HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2016
 
SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS ENTRY INTO FORCE OF PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, WELCOMES SELECTION OF ANTONIO GUTERRES AS HIS SUCCESSOR

• In Rome today, the Secretary-General held meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, with the President of the Senate, Pietro Grasso, and the President of the Chambers of Deputies, Laura Boldrini.  In his meetings, he said that he had discussed some of the most pressing issues on the international agenda, including Syria, Libya and the refugee and migrant crisis.
• In remarks to the press in Rome, the Secretary-General said that yesterday marked a historic day for the United Nations and the human family.
• He said he was pleased to report that 73 countries -- representing more than 58 per cent of emissions -- have now officially ratified the Paris Agreement. As a result, the agreement will enter into force on 4 November. He said that this demonstrates unstoppable momentum for action to meet the threat of climate change, the defining challenge of our times, as well as his top priority throughout his 10 years in office.
• In that same spirit, the Secretary-General congratulated Antonio Guterres, who has been nominated by the Security Council for the General Assembly’s consideration to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General said that he considers Mr. Guterres to be a superb choice, and that he looks forward to working closely with him and his team to ensure a smooth transition.

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting that Hurricane Matthew has severely affected southern parts of Haiti, especially the departments of Grand Anse and South, where the wind caused severe damage.
• The Government of Haiti estimates that at least 350,000 people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, although it is expected that number may rise as assessments are carried out. At least five people are reported to have died.
• Authorities also report that over 15,600 people were evacuated and nearly 1,900 homes were flooded. Hundreds were damaged or destroyed.
• Today, the UN Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) team and the Government of Haiti hope to conduct a joint assessment with other humanitarian partners. Communication with and access to the worst affected areas remain extremely limited.
• The World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), along with NGO partners are all scaling up support for critical shelter, water, sanitation and food assistance.
• Meanwhile, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is supporting the Haitian authorities in their assessment and reconnaissance efforts, especially towards the most affected areas in the south western tip of Haiti, and the cities of Jeremie and Les Cayes.
• MINUSTAH has deployed assets by air and road, while its police and military components have been helping to clear debris from the roadways.

• Staffan de Mistura, the Special Envoy for Syria, spoke to reporters in Geneva today and said that the decision of the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to suspend their bilateral cooperation was a setback.
• At the same time, he said that the UN will continue to hold meetings of the Humanitarian Task Force created by the ISSG.
• Mr. de Mistura once more drew attention to the needs of the 275,000 people who are currently besieged in eastern Aleppo, 100,000 of whom are children. The Humanitarian Task Force has reported that, since 23 September, 376 people were killed in eastern Aleppo, and another 1266 wounded. He expressed concern that, if this level of killing continues, the city of Aleppo may be totally destroyed by the end of the year.

• In response to questions, the Deputy Spokesperson said that any support to Iraq must conform to the principles of the UN Charter, notably the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference. The Secretary-General hopes the Government of Turkey will ensure that all activities in Iraq are conducted with the full consent of the Government of Iraq.

• The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Martin Kobler, today called for a humanitarian pause in Benghazi’s Ganfouda neighbourhood. Mr. Kobler said he is deeply disturbed by reports that civilians in that neighbourhood continue to be caught in cross-fire and suffer from shortages of food, water and medicines.
• The humanitarian pause would make it possible to reach those in need and create a safe passage to allow civilians who wish leave to do so in a safe and dignified manner. Mr. Kobler stressed that the protection of civilians is the number one priority and that the UN Mission (UNSMIL) is ready to support the evacuation. 
• Mr. Kobler also stressed that the use of civilians as human shields and the carrying out of indiscriminate attacks are prohibited by international humanitarian law. Such violations would constitute war crimes and perpetrators would be held accountable, he said.

• The Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, arrived yesterday in Oman after a three-day visit to Riyadh, where he met with a number of political representatives and diplomats who reiterated the international community’s strong support to the UN-led peace process.
• In Oman, the Special Envoy will meet with Yemeni stakeholders and Omani officials and discuss the urgent need for a resumption of a full and comprehensive Cessation of Hostilities.  The Special Envoy will also review mechanisms for advancing towards a comprehensive agreement, based on the Kuwait consultations and the recent meetings in Jeddah and New York of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, the United Kingdom and the United States. 
• The Special Envoy met with the delegation of Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress in Muscat, to discuss the Cessation of Hostilities, among other topics, and further discussions are scheduled to take place.

• The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reports that the situation remains tense in the capital, Bangui, following recent violence in the PK5 area. A MINUSCA team visited affected communities yesterday to assess the situation and noted the presence of armed youth, some in armed forces uniforms, in almost all areas of PK5.
• Meanwhile, the UN Mission maintains a robust presence in the PK5 area, including through intensified patrols. Efforts to rescue and return civilians stranded in the city to PK5 also continued.
• Elsewhere, the Mission reports that it continued to liaise with anti-Balaka and Retour, Réclamation, Réhabilitation elements yesterday in Koui, Ouham Pendé prefecture, to reduce tensions, following clashes between both groups in September. The parties agreed that talks would be held in Bouar, Nana-Mambéré prefecture. UN peacekeepers will provide security. In Kouango, Ouaka prefecture, MINUSCA concluded a joint fact-finding mission with the Government of the Central African Republic to verify the facts around the 10 September killings of Fulani on the Kouango-Bianga axis. 

• In response to questions about recent violence in Ethiopia, the Deputy Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General deplores the deaths resulting from a stampede following a security response to protests which occurred during the celebration of Oromo Irreecha, or thanksgiving, festival last weekend in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia. He expresses his condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and Government of Ethiopia. He wishes those injured a quick recovery.
• The Secretary-General calls for calm and restraint in the aftermath of this sad event. He also calls for a dialogue to address any grievances. He urges the Ethiopian authorities to conduct a credible investigation into the incident and to ensure full accountability in case of any violations. He underscores that the security forces must at all times operate in line with international human rights standards.

• The Gambia has become the 127th UN Member State to pay its regular budget dues in full.