The recent escalation of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a stark reminder that it has the potential to further destabilize the region, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today as the two countries agreed on a ceasefire after recent reports of fighting.
In Syria, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator there expressed serious concern yesterday over the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country. The number of confirmed cholera cases so far is 20 in Aleppo, 4 in Lattakia and 2 in Damascus.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today said that world food commodity prices dipped for a fifth month in a row. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 138 points in August, down 1.9 per cent from July although remaining 7.9 per cent above its value a year before.
The United Nations is stepping up its response to severe rains and flooding across Pakistan which have reportedly killed over 1,000 people, including hundreds of children. The situation is expected to worsen with more ongoing rainfall.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) today announced the 10 winners of its first-ever Joint Innovation Challenge, a competition to fund social enterprises with innovative solutions that advance the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
The United Nations takes note of the decision by Yemen’s President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to irrevocably delegate his full powers to a newly formed Presidential Leadership Council and stands ready to work with that Council and the Yemeni parties for a sustainable, inclusive settlement of the conflict.
The United Nations remains concerned about reports of continued tensions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. All efforts must be made to ensure full respect for the ceasefire and full implementation of agreed commitments.
United Nations peacekeeping officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to sound alarms over deadly attacks perpetrated by fighters — presumed to be with the militant coalition known as CODECO — against displaced civilians in Ituri Province. There are currently 1.7 million people displaced in Ituri.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
