UN Noon Briefing: Gaza Crisis, Japan Visit, Ukraine, Sudan & More (18 August 2025)

UN Secretary-General's Visit to Japan

• 🇯🇵 The Secretary-General is traveling to Japan to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.
• 🤝 He will also visit the UN Special Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka and meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi.
• 🌍 TICAD 9 is highlighted as a crucial platform for discussing and supporting Africa's development.

Dire Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory

• ⚠️ The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describes the situation in Gaza as "beyond catastrophic," with daily deaths from hunger and ongoing hostilities.
• 📉 Community kitchens in Gaza are producing significantly fewer meals compared to April, with supplies remaining insufficient to meet the population's needs.
• 💔 The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported five deaths, including two children, in the past 24 hours due to malnutrition and starvation.
• 🚚 Humanitarian access is critical, with a call for consistent delivery of food at scale through all available crossings.
• 🏠 A welcome development is the Israeli authorities' announcement to lift the ban on shelter supplies, though concerns remain about potential displacement due to expanded military activities.
• 🚫 The UN reiterates its commitment not to participate in forced displacement and emphasizes the need for civilian protection and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises

• 🇱🇧 In southern Lebanon, UN peacekeepers continue to support the Lebanese armed forces in clearing unauthorized weapons and discovered tunnels.
• 🇺🇦 Attacks in Ukraine over the weekend resulted in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, with humanitarian organizations facing a deteriorating operating environment.
• 🇸🇩 The UN is alarmed by reports of a deadly attack on the Abushuk camp in Sudan, following a previous assault, with rising humanitarian needs and calls for safe access.
• 🇸🇸 The Assistant Secretary-General for Africa expressed concern over the military posture in South Sudan, warning of increased violence and intercommunal conflict, while highlighting alarming funding cuts to humanitarian aid.

Global and Other Updates

• 🌊 The Secretary-General expressed deep sorrow for lives lost due to recent flash floods in India and Pakistan, offering condolences and solidarity.
• 🇸🇴 The UN country teams in India and Pakistan are at the disposal of governments for assistance.
• 🇦🇱 Ingred McDonald has assumed her role as the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, bringing over 25 years of experience.
• 🗣️ Regarding the meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump, the UN welcomed constructive dialogue between member states.
• 🕊️ The UN reiterates its call for a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in Ukraine, upholding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• ❓ The UN spokesperson addressed questions regarding the vacant Middle East Coordinator position, stating the search is ongoing and humanitarian coordinator is officer in charge.
• ❓ Discussions continue at the Security Council regarding the UNIFIL mandate renewal, with the UN emphasizing its critical work in maintaining stability along the Blue Line.