HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2025
2025 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
The Secretary-General congratulates Maria Corina Machado on being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. He notes that for decades, Ms. Machado has been a champion of democracy and a voice of unity in her country of Venezuela.
The Secretary-General says that in its statement, the Nobel Committee reminded us that the tools of democracy are the tools of peace. He says that at a time when democracy and the rule of law are under threat globally, today’s prize is a tribute to all those working to safeguard civil and political rights around the world, and a stirring reminder of the resilience and the power of the democratic spirit.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that the announcement of a ceasefire has generated a new hope for relief at last in Gaza.
Today, within minutes of the announcement by Israeli authorities that the ceasefire had taken effect at noon, local time, thousands of people resumed movement north, mainly on foot, but also in vehicles and animal-drawn carts.
Some of the people who have already managed to reach Gaza City reported that they arrived back to find their homes had sustained further damage.
The UN and its partners are ready to scale up the humanitarian response immediately. In order to deliver on this plan, the UN needs the opening of additional crossings, safe movement for aid workers and all other civilians, the unrestricted entry of goods, visas for staff, and space for the UN and its NGO partners to operate, in line with humanitarian principles.
After two years of war, the rehabilitation of infrastructure is urgently needed to enable recovery. The private sector is also critical. OCHA appeals to all leaders backing the ceasefire to help us secure the conditions to carry out unimpeded humanitarian operations.
It’s also critical that Member States extend generous funding for the response so that the humanitarian communities can scale up.
And just an update on some of the work that humanitarian teams were able to carry out yesterday in Gaza: They deployed an ambulance, helped prepare a low-lying area for the winter, and collected fuel, medical items and other critical supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, where they also offloaded incoming supplies to replenish stocks that will enter in the coming days.
LEBANON/ISRAEL
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports that Israel Defense Forces military presence and activities in the area of operations continue.
On Thursday, the peacekeepers observed the Israeli forces open heavy machine gunfire towards the North near Sarda in Sector East. Also, UNIFIL reports that IDF soldiers in vehicles pointed a green laser towards UNIFIL personnel at one of the UN positions in Sector East. The day before, an Israeli soldier aimed his rifle at UN personnel near Marwahin in Sector West. Once again, UNIFIL reiterates that these acts of interference and intimidation must end.
Meanwhile, a UNIFIL patrol on Wednesday discovered the remains of an unauthorized ammunition depot containing ammunition, including a mortar shell, in Sector East. That was reported to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The mission continues to support capacity-building of the Lebanese Armed Forces, including by conducting a deck landing exercise on Wednesday with the Lebanese Air Force aboard a Maritime Task Force vessel. This week UNIFIL also conducted a coordinated combat engineering training activities with personnel from the Lebanese Armed Forces.
UKRAINE
The Secretary-General condemns the overnight drone and missile attacks by the Russian Federation, which allegedly targeted Ukraine's critical civilian and energy infrastructure and also reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, including the death of a child, as well as injuries to others. The attacks also reportedly caused widespread disruption of power and water supplies across several regions, including Kyiv, and that impacted millions of people at the onset of winter.
Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur, are prohibited under international law, and they must cease immediately.
The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, paving the way towards a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that UN humanitarian partners rapidly mobilized and provided shelter materials, hygiene kits, food, hot meals and psychosocial support in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy Regions, while also registering families for cash assistance. Meanwhile, evacuations from front-line areas continue. Over the past day, 300 people, including more than 70 children, were evacuated from the Donetsk region amid deteriorating security conditions.
Earlier this week, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, together with representatives of OCHA, UNICEF and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), visited the region to discuss key issues with local authorities and partners.
These included preparations for the winter season, evacuation of civilians, the needs of displaced people, protection, and uninterrupted operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
The Deputy Secretary-General is currently in South Africa to participate in the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum and meet with senior government officials and key stakeholders there.
She will then continue on to Beijing, China, to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, at the invitation of the Government of China. The meeting forms part of the global commemoration of Beijing+30, marking thirty years since the Fourth World Conference on Women adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which you all know, is a landmark agreement for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. While in Beijing, she will also meet with senior Chinese government officials.
After this, she will travel to Brasilia to attend the preparatorily meeting for COP, otherwise known as the Pre-COP, and that is in advance of the 30th COP, which will take place in Brazil. The Pre-COP will take place on 14 October, and while there, Ms. Mohammed will meet Heads of Delegations of the negotiating parties and senior Brazilian officials to encourage countries to submit ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to discuss the preparations for COP 30, and strengthen cooperation with the UN on climate action.
The Deputy Secretary-General will be back in New York on 15 October.
ABYEI
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) today said that following clashes that erupted earlier this week between elements of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces, the mission evacuated over 100 civilians, mostly women and children, from the village of Malual Aleu to the safety of its Kadhian peacekeeping base. In the base, the civilians are being provided with shelter, food, water and medical assistance.
In addition, over 90 civilians sought protection in the mission’s Rumamier base which is located in the southern part of the Abyei Area.
As part of its protection of civilians mandate, the mission’s quick reaction force has stepped up patrolling in the area to prevent further escalation.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Today is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies” reminds us of the profound toll that crises take on people’s well-being. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General says that mental health support is essential and must be integrated into emergency responses.
Tomorrow is the International Day of the Girl Child. 30 years after the Beijing Platform for Action, girls have made strides in education, health, and rights, but many inequalities remain. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General urges decisionmakers everywhere to recognise the power of girls and stand with them.
Also, tomorrow is World Migratory Bird Day. On this Day, we are reminded of the importance of making our cities more bird-friendly, benefiting nature and people alike.
SECURITY COUNCIL
Today, the Security Council will reconvene at 3:00 pm for a briefing on Threats to international peace and security. The Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča will brief on behalf of the Secretariat.
BRIEFING
On Tuesday, the noon briefing guest will be Roberto Benes, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. He will brief journalists on Haiti.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Samoa paid its full payment to the Regular Budget. This payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 140.
