UN Daily Press Briefing: Sudan, Guatemala, Gaza, Climate, and Ukraine

Attack on UN Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan

• 💔 A UN humanitarian convoy carrying food and nutrition supplies was attacked near Al Koma in North Darfur, resulting in the deaths of five UN contractors and injuries to several others.
• ⚠️ The convoy, consisting of 15 trucks, had traveled over 1,800 km from Port Sudan and was carrying critical supplies for famine-impacted areas. It was the first UN humanitarian convoy to attempt reaching El Fasher in over a year.
• ⚖️ The UN strongly condemns the attack, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law, and urges an urgent investigation to hold perpetrators accountable.
• 🕊️ The UN reiterates the need for safe operating conditions and respect for international humanitarian law by all parties in conflict zones.

Concerns Regarding Guatemala's International Commission Against Impunity

• ⚖️ The Secretary-General expressed concern over arrest warrants issued by Guatemala's Public Prosecutor's Office against former officials of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), including its former commissioner and head of investigations.
• 🛡️ The UN reiterates that international personnel of CICIG enjoy immunity from legal process for acts performed in their mission, as per the agreement between the UN and Guatemala.
• 🏛️ The Secretary-General is concerned about reports of criminal prosecutions against those who worked to expose corruption and strengthen the rule of law in Guatemala.

Global Crises and Climate Action

• 🌍 The Secretary-General addressed the Ninth Austrian World Summit, highlighting a "triple whammy of woe" from pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• 🤝 He emphasized that no country can solve these crises alone and that collective action is needed to achieve benefits like secure power and better health.
• 🌳 The High Commissioner for Human Rights called for a new approach to politics, guided by human rights and the rights of nature, to address the climate emergency and deliver climate justice.
• 📉 The Deputy Secretary-General stressed the importance of disaster risk reduction for sustainable development and climate action, highlighting recent climate-related risks and the need for early warning systems.

Situation in Gaza

• 💔 The UN condemns the loss of life and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, stating it is unacceptable for civilians to risk their lives for food.
• 🚚 Israel has obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian relief, and unimpeded entry of assistance at scale must be restored.
• ⚠️ Bottlenecks at the Kerem Shalom crossing and restrictions on humanitarian movements are severely limiting aid delivery, with a significant percentage of submitted supplies not making it through.
• 📉 Hunger, displacement, and economic turmoil are driving a sharp rise in child labor, early marriage, and family separation in Gaza.

Other Humanitarian Updates

• 🇸🇾 In Syria, aid delivery continues despite severe funding shortages, reaching nearly 2.5 million people monthly, but the health system remains strained, and explosive remnants of war pose a significant threat.
• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, air strikes and hostilities have caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, with humanitarian organizations providing support, though an international NGO warehouse storing WFP food kits was damaged.
• 🇸🇸 The UN mission in South Sudan is concerned about escalating communal violence and urges the government to intervene, as over 80 casualties have been reported due to cattle recovery and revenge attacks.

Special Events and Observances

• 🖼️ A photo exhibition titled "Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace" highlights women peacebuilders and activists in conflict zones, commemorating the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
• 🚲 World Bicycle Day is recognized as a simple, effective, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.