TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
Tomorrow evening, the Secretary-General will fly to Brussels where he will meet with European leaders, as well as with Belgian authorities.
In his meetings with the European Commission and in a session with the Heads of State and Government of the European Council, the Secretary-General will have exchanges on a broad range of issues, including collaboration between the European Union and the United Nations, the promotion of a sustainable and inclusive pandemic recovery based on the Sustainable Development Goals, global access to COVID-19 vaccines, climate and multilateralism.
On Thursday, the Secretary-General will deliver a solemn address to the European Parliament in Brussels in which he will reiterate the importance of the partnership between the UN and the EU to address the challenges we collectively face.
Later during the trip in Brussels, he is scheduled to have a private audience with the King and Queen of the Belgians. Queen Mathilde, is also an SDG advocate. The Secretary-General will also meet with Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sophie Wilmès and Meryame Kitir, the Minister of Development cooperation.
LIBYA
The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is traveling to Germany today to lead the UN delegation to the Berlin II Conference on Libya and she will do that on behalf of the Secretary-General.
The meeting aims to take stock of progress made in the political, security, economic and humanitarian/human rights tracks since the last Berlin meeting, which was held in January 2020. It will also discuss and address remaining challenges in the implementation of the Libya Political Dialogue Forum Roadmap. The Secretary-General will address the conference via a pre-recorded video message.
PEACEKEEPING
The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will represent the Secretary-General at the 9th Moscow Conference on International Security, which is taking place from 22 to 24 June.
This event traditionally brings together government representatives, heads of international organizations and non-governmental experts, among others.
Mr. Lacroix will speak at the conference and will share the experiences of peacekeeping operations dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, while continuing to implement their mandates and support local and national efforts to combat the pandemic.
While in Moscow, Mr. Lacroix will hold meetings with senior Russian officials - from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Interior. This will provide an opportunity to thank Russia for its support and contributions to peacekeeping and update on key issues.
SOUTH SUDAN
The Security Council met in person this morning on South Sudan. Briefing the Council was the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nicholas Haysom. He noted that, on July 9th, the Republic of South Sudan will mark its tenth anniversary as an independent state.
He said that the support the international community pledged to the country then remains as important today as the world’s youngest nation strives for peace, security, and prosperity for its citizens.
Mr. Haysom said there has been progress in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, including the official launch of the permanent constitution-making process.
He also warned of pervasive insecurity, in particular intercommunal violence, which continues to obstruct the realization of a durable and sustainable peace in South Sudan.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The UN Mission in the Central African Republic reports that it continues its efforts to combat disinformation in the country.
The Mission recently conducted an awareness-raising workshop for members of civil society and media outlets in Bangui. The aim of that workshop was to fight messages of hatred and incitement to violence on social media.
Meanwhile in Bangassou, the UN Mission organized a workshop for 20 participants on good governance of community-based organizations and rumour management to better support social cohesion efforts.
ETHIOPIA
Ahead of today’s elections taking place in Ethiopia, the Secretary-General urged in a statement over the weekend, the authorities, political leaders, and their supporters, to ensure that all voters are able to cast their ballots freely and peacefully.
The Secretary-General notes that these elections are taking place in a challenging political and security environment. He calls on all stakeholders to refrain from any acts of violence or incitement. The Secretary-General encourages leaders and participants in the elections to promote social cohesion and reject hate speech. He stresses that [any] electoral disputes should be resolved through dialogue and established legal channels.
MYANMAR
The UN Country Team today again called for the immediate release of thousands of women, children and men currently in detention almost five months after the military seized control of the government on February 1st.
As of today, the number of people arbitrarily arrested and now in detention has topped 5,000, and that’s according to the UN Human Rights Office. In addition, nearly 2,000 people - including politicians, authors, human rights defenders, teachers, health care workers, journalists, monks and ordinary citizens - remain in hiding due to outstanding warrants for their arrests.
In a statement over the weekend to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the UN Population Fund in Myanmar said that survivors of sexual violence and their families carry the trauma of these heinous crimes. In Myanmar, survivors – including those born of rape – live with shame, stigma and limited health and social support, and few options to seek legal redress.
UNFPA stresses that perpetrators of sexual violence must be held to account and that survivors must be provided with prompt non-discriminatory healthcare, legal protection, and social protection.
ENERGY
This morning the Secretary-General spoke via a pre-recorded video message to the Opening of the Ministerial Thematic Forums of the High-Level Dialogue on Energy. He said that achieving universal energy access is crucial for delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development but warned that we are running far behind in the race against time to achieve this goal. The milestones are clear, he said. By 2030, we must cut global emissions by 45 per cent compared to 2010; and then continue to net zero by 2050.
He called on every country, city and financial institutions to raise ambition and submit ‘Energy Compacts’ during the High-Level Dialogue on Energy on 20 September in New York.
And also, at the Forums today, the IKEA Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation announced they will join forces to set up a $1 billion global platform to reduce 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions and to provide 1 billion people with distributed renewable energy. This is renewable energy generated from sources such as mini-grid and off-grid solutions. Google also announced its Energy Compact, expanding its own commitment to fully operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.
COVID-19
Last week, Namibia reported the highest number of confirmed cases ever registered in the country to date. Partial restrictions have been put in place for 14 days until June 30th. Hospitals, including their intensive care units, are at full capacity, with the supply of oxygen supply concentrators being of concern.
The UN in Namibia is supporting the country on risk communications and to address the spread of misinformation, including over social media and radio, as well as to increase awareness of the vaccine.
Tunisia reported the highest COVID-19 mortality rate on the African continent. Our colleagues there tell us that the health system is under intense pressure, with ICU beds 85 per cent occupied and a shortage of oxygen.
Currently, 9 per cent of the population has received at least one dose of vaccine. Authorities and the UN team are stepping up the vaccination campaign but are challenged by the limited supply of doses.
The UN team has helped to provide hospital equipment and personal protective items, among many others.
EDWARD MORTIMER
I just wanted to add that many of us here at the UN were deeply saddened to learn over the weekend of the death of Edward Mortimer. Edward Mortimer served as head speechwriter and director of communications for Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his two terms.
As colleagues, we were fortunate to work alongside someone who had a brilliant mind, a way with words and a ready sense of humour, and who was always collegial and warm.
And as a colleague just told me, Edward had limitless talent with words, but he had no ego. For those of you who covered the United Nations during Kofi Annan’s tenure as journalists, you will have often quoted Edward’s words, no doubt making your stories that much richer.
During a tumultuous period in world affairs, he was a trusted adviser of Secretary-General Annan, a passionate defender of the United Nations, Edward made an imprint on many of Mr. Annan’s signature achievements and initiatives.
We are grateful to have worked with him, and to have known him and I know you share my sentiments and join me in offering sincere condolences to his wife and children.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
On Friday we didn’t have a briefing but I wanted to flag that Uganda paid its budget dues in full bringing us to 110 fully-paid Member States.
