Noon briefing of 5 July 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

TUESDAY, 5 JULY 2011

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CONDUCT OF THAI ELECTIONS

· The Secretary-General on Monday welcomed the orderly conduct of the parliamentary elections in Thailand and the promise by all parties to respect the will of the Thai people as expressed through the democratic process.

· The Secretary-General hopes that the elections mark an important step towards genuine reconciliation, long-term stability and consolidation of democratic norms in the country. He looks forward to working with the incoming Government and all parties in Thailand.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS TO SPAIN, GENEVA TODAY, TO ATTEND SOUTH SUDAN INDEPENDENCE CEREMONY ON SATURDAY

· The Secretary-General will leave for Spain tonight, where tomorrow he will inaugurate the new United Nations Support Base in Valencia and take part in a meeting on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), food security and sustainable growth in Madrid.

· The Secretary-General will then go to Geneva to host a joint meeting with the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders on Thursday. Also, on Thursday, he will launch the 2011 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Report during the High-Level Segment of the Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

· On Saturday, the Secretary-General will be in Juba to attend the independence ceremony of South Sudan. He is expected to meet with President Salva Kiir Mayardit as well as with troops, staff and management of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY CONCERNED ABOUT MALNUTRITION LEVELS AMONG NEW SOMALI REFUGEES

· The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says that the massive influx of Somali refugees into neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia continues. In June alone, 54,000 people fled across the two borders, three times the number of people who fled in May.

· The agency adds that more than 135,000 Somalis fled so far this year due to violence compounded by a severe drought. It estimates that a quarter of Somalia’s 7.5 million population is now either internally displaced or living outside the country as refugees.

· The agency says it is particularly concerned by the levels of malnutrition among the new arrivals - especially children. As part of its response, UNHCR is chartering a cargo plane to deliver 100 tonnes of relief items. A land convoy of some 20 trucks loaded with thousands of tents and other aid is also on its way.

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR GREEK INITIATIVE TO ROUTE AID TO GAZA

· Asked about the flotilla trying to reach Gaza, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General spoke over the weekend to the Greek Foreign Minister and expressed his support for the country’s initiative to use Greek boats to route humanitarian aid to Gaza through regular existing channels, in close coordination with the United Nations.

· Nesirky added that the Secretary-General believed this would help to reduce tensions in the region and ensure much-needed aid is delivered to those who need it in Gaza. He also noted that the Secretary-General said he hoped the flotilla organizers would agree to this initiative.

· Asked about the submission of the report by Panel of Inquiry concerning the 2010 flotilla, the Spokesperson said that the working period of the Panel had been extended to allow the parties to find a consensus on the outcome and for the Panel to complete its work.

U.N. REPORT: MAJOR INVESTMENTS NEEDED TO BUILD GREEN ECONOMIES

· Major investments to develop and improve clean energy technologies worldwide are needed to end poverty and avert the impact of climate change, according to a new UN report released today.

· The World Economic and Social Survey 2011: The Great Green Technologies Transformation, is published by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

· It says that such technological changes will need to be on proportions similar to the first industrial revolution.

U.N.E.S.C.O. STUDY FINDS CLIMATE CHANGE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN MIGRATION

· A new UN study has found that climate change is becoming a significant factor in migration, although it is not the only reason that pushes people to leave their homes and countries.

· Published by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “Migration and Climate Change” is the first detailed overview of its kind.

· While the publication acknowledges that cyclones, floods and droughts are influencing migration, it also states scenarios predicting large numbers of environmental refugees are unfounded and counterproductive.

· The study recommends the world’s major polluters work together to find solutions and implement a number of options, including diversify economic activity and help people to move in conditions of safety and dignity.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW DEPUTY ENVOY IN AFGHANISTAN: The Secretary-General has appointed Michael Keating of the United Kingdom as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan. Mr. Keating will also serve as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. Mr. Keating succeeds Robert Watkins of Canada, who has been appointed as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon.

SECURITY-COUNCIL ADOPTS PROGRAMME OF WORK: The Security Council adopted its programme of work this morning for the month of July.

U.N. TO STUDY DUTCH COURT RULING FOR SRBRENICA DEATHS: In response to a question on the ruling by a Dutch court on the actions of Dutch troops in Srebrenica, the Spokesperson said that the United Nations was aware of the decision and wanted to study the ruling in detail.

SECRTARIAT NOT INVOLVED IN TRIBUNAL’S WORK: Asked about the Secretary-General’s view of the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the Spokesperson said that he firmly supported the Tribunal and its work to uncover the truth and send a message that impunity will not be tolerated. He added that the Tribunal was an independent judicial body and that the Secretariat was not involved in its work.

CREATION OF BAHRAIN’S ROYAL COMMISSION AND NATIONAL DIALOGUE IMPORTANT STEPS: Asked about the situation in Bahrain, the Spokesperson said that the establishment of a commission to investigate the events that took place in February and March 2011 and the announcement of a national dialogue were important steps. He said that these were recent developments that needed to be monitored. He added that the Secretary-general had made clear the need to conduct a genuinely inclusive national dialogue.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DESIRES TO VISIT JAPAN AFTER EARTHQUAKE: Asked if the Secretary-General’s would visit Japan, the Spokesperson said that such a trip had not been announced, but that the Secretary-General had expressed his desire to visit the country and show his solidarity with the people of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami as well as the related Fukishima nuclear incident which hit the country.

U.N. COMMITTED TO FORMER IVORIAN LEADER’S PROTECTION: Asked about a visit by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Côte d’Ivoire with Laurent Gbagbo, Nesirky noted that during the visit, Special Representative Choi Young-Jin underscored the UN’s role in provide protection for the Ivorian leader as well as the need for his dignified treatment.