четверг, 12 сентября 2030 г.

SDG progress ‘in danger’ of going backwards without change in direction, new UN report reveals







11 September 2019
SDGs


The current worldwide sustainable development model is threatening to reverse years of progress, if strategies don’t drastically change, an independent group of scientists has concluded in a major new report launched on Wednesday.


The UN report will be at the centre of discussions during the UN summit on the SDGs later this month.

Worsening inequalities and potentially irreversible damage to the natural environment on which we all depend, demands concerted action, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), urged in a statement on the report findings, compiled by a team of 15 UN-appointed experts.

“Achieving human well-being and eradicating poverty for all of the Earth’s people—expected to number 8.5 billion by 2030—is still possible,” they highlighted, “but only if there is a fundamental—and urgent—change in the relationship between people and nature.”

The report, “The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development,” points to understanding the relationships between individual SDGs and the “concrete systems that define society today” to devise a plan to ameliorate global instability.

At the request of countries to evaluate progress of the 2030 SDG Agenda, adopted in 2015, the Global Report on Sustainable Development (GDSR) consists of surveys on scientific findings from ocean livelihoods, to sustainable consumption, production, and disaster risk management, among other issues.
Science-backed recommendations


The current roadmap for development has generated prosperity for “hundreds of millions,” the scientists said, but at the cost of other resources and a growing inequality that undermines global growth.

Boosting economies via increasing consumption for example, is exhausting the planet’s materials and creating toxic by-products which threaten to overwhelm the world. At the current rate of consumption, “use of material is set to almost double between 2017 and 2060, from 89 Gigatons to 167 Gigatons”, resulting in consequential “increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and other toxic effects” from resource extraction, they stressed.

The status quo must change, scientists said, in order to eschew further loss in “social cohesion and sustainable economic growth,” curb biodiversity losses, and save a “world close to tipping points with the global climate system.”

For this to happen, all sectors must come together in coordinated action, the report urges. Increasing investment in science for sustainability, is one key approach, and acknowledging that achievement of the SDGs requires economic growth be divorced from environmental degradation, while reducing inequalities.

The experts noted that “the extensive transformation that is needed will not be easy, and the report suggests that a deep scientific understanding is needed to anticipate and mitigate the tensions and trade-offs inherent in widespread structural change.”
Key points of intervention

According to the report, there are 20 points of intervention that can be used to accelerate progress toward multiple goals and targets in the next ten years.

Among these, basic services must be made universally available—healthcare, education, water and sanitation infrastructure, housing and social protection— as a prerequisite” toward eliminating poverty.

In addition, ending legal and social discrimination, scaling up trades unions, nongovernmental organizations, women’s groups and other communities will “be important partners in efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda”, the experts said.

Inefficient food and energy systems are depriving some 2 billion people of food security, while 820 million are undernourished, and 2 billion adults are overweight. Production processes are causing severe environmental impact.

Transitioning to renewable energy systems could help reduce the 3 billion who rely on pollutants for cooking, and avoid premature deaths, estimated at 3.8 million each year, they cited. Meanwhile, the energy access gap has left close to one billion without access to electricity at all. Increases in renewable energy supply in the past decade have corresponded with price drops in clean fuel technology—around 77 per cent for solar power and a 38 per cent drop for onshore wind.

With an estimated two-thirds of the global population projected to live in cities by 2050, the experts said achieving the 2030 Agenda will require “more compact and efficient” urban areas that will be nature-based in infrastructure—but the ecosystem’s services and resources “must be safeguarded.”

What the scientists call “the global environmental commons” - the rainforests, oceans, and atmosphere - need support from governments, international actors and the private sector to ensure good practices.

The full report and its recommendations will be presented during the High-Level Political Forum at the 2019 SDG Summit that will convene heads of State and Government in New York on 24 and 25 September.

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понедельник, 29 сентября 2025 г.

Глава МИД Азербайджана призвал поддержать кандидатуру Баку для проведения «ЭКСПО – 2025»




Фото ООН


Министр иностранных дел Азербайджана Эльмар Мамедъяров выступил в Генассамблеи ООН


28 сентября 2018

ООН


Азербайджан поддерживает инициативы главы ООН по предупреждению войн и поддержанию мира, привержен выполнению Целей устойчивого развития и продвигает идеи мультикультурализма. Об этом заявил министр иностранных дел Азербайджана Эльмар Мамедъяров, выступая в ходе общих прений 73-й сессии Генассамблеи. При этом он напомнил об «оккупации Арменией» одной пятой территории Азербайджана и призвал международное сообщество «усилить давление на Ереван, чтобы добиться выполнения соответствующих резолюций Совета Безопасности».

Министр иностранных дел Азербайджана рассказал с трибуны Генассамблеи об успехах его страны в развитии экономики и ее участии в многочисленных региональных проектах – строительстве транспортных коридоров, объектов инфраструктуры и создании высокотехнологичных коммуникационных магистралей.

По его словам, устойчивый экономический рост позволяет Азербайджану оказывать помощь развивающимся странам, а также государствам, которые справляются с последствиями стихийных бедствий. Азербайджан, по его словам, борется с коррупцией и активно сотрудничает с правозащитными механизмами ООН.

Глава МИД Азербайджана сообщил, что Баку претендует на проведение международной выставки «ЭКСПО – 2025» и призвал страны, которым в ноябре предстоит определить победителя, поддержать кандидатуру Азербайджана. «Страны Восточной Европы, Кавказа и бассейна Каспия никогда не принимали у себя ЭКСПО», - сообщил Мамедъяров, подчеркнув, что избрание Баку позволит расширить географию проведения выставки.

По словам министра, Азербайджан как «один из признанных центров мультикультурализма» провел многочисленные международные мероприятия, направленные на укрепление межкультурного диалога. «Представители всех этнических и религиозных групп проживают в Азербайджане в мире и гармонии», - подчеркнул он.

Вместе с тем, глава МИД Азербайджана напомнил, что пятая часть территории его страны находится «под оккупацией со стороны Армении», а «один из девяти жителей страны является беженцем или внутренним переселенцем». Он призвал международное сообщество оказать давление на власти Армении, чтобы добиться немедленного выполнения соответствующих резолюций Совета Безопасности ООН.

«Новое руководство Армении должно понимать, что его обещания армянскому народу о превращении Армении в экономически развитое и процветающее государство невозможно выполнить, не установив мир и добрые взаимоотношения с соседями, не уважая их суверенитет и территориальную целостность», - подчеркнул Эльмар Мамедъяров.

Как заявил министр, в Азербайджане считают, что не существует «альтернативы миру, стабильности и взаимовыгодному региональному сотрудничеству».



https://news.un.org/ru/story/2018/09/1339582
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вторник, 31 декабря 2024 г.

В ООН представили предварительную глобальную повестку дня на период после 2015 года








04.12.2014 — В четверг Генеральный секретарь ООН Пан Ги Мун представил государствам-членам предварительный текст обобщенного доклада о целях устойчивого развития на период с 2015 по 2030 годы. Он называется «Путь к достойной жизни: покончим с голодом, преобразуем жизнь всех людей и защитим планету». Глава ООН призвал начать новую эру устойчивого развития, в центре которого был бы человек, защита его прав и сохранение планеты, на которой мы живем.

«В следующем году у нас появится беспрецедентная возможность предпринять далеко идущие действия по обеспечению нашего благополучия, необходимость в которых назрела уже давно», - заявил Пан Ги Мун, представляя новые предложения на суд государств-членов ООН. Они станут основой для переговоров, которые должны увенчаться принятием глобальной повестки дня на следующие пятнадцать лет, начиная с 2015 года.

В этот период человечество должно добиться выполнения 17 задач в таких областях, как ликвидация нищеты, борьба с голодом, охрана здоровья, обеспечение гендерного равноправия, борьба с изменением климата, стимулирование экономического роста и создание рабочих мест, улучшение доступа к современным источникам энергии, расширение услуг в области водоснабжения и санитарии.

Они придут на смену Целям тысячелетия в области развития, которые мировые лидеры приняли в 2000 году. Тогда они поставили восемь конкретных задач в области сокращения бедности, материнской и детской смертности, обеспечения доступа к образованию, водоснабжению и санитарии, борьбы с инфекционными заболеваниями и защиты окружающей среды.

Генеральный секретарь напомнил делегатам, что процесс разработки новых целей носил беспрецедентно инклюзивный характер, и добавил, что в его докладе содержатся «контуры универсальной революционной глобальной повестки дня, в центре которой находятся люди и планета, которая опирается на права человека и глобальное сотрудничество».

«В том, что касается развития, мы находимся на пороге самого важного года, начиная с создания самой Организации Объединенных Наций, - говорится в докладе Генерального секретаря. - Мы должны придать новый смысл обещанию «вновь утвердить веру в основные права человека, в достоинство и ценность человеческой личности», и вывести мир на путь устойчивого развития. Нам дана историческая возможность - и обязанность - срочно предпринять смелые и решительные действия с тем, чтобы наполнить достоинством жизнь всех людей, никого не оставляя за бортом».

В течение ближайших месяцев государствам предстоит договориться об окончательных параметрах повестки дня на период после 2015 года. Пан Ги Мун приветствовал усилия Открытой рабочей группы, которая сформулировала 17 целей в области устойчивого развития и 169 конкретных показателей, достижение которых поможет покончить с бедностью, достичь всеобщего благоденствия и защитить планету.
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понедельник, 14 октября 2024 г.

We owe it to future generations to shape a safer tomorrow, UN chief says on International Day


Despite their vulnerabilities, children can bring ideas and innovations that reduce disaster risk and build resilience.
© UNICEF/Maxime Le Lijour
 
Despite their vulnerabilities, children can bring ideas and innovations that reduce disaster risk and build resilience.


By Vibhu Mishra
13 October 2024 

The UN Secretary-General has stressed the vital role of education in protecting children and empowering them to build a disaster-resilient future.

In a message marking Sunday’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, António Guterres highlighted the severe impact of disasters on children.

“When disasters strike, they unleash enormous devastation on individuals, societies and economies. The ripple effects of death, destruction and displacement are unimaginable. Today, disasters are often supercharged by the climate crisis, increasing their frequency and intensity,” he said.

No one is safe, but children are particularly vulnerable,” he added.

One billion children at extreme risk

According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately one billion children are at “extremely high risk” from the effects of climate change. Recent years have seen the highest levels of children affected by destructive flooding in over three decades.

In the aftermath of disasters, children face disruptions to education, nutrition, and healthcare. They often lose access to essential social services and protection, while girls and children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to dangerous conditions.

Children from impoverished families are disproportionately impacted, further deepening the challenges they face in recovering from both disasters and the consequences of climate change.

A mother comforts her child in a town on the outskirts of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in the aftermath of heavy rains and flash floods that affected tens of thousands of families.
© UNICEF/Rabik Upadhayay
 
A mother comforts her child in a town on the outskirts of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in the aftermath of heavy rains and flash floods that affected tens of thousands of families.

Children are more than victims

Despite their vulnerabilities, Mr. Guterres stressed that children are not just victims of disaster.

“They have a huge stake in the future, and their ideas and innovations can help to reduce risk and build resilience.”

He reiterated the theme of this year’s International Day: the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future.

Education is key for not only protecting children but enabling them to take part in decision-making to reduce risks for all,” he said.

Key steps to reduce risk

The Secretary-General urged countries to take concrete steps to reduce risks for children, including by expanding multi-hazard early warning systems to reach all populations; constructing and retrofitting schools to withstand disasters; and empowering youth with the tools to become champions of resilience.

He also encouraged governments to adopt the Comprehensive School Safety Framework, a roadmap for advancing disaster risk reduction and resilience in the education sector. The framework offers practical tools and guidance for ministries of education, disaster management authorities, and other stakeholders to promote safer learning environments.

“On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, and every day, we owe it to future generations to shape a safer, more resilient tomorrow,” Mr. Guterres declared.

Message from SRSG Kamal Kishore.

Children take home the message

Kamal Kishore, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, echoed the call to action, highlighting that by raising awareness among children, will not will they be able to keep themselves safe in the face of the hazards, but also take the messages home to their families.

By doing so, children can help their parents and elders become aware of those risks and invest in resilience, he said.

Click here to listen to a UN News interview with Mr. Kishore in which outlines some successful strategies that have helped significantly reduce cyclone-related deaths in countries like Bangladesh and India.

Soundcloud

Marked annually on October 13, the International Day promotes global awareness and action toward minimizing disaster risks, highlighting the importance of proactive measures, including preparedness and sustainable development, to reduce human and economic losses.

It also emphasizes the need for collaboration among governments, organizations and communities to build resilience against hazards.

Invest in preparedness

In a separate message, Amy Pope, the Director-General of the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), emphasized the impact of extreme-weather and climate related disasters on people living through other crises, such as conflict or hunger.

Message from IOM DG Amy Pope

[People] who have contributed least to the problem and are least able to adapt. Children and young people are at the very top of that list,” she said.

With floods, droughts and wildfires displacing over 26 million people and destroying homes, schools and other critical infrastructure in 2023, millions of children and young people have been left with an uncertain future.

Reiterating IOM’s focus on empowering young people and protecting them from disasters and climate impact, Ms. Pope called for urgent investments in targetted disaster preparedness, climate education and building capacity of young people to protect themselves and rebuild their communities



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воскресенье, 13 октября 2024 г.

UN chief condemns attacks against peacekeepers in Lebanon


A UNIFIL armoured personnel carrier. (file)
UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz
 
A UNIFIL armoured personnel carrier. (file)


By Vibhu Mishra, with additional reporting by Daniel Johnson in Geneva
11 October 2024 Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General on Friday condemned recent attacks against peacekeeping personnel and premises in southern Lebanon.

According to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), two peacekeepers were injured on Friday after two explosions occurred close to an observation tower.

This followed an incident on Thursday when an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tank fired at an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and injuring two additional personnel.

Established by the UN Security Council, UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the area.

‘Blue helmets’ must be protected

Speaking at a press stakeout during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, the capital of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Secretary-General António Guterres “condemned the fact that there was shooting against the UN premises, wounding two peacekeepers, which is a violation of international humanitarian law.”

“Peacekeepers must be protected by all parties of the conflict, and what has happened is obviously condemnable.”

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He also expressed alarm over the escalating violence in Lebanon.

“What we are witnessing in Lebanon is a massive operation which strikes, heavy bombardments, obviously also with bombardments from the Hezbollah side, but that are causing dramatic number of civilians being killed,” he said.

Reports indicate that more than 2,000 people have been killed, and over one million have been displaced.

“We see an enormous tragedy in Lebanon, and we must do everything to avoid an all-out war In Lebanon,” Mr. Guterres added.

Peacekeepers remain at their posts

Despite the challenging conditions, UNIFIL peacekeepers continue their operations.

According to the Mission, several security walls at the UN position 1-31, near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, collapsed when an IDF vehicle hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved close to the UN post.  

Set by the UN and stretching for 120 kilometres along Lebanon’s southern frontier, the Blue Line is a “line of withdrawal”. Its practical purpose is to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon. Several of UNIFIL’s positions are located on or near it.

A UNIFIL Quick Reaction Force was dispatched to assist and reinforce the position, with peacekeepers remaining on-site.

“These incidents put again UN peacekeepers, who are serving in south Lebanon at the request of the Security Council, at very serious risks,” UNIFIL stated on social media platform X.  

“The safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times.”

Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates UNIFIL’s presence in the region, it added.

Destruction in a suburb of Beirut.
© UNICEF
 
Destruction in a suburb of Beirut.

Situation worsening for civilians

In Geneva, the UN human rights office, OHCHRcalled for an end to the “killing, destruction [and] bellicose posturing” by those in power, adding that the situation for civilians on the ground “in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel and Syria is getting worse by the day”.

On Thursday, airstrikes – without warning – targeted densely populated areas in Beirut’s central district, marking the third major attack on the city since late September, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).  

Twenty-two people were killed, and hundreds injured, according to Lebanese authorities.

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described how the densely populated capital of Beirut “is increasingly being hit by Israeli airstrikes” which have left more than 2,100 dead over the last year, according to the Lebanese authorities.

The development comes as Hezbollah and other armed groups “continue to fire rockets into Israel, resulting in the first civilian fatalities in the north since the most recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon last month”, the OHCHR spokesperson noted.

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Healthcare centres and emergency workers have not been spared from the intensifying Israeli strikes, with 96 primary health care centres and clinics closed by 5 October, according to the Lebanese authorities.

“We’ve had several reports also of airstrikes, targeting other medical centres and of paramedics as well as firefighters, being killed,” Ms. Shamdasani said.

Since 30 September, 49 health workers have been killed in nine confirmed attacks, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Humanitarian response

UN agencies are ramping up efforts to respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) dispatched a humanitarian convoy from Beirut to the village of Rmaych, where 6,000 people are sheltering.

Together with partners, the agencies have distributed over one million meals and more than 143,000 ready-to-eat kits to at least 440 designated shelters.

These agencies continue to provide vital protection, psychosocial support, nutrition, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

WHO has also delivered medical supplies to treat 650 trauma patients in six major Beirut hospitals, as assessments continue to evaluate the needs of displaced people outside formal shelters.

With nearly three-quarters of the 1,000 designated shelters at full capacity, the humanitarian needs are only increasing, particularly as winter approaches.


https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155621


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четверг, 10 октября 2024 г.

‘No end to hell’ in northern Gaza, warns UN aid agency chief


Northern Gaza resident Ahmed Abu Aita gestures towards his house in northern Gaza which has been reduced to rubble.
© UNOCHA
 
Northern Gaza resident Ahmed Abu Aita gestures towards his house in northern Gaza which has been reduced to rubble.


9 October 2024 


The prospect of all-out war in Lebanon appeared undiminished on Wednesday as the head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said that there was “no end to hell” in northern Gaza, where lifesaving relief has shut down.

The warning from Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA UNRWA was prompted by renewed evacuation orders from the Israeli military, which “many are refusing because they know too well that no place anywhere in Gaza is safe”.

The development comes amid reports by the local authorities of intense Israeli bombardment in the north of the shattered enclave where ground operations are also underway. Jabalia refugee camp is surrounded, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said at the weekend, before issuing evacuation orders on Tuesday.

Strikes have also been reported in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, towns in the northeast of Gaza, with roads also closed.

“Intensified military operations in the north are forcing us to shut down lifesaving services,” Mr. Lazzarini said on social media on Wednesday.

He added that seven of the UN agency’s schools-turned-shelters are being evacuated, while only two out of eight water wells in Jabalia camp are still operational. Some 400,000 people are believed to remain in the north of Gaza.

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Children are, as ever, the first and most to suffer,” the UNRWA chief said, adding that hunger was “spreading and deepening again” because “almost no basic supplies” were available.

According to local health authorities in Gaza, at least 45 people were killed and 130 wounded in the last 24 hours. Since Hamas-led terror attacks in multiple Israeli sites that left some 1,250 dead and more than 250 taken hostage, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly reached at least 42,000 people. Another 97,700 have been wounded, often with life-changing injuries.

Devastation in Lebanon

In Lebanon, meanwhile, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported “relentless” and “amplifying” bombardment” into previously unaffected areas, amid ongoing missile strikes on Israel by Hezbollah.

“In a single day – 6 October - more than 30 airstrikes struck the Beirut southern suburbs and surrounding areas, frightening residents and forcing additional displacement from densely populated areas, including Shatila Palestine refugee camp,” OCHA said in an update published Wednesday.

Latest data from the health ministry indicate more than 2,083 collective deaths and 9,869 injuries since 8 October 2023, when Hezbollah rocket fire increased into northern Israel as the war in Gaza erupted. Most casualties in Lebanon have happened in the last two weeks, amid intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations in southern Lebanon.

According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, 25 per cent of Lebanese territory is affected by Israeli military displacement orders. Displacement orders are issued “on a daily basis” for more than 100 villages and urban neighbourhoods across southern Lebanon, forcing people to flee and pushing many up to 30 km north.

Massive displacement

OCHA reported that in total, some 1.2 million people are now internally displaced, with 180,700 people seeking refuge in 978 shelters, 775 of which are already at full capacity. The violence has also delayed the start of the school year, while the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said that about 350,000 children have been displaced.

“Extensive civilian harm is occurring due to explosive weapons in densely populated areas and forced displacement orders,” OCHA noted. “Urgent action is necessary to shield civilians from escalating violence and ensure that humanitarian and aid workers can safely deliver critical support.”


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среда, 9 октября 2024 г.

Continued Engagement in Libya Still Needed to Unite Fragmented Government, Support National Reconciliation, Political Unity, Senior Official Tells Security Council



9743rd Meeting (AM)
SC/15847


Highlighting the recent solution to the Central Bank of Libya crisis and the resumption of oil production, the United Nations’ senior official in that country urged Libyan authorities’ and the Organization’s continued engagement to unite the still fragmented Government and to forge a path toward national reconciliation and unity.

Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative and Political Officer for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), recalling various Libyan factions’ destabilizing unilateral decisions earlier this year, detailed positive developments since her last briefing. Those include the 2 October assumption into office of a new Central Bank of Libya Governor and Deputy Governor and the 3 October announcement of the National Oil Corporation’s lifting of the force majeure, thereby enabling the full resumption of oil operations and exports.  Commending the constructive engagement of the House of Representatives, the High Council of State and the Presidential Council and other Libyan leaders in finding a solution to the Central Bank crisis, she said further steps remain to be taken, starting with the appointment of a Board of Directors.

“Regrettably, other actions continue to fuel divisions,” she noted, including, among others, the dispute over the authority to adjudicate on constitutional matters.  The task at hand is paving the way to a comprehensive political solution, which addresses the current division of State institutions, the need for a unified Government and the restoration of democratic legitimacy through elections. Detailing other challenges, including human rights violations across the country, she spotlighted positive developments in preparation for elections scheduled in November and the start of cooperation between UNSMIL and Libyan authorities on strengthening human rights standards.  Stressing that “the status quo in Libya has persisted for too long and is unsustainable,” she urged Council support in advancing an inclusive political process in the coming weeks and moving towards national elections.  “The Libyan people deserve better,” she declared.

Addressing the Council via video conference, Hala Bugaighis of the Libyan Women, Peace and Security Advisory Group recalled the women who were killed while standing up for their rights.  Restrictions on women's movements and on civil society organizations and the systematic targeting of women human rights defenders, particularly online, are continuing.  More so, "women were notably absent from the ceasefire agreement negotiations, and thus excluded from key discussions regarding protection of human rights and security sector reform,” she reported, urging UNSMIL to do more to ensure women's participation in all decision-making processes related to the ceasefire arrangements.

Detailing further the absence of women’s meaningful participation in reconciliation efforts and representation in Government, she pointed to the “false sense of political stability” and noted that "efforts to activate the national reconciliation process remain constrained by the interests of both national and international actors”.  The safeguarding of victims’ rights to justice, accountability and reparation, as well as their guaranteed meaningful participation in transition processes, were needed.  Further, she called on the Security Council to, among others, urgently appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General of UNSMIL to facilitate Libya’s transition to a democratic State, renew UNSMIL’s mandate for a full 12 months and demand that all actors end intimidation and attacks against women civil society and political activists.

Also briefing the Council was the representative of Japan, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, who presented its report for the period from 21 August to 9 October 2024, including its activities related to the arms embargo and assets freeze and its consideration of the interim report of the Panel of Experts.

In the ensuing discussion, Council members welcomed the agreement reached on the Central Bank of Libya and the resumption of crude oil production, with several outlining critical next steps.  Among them was the representative of Mozambique, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, who stressed that the successful implementation of the agreement on the Central Bank of Libya will be crucial for the country's economic and political future.   Urging relevant institutions to work together, he underlined the urgency of appointing the Bank’s Board of Directors, accelerating financial arrangements and establishing a unified national budget.

The Central Bank crisis has demonstrated that “the status quo is ever more unstable”, the United Kingdom’s representative pointed out. While welcoming the agreement for the appointment of the new Governor, she underlined the need for stakeholders to swiftly agree on a Board of Directors that is credible, competent and free from political influence.  Also needed were transparent operations and for all actors to rebuild the Central Bank’s legitimacy and credibility, especially with international institutions.

Echoing that, the United States’ representative called for a robust implementation of the deal that brought an end to the leadership dispute that had damaged the Central Bank’s reputation and undermined the international financial system’s confidence in it.  The swift appointment of a new technocratic qualified Board of Directors would enable the Bank to implement much-needed reform and enact monetary policy to stabilize the Libyan economy, in line with the International Monetary Fund’s Article IV report.  He also called for an east-west budget to be drawn up to enable the equitable distribution of the country’s oil revenue.

Council members were near-unanimous in expressing support for UNSMIL’s role in facilitating a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process and promoting a peaceful resolution to current challenges, ahead of its mandate renewal at the end of the month, with some speakers, including Switzerland’s representative, Council President for October, who spoke in his national capacity, encouraging the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative as soon as possible.

While echoing that call, the Russian Federation’s representative observed that without the appointment of a new UNSMIL head, “we cannot agree to extend the UNSMIL mandate for a long period”.  Echoing other speakers’ concerns about the dual power structure in Libya and the political impasse, he said an inclusive political process should finalize work on the modalities for the presidential parliamentary elections and a unified Government.  The international community must help in that endeavour, without imposing “artificial timelines or foreign recipes” but by facilitating a genuine dialogue between Libyan protagonists.

Similarly, China’s representative underscored that the international community should continue to support efforts to seek African solutions to African problems.  Strengthened dialogue and consultation were needed to break the political impasse. “The peaceful reconciliation of Libya is now at a critical stage,” he emphasized, calling for the withdrawal as soon as possible of external armed forces and mercenaries in a smooth and orderly manner.  About the Council’s forthcoming consideration of the UNSMIL mandate renewal, China was ready to engage constructively and work toward consensus, he said.

Many speakers underscored the still fragile situation on the ground and the need to relaunch a political process, with the representative of France noting that positive recent steps to resolve the crisis involving the Central Bank were not enough.  The deadlocked political process was fuelling insecurity and instability, following the indefinite postponement of presidential and legislative elections in 2021. The political process needed to be relaunched to form a unified Government and allow for simultaneous elections to be held, according to the will of the Libyan people.

Slovenia’s delegate, highlighting the visit undertaken to Libya last month by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and her engagement with a wide variety of interlocutors, echoed her sentiment that credible, inclusive national elections are the only way to end the political deadlock and achieve a durable peace.  In that context, the preparations for the holding of local elections are an important step in the democratic process, she said.

Similarly, Ecuador’s delegate appealed to parties to resolve pending issues through dialogue, given the worsening political and security situation.  This would pave the way for unifying institutions and restoring their legitimacy, a goal that could only be achieved through a political process and unified Government that respects civic space, and can hold fair, free and transparent elections that guarantee the participation of women and youth.  However, any reconciliation process must have accountability as one of its pillars, he added.

The representatives of the Republic of Korea and Japan were among speakers who spotlighted the “shocking” report issued by UNSMIL and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) detailing mass graves, large-scale human rights violations and abuses committed in Tarhuna, between 2013 and 2022.  The latter also voiced support for the International Criminal Court Pre‑Trial Chamber’s granting the Prosecutor’s request to unseal six arrest warrants issued on the matter.  “These crimes are not merely events in Libya’s past,” he said.  Adding to that, Malta’s delegate stressed:  “We need to ensure that all Libyans can enjoy their fundamental human rights.”

Taking the floor, the representative of Libya reported that his country was never formally informed by the Sanctions Committee of correspondence it received requesting permits or exceptions related to frozen assets and the Libyan Investment Authority.  Recalling the Chair’s desire to update working methods, he appealed to the Committee to formally inform Libya of such correspondence.  He also recalled the last Council briefing, reporting that the situation in his country remains the same, and that to date “there is no real progress in the political process”.

Increasing regional and international crises have had a negative impact on the situation in Libya and on the Council and its priorities, he observed.  He urged the Council, among other things, to respect the Libyan Political Agreement and to put an end to some individuals’ or countries’ attempts to deepen the political divide.  Also needed was support for national political processes to resolve pending issues on elections, end the deadlock and organize elections under UN supervision. Noting that he was looking ahead to the African Union’s visit, he called on the international community to support the reconciliation process and help resolve issues toward rebuilding trust among Libyans.


https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15487.doc.htm


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