HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2016
 
SECRETARY-GENERAL SPOTLIGHTS AFRICA’S ROLE AT FOREFRONT OF EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CLMATE CHANGE

  • In Marrakesh, Morocco, the Secretary-General today participated in the closing of the Summit of African Heads of State and Government, hosted by King Mohammed VI.  The Secretary-General pointed out that Africa is both at the forefront of the continued impact of climate change and is also a dynamic continent full of entrepreneurial and promising young people looking for creative solutions.
  • The Secretary-General is also scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Global Compact and another one on bringing civil society actors together.
  • Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with King Mohammed VI and congratulated Morocco on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its entry into the United Nations. The Secretary-General further underscored the importance of making progress in the Western Sahara negotiating process, as called for in the relevant Security Council resolutions.
  • In the early evening, the Secretary-General joined President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon as they signed the text of the special agreement referring the border dispute between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic to the International Court of Justice. This is a successful outcome of a process since 2008 to peacefully resolve the dispute.
  • The Secretary-General commended the two presidents for demonstrating true political leadership, courage and wisdom in reaching this mutually acceptable agreement, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter.  He added that the event was a testimony to the determination of the two countries to move with a common vision to strengthen and respect the international rule of law, and contribute to lasting peace and good neighbourly relations.
NEW U.N. MAP DISPLAYS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESTORATION ALONG AFRICA’S GREAT GREEN WALL
  • A ground-breaking map of restoration opportunities along Africa's Great Green Wall has been launched at the UN climate change conference in Marrakesh.
  • The Great Green Wall’s core area crosses arid and semi-arid zones on the North and south sides of the Sahara.
  • To halt and reverse land degradation, around 10 million hectares will need to be restored each year, according to the assessment.
  • Experts say a variety of restoration approaches will be required to bring the Great Green Wall initiative to an effective scale and create a great mosaic of green and productive landscapes across North Africa, Sahel and the Horn.
SYRIA: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SOUNDS ALARM ON ATTACKS ON HOSPITALS
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns the attacks on five hospitals that took place in Syria between 13 and 15 November, including three hospitals in Western Rural Aleppo and two hospitals in Idleb. At least two people were reportedly killed as a result of the attacks and 19 people were wounded, including six medical staff. Shockingly, such attacks on health in Syria are increasing in both frequency and scale. Throughout 2016, WHO and partners have documented 126 such attacks across the country.
  • WHO once again demands that all parties in the conflict respect the safety and neutrality of health workers, health facilities and medical supplies. The pattern of attacks indicates that health care is being deliberately targeted in the Syrian conflict.  Such targeting would be a major violation of international law.
SENIOR U.N. OFFICIAL STRESSES HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICT TO CURB VIOLENCE
  • A High-Level Panel Discussion on Community Violence Reduction (CVR) in Peacekeeping and Early Peacebuilding took place this morning. The Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Edmond Mulet, stressed that to sustain peace, we need to address the root causes of conflict - not merely its symptoms. He highlighted his experience in Haiti and noted that Community Violence Reduction programmes can transform lives and communities to create advocates for peace. CVR offers a people-centered approach to engaging armed group members, spoilers and at-risk youth at the grassroots level, he said.
  • Highlighting successful experiences in the Central African Republic and Mali, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous also noted that CVR is a watershed example of peacekeeping learning to adapt and innovate. The Assistant Secretary-General for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Dmitry Titov, added that this tool has proven to be highly adaptable for stabilizing communities in a variety of environments, including in some of the most non-permissive ones.
D.R. CONGO: NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DROPES IN OCTOBER – NEW U.N. REPORT
  • The UN Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued its analysis of the human rights situation in the country for the month of October, documenting 434 human rights violations, an important decrease compared to September.
  • State authorities are responsible for 62 per cent of these documented violations, including 29 extrajudicial executions.
  • Armed groups are responsible for 38 per cent of violations, and 39 executions.
  • The Office also says it is especially concerned by several assassinations of religious personalities, apparently linked to their political engagement.
U.N. ENVOY CALLS FOR HALT TO FIGHTING IN SOMALIS’S GAALKACYO
  • From the UN Mission in Somalia, Special Representative Michael Keating has stressed that no one will benefit from a resumption of fighting.  His remarks come as Presidents Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas” of Puntland and Abdikarim Hussein Guled of Galmudug resumed their talks on implementing a ceasefire in the disputed city of Gaalkacyo.
  • A fragile calm has prevailed in Gaalkacyo and surrounding areas over the past week.
  • In a press statement, Mr. Keating said a ceasefire mechanism and withdrawal of fighting on both sides will be essential for resolving the conflict and ensuring that the local population does not continue to suffer.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IS A REFUGEE OR DISPLACED, U.N.I.C.E.F. SAYS
  • UNICEF says that nearly one in five children in the Central African Republic is a refugee or internally displaced. Violence and widespread displacement have made children especially vulnerable to health risks, exploitation and abuse, leaving more than 1/3 out of school and 41 per cent children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 have been recruited into armed groups since 2013.
  • UNICEF says that the Central African Republic is still one of the world’s most dangerous countries for children, and that renewed violence threatens to undermine signs of progress. Ahead of the donors’ conference in Brussels on 17 November, UNICEF calls on Central African leaders and global donors to put children first in the recovery plan by prioritizing basic social services like health and education for the most vulnerable.
U.N. OFFICIAL TO BRIEF SECURITY COUNCIL ON KOSOVO
  • This afternoon, the Security Council will meet on Kosovo.
  • It will be briefed by Zahir Tanin, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES ROBUST SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
  • The High Commissioner for Human Rights today robustly defended the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the decision by three States to withdraw from it, urging the international community to place its collective shoulder behind the institution.
  • Speaking at the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said that although the powerful may fear the Court, victims, everywhere, plead for its involvement.
  • He added that the recent withdrawals appeared aimed at protecting their leaders from prosecution, noting that African countries have been the backbone of the ICC.
  • “Do not betray the victims, nor your own people,” he said. “Stand by the Rome Statute and the Court.”
ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TOLERANCE, SECRETARY-GENERAL NOTES CURRENT ATMOSPHERE OF BIGOTRY, SECTARIANISM
  • Marking the International Day of Tolerance today, the Secretary-General said in a message that the values of tolerance and mutual understanding, which are firmly embedded in the UN Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are facing profound tests around the world.
  • The Secretary-General noted that refugees and migrants continue to face closed doors and clenched fists, while bigotry shows its face through racism, anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination.
  • He added that too many armed conflicts have sectarian dimensions and that too many politicians use the cynical math that says you add votes by dividing people.
  • The Secretary-General pointed to a new campaign, called “Together,” to promote tolerance, respect and dignity across the world.  It seeks to respond to the xenophobia faced by so many refugees and migrants, and aims to highlight the benefits of diversity and migration.
  • The winner of this year’s UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence – which is awarded every two years – is the Federal Research and Methodological Center for Tolerance Psychology and Education of Russia.
CUBA BECOMES 136TH U.N. MEMBER STATE TO PAY DUES
  • Cuba has paid its regular budget dues in full, bringing the total number of Member State which have done so to 136.