The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the people and Government of Fiji who have been affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that according to national authorities, 21 people have been confirmed dead and four people are currently missing.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that the situation in its protection of civilians site in Malakal is now calm following violent clashes Wednesday evening between Shilluk and Dinka youth and shooting outside the site reportedly by armed men in Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) uniforms.
The Secretary-General condemned the deadly explosion that took place in Ankara on 17 February. He hopes the perpetrators of this terrorist attack will be swiftly brought to justice, and said the United Nations stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Turkey.
The Secretary-General today briefed Member States on the high-level signature ceremony for the Paris Agreement on climate change, which will take place on 22 April in New York. He urged Member States to ensure that the legal requirements for their leaders to have full powers to sign are in place by that date.
The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death of his predecessor, Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Noting that the Egyptian diplomat piloted the United Nations through one of the most challenging periods in its history, he called him a memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya welcomed the announcement by the Presidency Council yesterday regarding the formation of the Government of National Accord. Congratulating the Presidency Council on the breakthrough, he said the historic opportunity for peace should not be missed.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan welcomes yesterday’s announcement by President Salva Kiir of the appointment of Riek Machar as First Vice-President. However, the Mission is concerned by reports of clashes and ongoing tensions between the parties in Upper Nile, and by violence between communities in Jonglei.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today expressed his “utmost alarm” at the rapidly worsening ““grotesque” situation in and around Aleppo and other parts of Syria, where he said that shocking violations and abuses are being committed on a daily basis. He condemned those acts unequivocally.
The Secretary-General today told an informal stakeholder meeting on the General Assembly’s upcoming special session on the world drug problem. He said illicit drugs continue to promote violence, endanger communities and undermine health, and that the problem is linked to corruption, terrorism and illicit flows of money.
The Secretary-General launched his report One Humanity: Shared Responsibility this morning, ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in May. It urges leaders to assume their responsibility to prevent and end conflicts, and States to uphold the norms that safeguard humanity.