involved in the incident and to immediately open an investigation.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/LIBYA
The Secretary-General wishes to express his sincere gratitude to Ms. Stephanie Williams, who has just concluded her assignment as his Special Adviser on Libya. He is thankful for her service to the organization and her dedication in pursuit of a solution to the political crisis in Libya.
Ms. Williams’ deep knowledge and experience of Libya, and her remarkable ability to foster conditions conducive for dialogue and consensus among all stakeholders, has led to key achievements in the political, security and economic dialogue tracks.
Ms. Williams made critical contributions to the signing of a nation-wide ceasefire agreement in October 2020, to the adoption of the political roadmap by the Libyan Political
Dialogue Forum in November 2020, and to the unprecedented level of consensus achieved in the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and the High State Council on a constitutional framework for elections.
The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process to address outstanding challenges and ensure the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
KOSOVO/SERBIA CROSSING POINTS
The UN is closely following developments in Kosovo and welcome the postponement of the implementation of decisions that have led to the diffusion of tension on the ground. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Caroline Ziadeh, yesterday urged all parties to address issues in good faith through the EU-facilitated dialogue, to strengthen stability and security for all.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/IRAQ
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Secretary-General expressed concern at the protests in Iraq and noted that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights that must be respected at all times. He appeals to all relevant actors to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, avoid any further violence, and ensure the protection of peaceful protesters and state institutions.
The Secretary-General urges all parties and actors to rise above their differences and form, through peaceful and inclusive dialogue, an effective national government that will be able to deliver on longstanding demands for reform, without further delay.
SUDAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that, according to preliminary reports from local authorities and partners, over 31,000 people have been displaced following intercommunal violence in Ganis town in Blue Nile State, in Sudan. The situation in Ed Damazine city and other parts of Blue Nile State is currently calm but remains unpredictable.
Humanitarian organizations continue to provide the displaced and other affected people with assistance. Health partners have dispatched supplies to help 30,000 people for three months. Nutrition partners continue screening children for malnutrition and supporting nutrition centres by providing therapeutic food.
During January to June this year, conflict displaced more than 117,000 people across all of Sudan. The 2022 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requested $1.9 billion to support 10.9 million vulnerable people. It is only 21 per cent funded.
MYANMAR
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that more than 1.2 million people are now displaced across Myanmar. This includes more than 866,000 people displaced by the conflict and insecurity since the military takeover in February last year and more than 346,000 people who remain displaced from previous conflicts, the majority of whom are in Rakhine State.
Inflation in commodity prices since May 2022, including food and fuel, is deepening people’s socioeconomic stress.
Together with our local partners, we are trying to reach 6.2 million people with life-saving assistance this year. The UN has reached around half of its target with at least one form of humanitarian assistance at mid-year, despite access constraints and funding shortfalls. To reach the remaining vulnerable communities, the UN needs better access and additional funding, especially in light of inflation.
As of 1 August, this year’s Humanitarian Response Plan is only 13 per cent funded, leaving a gap of $719 million. All clusters are seriously underfunded, threatening their ability to respond to the growing needs.
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
The Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a joint statement on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which begins today. They stressed that, as global crises continue to threaten the health and nutrition of millions of babies and children, the vital importance of breastfeeding as the best possible start in life is more critical than ever.
ISRAEL
The Secretary-General has no authority over the Commission of Inquiry, whose members are appointed by the Human Rights Council. However, he has always been extremely clear in saying that there is no room for anti-Semitism in the work of the United Nations.
Second, Israel is unquestionably a member of the United Nations, with the same rights and responsibilities as the other 192 countries that make up this organization.
NOON BRIEFING GUEST TOMORROW
Tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi. He will brief reporters on the NPT Review Conference.
