COUNTER-TERRORISM
This morning, the Under-Secretary-General for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, briefed Security Council members on the threat posed by ISIL to international peace and security and the range of UN efforts of Member States in countering the threat. He said that in conflict zones, the threat of Da’esh has increased, as evidenced by ISIL’s regrouping and increasing activity in Iraq and Syria. However, in non-conflict zones, the threat appears to have decreased in the short term. Measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in many countries. 
Mr. Voronkov said the pandemic’s impact on recruitment and fundraising activities remains unclear, as its socio-economic fallout could exacerbate conditions conducive to terrorism and increase the medium- to long-term threat, both within the outside and inside conflict zones. Meanwhile, there is no clear indication of a change in ISIL’s strategic direction under its new leaders. He stressed that decisive action is required from Member States on humanitarian, human rights, and security grounds and reiterated that the United Nations system stands ready to support their efforts in this regard. Michèle Coninsx, the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate also briefed Council members. 
 
MALI
The UN continues to follow very closely the situation in that country, especially the mediation efforts being led by the ECOWAS delegation which focus, among other issues, on the modalities of the transition. On the ground, the UN Peacekeeping mission, reports that on 22 August, the ECOWAS delegation had a number of individual meetings, including with UN Peacekeeping officials. MINUSMA reiterates the UN’s support to the ECOWAS mediation efforts and updated the delegation on the UN activities since 18 August. The Mission continues to work with all stakeholders in support of a negotiated solution. 
 
TOURISM
The next in the series of the Secretary-General’s Policy Briefs on the impact of COVID-19 will be published shortly just a few minutes after midnight NY time. This latest Policy Brief provides an overview of the socio-economic impacts from the pandemic on tourism, including on the millions of livelihoods it sustains.  
It highlights the role that tourism plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, including its relationship with environmental goals and culture.  
The Brief calls on the urgency of mitigating the impacts on livelihoods, especially for women and youth in the informal sectors.
 
SYRIA
And on Syria, the Special Envoy’s Office has received confirmation that three members of the Syrian Constitutional Committee’s Small Body have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Following a constructive first meeting, this session of the Constitutional Committee is currently on hold. Members of the Committee were tested before they traveled to Geneva and again upon arrival. Mask wearing and social distancing measures were in place when the Committee met at the Palais des Nations today. Having informed the Swiss authorities and the UN Office in Geneva immediately measures have been taken consistent with protocols to mitigate any risks, and tracing of anyone who may have been in close contact with the affected persons is underway.  
 
LIBYA HUMANITARIAN
The UN remains concerned about a possible humanitarian disaster should the continued escalation and mobilization around Sirte lead to military operations. The lives of more than 125,000 people in and around Sirte remain at great risk. Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers continue to attempt to cross the Mediterranean, at great risk to their lives.
Last week, at least 45 people, including five children, drowned in the worst shipwreck reported so far this year, when the vessel’s engine exploded off the coast of Zwara.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affaird reiterates the joint statement issued by the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency urging states to review their approaches in search-and-rescue operations at sea. More than 6,700 migrants and refugees who tried to flee Libya have been intercepted or rescued and returned so far this year. COVID-19 cases in Libya continue to increase exponentially, with more than 11,000 cases and nearly 200 deaths as of yesterday. While confirmed cases are now higher in the west, particularly around Tripoli and Misrata, a larger proportion of the people in the South have been affected.  
Capacity for testing, tracing and treatment of people remains extremely low across the country and there are shortages of equipment and supplies all over. 
Fuel shortages and electricity cuts of more than 18 hours a day are making living conditions even worse. Health facilities have also suffered from electricity cuts, forcing some to temporarily suspend operations. 
Access for aid workers continues to be a challenge, which is compounded by the pandemic, virus restriction measures. The UN and partners are supporting authorities’ response to the virus by providing supplies and personal protection equipment. The UN has also reached more than 243,000 people with humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the year, including 66,000 internally displaced people and 58,000 migrants and refugees. 
 
LIBYA
On Friday, the Spokesman issued a statement on Libya in which the Secretary-General welcomed the call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Libya, which were announced in separate statements by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Serraj and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh. The Secretary-General hopes the calls for a ceasefire will be respected immediately by armed forces from both sides and that its implementation will be taken up quickly within the UN-facilitated 5+5 Joint Military discussions. 
 
HAITI
Tropical Storm Laura passed the country yesterday causing heavy rains, strong winds and dangerous sea conditions. 
The UN, along with NGOs and governmental partners are already on the ground to respond and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is supporting the government-led efforts to coordinate potential evaluation missions to the most impacted areas. Nine fatalities were reported, two people are missing, and 35 people have been evacuated. Preliminary reports indicate that numerous houses were flooded, destroyed or damaged and some roads were blocked; telecommunications have also been affected. 
 
MAURITIUS
The UN Resident Coordinator there, Christine Umutoni, is bringing together various UN entities to support the Government’s response. Today, the group of regional UN entities launched a US $2.5 million Recovery Fund to support national efforts. Those efforts focus on women, men and children whose livelihoods have been impacted by the oil spill, especially the fishing community. The UN Regional Directors for Eastern and Southern Africa have also pooled an initial US $250,000 to kickstart this fund, which was launched during a meeting between President Roopun of Mauritius and the Regional Director for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Southern Africa, Charles Kwenin, on behalf of the regional group. Also, today the rear part of the ship—which had split in two—has reportedly sunk, and despite the sustained winds, the oil clean-up continues. 
 
PHILIPPINES
The UN team in the Philippines, led by the Resident Coordinator there, Gustavo Gonzalez, has strongly condemned the attack today on one of the Philippines’s southern islands, with preliminary reports saying dozens of people have been killed and more than 70 wounded. The UN team expressed its deep condolences to the Government and the affected communities and wished a speedy recovery for all those injured.