The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea on their agreement to hold talks. This is an encouraging development towards reducing tensions and promoting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. The Secretary-General hopes it is the beginning of a process of trust-building between the parties.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Security Council held a meeting this morning to hear an update from Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, on the work of her office in examining the situation in Darfur. The Council also adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts concerning non-proliferation and Iran.
In a report out today, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry says that the Syrian conflict has reached new levels of brutality, and that war crimes and crimes against humanity have become a daily reality. It also says allegations have been received concerning the use of chemical weapons by both parties.
The Secretary-General said the Arms Trade Treaty, which opened for signature today, will make it harder for weapons to be diverted into the illicit market — reaching warlords, pirates, terrorists and criminals — or to be used to commit grave human rights abuses or international humanitarian law violations.
Over the weekend, the Secretary-General will attend the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohma, Japan, where he will give one of the opening keynote speeches, participate in sessions on post-2015 development agenda issues and take part in a high-level event on “Building Climate and Disaster Resilience for African Development”.
The Secretary-General received today the report of his High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, at a ceremony attended by Panel Co-Chair, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, on behalf of his fellow Co-Chairs, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom.
Today is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. In a message to mark the occasion, the Secretary-General noted that 111 peacekeeping personnel died last year, and more than 3,100 have lost their lives during the UN’s 65-year history of peacekeeping.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says there are severe humanitarian needs in Gao, eastern Mali, where the amount of drinking water available has declined by 60 per cent over the past weeks. Some neighbourhoods do not have water at all due to dysfunctional pumps and lack of electricity.
After meeting with Ugandan President Museveni and Government ministers, the Secretary-General and the World Bank President travelled to Addis Ababa to attend events celebrating 50 years of the Organization of African Unity and the African Union. While there, the Secretary-General will also participate in meetings addressing regional concerns.
In Rwanda, prior to meetings with the President and Government cabinet ministers, the Secretary-General and Dr. Jim Yong Kim, World Bank President, laid wreaths at the Gisozi genocide memorial site. The Secretary-General also spoke at the Rwandan police headquarters about combating violence against women and girls.