The following is a near verbatim transcript of today’s midday briefing by Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Al-Haq.
Hello everyone, good afternoon. Our guest today is Ulrika Richardson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti. She will join us virtually from Port-au-Prince to provide an update on the urgent appeal. You remember that yesterday we announced this call.
The Secretary General is returning to Sharm El Sheikh for the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27), which will end this weekend. Earlier in Bali, Indonesia, he spoke at the digital transformation session of the G20 summit. With the right policies, he says, digital technologies can be the driving force behind sustainable development like never before, especially for the poorest countries. “This requires greater connectivity and less digital fragmentation. More bridges across the digital divide and fewer barriers. Greater autonomy for ordinary people; less abuse and misinformation,” the Secretary-General said, adding that digital technologies without leadership and barriers also have huge potential. for harm, the report said.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Secretary General met separately with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and Ambassador of Ukraine to Indonesia Ambassador Vasily Khamianin. Readings from these sessions have been given to you.
You will also see that we issued a statement last night in which the Secretary General said that he was very concerned about reports of rocket explosions on Polish soil. He said it was absolutely essential to avoid an escalation of the war in Ukraine.
By the way, we have more information from Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that after a wave of rocket attacks, at least 16 out of 24 regions of the country and critical millions of people were left without electricity, water and heat. The damage to civilian infrastructure came at a critical time when temperatures plunged below freezing, raising fears of a major humanitarian crisis if people were unable to heat their homes during Ukraine’s harsh winter. We and our humanitarian partners are working around the clock to provide people with winter supplies, including heating systems for war-displaced accommodation centers.
I would also like to note that the meeting of the Security Council on Ukraine will take place today at 3 pm. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo is expected to brief members of the Council.
Our colleague Martha Poppy, Assistant Secretary General for Africa, Department of Political Affairs, Department of Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations, introduced the G5 Sahel to the Security Council this morning. She said that the security situation in the Sahel had continued to deteriorate since her last briefing, highlighting the implications for the civilian population, especially women and girls. Ms. Poby reiterated that despite challenges, the Big Five Joint Force for the Sahel remains an important component of regional leadership in addressing security challenges in the Sahel. Looking ahead, she added, a new operational concept of joint forces is being considered. This new concept will address the changing security and humanitarian situation and the withdrawal of troops from Mali, while recognizing bilateral operations carried out by neighboring countries. She reiterated our call for the continued support of the Security Council and urged the international community to continue to engage in a spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity with the peoples of the region.
UN Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel Abdoulaye Mar Diye and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warn that without urgent investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation, countries risk decades of armed conflict and displacement exacerbated by rising temperatures, lack of resources and lack of food security.
The climate emergency, if left unchecked, will further endanger the communities of the Sahel as devastating floods, droughts and heatwaves can deprive people of access to water, food and livelihoods, and exacerbate the risk of conflict. This will eventually force more people to leave their homes. The full report is available online.
In the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our humanitarian colleagues have informed us that more people have been displaced in the Rutshuru and Nyiragongo regions of North Kivu due to the ongoing fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group. According to our partners and authorities, in just two days, November 12-13, some 13,000 displaced people were reported north of the provincial capital of Goma. More than 260,000 people have been displaced since the outbreak of violence in March this year. About 128,000 people live in the Nyiragongo region alone, almost 90 per cent of whom live in about 60 collective centers and temporary camps. Since the resumption of hostilities on October 20, we and our partners have provided assistance to 83,000 people, including food, water and other items, as well as health and protection services. More than 326 unaccompanied children have been treated by child protection workers and nearly 6,000 children under the age of five have been screened for acute malnutrition. Our partners estimate that at least 630,000 civilians will need assistance as a result of the fighting. Our $76.3 million appeal to help 241,000 of them is currently 42% funded.
Our peacekeeping colleagues in the Central African Republic report that this week, with the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the Ministry of Defense and Army Reconstruction launched a defense plan review to help the African Armed Forces adapt and address today’s security issues. The commanders of UN peacekeepers and Central African forces gathered this week in Birao, Ouacaga province, to strengthen cooperation to strengthen protection efforts, including the continuation of joint long-range patrols and early warning mechanisms. Meanwhile, peacekeepers have conducted about 1,700 patrols in the area of ​​operations over the past week as the security situation has remained generally calm and there have been isolated incidents, the mission said. UN peacekeepers have seized the largest livestock market in the south of the country as part of Operation Zamba, which has been ongoing for 46 days and has helped reduce crime and extortion by armed groups.
A new report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) shows a 60% reduction in violence against civilians and a 23% decrease in civilian casualties in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year. This decrease is mainly due to the lower number of civilian casualties in the greater Equator region. Across South Sudan, UN peacekeepers continue to protect communities by establishing protected areas in identified hotbeds of conflict. The Mission continues to support the ongoing peace process across the country by engaging in prompt and proactive political and public consultations at the local, state and national levels. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, said the UN mission is encouraged by the reduction in violence affecting civilians in the quarter. He wants to see a continued downtrend. There is more information on the web.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today concluded his official visit to Sudan, his first visit as High Commissioner. At a press conference, he called on all parties involved in the political process to work as soon as possible to restore civilian rule in the country. Mr. Türk said UN Human Rights stands ready to continue working with all parties in Sudan to strengthen national capacity to promote and protect human rights and uphold the rule of law, support legal reform, monitor and report on the human rights situation, and support the strengthening of civic and democratic spaces.
We have good news from Ethiopia. For the first time since June 2021, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) convoy arrived in Mai-Tsebri, Tigray region, along the Gonder route. Life-saving food aid will be delivered to the communities of Mai-Tsebri in the coming days. The convoy consisted of 15 trucks with 300 tons of food for the residents of the city. The World Food Program is sending trucks along all corridors and hopes that daily road transport will continue to resume large-scale operations. This is the first movement of the motorcade since the signing of the peace agreement. In addition, the first test flight of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operated by the World Food Program arrived in Shire, northwest of Tigray, today. Several flights are scheduled over the next few days to provide emergency support and deploy personnel needed for the response. WFP stresses the need for the entire humanitarian community to resume these passenger and cargo flights to Meckle and Shire as soon as possible in order to rotate humanitarian workers in and out of the area and deliver vital medical supplies and food.
Today, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a $113.7 million appeal to expand life-saving reproductive health and protection services for women and girls in the Horn of Africa. The unprecedented drought in the region has left more than 36 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance, including 24.1 million in Ethiopia, 7.8 million in Somalia and 4.4 million in Kenya, according to UNFPA. Entire communities are bearing the brunt of the crisis, but often women and girls are paying an unacceptably high price, UNFPA warns. Thirst and hunger have forced more than 1.7 million people to flee their homes in search of food, water and basic services. Most are mothers who often walk for days or weeks to escape severe drought. According to UNFPA, access to basic health services such as family planning and maternal health has been severely affected in the region, with potentially devastating consequences for the more than 892,000 pregnant women who will give birth in the next three months.
Today is International Day for Tolerance. In 1996, the General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring International Days, which, in particular, are aimed at promoting mutual understanding between cultures and peoples. and between speakers and the media.
Tomorrow my guests will be UN-Water Vice President Johannes Kallmann and Ann Thomas, Head of Sanitation and Hygiene, Water and Sanitation, UNICEF Program Division. They will be here to brief you ahead of World Toilet Day on November 19th.
Question: Farhan, thank you. First, did the Secretary General discuss human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region with President Xi Jinping? My second question: when Eddie asked you yesterday about the beheading of two little girls in the Al-Hol camp in Syria, you said that it should be condemned and investigated. Who did you call to investigate? Thank you.
Vice Speaker: Well, at the first level, the authorities in charge of the Al-Khol camp should do this, and we will see what they do. With regard to the meeting of the Secretary General, I just want you to take a look at the record of the meeting, which we have published in full. Of course, on the subject of human rights, you will see the Secretary General mention this repeatedly in his meetings with various officials of the People’s Republic of China.
Q: Okay, I just clarified. No human rights violations were mentioned in the reading. I’m just wondering if he thinks it’s not necessary to discuss this issue with the President of China?
Vice Speaker: We are discussing human rights at various levels, including at the level of the Secretary General. I have nothing to add to this reading. Edie?
Reporter: I want to emphasize this a little, because I’m asking this too. This was a glaring omission from a lengthy reading… of the Secretary General’s meeting with the Chinese Chairman.
Deputy Spokesperson: You can be sure that human rights was one of the issues raised by the Secretary General, and he did, including to the Chinese leaders. At the same time, reading newspapers is not only a means of informing journalists, but also an important diplomatic tool, I have nothing to say about reading newspapers.
Q: The second question. Did the Secretary General have contact with US President Joe Biden during the G20?
Deputy Press Secretary: I don’t have any information to tell you. Apparently, they were at the same meeting. I believe that there is an opportunity to communicate, but I do not have any information to share with you. Yes. Yes, Natalya?
Q: Thank you. Hello. My question is about the — about the missile or air defense attack that took place yesterday in Poland. It’s unclear, but some of them… some say it’s coming from Russia, some say it’s a Ukrainian air defense system trying to neutralize Russian missiles. My question is: has the Secretary General made any statement about this?
Deputy Spokesperson: We released a statement on this yesterday. I think I mentioned this at the beginning of this briefing. I just want you to refer to what we said there. We do not know what is the reason for this, but it is important for us that no matter what happens, the conflict does not escalate.
Question: Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. It is reported that after the liberation of Kherson, another Russian torture chamber was discovered. The aggressors tortured Ukrainian patriots. How should the Secretary-General of the United Nations react to this?
Deputy Spokesperson: Well, we want to see all the information about possible human rights violations. As you know, our own Ukrainian Human Rights Monitoring Mission and its head Matilda Bogner provide information on various human rights violations. We will continue to monitor and gather information about this, but we need to be held accountable for all human rights violations that have occurred during this conflict. Celia?
QUESTION: Farhan, as you know, Côte d’Ivoire has decided to gradually withdraw its troops from MINUSMA [UN MINUSMA]. Do you know what happens to the imprisoned Ivorian soldiers? In my opinion, now there are 46 or 47 of them. what will happen to them
Deputy Spokesperson: We continue to call for and work for the release of these Ivorians. At the same time, of course, we are also engaging with Côte d’Ivoire regarding its participation in MINUSMA, and we are grateful to Côte d’Ivoire for its service and continued support for UN peacekeeping operations. But yes, we will continue to work on other issues, including with the Malian authorities.
Q: I have one more question about this. The Ivorian soldiers were able to carry out nine rotations without following certain procedures, which meant conflict with the United Nations and the mission. you know?
Deputy Spokesperson: We are aware of the support from the people of Côte d’Ivoire. I have nothing to say about this situation as we are focused on securing the release of the detainees. Abdelhamid, then you can continue.
Reporter: Thank you, Farhan. First a comment, then a question. Comment, yesterday I was waiting for you to give me the opportunity to ask a question online, but you did not. So…
Reporter: This happened several times. Now I just want to say that if you — after the first round of questions, if you go online instead of keeping us waiting, someone will forget about us.
Deputy Press Secretary: Good. I recommend to everyone who participates online, do not forget to write in the chat “to all participants in the discussion”. One of my colleagues will see it and hopefully pass it on to me on the phone.
B: Good. And now my question is, in follow-up to Ibtisam’s question yesterday about the reopening of the investigation into the murder of Shirin Abu Akle, do you welcome the steps taken by the FBI, does this mean that the UN does not believe that the Israelis have any credibility in the investigation?
Deputy Spokesperson: No, we just reiterated that this needs to be thoroughly investigated, so we appreciate all further efforts to move the investigation forward. Yes?
Question: So, despite the fact that the Iranian authorities are calling for dialogue and reconciliation with the protesters, the protests have been going on since September 16, but there is a tendency to stigmatize the protesters as agents of foreign governments. On the payroll of Iranian adversaries. Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that three other protesters were sentenced to death as part of an ongoing trial. Do you think it is possible for the UN, and especially the Secretary General, to urge the Iranian authorities not to apply further coercive measures, already … or initiate them, a process of reconciliation, not to use excessive force, and not to impose so many death sentences?
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, we have repeatedly expressed concern about the excessive use of force by the Iranian security forces. We have repeatedly spoken about the need to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and peaceful protest. Of course, we oppose the imposition of the death penalty under all circumstances and hope that all countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, will heed the General Assembly’s call for a moratorium on executions. So we’re going to keep doing that. Yes Deji?
Question: Hi Farhan. First, it is a continuation of the meeting between the Secretary General and President Xi Jinping. Did you… also talk about the situation in Taiwan?
Deputy Spokesperson: Again, I have nothing to say about the situation other than the announcement we made, as I have told your colleagues. This is a pretty broad read, and I thought I’d stop there. On the Taiwan issue, you know the position of the UN, and… in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted in 1971.
B: Good. Two… I want to ask for two updates on humanitarian issues. First, regarding the Black Sea Food Initiative, are there any renewal updates or not?
Deputy Spokesperson: We have been working hard to ensure that this exceptional move is extended and we will need to see how it develops in the coming days.
Question: Secondly, the truce with Ethiopia continues. What is the humanitarian situation there now?
DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, I — actually, at the beginning of this briefing, I spoke quite broadly about this. But the summary of this is that WFP is very pleased to note that for the first time since June 2021, a WFP convoy has arrived in Tigray. In addition, the first test flight of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service arrived northwest of Tigray today. So these are good, positive developments on the humanitarian front. Yes, Maggie, and then we’ll move on to Stefano, and then back to the second round of questions. So, first Maggie.
Question: Thank you Farhan. At the initiative of Grains, just a technical question, will there be a statement, an official statement, that if we don’t hear in wider media coverage that some country or party is against it, will it be updated? I mean, or just… if we don’t hear anything on November 19th, will it happen automatically? Like, strength … break the silence?
Deputy Press Secretary: I think we’ll tell you something anyway. You will know it when you see it.
B: Good. And one more question of mine: in [Sergei] Lavrov’s reading, only the Grain Initiative is mentioned. Tell me, how long did the meeting between the Secretary General and Mr. Lavrov last? For example, they talked about Zaporizhzhya, should it be demilitarized, or is there an exchange of prisoners, humanitarian, etc.? I mean there are many other things to talk about. So, he just mentioned cereals.