Guinea-Bissau, UN University, Ukraine & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Guinea-Bissau
David Malone
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sustainable Transport Day
Financial Contribution


GUINEA-BISSAU

In response to questions about the situation in Guinea-Bissau, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General is following the situation with deep concern. He appeals to all national stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law. The Secretary-General will continue to closely follow the situation in the country as it unfolds.

DAVID MALONE

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing of David Malone. His decade of service as Rector of the United Nations University marked the culmination of a distinguished career devoted to international cooperation and scholarship.

Under his leadership, UN University strengthened its role as a center for policy-relevant research, advanced gender parity, and forged trusted partnerships across the United Nations system. His vision and dedication contributed significantly to initiatives such as Our Common Agenda and to advancing digital transformation in the developing world.

Mr. Malone’s legacy will endure as an inspiration to all who work for a more just and sustainable future. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

SUDAN

Turning to Sudan. The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra is preparing to travel to Port Sudan and Addis Ababa next week. He has been in regular contact with the parties and continues to encourage them to engage in a genuine dialogue to advance peace, he is also working closely with regional partners, including the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, otherwise known as IGAD, and the League of Arab States.

The urgent need for better protection of civilians in Sudan is and will be at the forefront of all of his discussions. Our humanitarian colleagues also continue to call for safe and unimpeded access to deliver assistance to people in need across Sudan, including Kordofan and Darfur.

On the ground, the situation in El-Fasher remains dire. Our colleagues at the World Food Programme are currently supporting families who have fled to five areas surrounding El Fasher, including Tawila.

Distributions are also ongoing for families who have arrived in more distant locations like Dabbah in Northern State and even as far as Khartoum. Currently, 1,485 metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies, enough for about 130,000 people, are en route to Tawila via the Dabbah Crossing in Northern State.

This is in addition to the regular support that WFP has been providing to people who fled El Fasher or Zamzam earlier this year.

Meanwhile, fighting continues to drive large-scale displacement in the Kordofan areas.

Our colleagues with the International Organization for Migration tell us that on Tuesday in South Kordofan State, more than 1,800 people were displaced across multiple localities. And in North Kordofan, heightened insecurity there uprooted nearly 40,000 people from different parts of the state between October 25th and November 18th.

Despite the escalating hostilities and access challenges, humanitarians are doing everything they can to support people in need across Kordofan. In North Kordofan, the OCHA-managed Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) has released more than $5 million to support four international NGOs who are providing critical services including health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as food production, shelter and protection.

Throughout the Kordofan region this year, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund has allocated $33 million to support projects that reach some 1.6 million people in the hardest-hit areas.


Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon...