The World Food Programme (WFP) is increasingly concerned about food security in Southern Africa, where an estimated 14 million people facing hunger following prolonged dry spells that led to a poor 2015 harvest. WFP says Malawi, Madagascar and Zimbabwe are the worst affected.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General today briefed the General Assembly on his plan of action to prevent violent extremism, calling for a new global partnership to confront this menace. He stressed that violent extremism is a direct assault on the United Nations Charter and poses a grave threat to international peace and security.
The mission in the Central African Republic reports that final provisional results in the legislative elections were announced yesterday, with three women among 21 candidates elected by an absolute majority during the first round. A second round will be held in 113 constituencies.
UNICEF says nearly 24 million children in 22 conflict-affected countries worldwide — that is one in four children — are out of school. South Sudan has the highest proportion, with more than half its primary and lower secondary age children not accessing education, with Niger a close second, followed by Sudan and Afghanistan.
The Secretary-General today marked the seventieth anniversary of the first meeting of the General Assembly. Calling the Assembly a “Parliament for all people”, he said that although the resolutions adopted by it may not all be acted on right away, they stand as our common position on the most pressing issues of our times.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the intensification of Coalition air strikes and ground fighting and shelling in Yemen. He calls on all parties to the conflict to engage in good faith with his Special Envoy for Yemen in order to convene a new round of peace talks as soon as possible.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya has strongly condemned today’s terrorist attack on a security training centre in Zliten. He continues to urge all Libyans to put their differences aside and unite to confront the scourge of terrorism.
The Secretary-General unequivocally condemned the underground test announced by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, saying it violates Security Council resolutions, contravenes the international norm against nuclear testing and is profoundly destabilizing to regional security.
The Secretary-General condemns yesterday’s attack against the Israel Defense Forces, in the general area of the Sheba’a Farms, south of the Blue Line, which was claimed by Hizbullah. He calls on all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities and ensure full respect for Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The mission in the Central African Republic reports that the National Elections Authority released partial provisional results based on votes cast in eight prefectures and 15 per cent of those cast outside the country. Final results are expected by week’s end and Constitutional Court confirmation by 15 January.