Noon Briefings

In Brussels today, the Secretary-General addressed the European Parliament where, among other things, he spoke of the challenges posed by migration and expressed hope that the European Commission’s proposal for the relocation of 40,000 asylum-seekers would be accepted by the European Union member States.

The Secretary-General wrapped up his visit to Ireland, where he received the Tipperary International Peace Prize before traveling today to Brussels, where he plans to meet with European Union development ministers this evening.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, reports that an investigation team has been deployed in the town of Tin-Hamma to establish the facts following reports of serious human rights violations, including alleged executions of civilians following clashes between armed groups.

The Secretary-General is establishing a High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing to address the growing gap between the increasing numbers of people in need of assistance and sufficient resources to provide relief.

The Secretary-General, at a digital forum in Seoul this morning, announced the cancellation of his planned visit to the Kaesong Industrial Complex by the authorities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  He said no explanation was given for this last-minute change, which he called “very regrettable.” 

The Secretary-General announced today that he would visit the Kaesong Industrial complex in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Thursday.  It would be the first such visit by a United Nations Chief in more than 20 years.  The Secretary-General pledged to do all he could to promote stability on the peninsula.

The Secretary-General arrived today in Seoul, in the Republic of Korea, where he told reporters that during his visit he will hold talks with President Park Geun-hye and other senior officials on development, climate change and regional concerns.

This morning the Secretary-General discussed the situation in Burundi with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, emphasizing the need for leaders in the region to join efforts to help resolve the crisis.  They agreed on the need for inclusive dialogue.

The Secretary-General spoke by phone today to Khaled Mahfoudh Abdullah Bahah, Vice-President and Prime Minister of Yemen, and stressed the need to fully operationalize the humanitarian pause that began yesterday in that country.  He said the whole United Nations humanitarian system has been mobilized to support the Yemeni people.

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack today on a bus in Karachi, Pakistan, reportedly killing at least 45 members of the Ismaili community and injuring several others.  He calls on the Pakistani Government to take all necessary steps to bring to justice the perpetrators of this despicable act.