UN Daily Press Briefing: Global Conflicts, Humanitarian Crises, and G20 Summit

Secretary-General's G20 Summit Address

• 🌍 The Secretary-General addressed the G20 Summit in South Africa, emphasizing the need for leadership and vision during tumultuous global times.
• 💡 He called on G20 leaders to leverage their influence for economic action, climate action, and action for peace, aiming to ease suffering and promote shared economic growth.
• 🗓️ Future sessions at the summit will focus on inclusive economic growth, building a resilient world, and a fair future for all, including discussions on critical minerals, decent work, and artificial intelligence.

Humanitarian Crises and Conflicts

• 🇨🇩 In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, horrific violence between November 13-19 by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) resulted in 89 civilian deaths, including in a healthcare center, with abductions and destruction of property also reported.
• 🇵🇸 In Gaza, the humanitarian scale-up is hindered by restrictions on visas, import approvals, limited crossing points, and movement facilitation, despite a ceasefire.
• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, a World Food Programme warehouse was damaged by a drone attack, destroying food intended for civilians, and attacks continue across the country, causing civilian casualties and damaging energy infrastructure.
• 🇱🇧 Along the Lebanon border, UNIFIL peacekeepers have been targeted with lasers and small arms fire, prompting a call for parties to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel.
• 🇸🇸 In South Sudan, escalating intercommunal violence, cattle raids, and reported aerial bombardments in Upper Nile State have displaced approximately 12,000 people.
• 🇯🇲 In Jamaica, three weeks after Hurricane Melissa, response operations continue with deployed medical teams, mobile clinics, and water quality testing, while flooding persists, delaying school reopenings and increasing public health risks.
• 🇳🇬 In Nigeria, the abduction of pupils in Niger State highlights the urgent need to implement the Safe Schools Declaration to ensure schools remain safe places for learning.

International Justice and Sanctions

• ⚖️ The UN believes that International Criminal Court (ICC) members should not be targeted by unilateral sanctions, noting that such actions send a chilling message to those working on human rights and justice.
• 🏛️ Regarding the West Bank, the UN has expressed clear opposition to the seizing of land, following press reports of intentions to acquire a large part of an archaeological site.

Regional Tensions and Dialogue

• 🇻🇪 The UN welcomes dialogue between countries with heightened tensions, such as between the US and Venezuela, and calls on all stakeholders to find peaceful ways forward.
• 🇲🇩 In Moldova, the UN is discussing current challenges and opportunities, reaffirming commitment to supporting women in political decision-making and continuing cooperation.
• 🇲🇱 In Mali, the UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace, security, and stability, stressing the need for collective responses to transnational threats and enhanced dialogue.

World Television Day

• 📺 Today marks World Television Day, celebrating TV's evolution and its power to connect audiences, with thanks extended to UN colleagues in UN Web TV, UN Video, and other departments for their work.