Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Secretary-General in New Zealand
Good afternoon, everyone. I’d like to welcome our guests from Radford University — welcome! There they are in the background. The Secretary-General had breakfast in Auckland, New Zealand, this morning with Māori and Pasifika young climate activists. After the breakfast, which was hosted by the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw, the Secretary-General and Mr. Shaw spoke to the press, and the Secretary-General stressed, that to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, more ambitious political will is needed. He emphasized that countries need to shift taxes from salaries to carbon. “We must tax pollution, not people,” he said. He also stressed the need to stop subsidies to fossil fuels, adding that taxpayers’ money should not be used to boost hurricanes, to spread drought and heatwaves, to bleach corals or to melt glaciers. And he called for halting the construction of new coal plants by 2020. “We want a green economy, not a grey economy, in the world,” he said. The statement and the Secretary-General’s remarks have been sent to you.
Today, the Secretary-General also participated in a round table with Pacific Community Organizations and international non-governmental organizations, where he heard their concerns about climate change, and he talked to students at the Auckland University of Technology and answered their questions. The Secretary‑General focused his talk on the need to take climate action and to ensure that new technologies are a force for good that do not put mankind in danger. In the afternoon, the Secretary-General visited the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. All refugees resettled in New Zealand spend the first six weeks at the Centre, where they receive mental health, English language and cultural orientation programmes. The Secretary-General had the chance to see the renovated facilities and to speak to families there coming from all parts of the world – including Syria, Colombia, Myanmar and Eritrea. The Secretary-General heard from families who have escaped very difficult circumstances and now have hope to establish a new home in New Zealand.
On Sunday, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. In remarks to the press, the Secretary-General said his visit was one of solidarity and gratitude — solidarity with the victims of Christchurch, their families and the people of New Zealand, and gratitude for the country’s leadership on climate change. He praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to curb violent extremism on social media and her visionary leadership on the global climate emergency, which he called a model of urgent climate action for all countries to follow.
**Yemen
Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard, the Chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee in Yemen, said yesterday that the first day of the redeployment of Ansar Allah forces from the three ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras-Issa went in accordance with established plans on Saturday. All three ports were monitored simultaneously by United Nations teams as the military forces left the ports and the Coast Guard took over responsibility for security. In the following days, activities are expected to focus on removal of military manifestations and demining. The formal verification by the United Nations of this first redeployment will take place at the three ports on Tuesday. General Lollesgaard stresses that this initial step is to be seen as the first part of the agreed concept for phase 1 of the broader redeployments in Hodeidah, in accordance with the Stockholm Agreement. The Government of Yemen has expressed commitment to deliver their part of phase 1 when requested to do so by the United Nations. Consultations with the parties on commencement of these next steps are ongoing. On Friday, General Lollesgaard said that the redeployment is a first practical step on the ground since the conclusion of the Hodeidah Agreement, but stressed that it must be followed by the committed, transparent and sustained actions of the parties to fully deliver on their obligations.
**Syria
We are alarmed by the ongoing reports of violence and hostilities in north‑western Syria, resulting in at least 100 civilians dead or injured and more than 180,000 displaced since the end of April. Reports indicate that large numbers of people are seeking refuge in the open, facing dire conditions. Since 28 April, a total of 18 health facilities have reportedly been struck, including 11 in Hama Governorate, 6 in Idlib and 1 in Aleppo Governorate. At least four health workers have been killed. As of today, these facilities — collectively serving a minimum of 193,000 women, children and men — remain out of service. At least 17 schools and 3 internally displaced settlements have reportedly been affected, as well. Humanitarian workers continue to respond to needs where security allows. This includes pre-positioning stocks inside Syria, including food for 125,000 people, and health and protection services, in particular to areas where people are displaced. We continue to call on all the parties to the conflict to protect civilians at all costs, to end the destruction of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Also, the Security Council discussed chemical weapons in Syria and received a briefing in closed consultations this morning from Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu.
**Libya
On Libya, the UN continues to be extremely concerned about the mounting impact of the fighting on civilians in and around Tripoli. There were again reports of casualties from the fighting in Tripoli over the weekend. Today, in Brussels, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ghassan Salamé, briefed the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on the situation in Libya and also met the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the German Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Salamé stressed that more than a month after the outbreak of fighting, it is becoming clear to everyone that a military solution cannot replace a political solution, and that it is high time now to return to the negotiating table. Our colleagues on the ground say the humanitarian impact of clashes in and around Tripoli continues to deepen. The UN’s migration agency says nearly 67,000 people have now been driven from their homes, while an estimated 100,000 more people are thought to remain in front‑line areas.
Among those trapped in front‑line areas are approximately 3,200 refugees and migrants in detention centres that are already exposed to, or are in close proximity to, fighting. Access to food, water and health care is severely restricted at these facilities as a result of the conflict. Wherever access is possible, humanitarian partners are continuing to provide aid; more than 34,000 people — including refugees and migrants — have received assistance to date. Humanitarians continue to call on all parties to allow and facilitate rapid, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to the affected areas, to allow the evacuation of civilians and the wounded and sick, and the relocation of all refugees and migrants to safer areas.
**Afghanistan
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today expressed its grave concern over the increased violence in the country and its impact on civilians during the first week of Ramadan. The Mission condemned the Taliban for incidents in which civilians were deliberately targeted, including the 8 May attack in Kabul against the non-governmental organization Counterpart International, in which 6 civilians were killed and 28 others injured. Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary‑General’s Special Representative, said there can be no justification for deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians. The Mission reiterated its call for the parties to halt the fighting during Ramadan and uphold their obligations to protect civilians from harm.
**Burkina Faso
Yesterday, in a statement we issued, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack yesterday on a Catholic Church during mass, in the village of Dablo, in the centre-north region of Burkina Faso. He expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. He recalls the sanctity of all places of worship and hopes the perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice. The Secretary-General conveys the solidarity of the United Nations to the Government and people of Burkina Faso in this difficult moment for the nation. He urges all citizens of Burkina Faso to stand firmly with one another across communities and not to succumb to efforts to sow discord and breed further violence. The UN stands ready to assist in any way it can.
**South Sudan
The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, yesterday concluded a joint mission to South Sudan with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The visit was designed to demonstrate the three organizations’ collective support for the full implementation of the peace agreement signed in September 2018, following a decision by parties to delay the formation of a transitional Government for six months. The delegation met twice with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and held discussions with the National Pre-Transitional Committee, which is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the agreement. They also met with women’s groups and committed to helping them realize 35 per cent representation of women in the new Government. While the delegation acknowledged the need for a six-month delay to resolve key issues, including the formation of a unified armed force and new states, it stated very clearly that this extension of time should be the last one. Mr. Lacroix said that the primary responsibility for implementing the agreement clearly lies with the political parties and their leaders, but the UN, African Union and IGAD would provide concrete support, including technical expertise, capacity-building, financial help and political support.
**Budget
And our thanks today go to Barbados, for its full payment to the United Nations regular budget. That brings to 96 the number of fully paid-up Member States. That's it for me. Yes?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Farhan, on Yemen, can you tell us how many observers do you have on the ground and how many observers in each port?
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, we haven't been providing numbers of the observers. We do have a sufficient number to carry out their tasks, and they're providing that. By tomorrow, we expect the exercise to be concluded, or we'll report one way or another whether the withdrawals for this particular set of days has been completed. Yes, Talal?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I have a follow‑up in Yemen. According to the Stockholm Agreement and the setup of the RCC, which is Redeployment Coordination Committee, of the three parties, these withdrawals were not organized by the three parties or under the supervision of the three parties or under the verification of the three parties. How does that work out? Because… because… and I have another question, if I may say it, as well, put it in one package. The second question concerning what happened in… for the four ships opposite the territorial water of the [United Arab] Emirates. The Arab League… Aboul Gheit, who is the Secretary‑General of the Arab League, has issued a statement condemning strongly these attacks on international navigation, threatening the international… the freedom of international navigation. However, the Secretary‑General, so far, has been very silent and… including the Security Council. How do you explain that?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, to take your questions in order, as you know, General Lollesgaard is the chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, and he made clear that this was a unilateral step, which he viewed as a way of moving forward. This is not a replacement for the agreed steps that need to be taken by the parties in coordination with each other. But, he views this as a way of moving forward, and hopefully, getting the parties to go ahead with the steps. As I mentioned earlier, what he said was clear. This is a first practical step on the ground, but it must be followed by the committed, transparent and sustained actions of the parties to fully deliver on their obligations, and he is following up with both parties on that. Regarding the ships in the waters off the United Arab Emirates, we are looking into the matter and are trying to get further information about what exactly has transpired.
Correspondent: Excuse me. My follow‑up, concerning that attack, regardless who did that, I mean, it threatens the freedom of navigation. I mean, the principle stands, and Aboul Gheit came out stressing and confirming this… the principle of preserving the freedom of navigation in international water. You don't have to say much. You don't have to know who's the culprit even, but to stress and… and… and confirm that right of international navigation. And concerning Yemen, to be honest, there have been reports that the Houthis delivered the ports to their security, their own security, and the names of the people are very well known to people of the area in Yemen. They are companions of Abdul‑Malik al‑Houthi, by name. So, the Houthis to withdraw and give it to themselves, it's not a very encouraging sign.
Deputy Spokesman: First of all, as we have pointed out, the Coast Guard has taken over responsibility for security, which is the way it has been in the past. The formal verification of the force redeployment hasn't happened yet. We expect to do that tomorrow, if and when it's complete, but for now, the basic point is that the activities that happened have gone in accordance with established plans, and that has been verified by General Lollesgaard.
Correspondent: But, forgive me. Forgive me. The Coast Guard you’re talking about is the security forces that exist now in Hodeidah, which is Houthi forces. They are not… they are not from the security forces of 2014, which had been demanded by the Government. So, there are Houthi personnel, change their clothes, and they've taken over the ports. They're not new. They're not United Nations. They're not multi‑force… international multi‑force. They are from the Houthis.
Deputy Spokesman: Again, to reiterate, this is redeployment activity that's being monitored and verified by the United Nations, and it is going according to procedure. I'm well aware that there are contradictory points of opinions from the opposing sides. Yes, please?
Question: Farhan, moving to north-western Syria, these attacks that you detailed on medical facilities, one assumes that those are a breach of international humanitarian law and, arguably, war crimes, firstly?
Deputy Spokesman: That is… that would be up to a judicial or penal body to determine, but, yes, obviously, we're saying these are violations of international humanitarian law.
Question: And who carried them out? You've said that… we've known about these for some days now. You've said in your statement that the UN continues humanitarian operations in parts of that area, so clearly yourselves and your partners have people on the ground that you're in touch with. You have a… for many years, an extensive network of humanitarian organizations that cooperate with OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]. By now, you should be able to tell us who carried out those attacks.
Deputy Spokesman: Without investigative powers of our own, we can't really have that capacity to name and shame, but, obviously, you're aware of who the air powers are on the ground in Syria. Just a few days ago, you had the members of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, and they talked to you very clearly about what their findings are, about… in terms of who could be responsible.
Question: And we know, Farhan, that… who could be responsible is either the Syrian Government's air force or the Russian air force. Given one of those is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Russia has considerable influence over the Syrian Government, what is the Secretary‑General's message to Russia about what's going on in Idlib?
Deputy Spokesman: Our message is, as I've pointed out, the need for such attacks to stop, the need for civilian facilities, including, particularly, hospitals and medical facilities, to be respected, and ultimately, the need for all parties to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law. Edie?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Following up on Talal, could you please check whether the Secretary‑General is concerned about the freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz or the UAE and elsewhere?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, certainly, our point of principle is that the right… you know, the freedom of navigation has to be respected in all the seas. That's in accordance with the basic laws governing the high seas. What particularly happened in this case is something we would need more details on before commenting. Joe?
Correspondent: Yeah, but again, following up on that, it's fair to say there was an attack. It's been several hours now…
Deputy Spokesman: It is not necessarily fair to say that until we have more details.
Question: Come on. It's been widely reported that there was an attack. Several hours have passed. Why no statement at least affirming the principle of freedom of navigation and deploring an attack from whatever source? You know, the issue is attribution. It's not whether an attack took place.
Deputy Spokesman: We're not going to respond to the immediate media reports until we have more facts to back them up. Regarding the point of freedom of navigation, you're absolutely right. That needs to be respected everywhere, including in this case. Yes, please, Evelyn?
Correspondent: Farhan, with all due respect…
Deputy Spokesman: No, I'm sorry. That's… I called on Evelyn. Excuse me. You've had a question already. Yes?
Question: Do you want… do you want Talal…?
Deputy Spokesman: No, you first.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. The humanitarian supplies in Syria, is there access? And if so, who gives the access or who prevents it? Same thing in Libya. How are they delivering it?
Deputy Spokesman: As you know, we have periodic reports about humanitarian access in Syria. There was one about a week or so ago. So, I would refer you to that. But, yes, we are… do have access to large areas of the nation. We are providing aid to all the areas in need that we can reach. In terms of who has been blocking access here or there, again, I'd refer you to the monthly reports. Yes, Erol, and then…?
Correspondent: …[inaudible] monthly reports?
Deputy Spokesman: What? Yes? These are the monthly reports that are provided to the Security Council by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Question: I'm mostly in that pipeline of Law of the Sea, but not in my part of the world, rather in the Hormuz. Indeed, what does the Secretary‑General intends to do if these tensions are… although the diplomacy is going on, very heavy, I would say, continues with all these attacks or, God forbid, something more? What is he planned…? First of all, is he really concerned about the peace process that… not process but, rather, efforts that were started in Yemen are going to collapse because of all of that?
Deputy Spokesman: We're moving ahead with the peace process in Yemen. I just pointed out the progress made in recent days. The Security Council will hear from Martin Griffiths about Yemen on Wednesday, and you can hear from him what progress we have about that. Regarding the situation in the region, obviously, we want all parties to avoid any steps that escalate tensions in the region. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I have a problem with you calling statements by the United Arab Emirates Government describing what happened and condemnations from Kuwait, from the Arab League as media reports. These are official bodies. The Arab League is an official body. As you know, it's a regional organization representing all our Arab countries. You can't call these and dismiss them as media reports.
Deputy Spokesman: No, no, it's not… it's… there are reports from Governments. We're trying to get all the facts, and I think you need to give us the time to get facts before we respond. Yes, please?
Question: Yes. Recently, the UN named a new SDG [Sustainable Development Goals] Advocates, and among them, there's a guy, Alibaba's Executive Chairman, Jack Ma, from China, and he was named first time at the 2016. So, can you give me a little bit comment about his work during the past three years and what do you expect from him for the future?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, he… yeah, he has been part of the group of SDG Advocates, and basically, we announced six new members, but a lot of people have been returning to our list of advocates on behalf of the Sustainable Development Goals. I can put you in touch with that office in case you need to get further information about the work of specific SDG advocates. Yes, Joe?
Question: Yeah, Farhan. Sorry to return to your favourite subject today, but what is the process that the UN is going to undertake to do its own independent fact‑gathering? You have the media reports. You have the regional Arab League affirmation that this happened, other governments saying that it happened that are in the vicinity. Is the UN sending its own observers? I don't understand what fact gathering the UN itself is going to do that hasn't already been done. Again, we're not talking about attribution. We're talking about the event itself.
Deputy Spokesman: As much as I appreciate the efforts by the journalists to create a narrative, the narrative we have is prepared by our own staff… that is to say, people working for the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, people working in the region. And they will gather the information, and we will respond accordingly.
Question: But, from what sources and based on what? I think… It's not a narrative; it's just an inquiry.
Deputy Spokesman: These are professional staff who have their own way of gathering information, and I will wait for them…
Question: Are they on site?
Deputy Spokesman: …and I will wait for them to come up with that. Yes, Evelyn?
Question: Turning to Sudan, this has come up a couple times already, but Saudi Arabia… excuse me… is recruiting soldiers, child… teenagers or younger, from Darfur to fight in Yemen. Do you have anything on that?
Deputy Spokesman: I know that the office dealing with Children and Armed Conflict looks at the records of all nations. They're working on their reports now, and you'll be able to get the information once that report is prepared. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Switching over to another area of the world, Burkina Faso, I was just wondering if you have any further data about the attack on the church in terms of, perhaps, casualties or who's responsible and so on?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I don't have anything further to say beyond what's in the statement. As you have noticed from the statement, we offered our willingness to help the authorities in Burkina Faso, and we'll see whether we hear back from them on that. Yes?
Question: I'm sorry again. I would like to go back to the topic of Yemen. What do you say to these people who say that the Stockholm Agreement does not include the option of unilateral withdrawal and that's why the RCC, the Redeployment Coordination Committee, was established? And what do you say to those people in the area who say the Houthis gave the ports themselves to their own soldiers under the supervision and… and… and… and the auspices of the United Nations as a cover? What do you say to them?
Deputy Spokesman: Again, I will say what I have said, which is that this is something… a decision that has been also, as you saw, responded to by the chair of the RCC itself. He sees this as an initial step that is to be seen as the first part of the agreed concept for phase 1 of the broader redeployments in Hodeidah in accordance with the agreement. And with that, I wish you all a good afternoon. Thanks.
[Following the briefing, the Spokesperson said the following in response to the questions concerning the vessels: “We are aware of media reports about ‘sabotage attacks’ yesterday of four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates city of Fujairah. We take note that investigations into the incidents are under way. We are concerned about the heightened tensions in the region. We call upon all concerned parties to exercise restraint for the sake of regional peace, including by ensuring maritime security.”]