Türkiye

United Nations officials in Iraq condemned the abhorrent killing of 22-year-old Tiba al-Ali, whose death is a regretful reminder of the violence and injustice that still exists against women and girls in the country today.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today released a report showing that economic losses from drought, floods and landslides have rocketed in Asia. According to WMO, in 2021 alone, weather and water-related hazards caused total damage of $35.6 billion, affecting nearly 50 million people.

The United Nations Secretariat at the Joint Coordination Centre reports that the Ukrainian, Turkish and United Nations delegations agreed not to plan any movement of vessels in the Black Sea Grain Initiative for 2 November.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today released a report which says plastics are accumulating in the world’s soil at a high rate. The report found that plastics used extensively in farming — from plastic coated fertilizers to mulch film — are contaminating the soil and potentially threatening food security.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

​​​​​​​On Friday, 19 August, the Secretary-General travelled from Odesa to Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, where he met the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, for a working dinner during which they reviewed the situation in  Moldova and the region in light of the on-going war in Ukraine.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic deployed a rapid reaction force near Ndélé, Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture, to protect civilians amid reports of possible attacks by armed groups. The Mission continues to reinforce community protection, including in Ouadda-Djallé, Vakaga Prefecture, through early warning training.

Senior humanitarian directors of United Nations agencies and partners wrapped up a visit yesterday to Somalia where the threat of famine looms, with more than seven million people already acutely food insecure. Assistance has reached over four million drought-affected people, but aid workers face severe funding shortfalls.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres interrupted his annual leave to travel to Istanbul on the evening of Thursday, 21 July, to participate in the signing ceremony of the Black Sea Initiative which he had first proposed to the Russian Federation and Ukraine when he had visited both countries in April 2022.