United Nations published this video item, entitled “Sri Lanka, Yemen, World Population Day & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (11 July 2022)” – below is their description.
Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Sri Lanka
– Senior Personnel Appointment
– Yemen
– Bosnia and Herzegovina
– Bangladesh
– Children and Armed Conflict
– High-Level Political Forum
– World Population Day
– Noon Briefing Guests
SRI LANKA
Earlier this morning, we issued the following statement on Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General continues to follow developments in Sri Lanka closely. He stands in solidarity with the Sri Lankan people and calls on all stakeholders to engage in dialogue to ensure a smooth transition of government and to find sustainable solutions to the economic crisis.
The Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence and calls for those responsible to be held accountable, underlining the paramount importance of maintaining the peace. The United Nations stands ready to support Sri Lanka and its people.
The UN team in Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer, stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, who are calling for democracy, accountability and transparency from their leaders. It is important that all incidents of violence against journalists, peaceful protestors and harm to property are investigated and that those responsible are held accountable.
Given the ongoing economic crisis, there is a need for a smooth transition to a legitimate government, that can continue dialogue with all relevant national and international stakeholders to support Sri Lanka as it copes with its worst economic crisis ever. Food security, agriculture, livelihoods, and access to health for the most vulnerable must be prioritized with immediate action to avoid further suffering. Our UN team continues to monitor the situation closely and stands ready to assist in dialogue as needed. We also reiterate our call for the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic governance.
YEMEN
Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy for Yemen, briefed the Security Council, by vtc, on the situation in that country since the renewal of the truce. He said that, to date, the truce has been holding for over three months. It has resulted in a significant reduction in civilian casualties, with the number of civilian casualties reduced by two thirds compared to the three months before the truce began.
In the coming weeks, the Special Envoy said that he will continue to explore with the parties the possibility of a longer extension and an expanded truce agreement. This, he said, would provide time and the opportunity to start serious discussions on the economy and security tracks, to start addressing priority issues such as revenues as well as the payment of salaries, and to begin the process of moving toward a ceasefire.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, also briefed Council members. She warned that Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe is about to get much worse.
Humanitarian needs across the country – including risk of famine in some areas – could rise sharply in the coming weeks and months, she said, adding that the international community must act quickly and decisively to stop this.
She noted that the Ukraine war is also threatening the supply chains that bring in Yemen’s food – nearly 90 per cent of which must be imported. Last year, just under half of all wheat came from Russia and Ukraine.
WORLD POPULATION DAY
Today is World Population Day. In his message, the Secretary-General said that when we act on our shared values, we contribute to our common future. He called on all to work together towards greater equality and solidarity to ensure that our planet can support our needs and those of future generations.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=11%20July%202022
United Nations YouTube Channel
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