HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 2020
SECRETARY-GENERAL/CLIMATE
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, an online two-day meeting of ministers organized by Germany and chaired by the United Kingdom. The meeting focuses on how to organize a green economic recovery after the acute phase of the pandemic has passed.
The Secretary-General said that as we plan our recovery from the pandemic, we have a profound opportunity to steer our world on a more sustainable and inclusive path – a path that tackles climate change, protects the environment, reverses biodiversity loss and ensures the long-term health and security of humankind.
In his remarks he stressed that the only answer to tackle the pandemic as well as the climate crisis is brave, visionary and collaborative leadership, adding that the highest cost is the cost of doing nothing.
The Secretary-General proposed six climate-related actions to shape the recovery. These include delivering new jobs and businesses through a clean, green transition; using public funds to invest in sustainable sectors and projects; and ensuring that taxpayers’ money is used to create inclusive growth and not to bail out outdated and polluting industries.
The Secretary-General also called on all countries, particularly the biggest emitters, to prepare enhanced national climate strategies to reach zero emissions by 2050.
The Secretary-General has an op-ed published online in the New York Times today on the same topic.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL\EUROPEAN UNION\SAHEL
This morning, during a meeting organized by the European Commission with the G5 Sahel countries, the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that, as we face this global human crisis, keeping the Sahel high on the international agenda is of the utmost importance.
While the virus has put a pause on the world, she added, it has certainly not put a pause on terrorism, poverty and climate change.
She welcomed the renewed commitment of the Heads of State of the G5 Sahel and their European partners to join forces to counter terrorism, curb organized crime and tackle the root causes of instability. The political, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus have been exacerbating pressure on the G5 Sahel countries, already under extreme stress.
In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, four million people face extreme hunger, a figure that is expected to reach 5.5 million people by August. In Mali, for example, COVID-19 has already affected agriculture and led to a significant rise in prices, seriously affecting food security. The Deputy Secretary-General said that COVID-19 threatens to swallow hard-won development gains. In this context, she reiterated the importance of partnership and called on all partners to enhance coordination and exchange in information and mutual support.
SOLIDARITY WITH NEW YORK CITY
Following an initiative by Jordan, 167 Member States and Permanent Observers have issued a statement of solidarity and appreciation to the city of New York in the midst of COVID-19. New York City, the statement says, has been the home that has welcomed and nurtured collective action against global challenges.
It is in New York City that the headquarters of the United Nations stands as our collective voice for peace, prosperity and solidarity. We are fully confident that New York will overcome this crisis, the statement says.
New Yorkers will triumph over this challenge and will emerge stronger and more resilient. The Member States and Permanent Observers saluted the dedication and courage of all New Yorkers.
We know that New Yorkers will win over this vicious enemy, they said.
The Secretary-General will be issuing this letter as an official document of the United Nations, and of course, is fully supportive not only of this initiative but our host city.
COVID-19/WOMEN AND GIRLS
A new analysis issued today by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners pointed out that the economic and physical disruptions caused by COVID-19 could have vast consequences for the rights and health of women and girls.
The research shows that significant levels of lockdown-related disruption over six months could leave 47 million women in 114 low- and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives. This could lead to a projected seven million additional unintended pregnancies.
Six months of lockdowns could also result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence.
The UN Population Fund added that the pandemic is expected to cause significant delays in programmes to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Due to these disruptions, 2 million more cases of FGM and 13 million more child marriages may occur over the next decade.
COVID-19/LGBTI PEOPLE
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights are extremely concerned that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people are being singled out, blamed, abused, incarcerated and stigmatized as vectors of disease during this pandemic.
Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, said that “all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, are entitled to the right to health, safety and security, without exception”. She added that “respect and dignity are needed now more than ever before.”
COVID-19/ SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
Today is the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This year, not surprisingly, it focusses on addressing the outbreak of infectious diseases at work, in particular, during the current pandemic.
We note that governments, employers, workers and their organizations face enormous challenges as they try to combat the pandemic and protect safety and health at work. Beyond the immediate crisis, there are also concerns about resuming activity in a manner that sustains progress made in suppressing transmission. For its part, the International Labour Organization warns that, without adequate safeguards for returning workers, there could be a second wave of the virus.
COVID-19/SAMOA
In Samoa, where there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19, the pandemic has already impacted the economy of the country, as well as others in the South Pacific.
The Resident Coordinator, Simona Marinescu, is leading the UN team’s response, which also covers three territories. The UN team – including UNDP, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – are all providing technical assistance to the health sector and procuring critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
On the socio-economic front, together with the Government, the UN is working on a food bank for more than 4,000 households until the economy has stabilized.
The UN team is also allocating some existing funds from the European Union under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to address the impacts of COVID-19 on violence against women in their homes.
COVID-19/DRC
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where – just like everywhere else, ensuring that children continue to learn despite school closures is a challenge.
Our colleagues in peacekeeping mission report that Radio Okapi, the radio station operated by the peacekeeping Mission, is the first media outlet in the country to provide education through radio. “Okapi Ecole” was launched this past Sunday, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
It aims to provide 14 broadcast hours every week of schooling to the 22 million children currently at home because their schools are closed.
This radio programming will run for the next six months. It focusses on primary education and stems from a call for proposals from the Ministry of Education to media in the DRC.
AFGHANISTAN
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says that it documented a total of 533 civilians killed and 760 injured in Afghanistan during the first three months of this year. According to a UN report released yesterday, the numbers include 150 children who were killed due to fighting in the country.
The report tracks a disturbing increase in violence during March when it was hoped that the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban would commence peace negotiations.
It also highlights the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to do more to protect civilians from harm, especially in view of the looming threat posed to all Afghans by the virus.
Despite increasing levels of violence in March, the overall number of civilian casualties in the first quarter of 2020 represents a 29 per cent decrease in comparison to the first quarter of 2019 and the lowest figure for a first quarter since 2012.
MYANMAR
In Myanmar, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the continued conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State and in the south of Chin State have led to increased civilian casualties and forced people to flee their homes in recent weeks.
Last week alone, more than 30 civilians – including children – were reportedly killed or injured by shelling and small-arms fire. You will remember that on April 20th, a WHO staff member was killed and a government official injured in Rakhine while supporting the response to the virus.
Myanmar is now facing the very real threat of the disease. The Humanitarian Coordinator, Ola Almgren, has highlighted how continued conflict is also a major impediment in the fight against the pandemic.
The UN is working closely to support national prevention and response efforts.
COLOMBIA
In Colombia the Secretary-General regrets the announcement made by the National Liberation Army (ELN), in Spanish, that it will not extend its unilateral ceasefire past the end of April, after several weeks in which it was having a positive effect.
An extension would have brought hope and a message of peace to conflict-affected communities and beyond, facilitating the pandemic response in line with the Secretary-General’s call. We continue to urge armed groups in Colombia to cease all violence. Communities urgently need relief assistance unimpeded by the risk of hostilities and violence. And at this time, the country’s people need to be able to concentrate on their efforts on fighting the pandemic.
YEMEN
I was asked about the situation in southern Yemen yesterday, and I have the following to say:
The Secretary-General is following with concern the developments on the ground in southern Yemen. He urges all relevant stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that would further escalate the situation.
He calls on all to engage in an inclusive dialogue to resolve their differences and address the legitimate concerns of all Yemenis, including those of southern groups. He further calls on them to implement the Riyadh Agreement as well as concentrate efforts to counter the spread of COVID-19 and to respond to the flooding that has impacted thousands of Yemenis.
The Secretary-General reaffirms the need to preserve the integrity of Yemeni institutions and emphasizes that the conflict in Yemen can only be resolved through a negotiated political settlement.
SECURITY COUNCIL/MIDDLE EAST
I also want to clarify something that the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, said in his remarks to the Security Council members last week on the 23 April, when he said that “34 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C were demolished during the reporting period” (that is, from 21 March – 22 April).
I want to specify that there were no structures demolished in East Jerusalem during the reporting period and, due to the COVID-19 crisis, Israeli authorities did not demolish any inhabited structures after 26 March.
The briefing makes clear that while the temporary halt to home demolitions was welcome, the demolitions of uninhabited structures continued and the Special Coordinator called for these to stop.
SECURITY COUNCIL/ABYEI
This morning, the Security Council held an open videoconference on the UN peacekeeping mission in Abyei.
Briefing Council members, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said that, despite the improving relations between Sudan and South Sudan, it remains very unlikely that progress will be made in determining the final status of the Abyei area in the short to medium term.
He said that, at the local level, the security situation in the Abyei Area remains volatile, with tensions between the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya communities, an increase in criminality and the presence of armed elements in the mission’s area of responsibility.
Mr. Lacroix said that UN troops have been subject to attacks by armed elements, pointing to an incident on April 24 when UN forces were fired upon by an armed Misseriya herdsman in Nai Nai. In a separate incident on the same day in the same area, three members of the Misseriya community attacked the temporary operating base at Alal, which peacekeepers repelled that attack.
Regarding COVID-19, Mr. Lacroix said that the UN mission is working to encourage handwashing and social distancing, as well as to decongest detention centres and set up screening sites in Abyei.
He requested that the Council extend the UN mission’s mandate for a further six months.
REGULAR BUDGET
I am delighted to announce that our friends from Andorra have paid their balance in full for the 2020 regular budget, which takes us up to 86 fully paid-up Member States.
