United Nations published this video item, entitled “Security Council Meeting & other topics – Daily Briefing (24 September 2020)” – below is their description.
Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. – Secretary-General/Security Council – Climate – Gender Dimensions of the Death Penalty – Maritime Day – Yemen – Central African Republic – Afghanistan – COVID-19/Philippines – Killing of Journalist – Greece/Asylum Seekers – UNDP – Senior Personnel Appointment – Tribute of Rey Naval – Briefings Tomorrow – Financial Contributions SECRETARY-GENERAL/SECURITY COUNCIL This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the Security Council’s open video teleconference on global governance, post-COVID-19. The Secretary-General said that the pandemic is a clear test of international cooperation, a test that we have essentially failed. He attributed this to a lack of global preparedness, cooperation, unity and solidarity. He noted that many of the cross-border challenges we face today – from the climate crisis to rising inequality to cybercrime – involve interest groups, businesses, organizations and entire sectors that cannot be addressed effectively by states alone. He added that we need to broaden our idea of global governance, to take in businesses, civil society, cities and regions, academia and young people. Our world is no longer bipolar or unipolar, he said, noting that it is moving towards multipolarity. And the Secretary-General added that COVID-19 is casting a dark shadow across the world, but also warning that we must be spurred into action. We have no choice, Mr. Guterres said. Either we come together in global institutions that are fit for purpose, or we will be crushed by divisiveness and chaos. In a video message to the Bahrain Visions meeting, the Secretary-General also said the virus is a major setback to our common efforts. CLIMATE Moments ago, the Secretary-General spoke at the High-Level Roundtable on Climate Ambition. He said that the damage to people and the environment due to climate disruption is immense and growing, and we must urgently reverse course. He asked all leaders – governments, businesses, financiers, civil society and youth – to act on three urgent priorities: First, to implement sustainable COVID-19 recovery plans that tackle climate change. Second, to protect our economies by acting in line with what science tells us. And third, to prioritize the most vulnerable people and communities. The Secretary-General once again stressed that we must not bail out polluting industries, especially coal, and that governments should accelerate the decarbonization of the global economy. “Any plan that supports economically costly and polluting coal and fossil fuel industries cannot be called recovery”. GENDER DIMENSIONS OF THE DEATH PENALTY This morning, the Secretary-General also spoke in another meeting, but this time by video message, at a side event on the Gender Dimensions of the Death Penalty. He stressed that the United Nations advocates for every country, in all circumstances, to abolish this cruel punishment. The Secretary-General said that we should all be greatly concerned at the disproportionate and discriminatory application of the death penalty to women. He noted that research indicates that women are sentenced to the death penalty for drug-related offences far more than men. It is also rare for domestic abuse to be treated as a mitigating factor during capital sentencing. The Secretary-General reiterated his call on States to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances. Full Highlights:https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=24%20September%202020
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