United Nations published this video item, entitled “Ukraine, Secretary-General/Travels & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (16 November 2022)” – below is their description.
Highlights:
– SG Travels
– Ukraine
– Security Council
– Sahel
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Central African Republic
– South Sudan
– Sudan
– Ethiopia
– Horn of Africa
– International Day for Tolerance
SG TRAVELS
The Secretary-General is on his way back to Sharm el-Sheikh for COP27, which is set to conclude this weekend.
Earlier in Bali, Indonesia, he spoke at the G20 Summit’s session on Digital Transformation. He said that with the right policies in place, digital technology can give an unprecedented boost to sustainable development, particularly for the poorest countries.
“This calls for more connectivity and less digital fragmentation. More bridges across digital divides and fewer barriers. Greater autonomy for ordinary people; less abuse and disinformation,” the Secretary-General said, adding that without guidance and guardrails, digital technology also has huge potential for harm.
And on the sidelines of the Summit the Secretary-General met separately with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and with Vasyl Hamianin, Ambassador to the Embassy of Ukraine in Indonesia. Readouts of those meetings have been shared with you.
Last night, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General said that he was very concerned by the reports of a missile exploding on Polish territory. He said that it is absolutely essential to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine.
UKRAINE
In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that millions of people in in the country are without electricity, water or heating following a wave of missile attacks that hit critical infrastructure in at least 16 of the country’s 24 regions, and in the capital, Kyiv. The damage to civilian infrastructure comes at a critical time when the temperature is dropping below zero, raising concerns about a serious humanitarian crisis during the harsh Ukrainian winter if people are unable to heat their homes.
We, along with our humanitarian partners, are working around the clock to support people with winter supplies, including through providing heating systems to centres hosting those displaced by the war.
This afternoon, at 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will hold a meeting on Ukraine. The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is expected to brief Council members.
SECURITY COUNCIL
Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, briefed a Security Council session on the G5 Sahel this morning.
She said that the security situation in the Sahel has continued to deteriorate since her last briefing, highlighting the impact on civilians, notably on women and girls.
Ms. Pobee reiterated that, despite its challenges, the G5 Sahel Joint Force remains an important regionally-led component of the response to insecurity in the Sahel.
Looking forward, she added, a new concept of operations for the Joint Force is being considered. This new concept would address the challenges resulting from the evolving security and humanitarian situation, as well as the withdrawal of Mali, while acknowledging bilateral operations undertaken by neighbouring countries.
She reiterated our call for the continued support of the Security Council and urged the international community to remain engaged in the spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity with the populations of the region.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=16%20November%202022
United Nations YouTube Channel
Got a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.
