Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for July

Press Conference

• Security Council

1 July 2025

The Security Council will convene its signature event on 22 July — a high-level open debate on promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes — the Council’s President for the month said at a United Nations Headquarters press conference today.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad (Pakistan), who holds the 15-member organ’s rotating presidency for this month, said the open debate — held under the overarching theme of maintaining international peace and security — will be chaired by his country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The Secretary-General is expected to brief the Council.  “The debate stems from the fact that today’s crises often emerge from unresolved disputes, erosion of international obligations and underutilization of peaceful means enshrined in the Charter,” he said.  The discussion will examine the effectiveness of existing dispute settlement mechanisms, identify barriers to implementing Council resolutions and explore ways to strengthen preventive diplomacy, mediation and technical support.  It will also reaffirm the commitments made in the Pact for the Future towards preventive diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The Council will further hold a signature event on “Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations”, chaired also by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.  It will spotlight UN’s engagement with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which represents 57 member States across four continents and has played an increasingly important role in conflict prevention and mediation, humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery.  This meeting will explore ways to institutionalize and deepen this cooperation, particularly in relation to peace processes in various contexts.

On 23 July, the Council will hold its quarterly open debate on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, which will be elevated to the ministerial level.  The meeting will reaffirm the Council’s responsibility to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law and push for an immediate ceasefire, along with just and lasting solutions based on UN resolutions concerning the Palestinian question.

Throughout July, the Council will consider several country-specific and thematic issues, primarily through mandated briefings and situational updates.  These will include discussions on Colombia, Haiti, Cyprus, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and the International Criminal Court, as well as consultations on Lebanon within the framework of resolution 1701 (2006).  The President of the Security Council reaffirmed his readiness to convene additional meetings should developments on the ground — particularly in Africa, the Middle East or Asia — warrant timely engagement.  On 29 July, the Council will also hold a briefing on UN Peace Operations, in the context of the Secretary-General’s ongoing review.

“We are committed to an open and consultative Presidency,” he stated, outlining the Council’s working methods, which are grounded in transparency, inclusivity and close coordination among all 15 members.  He noted that the Council remains alert and responsive to global developments, with a particular focus on conflict zones such as in the Middle East, Africa, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He also responded to several questions posed by media correspondents, many of which concerned the situation in Gaza.  In his national capacity, he said the objective of the draft resolution — jointly proposed by China, the Russian Federation and his own country — is to achieve a ceasefire to the conflict. 

In response to a question about the future role of Hamas in Gaza, he emphasized that this is an intra-Palestinian matter that “should be left to the Palestinians [themselves]”.

Addressing a query about the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict’s recent report on children in Gaza, which the reporter described as “unfair”, he stressed that mandates such as children and armed conflict must be upheld universally and without selectivity. “[By] failing to do that, […] we are undermining these important mandates,” he warned.

On the conflict between Israel and Iran, he spoke in his national capacity to reaffirm Pakistan’s principled position, grounded in international law and the Charter of the United Nations.  He noted that some discussions have deviated from Iran’s legitimate rights, highlighting that Tehran remains a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.  “The best way to address the Iranian nuclear issue in all its complexity is through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.  However, he added, this path was seriously disrupted by the recent attacks, while expressing hope that “a window of opportunity” still exists to resume dialogue and reach a conclusive resolution in accordance with international law.

Regarding the UN’s cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, he pointed to OIC’s growing role in areas such as counter-terrorism, counter-extremism and humanitarian affairs.  He emphasized the importance of deepening engagement between OIC and the Security Council.

When asked about how the issue of Kashmir could be addressed in the Council, he responded in his national capacity that the dispute remains unresolved and continues to be a source of tension between India and Pakistan, hindering broader regional relations.  He emphasized that it is the Council’s responsibility — especially that of its permanent members — to take meaningful steps towards implementing their own resolutions.

https://press.un.org/en/2025/250701_sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for October

1 October 2024

The Security Council’s programme in October will feature two regular open debates and one signature event, alongside five important mandate renewals, its President for the month said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Pascale Christine Baeriswyl of Switzerland, which holds the 15-member organ’s rotating presidency for October, said her country was convening only one additional signature event, given that the month was “traditionally the busiest of the year”, and that it is taking up the mantle of the organ at a time when “very serious escalation risks” are cropping up in several parts of the world.  The signature event in question is a briefing on 21 October on the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security, to be chaired by Ignazio Cassis, the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, she said.

The second signature event, the annual open debate on women, peace and security, on 24 October, will be chaired by the President of the Swiss Confederation, with briefings by United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and civil society representatives.  The event, titled “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment”, would draw from insights from a retreat of women mediators from all over the world, held by her country earlier in 2024, she added.

A quarterly open debate on 29 October will address the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, she said, adding that discussions on the topic will be needed well before that date, “given recent developments on the ground”.

Also highlighting an annual briefing on the collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union, which kicked off the packed calendar for the month on 2 October, she said the event will be followed up by a “fireside chat” in upstate New York on 17 October on the implementation of Council resolution 2719 (2023), in which African Union youth ambassadors would participate.  She voiced hope that a joint communiqué would be subsequently adopted. 

On 27 October, the Council will hold its annual private meeting with the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Nawaf Salam.  The interaction between the two organizations would focus on how it could have a “stronger preventative role”, given that the international community was turning to the Court more than ever in these times, she added.

Other briefings during the month would focus on Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Haiti and Colombia, she went on, adding that “at least a Foreign Minister” would be participating in the latter, a quarterly briefing which would include the mandate renewal of the UN Verification Mission in the country.  There would also be “high-level attendance” at the briefing on 30 October on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), she added.

Asked why no meetings were scheduled on Ukraine, when “a lot is happening that is not good”, she replied that meetings on that country would be scheduled when the penholders asked for them. “We will have some soon,” she added.

Responding to a flurry of questions from correspondents on the unfolding situation involving missile launches by Iran against Israel following the latter’s ground incursion into Lebanon, she said that her delegation was following the rapidly evolving situation and its escalation with “great concern”.  In response to a follow-up question on the same topic, she said that any remarks she made may not be adequate in two hours given that “the situation is evolving rapidly”. Nonetheless, she emphasized, “The urgency is a ceasefire; a cessation of hostilities.”

Asked by a Lebanese correspondent whether Council resolution 7001 (2006) and Council resolution 1559 (2004), adopted in response to conflicts in her country, were “totally obsolete” in light of Israel’s recent invasion, she said that what was urgently needed was the implementation of these instruments, not new resolutions.  “Like in many contexts, these instruments, if respected, would lead to a durable cessation of hostilities,” she said, adding that both resolutions remained in place, and needed to be respected and implemented.

Questioned about the Council’s credibility given its failure to produce any “concrete output” on Israel’s hostilities in Gaza, which had spread to Lebanon and Syria, she said that the organ decided four resolutions on the matter, although it was contending with a “huge implementation crisis”.  “We need Security Council resolutions and credible threat to all actors, that there will be consequences if resolutions are not implemented,” she said, adding:  “We need big powers to be credible when they act, and interact.”  While it is frustrating that people are dying while resolutions are not implemented, she asserted that the Council and its diplomacy are “not useless”, pointing out that emergency meetings on the polio campaign in Gaza helped save children’s lives.

Pressed further on the Council’s inability to bring about peace in Gaza as a new war threatens to break out in Lebanon, in light of meetings held outside the United Nations by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, she said, “Everything which can support forging peace is welcome.”  The Council is a powerful instrument and should be reformed, she said, echoing frustration that it was unable to stop the ongoing escalation. However, she added:  “In a divided world where international law is so systematically disrespected, a policy organ cannot alone change the course of history.”

For information media. Not an official record.

https://press.un.org/en/2024/241001_sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for August

1 August 2024

The Security Council’s programme for August features a first-ever discussion on enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the body, as well as an open debate on the New Agenda for Peace, its President for the month told a Headquarters press conference today.

Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone), who holds the 15-member organ’s rotating presidency for this month, said the signature event on Council reform will focus on the historic injustice posed by the lack of representation for his continent in the Council.  It will be a high-level meeting to be held on 12 August, and will be presided by the President of his country, Julius Maada Bio.

The second signature event, the open debate on the New Agenda for Peace — to be held on 21 August — will address the global, regional and national aspects of conflict prevention, he said.  It will feature briefers and experts from the United Nations and African Union, among others.  The Council will also hold a thematic briefing on 7 August, on sustaining women and peace and security commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of peace operations.

Also noting briefings on Sudan and the International Criminal Court, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), he pointed to country-specific meetings on Yemen and Syria, as well as the monthly briefing concerning the Palestine question on 22 August.

Recalling that his country last held the presidency of the Council in December 1971 and that it is returning to the post after 53 years, he said that, in the intervening years, it went through years of civil conflict, as well as decades of post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding, in partnership with the United Nations.  This unique experience has given Sierra Leone a deep belief in the role of multilateralism in maintaining peace and security.  On 26 March 2014, he added, the Council held a meeting on the situation in Sierra Leone; just 10 years later the country is assuming the presidency of that body.  Highlighting this remarkable transformation, he said that Sierra Leone is committed to being a “voice of reason” and “a bridge-builder” during its tenure in the Council.

He also responded to several questions posed by media correspondents.  Regarding how Sierra Leone’s historic experience will inform the Council’s consideration of Sudan, he observed that his country’s partnership with the Council represents a “success story”. Noting many similarities between Sierra Leone and Sudan, he said dialogue is crucial.  It takes dedicated leadership to commit to talks and engage with opposing factions.  At the same time, it is crucial to deal with the humanitarian situation urgently, he stressed, adding that questions of accountability are also important.

Addressing several questions on Council reform, he reiterated that the forthcoming debate concerning Africa’s representation is unprecedented and is intended to elevate the current discussion.  There are significant negotiations ongoing and the African Group has made important demands which, he hoped, will be reflected in the final declaration of the Summit of the Future.

When pressed on whether a “big announcement” about a permanent seat for Africa was expected in September when the General Assembly meets, he outlined the step-by-step approach that is currently in progress.  There is sufficient momentum “to really move this issue”, he observed.  Next year will be the eightieth anniversary of the UN and “I think questions could be asked” if the Organization reaches that milestone without a permanent seat for Africa, he said.

Several correspondents posed questions concerning Gaza and the current escalation of tensions in the Middle East.  Responding, Mr. Kanu noted the meeting held Wednesday and added that Council members are deeply concerned and committed to call additional meetings, if necessary.  When asked why there are no sanctions upon Israel despite its persistent atrocities — “every violation you can imagine is being committed in Gaza” — he pointed to Council resolution 2735 (2024).  Sanctions are part of the toolkit of the United Nations and the process could be activated by a Council member, he said.

He also took questions regarding the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion and whether the Palestinian people have the right to resist occupation the way many African countries fought colonialism.  If there’s a request for Council engagement concerning the advisory opinion, the body can do so, he said in his capacity as Council President.  As to the Council’s role in implementing the advisory opinion, he noted that it has called on the parties to comply with their obligations under international law — which includes the orders of the International Court of Justice.

In his national capacity, he added that the Court was very authoritative regarding Palestine’s right to self-determination.  Further, the Court has clearly asked both the Assembly and the Council to move forward with modalities.

To a question concerning accountability for the deaths of 165 journalists killed in Gaza, he responded that his country has drawn attention to the high fatalities among journalists.  There are resolutions underscoring this point, he said, adding that there should be follow-throughs.  Council members must continue to amplify the need to protect those who should be protected in conflict situations, including journalists and human rights defenders.

He also pointed to Council resolution 2728 (2024), which was sponsored by the 10 elected members of the Council, describing it as a demonstration of unity.  Reiterating that his country sees its role in the Council as that of a bridge-builder, he said:  “We understand that the United Nations is not an organization of like-minded States […] but you have to bring everyone together.”

https://press.un.org/en/2024/240801_sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for June

3 June 2024

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for June

The Security Council will convene a high-level open debate on cybersecurity in June as malicious cyberspace activities with their transnational nature, including cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, are considered threats to international peace and security, its President told a Headquarters press conference today.

Joonkook Hwang (Republic of Korea), who holds the 15-member organ’s rotating presidency for the month, noted that his country has never harmed other States and does not have “any hidden agenda” in most international peace and security issues.  “This helps us position ourselves on the majority of the Security Council agendas in a constructive and straightforward manner,” he said, pledging that Seoul will guide the Council with efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness.

The meeting on cybersecurity, chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, will be held on 20 June, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and a civil society representative are expected to brief the Council, he said.

Other items on the work programme include an annual open debate on children and armed conflict on 26 June.  Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Catherine Russell, a civil society representative, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, also Deputy Chair of the Elders, are invited to speak.

Citing a “busy” calendar, he said that 15 briefings and 12 consultations have already been scheduled, with many mandated meetings, including on Somalia, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Separately, the Council is expected to extend the mandates of some missions, including the sanctions regime on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Additional meetings might be convened upon request regarding the deeply concerning security and humanitarian situations in Gaza and Ukraine — the Council’s two dominant issues over the last several months, he said, also underlining that his delegation will highlight how women’s and climate issues affect peace and security.

“Last but not least, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is one of our core interests,” he said, noting that the Council stands ready to convene a meeting in response to any possible provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  The advancement of Pyongyang’s weapons of mass destruction programme is closely intertwined with that country’s dire human rights and humanitarian situation. “Human rights and peace and security issues should be approached in a holistic manner” in this case, he said, adding that the Council intends to hold an open briefing on the matter.

Asked about the Council’s response to the situation in Rafah, he said that the Algeria-proposed draft resolution is on the table and “very important” diplomatic efforts are also ongoing outside the organ. Therefore, negotiations on the Council’s text may take some time.  On Palestine’s full UN membership, he said that his country voted in favour of such status both in the Security Council and the General Assembly, with a view to a two-State solution.  However, bilaterally recognizing Palestine as a State is a separate matter.  “We will do that in a more appropriate time when we decide on the timing,” he said.

Regarding the situation in Sudan and a draft resolution put forward by the United Kingdom on El Fasher, he said that Council members share the view that the African country is relatively overlooked and it is time to act. Negotiations on an outcome document are about to begin, and his delegation will facilitate the discussions.

Asked about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, he said that the Council has not been able to reach a consensus on action against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since 2017.  The situation is getting worse, but the dynamics in the Council have not changed much.  Recently, the Council failed to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the sanctions regime against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, due single-handedly to the veto of the Russian Federation.  “We will try to find some common ground” to take some action, in close consultation with the United States, Japan and other countries, he said.

Pressed further on the termination of the Panel of Experts, he said that various alternatives are on the table, with the merits and potential risks of each option being carefully considered.

Regarding the meeting on cybersecurity, he said that his delegation is not planning to push for any outcome document in the form of a presidential statement or resolution but intends to focus on a key question of how the Council should and can address this emerging but critical security matter.

For the full programme of work, please see:  www.un.org/securitycouncil/events/calendar.

https://press.un.org/en/2024/240604_sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

8 FEBRUARY 2024

Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters

Following is the transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference in New York today:

Dear members of the media:

Yesterday, I addressed the General Assembly focusing on priorities for this year and beyond.  It is a long and detailed agenda — but the varied challenges are connected by a common thread.  Peace.

The need for peace in all its dimensions because peace is the tie that binds.  But, too often, we face instead a Gordian knot.  On issues of peace and security — we face rising conflict and geopolitical divisions.  On issues of peace within communities — we see rising polarization.  On issues of peace with justice — we have rising inequalities.  On issues of peace with nature, we have rising global emissions and global temperatures.

We are at a moment of truth — but we have a breakdown of trust. Trust in institutions.  Trust in leaders.  And also trust in governments and multilateral institutions.

The way to restore trust is by making a real and positive difference in people’s lives.  By solving people’s problems.

Yesterday, I presented a clear-eyed, sober assessment of the world.  This is no time for pulling punches.

We have a number of existential challenges:  The age-old nuclear threat.  The climate emergency and the dangers posed by unchecked artificial intelligence.  But we are not sufficiently united and organized to respond effectively to any of them.  On top of that, we face a multiplication of conflicts and geopolitical divides.

Much can be done across the board.  To end conflict, to effectively address threats posed by Artificial Intelligence, to take climate action, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  But it will require a serious conversation between developed and developing countries; between rich and emerging economies; between north and south, east and west.

It will require reforming institutions that were built by a bygone world, for a bygone age.  Starting with reform of the Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.  We are no longer in a world of two super-Powers or in a unipolar world.  Multipolarity creates opportunities for justice and balance in global relations. But when multipolarity is not accompanied by effective, renewed and inclusive mechanisms of multilateral governance — the risks multiply.

So, this is a year for focusing on the future — and we have our Summit of the Future in September, and this is a year for focusing on people’s challenges also today.  We have institutions that need to be aligned with our times.  And we have principles to guide us, that we must preserve in all situations.  Respect for the United Nations Charter.  Respect for international law and international humanitarian law.  Peace with justice that addresses inequalities.

Following those principles will lead us to the pathways to solutions that I laid out yesterday.  The New Agenda for Peace.  The SDG Stimulus.  The Global Digital Compact.  The work of the Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.  The Climate Solidarity Pact.  And much more.

And on the peace and security front, I believe it is especially critical to find solutions to two burning conflicts that are having profound global consequences:  Ukraine and Gaza.

This month marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  It is essential that we work for a just and sustainable peace, but a peace in line with the UN Charter and international law.

And in Gaza, the situation just keeps getting worse.  In addition to the death and destruction from military operations — starvation and disease are bearing down on Palestinians in Gaza.  Despite some limited steps, our humanitarian operations continue to face denials of access, delays, impediments, and multiple dangers — including live fire.  One of our convoys was damaged by Israeli naval artillery earlier this week.  Just 10 out of 61 planned aid convoys to the north reached their destination in January.

Let’s be clear:  Denial of humanitarian access means denial of humanitarian relief for civilians.  Food and water are needed for a desperate population.  Medicine and fuel are needed for the desperation in hospitals.  And other life-saving supplies for a population in a terrible situation.  I am particularly worried by reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafah.

Half of Gaza’s population is now crammed into Rafah.  They have nowhere to go.  They have no homes — and they have no hope.  They are living in over-crowded make-shift shelters, in unsanitary conditions without running water, electricity and adequate food supplies. All of this underscores the need for full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and ensuring their essential needs are met.

We are clear in condemning the horrific attacks of Hamas.  We are also clear in condemning the violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.  We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.  We need also the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And we need real, visible, concrete steps towards a two-State solution — based on UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.  Repeated bloody hostilities, and decades of tensions and occupation, have failed to provide a State for the Palestinians, or security for Israelis.

In the Middle East and around the world, we need peace in every sense.  Our world cannot afford to wait.  And I thank you for your attention.

**Questions and Answers

Spokesman:  Great.  Thank you.  Before we go to questions, couple of ground rules, which I say every time.  Please limit yourself to one question.  Thank you.  We have our wonderful interpreters in the back for Spanish and French, in case the Secretary-General answers those questions in that language.  We’ll take a few questions.  Please just no Super Bowl-Taylor Swift questions; so Valeria, all yours.

Question:  Thank you, Secretary-General, on behalf of UNCA (United Nations Correspondents Association) for this press conference.  It’s always good to see you here.  So my question is on Gaza.  Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister rejected the Hamas proposed the ceasefire terms and said that the total victory in Gaza is possible within months.  So it looks that Israel does not have the willingness to consider or accept any negotiated deal.  Is there any hope to reverse this course?  Is there a plan B?  And the UN is playing any role in trying to reach a deal for a ceasefire?  Thank you.  Valeria Robecco from ANSA Newswire.  Sorry.

Secretary-General: I had a chance to be once again, at the end of last week, with the Prime Minister of Qatar that was kind enough to visit me after his visit to Washington, and he was hopeful that the negotiations will be able to go on and that those negotiations might lead to a breakthrough in relation both to different periods of cessation of hostilities and to the liberation of hostages.  For me, the question of the liberation of hostages is absolutely essential from the human point of view.  I had the possibility to receive several hostages, two hostages in Davos, families of hostages and people knowing them and I know what the suffering is, related to that.  So when we have a negotiation, in which the release of hostages is in one hand, and in which different aspects of pauses, ceasefires or restoring calm, several different kinds of language were used — when there is a negotiation of this nature, I think it’s in the interest of everybody and it’s in the particular interest of the Government in Israel to make sure that these negotiations are successful.

Spokesman:  Thank you.  Edie Lederer, Associated Press?

Question:  Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General.  I wanted to ask about another conflict that you mentioned yesterday.  The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) says there are grounds to believe Sudan’s warring sides are committing crimes in Darfur, and there are reports that a genocide is taking place that is worse than the one in Darfur in 2003.  What can and should the United Nations and the international community be doing to halt these atrocities?

Secretary-General: First of all, we need to fully support the ICC, and I believe the role of the ICC and in particular the creation of conditions for prosecution of those involved in these atrocities is absolutely essential.  On the other hand, we are working with the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and with the African Union and the Arab League.  I hope I will have the occasion to meet with all of them again in the African Union Summit next week, to see how we can converge our efforts to bring these two generals to the table, to have a ceasefire and to finally create the conditions also for effective humanitarian aid to be distributed to a people that is in a desperate condition.  What is happening is horrible.  It needs to stop and we need to mobilize the whole of the international community, the neighbours, the countries that have influence on both parties to do everything possible to stop these horrible atrocities. There is no military solution for Sudan. They can go on fighting on and on and that, of course, will solve, will not bring any solution, so we must stop this as soon as possible.

Spokesman:  Sherwin, then Kristin.

Question:  Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting.  SG, we have not heard you, in your own words, reflect on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by South Africa against Israel and the subsequent provisional orders that were handed down.  What do you make of the case?  What do you make of the court’s provisional decisions, and the lack of compliance we are all bearing witness to in Gaza today?  And in that regard, what is your message to Palestinian trapped in Gaza who have all but lost hope?

Secretary-General: First of all, we fully support the International Court of Justice.  We think the International Court of Justice is the right entity to pronounce itself on these issues.  We fully support the decisions of the International Court of Justice, and we clearly express that all those decisions must be implemented. And so, it is absolutely essential that all the decisions are implemented.  And obviously, I have full confidence in the International Court of Justice to be able to act if those decisions are not properly implemented.  You’re second?

Question:  Your message to people of Gaza?

Secretary-General: My message to the people of Gaza is a message of total solidarity and total commitment — solidarity with the horrible suffering; commitment to do everything, to mobilize the UN system, to provide the possible assistance we can provide and at the same time to go on with a very active global advocacy for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to take place.

Spokesman:  Kristin Saloomey?

Question:  Thank you, Secretary-General, Kristin Saloomey from Al Jazeera English.  Following up on Sherwin’s question, in your remarks, you mentioned that one of the UN’s convoys was hit by Israeli artillery earlier this week.  I believe, only 10 out of 61 planned aid convoys to the North reached their destination in January.  Denial of humanitarian access means denial of humanitarian relief.  You said earlier today, Philippe Lazzarini noted that UNRWA hasn’t been able to deliver food north of Wadi Gaza since before 23 January.  All of this to say or to ask, is Israel in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 2712,2720 and the ICJ ruling?

Secretary-General: I’ve said clearly that we are witnessing violations of international humanitarian law and those violations must stop.

Spokesman:  Ibtisam Azem?

Question:  Thank you.  Here.  Thank you. My name is Ibtisam…

Secretary-General: By the way, not only by Israel.

Question:  Thank you.  My name is Ibtisam Azem from Alaraby Aljadeed newspaper.  I have also a question on Gaza.  And the question is regarding the role that the US is playing.  Do you believe that, given the fact that the US has a very strong relationship with the Israeli Government, that they are using the leverage they should do?  Or the fact that they are giving or planning to give about 17 billion dollars for weapons makes them actually a party to the conflict and not separate, not an independent, what’s your position on that? And what’s your message to the American administration?  Thank you.

Secretary-General: Everybody knows that the United [States] is an ally of Israel.  That has been said time and time again by all leaders in the United States and in Israel.  So that is clear.  It’s a country that is an ally.  But it is also true, and I can testify to it myself, that there has been a lot of pressure by the United States in relation to Israel in different areas of humanitarian aid.  I remember several phone calls, President [Joseph] Biden to Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu to solve problems that we have on the ground and couldn’t solve by ourselves.  And I can also testify that there has been a clear pressure of the United States in order for full respect of international humanitarian law.  But that doesn’t change the fact that, indeed, United States is an ally of Israel.

Question:  Sorry.  Just a quick follow-up.  Do you believe that they are doing everything in their power to use that leverage?  Also given the fact that they cut money to UNRWA in the times where they are financing weapons?

Secretary-General: What I sincerely do not know, what is exactly is in their power.

Spokesman:  Javier, then Daniel.

Question:  Mr. Guterres I request to speak in Spanish, if you allow?

Secretary-General: Spanish, of course.

Question:  Usted ayer dijo que un gran número de personas está perdiendo cada vez más la confianza en las instituciones en términos del proceso político en general.  En América Latina estamos viendo un apoyo creciente y admiración por el modelo de Nayib Bukele en El Salvador donde principios básicos de la democracia se sacrifican en nombre de la prioridad número uno que es la seguridad.  ¿Qué opina de esa tendencia que se ve en todo el continente?

SG:  Yo creo que hay una tendencia generalizada no solamente en el continente americano pero un poco en el mundo del progreso del populismo y la polarización.  El progreso del populismo y el progreso de la polarización representan en mi opinión una amenaza a lo que es el normal y deseable funcionamiento de instituciones democráticas.

Spokesman:  Yeah, go ahead.

Question:  Hi, Daniel Edelson from Ynet from Israel.  I wanted to ask if you also have a message to the Israeli people, considering all the criticism that you’re facing from the public in Israel.  What is your message to the Israeli people, considering… your message to the Israeli people, considering how much criticism you’re facing in the country?

Secretary-General: Well, I am a politician that has a long history of relations with Israel.  I was elected Vice President of the Socialist International the same day, in the same Congress, that Yitzhak Rabin was elected and I remember that one of my first visits is when I was elected leader of the Socialist Party in Portugal was to visit [Yitzhak] Rabin and [Shimon] Peres — at that time, were Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Israel.  Later, when I was Prime Minister, I had the occasion, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat had not the chance to meet in New York, the time of the government of [Ariel] Sharon.  They met in my office in Lisbon for four hours with me and the former Prime Minister of Norway, Thorbjørn Jagland.  So I’ve always been very closely committed to support, although that in Israel, were defending the Israel interests, but also committed to peace in relation to the Middle East.

On the other hand, as Prime Minister of Portugal, I approved and made the parliament approve the decree that revoked the edict of expulsion that the Portuguese did in the early 16th century, in the most criminal and stupid act of the history of my country — when the Jewish community was expelled.  We revoked that edict, and I went myself to the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam — by the way, an absolutely fantastic temple — unfortunately, almost deserted because of the Holocaust — to deposit that law. And today, as you are probably aware, tens of thousands of descendants of that community are gaining Portuguese nationality.  And there are even citizens of Israel that are moving from Israel to Portugal.  On the other hand, I was always a very strong supporter of all efforts in order to create the conditions for full security of the people of Israel under the state of Israel; and at the same time, for the creation of a Palestinian state, allowing for the two countries to live side by side in peace.  When Hamas attacked, with that absolutely intolerable terror attacks, I was very strong condemning it.  I was also very strong in asking since the beginning and repeatedly for the immediate and the unconditional release of hostages.  And when there were indications that I Hamas has infiltrated UNRWA, I acted immediately in order to guarantee that we do whatever is necessary for UNRWA to be able to avoid any kind of infiltration by Hamas.  But it is also true that I believe we need a two-state solution and I disagree with the policies of the Government of Israel, with the settlements and with a number of other initiatives that have undermined the two-state solution.  And I’ve also expressed my opinion that the way the military operations are being conducted in Gaza has been with an absolutely unacceptable excess of people being killed and of destruction.  So my message to the people of Israel is that I will always be a strong supporter of the right of Israel to live in peace and security.  I’ve always been a committed fighter against antisemitism, but I’m also totally committed to work for the Palestinians to be able to have their own state and to have their self-determination recognized and to the end of occupation.

Spokesman:  Benno and then Dezhi.

Question:  Thank you.  Benno Schwinghammer with the German Press Agency. Secretary-General, the allegations against the dozen UNRWA members were undoubtedly very shocking.  But to this point, they are still allegations, and it seems you didn’t even receive evidence in writing yet.  Still, you fired these workers already, without a thorough investigation first.  It seems that you or that the UN didn’t follow due process here.  Why is that?

Secretary-General: First of all, we received allegations in relation to 12 names and those allegations were credible.  Now, if the allegations are credible, you are dealing with a high risk.  And when you are dealing with a high risk, and you have rules and regulations that allow you to do so, you, I believe, should do what I did — which was to terminate immediately the contracts based on the so-called best interests of the organization, which is what the rules and regulations allow me to do.  At the same time, the investigation team was immediately on the ground.  And if I have made any mistake, it can be corrected in the future.  But we couldn’t run the risk not to act immediately as the accusations were related to criminal activities that are really dangerous.  And I must say, I’m a little bit surprised, when I now read in the press, that apparently, the military were not willing [for] the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel to convey that information to us; and even worse, I read in the press that in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they didn’t expect me to act.  I mean, I can’t imagine that this was a trap.  One thing that you can be absolutely sure — any allegation that is presented to us by the Government of Israel in relation to any other infiltration of Hamas in the UN, at whatever level, we will act immediately upon it.

Spokesman:  Dezhi?

Question:  Xu Dezhi with China Central Television.  First, Happy New Year, but obviously, this is a difficult year for you, with so many Security Council resolutions not implemented, with the accusations of the US on UN institutions like UNRWA and governments asking to keep peacekeeping missions, there are more and more doubts on the effectiveness of the UN, especially on maintaining stability and security of the world.  What can you say to them?  What do you want to have in 2024?

Secretary-General: Well, first of all, let’s separate things.  One thing is the Security Council and in relation to the Security Council, I said yesterday that the Security Council has been largely paralyzed and that it has been divided and probably now more divided than ever.  I’m not finished.  Another thing, you mentioned UNRWA; I mean, of course, there were accusations in relation to the infiltration of Hamas in relation to UNRWA and to acts like what was mentioned.  But let’s not forget that we have more than 30,000 workers of UNRWA providing humanitarian aid, but also schooling, health, other forms of community support in Syria, in Lebanon, in Jordan, in West Bank and in Gaza.  And that in Gaza, we have from the operational point of view of the emergency, beyond the workers that were in schools and, you know, we have 3,000 people that are the backbone of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.  So independently of everything that has happened and acting in relation to that, with clear determination, I think it’s important to say that the humanitarian work that the UN does in the world is unique, irreplaceable and a source of pride for all of us, and it should not be confused with the difficulty of decisions Of the Security Council.

Question:  Yeah.  But, so the thing is I asked about the Security Council resolutions, they are not implemented.  They cannot, I mean, there are doubts whether the UN should be respected again?

Secretary-General: That is very simple, in my opinion.  When the world is divided, and the geopolitical divides today are enormous — when we see that we are no longer in a bipolar or unipolar world, as I said, we are in a kind of on the way to a multipolar world, but in a very chaotic situation.  Power relations became unclear.  And what we see today in the world is political actors doing whatever they want and with total impunity.  And in this situation of division, in which there is no respect, in which even the superpowers, nobody respects them, as we see every day, in what’s happening around the world, obviously, we are having an extreme difficulty in having Security Couuncil resolutions being implemented.  With a united Security Council, with the most important powers of the world able to work together, with more clarity in power relations, there will be more respect and there will be less capacity of people to go on doing what they do in total impunity and to the detriment of the suffering of millions of people around the world.

Spokesman:  Maggie, then Pam.

Question:  Secretary-General, Margaret Besheer, Voice of America.  Two years this month since Russia invaded Ukraine, do you worry that the fighting will continue while Moscow waits to see who wins the US election in November?

Secretary-General: Independently of the US elections, independently of everything else, I think it’s important to say that from our side, because we have no control of anything in the elections in the US or even in the battlefield — from our side, we will go on doing everything we can for peace and a peace based in the UN Charter and peace based in international law.

Spokesman:  Pam?

Question:  Thank you, sir.  Secretary-General, it’s good to have a briefing.  Thank you for being here.  It’s Pamela Falk from CBS News.  Big picture question based on a lot of what you said yesterday and questions. As you know, the UN’s credibility around the world is at an all-time low.  And that’s because of what you said, there’s more conflicts in the world than there have been since 1945.  You have a Summit of the Future, you’re looking for proposals, but generally speaking, do you believe that the UN can still in this day and age bring peace to the conflicts you’re looking at — Ukraine, Gaza, and Israel, and everything else, with Sudan and everything else we’re looking at?  Thank you.

Secretary-General: I’m the first to say that United Nations — namely, the Security Council, the Bretton Woods institutions and different other multilateral organizations created after the Second World War — are today outdated, they are dysfunctional, they are unfair, and they need to be reformed.  And I will do everything I can in the context of the Summit of the Future to push as much as possible for the reform of our own institutions and for asking for the reform of other institutions.  And so, it is clear that there is a dysfunctionality in relation to the reality of today’s world and the nature of the multilateral organizations like the UN.  Having said so, I’ve just seen a survey in relation to credibility in the world of different entities, and the UN is still clearly above, for instance, governments.  [laughter]

Spokesman:  Linda and then Yuna.

Question:  Thank you, Secretary-General. Linda Fasulo, NPR at the UN.  My question involves the suspension of aid by the various donors for UNRWA and my question is this:  Were you surprised at all at the quickness of these 16 donors, including the major donors, their withdrawal?  And since the report is not going to be due, I gather, until late April, which is two and a half months from now, have they indicated any sort of step or any goals that have to be reached where perhaps they would restore some aid sooner than waiting for the end of April?

Secretary-General: I was surprised.  But I think my duty now is to do everything possible to re-establish the situation and to re-establish the situation, of course, my appeal would be for everybody to establish it immediately, but I know all things are.  I’ve been in politics a long period of my life, and I know how politics play in governments, in parliament, in public opinions everywhere, and I understand the concerns that exist.  And so what we are doing is to do the right thing in order to give the guarantees that these countries would like to have, that we are doing everything possible to make sure that UNRWA is an organization that not only is effective, necessary, but it is also able to defend itself against infiltrations that can put into question its neutrality.  And we are doing everything in that direction.  And in my context, I’m hopeful that countries will recognize that effort and that progressively, this problem will be solved.

Spokesman:  Yuna and then Yvonne?

Question:  Oh, thank you.  Yuna Leibzon, Channel 12 News, Israel.  You have said also in recent days that the Israel military operation is a collective punishment with Palestinians in Gaza.  Because you acknowledge the brutal attack by Hamas, you’ve condemned it just now, I have to ask you as a former head of state: What is the expectation?  What can be done when a terrorist organization invades and murders another state?  And on that note, isn’t it time for the UN, as other countries, the US, European countries recognize Hamas as a terror organization?

Secretary-General: Well, the recognition of terrorist organizations is done by the Security Council in the United Nations.  So I said very clearly that what we had was terror attacks; so I think it’s an absolutely clear, my position about those attacks.  But now, let’s go to your question.  And your question is, for me, very simple.  Those attacks were horrible, but as different Israeli leaders have been telling repeatedly, they are not fighting the Palestinian people; they are fighting Hamas.  If that is the case, I cannot understand how this is conducted in such a way that has led in Gaza to reportedly around 28,000 people killed, to 75 percent of the population displaced, and to a level of destruction of entire neighbourhoods at the level that it has happened.  I think that there is something wrong in the way the military operations have been conducted.

Question:  But you know how Hamas is inside the civilian population.  We see it in schools.  We see it in hospitals.  It’s easier said than done.

Secretary-General: I have condemned the use of human shields.  I even said that they are a violation of international humanitarian law, but the same international humanitarian law is clear that even when there are human shields, there is an obligation to protect civilians.  So, in that regard, I think we are abiding by principles without double standards.  And I think it’s very important to be credible not to have double standards.

Spokesman:  Yvonne, RTE?

Question:  Secretary-General, Yvonne Murray, RTE News.  Thank you very much for this briefing.  When Russia invaded Ukraine, you said it was the saddest day of your tenure, nearly two years on.  Would you say the same thing today?

Secretary-General: I think they were both extremely sad.  I can’t compare the sadness of both situations.

Spokesman:  Yu, Kyodo News.

Question:  Thank you, Secretary-General. So my name is Yu from Kyodo Japanese news agency.  So my question is about North Korea, DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Kores). So as you know, North Korea launched missiles so many times and then the relationship with neighbour, like Japan and Korea, is getting worse.  So what do you think about the North Korea issue?

Secretary-General: I strongly condemn any violations of sanctions.  I strongly condemn any attempts of North Korea to launch missiles or to develop nuclear weapons.  I think it’s absolutely essential that North Korea abides by the same Security Council resolutions that unfortunately we have discussed in the previous questions, are sometimes difficult to implement.  But all those things that you mentioned are, from our perspective, totally unacceptable. As it is unacceptable, for instance, the maintenance of hostages for decades without proper information.  If they are alive, if they died, to their families, I’m talking about the Japanese that were rejected by North Korea.

Spokesman:  Thank you.  Ephrem, Celhia then Marta.

Question:  Thank you so much.  My name is Ephrem Kossaify from Arab News Daily.  A lot is being said about the role that the Secretary-General has to play in this conflict.  Some people expect you to say certain words, to act in a certain way.  A lot is being said about it and analyzed. According to you, how do you see your role in this?  And the fact that all your calls, all your pleas for ceasefire, for food to enter Gaza, for medicine, for everything you’ve been saying have fallen on deaf ears, and there’s no movement on the ground?  In the light of all of that, does that push you maybe to re-examine, reflect on the role of the Secretary-General in a crisis like this and in the world we’re living in today?  And if so, what is your vision about that?  And what are the forces that are stopping you from doing your job?  Thank you........

https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22130.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

1 FEBRUARY 2024

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for February

The war in Gaza will remain a priority focus for the Security Council in February, its President for the month said at a Headquarters press conference today, adding that it will hold meetings on the situations in Ukraine and Myanmar.

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) said that the Council will organize a high-level open debate to examine the dynamic relationship between climate change, food insecurity and conflicts within the context of maintaining international peace and security.

The meeting — scheduled on 13 February — will be chaired by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, also featuring remarks by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Stiell; Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Beth Bechdol; and a civil society representative.

There will be 16 mandated meetings, including on United Nations missions in Iraq, Somalia, Libya, the Central African Republic, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.  On 22 February, there will be a briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.  On 15 February, the Council will hold an annual briefing on threats to international peace and security posed by terrorist acts of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).

On 12 February, the Council is scheduled to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, she said.  The Council will also undertake a field visit to Colombia within the context of resolution 2704 (2023).

Guyana will promote enhanced transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusiveness in the Council’s work and commit to adopting a consensus-building approach in full collaboration with all its members, she said. It will also seek to include a gender perspective in meetings.

Asked about a draft resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza prepared by Algeria, she said that it is being discussed and she intends to adopt a constructive approach to the resolution.  Guyana has called for a ceasefire and will continue to do so.  “We believe that we should not wait another day for that,” she said, expressing hope for the adoption of that resolution. Asked about an attack against a United States base in Jordan, she said that Guyana is concerned about regional spillovers.

Asked about a report that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire proposal, she said that she does not have that information.  There is a draft resolution being discussed and “we will see how that will progress in light of this new information that you just provided”, she said. 

Responding to a correspondent who pointed out that implementation of the two resolutions on Gaza adopted by the Council is not happening, she said — in her national capacity — that “those two resolutions cannot be fully implemented — and also the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice — unless there’s a ceasefire.”

On Ukraine, she said that the date for the meeting is being finalized, but she does not foresee any outcome document at this moment to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

On Myanmar, she said that the Council will hear a report from the special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Responding to a question about a delay in deploying the Multinational Support Force in Haiti due to a decision by the Nairobi High Court in Kenya, she said that the Council is seized of the matter, noting that Nairobi decided to appeal the court’s decision.  In her national capacity, she voiced concern about the growing challenges in Haiti and the dire humanitarian situation.  The Caribbean countries that have indicated their participation in the Force are the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica, she added.

On the situation in Venezuela, she said that it is not on the Council’s agenda for February, adding — in her national capacity — that Guyana has not requested a meeting on that country.

https://press.un.org/en/2024/20240201sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

2 JANUARY 2024

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for January

The Security Council in January will focus on Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and other hotspots, its President for the month said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Nicolas de Rivière (France) — whose country currently holds the 15-nation organ’s rotating presidency for January — said the work programme will also include meetings on Syria, Yemen, West Africa, Colombia and Haiti.

Stressing the need for the Council to ensure its effectiveness and transparency, he highlighted his intention to involve all relevant United Nations bodies, civil society and women.

Asked about France’s position on a ceasefire in Gaza, he underscored the need to keep in mind “the monstrous attack by Hamas”.  Hamas’ agenda to eradicate Israel is “unacceptable”, but “disproportionate response is not allowed” under international law, he emphasized.  According to the Geneva Conventions, civilians should not be targeted.  While recognizing Israel’s right to self-defence, he called for a sustainable cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian relief to the people in Gaza.

He went on to stress that, while “attacking terrorists is ok, bombing civilians is not”, recalling that France has taken action against terrorists in Iraq and Syria.  However, the protection of civilians should be a priority, he said, noting that United States President Joseph R. Biden said that indiscriminate bombing should stop.

The key rationale behind the bombing of civilians in Gaza is that Hamas is using civilians as human shields.  However, whenever in doubt, “you should not bomb a school”, he asserted.  Further, he strongly opposed forced displacement of Palestinians and recolonization of Gaza.

Asked if the situation in Gaza qualifies to be examined by the International Court of Justice, he detailed violations of international humanitarian law from both parties, noting that France is a strong supporter of international justice.

On a question about Israel’s targeting of the Hamas office in Beirut, he recognized Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as “vital” and underlined the need to restore calm.  To that end, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will continue to play a key role.  In his national capacity, he stressed the need to respect UNIFIL’s mandate, enhance the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces and avoid regional escalation.

On the situation in the Red Sea, where the navies of the United States, United Kingdom and France have each shot down Houthi-launched drones and missiles, he said that the Council will meet on the issue as soon as 3 January, adding that “the situation is bad” and action is needed. In his national capacity, he condemned attacks committed by the Houthis and underlined the need to secure shipping in the Red Sea.  “It is a very important route” and must be protected by all means, he said.

Responding to questions about Ukraine in his national capacity, he described the situation on the ground as “extremely dire” and “deteriorating”, with the Russian Federation targeting civilian infrastructure, power plants, schools and hospitals.  Moscow has a clear agenda designed to scare the civilian population, contrary to international law, he observed.  Although peace negotiations are unlikely to start in the short term, the international community should do whatever it takes to bring peace to the region.  Given the situation, it is “pretty likely” that meetings will be held on Ukraine in January, he said, adding that it remains to be confirmed and approved by Council members.

Responding to questions about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s goal to launch three spy military satellites in violation of Security Council resolutions, he said that the country continues to proliferate both ballistically and in nuclear weapons.  Pyongyang threatens regional and global security by violating the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.  The Council will discuss it in January even though it has not been officially decided, he said.

For the full programme of work, please see:  www.un.org/securitycouncil/events/calendar.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

https://press.un.org/en/2024/240102_sc.doc.htm

SG/SM/22095

22 DECEMBER 2023

Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters

Following is the transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference, in New York today:

Secretary-General:  Over the last weeks and days, there has been no significant change in the way the war has been unfolding in Gaza.  There is no effective protection of civilians.

Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations continue. More than 20,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, the vast majority women and children.

Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian factions continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel.  Some 1.9 million people — 85 per cent of Gaza’s population — have been forced from their homes.

The health system is on its knees.  Hospitals in the south are dealing with at least three times their capacity.  In the north, they are barely operational.  One colleague described the deathly silence of a hospital with no medication or treatment for its sick and injured patients.

According to the World Food Programme, widespread famine looms. More than half a million people — a quarter of the population — are facing what experts classify as catastrophic levels of hunger.  Four out of five of the hungriest people anywhere in the world are in Gaza.

And clean water is at a trickle.  UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] found that displaced children in the south have access to just 10 per cent of the water they need. In these desperate conditions, it is little wonder that many people cannot wait for humanitarian distributions and are grabbing whatever they can from aid trucks.

As I warned, public order is at risk of breaking down. Humanitarian veterans who have served in war zones and disasters around the world — people who have seen everything — tell me they have seen nothing like what they see today in Gaza.

Israel began its military operation in response to the horrific terror attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October.  Nothing can possibly justify those attacks or the brutal abduction of some 250 hostages.  I repeat my call for all remaining hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally.

And nothing can justify the continued firing of rockets from Gaza at civilian targets in Israel or the use of civilians as human shields.

But at the same time, these violations of international humanitarian law can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and they do not free Israel from its own legal obligations under international law.

Many people are measuring the effectiveness of the humanitarian operation in Gaza based on the number of trucks from the Egyptian Red Crescent, the UN and our partners that are allowed to unload aid across the border.

This is a mistake.  The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza.

An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security; staff who can work in safety; logistical capacity; and the resumption of commercial activity.  These four elements do not exist.

First, security.  We are providing aid in a war zone.  The intense Israeli bombardment and active combat in densely populated urban areas throughout Gaza threaten the lives of civilians and humanitarian aid workers alike. We waited 71 days for Israel finally to allow aid to enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing.  The crossing was then hit while aid trucks were in the area.

Second, the humanitarian operation requires staff who can live and work in safety.  One hundred thirty-six of our colleagues in Gaza have been killed in 75 days — something we have never seen in the history of the United Nations.  Nowhere is safe in Gaza.

I honour the women and men who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and I pay tribute to the thousands of humanitarian aid workers who are risking their health and lives in Gaza, even as I speak.

Most of our staff have been forced from their homes.  All of them spend hours each day simply struggling to survive and support their families.  It is a miracle that they have been able to continue working under these conditions.

And yet, those same colleagues are expanding humanitarian operations in southern Gaza to support people living there, while trying to assist the flood of displaced people who arrived from the north — with nothing.

They are currently providing aid in Rafah, western Khan Younis, Deir El Balah and Nuseirat in the south, and doing their best to reach the north despite huge challenges, namely security.  In these appalling conditions, they can only meet a fraction of the needs.

Third, logistics.  Every truck that arrives at Kerem Shalom and Rafah must be unloaded, and its cargo re-loaded for distribution across Gaza.  We ourselves have a limited and insufficient number of trucks available for this.  Many of our vehicles and trucks were destroyed or left behind following our forced, hurried evacuation from the north, but the Israeli authorities have not allowed any additional trucks to operate in Gaza. This is massively hampering the aid operation.

Delivering in the north is extremely dangerous due to active conflict, unexploded ordnance, and heavily damaged roads.  Everywhere, frequent communications blackouts make it virtually impossible to coordinate the distribution of aid, and to let people know how to access it.

Fourth and finally, the resumption of commercial activities is essential.  Shelves are empty; wallets are empty; stomachs are empty.  Just one bakery is operating in the whole of Gaza.  I urge the Israeli authorities to lift restrictions on commercial activity immediately.  We are ready to scale up our cash grant support to vulnerable families — the most effective form of humanitarian aid.  But in Gaza, there is very little to buy.

In the circumstances I have just described, a humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare.  I hope that today’s Security Council resolution may help this finally to happen but much more is needed immediately.

Looking at the longer-term, I am extremely disappointed by comments from senior Israeli officials that put the two-State solution into question.  As difficult as it might appear today, the two-State solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements, is the only path to sustainable peace.

Any suggestion otherwise denies human rights, dignity and hope to the Palestinian people, fuelling rage that reverberates far beyond Gaza.  It also denies a safe future for Israel.

The spillover is already happening.  The occupied West Bank is at a boiling point.  Daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel pose a grave risk to regional stability.

Attacks and threats to shipping on the Red Sea by the Houthis in Yemen are impacting shipping with the potential to affect global supply chains.  Beyond the immediate region, the conflict is polarizing communities, feeding hate speech and fuelling extremism.  All this poses a significant and growing threat to global peace and security.  As the conflict intensifies and the horror grows, we will continue to do our part.

We will not give up.  But at the same time, it is imperative that the international community speak with one voice:  for peace, for the protection of civilians, for an end to suffering, and for a commitment to the two-State solution — backed with action.  Thank you.

**Questions and Answers

Spokesman:  Thank you. Anade, Al Jazeera.

Question:  Thank you very much, Secretary-General, Anade Situma, Al Jazeera English.  On behalf of the UN Correspondence Association, thank you very much for this briefing.  My question to you, it’s been over two weeks since you invoked Article 99, and up until this point, until today, the Security Council has failed to act, and we haven’t seen a resolution until the resolution we just saw passed.  This resolution calls for increase to aid, but it does not join your call for a ceasefire.  When you invoked Article 99, were you hoping for more urgency on the part of the Security Council and perhaps even for them to join your call for a ceasefire?

Secretary-General:  Of course, I was hopeful.  That doesn’t mean that things happen according to our hopes.  But in any case, today, you can see, always, a glass as half full or half empty.  I hope that today’s resolution will make people understand that a humanitarian ceasefire is indeed something that is needed if we want humanitarian aid to be effectively delivered.

Spokesman:  Linda, then Joe.

Question:  Secretary-General, on behalf of NPR, I was just wondering, the resolution calls for both sides to allow unhindered safe delivery of aid.  We know the status, more or less, about Israel’s role.  I was wondering on the other side in terms of Hamas, how significant is Hamas’ control or not allowing access to aid to the people?

Secretary-General:  Well, we have condemned all violations of international humanitarian law.  Violations by Hamas in relation to civilian shields or in relation to the rockets sent to Israel.  And the violations done by Israel through these relentless bombardments and the fact that we are having a toll of civilians that is totally unprecedented in all conflicts I’ve seen until now.  So obviously, that is why a ceasefire is needed, to stop all obstacles coming from wherever they come — a humanitarian ceasefire.

Question:  But I’m sorry, again, but just how significant is Hamas’ denial of access to aid? I mean, is it minor?  Or is it, you know, a medium amount?

Secretary-General:  I think it is one of the contributions that needs to be taken into account.

Spokesman:  Joe and then…

Secretary-General:  But it’s obviously not the major factor when we look at the situation today in Gaza.

Correspondent:  Yeah, it’s Joseph Klein of Canada Free Press.  First, I want to wish you and your family a very happy holiday.

Secretary-General:  Happy holiday, too.

Question:  Thank you. My question also involves Hamas.  Do you realistically think that a viable, sustainable, two-State solution is possible as long as Hamas exists, with their threats to repeat October 7 over and over again?  And what is your comment on the fact that Israel has offered, I believe it is, at least a seven-day pause to allow the release of more hostages and more aid to come into Gaza?  But Hamas has flatly turned that down.  They’re demanding a complete permanent ceasefire.  Thank you.

Secretary-General:  First of all, I do believe that we need a humanitarian ceasefire, that has been what I believe it is needed.  But of course, we are favourable to any pause that can lead to improvement in humanitarian aid and to the exchange of prisoners.  And we know that negotiations are taking place.  I’ve been actively in contact with Qatar, with Egypt and with others. And I hope that these negotiations will be able to lead to new opportunities for the release of hostages, but our position in relation to the release of hostages is very clear.  We believe that there must be an immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

Your first question was…?

Question:  Yeah.  Well, my first question, they kind of relate to each other.  The first question was whether you believe…?

Secretary-General:  Ah, yes.

Question:  Realistically that there could be a two-State solution as long as Hamas exists.  And then responding to the second question, I specifically would be interested in knowing your comment on Hamas’ refusal to accept even a seven-day pause.  They want all or nothing.

Secretary-General:  I mean, both sides, apparently, want all or nothing.  And that is why we do not manage to have an agreement.  I think it’s important to have a spirit of compromise. But the first question is very important.  We believe that the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people is the Palestinian Authority.  And what we want to see is the creation of conditions that will allow the Palestinian Authority to assume responsibilities in Gaza and that is, in our opinion, the solution to allow for the two-State solution to become a reality.

Spokesman:  Denis, then Dezhi, then we’ll close it.

Question:  Denis Akishev, TASS News Agency.  Turning back from Gaza.  What is the current situation with the Grain Deal?  And do you plan to communicate with Russian officials or maybe with [the] Russian [Federation] President Vladimir Putin?

Secretary-General:  Sorry the…?

Spokesman:  The Grain Deal.

Secretary-General:  We have been in contact with both sides, trying to explore new forms that — I don’t think the repetition of the Grain Deal would make sense — but I’m a strong believer that it would be very interesting if we would be able to have conditions for freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

Spokesman:  And last question.  Dezhi?

Question:  Sir?

Spokesman:  No, sorry. Dezhi, last question.

Question:  Secretary-General, Dezhi Xu with China Central Television.  Let me ask you a broader picture question.  It seems like in 2023, it seems very chaotic.  We have two conflicts going on.  We have SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] even driving away further and the United Nations and you yourself has been put into a huge pressure.  Where’s the silver lining?  What kind of hope do you see for 2024?

Secretary-General:  Well, we have, in the UN, a very important process taking place, The Summit of the Future. And in The Summit of The Future, I hope it will be possible for us to agree on a new agenda for peace with a moralistic approach to prevention.  We had, yesterday, a very important victory in the Security Council.  After many years in which I’m fighting for the need to have peace-enforcing operations done by our African partners of the African Union, with mandates by the Security Council and assessed contributions, it was possible to have a resolution of the Security Council that creates the possibility of funding at 75 per cent.  It was one of the key elements of the Agenda for Peace, but there are many others.  On the other hand, we have already… we will be publishing, I believe today, the report of our high-level panel on artificial intelligence.  And I hope it will be possible to have some form of networked governance of artificial intelligence with flexibility, of course, taking into account different situations around the world, but that will create more opportunities for artificial intelligence to be a force for good and minimize the risks of artificial intelligence.  And I hope to see the UN in the centre of that effort.

We have, simultaneously, a number of other very important questions on the table, in which Member States will be able to take decisions in relation to participation of youth and future generations in decision-making, in relation to the reform of the international financial system, reform of the Security Council.  So, I see that, independently of the crises that are happening, I see that there is a dynamic effort within the UN to look seriously into the need to reform multilateralism and to make multilateralism stronger and more effective in a world that is becoming multipolar — but multipolarity will not guarantee peace, if there is not the stressing of multilateral governance institutions.  So, I’m very optimistic about the work that can be done within the UN, knowing that some of these crises that you mentioned will be very difficult to overcome.

Spokesman:  Thank you very much.

Secretary-General:  Thank you.

Correspondent:  Thank you.

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm22095.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

2 OCTOBER 2023

Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for October

The Security Council’s programme for October will commence this afternoon with action on a resolution authorizing the deployment of an international police force in Haiti, its President for the month told a Headquarters press conference today.

Sérgio França Danese (Brazil) — whose country holds the 15-nation organ’s rotating presidency for October — emphasized its commitment to the Council’s working methods and intent to conduct the Council’s business in the most transparent, inclusive and open manner in constant dialogue with all Council members.  “The programme of work is duly approved by full consensus,” he said, noting that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mauro Vieira, will chair the Council’s meetings from 20 to 25 October, during which time two signature events will be held.

They include a debate on 20 October titled “Peace through Dialogue:  The Contribution of Regional, Subregional and Bilateral Arrangements to the Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes” and the twenty-fifth annual high-level open debate on women, peace and security on 25 October.

“Brazil will take that opportunity to pay tribute to a great Brazilian — Dr. Bertha Lutz — one of only six women who were plenipotentiary delegates in 1945 at the San Francisco Conference when the Charter [of the United Nations] was signed,” he added, noting that Dr. Lutz had a pivotal role in inscribing gender equality in the Charter of the United Nations and is a pioneer of the women, peace and security agenda more than five decades before the first resolution was adopted on the issue.

He pointed out that as Council members will be traveling tomorrow to hold its annual joint consultative meeting with the African Union Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa, the Council will restart its regular work in Headquarters on Monday, 9 October.

Noting that the programme of work includes mandate renewals for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and sanctions for Haiti and Libya, he said the Council will hold a briefing on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on 10 October, a briefing on Colombia on 11 October which the Foreign Minister of Colombia is expected to attend.

African issues feature prominently on the Council’s agenda this month, he said, adding that a 12 October briefing on the Secretary-General's report on “Strengthening the participation between the United Nations and African Union on issues of peace and security in Africa, including the work of the UN Office to the African Union”, will be an opportunity for a debriefing on the Council’s trip to Addis Ababa the prior week.

On 19 October, the adoption of the resolution renewing Haiti’s sanctions regime is expected, he said, noting that it was decided that that would take place separately from the briefing on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) scheduled for 23 October.  On 24 October, the Council will hold an open debate on the Middle East, he added, pointing out that it is not expected that those latter two meetings will be converted to high-level meetings, but the participation of some high-level authorities could be expected.

Other highlights include the Council’s meeting with the President of the International Court of Justice, Joan E. Donoghue, to be held sometime between 23 and 27 October, and a 30 October annual briefing by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

Responding to questions on Ukraine and why it does not appear in the programme of work, he said some issues were not included, with the knowledge that countries will ask for specific meetings, adding that the Council presidency would be happy to chair meetings agreed on by Council members.  His country’s position was very well stated by President Luiz Inacio Lula of Brazil during his speech to the General Assembly, he said, noting that it is looking forward to an open negotiation process and for peace to be given a chance.

Further asked whether Ukraine was not included in the programme of work because the Russian Federation had objected to the past three months’ programmes of work which included Ukraine, he said Brazil did not schedule a specific meeting on Ukraine as the matter had been on the agenda for several months and that most probably some countries will ask for such a meeting, in which case, the matter could be considered.  “It is important that the Council starts with a working programme, even if to get that consensus we have to be careful about some issues,” he said.  As Council President, he hopes to have a frank exchange with all members and try to get things done as best as possible, he added.

When asked about what Brazil, as Council President, can do to help the Palestinian people achieve the two-State solution, he said an open debate on the Palestinian issue will be held on 24 October.

Responding to various questions about the international police force in Haiti if the resolution is adopted this afternoon, he said Brazil would be pleased if the resolution is adopted.  It participated in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for 13 years and led the Mission, and will examine possibilities for cooperation with the international police force, while considering lessons learned from its prior experience.

The timeframe for the international mission in Haiti is one year renewable for another year, as set forth in the draft resolution, he said, stressing that “this is not a UN mission”.  As an international mission, countries will be participating directly in it in discussion with the Haitian authorities.  While it is not a UN mission, “it has the blessing of the UN, the Council — a necessary step for the mission to succeed”.

When asked if any of the meetings on Western Sahara will be open, he said that the meeting will be a closed one, in line with Council practice.

On whether meetings on Armenia and Azerbaijan are anticipated he said the Council will be watchful of developments there, adding that other countries will probably raise the issue, at which time the request will be included as appropriate.

When asked about Libya and the mandate renewal, the Brazil mission’s political coordinator, speaking at the request of Mr. Danese, said only a technical roll-over is expected, although the outcome could differ depending on Council members’ positions.  About elections in Libya, Mr. Danese said the Council will support national authorities if they manage to reach agreement on holding elections.

Responding to several questions about Council reform, he said Brazil will try to show with action that it can add to the Council’s representation, legitimacy, efficacy and efficiency.  Noting that Council reform is not on its agenda, but one discussed in the General Assembly, he said Brazil will work with other countries to show that the Council needs reform and needs to be more representative to be more efficient.

For the full programme of work, please see:  www.un.org/securitycouncil/events/calendar.

.

https://press.un.org/en/2023/231002_sc.doc.htm

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode