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STORY: UN / UK PRESSER
TRT: 02:47
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 01 NOVEMBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, UN headquarters
01 NOVEMBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, the podium with speakers at the press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“We assume the presidency during an exceptionally difficult time, the world is facing more conflict now than at any other point since World War II.”
4. Wide shot, press conference room
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“We'll focus on the three biggest conflicts in the world today, which span three different continents, the devastation and the risk of war in the Middle East, Russia's ongoing violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in Europe, and the appalling conflict in Sudan.”
6. Wide shot, press briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“Ultimately, the only way to secure not just an immediate but also a lasting ceasefire is a two-state solution. And to achieve this, of course, we need to think about what pathway there is to rebuilding Gaza as part of a viable Palestinian state, including East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, living side by side with a secure and safe Israel.”
8. Wide shot, press briefing room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“It may be two and a half years now since Russia first invaded Ukraine, but our support for Ukraine as it fights to defend its sovereignty, its territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter remains iron clad.”
10. Wide shot, press briefing room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“Where there is death and chaos, President Putin's hand is rarely far behind. So we will once again be using our presidency to call out Russia's disinformation and expose their crimes.”
12. Wide shot, press briefing room
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Kingdom:
“On Sudan, we are, as you know, 19 months in to the war, both sides are committing egregious human rights violations, including the widespread rape of women and girls. More than half the Sudanese population are experiencing severe food insecurity. Despite this, the SAF and the RSF remain focused on fighting each other and not the famine and suffering facing their country. Even since the Oudrey border opened in August fewer than 30 trucks of aid are getting in per week. It is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of nine million people suffering in Darfur.”
14. Wide shot, end of press briefing
Taking the helm of the UN Security Council presidency for November, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, outlined priorities amid what she described as a “difficult time” of unprecedented global conflict.
Briefing members of press in New York City today (01 Nov) Woodward said, “We assume the presidency during an exceptionally difficult time, the world is facing more conflict now than at any other point since World War II.”
Woodward identified the Council’s focus on three critical conflicts spanning multiple continents. “We'll focus on the three biggest conflicts in the world today, which span three different continents: the devastation and the risk of war in the Middle East, Russia's ongoing violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in Europe, and the appalling conflict in Sudan,” she noted.
Addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict, Woodward reiterated the UK’s support for a two-state solution as the foundation for lasting peace. “Ultimately, the only way to secure not just an immediate but also a lasting ceasefire is a two-state solution,” she said. She added that rebuilding Gaza as part of a viable Palestinian state, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, living alongside a secure Israel, is essential.
On Ukraine, Woodward reaffirmed unwavering support for the country. “It may be two and a half years now since Russia first invaded Ukraine, but our support for Ukraine as it fights to defend its sovereignty, its territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter remains iron clad,” she stated.
The ambassador also said, “Where there is death and chaos, President Putin's hand is rarely far behind. So, we will once again be using our presidency to call out Russia's disinformation and expose their crimes.”
Turning to Sudan, where conflict has raged for 19 months, Woodward painted a bleak picture of human rights abuses and humanitarian distress. “Both sides are committing egregious human rights violations, including the widespread rape of women and girls,” she reported. With more than half of Sudan’s population facing severe food insecurity and limited aid access, she noted that “it is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of nine million people suffering in Darfur.”
With over half of Sudan’s population enduring severe food insecurity and only minimal aid reaching those in need, Woodward highlighted the critical shortfall, stating that “it is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of nine million people suffering in Darfur.”
