SECRETARY-GENERAL/WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP). He once again congratulated the colleagues on their Nobel Peace Prize, adding that he witnessed their commitment to deliver lifesaving assistance in the most remote locations, in the most dangerous situations and the most challenging contexts.
The Secretary-General added that he could have never imagined that hunger would rise again during his time in office as Secretary-General. However, according to WFP figures, 130 million more people risk being pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of the year.
This is totally unacceptable, Mr. Guterres said. The COVID-19 recovery must address inequalities and fragilities, and the question of food will be central to a sustainable and inclusive recovery.
Turning to climate, the Secretary-General added that he believes that food systems will be essential in bringing us to net zero, adding that, in this regard, the work of WFP is also essential.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/BLOOMBERG FORUM
Also this morning, the Secretary-General participated in the third annual Bloomberg New Economy Forum. He said that the UN has been working to save lives, control transmissions of the virus and ease the fallout. He added that we are advocating a massive rescue package for the world’s most vulnerable people and countries.
The Secretary-General said that, even before the spread of the virus, inequalities were rising, societal divisions were widening, and a lack of opportunities was causing frustration and unrest. He stressed that we must address these issues.
He also noted that we may be at a potential running point on climate change, with more countries pledging to be carbon neutral by 2050. He emphasized that carbon should be given a price and that countries need to phase out coal.
2021 must be the year of a great leap towards carbon neutrality, he said, adding that, as we recover from the pandemic, we have an opening to addressing the climate crisis.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is concluding her visit to Ghana today, where she had a series of meetings with authorities, development partners, UN colleagues and civil society organizations.
This morning, she visited the National Peace Council, which continues to play a positive role in promoting a culture of peace in the country. Later, she visited the UN hospital and a clinic supported by the UN to strengthen the Government’s COVID-19 response, as well as the continuity of essential health services, particularly for women and children.
Yesterday evening, Amina Mohammed met with the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, as well as key ministers. She took part in the presentation of the COVID-19 UN Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan.
Over the weekend, she was in Sierra Leone, where she met with the President, Vice President and other key Government officials. There, too, she took part in the presentation of the COVID-19 UN Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan for Sierra Leone.
She also visited an area of the country where massive mudslides left over 1,100 people missing and 6,000 people displaced in 2017. Since then, the UN has supported efforts to stabilize the slope from further slippage. She also met with a group of women working to bring solar power to communities in the country.
She will be returning to Nigeria later today, which will be the last leg of her solidarity trip to West Africa.
ETHIOPIA
Turning to Ethiopia, our humanitarian colleagues tell us they are alarmed by the escalating conflict in the north.
There have been reports of rocket attacks on the Amhara region, as well as in Eritrea. There was also a reported air strike in the vicinity of Mekelle, the main city in Tigray region.
Our humanitarian colleagues repeat their call to all parties to the conflict to de-escalate to avoid further casualties and the suffering of civilians.
According to unconfirmed reports, there is a massive internal displacement from western to northern Tigray. More than 25,000 Ethiopians have crossed into Sudan so far.
We are equally alarmed by the increasing insecurity in western and southern Oromia province, as well as in the eastern Benishangul Gumuz region.
The protection of civilians and the adherence to International Humanitarian Law must be enforced as a priority by all parties. In addition, we call for humanitarian access and the resumption of telecommunication and basic supplies, including food, medicine and fuel for civilians in the Tigray region.
PHILIPPINES
From the Philippines, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that 67 people have lost their lives, 21 people are reported injured and 13 are missing following Typhoon Vamco, which hit the main island of Luzon late last week. Rescue operations are ongoing as floodwaters recede, with at least 50 villages remaining isolated.
In Isabella and Cagayan provinces, at least 1.1 million people were impacted by flooding. In Manila, tens of thousands of suburban homes were submerged. This is the worst flooding in that regions for decades.
The Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Gustavo González, has expressed his condolences to the Government and conveyed the readiness of the humanitarian community to provide support.
The Secretary-General joins the Resident Coordinator in expressing his condolences to the people of the Philippines for their losses.
CENTRAL AMERICA
In Central America, people are bracing for another potentially catastrophic storm, named Iota, just two weeks after Hurricane Eta made landfall in the region causing death and destruction.
Ahead of Iota, we, along with our regional and national partners are building on the preparedness and response work underway for Eta, including pre-propositioning of supplies.
Meanwhile, in response to Hurricane Eta, seven members of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team was deployed on Saturday to Honduras.
The team will assist authorities and the UN Country Team in needs assessments, coordination, logistics and information management and will remain in the country through November.
PERU
I have been asked about Peru and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is following with concern recent developments in Peru.
He urges all stakeholders to work towards a prompt and institutional solution to the current political crisis and challenges facing the country, through inclusive dialogue with full respect for the rule of law.
The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by reports of excessive use of force and violence allegedly committed by security forces during the protests, including the death of two young men, dozens of injured and attacks against media workers. He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and trusts that the authorities will conduct an impartial and independent investigation into these events.
SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, here, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed the Security Council during a session on the G5 Sahel, and he did so by videoconference.
He said that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel have intensified. Mr. Lacroix welcomed the increased coordination of security players on the ground, adding that this has allowed for a more visible presence of defense and security forces, as well as stepped up [pressure] on terrorist groups.
Mr. Lacroix reiterated the importance of more predictable funding, saying that we should be mindful of the disastrous implications of the security situation for the rest of the West African region if the situation in the Sahel is not adequately addressed.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE
Nickolay Mladenov, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said today that he was very concerned by the decision of the Israeli authorities to open the bidding process for the construction of Givat Hamatos.
If built, he warned, this would further consolidate the ring of settlements between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. He added that it would significantly damage the prospects for a future contiguous Palestinian State and for achieving a negotiated two-State solution based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
Mr. Mladenov reiterated that settlement construction is illegal under international law and he called on the authorities to reverse this step.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/A.S.E.A.N.
Over the weekend, the Secretary-General spoke at the ASEAN-UN Summit.
He said that, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the UN, the international community is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of a pandemic, the climate emergency, and rising geopolitical tensions, among many others.
He commended ASEAN for its commitment to international cooperation and regional solidarity, as well as for its recognition that any COVID-19 vaccine must be a global public good.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE
Today is the International Day for Tolerance, so be kind. The UN is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.
In a Tweet, the Secretary-General made a call that, on this Day and every day, we should all advance human dignity, fight racism and forge peace, adding that it is his firm belief that we can help solve our biggest challenges by embracing diversity and respecting each other.
***The guest at the Noon Briefing was Ambassador Munir Akram, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, who spoke to reporters in his capacity as the President of the Economic and Social Council.