Noon briefing of 19 June 2015

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

FRIDAY, 19 JUNE 2015

YEMEN: U.N. ENVOY NOTES WILLINGNESS AMONG PARTIES TO DISCUSS CEASEFIRE, WITHDRAWAL OF FORCES

• Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, spoke today to the press in Geneva. He said that during the discussions that have taken place with the Yemeni parties in Geneva in recent days, he believes that a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces can be reached following further consultations.
• He noted that he did not expect that a single meeting would solve all the obstacles in the Yemeni peace process. But nevertheless, he said there has seen several positive signs in his separate discussions with the parties. Although the parties did not get to an agreement that can be signed, the Special Envoy believes that there is a willingness among all parties to discuss a ceasefire accompanied by a withdrawal of forces. He once more reiterated the urgent need for a fresh humanitarian pause in the fighting.
• He added that he is heading to New York to brief the Security Council on the preliminary consultations that just took place in Geneva. After that, Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that he expects to travel back to the region. And meanwhile, aid agencies today called for $1.6 billion to help the most vulnerable 11.7 million people impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Of this total, a funding shortfall of more than $1.4 billion remains until the end of the year.
• The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, said in Geneva a looming humanitarian catastrophe is facing Yemen. People across the country are struggling to feed their families. Basic services are collapsing in all regions. Millions of families no longer have access to clean water, proper sanitation or basic healthcare. Deadly diseases such as dengue and malaria have broken out, and supplies for acute trauma care are running dangerously low. A staggering 80 per cent of the population needs humanitarian assistance – over 21 million peopleunderscores the need for a fresh humanitarian pause in the fighting. And we have more information on OCHA’s website and in a press release.

U.N. MALI ENVOY SAYS PEACE PROCESS ON RIGHT TRACK

• The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mongi Hamdi, congratulated the Platform coalition of armed groups yesterday for their decision to disengage from the town of Menaka, in line with the security arrangements signed in Algiers on 5 June. He said this development, along with the announced intention to sign the peace agreement by the Coordination coalition of armed groups tomorrow in Bamako, were "clear and reassuring signals" for the Malian population and the international community that the peace process is on the right track.
• The Security Council also said in a statement that it looks forward to tomorrow9;s announced signing of the peace agreement by the Coordination.
• The UN Mission (MINUSMA) reported today that approximately 60 Platform pick-up trucks were observed leaving Menaka today.

U.N. OFFICIALS WELCOME ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT

• The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, and her colleague, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, today welcomed the adoption of a General Assembly resolution establishing 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
• Approved by consensus, the resolution aims to raise awareness of the need to end conflict-related sexual violence, stand in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence around the world, and pay tribute to all those working on the front-lines, to eradicate this scourge.

SENIOR U.N. POLITICAL OFFICIAL TO TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA, INDONESIA

• Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca will begin a five day visit to Malaysia and Indonesia on 22 June 22. He will meet with senior officials of the respective Governments, as well as leaders of political parties and members of civil society.
• He will also meet with senior officials of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss cooperation on the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership.
• This will be Mr. Jenca’s first visit to Southeast Asia. He looks forward to engaging with key stakeholders and strengthening ASEAN-UN cooperation.

U.N. AGENCY ISSUES CALL FOR $20 MILLION TO HELP FARMERS IN QUAKE-HIT NEPAL

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for $20 million to urgently help to support farmers in earthquake-hit Nepal, where a million people face the risk of prolonged food insecurity.
• To date, only 13 per cent of the $23 million FAO has asked for has been received. The Organization found that in Nepal9;s six hardest-hit districts, half of all farming households lost nearly all of their stored crops of rice, maize, wheat and millet.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO MARK FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA

• Sunday, 21 June, is the first International Day of Yoga.
• The Secretary-General will deliver keynote address at an event at UN headquarters which will start at 10 a.m. at the Visitors Lobby and Plaza, where there will also be a Yoga demonstration. There will also be a Yoga event sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Indian in Times Square.
• The Secretary-General may have a bilateral meeting with a senior Chinese official also on Sunday.