Noon Briefings

The Secretary-General, at a meeting this morning on countering nuclear terrorism, said the prospect of terrorists acquiring nuclear materials is one of the most unnerving threats imaginable. We must use all tools, he said, to contain this nuclear genie and not allow these arms to proliferate to non-State actors.

The Secretary-General today congratulates the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan for signing accords on security, the common border and economic relations. He urges their implementation, and calls on both Governments to find solutions to the future of the disputed and claimed areas and the final status of Abyei.

The Secretary-General participated today in a high-level meeting on the Sahel, on the margins of the general debate of the General Assembly. He said that any proposed military solution to the security crisis in northern Mali should be considered extremely carefully, and that this could have significant humanitarian consequences, including further displacement and restrictions on humanitarian access.

The Secretary-General addressed dozens of world leaders at the General Assembly’s high-level meeting this morning on the rule of law. He asked leaders to uphold the highest standards of the rule of law in their decision-making at all times, and urged States to sign on to today’s declaration, on what he said is a truly historic occasion.

The Secretary-General, flanked by UN Goodwill Ambassadors, rang the Peace Bell today in a ceremony held just before the start of the general debate. Noting that the theme of this year’s observance is “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future”, he said armed conflicts attack the pillars of sustainable development.

The UN system High-level Task Force on Food Security met today. Chaired by the Secretary-General, with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the Vice-Chair, it discussed food prices in the context of the current world food security situation, concluding that Governments and the international community have the opportunity to prevent rising food prices from creating additional hardship.

The Security Council adopted a resolution this morning expressing its determination to work closely with the new institutions and offices of the Somali authorities, and encouraging the new President to appoint an inclusive, accountable Government. The Council reiterated its support for the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council this morning that the lack of progress between Israelis and Palestinians on the political track, and the continuing conflict and occupation put at risk the viability of the two-State solution. He said the financial and economic crisis affecting the Palestinian Authority is a sobering manifestation of that risk.

The Secretary-General says he is deeply disturbed by the recent violence in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East. He condemns the hateful film that appears to have been deliberately designed to sow bigotry and bloodshed. He calls for calm and restraint, and stresses the need for dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. He echoed this message at the opening session of the General Assembly High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace.

This morning, the Secretary-General participated in a General Assembly meeting on mediation and conflict resolution where he presented to Member States his most recent report on the subject and the United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation. He said he was pleased to report that the United Nations was making real progress.