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 Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
All right, good afternoon.
**Briefing Today
There is still a bit more work for you to do after this briefing, as you will have a briefing at 1 p.m. from Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay, the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who will be here in his capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of July.
He will talk to you about the programme of work. There will be interpretation from French to English. But the briefing will be in-person only. Obviously, you can still follow it on UN WebTV if you just want to watch and listen.
**AI Panel and Trip Announcement
And you heard the Secretary-General a few minutes ago when he introduced the preliminary report of the Independent Scientific Panel on AI.
He reminded us that the Panel, which is made up of 40 experts from around the world, is the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of artificial intelligence across economies and societies.
The report will inform the discussions taking place next week at the first Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, which is taking place in Geneva, as I mentioned.
And as he announced himself, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva on Monday to take part in the Dialogue and deliver a keynote address. He is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with leaders who will be attending the AI Summit.
**Finances
The Secretary-General, in a statement we issued last night, welcomed the decision by the General Assembly to reform financial rules that were putting the Organization’s stability at risk. By its action, the Assembly has agreed to introduce, for a four-year trial period, a new methodology to ensure that unspent funds are returned to Member States only when they are backed by cash.
The Secretary-General said this decision will allow us to manage resources, especially for regular and peacekeeping budgets, in a more predictable and responsible way, and to better deliver on the mandates given to us by those very Member States.
The Secretary-General added that he had been calling for this change since very early in his mandate.
As he just said to you an hour ago, he is grateful to Member States for taking this important action, which will greatly benefit the incoming Administration and contribute to the financial stability of the Organization for a number of years.
We also shared the statement by the President of the General Assembly yesterday, that also welcomed the action. And I think you had a pretty interesting briefing from our Controller, Mr. Chandramouli [Ramanathan], a while ago.
Our peacekeeping colleagues add that without the change approved by the General Assembly, the UN would have been forced to return $224 million now and another nearly $900 million by [July] of next year. The change, together with payment in full and on time by all Member States, will allow our peacekeeping missions to continue implementing their mandates and reverse some of the negative impact of the contingency plans implemented during the recently concluded budget cycle.
The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, thanked Member States for their efforts and the time they devoted to reaching these agreements. He said that we will continue working to improve performance and efficiency so that we can deliver the greatest possible impact for the people and communities we serve, including by helping to protect civilians, monitor and maintain ceasefires and advance solutions for lasting peace.
**Deputy Secretary-General
Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, was in Geneva today, where, on the margins of the fifty-eighth meeting of the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme against HIV/AIDS) Programme Coordinating Board (PCB), she participated in discussions with various stakeholders, including Member States and civil society.
While there, she also met with senior UN officials from across the system, as part of the broader UN80 consultation process. The Deputy Secretary-General is heading back to New York tonight.
**Lebanon
Turning to Lebanon, our colleagues from the humanitarian affairs department tell us that, according to authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 40 per cent of the over 1 million people displaced by conflict have returned to their home areas. While this marks an important step toward recovery, thousands of people remain displaced and continue to rely on humanitarian assistance. We reiterate that returns must be safe, they must be voluntary, they must be dignified, and people who return must the access they need to humanitarian goods.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners yesterday delivered much-needed food assistance to hard-to-reach communities across southern Lebanon.
We continue to stress that humanitarian access must be granted to all those who need it.
**Sudan
A quick update for you on Sudan, where our human rights colleagues continue to document drone strikes in El Obeid resulting in further civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools, a site hosting internally displaced people, and fuel stations and fuel tankers. Damage to fuel and other critical infrastructure is affecting the provision of essential services, including electricity and water supplies, and is further constraining access to healthcare.
The Human Rights Office again calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Civilians and civilian objects must not be targeted. These are not new laws. They have been in place for a long time.
And just to flag that the Human Rights Council will hold an urgent meeting on Friday to address the human rights situation in El Obeid, and High Commissioner Volker Türk is scheduled to deliver a statement.
**Occupied Palestinian Territory
Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, our OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) colleagues tell us that humanitarian partners today called for the protection of civilians in Gaza, including along the so-called “Yellow Line”.
In a statement issued today, the Humanitarian Country Team, which brings together the heads of UN agencies and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) working in the OPT, warned that the continued expansion of areas under Israeli control since the ceasefire of October last year is intensifying risks to civilians and further constraining humanitarian efforts.
Our human rights colleagues have verified the killing of 196 people — including 18 women and 43 children — between 10 October and April of this year in Israeli attacks reported near areas where Israeli forces are deployed.
The statement noted that many people were reportedly killed while moving through areas lacking clear demarcation on the ground and that Palestinians civilians are now concentrated in increasingly limited areas, living amid insecurity and violence, with limited access to services.
The statement also called for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, on water and sanitation, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) said yesterday that this week, partners temporarily restored wastewater infrastructure serving Gaza city, enabling pumping to resume after being non-operational for the past two years. So that is good news.
This reduces public health risks, as humanitarians and partners tell us that more than 80 per cent of families struggle to access safe and clean sanitation facilities.
In the West Bank, yesterday, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, led a field visit with more than 20 diplomats who met communities affected by demolitions, evictions, the threat of forcible transfer, movement restrictions and other long-standing humanitarian concerns. All of that in the Jerusalem governorate.
Speaking from Augusta Victoria hospital, Dr. Alakbarov underscored the importance of sustained international attention to East Jerusalem, highlighting the vital role the hospital plays in providing specialized healthcare for Palestinians.
He also noted that, so far in 2026, about 360 people have been displaced and over 150 structures demolished in East Jerusalem.
**Venezuela
Turning to Venezuela, our humanitarian colleagues are scaling up assistance as search-and-rescue operations [continue]. Our colleagues at OCHA tell us that in La Guaira, the support includes the management of temporary shelter sites, the installation of tents and beds, primary healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support, child-friendly spaces and water and sanitation services, as well.
The World Food Programme has provided ready-to-eat food rations and is supporting community kitchens, while UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration, the UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)and others are assisting with shelter services, healthcare, hygiene support and other basic necessities.
OCHA is also coordinating a Rapid Needs Assessment with humanitarian partners to identify priority needs to help inform the next phase of the response to these earthquakes.
Our humanitarian colleagues note that international support remains significant, with 53 Urban Search and Rescue teams from 29 countries already supporting national authorities. As rescue efforts continue, humanitarian organizations are preparing for the transition to broader relief and recovery activities.
**Ukraine
From Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that between 26 June and this morning, hostilities and strikes killed and injured several civilians, including children.
Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions were among the hardest hit, and civilians across the Sumy, Kherson, Donetsk and Chernihiv regions also continue to be impacted by attacks. That is what local authorities are telling our colleagues.
Humanitarian organizations, supported by UN agencies, and alongside first responders and municipal authorities, have provided first aid and psychological support. They have also distributed [emergency shelter] materials, water and food.
**Resident Coordinators
I have two new Resident Coordinators to share with you. One is Dmitry Shlapachenko of Ukraine, whom the Secretary-General has appointed as Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. And Xiaojun Grace Wang of China as Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. Both start today. We welcome them and congratulate them.
**Central African Republic
And just to flag a note from the Central African Republic, where the Head of our peacekeeping mission there (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, strongly condemned an attack carried out yesterday by members of armed groups in Am Dafock, on the border with Sudan, as well as gunfire targeting a peacekeeping temporary operating base there.
Three Zambian peacekeepers were injured, including one seriously, as they were conducting a patrol to protect civilians. The injured peacekeepers were airlifted to appropriate medical facilities. They are in stable condition, and we wish them a quick recovery.
As you are aware, attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
**Financial Contribution
Chris, you better stand up. We have two quizzes for you today.
Besides being the last day of the month, what is 31 August? It is the deadline to get your colleagues to register for media passes for UNGA (United Nations General Assembly). If you are currently holding a valid press pass, you do not need to apply. But all of your colleagues, camera people, producers, anchors with big egos who want to show up the day before and don’t have a pass, accredit them before the 31 August.
The other one, is that we have a payment.
This country is an archipelago consisting of 33 natural islands and an additional 50 artificial islands created from land reclamation projects. It is in the Middle East. […] It is the smallest country by area in the Middle East. Its name means “two seas”, I am told, in Arabic. [response: “Bahrain.”] Very good, finally. We say thank our friends in Manama for their payment.
[Bahrain’s payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 119.] And they sent us $1,599,795, which we accept.
Questions and Answers
All right. Gabriel?
Question: Thanks, Steph. In the SG’s remarks about the AI report that came out, he said that soon he will set out proposals to help countries build the capacity to adequately deal with this technology. When he said soon, what is the timeline on that? What is the thinking on when he is going to give some proposals?
Spokesman: You will hear a bit more of that in his remarks in Geneva on Monday.
Correspondent: Okay. And that is it for now. Thanks.
Spokesman: That is it for now. Okay. Naureen?
Question: Following up on Gabriel’s question about the Secretary-General’s remarks about the AI Panel and the report that has come out and what he has said about setting out proposals to help countries build capacity to deal with AI technology, will he also use that time to also advocate for putting in proper regulations or governance over the use of AI in the military domain? Because that is not something that is covered in the Panel itself.
Spokesman: This is something he has spoken about already a while ago, about unmanned autonomous weapons that are powered by AI without any human control. And he has called for the banning of such weapons and will continue to do so.
Question: But is that enough? Because we can see just in the context of current conflicts today that parties to conflicts, whether they are State actors or non-State actors, are using AI, not just in weapons use, but in other domains, in other sectors as well, through cyberattacks or even in the creation of propaganda. So, is that something that the Secretary-General will bring forward in his discussions to Member States?
Spokesman: I mean, this is something he has raised. As you know, the Secretary-General doesn’t have the authority to implement such regulation, but he will continue to call for the banning of such weapons and for Member States to agree on an international level on the proper regulation. Yes, Ahmed, and then we’ll go there.
Question: Thank you, Steph. We now know that the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement does not immediately call for the withdrawal of Israeli authorities from southern Lebanon, but instead outlines a, quote, “sequenced process contingent on the disarmament of Hizbullah”. This sounds, of course, a lot like the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. We know the Secretary-General has expressed concern about southern Lebanon facing the same fate as Gaza. Does he believe this agreement risks creating those same conditions that he’s warned about?
Spokesman: Look, I think in Lebanon, we already have Security Council frameworks, Security Council resolutions that call for the Government of Lebanon to have the sole monopoly on the use of weapons, to have the sole monopoly on the authority over its own country. This is what UNIFIL has been and will continue to work with the Lebanese Armed Forces in that regard, our Special Coordinator’s office continuing to work with the Lebanese on that regard, more on the political track. We will continue to push that. Every Member State and every group needs to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon and needs to respect the authority of its Government. Yes, ma’am, and then we’ll go.
Question: Thank you. This is Tao Xu with China Central Television. I have two questions about AI. So, UNICEF has called for children’s safety and rights to be placed at the centre of the issue. And how does the Secretary-General view this call?
Spokesman: Yeah, I mean, the Secretary-General fully supports UNICEF in that regard in the report. And I think this is an issue that was also mentioned by both Yoshua [Bengio] and Maria [Ressa] during the briefing.
Question: And my second question is about China will host the 2026 World AI Conference and a high-level meeting on the global AI governance in Shanghai later this month. So, does the Secretary-General see this as an important opportunity to advance international cooperation on the AI governance?
Spokesman: The Secretary-General and his staff will seize any and every opportunity to enhance the global dialogue.
Question: Will he attend?
Spokesman: We don’t have any travel to announce at this point. Efrat, then Pam, then Namo. Hold on, your microphone. There we go.
Question: Is it working? Okay, thank you. US Ambassador Jeff Bartos yesterday at UNRWA’s (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) pledging conference essentially argued that continuing to fund UNRWA means continuing to fund a system that has been infiltrated by Hamas, subsidizing terrorism. My question is, why is the Security-General asking countries to put more money into that system rather than investing in the Board of Peace alternative, which has been endorsed by the Security Council?
Spokesman: Sure. I mean, a couple of points. One, I think if you look back at the actions taken by Christian Saunders, by Philippe Lazzarini in taking strong action when they were presented with facts about a potential infiltration of people aligned with terror within UNRWA. UNRWA doesn’t operate as a sort of immaculate conception. It is there because there is a mandate given to it by the General Assembly. So, we continue to fulfil that mandate. It has a very important role to play on the humanitarian front. And you mentioned the Board of Peace. The resolution adopted by the Security Council supporting the Board of Peace, very clearly in black and white, calls on the UN to deliver on humanitarian goods and to take the lead on humanitarian activities in Gaza. And UNRWA is part of that system.
Question: May I ask another?
Spokesman: You may.
Question: Also, the UN Watch has asked the [Secretary-General] to waive Philippe Lazzarini’s immunity so national authorities can investigate those allegations you were talking about of infiltration of Hamas. Will the Secretary-General consider that request?
Spokesman: Look, as far as I know, UN Watch is not a judicial authority. We have always, as a matter of principle, cooperated with investigations by national authorities. Pam, then Namo.
Question: Yes, I wanted to make sure you noted that I was using my arm.
Spokesman: Oh, congratulations.
Question: Thank you. One on AI and one on the Iran, whatever, agreement. AI, there’s been a lot of talk. I didn’t get to see the report fully yet, but about using AI for all the translations that would save the UN a lot of money. It seems to have started in certain areas. We all know that it has a long way to go in terms of needing a person to look, especially with foreign languages. What’s your sense of how AI is being used here or can be used here on translation?
Spokesman: Well, I’ll tell you, our Department of General Assembly and Conference [Management], DGACM, has been really the forefront of using new technologies such as artificial intelligence for translation of texts, always done under the supervision of humans, of UN staffers who understand the issue and understand the politics of the issue. But I can tell you, they have been very active in leveraging the technology to make the system more efficient and to be able to produce more and to enhance multilingualism.
Question: Thank you. And on a different topic: Iran, the agreements, I understand the UN is not playing a role in the negotiations thus far, but the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has been called in. There are different versions of whether the IAEA is now returning for inspections or not. I understand it comes from [Rafael] Grossi and IAEA, but can you clarify it at all?
Spokesman: No, I cannot. I think those are questions to be asked of our IAEA colleagues.
Question: But the UN isn’t being consulted at all about what role…?
Spokesman: The IAEA is a specialized independent agency. They have a very clear technical mandate when it asks if the UN is being consulted, yes, but it is through the IAEA.
Question: And you don’t have a sense of whether they are actually going in?
Spokesman: I would love to speak for everybody and everyone, but I cannot speak for them.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. In recent days, Iraq has been carrying out what many describe as the largest anti-corruption sweep in years, arresting dozens of government officials, including sitting lawmakers. Does the Secretary-General have any message for Iraqi authorities?
Spokesman: I think we have no specific insight on those investigations, but I tell you that seeing the pictures that I’ve seen of monies found in walls and in very strange places, I think is very moving in a sense. It is clear that globally, and our colleagues at UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) have published many reports that corruption is prevalent in so many parts of the world, north, south, east and west, and it is incumbent on a Government to take strong action against corruption for the benefit of its own people. Yes, Madame Zina.
Question: Thank you so much. I’m looking to answer for the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force) in Lebanon. Do you know, or do you have any information if the mission will be renewed there, their work there?
Spokesman: That is a perfect question to ask the President of the Security Council in 14 minutes, and he can give you an update of what his colleagues are saying. Let’s see if there’s another question I can’t answer. Go ahead, Gabriel.
Question: Thanks, Steph. I preface this question by acknowledging that there are lots of meetings that take place in this building, and the Secretary-General doesn’t necessarily control who attends all of these meetings, right? With that said, next week there’s an international conference for police chiefs and interior secretary officials here at the UN Headquarters in New York. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is reportedly planning to attend. Does the Secretary-General agree with him attending this conference in UN Headquarters in New York?
Spokesman: Look, ministers from, I think, all Member States having to do with police and national security were invited to attend. Israel is a Member State, and as are the other 192 other Member States. I think if you look back over the years, and you’ve seen representatives that are being sent by various Governments, you will know that the Secretary-General is not there to express an opinion on those representatives. These are sovereign decisions taken by sovereign Member States. Yes, Linda, and then we will give you another 12-minute hydration break, and then Evelyn as well, before the next half.
Question: Thank you. I’ll be quick. Just regarding another issue, the Houthis-
Spokesman: Get your microphone a little closer.
Question: The Houthis and the detention of UN staff, diplomats, NGOs, et cetera. I mean, I know everyone’s condemned them, the Secretary-General, Security Council, et cetera, but what kind of- are there any negotiations going on regionally or in other ways? Or is it, like, a forever thing?
Spokesman: It is, sadly, a forever thing, especially for those colleagues who remain in jail for no good reason, being held by the Houthis, by the Ansar Allah. We have a point person on behalf of the UN system who puts in great effort to regularly engage with Ansar Allah, with the Houthis and others. We continue. I mean, the results are what they are. I’ll tell you, we would be the first one to announce a deliverance of all of our colleagues or some of our colleagues, but we are continuing to push, and we very much hope that all Member States who have inroads can help us, as well.
Question: And just one question. Regarding the UN staff, are those primarily Yemenis?
Spokesman: Yes, they’re all national staff. Yes. Evelyn, and then we’ll call it a day.
Question: Thank you, Steph. Totally different. Central African Republic. Does the SG know if the unrest is carried out by the Wagner group?
Spokesman: I mean, what we’ve seen, like just in the attacks against our Zambian colleagues, these were by local armed groups. Okay. Enjoy the rest of the day and more briefings.