HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2022

SECURITY COUNCIL 
Bintou Keita, the head of the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, briefed the Security Council this morning.
Ms. Keita said that as the security situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated, the UN Mission – MONUSCO – has continued to provide operational, logistical, and tactical support both to the national army and police.  
She said it is encouraging that regional initiatives have intensified in response to the increasing insecurity. It is imperative, Ms. Keita added, that the outcomes of these initiatives are faithfully implemented by all parties.  

This afternoon, the Security Council will hold a meeting on threats to international peace and security. Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, will be briefing.

CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND 
The Secretary-General this morning spoke at the high-level pledging event for the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), calling it a UN success story. 
He noted that, since it was set up sixteen years ago, the Fund has proved to be one of the fastest and most effective ways to finance global humanitarian action.
This year, CERF has allocated more than $700 million to support millions of people in 40 countries. This included kick-starting operations in Ukraine on the same day it was invaded by Russia, as well as rapidly responding to weather-related emergencies, including in Pakistan. 
The Secretary-General said that we all face difficult economic times, but the most vulnerable people are hit hardest. The Central Emergency Response Fund is a tried and tested way to help them. 
Also speaking at the event was Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
  
UKRAINE 
Martin Griffiths, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, will travel to Ukraine next week, from 12-15 December. While in Ukraine, he will meet with Government officials, humanitarian partners and people impacted by the war. Mr. Griffiths will review the impact of the humanitarian response and new challenges that have arisen as infrastructure damage mounts amid freezing winter temperatures.  In Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, the Under-Secretary-General will visit a site housing internally displaced people and a bakery supported by the UN. He will also visit Kherson, where he will see an aid distribution point. Mr. Griffiths will spend the final leg of his trip in Kyiv, where he will meet with senior Government officials, as well as with NGO representatives and the diplomatic community.
  
DSG TRAVELS 
This afternoon, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will travel to Washington, DC, to deliver remarks at the Inaugural African Union Ambassadors Ball, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the African Union. 
That same evening, this evening, she will proceed to Prague, in the Czech Republic, to deliver a keynote address at the 26th session of the Aspen Ministers Forum (AMF).  
On 11 December, she will go to Geneva to have meetings with UN Member States, Heads of Entities and other officials.  She will also attend the Opening Session of the 2022 Effective Development Cooperation Summit, alongside the Presidents of Switzerland, Rwanda and Moldova. 
She will be back in New York on the13th [of December]. 
 
PAKISTAN 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that critical humanitarian needs in Pakistan remain, even as floodwaters recede, and the needs are intensified by the arrival of winter. 
More than 20 million people continue to depend on humanitarian aid, even as reconstruction efforts are beginning in some areas. 
To date, in support of the Government response, our humanitarian partners have reached more than 4.7 million people with aid since the onset of the floods. 
Some 2.6 million people have received food assistance. Our partners have also helped 125,000 children to resume their education, including through more than 500 temporary learning centres. However, schools remain inaccessible for more than two million children. 
More resources are urgently needed. To date, only 23 per cent of the $816 million Floods Response Plan has been received. 
   
ETHIOPIA 
The UN Refugee Agency said they are stepping up assistance to conflict-affected populations in northern Tigray, in Ethiopia, as well as Afar and Amhara regions. Since the signing of the peace agreement, UNHCR says it has seen a major change on humanitarian access and its ability to move critical assistance into Tigray.  
As of this week, UNHCR has been able to send 61 trucks into Tigray, carrying 2,400 metric tons of much-needed relief including medicine, shelter materials, blankets and household items, and a tanker carrying 20,000 litres of fuel to help bring aid to those who need it most.  
  
JOBS AND NATURE 
A new report by the International Labour Organization, the UN Environment Programme and the International Union for Conservation of Nature says that 20 million jobs could be created by harnessing the power of nature to address major challenges such as climate change, disaster risk, and food and water insecurity. 
The report, which was launched at the UN’s Biodiversity Conference [COP15], in Montreal, calls for the implementation of “Just Transition” policies, including measures to support enterprises and cooperatives working in nature-based solutions.   
  
INTERNATIONAL DAYS 
Today is the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. In his message, the Secretary-General says that the threat of genocide remains present in many places around the world, with discrimination and hate speech on the rise everywhere. He says we must do more to promote strong political leadership and resolute action against these dangerous trends and we must do more to live up to our commitment to liberate humanity from the scourge of genocide. 
Today is also the International Anti-Corruption Day. In a Tweet, the Secretary-General said that corruption harms all, but the poor and vulnerable suffer the most. He called on everyone to take a stand for integrity, justice and accountability.                                                          
And tomorrow is Human Rights Day.  In his message, the Secretary-General underscores that human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal and prosperous societies. He urges Member States, civil society, the private sector and others to put human rights at the heart of efforts to reverse today’s damaging trends. 
Finally, Sunday is International Mountain Day. This year’s theme is “Women move mountains” and focuses on women’s key role in mountains’ environmental protection. 
  
PHOTO EXHIBIT  
The Human Rights Office in New York is organizing an event entitled “Photography 4 Humanity”, to celebrate Human Rights day with a strong call for climate justice.  
The photos from Photography 4 Humanity’s 2022 Global Prize will be on display outside the General Assembly Hall, highlighting a fundamental truth: that the climate crisis is a human rights crisis.  
The opening is at 6 pm.
  
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION   
Yemen has paid its dues in full for this year’s budget. The number of fully paid up countries is now 139.