UN Noon Briefing: Forum on People of African Descent, Sudan Crisis, Gaza, Ukraine, and More

Forum on People of African Descent

• 🌍 The Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, addressed the fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, highlighting that legacies of colonialism and enslavement continue to fuel racism.
• 💡 He emphasized the need to eliminate bias from artificial intelligence and ensure these technologies promote equality, inclusion, and digital justice.
• ⚖️ The Secretary-General stressed the importance of addressing racism in all its forms, particularly when embedded in laws, policies, and institutions.

Deputy Secretary-General's Travel and Global Goals

• ✈️ Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam, to attend the “Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 Summit” (P4G).
• 🤝 The summit aims to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals and foster climate action by bringing together leaders from public, private, and civil society sectors.
• 🌏 During her visit, she will also chair a regional retreat for UN Resident Coordinators, focusing on advancing sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

Crisis Updates: Syria, Lebanon, and Sudan

• 🇸🇾 Rosemary D. Carlo arrived in Damascus to discuss political transition and reaffirm the UN's commitment to an inclusive Syrian-led political process.
• 🇱🇧 Following Syria, she will visit Lebanon to discuss obligations under the cessation of hostilities agreement and Security Council resolution 1701.
• 💔 The situation in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, is dire, with reports of over 300 civilians killed, including humanitarian workers, and widespread displacement.
• 🆘 Humanitarian aid access to El Fasher has been severely limited for over a year, exacerbating famine conditions and shortages of essential supplies.
• 🏥 Sudan's health system is under immense strain, with numerous attacks on healthcare facilities and a significant number of hospitals non-functional.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and Conflict in Ukraine

• 🇵🇸 The humanitarian situation in Gaza is described as potentially the worst in 18 months, with no supplies entering for over a month and a half, leading to severe shortages.
• 🏥 Attacks on healthcare facilities, including Al-Ahli Hospital, and UN warehouses have caused mass casualties and destruction.
• ⚠️ Civilians in Gaza are trapped in increasingly unsafe areas with dwindling access to essential services, exacerbated by ongoing displacement orders.
• 🇺🇦 The UN Secretary-General condemned a missile attack by Russian forces on Sumy, which killed at least 34 people, including children, and wounded many others.
• 🕊️ The UN continues to call for an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine, emphasizing adherence to international humanitarian law.

Developments in Myanmar, South Sudan, and DRC

• 🇲🇲 New data from UNDP indicates at least 2.5 million metric tons of debris need removal following an earthquake in Myanmar, highlighting extensive destruction.
• 🇸🇸 UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan are increasing patrols amid deteriorating security and rising intercommunal clashes.
• 🤝 In a positive development, 60 youth leaders in South Sudan signed an agreement to cease hostilities and reopen key routes, fostering dialogue and intercommunal harmony.
• 🇨🇩 UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are proactively engaging with communities and conducting assessments to evaluate security and civilian protection.

Other Briefings and Observances

• 🇭🇹 The Director General of the International Organization for Migration visited Haiti to discuss urgent humanitarian needs and support for displaced communities.
• 🇪🇨 An oil spill in Ecuador's Esmeralda province has impacted at least 150,000 people, leading to increased diseases and limited access to safe drinking water.
• 🇯🇵 The UN pavilion opened at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, symbolizing the need for global cooperation for a peaceful future.
• 🦠 Today is World Chagas Disease Day, highlighting the importance of prevention, control, and care for this often-silent illness.