Food Systems Summit, Climate, Afghanistan & other…

This morning, at the opening of the UN Food Systems Summit, the Secretary-General stressed that we must build a world where healthy and nutritious food is available and affordable for everyone, everywhere. This morning, the Secretary-General also spoke at an early Security Council meeting entitled the High-Level Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Climate and Security. Humanitarian operations continue across Afghanistan. The UN Humanitarian Air Service is operating flights, almost daily, to different provinces and including to Kabul. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is continuing to worsen. Fighting in various parts of the country – including in Shabwa and Maa’rib – is increasing displacement and civilian casualties. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) says it recently handed over emergency vehicles and essential health kits and supplies to the residents of Bor in Jonglei state. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, today called for urgent action to prevent the situation in Myanmar from spiraling into a full-blown conflict. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Zahir Tanin, today noted the continuing impasse over the implementation of measures on license plates. I have a COVAX update for you from Latin America and the Caribbean. Our UN teams there tell us that they continue to support authorities in the region to address the multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a statement to read out on the passing of a former colleague of ours, John Ruggie. We were deeply saddened at the passing on 16 September of John Ruggie, the former UN Assistant Secretary-General and close advisor to Secretaries-General.