UN Noon Briefing: African Union Summit, Yemen Crisis, DRC Ceasefire & More

UN Secretary-General's Travel to African Union Summit

• 🌍 The Secretary-General is en route to Addis Ababa for the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.
• 🤝 Bilateral meetings are scheduled with the AU Commission Chairperson, Ethiopian authorities, and continental leaders.
• 🇮🇹 He will also attend the Second Italy-Africa summit and address the AU Summit's opening session on Saturday.

Yemen Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

• 🇸🇦 The Security Council convened to discuss Yemen, with Special Envoy Hans Grundberg briefing remotely from Riyadh.
• 🕊️ Grundberg emphasized the need for an inclusive political process under UN auspices to end the conflict.
• ⚠️ He raised serious concerns about the continued arbitrary detention of UN staff and others, marking one year since the death of a WFP colleague.
• 💔 Over 18 million people face acute food insecurity in Yemen, and partners continue to provide aid despite severe challenges.
• 🤝 A donor conference in Amman next week will refine aid delivery strategies.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Ceasefire Support

• 🇨🇩 MONUSCO's acting head, Vivian van de Perre, is visiting Goma to prepare for ceasefire monitoring and verification.
• 🛠️ The mission is authorized under Security Council resolution 2808 to support a permanent ceasefire, including technical and logistical assistance.
• 🌍 Support will be provided within MONUSCO's mandate and with respect for the DRC's sovereignty.

Humanitarian Aid and Operations in Occupied Palestinian Territory

• 🇵🇸 OCHA coordinated 10 humanitarian missions with Israeli authorities to collect relief items like food, vaccines, and fuel.
• 🚧 UN teams require the lifting of restrictions on their work, including access for heavy equipment and shelter materials, to scale up operations.
• 🗑️ UNDP began removing solid waste from dumping sites in Gaza City to improve environmental and public health conditions.
• ✈️ The UN facilitated the movement of over 500 people through the Rafah crossing in early February.

Other Key Updates

• 🇽🇰 In Kosovo, the UN welcomed the establishment of a new assembly and government, encouraging dialogue and engagement.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine experienced another large-scale attack damaging energy infrastructure, leaving residential buildings without heating and disrupting water supply.
• 🇧🇩 In Bangladesh, the UN called for safe and inclusive participation in national elections, raising concerns about intimidation and violence against women.
• 🇲🇬 Madagascar is responding to the devastating consequences of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, with 31 deaths, thousands displaced, and significant damage to homes and classrooms.
• 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan made a full payment to the UN regular budget, with the Darvaza gas crater highlighted as a unique tourist destination.