Noon briefing of 14 September 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

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

WEDNESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2011

SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUNCHES 7 BILLION ACTIONS CAMPAIGN

• The Secretary-General launched the 7 billion Actions initiative today. In just seven weeks, the global population will reach seven billion. The Secretary-General said we are not simply here to acknowledge that milestone, but to address all the vast implications.

• The Secretary-General also said that the campaign being launched is a clarion call to people, communities, countries, and our partners such as NGOs, businesses, academics, and faith leaders.

U.N. SPECIAL ADVISER IN TRIPOLI ON THURSDAY TO DISCUSS SUPPORT FOR LIBYA
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• Ian Martin, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Post-Conflict Planning for Libya, is expected to arrive in Tripoli on Thursday to continue his consultations with the National Transitional Council on the UN’s planning for the provision of post-conflict support to Libya.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TAKES MISCONDUCT AND SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS SERIOUSLY, SENDS SENIOR TEAM TO HAITI
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• The Secretary-General has sent a senior team led by Assistant Secretary-General Anthony Banbury from the Department of Field Support, the Military Adviser General Babacar Gaye, and Police Adviser Ann-Marie Orler to meet with the Mission's leadership in Haiti and this is to support all necessary measures being taken by the Mission, MINUSTAH, to enforce the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct by its personnel.
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• In addition, the team will meet with the Haitian authorities to convey to them how seriously the United Nations and the Secretary-General himself take the allegations of misconduct and sexual abuse.
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• The UN appreciates the swift response of the Government of Uruguay, including the investigation that is under way, and the Government’s stated commitment to taking all appropriate disciplinary and, if required, judicial measures following the investigation.

U.N. ENVOY: HOLDING CONSULTATIVE MEETING IN MOGADISHU IN AN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT AN ACHIEVEMENT

• The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga briefed the Security Council this morning. He said that although the security situation remains fragile and tenuous, this is a good opportunity to end the transition and to stabilize the country.

• He noted the peace process has moved forward and that even holding the Consultative Meeting in Mogadishu in an unstable environment was an achievement.

• According to Dr Mahiga, the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu has offered the Government a chance to expand territory under its control and enhance its legitimacy by delivering services to the population.

• Addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country, he said the Security Council and the international community have a moral authority to help ensure aid reaches famine-stricken areas of the Horn of Africa.

• The Security Council this morning also adopted resolutions on Sierra Leone and the tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

• The Security Council has also scheduled consultations for 4PM this afternoon on Serbia.

EFFORTS TO FURTHER STABILISE DARFUR AND TO PROMOTE EARLY RECOVERY ARE ONGOING, SAYS GAMBARI

• The Joint Special Representative for the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur said the mission is working closely with the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement on implementing the Doha Document for Peace in the region signed in July.

• Ibrahim Gambari told reporters in Khartoum that efforts to further stabilise Darfur and initiatives to promote early recovery and development are ongoing.

• He said that we strongly believe that giving the people of Darfur the security to return to their homes and opportunities to build livelihoods is the best guarantee for enduring peace.

• Mr Gambari repeated his call to other groups to join the peace process and contribute to building a better tomorrow for all Darfuris.

PAKISTAN FLOODS: REFUGEE AGENCY SENDING TENTS, RELIEF SUPPLIES TO SINDH, BALUCHISTAN

• The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, will be sending family tents and crucial relief supplies to communities in Sindh and Baluchistan that are being affected by torrential rain and flooding in Pakistan.

• The bulk of the relief items, including 10,000 tents, 20,000 plastic sheets, and 10,000 kits of household items, are being sent to southern Sindh.

• The first UNHCR relief convoy consisting of 2,000 tents, 4,000 plastic sheets and 2,000 household kits is expected to arrive in Badin on Thursday.

• More than 140,000 people in Sindh will benefit from these tents and supplies in the next days.

• The Agency is also supplying 800 tents and 900 plastic sheets as well as hundreds of other relief items to communities in Baluchistan.

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of people affected by the floods at 5.5 million and that some 230 people have died.

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says resource mobilization is a major constraint and that organizations are using contingency stocks and diverting resources from early recovery programmes to meet life-saving needs.
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• Water sources are no longer considered safe, leaving people to rely on open pond waters, and at risk of contracting communicable diseases.

GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS DISCUSS CITIZENSHIP ISSUE IN NICOSIA TODAY

• The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities discussed the citizenship issue this morning in Nicosia.

• Following the talks, Lisa Buttenheim, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, told reporters that the atmosphere was warm and friendly.
• The leaders’ next meeting will take place on Friday, 16 September, during which they will discuss the economy chapter.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WORKS CLOSELY WITH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SECURITY COUNCIL ON PEACEMAKING

• Asked about the role of the Secretary-General, the General Assembly and Security Council in peacemaking and conflict resolution, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General works very closely with the Presidents of the Security Council, who rotate on a monthly basis, and with the President of the General Assembly.
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• The Spokesperson underscored the importance of coordination among the Secretary-General, the Security Council and the General Assembly.
  He added that every month, the Secretary-General meets with the heads of the permanent missions sitting on the Security Council as a group, which is a very important coordination mechanism. Further, the Secretary-General has already had meetings with the incoming General Assembly President.

***The guest at the Noon Briefing was Elhadj As Sy, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, SA-1B15

New York, NY 10017