Mali

Around 1 million species are threatened with extinction as nature declines at unprecedented rates, a global assessment launched today by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services warns, listing amphibians, corals and marine mammals as among the most threatened.

Unfolding developments in Benin are under close watch following the 28 April legislative elections, from which opposition parties were barred.  Noting with concern the ongoing tensions and unrest, the United Nations calls upon all Beninese to exercise maximum restraint and resolve differences through dialogue.

The United Nations refugee agency said today it is deeply concerned about the fate of at least 21 Venezuelans missing after their boat sank yesterday morning on the way to Trinidad and Tobago.  It was carrying at least 25 people, and the Trinidad and Tobago authorities said four were rescued.

The top-ranking United Nations officials for refugees, migration and humanitarian affairs will jointly visit Bangladesh from Wednesday to Friday this week to highlight the ongoing importance of supporting the humanitarian needs of nearly a million Rohingya refugees, as well as people living in host communities.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Christoph Heusgen (Germany):

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

The World Health Statistics 2019 — disaggregated by sex for the first time — found that women outlive men everywhere, particularly in wealthy countries.  The gap in life expectancy is narrowest where women lack access to health services.  WHO published the report to coincide with World Health Day on 7 April.

Noting some advances since the inauguration in September 2018 of re-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Security Council today urged the Government of Mali and the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to continue expediting implementation of their peace accord while urging all parties to refrain from actions undermining progress.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, urged today the Government of Brunei Darussalam to stop the entry into force of a new penal code which would enshrine in legislation cruel and inhuman punishments in breach of international human rights law, including death by stoning.

Emphasizing that “investing in peace in Mali is an investment in global security”, the Secretary-General urged the Security Council today to maintain full support for the United Nations mission in the country, calling on the Government, opposition leaders and signatories to the 2015 peace agreement to redouble efforts to restore calm.