HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,​
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
TUESDAY, 4 JANUARY 2022

SUDAN 
On Sudan, in a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General condemns the continued violence targeting protestors and calls upon the Sudanese security forces to exercise the utmost restraint and adhere to their obligations in relation to the rights to freedom of assembly and expression.  
The Secretary-General has also taken note of the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and regrets that a political understanding on the way forward is not in place despite the gravity of the situation in Sudan.  
The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to continue engaging in meaningful dialogue in order to reach an inclusive, peaceful and lasting solution. Sudanese aspirations for a transition that leads to a democratic dispensation are critical.

AFGHANISTAN 
On Afghanistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that the harsh winter is aggravating the severe conditions that many Afghans are already facing. Heavy snowfall and rain have impacted a number of areas in the past 24 hours, with snow disrupting flights to and from Kabul Airport. Further snow and low temperatures are forecast in the coming days. 
Meanwhile, humanitarian partners have been racing against time to deliver aid and supplies, in line with the commitment to scale up operations. During December, our humanitarian partners have reached seven million people with relief food supplies across the country. 
Provision of winterization support, including cash and non-food items, is also under way in various parts of the country. 
Donors have provided $1.5 billion for the two humanitarian appeals in 2021. This includes $776 million, of the $606 million required for the Flash Appeal launched in September by the Secretary-General, and $730 million of the $869 million sought in the Humanitarian Response Plan.

RESIDENT COORDINATORS 
Following the approval of the respective host Governments, Alvaro Rodriguez of Canada is the new Resident Coordinator in Turkey, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi of Zambia is the new Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, and Edward Kallon of Sierra Leone will be the new Resident Coordinator shortly in Zimbabwe.
Resident Coordinators are the Secretary-General’s representatives for development at the country level and also lead our work to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.  
They also mobilise support to address the multiple impacts of COVID-19, in line with the call of the Secretary-General to “make recovery our resolution for 2022.” The full biographies of Resident Coordinators are available online.

NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 
In a statement yesterday, the Secretary-General welcomed the joint statement by the nuclear-weapon States on the prevention of nuclear war and avoidance of arms races.  
He is encouraged by the nuclear-weapon States’ commitment to pursue measures to prevent nuclear war, consistent with his long-standing call for dialogue and cooperation to this end. He looks forward to further details about future initiatives.   
The Secretary-General takes the opportunity to restate what he has said repeatedly: the only way to eliminate all nuclear risks is to eliminate all nuclear weapons. He reiterates his willingness to work with the nuclear-weapon States and all Member States to achieve this goal as soon as possible.

KOSOVO 
Also, over the weekend, a statement was issued on the Kosovo government’s declaration on 31 December 2021 of “persona non grata” of an UNMIK staff member.

WORLD BRAILLE DAY 
Today is World Braille Day, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people. 
COVID-19 has revealed how critically important it is to produce essential information in accessible formats, including in Braille and audible formats. The pandemic has also emphasized the need to intensify all activities related to digital accessibility to ensure digital inclusion for all.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS  
The following Member States paid their 2021 regular budget dues in full by the 31st of December. We are most grateful to Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.  And we’re bending the rules a bit for our friends in Dominica, who also have paid in full, although we didn’t learn of that until today.  As a result, 153 nations paid in full last year. 
As a point of reference, as of 30 December 2020, 144 countries had paid their budgets in full compared to 153.