The Security Council held closed-door talks on Syria today, with UN-League of Arab States Joint Envoy Kofi Annan briefing via video link from Geneva. The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous was on hand to discuss the work of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The UN-League of Arab States Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, concluded a visit to Iran today, and he gave a joint press conference with the Iranian Foreign Minister. He told reporters that he was seeking the support and cooperation of Iran in his efforts to resolve this conflict peacefully, and added that he had received encouragement and cooperation from the Foreign Minister.
South Sudan today marked its one year anniversary with a celebration attended by President Salva Kiir and other senior officials from African Governments. On behalf of the Secretary-General, UN Special Representative for South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson said a lot has been achieved since independence, but more needs to be done.
The Secretary-General is leaving New York about now to fly to Japan, where he will attend the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan on Sunday. He will have a range of bilateral meetings on the margins of that Conference and, of course, with Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Noda and Foreign Minister Gemba.
The Security Council today passed a resolution calling for sanctions against groups in Mali that are linked to Al-Qaida. Resolution 2056 (2012) notes the increased terrorist threat, and calls on Member States to “undertake measures to prevent the proliferation of all arms” in the Sahel region.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, has welcomed an agreement to end the recruitment and use of children in the national armed forces of Somalia. Mr. Mahiga, who signed on behalf of the United Nations, said it is critical for the professionalization of the security forces and will contribute positively to efforts to stabilize Somalia.
The swearing-in has taken place of the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jan Eliasson. Mr. Eliasson said he was deeply honoured and proud to be serving as Deputy Secretary-General and that he was committed to finding “good solutions” to the many issues that face the United Nations. The Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, was also sworn in.
The Secretary-General is leaving today to attend tomorrow’s Action Group for Syria meeting in Geneva, and we anticipate there will be a press conference by the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan, possibly at around 1 p.m. Geneva time, that is 7 a.m. New York time.
The UN refugee agency and more than 40 other humanitarian aid organizations appealed today for nearly $200 million to help meet the needs of the growing numbers of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. In the past three months, humanitarian agencies in neighbouring countries have been registering an average of more than 500 Syrian refugees a day.
The Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, announced today that the Action Group for Syria will convene at the ministerial level this Saturday, 30 June, in Geneva. Also, today, Deputy Joint Special Envoy Jean-Marie Guéhenno told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that, at the moment, all sides appear not to believe in the possibility of a political solution.