Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message on the launch of Namibia’s International Peace Centre, held today:
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
In light of the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the thirtieth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, which was originally scheduled to be held at United Nations Headquarters from 15 to 19 June, was postponed.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:
As the COVID‑19 crisis unfolded into a human rights emergency, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and its mandate holders quickly mobilized to carry out their work despite multiple challenges, its President told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as some delegates raised questions about bias and favouritism.
Highlighting progress made amid COVID‑19 pandemic-related challenges, directors of United Nations regional centres called for increased funding to further advance arms reduction initiatives, while the heads of related entities presented reports on their activities, as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) held the final virtual informal interactive dialogue of its seventy‑fifth session today.
The Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations peace operation in Western Sahara for one year today, with the voting results announced by videoconference, in accordance with the temporary silence procedure adopted for the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Viet Nam, where Typhoon Molave made landfall this week, nearly 70 people have reportedly died or are still missing and some 375,000 are in evacuation centres, the United Nations reports. With aid partners, it has distributed emergency relief kits and is developing a response plan to support Government-led efforts.
The United Nations Department of Peace Operations announced that Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia, currently serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will be named the 2020 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
