Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, has condemned in the strongest terms the series of bombings targeting innocent pilgrims during a religious commemoration, killing dozens of worshippers and wounding hundreds more.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General addressed the open debate of the Security Council on civilians and armed conflict this morning, telling them that the wilful targeting of civilians, disproportionate attacks, sexual violence, forced displacement and the denial of humanitarian access remain widespread in armed conflict.
Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, welcomed the measures announced on Gaza by the Government of Israel as important steps in the right direction.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide attack at the Data Ganj Baksh shrine in Lahore, Pakistan, which has reportedly claimed the lives of several dozen people and left many more injured.
The General Assembly President’s Chef de Cabinet announced that informal agreement has been reached on a resolution to create a new body for gender equality and empowerment of women.
The Secretary-General today attended the ceremony marking the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In an interview with Radio Okapi, he said that the celebration is a historic moment for the Congolese people and that the country has a major role to play in Africa and the world.
The Secretary-General has left New York and is on his way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he will be attending the events tomorrow to commemorate the country’s fiftieth anniversary since independence. This evening, he is to attend a gala dinner hosted by President Joseph Kabila.
The Secretary-General condemns the vandalism last night by masked armed men of an UNRWA summer games facility in the Gaza Strip. He is very concerned that this is the second such incident in a month.
The Secretary-General was at an event to commemorate the beginning of the Korean War. That took place down at Battery Park, in Manhattan.
The Secretary-General today addressed the third Global Compact Leaders Summit, telling business leaders and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg that the Global Compact has become the world's largest and most ambitious initiative of its kind during its first 10 years. Corporate sustainability is becoming a by-word in companies worldwide. He said the Compact may be voluntary, but that doesn’t mean it lacks teeth.