HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE U.N. SYSTEM

THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2024

 

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S OPENING REMARKS TO PRESS CONFERENCE ON 2024 PRIORITIES

[full transcript available online] 

Dear members of the Media. 

Yesterday, I addressed the General Assembly focusing on priorities for this year and beyond.  

It is a long and detailed agenda – but the varied challenges are connected by a common thread. 

Peace.  

The need for peace in all its dimensions because peace is the tie that binds.  

But, too often, we face instead a gordian knot. 

On issues of peace and security – we face rising conflict and geopolitical divisions. 

On issues of peace within communities – we see rising polarization.  

On issues of peace with justice – we have rising inequalities.  

On issues of peace with nature, we have rising global emissions and global temperatures.  

We are at a moment of truth – but we have a breakdown of trust.  

Trust in institutions.  Trust in leaders. And also trust in governments and multilateral institutions.  

The way to restore trust is by making a real and positive difference in people’s lives.  By solving people’s problems.  

Yesterday, I presented a clear-eyed, sober assessment of the world.  This is no time for pulling punches. 

We have a number of existential challenges: 

The age-old nuclear threat.  

The climate emergency and the dangers posed by unchecked artificial intelligence.  

But we are not sufficiently united and organized to respond effectively to any of them. 

On top of that, we face a multiplication of conflicts and geopolitical divides. 

Much can be done across the board.  

To end conflict, to effectively address threats posed by Artificial Intelligence, to take climate action, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  

But it will require a serious conversation between developed and developing countries; between rich and emerging economies; between north and south, east and west. 

It will require reforming institutions that were built by a bygone world, for a bygone age. 

Starting with reform of the Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.  

We are no longer in a world of two superpowers or in a unipolar world.  

Multipolarity creates opportunities for justice and balance in global relations.   

But when multipolarity is not accompanied by effective, renewed and inclusive mechanisms of multilateral governance – the risks multiply. 
    
So, this is a year for focusing on the future – and we have our Summit of the Future in September and this is a year for focusing on people’s challenges also today. 

We have institutions that need to be aligned with our times.  And we have principles to guide us, that we must preserve in all situations.  

Respect for the United Nations Charter.  

Respect for international law and international humanitarian law.  

Peace with justice that addresses inequalities. 

Following those principles will lead us to the pathways to solutions that I laid out yesterday. 

The New Agenda for Peace.  The SDG Stimulus.  The Global Digital Compact.  The work of the Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. The Climate Solidarity Pact.  And much more.  

And on the peace and security front, I believe it is especially critical to find solutions to two burning conflicts that are having profound global consequences:  Ukraine and Gaza. 

This month marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

It is essential that we work for a just and sustainable peace, but a peace in line with the UN Charter and international law. 

And in Gaza, the situation just keeps getting worse.  

In addition to the death and destruction from military operations -- starvation and disease are bearing down on Palestinians in Gaza.  

Despite some limited steps, our humanitarian operations continue to face denials of access, delays, impediments, and multiple dangers– including live fire. 

One of our convoys was damaged by Israeli naval artillery earlier this week. 

Just 10 out of 61 planned aid convoys to the north reached their destination in January. 

Let’s be clear:  Denial of humanitarian access means denial of humanitarian relief for civilians. 
  
Food and water are needed for a desperate population.  Medicine and fuel are needed for the desperation in hospitals.  And other life-saving supplies for a population in a terrible situation. 

I am particularly worried by reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafah. 

Half of Gaza’s population is now crammed into Rafah. They have nowhere to go.  

They have no homes – and they have no hope. 

They are living in over-crowded make-shift shelters, in unsanitary conditions without running water, electricity and adequate food supplies. 

All of this underscores the need for full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and ensuring their essential needs are met. 

We are clear in condemning the horrific attacks of Hamas. We are also clear in condemning the violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. 

We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 

We need also the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. 

And we need real, visible, concrete steps towards a two-State solution – based on UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.  

Repeated bloody hostilities, and decades of tensions and occupation, have failed to provide a State for the Palestinians, or security for Israelis. 

In the Middle East and around the world, we need peace in every sense.  

Our world cannot afford to wait. 

I thank you for your attention. 

 

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, says that with the hostilities in Gaza in their fifth month, further fighting in Rafah risks claiming more lives and exacerbating humanitarian needs. More than half of Gaza’s population is now crammed in Rafah, in abysmal living conditions. 
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr. Griffiths said that as the war encroaches further into Rafah, he is extremely concerned about the safety and well-being of families that have endured the unthinkable in search of safety. Once again, he called for an end to the war. 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that health care in Gaza remains extremely precarious, as the bombardment and hostilities continue. Conditions are fast deteriorating, amid access restrictions and a shortage of critical supplies and medical personnel. 
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports an alarming spread of disease due to lack of sanitation and clean water. 

YEMEN 

The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, held meetings in the United Arab Emirates with the Diplomatic Adviser to the Emirati President, Anwar Gargash, and the Emirati Minister of State, Khalifa Al Marar, and discussed the important role of the region in providing a conducive environment for constructive dialogue in Yemen. 
He also met with the Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Aidrous Al Zubidi, and explored ways to reduce tensions in Yemen and continue efforts towards a nationwide ceasefire, and measures to improve living conditions and the resumption of the political process under UN auspices. 
Earlier in the week, Mr. Grundberg visited Riyadh and met senior officials and diplomats. The meetings explored the need for regional de-escalation. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 

The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, allocated $6 million this week from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the response to floods in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
Since December 2023, heavy rainfall has caused the Congo River to surge to its highest levels since 1961. This has triggered catastrophic flooding, which has impacted 18 out of the country’s 26 provinces and affected more than 2 million people, including in the capital Kinshasa. 
The floods are worsening already high humanitarian needs, with significant destruction of infrastructure and a critical disruption of basic services. The CERF allocation will support nearly 400,000 people in the areas of health, food security, shelter and protection, among others.   

SOUTH SUDAN 

In his statement at the 34th Plenary of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, noted progress in setting up the key institutions for credible and peaceful elections. However, he warned that the inability to finalize the Transitional Security Arrangements remains a threat to peace before, during and after the elections.  
The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also underscored that the UN remains committed to supporting and working with the South Sudanese parties, the trilateral, regional, international, and bilateral partners to build the foundations for democracy, good governance, peace, and stability. 

LATIN AMERICA MIGRANTS  

The International Organization for Migration today announced a global partnership agreement with the Tent Partnership for Refugees – a global network of more than 350 companies committed to the labour market integration of refugees. 
The partnership will help accelerate the workforce inclusion of migrants and other forcibly displaced people around the world. The initial focus of the partnership will be on Mexico, where their joint efforts will help the private sector access a wider pipeline of displaced talent across the country. 
In recent years, Mexico has welcomed more than 600,000 migrants and refugees, displaced from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, and Cuba – yet many have been unable to find formal work. At the same time, 75 percent of employers in Mexico say they struggle to find workers and the Mexican Employers Association, reports between 1.2 and 1.6 million vacancies in Mexico’s labour market.