Iraq

The Government of Zambia, the United Nations and partners launched a response plan after the poorest rainfall in decades is expected to leave 2.4 million severely food insecure.  Meanwhile, humanitarian partners in Somalia and South Sudan are scaling up responses to severe seasonal flooding that affected 1 million.

The International Atomic Energy Agency and its partners kicked off a five-day conference today on climate change and the role of nuclear power.  Topics include challenges and opportunities for existing nuclear power plants and the prospect for synergies between nuclear power and other low-carbon energy sources.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

Acknowledging the 1,000th person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to survive Ebola after treatment, the head of the emergency relief operation, in a joint statement with WHO, WFP, UNICEF and Save the Children, commended the country’s health leadership and the efforts of local health workers and partners.

The Secretary-General said he is deeply disturbed by the scale, severity and recurrence of grave violations endured by boys and girls, in a new report on the impact of conflict on children in Afghanistan.  More than 12,000 children were verified killed or maimed between 2015 and the end of 2018.

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced today the launch of Stop the Waste, a global campaign to raise awareness about the 4 billion tons of edible food that is discarded daily, costing the global economy nearly $1 trillion annually.  Top restaurateurs and celebrity chefs can join the movement through #StopTheWaste.

The Security Council today decided to extend until 21 September 2020 the mandate of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD).

More than half the population of South Sudan — 6 million people — do not know where they will find their next meal.  The Food and Agriculture Organization is providing crop seeds, while the United Nations Children’s Fund is distributing food for women and children and the World Food Programme is responding with food and cash.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

After a long journey across the seas, youth climate activist Greta Thunberg is arriving this afternoon in New York.  The United Nations will be there to welcome her with a flotilla of 17 sailboats, each branded with a sustainable goal.  Ms. Thunberg is scheduled to attend the Secretary-General’s climate summit.