Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Deputy Secretary-General Travels
Ukraine
Mali
Kinshasa Hate Speech Forum
Gaza
Bangladesh
Bosnia
Comoros/COVID-19
Syria
Colombia
International Days
Noon Briefing Guest Tomorrow
PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
This morning in Vienna, the Secretary-General spoke by pre-recorded video message to the first meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
He said that the once unthinkable prospect of nuclear conflict is now back within the realm of possibility.
The Secretary-General reiterated that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important step towards the common aspiration of a world without nuclear weapons.
He told participants that the decisions they make at this meeting will help cement the Treaty’s position as an essential element of the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. These decisions will also, hopefully, convince more countries to get on board.
DSG TRAVELS
This evening, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will depart New York for Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and to meet with United Nations officials and other stakeholders.
On 26 June, she will go to Paris to participate in the Transforming Education Pre-Summit and meet with Member States and other stakeholders.
On 30 June, she will then travel on to Lisbon, where she will participate in the UN’s Oceans Conference. The Deputy Secretary-General will be back in New York on 4 July.
UKRAINE
In Ukraine, the UN and its humanitarian partners, were able to deliver yesterday 12 trucks of critical supplies to help nearly 64,000 people in the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Those are close to the frontlines in the Government-controlled areas of Donetska oblast.
Humanitarian needs have increased over recent weeks in these two cities and are particularly concerning in Sloviansk.
Sloviansk, which is just 10 kilometres from the frontline, has experienced intense shelling over the past weeks. Previously home to about 100,000 people, about a quarter of the population remains. Those are mainly the elderly who are among the most vulnerable, and who are spending their days hiding from the constant bombardment.
People in that town, we are told, have no piped water and electricity is quite limited. Basic supplies are lacking in the few shops that remain open and, of course, as usual in these situations, prices have gone up markedly.
Yesterday’s humanitarian convoy reached Sloviansk with water purification tablets and vital hygiene supplies to cover the needs of 20,000 people, critical household items for around 2,000 people and enough food to feed around 5,000 people for a month.
We also went to Kramatorsk, where kits to purify water and hygiene supplies will be provided for more than 20,000 people, and food assistance for at least 10,000 men, women, boys and girls.
This humanitarian convoy was possible thanks to the support of several UN agencies as well as Non-Governmental Organizations.
The international community has now stepped up and generously provided nearly 70 per cent funding to our humanitarian appeal for Ukraine, which stands at US$2.25 billion.
Full Highlights: [ Ссылка ]
