HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2015

MYANMAR: SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SIGNING OF NATIONWIDE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT

• In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General welcomed the signing today in Nay Pyi Taw of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement by the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Myanmar Defence forces and several Ethnic Armed Organizations. This marks an important step in advancing national reconciliation and consolidating the reform process in the country.
• The Secretary-General felicitates President Thein Sein for his leadership and notes that although some important groups have not yet decided to take this step, today’s signing reflects a recognition by leaders from the Government, as well as from the Ethnic Armed Organizations, of the people of Myanmar's genuine aspiration to end long years of conflict and live together in peace.
• The United Nations recognizes that the consolidation of a nationwide cease-fire and the commencement of a comprehensive political dialogue will open the way to a new path of sustainable peace after decades of civil war that have cost numerous lives, uprooted hundreds of thousands from their homes and robbed successive generations of their dignity, tranquillity and normalcy, not least by preventing their access to proper levels of health care, education and livelihoods.
• The public commitment made by the Government to work for a federal union based on democracy and equality is a milestone. The negotiation process that resulted in this agreement has built greater confidence among all stakeholders. It needs to be followed up and made more inclusive during the coming months.
• The Secretary-General urges all stakeholders, signatories and non-signatories, to work together for a peaceful future in a constructive and forward-looking spirit. This will require cooperation, determination and a commitment to reinforce trust and overcome the grievances of the past.
• He underscores that only an inclusive and structured political dialogue as well as non-recourse to military action in all areas will help build the basis for sustainable peace on the ground.
• As a third party observer to the negotiations, the United Nations has witnessed the progress of the talks and commends the patience and perseverance shown by all sides. The Secretary-General expresses his hope that the new government formed after the 8 November elections will continue to move forward along the present path of negotiations, building on these understandings. The United Nations remains prepared to contribute to the next stage of the peace process in accordance with the unified expectations of all stakeholders.
• The Secretary-General also hopes that the coming general elections in Myanmar will be conducted in a credible and transparent manner and strengthen the foundations of a genuine multi-ethnic democracy in the country.
• He strongly encourages the governmental authorities, the election commission as well as the candidates, political parties, civil society, media and organised religious groups to contribute constructively to an open and peaceful electoral process.
• He calls on them to avoid any kind of pressure, intimidation, dissemination of hatred or violence against individuals or organizations based on their ethnic identity, religious persuasion or political views.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLING OF CIVILIANS AND POLICE OFFICERS IN BURUNDI

• In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General condemned the killing of nine civilians and two police officers in Bujumbura on 13 October, amid exchanges of heavy of gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the city.
• The civilians, including a staff member of the International Organization for Migration, Mr. Evariste Mbonihankuye, were reportedly shot at close range.
• The Secretary-General extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He urged Burundian authorities to undertake a rigorous and prompt investigation into the circumstances and motives behind these despicable crimes in order to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice.

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IS A GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO LEGISLATORS IN ROME

• The Secretary-General today in Rome addressed a joint meeting of Italian Senate and Chamber of Deputies in a special session to mark the 60^th anniversary of Italy’s membership in the United Nations. 
• Speaking to the assembled legislators, the Secretary-General saluted Italy’s strong, courageous and compassionate response to the Europe’s largest refugee and migrant crisis since the end of the Second World War. 
• He stressed that refugee resettlement is a global responsibility, adding that proximity does not equal final responsibility. While refugees do a have special protection under international law, he said, all migrants must have human rights protection. There are not two kinds of people, he said, deserving and underserving.
• The Secretary-General also called on Italy to take the lead on the bold agenda against poverty that was adopted during the General Assembly.
• Following the speech, the Secretary-General was joined by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, as well as the leaders of both houses of parliament to visit a special exhibit focusing on Italy’s membership in the United Nations.
• Later today, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Italy, Paulo Gentiloni. The Secretary-General thanked the Foreign Minister for Italy’s active support of the work of his Special Representative Bernardino León in Libya. They also discussed the current refugee and migrant crisis in Europe. The Secretary-General encouraged Italy to be represented at the highest level at next year’s World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), to be hosted in Istanbul, Turkey.
• While in Rome, the Secretary-General also met with Special Envoy León, who briefed him on the latest political situation in the country.  

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN SYRIA AHEAD OF WINTER

• The Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, spoke to the press recently in Geneva and discussed his travels over the past several days to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, and Turkey.  He said that he had discussed the wars in Syria and Yemen as well as the situation in the Middle East region during his visits to those countries.
• Regarding Yemen, the Deputy Secretary-General said that he detected interest from Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE and Iran to encourage talks to start as soon as possible. He noted that his Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is proposing talks within the next few weeks and added that we very much hope that these talks will take place. 
• On Syria, he said, the officials he met with had discussed the Russian actions in Syria, and there was a hope expressed, particularly from the Saudis and the UAE, that that military action would be solely directed towards terrorism coming from Da’esh.
• Asked about local ceasefires in Syria, the Deputy Secretary-General said that the United Nations would very much encourage every attempt to create local ceasefires. In the absence of stopping the fighting all over the country, he said, we should at least now, before the winter starts, try to de-escalate and reduce the level of violence. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL

• The General Assembly just voted to elect the next five non-permanent members of the Security Council for terms in 2016 and 2017. Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay will all join the Security Council in 2016.

IRAQ: U.N. ENVOY DISCUSSES POLITICAL TENSIONS AND VIOLENCE WITH AUTHORITIES IN ERBIL

• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš, visited Erbil yesterday and discussed concerns about the recent political tensions and violence in the region with political party leaders and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). He expressed regrets at the latest developments in a region that has been a source of stability in recent years.
• He said that the political parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) need to prioritize peace, security and stability, for the sake of the people, the region and the country.
• Mr. Kubiš condemned the loss of life, injury of protestors and police, and the destruction of offices that have occurred over the weekend. He said that the perpetrators of these acts of violence should be quickly brought to justice, following due judicial process.
• He added that the authorities must ensure the right of people to demand peacefully their rights and good governance, while the protesters must respect the law and refrain from violence and provocations.

U.N. DELEGATION CONCLUDES VISIT TO GUYANA AND VENEZUELA TO ADDRESS BORDER CONTROVERSY

• The United Nations Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, headed a United Nations mission to Georgetown, Guyana, on 12 October and to Caracas, Venezuela, on 13-14 October. 
• During the visit, the UN delegation met with President David Granger of Guyana and President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, as well as with the Foreign Ministers and other Government officials of both countries, with the objective of continuing discussions on the way forward in the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.
• The visit was part of the next steps agreed during the trilateral meeting held among the Secretary-General, President Granger and President Maduro on 27 September, on the margins of the 70^th General Assembly.
• The Chef de Cabinet welcomes the return to fully-fledged diplomatic relations agreed during the trilateral meeting among President Granger, President Maduro and the Secretary-General. The Chef de Cabinet is pleased at the progress toward a way forward in the controversy that is mutually beneficial.

NEW FINDINGS SHOW PERSISTENCE OF VIRUS IN PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM EBOLA

• Preliminary results of a study into persistence of Ebola virus in body fluids show that some men still produce semen samples that test positive nine months after the onset of symptoms.
• The report, published yesterday, provides the first results of a long-term study being jointly conducted by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Ministry of Defence, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Better understanding of viral persistence in semen is important for supporting survivors to recover and to move forward with their lives.
• Until more is known, the more than 8,000 male Ebola survivors across Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone need appropriate education, counselling and regular testing so they know whether Ebola virus persists in their semen and the measures they should take to prevent potential exposure of their partners.

LIMITED ACCESS TO HYGIENE COULD ENDANGER NEW DEVELOPMENT AGENDA, U.N. WARNS

• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that lack of access to hygiene could endanger the new Sustainable Development Agenda.
• Handwashing with soap remains dangerously low in many countries, UNICEF reports, despite its proven benefits to child health.
• Sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest child mortality rates globally, also has particularly low levels of handwashing.
• According to the United Nations’ latest estimates, over 800 of the approximately 1,400 child deaths from diarrhoea each day can be attributed to inadequate water, sanitation or hygiene.

**The guest at the noon briefing was the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Yukio Takasu, who briefed on the financial situation of the Organization**