TRIP NOTE
The Secretary-General was in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to take part in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In remarks he delivered at the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of fiscal policy and financing to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
At the Small States Forum, the Secretary-General noted that the survival of many small countries, and particularly island states, depends on finding innovative and effective solutions to challenges that threaten their very existence. 
He also spoke at a meeting of the Finance Ministers Coalition on Climate Finance and he told its 44 members that, as Finance Ministers, they can turn the tide and move the markets to address the climate emergency.
 
DSG
The Deputy Secretary-General is in Ethiopia, on the first day of a joint UN/African Union solidarity mission on women, peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Speaking to the African Union Peace and Security Council, Ms. Mohammed called on the countries of the Horn of Africa to create space so that women can lead the change.
She added that the region must be encouraged to invest in and benefit from the contributions of more than half its population if we want to see durable progress.
Earlier in the day, the Deputy Secretary-General also took part in the launch of the Ethiopian Chapter of the African Women Leaders Network. She also spoke at an event linked to the Blue Heart Campaign, an initiative by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to fight human trafficking and its impact on society.
 
SYRIA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that while the announced ceasefire in the northeast of the country has resulted in an overall reduction of hostilities, fighting continues to impact civilians in some areas.
Close to 180,000 people have now been displaced since Turkey’s military operation started on 9 October - about 80,000 of those people are children.
Despite security and access challenges, the UN and humanitarian partners are scaling up their life-saving assistance with efforts to provide essential services such as health and water. Deliveries of food are estimated to have reached about 580,000 people in Raqqa and Hasakeh governorates in this month alone.
After being impacted by bombardments some 10 days ago, the Allouk water station is again providing more than 400,000 people with water in Hasakeh governorate. Two missions to the water [station] were conducted to facilitate the necessary repairs. 
The UN continues to reiterate the need for all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with international humanitarian law. The UN further calls on all parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to everyone in need.
 
CHILE
The UN Country team has expressed its deep concern at the serious acts of violence that occurred in Santiago over the weekend. The team said it laments in particular the high number of people, including minors, and members of law enforcement who were injured during these incidents, as well as the damage and substantial material losses that were caused.
Regarding the state of emergency decreed by the Government, the United Nations System recalls that its provisions must be applied in strict compliance with the rule of law and international human rights standards to which Chile has adhered.
The United Nations also calls on all sectors of Chilean society to reduce tensions, reject all acts of violence and seek peaceful solutions to this challenge facing the country.
 
SOUTH SUDAN
Security Council members are in South Sudan. The delegation just wrapped up a visit to the country to support the peace process there, which is at a critical stage three weeks ahead of when a transitional government is due to be formed.
The delegation met with President Salva Kiir; the leader of the opposition, Riek Machar; and other signatories to the peace agreement, as well as women’s groups and various civil society representatives.
 
MIGRANTS
A new survey shows that close to 2,000 irregular migrants who made the journey from Africa to Europe - over 90 per cent - would do it again. This is from a report by the UN Development Programme entitled Scaling Fences: Voices of Irregular African Migrants to Europe. The report is meant to paint a clearer picture of why irregular migrants move from Africa to Europe.
The report finds that getting a job was not the only motivation to move and that not all irregular migrants were ‘poor’ in Africa or had lower education levels.
Over half of those interviewed were employed or in school at the time of their departure, with the majority of those working earning competitive wages.
The report calls for more opportunities and choices in Africa while enhancing opportunities to move from ‘ungoverned’ to ‘governed’ migration, in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
 
BUDGET
The Seychelles has now paid its budget dues in full bringing the total to 132 fully paid-up Member States.