Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoPress Conferences
Press Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has concluded a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
Today, the Security Council held an open meeting by video conference on Ukraine. Briefing Council members, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, said that since the Trilateral Contact Group agreed to an indefinite ceasefire that came into force on July 2020, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a significant decrease in civilian casualties and exchange of fire.
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the number of people in need has increased drastically over the past year. As a result, 40 per cent of Haiti’s population of 11.4 million – over 4.4 million people- will require humanitarian assistance this year.
On Myanmar, UN Women today said that it is strongly concerned over the use of force by security forces against peaceful demonstrators, including women.
On Somalia, in a note to correspondents issued yesterday afternoon, we welcomed the announcement of another summit between the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states leaders, and their commitment to continue dialogue. The summit is scheduled for 15 February.
On South Sudan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, today called on the Government to expedite the operationalization of the African Union Hybrid Court and other transitional justice institutions.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a tweet this morning, said that the UN family in the country mourns the loss of five Afghan Directorate of Protection Service (DPS) personnel in an incident in the Surobi District of Kabul. UNAMA said that no UN staff members were hurt in the attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has asked for $1.5 billion to fund its essential services, emergency appeals and priority projects this year.
In Rwanda, the UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Fodé Ndiaye, is working with authorities to deploy eight high-tech robots in the fight against COVID-19.
In Ecuador, the UN team issued a statement last night congratulating the people of Ecuador on exercising their civic right to vote and for the high voter turnout in Sunday’s election.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today welcomed the establishment of a new asylum unit in Guatemala which expands the capacity to receive, process and adjudicate asylum claims in the country.
In a video message, the Secretary-General has extended his best wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Ox, which he said is the same sign as the year of his birth.
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Our friends in Vilnius have paid their regular budget dues, which brings us up to 39. Thank you, Lithuania.
For further details please see SOURCE below.
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
