UN Daily Press Briefing: Financing for Development, Gaza Crisis, and Global Conflicts

Financing for Development Forum

• 💡 The Secretary-General addressed the Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development, highlighting harsh truths: declining aid, off-track Sustainable Development Goals, and high borrowing costs.
• ⚠️ He warned that collaboration is being questioned due to ongoing trade wars, emphasizing that trade barriers pose a danger to the global economy and sustainable development.
• 🚀 The imperative for responsible, sustainable investment is critical, especially during difficult economic periods.

Deputy Secretary-General's Engagements

• 🇺🇾 Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed met with the President of Uruguay to discuss development priorities and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 🤝 She also engaged with government ministers, youth groups, and civil society to strengthen the partnership between the UN and Uruguay.
• 🌍 Over the weekend, she chaired a regional retreat with UN Resident Coordinators from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Support for Victims of Terrorism

• 🤝 The Office of Counter-Terrorism launched the Victims of Terrorism Associations’ Network to drive collective action and support victims' rights and needs.
• 🛡️ This network provides a safe space for victims and survivors to support each other, build resilience, and engage as advocates and peacebuilders.
• 🇪🇸 The development of the network was supported by a financial contribution from Spain.

International Court of Justice and Gaza Crisis

• ⚖️ The UN's legal counsel presented key legal points to the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's obligations as an occupying power and UN member state.
• ⚠️ The UN stressed that all parties must comply with international law, and Israel has obligations to facilitate relief in the occupied Palestinian territory.
• humanitarian operations in Gaza are severely constrained due to ongoing military operations and the blocking of aid, leading to dwindling supplies and the closure of community kitchens.
• malnutrition among children in Gaza is worsening, with a significant number of cases of severe acute malnutrition, exacerbated by operational and security restrictions.
• 💧 Water production has decreased due to inaccessible fuel, impacting the ability to extract water from wells.
• 💊 Critical medical supplies, including trauma-related items, are running out, with a lack of surgical supplies and therapeutic milk.
• 🏥 Increased denial of access for emergency medical teams, particularly specialized professionals, is hindering the health response.
• 📚 Displacement orders are impacting education, affecting students and teachers, and hindering access to mental health support.

Global Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns

• 🇱🇧 The UN expressed concern over continued Israeli air strikes in Lebanon and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
• 🇾🇪 The UN is alarmed by reports of an air strike hitting a detention center in Yemen, resulting in a tragic loss of life among migrants.
• 🇸🇩 The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with famine conditions identified in camps and severe insecurity forcing the suspension of operations.
• 🇦🇫 In Afghanistan, climate change is deepening humanitarian challenges, and the plight of Afghan women remains a top priority, with 23 million people needing life-saving assistance amid funding cuts.
• 🇲🇲 One month after a devastating earthquake in Myanmar, over 6 million people need urgent assistance, with many homes damaged or destroyed and people living in the open.

Financial Challenges and UN Operations

• 📉 The UN faces a liquidity crisis due to significant funding cuts, particularly impacting humanitarian and development partners reliant on voluntary contributions.
• 🌍 The Secretary-General emphasizes the need for member states to understand the real impact of these cuts, noting that insecurity in one part of the world affects global security.
• 🇺🇳 The UN continues to address allegations against UNRWA staff, taking action when information is shared, and reiterates the importance of acting on information received directly rather than through the media.