HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 9 MAY 2018
 
U.N. ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY CONFIRMS IRAN HAS IMPLEMENTED COMMITMENTS UNDER JOINT PLAN OF ACTION

• In a statement issued today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it is closely following developments related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). As requested by the United Nations Security Council and authorized by the IAEA Board of Governors in 2015, the IAEA is verifying and monitoring Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA. Iran is subject to the world’s most robust nuclear verification regime under the JCPOA, which is a significant verification gain. As of today, the IAEA can confirm that the nuclear-related commitments are being implemented by Iran.
• Yesterday, a statement was issued on the Secretary-General’s concern at the announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will begin reinstating US sanctions.
• The Secretary-General has consistently reiterated that the JCPOA represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy.  It has also contributed to regional and international peace and security.
• It is essential that all concerns regarding the implementation of the Plan be addressed through the mechanisms established in the JCPOA. Issues not directly related to the JCPOA should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments.
• The Secretary-General calls on other JCPOA participants to abide fully by their respective commitments under the JCPOA and on all other Member States to support this agreement.

 

• A statement was issued last night, the Secretary-General congratulated Lebanon on the holding of parliamentary elections on 6 May, the first since 2009. The elections represent a vital step in strengthening Lebanon’s state institutions and consolidating its democratic tradition.
• The Secretary-General looks forward to the formation of the new government. He calls on Lebanon’s political leaders to work in a spirit of unity and with a view to furthering the ambitious agenda set out by Lebanon and its international partners.
• The United Nations continues to support Lebanon and its sovereignty, stability, and political independence in accordance with the Taif Accord and relevant Security Council resolutions.

 

• The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Bikoro in Equateur Province yesterday. The outbreak declaration occurred after laboratory results confirmed two cases.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Government of the DRC to rapidly scale up its operations and mobilize health partners using the model of a successful response to a similar outbreak in 2017.
• The first multidisciplinary team comprised of experts from WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Provincial Division of Health travelled today to Bikoro to strengthen coordination and investigations.
• Bikoro is on the shores of Lake Tumba in the north-western part of the country near the Republic of the Congo. Health facilities have very limited functionality, and rely on international organizations to provide supplies that frequently stock out. 
• WHO plans to deploy epidemiologists, logisticians, clinicians, infection prevention and control experts, risk communications experts and vaccination support teams in the coming days. It released US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities for the next three months with the goal of stopping the spread of Ebola to surrounding provinces and countries.

 

• Yesterday afternoon, the Under Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed the Security Council on South Sudan.
• He said that heading into the next round of peace talks at the High-Level Revitalization Forum in Addis Ababa, the parties remain far apart, and that the holding of elections in the current political, security and humanitarian environment is unrealistic and would be counter-productive.
• Amidst increasing hostilities, humanitarian partners have been forced to evacuate from most of the affected areas, he noted.
• The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues its efforts to protect civilians and to respond to the worsening humanitarian situation. Success, however, is relative in a complex environment of active fighting and persistent insecurity, he said.
• In this context, Mr. Lacroix reiterated that there must be consequences for blatant violations of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement and broken promises to protect civilians.
• Finally, he urged the Security Council to use its voice to dispel the unhealthy narrative of regime change that some of South Sudan's leaders would like to use against the United Nations and the international community in a bid to win popular support. This narrative serves no one and only sows seeds of hate and paranoia, he warned.
• His full remarks are available.

 

• The High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein expressed today deep alarm at the volatile situation in the Central African Republic, particularly given the worrying hate speech and incitement to violence on the basis of religion, as well as the recent killings and attacks in Bangui. 
• The High Commissioner called on the Government of the Central African Republic and the international community to be extremely vigilant and to take serious measures to curb the incitement to violence on communal grounds.
• He also stressed that this recent violence must not be allowed to undermine the peace process facilitated by the African Union.

 

• Following his appointment by the Secretary-General on 27 April as his Special Adviser on Madagascar, Abdoulaye Bathily, arrived in the country on Sunday, 6 May.
• He will be there for one week to assess the situation on the ground and to assist the Malagasy in addressing their political challenges through peaceful dialogue, together with regional and international partners.
• Mr. Bathily has met with different stakeholders, including the President [Hery Rajaonarimampianina] and the principal political leaders.
• Mr. Bathily also met with the Special Envoy of the African Union Ramatane Lamamra, and with the high-level delegation of the South African Development Community, led by its Special Envoy for Madagascar, former President Joaquin Chissano of Mozambique and SADC Executive Secretary Lawrence Tax.

 

• Last night, a note to correspondents was issued to inform of a meeting that will take place in Greece on 12 May. Matthew Nimetz, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, will meet jointly with Nikos Kotzias, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, and Nikola Dimitrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The meeting is part of ongoing United Nations efforts to assist the sides in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the “name” issue.

 

• The World Food Programme (WFP) said that poor rainfall in parts of Africa has triggered the largest insurance pay-out to date for vulnerable farmers.
• These farmers participate in an innovative climate risk management scheme known as the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative (R4), launched by WFP and Oxfam America in 2011. Insurance is a central component of R4, providing smallholders with protection against extreme weather shocks linked to climate change.
• They will receive insurance payments totalling US$ 1.5 million to compensate for weather-related crop losses in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal and Zambia. 
• The pay-out enables nearly 30,000 farming households to cover immediate needs including the purchase of food and payment of children’s school fees. Many smallholders also invest a portion of the pay-out in seeds or fertilizers, or in starting small-scale family businesses.

 

• The World Food Programme (WFP) said it will shift support from in-kind food assistance to distributions of cash to refugees from Bhutan located in Nepal starting mid-2018.
• This decision is in line with refugees’ preference and will ensure the dignity of choice for assisted people, who will be able to purchase the food they like.
• Since 1992, WFP has provided food assistance to Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal, thanks to generous funding from international donors. The original population of around 107,000 people has decreased steadily since 2007 as people have been resettled in other countries. 
• However, as the world faces unprecedented humanitarian needs, no donor countries have contributed to WFP’s operation in support of these refugees since 2016.

 

• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today published its legal analysis on the draft amendments to the asylum law in Austria, calling on the Austrian Government to uphold its commitment to protection sensitive asylum policies.
• UNHCR is concerned about several proposed new regulations, including the seizure of cash and electronic devices of asylum-seekers, and a prolonged waiting period for refugees before they are able to apply for Austrian citizenship.
• It is calling on the Austrian Government to reconsider the proposed law amendments, and to take all respective decisions with a focus on refugee protection.

 

• This evening there will be a concert to benefit The Heartbeat Project, which provides music and math education for Navajo students living on the Reservation. The UN Staff Recreation Council’s Chamber Music will perform, and Antonio Cisneros of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will provide opening remarks. The event is at 7 p.m., at the All Saints Episcopal Church on 60th Street.

 

• Andorra and San Marino have paid their regular budget dues in full. The Honour Roll is now up to 90.