Noon briefing of 1 July 2026

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

WEDNESDAY, 30 JUNE 2026

AI PANEL AND TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

This morning, the Secretary-General introduced the preliminary report of the Independent Scientific Panel on AI. He noted that the Panel, which is made up of 40 experts from around the world, is the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of Artificial Intelligence across economies and societies.

The report will inform the discussions taking place next week at the first Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, which is taking place in Geneva.

And as he announced himself, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva on Monday to take part in the Dialogue and deliver a keynote address. He is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with leaders who will be attending the AI Summit. 

FINANCES

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued last night, welcomed the decision by the General Assembly to reform financial rules that were putting the Organization’s stability at risk. By its action, the Assembly has agreed to introduce, for a four-year trial period, a new methodology to ensure that unspent funds are returned to Member States only when they are backed by cash.

The Secretary-General said this decision will allow us to manage resources, especially for regular and peacekeeping budgets, in a more predictable and responsible way, and to better deliver on the mandates given to us by those very Member States.

The Secretary-General added that he had been calling for this change since very early in his mandate. 

As he just said to you an hour ago, he is grateful to Member States for taking this important action, which will greatly benefit the incoming Administration and contribute to the financial stability of the Organization for a number of years.

PEACEKEEPING BUDGET 

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations add that without the change approved by the General Assembly, the UN would have been forced to return $224 million now and another nearly $900 million by July of next year. The change, together with payment in full and on time by all Member States, will allow our peacekeeping missions to continue implementing their mandates and reverse some of the negative impact of the contingency plans implemented during the recently concluded budget cycle. 

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix thanked Member States for their efforts and the time they devoted to reaching these agreements. He said that we will continue working to improve performance and efficiency so that we can deliver the greatest possible impact for the people and communities we serve, including by helping to protect civilians, monitor and maintain ceasefires, and advance solutions for lasting peace.

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, was in Geneva today, where, on the margins of the 58th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB), she participated in discussions with various stakeholders, including Member States and civil society.  

While there, she also met with senior UN officials from across the system, as part of the broader UN80 consultation process. 

The Deputy Secretary-General is heading back to New York tonight. 

LEBANON

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that, according to authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 40 per cent of the over one million people displaced by conflict have returned to their home areas in Lebanon. While this marks an important step toward recovery, thousands of people remain displaced and continue to rely on humanitarian assistance. The UN reiterates that returns must be safe, they must be voluntary, they must be dignified, and people who return must the access they need to humanitarian goods. 

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners yesterday delivered much-needed food assistance to hard-to-reach communities across southern Lebanon.

The UN continues to stress that humanitarian access must be granted to all those who need it.

SUDAN

In Sudan, the Human Rights Office continues to document drone strikes in El Obeid resulting in further civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools, a site hosting internally displaced people, and fuel stations and fuel tankers. Damage to fuel and other critical infrastructure is affecting the provision of essential services, including electricity and water supplies, and is further constraining access to healthcare.

The Human Rights Office again calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Civilians and civilian objects must not be targeted. These are now new laws. They have been in place for a long time. 

The Human Rights Council will hold an urgent meeting on Friday to address the human rights situation in El Obeid, and High Commissioner Volker Türk is scheduled to deliver a statement.  

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that humanitarian partners today called for the protection of civilians in Gaza, including along the so-called “Yellow Line.” 

In a statement issued today, the Humanitarian Country Team, which brings together the heads of UN agencies and NGOs working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warned that the continued expansion of areas under Israeli control since the ceasefire of October last year is intensifying risks to civilians and further constraining humanitarian efforts. 

The Human Rights Office has verified the killing of 196 people – including 18 women and 43 children – between 10 October and April of this year in Israeli attacks reported near areas where Israeli forces are deployed.

The statement noted that many people were reportedly killed while moving through areas lacking clear demarcation on the ground and that Palestinians civilians are now concentrated in increasingly limited areas, living amid insecurity and violence, with limited access to services.  

The statement also called for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip. 

Meanwhile, on water and sanitation, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said yesterday that this week, partners temporarily restored wastewater infrastructure serving Gaza city, enabling pumping to resume after being non-operational for the past two years. So that is good news.

This reduces public health risks, as humanitarians and partners tell us that more than 80 per cent of families struggle to access safe and clean sanitation facilities.  

In the West Bank, yesterday, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, led a field visit with more than 20 diplomats who met communities affected by demolitions, evictions, the threat of forcible transfer, movement restrictions and other longstanding humanitarian concerns. All of that in the Jerusalem governorate. 

Speaking from Augusta Victoria hospital, Dr. Alakbarov underscored the importance of sustained international attention to East Jerusalem, highlighting the vital role the hospital plays in providing specialized health care for Palestinians. 

He also noted that, so far in 2026, about 360 people have been displaced and over 150 structures demolished in East Jerusalem. 

VENEZUELA

In Venezuela, the UN and its partners are scaling up assistance as search-and-rescue operations continue. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that in La Guaira, the support includes the management of temporary shelter sites, the installation of tents and beds, primary health care, mental health and psychosocial support, child-friendly spaces, and water and sanitation services, as well.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has provided ready-to-eat food rations and is supporting community kitchens, while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and others are assisting with shelter services, healthcare, hygiene support and other basic necessities.            

OCHA is also coordinating a Rapid Needs Assessment with humanitarian partners to identify priority needs to help inform the next phase of the response to these earthquakes. 

OCHA notes that international support remains significant, with 53 Urban Search and Rescue teams from 29 countries already supporting national authorities. As rescue efforts continue, humanitarian organisations are preparing for the transition to broader relief and recovery activities. 

UKRAINE

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that between June 26th and this morning, hostilities and strikes killed and injured several civilians, including children.  Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions were among the hardest hit, and civilians across the Sumy, Kherson, Donetsk and Chernihiv regions also continue to be impacted by attacks. That is according to local authorities.

Humanitarian organisations, supported by UN agencies, and alongside first responders and municipal authorities, have provided first aid and psychological support. They have also distributed emergency shelter materials, water, and food. 

NEW RESIDENT COORDINATORS: AZERBAIJAN AND TURKMENISTAN 

The UN Development Coordination Office today said that, following host Government approval, the Secretary-General has appointed Dmitry Shlapachenko of Ukraine as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan and Xiaojun Grace Wang of China as Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. Both took up their posts today, 1 July. 

Mr. Shlapachenko brings 28 years of experience in diplomacy, international cooperation, development coordination and peacebuilding, while Ms. Wang also has 28 years of experience in international development and multilateral cooperation. 

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, strongly condemned an attack carried out yesterday by members of armed groups in Am Dafock, on the border with Sudan, as well as gunfire targeting a peacekeeping temporary operating base there.

Three Zambian peacekeepers were injured, including one seriously, as they were conducting a patrol to protect civilians. The injured peacekeepers were airlifted to appropriate medical facilities. They are in stable condition and we which them a quick recovery.  

As you are aware, attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

Bahrain paid its full dues to the Regular Budget. Bahrain’s payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 119.