Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Secretary-General/Geneva
Good afternoon. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, particularly for Edie, who is dressed for the occasion. The Secretary-General is in Geneva today. The informal meeting on Cyprus that he is convening with the two Cypriot leaders and the Guarantor Powers of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom is scheduled to begin shortly. The meeting is taking place today and tomorrow and is being held in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices efforts on the Cyprus issue, as agreed with the two leaders on 15 October 2024. The informal meeting will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General visited the construction site of the Portail des Nations, a new visitors centre currently under construction at the UN campus in Geneva. Built through a private donation from the Fondation Portail des Nations, the new facility will provide visitors with an interactive experience to learn about our work, and, as you can imagine, it will enable our colleagues in Geneva to better welcome visitors.
**Bangladesh
The Secretary-General wrapped up his visit to Bangladesh on Saturday by talking to the press and saying that, as Bangladesh undergoes a significant transition under the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, he recognizes the people’s hopes for a future of greater democracy, justice and prosperity. He said that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing.
The Secretary-General warned that with the announced cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 per cent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024. This would have terrible consequences, starting with the drastic reduction of food rations. That would be an unmitigated disaster, he said. People would suffer and people would die. More funding is absolutely essential to guarantee the minimum support to the Rohingya population in Bangladesh. His remarks are online.
**Yemen
We expressed concern yesterday at the launching of multiple strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen by the United States in recent days. According to the Houthis, the air strikes resulted in 53 deaths and 101 injuries, reported from Sana’a City, Sa’ada and Al Baydah Governorates, including reports of civilian casualties, and led to disruptions in the power supply in nearby localities.
We are also concerned about the continued threats by the Houthis to resume their attacks targeting merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, as well as about their reported attacks against military vessels in the area. We call for utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities. Any additional escalation could exacerbate regional tensions, fuel cycles of retaliation that may further destabilize Yemen and the region and pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
We emphasize that international law, including international humanitarian law as applicable, must be respected by all parties at all times. We underscore that UN Security Council resolution 2768 (2025) related to Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels, must be fully respected.
Over the last couple of days, the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, has been in close contact with Yemeni, regional and international stakeholders. He has called for utmost restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law, and he has pushed for a refocus on diplomacy to avoid uncontrollable destabilization in Yemen and in the region. Further contacts are held by his office on numerous levels. The Envoy further called for support from the international community so that the UN-led mediation efforts can deliver results despite the complexity of the regional dimension of this situation, including the situation in the RedSea.
**Occupied Palestinian Territory
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that critical aid stocks are dwindling in Gaza, after more than two weeks with no supplies coming into the Strip. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that the closure of the crossings has led to a surge in prices. This month, the cost of cooking gas soared by up to 200 per cent compared to February and is now only available on the black market. Our partners also report a lack of cash. Shop owners are unable to restock or pay their suppliers. This is particularly acute in North Gaza and Khan Younis.
Despite the suspension of cargo entering Gaza, the UN and our partners continue to provide life-saving services for as many vulnerable people as possible. Over the past two weeks, our partners have screened more than 3,000 children for malnutrition across Gaza. Only a small number of cases of acute malnutrition have been identified, but partners warn that the situation could worsen if the halt on aid into Gaza continues.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says large quantities of critical supplies are stalled just a few dozen kilometres outside the Strip, including 20 ventilators for neonatal intensive care units and more than 180,000 doses of essential childhood routine vaccines, enough to fully vaccinate and protect 60,000 children under the age of two. In a statement yesterday, UNICEF stressed that these life-saving health supplies must be allowed to enter and warned that any further delay risks reversing the gains made for children during the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), says that more than 270,000 children have enrolled in the Agency’s education programme in Gaza — learning math, science, Arabic and English. Thanks to hundreds of school counsellors and assistant counsellors, children are also receiving psychological first aid and benefiting from recreational activities.
Turning to the situation in the West Bank, OCHA reports that the operation by Israeli forces in northern areas continues to drive displacement. Over the past few days, Israeli forces raided Tulkarm. Hundreds of families, including women, children and older people, were displaced from Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. Partners report that most residents of the Nur Shams refugee camp have left. Meanwhile, our humanitarian partners in the northern West Bank are providing psychological assistance to children to address the impact of the operation and are training adults on how to support them.
**Syria/Brussels Conference
In a message to the ninth annual Brussels Conference on Syria, the Secretary-General said that after 14 years of war, Syria’s economy has lost out on an estimated $800 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). He added that millions of Syrians — inside and outside the country — continue to need massive levels of support for food, shelter, basic services and livelihoods. The Secretary-General called on the international community to move with urgency to invest in Syria’s future, by expanding humanitarian support and reconsidering any cuts to funding at this critical time, and by investing in Syria’s recovery, including addressing sanctions and other restrictions. The full message is online.
**Lebanon/Security Council
This morning, the Security Council held closed consultations on the 1701 report. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed the Council members.
**Ukraine
Turning to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that, today and over the weekend, attacks have caused dozens of civilian casualties, including among children. Homes, schools and energy facilities have also sustained damage, impacting electricity supplies. This is according to authorities. The strikes primarily affected Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions in the east and Odesa and Kherson regions in the south. Aid workers responded swiftly and provided shelter materials, emergency repair kits and hygiene supplies, as well as psychosocial support.
According to our partners and authorities, continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector over the past three years — including missile strikes, cyberattacks and the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant — have severely impacted the generation, transmission and distribution of power in Ukraine. In 2024 alone, there were 13 large-scale strikes which significantly impacted Ukraine’s power generation capacity.
**Sudan
Turning to Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the ongoing siege on Zamzam camp, outside the city of El Fasher, is deepening the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians who are struggling to survive after months of famine. The crisis at the camp has worsened during Ramadan, with food shortages growing even more severe. Prices of basic goods have skyrocketed, making essential items unaffordable for most families. Our partners on the ground report signs of growing hunger.
Armed attacks continue along the route between Zamzam and El Fasher, with multiple casualties and injuries reported. A partner at Zamzam warns that the presence of improvised explosive devices inside the camp are also an increasing concern. Despite severe access challenges, humanitarian teams are providing food, water and urgent medical care, but needs are far outpacing available resources. The situation has become even more critical due to funding cuts and the withdrawal of most aid organizations assisting in the area due to insecurity. And as you will recall, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners were forced to suspend operations in Zamzam last month.
OCHA is also concerned that conditions are also deteriorating in parts of Khartoum State. Local volunteer aid workers report severe malnutrition and critical shortages of medicines in the district of Sharque Al Nil. They say malnutrition is widespread among children and pregnant women, particularly in the neighbourhood of East Al Haj Yousif, where conditions are especially dire. Lack of food is a major problem due to the closure of most community kitchens.
There are also very serious concerns over reports of grave human rights violations in Khartoum as fighting rages and lines of control shift rapidly. Two weeks ago, front-line aid workers recorded more than 800 cases of severe child malnutrition, with numbers continuing to rise.
Meanwhile, cases of anaemia, hepatitis, night blindness and malaria are increasing due to the critical shortage of medicines in the few remaining functional health facilities. OCHA stresses that the scale of suffering in Sudan is staggering, and without swift intervention, the consequences will be devastating for millions. We call once again for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver life-saving aid.
**Central African Republic
Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Elizabeth Spehar, is leading a delegation to the Central African Republic this week, from 16 to 21 March, hosted by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The delegation will include representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Norway, the Peacebuilding Fund Advisory Group and the Peacebuilding Commission. The visit will focus on UN-supported peacebuilding efforts in the Central African Republic.
Ms. Spehar and the delegation will meet with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the Prime Minister and other senior Central African Republic officials. The delegation will also meet with Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, as well as civil society partners. Discussions will focus on inclusive peacebuilding strategies, strengthening national ownership of peace efforts and advancing the role of youth and women in sustaining peace. The delegation’s programme includes field visits to Peacebuilding Fund-supported projects in Bangui and the Bambara region.
**Resident Coordinator — Equatorial Guinea
And we have an update from the Development Coordination Office. The Secretary-General has appointed Antonio Aranibar of Bolivia as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Equatorial Guinea, with the host Government’s approval, starting on 16 March. Mr. Aranibar brings more than 20 years’ experience in sustainable development, governance and peace building to the role, with prior experience as the UN Special Adviser to the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, Head of Office of the UN Verification Mission in Medellin, Colombia, as an economist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bolivia, and as the Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for an initiative focused on conflict prevention, dialogue promotion and institutional reform. That’s it for me. Do we have any questions? Yes. Gabriel and then Edie.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you, Farhan. On the Lebanon consultations and 1701, Israel is still in violation of the agreement, occupying — obviously — territory in Lebanon. What is the Secretary-General’s continued position on that?
Deputy Spokesman: We emphasize the importance that all parties abide fully by the cessation of hostilities agreement, and they take out all the steps that will ensure that the agreement will be in full effect, and that there will be no resumption of any hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Our priority is to make sure that people on both sides of the Blue Line can return to their homes in safety and security.
Question: In the report, it says that Israeli forces still occupy what they are calling five “buffer zones” within Lebanese territory. What’s the Secretary-General’s specific response to Israel using this terminology as “buffer zones” to seem as to add legitimacy to this?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, on that, again, I would just reiterate the parties did come to an agreement, which we fully support, that led to the cessation of hostilities. That was a very significant achievement, and we want to make sure that both parties abide by all of its terms. Edie?
Question: A quick follow-up on that. Could we get a little better readout on, what Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert and Mr. Lacroix told the Council? I realized that the consultations are closed. But, I mean, a sentence or two or three.
Deputy Spokesman: Yeah. I mean, yes, you’re right that it is a closed consultation, so there’s not a lot of detail we can go into. Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert presented the report, the latest report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). That report should be available, hopefully online as a document. If not, you can come and we can share with you that, but the gist of that report is what they talked about.
Question: And on the M23 [23 March Movement] and Congo, there’s been quite a bit of action today in Europe on the M23’s actions, backed by Rwanda. And I wonder if we can get any kind of an update on where the M23 forces are. I know they took Uvira in South Kivu, but how far south have they gotten? Where are they now?
Deputy Spokesman: Okay. Yeah. I’ll try to get an update from our colleagues in MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo about what the current presence of M23 are. We have, of course, provided periodic updates of the areas that they’ve seized, but we’ll try to give an overview. Yes. Dezhi?
Question: Yes. There’s small skirmishes between Lebanon and Syria in their border area. Does the Secretary-General have anything to say on the latest development?
Deputy Spokesman: Basically, I mean, you’re aware of what we’ve said. We want to make sure that there’s no fighting by any outside forces in Syria. It’s important that the Syrian people are able to rebuild their society, and we want to make sure that all conflict from any outside forces is stopped.
Question: Syrian Caretaker Government accused Hizbullah started this skirmish. Does UN have anybody in Damascus or in Lebanon had any more information on this?
Deputy Spokesman: We have people; as you know, Najat Rochdi, the Deputy Special Envoy dealing with Syria, is in Damascus, but we are not dealing first-hand with the presence of foreign fighters. That’s an issue for the national authorities. Sinan?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I have a question on Syria. The Kurds, Druze, Christians and more minorities have rejected the constitutional declaration issued by Transitional Government over the weekend. And the question is, I wonder what Secretary-General thinks about those rejections? What’s his reactions to these rejections? And, also, does he have any critics about this new transitional constitution? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: This is a process that’s going forward, and we want to make sure that as the Constitution is developed, it is developed in an inclusive manner, taking into account the concerns of all of the communities of Syria. Ultimately, we want to see a Syrian society established that is one in which all the communities of Syria feel properly included.
Question: Quick follow-up. Basically, the minorities are saying that they don’t have enough protection in this new Constitution. Does Secretary-General have any message to those minorities, when it comes to the protection of minorities?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, the protection of minorities is an important facet of any functional society. And we have tried to underscore in our own talks with the transition authorities in Syria the need for inclusiveness. Abdelhamid?
Question: Farhan, I have two questions. First, since the ceasefire started on 17 January, an average with three Palestinians a day killed in Gaza and when you speak about ceasefire, you keep calling on both parties. Did you trace any violation from the Palestinian side to the ceasefire, except it’s from Israel? So, why you don’t say it clearly and bluntly who is violating the ceasefire law?
Deputy Spokesman: I’ve made clear some of the restrictions and some of the actions taken by the different sides in my regular reporting. And we do this regularly. Of course, we call on all sides to abide by agreements. We do that as a general practice with all of the agreements in all of the areas that we deal with. What’s your next question?
Question: My second question: In his speech today to the Security Council, Pakistani Ambassador Munir Akram said that we have evidence that our main adversary, which in reference to India, of course, that they have been involved in the terrorist attack against his country. Does the UN share that assessment?
Deputy Spokesman: What we believe is that it’s important for all of the countries, including India and Pakistan, to work together to deal with any of the concerns that they face regarding international terrorism. Yes, please?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Regarding the Secretary-General’s visit to Bangladesh and his meeting with Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus, did the Secretary-General raise the issue of human rights abuses committed against minorities in Bangladesh, including the Hindu community? There is a report also of the UN Human Rights Council that said that the perpetrators of such attacks have had impunity. So, was that issue discussed and raised?
Deputy Spokesman: In his talks overall with officials, he made sure to address any concerns we have regarding human rights. Yes?
Question: Let me ask something you have more knowledge on. Last week, the Secretary-General announced UN80 initiative. Do you have any measures, categorized as Quick Wins, now already started implement under way?
Deputy Spokesman: We announced this just a few days ago. And although we have this phrase called Quick Wins, “quick” is not the same thing as immediate, so you’ll hear more about this in coming days.
Question: Right. But, do you have a schedule now when will the 42nd Street entrance be closed?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe that is to happen once the Commission on the Status of Women meetings end. So, I believe it could be next week.
Question: Okay. One last thing. Last week, we also received an email. It’s about Earth Hour. It says UNHQ will dim nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on this Saturday. My question is, since it’s non-essential lights, then why you turn it on after Earth Hour?
Deputy Spokesman: You’re absolutely right. I think that that’s a poor use of expression. All non-essential lights will be shut, because they’re not essential.
Question: Yeah. But, then why it’s on for the rest of other time? I mean, yeah, exactly. I can see UN building, like, in middle of the night in my home with all those lights on?
Deputy Spokesman: All I know is that the lights in our offices, once the offices are in unused for any period of time, turn themselves off. And that’s how it should be throughout the building. Mike Wagenheim?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Following up on the Secretary-General’s efforts to streamline operations and use the money better, has there been any thought given, based on the amount of money that goes to… $4 million to the Commission of Inquiry. There’s $300,000 approved in December 2024 to prepare documentation for the ICJ [International Court of Justice] non-advisory opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Has there been any thought given to putting a cap on the amount of money that goes to things that result in apparently nothing, like the Commission of Inquiry and Francesca Albanese’s work? Has there been any thought given to limiting, to putting a cap on the money that goes towards those initiatives and putting more towards, I don’t know, humanitarian efforts and things of that nature that actually turn out results?
Deputy Spokesman: Without getting into your specific examples, the Secretary-General, in the remarks that he made to you last week, made clear that there were certain things in terms of dealing with the huge number of mandates we had to try to see what could be done to shrink them. Obviously, that won’t necessarily involve the projects you’re talking about. It will involve trying to find out what mandates can be better consolidated, so that we can do as many of the key functions that are asked of us without having as much duplication of effort and as much effort that goes into tasks that are not necessarily needed any longer. Yes?
Question: Is there… just one follow-up on that. I mean, is there a particular — I know you said the mandates themselves — is there a particular reason that millions of dollars should continue flowing into other initiatives that produce no tangible results or good for the world?
Deputy Spokesman: You may find them not tangible results, but the fact is that there’s many things for which the results, although slow in coming, can, in fact, be valuable down the line. There’s many different bodies that the UN has had that have proved valuable information, again down the line, in terms of things like accountability. Yes?
Question: Farhan, just to follow up on my question and what you responded, can you share more details as to what the Secretary-General and the Chief Adviser discussed and what was shared from the Bangladesh side also on actions taken?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, no. We gave out readouts of the Secretary-General’s meetings. I don’t really have anything further. So, beyond that and the press remarks that he made on Saturday, I would refer you to those. Yes, please?
Question: To follow-up on Dezhi and Mike’s questions around cost-cutting, we’ve heard some rumours about UNHQ staff being asked or consulted about taking pay cuts of as much as 20 per cent. Wondered if you could comment on that, please?
Deputy Spokesman: As far as I’m aware, this is not something that has been taken up by management, but, as you know, because we did provide a background briefing: Any steps to be taken would also include consultations with the Staff Union. And with that, I wish you all good afternoon.