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Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General
In Marrakesh, Morocco, the Secretary-General today participated in the closing of the Summit of African Heads of State and Government, hosted by King Mohammed VI. The Secretary-General pointed out that Africa is both at the forefront of the continued impact of climate change and is also a dynamic continent full of entrepreneurial and promising young people looking for creative solutions.
Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with King Mohammed VI and congratulated Morocco on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its entry into the United Nations. The Secretary-General further underscored the importance of making progress in the Western Sahara negotiating process, as called for in the relevant Security Council resolutions.
In the early evening, the Secretary-General joined President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon as they signed the text of the special agreement referring the border dispute between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic to the International Court of Justice. This is a successful outcome of a process since 2008 to peacefully resolve the dispute.
A ground-breaking map of restoration opportunities along Africa's Great Green Wall has been launched at the UN climate change conference in Marrakesh.
The Great Green Wall’s core area crosses arid and semi-arid zones on the North and south sides of the Sahara.
The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns the attacks on five hospitals that took place in Syria between 13 and 15 November, including three hospitals in Western Rural Aleppo and two hospitals in Idleb. At least two people were reportedly killed as a result of the attacks and 19 people were wounded, including six medical staff. Shockingly, such attacks on health in Syria are increasing in both frequency and scale. Throughout 2016, WHO and partners have documented 126 such attacks across the country.
A High-Level Panel Discussion on Community Violence Reduction (CVR) in Peacekeeping and Early Peacebuilding took place this morning. The Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Edmond Mulet, stressed that to sustain peace, we need to address the root causes of conflict - not merely its symptoms. He highlighted his experience in Haiti and noted that Community Violence Reduction programmes can transform lives and communities to create advocates for peace. CVR offers a people-centered approach to engaging armed group members, spoilers and at-risk youth at the grassroots level, he said.
The UN Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued its analysis of the human rights situation in the country for the month of October, documenting 434 human rights violations, an important decrease compared to September.
State authorities are responsible for 62 per cent of these documented violations, including 29 extrajudicial executions.
Armed groups are responsible for 38 per cent of violations, and 39 executions.
The Office also says it is especially concerned by several assassinations of religious personalities, apparently linked to their political engagement.
From the UN Mission in Somalia, Special Representative Michael Keating has stressed that no one will benefit from a resumption of fighting. His remarks come as Presidents Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas” of Puntland and Abdikarim Hussein Guled of Galmudug resumed their talks on implementing a ceasefire in the disputed city of Gaalkacyo.
A fragile calm has prevailed in Gaalkacyo and surrounding areas over the past week.
In a press statement, Mr. Keating said a ceasefire mechanism and withdrawal of fighting on both sides will be essential for resolving the conflict and ensuring that the local population does not continue to suffer.
UNICEF says that nearly one in five children in the Central African Republic is a refugee or internally displaced. Violence and widespread displacement have made children especially vulnerable to health risks, exploitation and abuse, leaving more than 1/3 out of school and 41 per cent children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 have been recruited into armed groups since 2013.
This afternoon, the Security Council will meet on Kosovo.
It will be briefed by Zahir Tanin, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
The High Commissioner for Human Rights today robustly defended the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the decision by three States to withdraw from it, urging the international community to place its collective shoulder behind the institution.
Speaking at the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said that although the powerful may fear the Court, victims, everywhere, plead for its involvement.
He added that the recent withdrawals appeared aimed at protecting their leaders from prosecution, noting that African countries have been the backbone of the ICC.
Marking the International Day of Tolerance today, the Secretary-General said in a message that the values of tolerance and mutual understanding, which are firmly embedded in the UN Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are facing profound tests around the world.
The Secretary-General pointed to a new campaign, called “Together,” to promote tolerance, respect and dignity across the world. It seeks to respond to the xenophobia faced by so many refugees and migrants, and aims to highlight the benefits of diversity and migration.
The winner of this year’s UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence – which is awarded every two years – is the Federal Research and Methodological Center for Tolerance Psychology and Education of Russia.
Cuba has paid its regular budget dues in full, bringing the total number of Member State which have done so to 136.
