AQABA PROCESS  
Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Aqaba Process dedicated to the COVID-19 response, the Secretary-General said today that the pandemic is more than a global health crisis - it is a game-changer for international peace and security. 
Terrorists are exploiting the social and economic hardships caused by COVID-19 to radicalize and recruit new followers. 
Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and conspiracy theorists are stirring up division and polarization in the wake of the virus and protests around the world, he said.
The lack of international cooperation to tackle the impacts of the pandemic has been startling, Mr. Guterres added.
There is an urgent need for global unity and solidarity. 
The Secretary-General called for enhanced information sharing and technical cooperation between countries and regions to prevent terrorists from exploiting the pandemic.  
He added that we need to put people first in our fight against terrorists, and we need to build a better tomorrow with a new, inclusive and more effective multilateralism, based on the values of the United Nations Charter.
The window of opportunity is closing, he said, before concluding with a call to seize the moment. 
 
EMPLOYERS
The Secretary-General spoke virtually to the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) Centenary Summit. He said that the IOE has made significant contributions to global policymaking for economic and social progress, job creation, and a mutually beneficial business environment.    
He pointed out that today, growing inequalities between and within countries, boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are fueling ethnic nationalism and protectionism. For the Secretary-General, the private sector, employers’ organizations and those they represent have a real capacity to make a meaningful difference and ensure more effective multilateralism. But they must be given the space to do so.  
 
CLIMATE  
Tomorrow the Secretary-General will be speaking at the virtual ministerial meeting on recovering from COVID-19. The meeting will be chaired by Japan and co-hosted by the Executive Secretary of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa.
The Secretary-General will once again urge all countries, especially G20 members, to commit to carbon neutrality before 2050. He will also stress that it makes no economic sense to burn money on coal plants that will soon become stranded assets and that there is no rational case for coal power in any investment plan.
More than 60 countries have confirmed participation in the event and more than 50 have submitted measures to recover from the pandemic.   
 
LIBYA 
Stephanie Williams, the Secretary-General’s acting Special Representative for Libya, told the Security Council today that the country is at a decisive turning point and the Council’s support, not only in words but most importantly in action, will help determine whether the country descends into new depths of fragmentation and chaos or progresses towards a more prosperous future. 
She said that, on the ground, an uneasy stand-off continues around Sirte, imperiling the lives of 130,000 vulnerable inhabitants of the city as well as the country’s vital oil infrastructure which comprises its economic lifeline. 
In recent days, Ms. Williams said that Libyans have come out in force throughout the country, most notably in Tripoli, to express their anger over the lack of basic services, widespread water and power cuts and rampant corruption. She has personally communicated the United Nations’ concerns to the Libyan authorities at reports of excessive force used against peaceful demonstrators and reiterated our calls for the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression to be respected. Those who have been arbitrarily detained by armed groups must be released immediately, she added. 
 
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The UN Mission continues to support the authorities with preparations for the forthcoming presidential and legislative elections on December 27th. 
The Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission, Mankeur Ndiaye, through his good offices and political facilitation mandate, continues to engage national stakeholders, including political actors and civil society, to create a conducive environment for the elections. 
As part of these efforts, he has met with several groups to encourage them to promote dialogue and consensus on the electoral process. 
The UN Mission is also working in close coordination with the G5, which includes Member States, regional organizations as well as the UN, to help ensure a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process.  
 
NIGER  
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that torrential rainfall since June has affected more than 281,000 people, destroying 26,000 houses and killing 51 people, according to the Government data. In addition, several thousands of hectares of cultivated farmland have been swamped, which would harm food production.  
The UN, along with humanitarian partners, and in support of the Government’s response efforts, supplied non-food items to various regions. The Organization has provided 4,700 shelter kits to refugees and internally displaced people in Niamey, and in the Diffa region.  
So far, more than 72,000 people have received assistance. The priority needs are food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and protective services. 
Additional funding is required to continue providing timely aid to the impacted population. 
 
WOMEN  
UN Women and the UN Development Programme today released new data showing that the pandemic will push 47 million more women and girls below the poverty line, reversing decades of progress to eradicate extreme poverty.  
The poverty rate for women was expected to decrease by 2.7 per cent between 2019 and 2021, but projections now point to an increase of 9.1 per cent due to the pandemic and its fallout.  
By 2021, for every 100 men aged 25 to 34 living in extreme poverty – that means living on US$ 1.90 a day or less – there will be 118 women, a gap that is expected to increase to 121 women per 100 men by 2030.  
The agencies called for governments to implement strategies to improve access to education and family planning, fair and equal wages, and expanding social transfers.  
 
MYANMAR
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, Ola Almgren, yesterday reiterated the UN’s commitment to continue supporting the Government’s response to the pandemic, with a surge of cases in Rakhine State. 
As of today, 400 cases have been confirmed in Rakhine since mid-August, with more than 4,000 people having been placed in quarantine in the area as of two days ago. 
Mr. Almgren said that the recent rise in cases complicates the provisions of ongoing humanitarian aid and the protection to more than 670,000 vulnerable people by the UN and partners.  
The UN along with partners have provided 95,000 test kits and other medical supplies, support to migrant workers, and livelihood assistance, among other activities. 
While addressing the pandemic, the UN and the international organizations it is working with have worked to ensure that humanitarian and development programmes continue. 
Almgren also called for the need to restore full internet services to all areas; for parties to the conflict to heed the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire and for unimpeded humanitarian access. 
 
PERU
The Pan-American Health Organization donated US$1 million in supplies, including 130,000 tests. Together with the UN Children’s Fund they also donated 40 oxygen concentrators and $24,000 in personal protection equipment for the indigenous communities. For its part, the UN refugee agency helped incorporate 20 Venezuelan doctors and 80 nurses into the health system, these were either refugees or migrants. UNHCR also repurposed $1.6 million for urgent cash transfers to refugees, and together with the UN Migration Agency is managing a $1.1 million provided by the European Union for cash assistance. 
UNESCO boosted a virtual schooling system for the country, while UNFPA supported authorities to address violence against women. 
The Spokesman also expressed condolences to the Government and the people of Peru for the nearly 30,000 deaths due to COVID-19, and the loss of Julio Gamero Requena, a renowned Peruvian economist from the International Labour Organization. 
 
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Secretary-General takes note with concern of today’s statement by the United States Secretary of State announcing the designation of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Head of the Jurisdiction Complementarity and Cooperation Division pursuant to US’ Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons Associated with the ICC, that executive order is dated 11 June 2020. 
The UN continues to closely follow developments on this matter.
Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Criminal Court is founded on their Relationship Agreement, which was approved by the General Assembly on September 2004. The UN will be analyzing any possible implications that this development may have with respect to the implementation of this Relationship Agreement. 
In line with previous statements of the Secretary of State, the UN trusts that any restrictions taken against individuals would be implemented consistently with the Host Country’s obligations under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement.