un daily news 23 may 2016

8/16/2019 UN Daily News 23 May 2016

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/un-daily-news-23-may-2016 1/21

For information media -

not an official record

For updates and e-mail alerts,

visit UN NEWS CENTRE at www.un.org/news

Issue DH/7164 Monday, 23 May 2016

In the headlines:

• WHS: ‘We need to resolve humanitarian crisestoether,! sa"s UNESC# envo" Forest Whita$er

• WHS: Ne% &und launched at UN humanitariansummit to address education in crisis 'ones

• WHS: UN humanitarian summit to (shape adi&&erent &uture,( )an tells thousands at openinceremon"

• WHS: *t screenin o& ne% Sean +enn &ilm, )ansa"s movie industr" can spotliht humanitarian%or$

• WHS: World Humanitarian Summit %ill e (%a$e-upcall( &or action and (launch pad( &or ne% initiatives

• R Cono: UN envo" ures ‘patriotic rea%a$enin!to ease risin political tensions

• )an condemns terrorist attac$s $illin do'ens o&civilians in t%o coastal S"rian cities

• UN Environment *sseml" opens in Nairoi aiminto ensure ‘health" planet, %ith health" people!

• #n .nternational a", UN ures end o& ostetric&istula ‘%ithin a eneration!

• UN envo" %elcomes resumption o& cementdeliveries into /a'a

• UN health aenc" spotlihts role o& health insustainale development as overnin od" eins

session • .n 0ienna, UN Crime Commission opens %ith call to

advance 1ustice, rule o& la%

More stories inside

H!: "e need to resol#e hu$anitarian %rises together,& says

'()!*+ en#oy orest hita-er23 May – On the opening day of the World Humanitarian Summit in

Istanbul, the Special Envoy of the United ations Educational,

Scientific and !ultural Organi"ation #UES!O$, %orest Whita&er,

called on individuals, governments and international organi"ations to

act collectively to improve humanitarian action and invest more in

development aid'

(We are facing a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented magnitude in

the history of the planet,( the )cademy )*ard+*inning actor said in

an intervie* *ith the UN News Centre on one of the terraces of the

venue in ur&ish city, *hich hosts the Summit through tomorro*

evening'

(One of the Summit slogans is- .) common humanity sharedresponsibilities,. and I thin& that.s *hat *e need to achieve today,(

said /r' Whita&er, *ho is also the founder of Whita&er 0eace 1 2evelopment Initiative, as *ell as one of the eminent

personalities chosen by U Secretary 3eneral 4an 5i+moon to advocate on behalf of the 6787 )genda for Sustainable

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation Forest

Whitaker. Photo !ideo screen ca"t#re

UN Daily News



- 2 -

UN Ne%s Centre 3 %%%4un4or5ne%s

UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

2evelopment'

he Special Envoy urged the international community to build on the *or& of the Summit, convened by the Secretary+3eneral to ensure that humanity – people9s safety, dignity and the right to thrive –are placed at the heart of global decision+ma&ing, to transform humanitarian aid to development assistance'

(I tal&ed to many people :during the first day;, and *e hope that a number of proposals concerning education, conflict and

poverty *ill tac&le these problems,( said /r' Whita&er'

(I hope that this Summit *ill help raise a*areness that *e need to solve these problems together, both at the level of 3Os:non+governmental organi"ations;, government agencies and individuals' ogether, *e can find solutions to some of the

problems *e face on the planet,< he stressed'

Earlier in the day, /r' Whita&er had participated in the opening ceremony of the Summit, *here he addressed delegationsust after a former child soldier from Uganda, >ictor Ochen'

(I tal&ed *ith >ictor Ochen' He spo&e of our humanity, of being human :?; and *e are concerned about the fate of otherhuman beings' I al*ays try to remain a*are that *hat affects others affects me too,< e@plained /r' Whita&er' Ahis is *hat

people are trying to achieve all over the *orld' hey thought :the problems; *ere :far a*ay; from them, but those problems

arrived at their doors'<

%or e@ample, he noted the situation of refugees, emphasi"ing that some B7 million people are currently displaced *orld*ide'Ahese people must have a place to go' his affects us all,< he said'

/r' said the he hopes this first+ever World Humanitarian Summit *ill help individuals to reali"e that they are notdisconnected from the dramas faced by the *orld9s most vulnerable people' Ahese problems and sufferings also affect ourlives,( he said'

H!: (ew .und laun%hed at '( hu$anitarian su$$it toaddress edu%ation in %risis /ones

23 May – he United ations !hildren.s %und #UI!E%$ todayannounced the launch of a ne* fund to better coordinate support forand drive investment in education for children and youth affected byhumanitarian emergencies and protracted crises'

A)ction no* has to happen urgently because of the sheer scale of

numbers of children impacted,< said U Special Envoy for 3lobal

Education 3ordon 4ro*n, *ho presented the .Education !annot Wait.fund at the World Humanitarian Summit #WHS$, a t*o+dayconference that opened today in Istanbul, ur&ey'

Specifically designed for education in emergencies, the fund aims to

reach more than C8'B million children and youth living in crisissituations, such as conflict, natural disasters and disease outbrea&s,*ith Duality education over the ne@t five years'

Ahese young people are missing out on schooling and this is becoming a full+blo*n global crisis that *ill haunt the *orldfor generations,< /r' 4ro*n stressed'

On average, the U estimates that less than t*o percent of humanitarian aid currently goes to*ards funding education'/oreover, education systems eDuipped to cope *ith protracted crises cannot be built on the foundations of short+term – andunpredictable – appeals'

Ni$erian ref#$ee children at the %inawao ref#$ee cam" in NorthernCameroon. Photo UN&CEF'(arel Prinsloo



- 6 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

.Education !annot Wait,. *hich has a funding target of 8'FG billion over five years, aims to bridge the gap bet*eenhumanitarian interventions during crises and long+term development after*ards, through predictable funding'

)s thousands of participants gathered at the Summit to discuss ho* to strengthen the humanitarian system to alleviate and prevent the suffering of millions *orld*ide, UI!E% *arned that one in four of the *orld.s school+aged children – nearlyhalf a billion – live in countries affected by crises' )round G million of these children and youth are either already missingout on their education, receiving poor Duality schooling or at ris& of dropping out of school altogether'

) special session at the Summit underlined ho* education systems are being destroyed by violent armed conflict, natural

disasters and health emergencies, robbing children of the s&ills they need to build safe, strong communities and economies*hen they reach adulthood'

Sarah 4ro*n, the E@ecutive !hair of the 3lobal 4usiness !oalition for Education and 0resident of the children.s charityheirWorld, is giving a voice to refugee children by displaying some of their art*or& at the Summit' outh *orld*ide,many of *hom fled the Syrian crisis, illustrated *hat a safe school means to them'

A!hildren don.t need education even in emergenciesJ they need education especially in emergencies,< stressed UI!E%.sE@ecutive 2irector, )nthony Ka&e'

AWithout an education, ho* *ill they gain the &no*ledge and s&ills to chart their o*n futures – and to someday lend theirhands to building more peaceful, stable futures for their societiesL )nd ho* can *e hope to reach our global developmentgoals for education if *e don.t focus on children trapped in humanitarian emergencies – *ho represent almost half of allchildren out of school todayL< /r' Ka&e as&ed'

)ns*ers to these Duestions *ill continue to be raised on the second and last day of the World Humanitarian Summit, as

government representative and leaders from the private and public sectors *or& together to commit to the five coreresponsibilities of the U Secretary+3eneral.s )genda for Humanity-

• 0revent and end conflict • Mespect rules of *ar • Keave no one behind

•

Wor&ing differently to end need

• Invest in humanity



- ; -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

H!: '( hu$anitarian su$$it to 0sha1e a di..erent .uture,02an tells thousands at o1ening %ere$ony

23 May – )t the opening of the World Humanitarian Summit #WHS$

in Istanbul today, United ations Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moonoined the 0resident of ur&ey, relief activists and internationalcelebrities to urge the global community to shape a different future forthe *orld'

AWe are all here because global humanitarian action isunprecedentedly strained,< /r' 4an told thousands of participantsattending the opening ceremony, *hich featured creative

performances and inspiring *ords by reno*ned stars including

%orest Whita&er , )shley Nudd and 2aniel !raig'

AI proposed this Summit four years ago out of concern for rising

humanitarian needs and declining political *ill' oday, the urgencyhas only gro*n,< the Secretary+3eneral stressed'

)s part of a moving spectacle that emulated dust storms and earthDua&es, and pro=ected images of authentic footage inspired

by personal human stories, /alian singer Inna /od=a &ic&ed off the historic Summit *ith a soulful poem'

he United ations estimates that a record number of people – C87 million – currently need aid to survive' /ore peoplehave been forced from their homes than at any time since the end of the Second World War'

Ahis is a 6Cst century United ations gathering,< the /r' 4an said describing the Summit, adding that its )genda forHumanity, the document he recently issued to guide discussions and action, is based on three years of consultations *ith

68,777 people in more than CG7 countries'

Over the ne@t t*o days in the ur&ish capital, WHS is bringing together sta&eholders *ho have a vested interest inimproving the global humanitarian system, including more than BG Heads of State and 3overnment as *ell as leaders fromthe public and private sectors'

he U chief underlined that the *orld is loo&ing to them for commitments to five core responsibilities-

• 0revent and end conflict • Mespect rules of *ar • Keave no one behind

• Wor&ing differently to end need


AWe are here to shape a different future,< /r' 4an concluded' Aoday *e declare- We are one humanity, *ith a sharedresponsibility'<

In his remar&s to the opening ceremony, U 3eneral )ssembly president /ogens Ky&&etoft said that e@pectations high for

Summit' A0eople around the *orld are demanding that *e move beyond fine *ordsJ that *e build on the generosity *ealready seeJ and live up to our core responsibilities,< he said'

Ao* is the time to end the conflicts at the root of the current crisisJ to ensure adherence to international humanitarian la*and accountability for violationsJ to ma&e the humanitarian system more efficient and more effectiveJ :and; to stand up for

UN Secretar)*General +an (i*moon o"ens the first*e,er World

-#manitarian S#mmit in &stanb#l /#rke). 01 %a) 0234. Photo

UNOC-A



- < -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

those *e are leaving behind,< the )ssembly president said, also underscoring the need to secure the e@tra CG billionreDuired to meet humanitarian needs – =ust one cent out of every G7 of today9s global economy'

/ean*hile, ur&ish 0resident Mecep ayyip Erdogan e@pressed hope that the Summit *ould lead to Aauspicious outcomes<for hundreds of millions of people struggling to sustain their lives under great distress'

A0ain &no*s no colour, race, language or religion,< /r' Erdogan said, noting that it *as *ith that in mind that ur&ey

carried out its aid and development pro=ects in more than C7 countries around the *orld, hosting more than three millionrefugees from Syria and IraD'

AWe *ill never close our doors or our borders to people,< he insisted' AWe as leaders and responsible individuals of theinternational community can only succeed if *e *or& under common principles and goals'<

he 0resident also stressed that ur&ey *ould not stop pursuing Ablood+shedding dictators< and *ill ensure that crimesagainst humanity do not go unpunished'

0rior to these remar&s, survivors of humanitarian catastrophesPboth human+made and naturalPspo&e to the audience inemotional addresses, recounting their ordeals and ho* they overcame them *ith the desire to no* support others'

>ictor Ochen, a former child solider from northern Uganda, spo&e about gro*ing up *ith violence every*here aroundhim' )t the age of C8, he chose a different path, forming a peace club in his refugee camp to discourage children and young

people from =oining the armed forces' A0eace comes from *ithin,< he said' A4e human and act human'<

>ictoria )rnai"+Kanting described her e@perience surviving yphoon Haiyan *hich hit the 0hilippines in 67C8, sayingthat it *as a miracle she survived' She lost many friends and colleagues in the storm, dead bodies filled the streets, and treesand electric posts fell to the ground li&e match stic&s' he typhoon also made thousands of people internally displaced, *ho,driven by hunger and grief, looted the supermar&ets'

)nd yet, she e@pressed ho* unbelievable it *as to see ho* Duic&ly people started to rebuild their lives' he 0hilippines Med!ross and victims themselves began treating the *ounded and liaising *ith the 3overnment and other humanitarian actors'

Ahis is humanity in action,< she said, noting that disasters affected more than 677 million people a year and that preparedness must become a *ay of life' She encouraged every nation, large and small, to invest in local actors'

Spea&ing of the Syrian conflict, )deeb )teeD said *ar has inflicted much suffering on the people' /ines have blo*n apart

men, *omen, and children, *ith many afraid to see& medical care for fear of encountering other une@ploded ordnance'

AI have decided to harness my e@perience of demining to end the loss of life,< he said, describing a volunteer team he hasestablished to educated young people about the lethal nature of une@ploded land mines'

Mecalling his o*n e@perience of losing a leg after encountering an une@ploded device, /r' )teeD e@plained ho* he had been bound to a *heelchair until being fitted *ith an artificial limbJ this led him to try to help others'

A/y goal is to save the lives of innocent civilians,< he said, calling on all to provide assistance in that Duest and insafeguarding humanity'



- : -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

H!: 3t s%reening o. new !ean 4enn .il$, 2an says $o#ieindustry %an s1otlight hu$anitarian wor-

22 May – Spotlighting a ne* film by director Sean 0enn, United

ations Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon today underlined theimportance of the entertainment industry to help raise a*arenessabout the state of humanitarian affairs *orld*ide'

AWhen you have a global star, :the message; can go far and *ide andthere is no time limit,< /r' 4an told vie*ers invited to the global

premiere of /r' 0enn.s latest movie, The Last Face'

Screened on the eve of the opening of the World HumanitarianSummit #WHS$ in Istanbul, ur&ey, a t*o+day conference dedicatedto finding more effective *ays of alleviating and preventing thesuffering of the *orld.s most vulnerable people, the movie features)cademy )*ard+*inning actors !harli"e heron and Navier 4ardemas relief *or&ers faced *ith difficult situations during civil unrest inan )frican nation'

Ahe main purpose of having the World Humanitarian Summit for the first time in the history of the United ations is toraise :a*areness on the; importance, seriousness, urgency and gravity of the situation,< said /r' 4an, adding that *orldleaders must be committed to global action'

He recalled a visit to Haiti after the devastating earthDua&e of 67C7, *hen he met tens of thousands of people living undere@tremely difficult conditions in ma&eshift tents' )mid the chaos, he noticed a very busy man *ho *as trying to help thosearound him recover' He didn.t immediately recogni"e him, but later reali"ed it *as Sean 0enn'

AI didn.t e@pect such a celebrity, a movie star of the *orld, *ould be around so many refugees and displaced people' I *as

so moved,< the U chief shared *ith the audience, *hich burst into applause'

AWhen I *ent :to Haiti; a second time, he *as still there,< he added'

omorro*, the Secretary+3eneral *ill be alongside more celebrities at the opening of the Summit, including %orestWhita&er, a peacebuilding advocate for the U.s Educational, Scientific and !ultural Organi"ation #UES!O$ and

)cademy )*ard+*inning actor' ogether, they *ill urge *orld leaders to commit to five core responsibilities featured in

the U.s )genda for Humanity-

• 0revent and end conflict • Mespect rules of *ar •

Keave no one behind • Wor&ing differently to end need


Starting tomorro*, the Summit *ill bring together all sta&eholders *ho have a vested interest in improving the globalhumanitarian system' Of the more than B,777 e@pected participants, there are those *ho have been recipients ofhumanitarian assistance, those *ho can hopefully ma&e a difference such as entrepreneurs and celebrities li&e Sean 0enn, as*ell as many others *ho are dedicated to helping alleviate the plight of millions of people in need of relief assistance aroundthe *orld'

UN Secretar)*General +an (i*moon 5ri$ht6 UN Emer$enc) Relief

Coordinator Ste"hen O7+rien 50nd to the left6 and actor Sean Penn

5centre6 before the screenin$ of 8/he 9ast Face: at the World-#manitarian S#mmit. 00 %a) 0234. Photo UNOC-A



- = -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

H!: orld Hu$anitarian !u$$it will 5e 0wa-e6u1 %all0 .ora%tion and 0laun%h 1ad0 .or new initiati#es

22 May – Nust hours a*ay from the opening of the first+ever World

Humanitarian Summit #WHS$, United ations senior officials todayhighlighted that the global event is to serve as a *a&e+up call foraction in the service of common humanity, providing a launch pad forne* initiatives'

AWe have tremendous suffering in the *orld today' here is hugeneed for us to sho* solidarity *ith those *ho are affected by naturaldisasters and man+made disasters,< U 2eputy Secretary+3eneral Nan

Eliasson told reporters at a press conference in Istanbul, ur&ey,

*here the t*o+day conference is beginning tomorro*'

AIn the meeting here in Istanbul, al*ays thin& of the people *ho are

affected – the victims' his conference is about the victims, andhaving a more effective *ay of reaching out to help them,< hecontinued, recalling his recent visits to epal and >ietnam *here he

met *ith vulnerable communities to learn directly about their plight'

/ore than BG Heads of State and 3overnment are e@pected to =oin representatives from the U community, civil society,the private sector, academia and thousands of other participants' )ccording to the U Office for the !oordination ofHumanitarian )ffairs #O!H)$ – the Summit.s organi"ing entity – the goal is to strength the humanitarian system so that

preparedness and resilience are ta&en more seriously'

Spea&ing from the podium alongside the 2eputy Secretary+3eneral, the U Under+Secretary+3eneral for Humanitarian)ffairs and head of O!H), Steven O.4rien, said the *orld needs a Summit so it can ma&e the scale of change that isnecessary to help meet the needs'

AIn this ever globali"ing *orld *here *e &no* things so Duic&ly, *e need to be able to reach the people *ho have thegreatest vulnerability and need, and the ones *ho are furthest behind first,< /r' O.4rien stated'

AIt is people caught up in crisis through no fault of their o*n *ho need us to be even better at delivering humanitarian actionof food and shelter, and ma&ing sure that *ater and sanitation and medical treatment is available to them,< he added'

On his *ay to the Summit, /r' O.4rien stopped in the Ka&e !had basin in *estern central )frica' He visited 2iffa, acommune in iger *hich borders igeria, *here hundreds of thousands of people have fled to escape the terrorist group4o&o Haram'

AIt is an area that is already deeply challenged by the huge scarcity of resources brought about by climate and *eather effect,

and so here you have a confluence of all contributory factors that lead to humanitarian need,< he e@plained, adding that healso stopped in /aiduguri, igeria, *here he met *ith people *ho *ere torched out of their homes CC months ago'

Ahese are the stories *e carry *ith us,< he underlined' A:he World Humanitarian Summit; is a once in a generationopportunity to set in motion an ambitious and far reaching agenda to change the *ay that *e alleviate, and most importantlythat *e prevent, the suffering of the *orld.s most vulnerable people'<

%our years ago, U Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon called for the World Humanitarian Summit to be organi"ed,recogni"ing that the status Duo could not continue' Since then, 68,777 people *ere consulted in over CG7 countries' he

outcome of this global e@ercise is the )genda for Humanity, a guiding document for the Summit in *hich /r' 4an calls

/he famil) li,in$ in this tent in +a$hdad &ra; e<"lained that the

cam" and the tents were not read) for winter. Se"tember 023=. Photo

WFP'%ohammed Al +ahbahani



- > -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

for people.s safety, dignity and right to thrive'

It calls on *orld leaders to commit to five core responsibilities-

• 0revent and end conflict • Mespect rules of *ar •

Keave no one behind • Wor&ing differently to end need


AI call upon the *orld leaders, be they of States or of organi"ations, be they 3Os or civil society organi"ations or the private sector, to ma&e sure that *e can try here in Istanbul to give us the platform *here *e turn the Secretary+3eneral.s)genda for Humanity into reality for the people *ho need us,< /r' O.4rien concluded'

his Summit brings together all sta&eholders *ho have a vested interest in improving the global humanitarian system' Ofthe more than G,777 participants e@pected at the Summit, there are those *ho have been recipients of humanitarianassistance, those *ho can hopefully ma&e a difference such as entrepreneurs and those *ho have pioneered innovations tohelp register refugees'

Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon *ill deliver remar&s at tomorro*.s opening event, alongside representatives of affected

communities, U )mbassadors, and celebrities, &ic&ing off seven roundtables, CG special sessions, and hundreds of side

events'

D7 *ongo: '( en#oy urges "1atrioti% reawa-ening& to easerising 1oliti%al tensions

23 May – he top United ations official in the 2emocratic Mepublicof !ongo #2M!$ has e@pressed deep concern about the increasing

political tensions in some parts of the !entral )frican country, urging both the ma=ority and opposition sides to rea*a&en their patriotism'

Ahe current situation and the dangers *eighing upon it need patrioticrea*a&ening both on the part of the ma=ority as *ell as the opposition,to place the interests of the country above any other consideration,</aman Sidi&ou, Special Mepresentative of the Secretary+3eneral andHead of the U Organi"ation Stabili"ation /ission in the 2emocratic

Mepublic of !ongo #/OUS!O$, said in a press release over the

*ee&end'

He noted that increasing the number of =udiciary proceedings andactions li&ely to shrin& the political space *ill only e@acerbate thetensions and ma&e it even more difficult to hold the political dialogue

insistently called for by 0resident Noseph 5abila'

/r' Sidi&ou urged strict respect for the rule of la* and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the !onstitution'

AOnly a genuinely inclusive political dialogue, !onstitution+abiding, *ill help !ongolese actors to successfully overcomethe current challenges, more particularly the ones relating to the electoral process,< he said'

!iting Security !ouncil resolution 66, he said that the U stands resolutely *ith the )frican Union and its appointedfacilitator, former ogolese 0rime /inister Edem 5od=o, to facilitate the launch of the political tal&s'

he Special Mepresentative further e@pressed the U readiness to assist an independent nation electoral commission in

S"ecial Re"resentati,e and head of the UN Stabili>ation %ission in

the ?emocratic Re"#blic of Con$o 5%ONUSCO6 %aman Sidiko#

5centre6 $reetin$ children of Oicha North (i,#. Photo

%ONUSCO'Abel (a,ana$h



- ? -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

organi"ing free and transparent elections to mar& a ne* step for*ard in the advancement of the democratic process in the2M!'

2an %onde$ns terrorist atta%-s -illing do/ens o. %i#ilians in two%oastal !yrian %ities

23 May – Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon has condemned theterrorist attac&s today that claimed the lives of do"ens of civilians inthe Syrian coastal cities of Nableh and artous'

) statement attributable to his spo&esperson said that the Secretary+

3eneral Ata&es note *ith great concern of the escalating militaryactivity in many areas in and around 2amascus'<

Ahe violence, particularly in 2araya, )leppo and Idlib, and in thenorthern countryside of Homs, especially )l+Houla, is causingmounting civilian casualties,< the Secretary+3eneral said'

)ccording to media reports, the Islamic State in IraD and the Kevant#ISIKQ2a9esh$ claimed responsibility for the attac&s, in *hich morethan C7 people *ere reportedly &illed and many others *ounded by

at least five suicide bombers and t*o devices planted in cars'

In his statement, /r' 4an also reiterated a call on all parties to the Syrian conflict to refrain from attac&s on the civilian population, adding that those perpetrating such attac&s must be held accountable for their crimes'

Meminding all parties to the cessation of hostilities of their duty to abide by its terms, in accordance *ith Security !ouncil

resolution 66BF #67CB$, the Secretary+3eneral also called on all /ember States to ta&e Aimmediate, collective and decisive

action to bring the tragedy unfolding in Syria to an end,< in line *ith their commitments in accordance *ith Security

!ouncil resolutions 66G #67CG$ and 66BF #67CB$'

?estr#ction in Salah Ed ?in nei$hbo#rhood of Ale""o S)ria. Photo

OC-A'@ose"hine G#errero

'( )n#iron$ent 3sse$5ly o1ens in (airo5i ai$ing to ensure"healthy 1lanet, with healthy 1eo1le&

23 May – Hundreds of &ey global decision+ma&ers are gathering in5enya today for the second United ations Environment )ssembly

#UE)+6$, aiming to tac&le some of the most critical issues facing

our planet, from the air pollution that &ills millions of people everyyear to an illegal trade in *ildlife that is pushing species to the brin&of e@tinction'

Held at the headDuarters of the U Environment 0rogramme #UE0$

in airobi, UE) is the *orld9s most po*erful decision+ma&ing bodyon the environment' his year, leaders *ill see& to pass a raft ofresolutions, including those on food *aste, the fading health ofoceans, the *orld9s natural capital, and sustainable consumption and

production'

)ddressing the opening session, UE0 E@ecutive 2irector )chim

Steiner noted that since the first UE) held in 67C, Athe environment has shifted from the margins of attention to thecentre of global decision ma&ing'<

AIt no* runs through the entire 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment and the 0aris )greementon climate

UNEP E<ec#ti,e ?irector Achim Steiner 5on monitor6 addresses the

second United Nations En,ironment Assembl). Photo UNEP



- 98 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

change, establishing UE) as the RWorld 0arliament for the Environment,9 he said, stressing that UE) is the only platform outside of the U 3eneral )ssembly to have universal representation'

UE) also *or&s *ith sta&eholders and e@perts from the financial, legislative and scientific communities, non+governmental organi"ations #3Os$ and the private sector and provides an interface bet*een science, policy and action'

/r' Steiner urged participants to focus on action and use this first global decision+ma&ing platform since the 6787 )genda

and 0aris )greement to revie* and accelerate progress'

He said UE)+6, *hich *ill continue through 6 /ay, *ill feature a three+day Sustainable Innovation Symposium togarner private sector engagement, the launch of a ne* global campaign to end the illegal trade in *ildlife, and the mid+termrevie* of the /ontevideo 0rogramme on Environmental Ka*'

He urged UE) to sho* A*e can move fast enough and hard enough to create a healthy planet, *ith healthy people, *hichleaves no one behind – *hich means less tal&, more action'<

Environmental impacts are responsible for the deaths of more than one Duarter of all children under the age of five

) series of ground+brea&ing UE0 reports *ill also be released during UE)+6' 0ublished today, Healthy Environment,

Healthy People *arns that environmental impacts are responsible for the deaths of more than one Duarter of all childrenunder the age of five, the report states'

he report – compiled by UE0, the World Health Organi"ation #WHO$, the !onvention on 4iological 2iversity #!42$,the /ontreal 0rotocol on substances that deplete the o"one layer, and the 4asel, Motterdam and Stoc&holm conventions –estimates that environmental degradation and pollution cause up to 68 times as many premature deaths as occur in conflictsannually, highlighting the importance of a healthy environment to achieving the 6787 )genda'

he report finds that in 67C6, an estimated C6'B million deaths *ere attributable to deteriorating environment conditions, or68 per cent of the total'

!limate change is e@acerbating the scale and intensity of environment+related health ris&s' Estimates from the WHO

indicate that 6G7,777 additional deaths could occur each year bet*een 6787 and 67G7, mostly from malnutrition, malaria,diarrhoea and heat stress, as a result of climate change'

/r' Steiner said, A4y depleting the ecological infrastructure of our planet and increasing our pollution footprint, *e incur anever+gro*ing cost in terms of human health and *ell+being' %rom air pollution and chemical e@posure to the mining of ournatural resource base, *e have compromised our life support systems'

Other reports include Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics !lobal Lessons and "esearch to #nspire $ction and !%ide

Policy Chan&e, *hich found that bet*een 'F+C6' million tonnes of global plastic production ended up in the ocean as aresult of inadeDuate solid *aste management in 67C'

!ender and Plastic Mana&ement loo&ed at the differing roles of men and *omen in plastic use and consumption,

identifying *omen in *ealthy regions as important sta&eholders in reducing plastics in basic consumer goods'

'()* !lobal "eport on the +tat%s o Le&al Limits on Lead in Paint found that efforts to tac&le lead in paint are advancing')s of early 67CB, 7 of CB countries *orld*ide, or 8B per cent, had established legally binding limits on lead in paint'

UNEP Frontiers found that there has been a *orld*ide increase in emerging "oonotic diseases, outbrea&s of epidemic"oonoses, a rise in foodborne "oonoses and a troubling persistence of neglected "oonotic diseases in poor countries'



- 99 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

+n International Day, '( urges end o. o5stetri% .istula "within ageneration&

23 May – Obstetric fistula is a preventable and treatable condition

causing added suffering and isolation to at least t*o million poor andmarginali"ed *omen and girls *orld*ide, the United ationsspotlighted on the International 2ay to End Obstetric %istula'

Ahe persistence of fistula in some countries and regions is anindicator of very poor access to Duality maternal health services,

Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon said in his message on the 2ay,

mar&ed annually on 68 /ay'

Ao end it, *e must strengthen health systems and address broaderdevelopment and human rights issues affecting *omen and girls-

poverty, gender ineDuality, early marriage, early childbearing, and

lac& of education,< /r' 4an added'

he 2ay aims to raise a*areness about, generate ne* support for andspeed up efforts to end an in=ury that harms *omen physically, socially and economically' he theme of this year9s 2ay isREnd fistula *ithin a generation'9

In his message, the Secretary+3eneral stressed that during his recent visit to /auritania, he had the opportunity to visitfistula patients at a hospital in oua&chott, and *as moved and impressed by their courage and resilience'

AIt pains me deeply that this preventable and treatable condition still e@ists in our *orld, mainly affecting the poorest andmost marginali"ed *omen and girls, causing them even greater suffering and isolation,< the U chief said'

He noted that among the U Sustainable 2evelopment 3oals #S23s$, 3oal C on ending poverty, S23 8 on healthy lives,S23 G on gender eDuality and S23 C7 on reducing ineDuality should ma&e an enormous contribution to preventing and

ending fistula'

oting that there are bet*een G7,777 and C77,777 ne* cases of fistula every year, /r' 4an emphasi"ed that at present rates,most of those *omen and girls *ill die *ithout ever receiving treatment – Aa heart+brea&ing and unacceptable situation,< hesaid'

A%istula has virtually been eliminated in most high+ and middle+income countries around the *orld, so *e &no* that it can be eliminated in every country,< the Secretary+3eneral said'

Aoday, on the International 2ay to End Obstetric %istula, I call for an end to fistula *ithin a generation' Ket us use the

momentum of the S23s together *ith strong political leadership, accelerated investment and action, and passionate andcommitted champions, to achieve this historic and transformative goal,< he added'

Highlighting the story of an F8+year+old *oman from /ala*i *ho had lived *ith obstetric fistula since she *as C and

finally had surgery this past ovember, 4abatunde Osotimehin, E@ecutive 2irector of the U 0opulation %und #U%0)$emphasi"ed that the condition almost e@clusively afflicts the poorest, most vulnerable and most marginali"ed *omen andgirls'

AIt afflicts those *ho lac& access to the timely, high+Duality and life+saving maternal health care that they so desperatelyneed and deserve, and that is their basic human right,< he said'

A fist#la "atient lies on a hos"ital bed in @#ba S#dan. Obstetric

fist#la is a hole in the birth canal which occ#rs as a res#lt of

"rolon$ed or obstr#cted labo#r witho#t medical inter,ention. UNPhoto'/im %c(#lka



- 92 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

U%0) leads the global !ampaign to End %istula, *hich *as launched in 6778'

'( en#oy wel%o$es resu$1tion o. %e$ent deli#eries into 8a/a

23 May – he United ations envoy for the peace process in the/iddle East today *elcomed the decision to resume the privateimport of cement into 3a"a after nearly G days of suspension'

In a statement, ic&olay /ladenov, the U Special !oordinator for

the /iddle East 0eace 0rocess, said the import became possible because of efforts by both the Israeli and 0alestinian authorities'

A)ll sides need to ensure that cement deliveries reach their intended beneficiaries and are used solely for civilian purposes,< the envoysaid'

oting that humanitarian challenges in 3a"a remain Avast,< the envoyemphasi"ed that all efforts should be made to resolve the housing,electricity and *ater crises'

AIt is critical for the security of both 0alestinians and Israelis that 3a"a remains calm and hope is restored to its people,< hesaid'

/r' /ladenov also reiterated that the U continues to call for the full lifting of all closures on 3a"a, as envisioned in

Security !ouncil resolution CFB7 #677$'

A) permanent end to the suffering of the 0alestinian people can only be achieved through reuniting 3a"a and the West 4an&under a single, legitimate and democratic 0alestinian national authority and the reali"ation of the t*o+state solution,< hestressed'

In )pril, the envoysaid

the U *as *or&ing closely *ith 0alestinian and Israeli authorities follo*ing Israel9s suspension of

cement deliveries to private companies in the 3a"a Strip'

Old ind#strial area in North Ga>a where scra" metal is rec)cled and

debris from the Ga>a war is t#rned into low*;#alit) cement and

b#ildin$*blocks. Photo World +ank'Arne -oel

'( health agen%y s1otlights role o. health in sustaina5lede#elo1$ent as go#erning 5ody 5egins session

23 May – Health holds a prominent and central role that benefits theentire sustainable development agenda, because the ultimate ob=ectiveof all development activities is to sustain human lives in good health,the head of the World Health Organi"ation #WHO$ said today, callingfor greater efforts to combat the ma=or challenges of antimicrobialresistance, the *orld drug problem and the high costs of non+

communicable diseases on the road to strengthening health systems'

AWe have entered an ambitious ne* era for health development,<

WHO 2irector+3eneral 2r' /argaret !han said in an address to the

si@ty+ninth annual session of the World Health )ssembly, theagency9s decision+ma&ing body'

AWHO, together *ith its multiple partners, is poised to save manymore millions of lives' I as& you to remember this purpose as *e gothrough an agenda that can mean so much for the future,< she added'

?irector*General of the World -ealth Or$ani>ation %ar$aret Chan

addresses the 4th World -ealth Assembl) in Gene,a Swit>erland.

Photo W-O



- 96 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

2r' !han noted that public health constantly struggles to hold infectious diseases at bay, to change lifestyle behaviours, andto find enough money to do these and many other =obs, but sometimes the *orld needs to Astep bac& and celebrate'<

A!ommitment to the /illennium 2evelopment 3oals #/23s$ brought focus, energy, creative innovation, and above allmoney to bear on some of the biggest health challenges that marred the start of this century,< she said'

)s such, the *orld can celebrate the C,777 fe*er children dying every day, a per cent drop in maternal mortality, and

the FG per cent of tuberculosis cases that are successfully cured' )frica, in particular, can celebrate the B7 per cent decline inmalaria mortality, *hile as the result of the fastest scale+up of a life+saving treatment in history, more than CG million peopleliving *ith HI> are no* receiving antiretroviral therapy, up from =ust B7,777 in 6777, the 2irector+3eneral stressed'

A) culture of measurement and accountability evolved to ma&e aid more effective' 3reater transparency brought the voiceof civil society to bear in holding governments and donors accountable for their promises,< 2r' !han said'

Ahe profile of health changed, from a drain on resources to an investment that builds stable, prosperous, and eDuitablesocieties,< she added'

n interconnected world leads to global health threats

In an interconnected *orld characteri"ed by profound mobility of people and goods, fe* threats to health are local anymore,2r' !han said'

Highlighting some of the main global health concerns, the 2irector+3eneral underscored that air pollution is a transboundaryha"ard that affects the global atmosphere and contributes to climate change, *hile drug+resistant pathogens, including thegro*ing number of Asuperbugs,< travel *ell internationally in people, animals and food' In addition, the mar&eting ofunhealthy foods and beverages, especially to children, is no* a global phenomenon, *hile safeguarding the Duality of

pharmaceutical products has become much harder, *ith comple@ manufacturing procedures and supply chains spanningmultiple companies and countries, she said'

/oreover, she noted that ensuring the Duality of the food supply is also much harder *hen a single meal can containingredients from all around the *orld, including some potentially contaminated *ith e@otic pathogens' %urthermore, the

Ebola outbrea& in three small countries had paraly"ed the *orld *ith fear and travel constraints, *hile the rapidly evolvingoutbrea& of Ti&a *arns us that an old disease in )frica and )sia can suddenly *a&e up on a ne* continent to cause a globalhealth emergency'

A%or infectious diseases, you cannot trust the past *hen planning for the future,< 2r' !han said'

A!hanges in the *ay humanity inhabits the planet have given the volatile microbial *orld multiple ne* opportunities toe@ploit' here *ill al*ays be surprises'<

Outbreaks ‘illuminate the fault lines in our collective preparedness’

Outbrea&s that become emergencies al*ays reveal specific *ea&nesses in affected countries and Ailluminate the fault lines

in our collective preparedness,< 2r' !han said'

%or Ebola, it *as the absence of even the most basic infrastructures and capacities for surveillance, diagnosis, infectioncontrol and clinical care, unaided by any vaccines or specific treatments'

%or its part, Ti&a reveals an Ae@treme conseDuence< of the failure to provide universal access to se@ual and family planningservices, the 2irector+3eneral said, noting that Katin )merica and the !aribbean have the highest proportion of unintended

pregnancies any*here in the *orld'

)bove all, the spread of Ti&a, the resurgence of dengue, and the emerging threat from chi&ungunya are the price being paidfor a massive policy failure that dropped the ball on mosDuito control in the C7s, 2r' !han said'



- 9; -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

AKet me give you a stern *arning' What *e are seeing no* loo&s more and more li&e a dramatic resurgence of the threatfrom emerging and re+emerging infectious diseases' he *orld is not prepared to cope,< she emphasi"ed'

Welcoming the current =oint e@ternal evaluations that are loo&ing at preparedness and response capacities in severalcountries, 2r' !han said the evaluations need to continue *ith the Autmost urgency,< as a tool under WHO authority andcoordination'

A3iven *hat *e face right no*, and the ne@t surprises that are sure to come, the item on your agenda *ith the mosts*eeping conseDuences, for a danger that can Duic&ly s*eep around the *orld, is the one on the reform of WHO9s *or& inhealth emergency management,< she said'

A%e* health threats are local anymore' )nd fe* health threats can be managed by the health sector acting alone,< she added'

‘Slowmotion disasters’ shaping the global health landscape

In addition, the 2irector+3eneral highlighted that as the international community enters the era of sustainable development,the global health landscape is being shaped by three Aslo*+motion disasters<- a changing climate, the failure of more andmore mainstay antimicrobials, and the rise of chronic non+communicable diseases as the leading &illers *orld*ide'

Ahese are not natural disasters' hey are man+made disasters created by policies that place economic interests aboveconcerns about the *ell+being of human lives and the planet that sustains them,< she said' Ahis is the *ay the *orld *or&s'he burning of fossil fuels po*ers economies'<

AUnchec&ed, these slo*+motion disasters *ill eventually reach a tipping point *here the harm done is irreversible,< sheadded'

%or its part, the 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment is attempting to ensure that these and many other disasters

are averted, the 2irector+3eneral said'

Ahe agenda aims to do nothing less than transform the *ay the *orld, and the international systems that govern it, *or&,<2r' !han said'

AHealth holds a prominent and central place that benefits the entire agenda' In the final analysis, the ultimate ob=ective of alldevelopment activities, *hether concerning the design of urban environments or the provision of modern energy to ruralareas, is to sustain human lives in good health,< she added'

he World Health )ssembly, *hich meets every /ay, is attended by delegations from all WHO /ember States' Its mainfunctions are to determine the policies of the health agency, supervise financial policies, and revie* and approve the

proposed programme budget'



- 9< -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

In 9ienna, '( *ri$e *o$$ission o1ens with %all to ad#an%eusti%e, rule o. law

23 May – he main United ations anti+crime forum opened in

>ienna today *ith calls to strengthen =ustice and the rule of la* andhelp build resilient institutions in support of the global developmentgoals, *hich recogni"e the connections bet*een poverty, security,crime and corruption'

AI hope that at this session, you *ill see& to advance effectiveresponses based on the tried and tested international frame*or&

provided by the conventions against transnational organi"ed crime andcorruption, the international counterterrorism instruments, and thestandards and norms in crime prevention and criminal =ustice,< saidury %edotov, E@ecutive 2irector of the U Office on 2rugs and

!rime #UO2!$ in opening remar&s to the 6Gth Session of the

!ommission on !rime 0revention and !riminal Nustice, *hich

runs through 6 /ay'

He said this *or& is needed to disrupt criminal net*or&s and terrorist outrages, and to counter violent e@tremism andradicali"ation to violence' It *as also necessary to confront corruption and to enhance the administration of =ustice,including for children, as *ell as to respond to violence against *omen'

/r' %edotov noted that UO2!9s *or& supported the 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment, and *as Apart of

the unified responses needed to confront the many crises the *orld is facing'<

He emphasi"ed that the implementation of the 2oha 2eclaration, endorsed at the C8th !rime !ongress last year, and the

follo*+up to the Si@th Session of the !onference of States 0arties to the U !onvention against !orruption in Saint

0etersburg in late 67CG, *ere also &ey enablers for achieving the Sustainable 2evelopment 3oals #S23s$, particularly3oal CB on =ustice and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions'

his year9s !rime !ommission features about G7 side events and C e@hibitions on crime prevention and criminal =usticematters'

Si@ draft resolutions have been tabled on traffic&ing in human organs and traffic&ing in persons for the purpose of organremovalJ promoting legal aidJ restorative =usticeJ strengthening technical assistance for the prevention of crime, includingterrorismJ follo* up to the C8th !rime !ongress and preparations for the Cth !rime !ongress to be held in Napan in 6767Jand youth crime prevention'

On the margins of this session, UO2!, *ith the International !onsortium on !ombating Wildlife !rime #I!!W!$

partners, *ill launch the first+ever World Wildlife !rime Meport'

IEM0OK and UO2! *ill sign an agreement to further enhance cooperation and contribute to effective action againstterrorism, organi"ed crime, smuggling of migrants and drug traffic&ing'

) tool developed by UO2! to assist in implementing the International 3uidelines for crime prevention and criminalustice responses to traffic&ing in cultural property *ill be launched'

/r' %edotov said that the !ommission has been at the forefront of efforts to improve =ustice system responses to suchchallenges as the flo* of migrants and refugees, and UO2! remains fully engaged in advancing this *or&, also in vie* ofthe un 3eneral )ssembly Summit on )ddressing Karge /ovements of Mefugees and /igrants to be held in September'

O"enin$ of the 0=th Session of the Commission on Crime Pre,ention

and Criminal @#stice in !ienna A#stria. Photo UNO?C



- 9: -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

;e$en: '(6$ediated 1ea%e tal-s %ontinue .ollowing trilateral$eeting with 2an in <atar

23 May – he delegation of the 3overnment of emen returned to thenegotiating table in 5u*ait in the latest round of peace tal&s today,*ith the United ations envoy for the conflict+torn country holding a

plenary this morning *ith both delegations, a U spo&esperson said'

In atar over the *ee&end, U Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon participated in a trilateral meeting *ith the )mir of atar and0resident Hadi of emen, *hich the Special Envoy for emen, Ismail

Ould !hei&h )hmed, also attended, according to a statement issued

by /r' 4an9s office'

o 0resident Hadi, the Secretary+3eneral underlined that peace

negotiations are rarely smooth, but that there *as a need forAcommitment and perseverance< by all sides'

AHe said he strongly hoped that the tal&s that *ill shortly resume in 5u*ait *ill lead to concrete results, and he appreciatedatar9s support,< said the statement, *hich is dated 6C /ay'

2uring the meeting, /r' 4an also reDuested the special envoy to respond to the recent letter received from the 3overnmentof emen' )t the time, the 0resident of emen confirmed that he *ould send the 3overnment9s delegation bac& to the tal&sas reDuested by the )mir of atar and the Secretary+3eneral, according to the statement'

he Secretary+3eneral added that, in parallel to the peace tal&s, all parties needed to redouble their efforts to provide andfacilitate humanitarian and other supplies, including fuel, to alleviate the Aappalling living conditions< of millions of emeniciti"ens, the statement said'

+o) "la)in$ on "iece of e<"loded artiller) shell which landed near his

home in the ,illa$e of Al %ahBar a s#b#rb of Sana7a emen. Photo

UN&CEF'%ohamed -amo#d

+n International Day, '( highlights 5iodi#ersity0s role inunder1inning de#elo1$ent

22 May – 4iodiversity and the ecosystem services it supports are thefoundations for life on Earth and the livelihoods and *ell+being of

people every*here, United ations Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moonsaid today on the International 2ay for 4iological 2iversity, as heurged the international community to preserve and sustainablymanage the variety of life on the planet'

A0rotecting biodiversity and preventing further losses is an essentialinvestment in our collective future,< /r' 4an said in his message

mar&ing the 2ay'

AOn this International 2ay for 4iodiversity, I urge all 3overnmentsand sta&eholders to preserve and sustainably manage the variety oflife on Earth for the benefit of current and future generations,< he

added'

he 2ay is mar&ed around the *orld every year on 66 /ay' his year.s theme is ./ainstreaming 4iodiversityJ Sustaining

Fishin$ boats %e<ico. Photo World +ank'C#rt Carnemark



- 9= -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

0eople and their Kivelihoods'.

In his message, the Secretary+3eneral highlighted that biodiversity is an important cross+cutting issue in the message

mar&ing the 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment'

In addition, he noted that Sustainable 2evelopment 3oal #S23$ CG e@plicitly recogni"es the importance of halting

biodiversity loss, and other S23s recogni"e the importance of biological diversity for eradicating poverty, providing foodand fresh *ater, and improving life in cities'

AIt is critical that *e ma&e progress in mainstreaming biodiversity and transforming ho* societies value and manage it,< theU chief said'

/r' 4an noted that despite numerous commitments, biodiversity loss continues to accelerate in all regions' Only CG per cent

of countries are on trac& to achieve the )ichi 4iodiversity argets by the agreed+upon date of 6767'

In addition, he said that the anticipated e@pansion of sectors that both depend on and affect biodiversity – includingagriculture, forestry, fisheries and aDuaculture – *ill pose a significant challenge to halting biodiversity loss in the comingdecades'

Meversing these trends *ill reDuire action by all sectors and sta&eholders, from U /ember States and agencies to civilsociety, academia and business, the Secretary+3eneral said'

AWe need better research, and *e need to act on the evidence that biodiversity is integral to achieving social and economicgoals,< he stressed'

/r' 4an also emphasi"ed that the responsible use of natural resources is essential to sustainable development, asmainstreaming biodiversity *ill ensure that addressing development needs and protecting the environment are mutuallysupportive'

A0reserving biological diversity is a vital part of our compact *ith each other and the planet that nurtures us,< the Secretary+3eneral concluded'

In his message on the 2ay, )chim Steiner, E@ecutive director of the U Environment 0rogramme #UE0$ said that *hile

marvel at iconic species in other parts of the *orld and on our digital screens, such as elephants, tigers and pandas, many ofus are much less familiar *ith the sheer magnitude of diversity of plants and animals on this planet or the habitats thatsupport them'

A)*areness about our current global challenge of biodiversity loss is also lo* – a challenge that *ill e@pand along *ith thesectors affecting biodiversity, such as agriculture or forestry,< he said, stressing at the same time, that biodiversity providesus *ith the ecosystem services that are our

foundations for life, every*here on this planet, from fishermen depending on coastal *aters, to farmers depending on crops,to tropical communities depending on forests'

AWe need to better integrate biodiversity into ho* *e thin& and into everything that *e do' )nd *e all need to do more to prevent its loss,< the UE0 chief said, echoing the theme of this year.s 2ay'

In another message on the 2ay, the E@ecutive Secretary of the !onvention on 4iological 2iversity, 4raulio %' de Sou"a

2ias, stressed that addressing the indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss reDuires a focus on primary sectors, such asagriculture, forestry, fisheries and aDuaculture'

Ahese sectors both impact biodiversity and are dependent on biodiversity,< he said' Ahe demand for the goods andservices produced by these sectors is pro=ected to increase over the coming decades as a result of population gro*th,



- 9> -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

increasing average *ealth, and other demographic changes'<

He noted, for e@ample, that demand for food, *ood, *ater and energy is pro=ected to increase C'G to t*o times by 67G7 dueto increasing population and average *ealth, *ith a concomitant and negative effect on biodiversity'

herefore, mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across these sectors is essential in ensuring

not only the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity but also the continued vitality of

these sectors, he said'

In *airo, '( !e%urity *oun%il %onsults with 3ra5 =eague onregional, glo5al issues

2! May – he United ations Security !ouncil today held anunprecedented consultative meeting in !airo *ith delegations ofmember States of the Keague of )rab States, discussing, amongothers, developments of the 0alestinian issue, the /iddle East peace

process, updates on the situation in both Kibya and Somalia'

he mission, led by )mr )bul )tta, the 0ermanent representative ofEgypt to the United ations and current !ouncil 0resident, arrived inthe Egyptian capital from airobi, 5enya, after a brief visit toSomalia to discuss preparations for elections there in )ugust and lendsupport to the process'

)mong the other issues discussed *ith )rab Keague members *erethe challenges posed by the surging numbers of refugees, displaced

persons and illegal immigrants'

)fter a meeting *ith )rab Keague Secretary 3eneral abil El )raby, the =oint consultative meeting bet*een delegations ofthe t*o entities *as held under the co+chairmanship of Egypt as !ouncil 0resident and 4ahrain, *hich chairs the currentsession of the Keague of )rab States'

he meeting opened *ith a &eynote address in *hich /r' El )raby stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation andcoordination bet*een the U and Keague of )rab States on various issues, particularly those relating to international peaceand security, and stability in the )rab region and around the *orld' /any representatives from both sides urged that suchconsultative meetings become regular, *ith some diplomats calling for converting them into a fi@ed mechanism bet*een thet*o organi"ations'

/r' El )raby also stressed the need to reconsider the *ay the Security !ouncil operates in order to become better able toshoulder responsibilities entrusted to it in dealing *ith crises that threaten international peace and security and resolvingdisputes by peaceful means' He pointed out the significant role played by regional organi"ations in that regard, *hich he

said *as also underlined in the charters of both the U and Keague of )rab States'

%ollo*ing the Keague.s meeting, the Security !ouncil mission *ent to meet Egyptian %oreign /inister Sameh Shou&ry andsome of his top aides' heir tal&s revolved around the 0alestinian issue, developments in both Kibya and Somalia, and theconflict in Syria'

United Nations Sec#rit) Co#ncil meets in Cairo E$)"t with 9ea$#e

of Arab States. Photo UN&C Cairo



- 9? -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

0>ogether, we %an $o#e .ro$ as1iration to a%tion,0 2an tellsglo5al, regional leaders in <atar

2! May – With the 2oha %orum meeting Aat a time of fragility and

vulnerability,< United ations Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon saidtoday that *hile progress on the U.s 6787 )genda is crucial to usherin sustainability and eDuity, more must be done no* to end conflictand suffering'

AOur *orld faces multiple armed conflicts, rising e@tremism and the*idening impacts of climate change' One hundred and thirty million

people need life+saving humanitarian assistance' War and persecution

have forced B7 million people from their homes,< /r' 4an told *orld

and regional leaders gathered in atar for the opening of the annual%orum'

Indeed, he continued, in the /iddle East and 3ulf region, millions of people are suffering the conseDuences of conflict, terrorism,ineDuality, regional rivalries and severe deficits in basic freedoms' Ahe scale of these challenges demands a more concertedglobal response,< he said'

Stressing that encouragement could be dra*n from recent landmar& agreements, including the 0aris )greement on climate

change, and the 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment, *hich he called an Aintegrated and inspiring blueprint for

peace and prosperity on a healthy planet,< that ta&es aim at many of the drivers of instability and anger around the *orld'

AIt calls on us to fight corruption and =oblessness, and to ensure that natural resources are managed for the many, not thefe*' It highlights the importance of building accountable institutions capable of providing services and =ustice for all,< saidthe U chief, adding that at its core, the )genda.s commitment is to leave no one behind'

A:et; as *e set our sights on the year 6787, *e must do far more to end conflict and suffering in 67CB' We are striving to build a culture of prevention by stressing the peaceful resolution of disputes, and by focusing early on violations of humanrights before they escalate,< the Secretary+3eneral underscored'

On one of the ma=or prevention challenges of our times – violent e@tremism – he said the international community mustavoid Ashort+sighted policies and heavy+handed approaches< that only e@acerbate the problem and give terrorists their bestrecruitment tools'

/r' 4an said that the U is also strengthening peace operations to deploy Duic&ly, *ith the right mandate at the right time,and *ith the necessary capabilities to ma&e a difference' he Organi"ation is also placing ne* emphasis on sustaining peace

by addressing root causes, promoting reconciliation, and moving to*ards recovery, reconstruction and development'

AIt is crucial to bring more voices to the table' Women have a vital role to play, not =ust as recipients of protection but asagents of peace' oung people are seen too often today as potential threatsJ *e must empo*er them to reali"e their potentialas peacebuilders,< he stressed, adding that civil society must also play its crucial role and he e@pressed his profound concernabout ne* la*s and attac&s that infringe on the rights of non+governmental organi"ations'

A%inally, *e must do all *e can to end the conflicts and violence that have set this region aflame, from Syria and emen toKibya, IraD and 0alestine,< said the Secretary+3eneral, noting, specifically on emen that the tal&s in 5u*ait are critical for

peace and he strongly urged the leaders of all parties to sho* the fle@ibility and *isdom needed to reach an agreement that*ill allo* emenis to Aheal the *ounds of this *ar< and loo& ahead to a better future'

Secretar)*General at 0234 ?oha For#m in Datar. UN Photo'Eskinder

?ebebe



- 28 -


UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

urning to Syria, /r' 4an said the country.s 3overnment Acontinues to drop barrel bombs on civilians,< and placeunconscionable and unla*ful obstacles in the *ay of humanitarian aid' ) fe* days ago, even a consignment of baby food toa desperately deprived besieged area *as deliberately bloc&ed by the 3overnment, he recalled'

A/y Special Envoy continues to *or& intently *ith the parties to*ards meaningful tal&s' We need a full and immediatecessation of hostilities' Nust as important, *e need to begin discussions on the transition' I fear that *ithout such a politicalhori"on, a further escalation is all too li&ely,< *arned the Secretary+3eneral, calling again on all regional and international

actors to use their influence on the parties, and to persuade them to negotiate in good faith on transitional arrangements'

%inally, /r' 4an told the %orum that tomorro* *ill head to Istanbul for the first+ever World Humanitarian Summit' )nd*ith humanitarian needs rising, outpacing the global response, and disaster stri&ing *ith greater freDuency and force, AtheSummit is a chance for all of us – 3overnments, humanitarians and business leaders – to agree on *ays to better protect

people, ensure access to those in need and build resilience'<

A>ulnerable people across the *orld are rightly as&ing, .*here is the humanityL he World Humanitarian Summit is ouropportunity to sho* *e are listening – and acting to uphold it,< the U chief emphasi"ed, adding- Aogether, *e can movefrom aspiration to action, and set the *orld on a path to*ards the theme of this forum- stability and prosperity for all'(

9ene/uelan 8o#ern$ent and o11osition should address

%hallenges through dialogue ? 2an

2! May – United ations Secretary+3eneral 4an 5i+moon continuesto follo* events in >ene"uela and is encouraged by the ongoinginitiatives by former Heads of State and 3overnment to promotedialogue bet*een the 3overnment of >ene"uela and the opposition,under the auspices of the Union of South )merican ations#U)SUM$'

) statement issued today by /r' 4an.s spo&esperson says the U

chief has also ta&en note of regional calls for dialogue'

A:he Secretary+3eneral; reiterates his strong conviction that the3overnment and the opposition should address the country.s currentchallenges through meaningful dialogue, adhering to the rule of la*and the !onstitution, for the benefit of the >ene"uelan people,< the

statement concluded'

Secretar)*General +an (i*moon. UN Photo'Amanda !oisard 5file6



- 29 -UN ail" Ne%s 26 7a" 289:

+n orld Day, '( hails 1otential o. %ultural di#ersity to 5oostde#elo1$ent

2! May – !ultural diversity is an outstanding source of e@change,

innovation and creativity, and has the enormous potential to acceleratesustainable development, the United ations cultural agency declaredtoday'

In a message mar&ing the World 2ay for !ultural 2iversity for2ialogue and 2evelopment, Irina 4o&ova, 2irector+3eneral of the

U Educational, Scientific and !ultural Organi"ation #UES!O$,highlighted that celebrating cultural diversity is a *ay of recogni"ingthat Athe *ealth of cultures is the constitutive po*er of humanity andan important asset for peace and development, the promotion of *hichis inseparable from the observance of human rights'<

A!elebrating cultural diversity also means being a*are of the ties that bind us to our environment, because cultural diversity is as necessary

for human&ind as biodiversity is for nature,< she added, as stated in the UES!O Universal 2eclaration on !ultural2iversity, adopted in 677C'

In particular, /s' 4o&ova noted that celebrating cultural diversity means opening up ne* perspectives for sustainabledevelopment and promoting creative industries and cultural entrepreneurship as sources of millions of =obs *orld*ide –

particularly for young people and especially for *omen'

he 2irector+3eneral also stressed that culture is a sustainable development accelerator *hose potential has been recogni"ed

in the 6787 )genda for Sustainable 2evelopment adopted by the U'

A!ulture offers the uniDue opportunity to reconcile the economic and social aspects of development – cultural goods andservices have identities, reference points and values, *hile enabling millions of creators, artists and professionals to ma&e aliving from their *or&,< /s' 4o&ova said' A!elebrating cultural diversity means enabling them to practice their trade andhelps them to enrich the cultural landscape, *hich in turn enriches us'<

In fact, she said, the core of UES!O.s mandate – for heritage, education, information and &no*ledge+sharing – is based oncelebrating cultural diversity that broadens our hori"ons and human rights that unite us'

Ahe enemies of human rights al*ays attac& cultural diversity, *hich symboli"es the freedom to be and to thin&, and *hichis unbearable to them,< /s' 4o&ova said'

AOn this 2ay, let us dare to respond to them collectively- I call upon all /ember States to strengthen the spirit of this day, as

a peaceful *eapon against the temptations of isolationism, closure and e@clusion, *hich lead humanity to renounce itself,ignoring its o*n *ealth,< she concluded'

he World 2ay for !ultural 2iversity for 2ialogue and 2evelopment, proclaimed by the U 3eneral )ssembly in2ecember 6776 and celebrated annually on 6C /ay, provides an opportunity for mobili"ation on the part of governments,

policy ma&ers, civil society organi"ations, communities and cultural professionals to promote culture in its diversity and inall its forms, according to UES!O'

Special attention is given to national cultural policies that recogni"e the contribution of traditional &no*ledge, particularly*hen it to comes to the protection of the environment and the management of natural resources'

%embers of %on$olia7s National Academic Ensemble of Folk Son$

and ?ance "erform at UN -ead;#arters celebratin$ c#lt#ral

di,ersit). UN Photo'R)an +rown 5file6

un daily news 23 may 2016

Documents