Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- Wildlife Crime
- Sustainable Development
- Yemen
- Syria
- Azerbaijan
- Mali
- Sudan
- Kosovo
- Seafarers
- Hagia Sophia
- Lebanon
- World Population Day
- Press Briefing Monday
WILDLIFE CRIME
Today, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime released its World Wildlife Crime Report, which says that wildlife trafficking is not just a threat to biodiversity but also to human health. Many animals that are butchered and sold illegally have the potential for spreading diseases to people. The report shows that nearly 6,000 species have been seized over the past decade, including not only mammals but reptiles, corals, birds, and fish. No single country was identified as the source of more than 9 per cent of the total number of seized shipments. Meanwhile, the report identifies traffickers from 150 nationalities, showing that this is indeed a global issue. The report also notes that pangolins, which were identified as a potential source of the coronaviruses, continue to be the most trafficked wild mammal in the world. Demand for tiger products has also risen in recent years, as well as for tropical hardwood timber. The report also says that the sale of illegal wildlife products has shifted to online platforms and encrypted messaging apps as traffickers have found new ways to connect with potential buyers.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Today, the High-Level Political Forum concluded its thematic review for the week. The two morning sessions addressed the “means of implementation to match the scope of the crisis and the breadth of our ambition for 2030.” Today was also the launch of the forthcoming week’s presentation of Voluntary National Reviews, which this year includes presentations by 47 countries. These reviews are voluntary and state-led. The afternoon session today will feature presentations from Armenia, Ecuador, Honduras, Kenya, Nigeria, Samoa and Slovenia. I also want to flag that on Monday at 9 a.m. there will be a virtual side event of the Secretary-General's Independent Accountability Panel for Every Woman, Every Child, Every Adolescent, where a report on the impact of COVID-19 on these groups will be launched.
Full Highlights: [ Ссылка ]
