SECRETARY-GENERAL/FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke in person this morning at the opening of the Economic and Social Council’s 2021 Forum on Financing for Development.
He noted that, since the pandemic began one year ago, no element of our multilateral response has gone as it should, with some 120 million people having fallen back into extreme poverty.
He warned that the crisis is far from over, with the speed of infections now increasing.
Mr. Guterres said that many governments face an impossible choice between servicing debt or saving lives, but he stressed that, in reality, there is just one choice: to take action to avert a global debt crisis.
The Secretary-General called for urgent action in six areas:
First, to make vaccines available to all countries in need; second, to reverse the fall in concessional financing; third, to make sure that funds go where they are needed most; fourth, to address the debt crisis with debt suspension, relief, and liquidity for countries that need it; fifth, to invest in people through a new social contract based on solidarity; and, lastly, to relaunch economies in a sustainable and equitable manner, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
MYANMAR
Turning to Myanmar, I can tell you that the Secretary-General reiterates his deep concern about the developments in that country. The most recent reports of violence and killings by security forces are appalling.
The Security Council has clearly called for a stop to the violence and invited the parties to pursue dialogue and reconciliation. The Secretary-General encourages all Member States to use their influence to impress on the parties the need to stop this escalation and to take steps that will facilitate the return to civilian rule. He emphasizes the key role that the region can and must play in advising the national actors to take steps towards the return of peace and stability in Myanmar.
The United Nations Special Envoy, Christine Schraner Burgener, is currently in the region, where she is meeting with key interlocutors in order to promote an effective international response based on a unified regional effort. She remains ready to visit Myanmar at the earliest opportunity.
From Myanmar, our colleagues there said they are appalled by the violence since Friday in which some 93 protestors were reportedly killed, many of them in the city of Bago. The UN team in Myanmar says it is particularly concerned over reports of the use of heavy artillery against protestors.
The UN Human Rights Office says that, as of today, credible reports show at least 707 people have been killed since the military seized control of the Government more than two months ago. It is believed this may be significantly higher. Since 1 February, thousands of people have been injured, many of them seriously.
NIGERIA
On Nigeria, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the reported attack by militants in Damasak town in Borno State that took place on 11 April, which resulted in five civilian deaths and the destruction of three humanitarian facilities. He expresses his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. He calls on the Nigerian authorities to spare no efforts in identifying and swiftly bringing the perpetrators to justice.
For his part, Edward Kallon, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, said that humanitarian aid operations and facilities are the lifeline for people affected by violence and conflict in north-east Nigeria.
He said that these operations in Damasak will be reduced due to the violent attack. This will impact the support to 8,800 internally displaced people and 76,000 people in the host communities receiving humanitarian assistance and protection.
He called on armed parties to observe and commit to international humanitarian law and human rights law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian property, and personnel.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Turning to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the eruption of La Soufrière volcano has left the entire population of the island – nearly 110,000 people – without clean water and electricity and about 20,000 people evacuated need of shelter.
The eruption has affected most livelihoods in the northern part of the island, including banana farming, with ash and lava flows hampering the movement of people and goods.
Access to the island is limited.
We, along with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, have mobilized pre-positioned water and sanitation hygiene supplies that are currently in Barbados.
The Government has officially asked for UN assistance and, over the weekend, the Secretary-General spoke to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
UN assistance so far includes relief items, food and cash distribution and technical advice.
Neighbouring countries are contributing emergency supplies and assets to support evacuation.
SECURITY COUNCIL/GREAT LAKES
The Security Council this morning heard from Huang Xia, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region. He briefed Council members by videoconference from Nairobi. He spoke about the latest socio-political and security developments in the Great Lakes region.
Mr. Xia briefed Council members on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region. Among other issues, he also spoke on the progress in the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, as well as on recent bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives.
YEMEN
Turning to Yemen, our good friend, Martin Griffiths, the Special Envoy for Yemen, is today in Berlin in Germany.
He met with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and briefed senior officials from the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as the European Union, Germany, Kuwait and Sweden. He discussed the status of the current negotiating efforts to agree on a nationwide ceasefire, urgent humanitarian measures and the resumption of the political process.
Mr. Griffiths reiterated his call to the parties to seize this opportunity to negotiate in good faith and without preconditions. He stressed that this is a moment for decisions and responsible leadership.
LIBYA
Over the weekend, our other friend, Ján Kubiš, the Special Envoy for Libya, concluded a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.
During the visit, Mr. Kubiš met with the UAE Foreign Affairs Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. They discussed the situation in Libya, including the positive developments that resulted in the creation of a unified government and Presidency Council. Both agreed on the need to support the newly-elected interim authority in Libya to achieve unity, stability, and prosperity.
Mr. Kubiš also discussed the situation in telephone conversations with the newly-appointed Special Envoy of France for Libya, Paul Soler, and separately with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov.
TIMOR-LESTE
From Timor-Leste, our team there on the ground, led by the Resident Coordinator, Roy Trivedy, is supporting local authorities following floods that have impacted Díli and other parts of the country.
The Government says there have been more than 30 deaths and more than 13,500 people are living in evacuation sites.
We have provided logistical support for the emergency response, as well as shelter materials, food, personal protective equipment and health services, among many others. We also helped carry out a rapid assessment to identify priority needs and are coordinating our response with donors, civil society, the media and others.
COVAX
A quick COVAX update: As of today, nearly 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX have been shipped to 106 countries. More than 250 million doses have been allocated for shipment through May.
Guinea received more than 190,000 doses yesterday. A vaccination campaign started in the country last month, and the new batch of vaccines from COVAX will help immunize the most vulnerable, including frontline health workers, people over the age of 60, and those with comorbidities.
The UN team, led by our Resident Coordinator Vincent Martin, will continue to support the Government’s vaccination campaign. The Resident Coordinator said that the vaccine will help address the COVID-19 pandemic similar to what was achieved with immunization in other health emergencies, such as Ebola.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT
Today is a very important day – it is the International Day of Human Space Flight. The Day was declared by the General Assembly to celebrate the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples.
On today’s date, 60 years ago, in 1961, was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
And today, the European Space Agency astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, was named the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador. Mr. Pesquet will help FAO raise awareness about the importance of transforming the world’s agri-food systems, making them more resilient, inclusive, efficient and sustainable.
The French astronaut has been an advocate for action on climate change. He has used his experience of 196 consecutive days on board the International Space Station to highlight the need for unity on our “one Earth.”
