In Sudan, where humanitarian needs are at a record high, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, today launched the 2023 appeal for $1.7 billion in aid. An estimated 15.8 million people, one third of the population, will need life-saving assistance next year, up 1.5 million from 2022.

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

The United Nations Secretary-General arrived in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from India, on Friday morning, 21 October.  In the afternoon, he attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the forty‑fifth anniversary of Viet Nam’s membership in the United Nations, in Hanoi, today:

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.

On 18 June, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pauline Tamesis of the Philippines as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, with the host Government’s approval.

In Ukraine, United Nations humanitarian partners said that intense hostilities were reported over the weekend, across Government and non-Government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and United Nations Environment Programme expressed grave concern today over the arrest, detention and sentencing of four environmental human rights defenders in Viet Nam on charges of tax evasion and urged Vietnamese authorities to ensure environmental advocates can operate freely.

In Afghanistan, senior emergency experts from United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations called for urgent support to life-saving humanitarian action after a five-day mission to the country.  Over 24 million people – 59 per cent of the Afghan population - requires lifesaving aid, up 30 per cent from 2021.

The new Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, Dang Hoang Giang, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.