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Briefing by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is concerned by new reports of violence and loss of life in Venezuela. He has noted the Government’s stated willingness to undertake a full investigation.
The Secretary-General visited the peacekeeping training centre for Paraguayan troops and praised the contribution of the country to UN operations, especially in Haiti. He then flew to Itaipu dam, the second largest in the world, where he encouraged Paraguay to share its positive experience in developing new renewable energy sources.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman continues his visit to Myanmar today. He is leading a UN delegation, which also includes the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Vijay Nambiar, to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-UN Regional Dialogue on Political Security Cooperation.
Visiting the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon today, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, said that the UN continues to support Lebanon as it faces the impact of the conflict in Syria. She also expressed her appreciation for Lebanon’s residents in host communities for their generosity and solidarity with the refugees from Syria.
Also in a related note on Syria, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, today launched a two-year programme to help promote access to quality secondary and higher education and teacher training in Syria and neighbouring countries affected by the conflict there.
With six months passed since a ceasefire ended the fighting in the Gaza strip, UN agencies and international NGOs today issued a joint statement expressing alarm at the limited progress in rebuilding the lives of those affected and tackling the conflict’s root causes.
This morning, the Security Council held consultations on sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as Somalia. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous also briefed on the Central African Republic.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that a joint team from UNMISS and UNHCR visited Wau Shilluk last Friday, following reports about the abduction of children from the area by gunmen in military uniforms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.
The Secretary-General has been named as the winner of this year’s Tipperary International Peace Award. In a letter, he thanks the Tipperary Peace Convention for paying tribute not just to him, but also, through him, to the staff of the United Nations who work with great skill and devotion to serve the world’s people.
Liberia and the Republic of Korea paid their dues up in full this year to the Regular Budget bringing the number up to 49.
