The Secretary-General is relieved that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will be able to open its school year, safeguarding the education of 500,000 students in United Nations schools across the Middle East.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya expressed extreme concern over recent events involving militants claiming allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham in Sirte following reports of the terrorist group’s attacks in the area.
The Secretary-General condemns the assassination of Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former Army Chief of Staff, in Burundi on 15 August. He reiterates his calls to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay to peacefully settle their differences.
United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien is scheduled to visit Syria and Lebanon from today until 17 August and is expected to meet with displaced and refugee families and to discuss with key officials ways of strengthening aid operations during the protracted conflict, which has displaced millions.
The Secretary-General, in a videoconference with the senior leadership of peacekeeping operations, addressed the ongoing sexual exploitation, abuse and misconduct by peacekeepers, stressing the United Nations zero-tolerance policy. He also discussed the matter further with the Security Council later in the day.
The Secretary-General, at the Security Council stakeout earlier today, said he had accepted the resignation of Babacar Gaye, his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, otherwise known as MINUSCA.
The Secretary-General is personally dismayed and disappointed at troubling allegations of abuse by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, which were raised today by Amnesty International. No misconduct of this nature can be tolerated and every allegation will be vigorously investigated.
The Secretary-General, in a video call to Gaza, said children must not be deprived of education, especially when extremists are in full recruitment mode. The cost of education is low; the price of inaction is too high, he said, pledging to help mobilize funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The Secretary-General condemns the 6 August suicide attack on a mosque in Abha, Saudi Arabia. The bombing reportedly killed 13 people and injured nine others. The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no justification whatsoever for terrorist attacks or attacks on places of worship.
The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that the UN-facilitated dialogue will resume on 10 August. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative has urged the main parties to redouble their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the political and military conflict in Libya.