The Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on that country to the Security Council today, saying that 2015 should be a year of federalism and delivery, thus determining whether and how Somalia could become a unified, peaceful federal State.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The High Commissioner for Human Rights urged all sides to halt the escalation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. He said that bus stops, marketplaces, schools, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which is in clear breach of international humanitarian law
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric murder of Kenji Goto. He calls for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Da'esh and others, and extends his condolences to Mr. Goto's family, and to the people and Government of Japan.
The Secretary-General condemned the terrorist attacks in north Sinai, which killed dozens of people, including civilians, and injured scores of others. Conveying his condolences to the families of the victims, he expressed his solidarity with the people of Egypt.
The Secretary-General will launch an inquiry, in cooperation with the Mali Government and all parties on the ground, to determine the facts of the events that left three protesters dead and several more injured during a demonstration in front of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) base in Gao.
At a ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the Secretary-General spoke about his 2013 visit to Auschwitz, where he saw for himself the full machinery of murder. He said that even today — after all that has been witnessed and done — the world faces widespread challenges to its common humanity.
The Secretary-General condemned Saturday’s rocket attack on the city of Mariupol, Ukraine. He also further denounced the unilateral withdrawal from the ceasefire by rebel leadership, and particularly their provocative statements about claiming further territory.
The Secretary-General, at a plenary meeting of the World Economic Summit, said this is the first generation that can end poverty and the last that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Future generations, he added, “will judge us harshly if we fail in upholding our moral and historical responsibilities”.
The General Assembly held an informal meeting today to discuss concerns about the rise in anti-Semitism worldwide. Speaking to Member States by video message, the Secretary-General said that a United Nations that wants to be true to its founding aims and ideals has a duty to speak out against anti-Semitism.
Presenting Ebola response requirements in Davos today, senior United Nations officials said the needs for the first six months of 2015 amount to $1.5 billion. With almost $500 million already available, the appeal is now to fund the gap of $1 billion. Resources spent in 2014 contributed to a decline in new cases.