Day by day Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of as we speak’s briefing by Stephanie Tremblay, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

**Briefing Today

Good afternoon, everybody.  Welcome to the midday briefing.

Let me begin with a reminder that at 12:45 p.m., there might be a briefing right here by Diego Pacheco, the Chair of the Landlocked Developing Countries and Chargé d´Affaires of the Bolivian Mission to the UN together with others.

They will temporary on the adoption of the General Assembly decision entitled “International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries”.  So that’s at 12:45, so keep put after we’re completed right here.

**Amnesty International

This morning, António Guterres turned the primary United Nations Secretary-General to handle Amnesty International’s Global Assembly.  He informed the Assembly that highly effective forces are ranged in opposition to human rights — and in opposition to the worldwide system constructed to guard and uphold them.

The Secretary-General mentioned that the dimensions and scope of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is past something we have now seen in current instances.  And he spoke in regards to the degree of indifference and inaction we see by too many within the worldwide neighborhood.

The Secretary-General mentioned that the UN’s heroic workers proceed to serve in unimaginable situations, whereas many are so numb and depleted that they are saying they really feel neither lifeless nor alive.

He mentioned that the United Nations stands able to benefit from a ceasefire to dramatically scale up humanitarian operations throughout the Gaza Strip, as we efficiently did through the earlier pause in combating.  Our plans are prepared, and they’re finalized, he mentioned.  He as soon as extra referred to as for a right away and everlasting ceasefire, the rapid and unconditional launch of all hostages, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian entry and pressing, concrete and irreversible steps in direction of a two-State resolution.

**Deputy Secretary-General’s Travel

Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will journey later as we speak, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to attend the Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4), happening from 27 to 29 July, in Addis Ababa; it’s co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy.  Four years for the reason that 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, UNFSS+4 will function a platform to replicate on progress, strengthen collaboration and unlock finance and investments to speed up the transformation of meals methods.

While on the Summit, Ms. Mohammed will meet with senior authorities officers, the personal sector, civil society, youth and different stakeholders, to debate precedence actions to assist meals methods transformation and speed up progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Deputy Secretary-General will then go on to Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to chair the annual regional retreat with UN Resident Coordinators from throughout the Arab area, with a give attention to advancing sustainable improvement in these international locations.

Ms. Mohammed will even meet with senior authorities officers to strengthen the UN-Jordan partnership and focus on precedence actions to assist the SDGs.

The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York on 2 August.

**Occupied Palestinian Territory

Now turning to the scenario in Gaza, our colleagues with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warn that situations on the bottom that are already catastrophic are worsening quick.  Colleagues remind us that starvation and malnutrition enhance the danger of sicknesses that weaken the immune system, particularly amongst girls, youngsters, older folks and people with disabilities and continual ailments.  The penalties can flip lethal quick.  Food shortage can also be having a extreme influence on pregnant and breastfeeding girls, as their infants usually tend to be born with well being issues.  It impacts moms’ capability to breastfeed, placing youngsters at elevated threat of infectious ailments.

In Gaza, methods and providers are on the snapping point, as we have now been telling you for days now.

Just yesterday, the native well being authorities introduced that two extra folks died from hunger.  In the meantime, the trickle of provides which might be making it into Gaza are nowhere close to ample to handle the immense wants.

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, mentioned yesterday that we should save as many lives as we are able to and pressured that the UN has a plan to take action.  Mr. Fletcher shared that plan with Member States and we’ve shared it with you, as nicely.  It outlines the steps essential to cease the horror, the constraints positioned on humanitarian operations in Gaza and our proposed options to resolve them.

Our groups are in place to ramp up supply as quickly as we’re allowed to take action. Our provides — which have been paid for by Member States from world wide — are prepared to maneuver.

As you’ll recall, over the past ceasefire, tens of hundreds of truckloads entered Gaza, with meals support reaching practically each single individual within the Strip.

What’s lacking proper now’s protected, sustained entry.  Aid staff face fixed hazard, crossings are unreliable, and demanding gadgets are routinely blocked.  If Israel opens the crossings, lets gas and gear in and permits humanitarian workers to function safely, we’ll speed up the supply of meals support, well being providers, clear water and waste administration, vitamin provides and shelter supplies.  Ensuring that these components are in place might be vital to scaling-up help within the occasion of a ceasefire.

However, proper now, numerous constraints imposed by the Israeli authorities on support supply proceed to hamper our capability to reply.  OCHA reiterates that humanitarian staff have to be enabled to ship support safely and effectively.

As entry constraints proceed, yesterday, out of 15 makes an attempt to coordinate humanitarian actions inside Gaza, 4 had been outright denied, with one other three impeded.  One was postponed, and two others needed to be cancelled by the organizers.  Only 5 missions had been facilitated, together with the pickup of cargo from the crossings and the switch of gas.

Further on gas, the portions getting into Gaza stay inadequate to keep up vital amenities.  The restricted quantity of gas acquired yesterday has been absolutely allotted to assist neighborhood kitchens, healthcare and water and sanitation amenities.

And in response to questions we’ve acquired, I can affirm that Tom Fletcher has written a letter to the top of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.  In the letter, Mr. Fletcher reiterated that the UN stands prepared to have interaction with any companion to make sure desperately wanted humanitarian support reaches folks in Gaza.

But, he pressured, any such partnership should adhere to the globally accepted ideas of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. This signifies that support should go the place wants are biggest and with out discrimination, and that we reply to civilians in want, not the combatants.  These ideas are important to fostering the neighborhood acceptance and belief that underpin efficient humanitarian motion.

Mr. Fletcher mentioned he welcomes dialogue on easy methods to attain as many individuals as attainable and alleviate widespread struggling, with out inflicting hurt.

**Syria

Now turning to Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stories that as of yesterday, an estimated 176,000 folks have been displaced because of the current hostilities in Sweida Governorate.  This consists of a rise in displaced folks arriving in Damascus Governorate, along with these in Sweida, Dar’a and Rural Damascus.

We proceed to work with our companions, together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to ship help to these affected by the violence, however entry, significantly to Sweida, stays extremely constrained.

Meanwhile in northern Syria, native authorities reported a big explosion yesterday at an ammunition depot in Ma’aarat Misrin city, in Idleb Governorate.

Six folks had been killed and at the very least 140 others injured, that’s additionally in keeping with the native authorities.  Syrian Civil Defence groups responded to evacuate folks and switch the injured for medical care, although secondary explosions within the neighborhood have considerably hindered emergency response efforts.

These newest developments underscore the pressing have to maintain large-scale humanitarian help in Syria.  However, extreme underfunding of the response is difficult these efforts.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, yesterday launched an extension of our 2025 humanitarian enchantment for the nation. The plan requires $3.2 billion to assist 10.3 million folks in want by the tip of this yr.

But to this point, solely $367 million has been acquired, representing lower than 12 per cent of the funding wanted.  Last yr’s response plan was solely 37 per cent funded, a steep decline in comparison with earlier years.

OCHA and our companions name on the worldwide neighborhood to step up with well timed, versatile and predictable funding to assist tens of millions of Syrians rebuild their lives and futures.

**Lebanon

Now in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers proceed to watch floor and air navy actions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), together with yesterday two Israeli battle tanks crossed north of the Blue Line in Sector East.  UNIFIL additionally noticed an air assault with 9 explosions carried out by at the very least two fighter jets in Sector East.

Yesterday, a UNIFIL patrol discovered unauthorized mortar shells and detonators in Sector East.  As per standard observe, the cache was referred to the Lebanese Armed Forces.  Peacekeepers additionally supported the Lebanese Armed Forces in amassing weapons and ammunition that had been found not too long ago at places in Sector West.

On 23 July, UNIFIL peacekeepers assisted the Lebanese Armed Forces in clearing two roadblocks in Sector West, enabling their deployment in that space.

Peacekeepers additionally carried out 5 trainings for Lebanese Army personnel earlier this month specializing in unexploded ordnance identification and dealing with.

Last week, the peacekeepers, working in collaboration with an NGO (non-governmental group), offered an unexploded ordnance consciousness session for schoolchildren.  This exercise is essential, as a number of southern Lebanese areas are plagued by unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive gadgets following the current hostilities.

**Climate — China—EU Summit

You could have seen a press release we issued yesterday night on the joint press assertion on local weather change on the China—EU Summit.  The Secretary-General welcomed the dedication of China and the European Union to strengthen cooperation on local weather change and drive the worldwide simply transition.

As two of the world’s largest economies, the Secretary-General mentioned that he believes it’s vital that China and the European Union proceed to work collectively to make sure that COP30 (30^th Conference of Parties) in Brazil represents a serious turning level within the international effort to handle the local weather disaster.

The Secretary-General reiterated his name to all G20 international locations to current 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which might be economy-wide, cowl all emissions, align with the 1.5-degree objective and outline a reputable pathway to transition away from fossil fuels as agreed on the First Global Stocktake.

**Security Council — Ukraine

This morning, as you noticed, the Security Council held a briefing on Ukraine.  Briefing Council members, Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, warned the every day barrage of Russian missiles and drones in opposition to Ukrainian cities and cities has continued to accentuate with devastating penalties for the civilian inhabitants.  He added that we’re additionally involved in regards to the growing variety of reported civilian casualties, reportedly ensuing from Ukrainian drone assaults contained in the Russian Federation.

Mr. Jenča famous that on Wednesday, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul for the third time this yr.  He mentioned that we welcome the continuation of those direct contacts between the perimeters and urge Ukraine and the Russian Federation to make additional progress in direction of a ceasefire and a long-lasting settlement.

Also briefing Council members this morning was Joyce Msuya, our Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, who warned that the humanitarian scenario in Ukraine has continued to deteriorate sharply.  She mentioned that civilians within the nation proceed to bear the heaviest burden — struggling to entry meals, water, energy and healthcare.

Ms. Msuya famous that almost 13 million folks want help, however restricted funding means we are able to attain solely a fraction of them.  Both of their remarks had been shared with you.

**Democratic Republic of the Congo

Just a couple of extra notes and I might be completed.  Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the nation’s worsening cholera outbreak calls for an pressing scale-up of the response.

As of as we speak, well being authorities have reported over 38,000 suspected instances and practically 950 deaths since January; this surpasses the overall variety of instances and deaths because of cholera for final yr.  The outbreak has now unfold to 17 of the DRC’s 26 provinces, together with Kinshasa, Maï-Ndombe and Équateur, that are non-endemic for cholera.

While the Government, the UN and humanitarian organizations are scaling up well being interventions, important challenges stay.  Water, sanitation and hygiene providers stay critically underfunded.

To curb the unfold of cholera, a vaccination marketing campaign is now beneath approach since early July and goals to achieve 3 million folks throughout 11 well being zones in 4 provinces by the tip this month — so, by the tip of subsequent week.

And yesterday, a further $750,000 was allotted from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist anticipatory motion in opposition to cholera within the capital Kinshasa, the place a major enhance has been reported.  Kinshasa has recorded greater than 1,500 suspected instances and 120 deaths since mid-April.

The new CERF allocation for the cholera response is the third of its type within the Democratic Republic of the Congo this yr, following earlier CERF allocations for the cholera response in North Kivu in March and Maniema and Tshopo in May.

OCHA warns that the danger of the outbreak spreading additional will enhance because the wet season approaches between September and December.  Our humanitarian colleagues emphasize the pressing want for rapid funding to strengthen well being responses and handle vital gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene providers.

**International Days

I’ve a couple of of worldwide days for you.

Today is the primary International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent. Empowering girls and women of African descent requires a complete strategy, grounded in human rights, cultural affirmation and inclusive policymaking.

Today can also be International Day on Judicial Well-Being.  Many judges wrestle in silence:  working lengthy hours, isolation, in addition to the emotional toll of decision-making can have an effect on their well-being.

And lastly, as we speak is World Drowning Prevention Day.

**Global Advocate for Peace

And I’ve three extra notes and a housekeeping word.  Our colleagues on the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) inform us that as we speak, Ms. Maryam Bukar of Nigeria was formally designated as a UN Global Advocate for Peace.  Ms. Bukar makes use of the ability of poetry and efficiency to champion gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive peacebuilding.

And in case you are free on Sunday at 6 p.m., you may go see Maryam performing in Central Park, on the Summer Stage pageant.  She might be launched by Assistant-Secretary-General for Africa, Ms. Martha A. Pobee, and adopted by different performances celebrating African diaspora voices and music for peace.

**Briefing on Monday

On Monday, at 1 p.m., our buddy Máximo Torero, Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will be part of us as soon as once more.

He will temporary on the newly launched State of Food Security and Nutrition within the World (SOFI) 2025 report.

**Financial Contribution

And lastly, we want to thank our pals in — I don’t have a quiz however you may guess which nation we wish to thank as we speak? — Beirut for his or her full cost to the Regular Budget.

So, Lebanon is bringing us to 117 paid-up Member States.

**Questions and Answers

Associate Spokesperson:  Now your flip.  Edie.

Question:  Thank you, Stephanie.  Does the Secretary-General have any touch upon Israel’s announcement that it’ll enable airdrops, together with by Jordan to Gaza?

Associate Spokesperson:  Yes, sure. Sorry, are you able to inform I’ve too many notes right here?  We welcome all efforts to supply support to folks in Gaza who desperately want it.  We reiterate that probably the most environment friendly approach to usher in provides is by highway.  This is why it’s crucial that support is allowed to enter by all crossings and by way of all obtainable corridors.  There’s merely no various to large-scale supply of support by land, however in fact, we welcome additionally this announcement.

Yes, Lenka, after which Dezhi.

Question:  Thank you very a lot, Stephanie.  So, in keeping with the listing of audio system you despatched to us, American President Donald Trump ought to be attending the UN General Assembly session.  I simply needed to ask you, please, is there any assembly scheduled already, or has the UN requested one, or has the American aspect requested one? Thank you a lot.

Associate Spokesperson:  You’re speaking in regards to the UN General Assembly in September.  You know, we’ll offer you updates on all of that once we get nearer to the date.

Question:  But would the UN like to fulfill President Donald Trump?

Associate Spokesperson:  Of course. So, sure.  Dezhi?

Question:  On the letter from Mr. Fletcher to GHF:  Is that the response of the GHF’s assist supply of a few days in the past to assist safety convoy?

Associate Spokesperson:  It’s actually a suggestion for dialogue on easy methods to attain as many individuals as attainable in Gaza and easy methods to alleviate the struggling that you just’ve been seeing all over the place.  So, as we’ve mentioned it so many instances right here that we’re open to working with… we already work with a number of companions in Gaza, however elsewhere all world wide.  The concept is that the companions that we work with, as we’ve mentioned so many instances, respect humanitarian ideas.

Question:  Is this letter, by any likelihood, beneath the strain from any events?

Associate Spokesperson:  No.

Question:  No.  Okay.  Yesterday, we acquired this OCHA’s support supply plan within the occasion of a ceasefire, proper?  So how would the UN see GHF slot in that plan?  Because in that plan, you didn’t point out GHF’s assist, proper?

Associate Spokesperson:  I believe the place on the GHF stays the identical.  And I believe I can simply restate what I simply mentioned.  We’re open to working with companions who work alongside the traces of humanitarian precept and make it possible for they don’t arrange operations that endanger the lives of individuals.  And you see there’s going to be dialogue.  The plan was shared yesterday with Member States.  We shared it with you.  In the lengthy word that I learn as we speak, I described at size the define of this plan, after which we’ll see, in fact, you already know, what occurs throughout an eventual ceasefire, which we hope would occur as quickly as attainable, as a result of as you heard the Secretary-General this morning calling as soon as once more for a ceasefire, it’s urgently wanted to finish the struggling that we’ve been seeing.

Question:  Given the historical past of GHF, will the UN contemplate the supply from GHF to safe the convoy?

Associate Spokesperson:  I cannot get into that.  Let’s see what occurs with every part that we’ve simply described as we speak, and I’m not going to invest on any of this, however I assume you may look… [cross talk]

Question:  Which means you’re open to the choice that you just’re going to [inaudible] by way of safety… [cross talk]

Associate Spokesperson:  You can look. We have these ideas the place I believe we’ve described right here so typically how support is delivered and the way, you already know, we don’t…  When convoys transfer, they should have security and safety, however we don’t additionally rent exterior contractors to do safety.  Yes?

Question:  Yeah.  Thank you, Stephanie.  You didn’t point out this afternoon, Security Council assembly.  I perceive it’s a closed-door assembly, however will there be somebody from the Secretariat to temporary the council?

Associate Spokesperson:  Yes, it’s a non-public assembly, however I can inform you that the Secretariat could have somebody briefing in that closed session.  [cross talk]

Question:  Who that might be?

Associate Spokesperson:  It might be Khaled Khiari.  Yeah.  But it’s a non-public assembly, which suggests that we are going to not be sharing these remarks.

Question:  I’ve a technical query.  The closed-door assembly and the open assembly, technically, are they the identical when it comes to procedures?  I imply, you already know, we have now briefers.  You have all of the Council members, after which we invite related international locations.  Are they the identical when it comes to procedures?

Associate Spokesperson:  These procedures are decided by the Security Council members themselves, by the presidency, and this afternoon, they decided that this was going to be a non-public assembly.  Yes.  I believe, let me go to… after which Edie, after which on the again.  Yes.

Question:  Thanks, Stephanie.  Firstly, on Thailand and Cambodia, do you’ve gotten, any updates on the subject, like several telephone calls, any conferences?

Associate Spokesperson:  The Secretary-General continues to name for utmost restraint.  I can inform you that from our humanitarian aspect, from our humanitarian colleagues, they confirmed with each Cambodian and Thai authorities that there have been civilian deaths and accidents.  They additionally confirmed that greater than 131,000 folks in Thailand and over 4,000 folks in Cambodia have needed to depart their properties, and that is in keeping with humanitarian companions.  Temporary shelters, together with faculties and temples, are overcrowded, with meals, shelter and medical help among the many most pressing wants, and the UN stands able to assist these efforts if requested at this level.  So, that is the place we stand.

Question:  Any info on the displaced folks, on either side?

Associate Spokesperson:  That’s what I’ve for the second.

Question:  All proper. Another one.  I’m unsure if I missed it otherwise you’ve mentioned it.  Do you’ve gotten any, like, particulars or, like, feedback on the choice of France to acknowledge the State of Palestine?

Associate Spokesperson:  So, on this, you already know, France’s resolution is a bilateral and sovereign resolution.  The Secretary-General welcomes all of the steps that assist the conclusion of the two-State resolution.  We stand able to assist all efforts to advance a simply complete and lasting peace within the Middle East, and we stay up for subsequent week’s assembly right here.

Yes, Edie.

Question:  Has the Secretary-General made any calls to both the leaders in Cambodia or Thailand or each?

Associate Spokesperson:  I’ll preserve you posted on any calls which might be made in that file.  Yes.  Yes?

Question:  Hi, good afternoon.  Talking in regards to the meals disaster in Gaza, how will the UNFSS+4 summit dedication guarantee pressing and protected supply of meals to 2 million hungry folks in Gaza?

Associate Spokesperson:  Can you repeat the start of your query?  You’re speaking in regards to the Food Summit in Addis, proper?

Question:  Yes.  So how will this Summit dedication make sure the supply and protected… I imply, pressing and protected supply of meals to 2 million hungry in Gaza?

Associate Spokesperson:  We can count on renewed calls from the UN aspect for the protected, sustained meals supply inside Gaza.  And on the Summit itself, we’ll preserve you posted.  We could have updates because the Summit begins early subsequent week.

Question:  Can we count on, like, any actual motion plan quickly?

Associate Spokesperson:  We’ll preserve you posted on what comes out of this Summit.  Yes.  Thank you.