United Nations published this video item, entitled “Climate, Violence Against Asians, SC/Afghanistan & other topics – Daily Briefing (23 March 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Climate
– Violence Against Asians
– Security Council/Afghanistan
– Syria
– Deputy Secretary-General/Asia-Pacific
– Lebanon
– Yemen
– Myanmar
– Bangladesh/Rohingya
– Libya
– Ethiopia
– Niger
– COVAX/Brazil
– Acute Hunger
– World Meteorological Day
– Financial Contribution
CLIMATE
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke, in a video message, to the 2021 Ministerial on Climate Action, convened by China, Canada and the European Union.
He said that decisions that countries make during this make-or-break year have the power to keep the limit of 1.5 degrees within reach.
He underscored that “we simply cannot contemplate any alternative,” and said that the net zero coalition must grow to cover well over 90 per cent of global emissions this year.
The Secretary-General also urged countries to submit, or re-submit, ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
His full remarks are online.
VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIANS
A statement we issued yesterday afternoon said that the Secretary-General is profoundly concerned about the rise of violence against Asians and people of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world has witnessed horrific deadly attacks, verbal and physical harassment, bullying in schools, workplace discrimination, incitement to hatred in the media and on social media platforms, and incendiary language by those in positions of power. In some countries, Asian women have been specifically targeted for attack, adding misogyny to the toxic mix of hatred. Thousands of incidents across the past year have perpetuated a centuries-long history of intolerance, stereotyping, scapegoating, exploitation and abuse.
The Secretary-General expresses his full support for the victims and families, and stands in solidarity with all those who face racism and other assaults on their human rights. This moment of challenge for all must be a time to uphold dignity for all.
SECURITY COUNCIL/AFGHANISTAN
This morning, Deborah Lyons, the Special Representative for Afghanistan, briefed the Security Council by VTC on the situation in that country. Ms. Lyons said that she was very sorry to report that in the first two months of 2021, we have witnessed the continued trend of rising civilian casualties. Particularly worrying is the array of attacks deliberately targeting civilians.
Ms. Lyons noted that given the many interests involved – both domestic and international, to be clear – we always knew that this would be a complicated peace process. Decades of conflict have created real grievances on all sides and there remains a lack of trust amongst the parties. There are also genuine and profound differences between the Islamic Republic and the Taliban over their desired end state.
Ms. Lyons stressed that none of this can be resolved in the work of a moment – nor in a few meetings, no matter the location or format. Addressing these issues will require patience and commitment on all sides.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=23%20March%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
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