Noon briefing of 24 August 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

BY VANNINA MAESTRACCI, ASSOCIATE SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2011

IN COLORADO, SECRETARY-GENERAL TO SPOTLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• The Secretary-General is en route to Denver, Colorado, where later on Wednesday, he will deliver a keynote speech at the 14th annual Korbel Dinner hosted by the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
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• In his remarks at the event, he is expected to underscore the importance of sustainable development, highlighting the need to lift people out of poverty, create jobs and provide a dignified life for all while preserving the planet.
  
• He is also scheduled to tour the United States Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.
  The Secretary-General has truncated his programme in view of pressing developments in Libya and will therefore return to New York on Thursday.

U.N. OFFICIALS MEET WITH HEAD OF LIBYAN TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL

• The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya, Abdel-Elah Al-Khatib, and the Special Adviser dealing with post-conflict planning, Ian Martin, met with Mr. Mahmoud Jibril, chairman of the executive bureau of the National Transitional Council of Libya (NTC), yesterday. The UN officials asked for the views of the NTC on its needs and priorities in the coming period, particularly on areas where the United Nations may be able to provide assistance to the Libyan people. These areas include transitional justice and human rights, electoral assistance, socio-economic recovery and security issues.

• They briefed Mr. Jibril on the Secretary-General’s contacts and his efforts to lead and coordinate the international community's response in helping the Libyan people in the period ahead.

U.N. RELIEF CHIEF VOICES CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE IN SYRIAN CITY OF HOMS

• Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, has expressed serious concern at reports of protesters being killed and injured in the Syrian city of Homs, after a UN humanitarian mission visited the area yesterday.
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• She called on the Syrian authorities to ensure that people are allowed to protest peacefully and in safety.
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• Asked about the ongoing violence in Syria, the Associate Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General remains concerned about the situation in the country. She noted that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is also concerned by the violence. Its humanitarian mission is continuing to assess needs in the country, having visited Lattakia, Jisr Ashaghor, Dargoush and Aleppo yesterday, she added.

BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON SOUTH SUDAN TO RESTORE SECURITY IN JONGLEI

• In a statement, the Secretary-General has expressed deep concern over recent fighting between two communities in Jonglei State, South Sudan, which resulted in at least 600 deaths.
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• He has called on the Government of South Sudan to take all steps to restore security in Jonglei, protect civilians affected by this violence and to work with both communities to reduce tensions.
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IN WAKE OF KILLING IN DARFUR, JOINT AFRICAN UNION-U.N. MISSION DISPATCHES PATROL TEAM

• The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has dispatched a patrol team to the Hamadiya camp for internally displaced persons in West Darfur, following the killing of a local leader.
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• UNAMID says that he was reportedly killed on August 20th in circumstances that are still unclear. The Mission has been in contact with local leaders, the family of the deceased and police to determine exactly what happened.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON LIBYA
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• The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on Wednesday afternoon on Libya.

• Asked about the role of the United Nations in post-conflict Libya, the Associate Spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General has already expressed his wish that the international community will step up its efforts to coordinate assistance to the country during this period. She noted that his Special Adviser, Ian Martin, will lead the United Nations’ efforts and that the Organization stands ready to assist the Libyan people.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. CANNOT VERIFY REPORTS OF SOUTH KORDOFAN GRAVES: Asked about reports of mass graves in South Kordofan, Sudan, the Associate Spokesperson said that the United Nations no longer had a mandate there and could not verify such allegations. She added that High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has called for access to proceed with an investigation in South Kordofan, but that her office has not been able to attain this access.

GREEK CYPRIOT, TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS CONTINUE TALKS: The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities discussed governance and power sharing yesterday in Nicosia. They will meet again on Friday as part of intensive negotiations which will last until late October.

FUNDING SHORTFALLS FORCES U.N. FOOD AGENCY TO HALVE RATIONS FOR CONGOLESE REFUGEES IN RWANDA: Due to a funding shortage, the World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it will need to reduce food rations by half for 54,000 Congolese refugees in Rwanda from 1 September. The Programme is urgently appealing for new contributions so that it can continue providing vital nutritional support for refugees.