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UNOG RUSH NEWS Briefing 21MAY2024 Continuity
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UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
21 May 2024
Situation in Ukraine
Dr. Jarno Habicht, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Ukraine, speaking from Kyiv, said that, as over the past two weeks, fighting in the Kharkiv region had severely escalated, over 14,000 people had been displaced, and nearly 189,000 more still resided within 25 kilometers of the border with Russia, facing significant risks due to the ongoing fighting. Homes and civilian infrastructure were being badly damaged, and people across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, were facing electricity shortages as a result of attacks on critical power facilities.
On 19 May, a major missile strike on the outskirts of Kharkiv had resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries, including a paramedic. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, on average 200 ambulances per year were damaged or destroyed in shelling attacks - a tremendous loss, depriving the Ukrainian people of urgent care. With the worsening security situation, humanitarian needs in the region were growing fast.
Dr. Habicht further informed that in Kharkiv, the conflict had significantly increased the number of trauma patients. WHO was currently funding critical care teams and ambulances to support emergency medical services. Anticipating this possible escalation, in the previous three months, the WHO had prepositioned over 22 metric tons of medical supplies for treatment of acute trauma, surgical interventions and chronic disease management; those supplies were now able to reach up to 50,000 people. WHO’s nine modular clinics, installed in the Kharkiv oblast since 2023, continued to function across the region. With over 40 organizations on the ground providing some form of support, the WHO’s coordination role was more essential than ever, he stressed. While this immediate support was essential, no less important was the strengthening of the health system, in order to withstand repeated waves of violence escalation. Now was the time to get ready for the next winter and ensure that Ukraine's health care system could continue functioning amidst prolonged adversity. Ukraine’s people were its most important capital, and it had to be ensured that they were protected by resilient, patient-centered health care system, concluded Dr. Habicht.
Shabia Mantoo, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that the UNHCR was extremely worried about the worsening situation and resulting spike in humanitarian needs and forced displacement owing to the new ground offensive by the Russian Federation Armed Forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine. At the same time, relentless aerial attacks continued, prolonging, and exacerbating an already dire situation. More than two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, regular shelling and attacks continued to claim lives and destroy homes and critical infrastructure across the country. Most recently, on 19 May, an air attack had targeted a recreation area in Cherkaska Lozova village in the Kharkiv region, killing six people and injuring at least 27. In the past week, more than 10,300 people had been evacuated from their villages in Kharkiv region’s border areas by Ukrainian authorities with the help of volunteers and humanitarian organizations.
Most evacuees had expressed a clear wish to stay with family members or in rental accommodation and collective sites in Kharkiv and not move further from their homes, to be able to return when the situation allowed, informed Ms. Mantoo. UNHCR was concerned that conditions in Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second largest city, which was already hosting some 200,000 internally displaced people – could become even more difficult if the ground offensive and relentless aerial attacks were to continue. This could force many to leave Kharkiv for safety and survival, seeking protection elsewhere. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA was coordinating the development of enhanced response preparedness levels with the humanitarian clusters and lead agencies. To ensure that UNHCR and partners could respond to the evolving situation, it was crucial that donors maintain robust and flexible funding for our humanitarian and recovery programmes, which included support to the winter response later this year, as the comprehensive damage to energy facilities was estimated to significantly increase the need for humanitarian assistance during the cold season. As of the end of April, UNHCR’s response in Ukraine was just 16 per cent funded from a total of USD 598.9 million required.
Full statement is available here.
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service, said that OCHA was reporting increased hostilities in the Kharkiv region, but also casualties in eastern and southern Ukraine. Aid workers continued their efforts to support the people affected by the ongoing hostilities. As of today, informed Ms. Vellucci, the funding coverage of the Ukraine appeal currently stood at just over 23 percent.
Responding to questions from the media, Dr. Habicht, for the WHO, said that the numbers of displaced people, since the intensification of the hostilities over the past three weeks, were constantly changing as the situation was fluid. Ms. Mantoo, for the UNHCR, explained that there were two appeals for Ukraine: one for the response within the country, and another to support neighbouring countries which had accepted millions of Ukrainian refugees. There was no sufficient predictability of funding at the moment, which was a concern. UNHCR’s part of the appeal was only 16 percent funded as of today. Planning for the winter ought to already start, even if it looked distant. It was important to maintain donor and media attention, as well as public interest, in the humanitarian needs in Ukraine, said Ms. Mantoo; all crises around the world deserved to be adequately addressed. Dr. Habicht said that it was hoped 3.8 million people would be reached with health support in 2024. He recalled that in 2016 and 2017, the humanitarian funding for the Donbas had gone down, and it seemed that a similar pattern was being observed now, with some donor fatigue in the third year of the conflict.
On another question, Ms. Mantoo stated that the UNHCR was concerned about all civilian casualties, but did not have access to the database of casualties within Russia. WHO was monitoring and validating attacks on health across Ukraine, said Dr. Habicht. He explained that availability of medicines was better today than at the beginning of the conflict in 2022. More than 75 percent of people faced challenges affording the medicines, however, as the number of people living under the poverty line was growing. In frontline areas, if pharmacies were closed, mobile pharmacies and humanitarian workers were distributing medicine to those in need. Availability of healthcare workers was becoming a challenge, he added, and they needed to be adequately supported.
UNECE tools that facilitate the digitalization of trade and maritime transport
Jovana Miočinović, for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), informed that this week UNECE was taking part in the Global Supply Chain Forum in Barbados to present its trade facilitation tools. These tools were widely used to facilitate transport and economic activities, primarily to enable greater interoperability and harmonization of electronic business practices and information exchange, and thus increase the accuracy in processing trade exchanges.
As of 1 January 2024, under International Maritime Organization’s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, governments were required to use a single digital platform, known as the Maritime Single Window, to share and exchange information with ships during their port calls. A significant milestone in the digitalization of maritime transport, the Maritime Single Window was based on UNECE’s Single Window (UNECE Recommendation No. 33), which ensured efficient exchange of trade-related information and allows for documents to be submitted only once at a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. Another flagship UNECE product that played an integral role in maritime operations was the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE)., which uniquely and unambiguously identified locations worldwide for transport and economic activities.
Ms. Miočinović further informed that another UNECE tool widely used in international supply chains, transport, and logistics to ensure uniform data exchange was the United Nations rules for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT), which was used by 100,000 traders in the retail sector alone. Finally, the United Nations Fisheries Language for Universal Exchange (UN/FLUX) provided a harmonized message standard that allows fishery management organizations to automatically access electronic data from fishing vessels and automate the collection and dissemination of the fishery activity data needed for sustainable fishery management and for detecting and combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Together, all these UNECE tools were critical to overcoming the fragmentation of digitalization efforts and fostering sustainable, efficient, and transparent supply chains.
Announcements
Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that a press conference with Dr. Tedros on global health issues would be held at 4:30 pm today. On 23 May at 3 pm, a press conference would be held in advance of the World No Tobacco Day, to present a report on how the tobacco and nicotine industry was working to addict global youth to their products. There would also be a press conference on global health statistics in the morning on 23 May, with the precise time to be confirmed.
Responding to a question, he explained that the journalists already accredited to the Palais des Nations would not need another badge to attend the 77th World Health Assembly. There would be dedicated press and camera areas, as usual. The COVID pass requirement to enter the WHO premises had been lifted, he explained. Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), added that the UNOG restricted working hours, imposed for the liquidity reasons, would be lifted during the WHA. The Walk the Talk event on 26 May would commence at 9 am, but there would be no events at the Palais that day, only an event at the WHO building.
She also informed that the seventh Protection of Civilians week had started on 20 May. Twenty-five years earlier, the Security Council had added protection of civilians to its agenda, and today, from 4 pm Geneva time, the Security Council would discuss this issue, which would be live webcast at UNTV.
Catherine Huissoud, for the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said that for UNCTAD’s 60th anniversary on 12 June, the accredited journalists’ UN Geneva badges would be valid and sufficient, and there was no need for secondary badges. Today, at 3 pm, there would be an opening of the Global Supply Chain Forum in Barbados, which would be followed at UNCTAD’s YouTube channel.
The International Criminal Court was independent from the United Nations, said Ms. Vellucci in response to another question. The matter of indictments against Israeli and Hamas leaders was now before the Pre-Trial Chamber, which should be allowed to conduct its work without external pressure. UN Spokesperson had answered numerous questions on this subject in his noon briefing the previous day.
Ms. Vellucci explained that every time when a Head of a UN Member State deceased, the United Nations lowered its flag half-mast, as per established protocol practices. The same was being done today at UN premises following the death of the President of Iran.
Finally, she informed that the Committee on the Rights of the Child would close its 96th session on 24 May at 5 pm and issue its concluding observations on the nine countries reviewed: Namibia, Guatemala, Georgia, Mali, Panama, Egypt, Bhutan, Estonia, and Paraguay.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was reviewing today the report of Kuwait.
This morning, the Conference on Disarmament was holding a public plenary meeting under the presidency of Iran.
Teleprompter
OK, so let's start this briefing. Sorry for the delay.
Um, if
I'm looking at my colleagues Yes, that's right. OK, let's start.
Good morning. Uh um I'd like to welcome you at this
press briefing of the UN in Geneva.
Today is
the 21st of May.
And sorry for the delay.
We will have a spotlight put on the situation
in Ukraine today. And for that, we will have a briefing from Shia
Man
two of UN HCR. And we also welcome,
uh, doctor Yarno
hic.
I don't need to introduce you to Doctor Habi.
Welcome back
to the press briefing in Geneva, sir.
Um who will both tell us What's the situations humanitarian needs in
Kharkiv
and in Ukraine in general for the health, uh,
situation.
So I'll start with, uh, you wanna start?
We start with Doctor Yan. Uh
ha.
I know you don't have that much time,
so maybe I'll start with you and then we'll go to UN
HCR.
Uh, and just for information about our journalists you're speaking from Kiev.
Thank you very much. Go ahead for your briefing.
Thank you. And, uh, just to check. Can you hear me? Well,
yeah, I have. Francois,
can you put on the volume here?
Go ahead, sir.
Thank you. And I hope that all of you You are hearing me well
and good morning and greetings from Kiev. My name is Shana
Hay
and I'm the WHO representative in Ukraine.
And today I will provide an update on the current
health situation in Ukraine with particular attention on Kharkiv.
As you know, over the past two weeks,
fighting in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine has severely escalated.
Over 14,000 people have displaced in a matter of days and nearly 90,000
are still residing within 25 kilometres of the border. With the Russian Federation
facing significant risks due to the ongoing fighting.
Homes and civilian infrastructure are being
badly damaged and people across Ukraine,
including here in Kiev but across Ukraine are facing electricity shortages
as a result of attacks on critical power facilities.
And we assume this situation to continue
on Sunday.
Just a few days ago,
a major missile strike on the outskirts of
Kharkiv resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries,
including a paramedic.
Since the start of the Russian Federation full scale invasion of Ukraine on average
200 ambulances per year are damaged or destroyed in shelling attacks.
That is tremendous loss,
depriving the Ukrainian people of urgent care.
With the worsening security situation,
humanitarian needs in the region are growing
and growing fast.
Who
has a permanent office in Kharkiv
and since the last week we have deployed additional staff
to support the immediate health needs of the population.
Let me zoom in to Kharkiv.
The conflict has significantly increased the number of trauma patients.
We are currently funding critical care teams
and ambulances to support emergency medical services.
From late April until middle of May,
we have done 115 critical care transfers
from facility to facility,
and the majority of the patients are those who need intensive care.
Anticipating this possible escalation in the last three months,
we have prepositioned over 22 metric tonnes of medical supplies
of treatment of acute trauma,
surgical interventions and chronic disease management.
These supplies are able to reach up to 100,000 people
and are being put to use as we speak now
to ensure that the trauma care is available. But most importantly
that we can support those who need chronic disease and support
our modular clinics.
Nine of them installed since 2023 in her
Kobs
continue functioning
across harks,
supporting an additional 50,000
with essential primary care services
as well emergency medical services were needed.
Since last year,
we have also trained 100 and 20 medical
professionals in Kharkiv region in mass casualty response,
emergency medical services, co-ordination and management of chemical,
biological or ideological and nuclear incidents.
These specialists are working around the clock as we speak,
and with over 40 organisations on the ground providing some form of support,
the WHO coordinations role is more essential than ever.
Working in tandem with key health partners,
we are ensuring front line facilities to receive support,
including mental health through outreach teams
and the collective centres for displaced populations
facilitated by the health cluster coordinations.
This
immediate support is essential,
no less important
than actually supporting
the health system to
withstand with repeated waves of violence escalation.
But now is the time also to get ready for the next winter.
Even we are celebrating spring
and thinking about the summer,
but the Ukraine's healthcare system can continue functioning.
Uh, if we support it sufficiently
since the start of the year and thanks for
the generous donation from the government of Germany.
WHO has begun installation of modular heating units in a number of hospitals,
prioritised together with the Ministry of Health.
One of those heating stations
is installed in Kharkiv
and I was witnessing opening it just a few weeks ago.
Tomorrow my team
and our
team is going to install two such units in hospitals in the northern region of
Chernihiv
with combined effort serves over 54,000 people
to get ready for the next winter.
An additional unit will be set up in Odessa later this month
and we have requests from the authorities to continue in this way.
So from one hand we have attacks in Kharkiv
much more difficult situation than before.
But at the same time we need to think medium term to get ready for the winter to come.
While we are just looking the trees blossoming
in the spring.
At the same time,
we must not lose the sight of what lies beyond the immediate humanitarian response.
Where is swift recovery and long term reconstruction of Ukraine?
We have just wrapped up dedicated conference focusing
on primary health care which brought together key national and
regional stakeholders for two days of intensive discussions in Kiev.
Primary care
is the lifeline for Ukraine's continued resilience
and even sustainable recovery.
We will discuss about that more in Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
After a few weeks
in parallel, our team across the country continues scaling up mental health
and psychological social support capacity building for the healthcare workers.
Almost 100,000 healthcare workers have been trained to provide services
and we need to do even more of that.
And of course, the physical rehabilitation needs support
and both of these areas mental health,
where 10 million people are estimated to suffer
from some sort of mental health conditions.
And with more than 20,000 amputations
conducted since the Russian Federation full scale invasion in 2022
these are two areas that need support
from many humanitarian and development partners.
And in the long term,
Ukraine's people are its most important capital and we must ensure that they are
provided and protected by a resilient and patient centred health system.
So I would like to thank for all the partners who are committed and who are around
in Kharkiv in Odessa, in
Nipro
in Sapo,
in Sumi,
in Chernihiv
many of those I have met in the past weeks and months
and to continue to support Ukraine
from one hand to respond but from another hand
to continue on restoring and recovering
as well
The reform path. So thank you for your attention.
I'm very glad to be back in the UN UN ballet
briefing and happy to and ready to take any questions.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Uh, Doctor Habi,
we'll listen now from UN HCR and then I have a sh A short update from O
and we will go to passion Shay
Thank you and Good Morning, everyone.
We're also reiterating the same concerns about the growing humanitarian needs
around Kharkiv.
So the UN refugee agency is extremely worried about the worsening situation
and resulting spike in humanitarian needs and
forced displacement owing to the new ground offensive
by the Russian Federation armed forces in
the north eastern Kharkiv region in Ukraine.
At the same time,
relentless aerial attacks continue prolonging and
exacerbating an already dire situation.
More than two years since Russia's full scale invasion,
regular shelling and attacks continue to claim lives and
destroy homes and critical infrastructure across the country.
In the past week,
more than 10,000 more than 10,300 people
were evacuated from their villages in Kharkiv region's
border areas by the Ukrainian authorities with
the help of volunteers and humanitarian organisations.
The majority of the evacuees who had to escape their homes with only
a few belongings are already highly vulnerable and include mainly older people.
Um there are also people with low mobility or
disabilities who are not able to flee their homes.
Earlier,
psycho
psychologists who UN HCR partners with
um to provide support also report that as a consequence,
many are suffering from acute stress
to receive and support many of the new and the highly vulnerable evacuees.
A transit centre was immediately established in Kharkiv
City by the authorities and humanitarian organisations,
including
UNHCR and our National NGO partners Prolia
and the Right to Protection.
The evacuees have now been registered as internally displaced people provided
with different types of humanitarian assistance such as basic relief items,
psychosocial and legal aid,
and they've enrolled for cash assistance and
advised on available shelter and accommodation options.
The vast majority of evacuees have expressed
a clear wish to stay with family members
in rental accommodation or in collective sites
in Kharkiv and not move further away from their homes
in order to be able to return home when the situation allows
alongside other humanitarian partners and in co ordination with the authorities,
UN HC I is exploring additional options for temporary accommodation.
At the same time,
more people continue to flee on their own from front line communities in Donetsk,
Sumi,
Zuria and
Khorasan regions towards central and western regions in Ukraine.
Here,
the authorities are leading in the response and
are requesting support to help with the reception
and assistance uh for the internally displaced people.
UNHCR
is concerned that conditions in Kharkiv,
Ukraine's second largest city which is already
hosting some 200,000 internally displaced people,
could become even more difficult if the
ground offensive and relentless aerial attacks continue.
This could force many people to leave her
for safety and survival seeking protection elsewhere.
Last week,
Kharkiv City experienced an air air raid alert that lasted nonstop for 16 hours.
In addition,
the attacks on energy infrastructure that
have been impacting people across Ukraine
are particularly critical in Kharkiv where the energy supply
is already well below its standard capacity,
affecting not only households but also production capacity and the economy.
To ensure that
UNHCR and partners can respond to the evolving situation,
it is crucial that donors maintain robust and flexible funding
for our humanitarian and recovery programmes.
And this will also include support for the
winter response later this year as comprehensive damage to
energy infrastructure is estimated to significantly increase the
need for humanitarian assistance during the colder season.
As of the end of April,
our response in Ukraine is just 16 per cent funded from a total of $598
million. That is required. Thank you,
thank you very much
and just to add from
Jens
is not here today but just to add that they have been reporting
as we have heard increased hostilities in the Kharkiv region but
also attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine over the weekend,
which caused scores of civilian casualties and
damage to homes and civilian infrastructure,
according to authorities and humanitarian workers there,
And aid workers in every part of Ukraine affected
by these fights continue their efforts to support people affected
by ongoing hostilities.
And since you have mentioned the issue of the funding Shay,
I
just wanted to remind you
Sorry
that as of today,
the funding coverage of the total requirements for
humanitarian aid for Ukraine is only 23.07%.
So 23.07% of funding
out of the total requirement of 3.1 billion.
I'll open the floor to questions I've seen
pedrero
for our colleague in
is our correspondent of the French News Agency.
Yes. Thank you. So yes, indeed. This is a question for, uh for the Bridget show.
Is it still on listening?
Listening?
OK,
it's on the figure because UN,
a chair is talking about 10,300 people evacuated from the Kharkiv region,
but the breach show
mentioned that over 14,000 people have been displaced in a matter of days.
So I wanted to know what is the source for this? 14,000 people.
Um what are we talking about? And why there is this discrepancy of of of figure.
And if you could cry for
a
matter of days. Since when exactly Thank you.
You know,
Thank you. And, um uh, the situation is fluid.
So, uh, uh, what we have been looking is, uh,
who have been displaced from their homes.
And, um, some of them are, as colleagues was mentioning.
Also, they are in the centres in Kharkiv.
Some of them have moved also, uh, out of the Kharkiv region. So
I think that's why also the numbers are,
um um slightly changing as the situation is evolving
And, um, the hostilities are happening.
So these are numbers that
Paul EO has been using, Um um,
after the discussions also with the local authorities.
Thank you.
And she?
Yeah, maybe you can also shed some light.
Yeah. Thank you, Agnes.
the 10,300 are those that have been evacuated
from the villages in the Kharkiv border regions.
Um, but there are people who are fleeing or relocating on their own.
Um, and, uh, including from other regions close to the front line.
Um and
and, yes, you had asked about the dates, right?
The period.
Yeah. No,
yeah. No. Could you add maybe, uh, just the time span?
The the time span is, uh, since the hostilities have been intensified, uh,
from the late april.
Um, so Uh, that is, um uh, if I remember correctly, around 20. Uh, yeah.
Uh, we have seen doing ourselves several questions since the 21st of April,
but, um, let's look to the past three weeks over.
Thank you.
I'll give the floor to Benjamin Louis, the correspondent of the Swiss Radio.
Yes, thank you.
Question to Shay
and maybe to Dr
Jarno
about the funding because you mentioned that it was only 27.3% funded, which is
23.
Ok,
so pretty low.
If we compare with last year
when it was the best funded conflict. If I can say that
in the world, what is your observation? And
maybe is it linked to the fact that another conflict that is now
monopolising attention
entered the scene? Is it linked? So what is your observation?
Let's
not funding conflicts but humanitarian responses,
but
yes,
sorry.
OK, lost in translation. Sorry.
And I thank you for that question also, um,
it's important to also maybe note that there
are two appeals for the Ukraine situation.
So one is the response inside the country.
so where we have a 16% funding level
for the UN HCR component of the interagency response
and then we also have the Ukrainian refugee response outside,
uh in neighbouring countries because there are millions who have also
fled to neighbouring countries and that response is also 16% funded.
So the funding situation is very alarming and in fact we are concerned about
the levels of funding for this humanitarian crisis
among others.
But also what's important is also the predictability of the funding we don't have.
You know that predictability in order to plan and
and we know that you know,
the conflict is continuing as we're we're speaking about today.
The
the humanitarian needs are growing in Kharkiv region.
We're worried about what happens
in that region that's already hosting 200,000 people.
Um, humanitarian needs will compound there. The the war is prolonging.
So we also know that the needs will accrue
um exacerbate. So it is a concern and we are urging donors to maintain
their commitments and also enable us to to have funding that is
flexible to be able to respond when these needs spike up.
you know, we've got, uh, the winter, uh, approaching it seems far off,
but in fact we need to start planning now and making arrangements.
More and
more and more people are fleeing their homes. They don't have shelter.
Um, so it is a concern
we need, uh, when we look at the response in the first year of the conflict,
and the second you know, the commitments were very,
um were there they were up front.
We had, uh, you know,
a lot more quantity when we look at the levels where we're already halfway in the year
and we're just 16% funding.
So So it is quite abysmal, uh, in terms of the level, but, you know,
humanitarian crisis, they're not supposed to compete with each other.
Any suffering is awful, whether it's Ukraine, whether it's Gaza,
Um, But what we want is that empathy and compassion, and, you know,
if we have enough resources for for other other
other projects or other ambitions in the world,
I'm sure we can also prioritise human suffering.
Absolutely. That's the most important thing
you want to ask,
just a small follow
up to.
But
I mean, what is your analysis on that?
Such a huge gap of funding within one year. So is it crisis fatigue is it news fatigue?
I don't know.
No, it's It's a good question.
But I think, honestly, you you would have to ask the the donor countries.
I mean, from from my observation, obviously, anytime a crisis does prolong,
there is,
um you know, there that attention does also, um, proportionally also dissipate.
Um, but we hope that's not the case.
And and that's why it's important that we have donor attention.
Also, media attention. Um, but we need public interest on this.
Um, but there are many reasons for for kind of the
the attrition, But, uh, it's just really important that whether it's material,
financial support
or attention that that maintains.
But we don't have a forensic analysis as to the reasons why we know there are
a lot of constraints and a lot of
different issues in the world that require responses.
But again,
our message is that this is not a competition
that they all need to be adequately addressed.
Thank you. And, um, thank you, Benjamin. Also very important. Question.
Uh, let me bring three aspects in
first when we look to the 2024 appeal.
Then that appeal already is targeting less of people
in terms of who really need humanitarian support.
So in the health sector, it is 3.8 million
who are targeted and to to be reached,
uh, in 2024. So the humanitarian response is, um, um,
already looking those most vulnerable
And what? My colleague was also saying the challenge is that the funding
is scarce compared to the last two years.
So this is something that for us as a humanitarian is concerning
and we are looking, of course, also to the development funding, reconstruction,
funding and the budget support.
And the key question is how all of
those different funding streams are working together,
something that we from the WHO side have been talking.
Uh, since the, uh, Day one
second.
I'm looking this
as a 10 year, um uh, perspective. From the 10 years perspective,
we started to see similarly humanitarian funding to go
down in 2016 and 17 when we responded to,
uh, humanitarian needs in Donbas.
And that seems to be a trend that the
humanitarian funding is less available in the year 34.
But because we have a tax on energy infrastructure,
the, um there is a constant shelling.
Uh, now, as we saw the escalation in Kharkiv, the needs are there.
While the trend of funding humanitarian response goes down,
the needs and the health needs are still there.
So there is a gap on funding, something that we are seeing very much in the field.
And the third, what I was starting to mention already is the key question.
How humanitarian funding,
how all the recovery funding, which is happening,
Uh,
all the time in Ukraine from international sources as well local sources and
how the budget support that is especially
important for the health sector continues to
support all the health care workers to have their salaries and support them
to provide services through the national system and how them all work together.
So I think it is important to pay attention to Ukraine
and to the human suffering which takes place daily over.
Thank you very much.
If there are no other questions in the room, I'll go to the platform.
Let's start with Yuri. Yuri
Ala
is our correspondent of Rihanna
vs.
Yes. Uh, thank you, Alessandro. I have a question for WHO and a question for UN HCR.
Uh, this is not the first time we have a briefing on the situation in Ukraine. Why?
We never had a briefing, for example, on what happened in Belgorod.
Because in the past weeks, uh, there were chilling every day people dying,
evacuations,
evacuations of
Children's, uh, one week ago, a building a residential building was just cut
in two parts after shedding by the Ukrainian side.
Uh, why we don't have any information on that.
And there is never mentioned on that during the briefing
and for the WHO.
The same about the hospitals because the hospital of Donetsk is shaded is shelled
practically every week. And we never heard anything about that.
So what is the situation and why you can't speak about it in the briefing?
Even if you don't have access to these
territories Because we all see the same images.
Thank you.
Ok, thank you. Uh, Shay,
Thank you.
Um, Yuri, for your question, uh, in Ukraine,
where we We're quite operational there.
We're working,
obviously, uh, in support of the humanitarian response,
which is led by the government.
Um, but we we are concerned about all civilian casualties, uh, you know,
and the toll on human life
um we don't have the access to a centralised
database with a number of civilian casualties in Russia.
So we we simply just don't have that that, uh, information to be able to provide.
Thanks.
Thank you.
And, um uh, from WHO side, we continuously monitor um, the attacks on health,
Uh, including the validation.
And,
um then those attacks on health are recorded also in
the data system where where that WHO publicly holds.
So,
um, as soon as the attacks on health are reported,
they are monitored and then validated.
Uh, of course, we include all the attacks on health, uh, into the system
and what we have seen in Ukraine.
Currently, we have more than 1700 attacks on health report. Thank you.
Jan Habermann.
T
Spiegel.
Sorry.
Uh, yes. Good morning. Can you hear me?
Go ahead. Jan.
Yes. OK, it's a question for, uh, WHO. Uh, doctor Harvey,
I would like to ask you on on the shortage of Medi medical staff,
healthcare workers and medicine.
If you compare the situation right now to, uh,
to more than two years after the full scale, uh,
attack by Russia to the situation before
um, the full scale attack. Um, how would you describe it?
And, uh, what are the most urgent, uh, needs especially, uh,
in terms of medicine for severe illnesses like cancer, like cardiovascular,
cardiovascular
and, uh, other severe, uh, severe illnesses. Many things.
Thank you. And thank you, Jan, for a very important and good question.
So on the very broad scale,
if I compare, um uh, 26 months ago and now
a
availability of medicines
is today better
than it was in 2022.
So because of the logistics that is working,
um uh, we we think back in April, May 2022 more than 65% of pharmacies were closed.
Now, pharmacy networks have been opened again.
So in terms of medicines, we have availability of medicine.
But on medicines, the challenge is the affordability of medicines
because we see
more than 75% of people having challenges to afford the medicines.
So the cost is the issue
because we see that the poverty rates have been all
a triple at the from the level of 7% of the population under the poverty line.
Now it is increasing,
so people have less of means to buy the medicines even if they are available.
So we need to see how to strengthen the humanitarian response for that.
But then all
so, uh, see, um, how, uh, we can support the national systems
to make medicines more affordable and on the medicines.
The last comment is really on the front line
when I have been, uh, close to the front line. Also visiting
Liman in Hark
Oblast.
Uh, also in, um
uh, and various other, um uh
uh,
Blood,
including Mila
and her son.
Then the challenge is, if the pharmacies are closed.
So there humanitarians are stepping up having different initiatives either, um,
bringing the medicines to the homes.
Together with the primary health care,
there is new network of mobile pharmacies provided by the government.
And, uh,
also there is distribution of over the counter medicines which are
not prescribed medicines for especially elderly
to manage their chronic diseases.
So in those
where where the humanitarian situation is the dire,
there are innovative solutions to bring the medicines to people.
But we need to continuously do that.
And I know that there are a number of people who are still suffering,
not to have continuous access to medicines.
But overall, the situation is better if I compare my experience 26 months ago
now on the healthcare workers,
that's the challenge to have the healthcare workers motivated
and especially motivated, uh, in the difficult regions, Um uh,
and to ensure continuity of care for patients.
So we have a number of, uh, healthcare workers who have moved from the, uh,
more the East Oblast to the West Oblast.
We have some oblast where there is, um, um, a need for more nurses.
So
it is not yet. Um, um,
very big challenge,
but we need to ensure, uh, support to the healthcare workers.
And that's why while I read, I mentioned about the human capital
as a very important element,
we need to look to the two parts of it.
One is the healthcare workers,
and the other side is the health of all population at the same time.
And this needs continuous attention as the war goes on.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Lisa Schlein, Voice of America.
Thank you.
Uh, good morning, Alessandra And everybody, uh, this This is a question for Dr Hopp.
Uh, in your opening, your remarks you were talking about, uh, having trained
100 20 medical professionals in the Kharkiv
region for emergency medical services and,
uh, chemical biological radiological
nuclear incidents
and that they've already been putting their skills into practise my question to you
questions to you is
have there been any, uh, chemical biological incidents that have occurred,
or are you fearful of such an eventuality?
And also, since the war began almost from the start,
there have been great concerns about the nuclear facility in
Zara and the fact that
a
nuclear accident could happen at almost any time.
Fortunately, it hasn't happened. But what is your assessment of the situation?
Is it
AAA huge concern on your part? Is it getting closer
to, uh, the possibility that there might be an accident, which would
probably affect not just Ukraine, but
Russia itself, among other nations. Thank you.
Thank you, Lisa.
Thank you. Thank you, Lisa.
And, um uh,
first on the practises and what has been put in practise by the healthcare workers.
Uh, because these are combined trainings, uh, on mass casualty management,
with number of then aspects, including to the chemical,
biological and radion nuclear effects.
Then What has been put in practise is the
lessons learned on how to manage the mass casualties.
Um, because talking to the doctors, seeing some of the hospitals when you have 1020
up to 50 ambulances coming at the same time with patients,
you need to manage that process very well to ensure that as mu much,
many lives can be saved.
So this is what has been put in practise
now
because the chemical radion nuclear and, um um, um,
biological threats have been always in the agen
in the international media, in local media, Among the specialists.
What we are doing at the WHO is the preparedness, and we are doing, um,
um trainings for the healthcare workers to the public health specialists,
et cetera.
Now
do we need to be ready?
I think in health, we have learned that we need to be ready for any risk.
Is that risk now bigger
than before? From my personal opinion? No, it is not bigger.
And this is something that we have discussed also, when? A few weeks ago
I was in
Zosia. Of course, we discussed with the governor.
We discussed,
uh uh with the health facility managers with the public health specialist various
risks,
uh, and CBR rent risks among them.
But there are many others.
We are looking currently to public health risks,
like vaccine preventable diseases.
The risks related to Rabbi,
for example.
And, um,
I see that there are many other matters in public health which are in my top 10 list.
Currently.
Thank you very much.
I
not
this
conclude the questions on this subject unless there are other hands up. No.
So thank you very much to you. We keep
with us. I think Tariq is online. But I know you have to leave. So thanks again
for being with us at this briefing today.
Tariq, you wait for your announcement. Thank you, Shay.
And maybe I'll ask I
to come
and give us a briefing from
just before we leave the humanitarian issue. I just wanted to remind you that
yesterday
the seventh Protection of Civilians week started.
This will feature 17 side events to amplify
the voice of civilians affected by armed conflict.
Of course, including
Ukraine, but also Sudan, Gaza and beyond,
where civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts around the world.
And this year,
also corresponds to the 25th anniversary
of the Security Council's consideration of
the protection of civilians as an item on its agenda as well.
As, as you all know, the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions today,
the Security Council will have an open debate on this issue
and you will be able to follow it on UN Web TV that will start at 10 a.m. New York time.
And of course, please follow it on
on our TV
and, uh, just maybe to conclude, to remind you the protection of civilians,
which is a not
led initiative with Switzerland,
the centre of civilians in conflict and
the International Rescue Committee as coordinators.
And I'll give the floor now to
yovanna. Uh, you have an update on UN
C tools facilitating digitalization of trade and maritime transport.
And then I'll go to W
again, please.
Thank you, Alexandra.
Um, good day colleagues.
So this week, uh,
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is taking
part in the Global Supply Chain forum in Barbados
to present its trade facilitation tools.
These tools are widely used to
facilitate global transport and economic activities,
primarily by enabling greater interoperability and harmonisation
of electronic business practises and information exchange.
In this way, they also increase the accuracy in processing, uh, trade exchanges.
So first off, these UN EC tools are used to facilitate maritime transport.
As you may know, as of uh, first of January this year
under International Maritime Organization's Convention on
Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic,
governments are required to use a single digital platform,
known as the maritime single window,
to share and exchange information with ships during their port calls.
This is a significant milestone in the digitalization of uh, maritime transport,
and this maritime single window is based on UN ECs single window,
and its implementation is also enabled by other tools developed by UN EC that
set information exchange standards and thus play
a vital role in facilitating global trade
and maritime transport.
This single window at
was developed 20 years ago and ensures an
efficient exchange of trade related information and allows
for documents to be submitted only once at a single entry point to fulfil all import,
export and transit related regulatory requirements.
Another flagship
product that plays an integral role in maritime in
trade operations is the United Nations Code for Trade
and transport locations,
also known as UN
code.
This is a geographic coding scheme that uniquely and
unambiguously identifies locations worldwide for
transport and economic activities.
So just to give you an idea
of how UN LO code and single window by NSC are
actually allowing the maritime single window to function,
while UN
code provides standardised location codes,
UN
single windows streamline customs procedures by enabling
electronic submission of documentation for maritime shipments.
This integration ensures standardised identification
and compliance measures across port facilities,
and thus further bolsters security and efficiency in global maritime operations.
According to the European Maritime Safety Agency,
in 2022 L codes were used over 24 million times across Europe, mostly in Spain,
Greece, Norway and Belgium.
This means that they were used more than 2 million
times per month and more than 65,000 times per day.
Yet another
tool that is widely used in international supply chains,
transport and logistics to ensure Uniform Data exchange
is the United Nations rules for electronic data, interchange of Administration,
commerce and Transport, or UN EDAC.
In short,
it is used by
100,000 traders in the retail sector alone.
Finally,
um another uh UN EC tool called UN flux
for short or United Nations fisheries Language for Universal
Exchange provides a harmonised message standard that allows fishery
management organisations to automatically access
electronic data from fishing ves
vessels and thus automate the collection and
dissemination of their fishery activity data.
So together,
all these UN EC tools are critical to, um, digitalization efforts, um,
of data exchange
and thus foster sustainable, efficient and transparent supply chains.
They cover all the steps of the global supply chain processes,
bridge all modes of transport and industry actors
and thus facilitate information flows across
border and regulatory systems at national,
regional and global level.
Thank you. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to take them.
Thank you very much. Let me have a look. Uh, in the room.
I don't see any hand up or on the platform.
I don't see any
any request. Let me see. There is a question in the chat.
Uh, no, that's not for you. OK, so thank you very much. Please let us have your notes,
and
I go now to our colleagues for the announcements.
Tariq, I think you had an announcement for world Tobacco Day.
Sorry again. It's like the conflict. Well, no tobacco
there. Thank
you.
Thank you very much, Alexandra. So,
uh well, first, maybe to to remind the reporters that, uh, today we will have,
uh, uh, our regular press conference with Doctor Tetris on global health issues.
Uh, but we will also speak about, uh, next week
for
which you have received the media advisory.
And we will we will likely have a press release as well.
Uh, but, please, uh, join today at 4. 30
for
this, uh, press conference on on global health issues.
Uh, we will have, uh, as always,
a number of experts on different on different topics.
Now, uh, uh, um What? I wanted just to, uh uh, uh flag.
And there will be a media advisory today on that. So, uh,
we will have on Thursday at three o'clock,
we will have a press conference ahead of world not to B
day.
That normally, as you know, is on 31st of May.
But often we do, uh, we do the press conference a little bit in advance,
Especially as it comes up during the World Health Assembly.
So this year we will be, uh, speaking about hooking the next generation.
Uh,
and that's basically a report highlighting how
the tobacco and nicotine industry designs products,
implements marketing campaigns and works to shape policy,
uh, environments to help them. Addict,
the world youth. We will have a number of experts.
So again, Thursday at three o'clock,
uh,
with our doctor Ruger
crack
that, you know, we will also have a global youth ambassador.
And we will have, uh, uh,
some speakers from, uh, from partner organisations also working on this.
So and this This, uh, this this, uh, press briefing will be, uh,
will not be under under embargo.
So that's, uh, that's Thursday.
Uh, we may have another press conference on Thursday,
but let's let's confirm that in due time.
Uh, and that's it from my side.
I hope to see many of you.
Uh uh uh joining today's press briefing at 4. 30.
Thank you, Tariq.
Let me see if there is any further questions for you on this or other subject.
Taha
Hassan.
Thank you.
I have a technical question about the
accreditation.
Do we need another accreditation? Second batch for the
WHO General Assembly.
Uh, as much as I know, uh, journalists who are accredited at
the at the
Palais.
Uh,
do not need another accreditation, because assembly will be at the,
uh, at the Palais de
Aion.
Uh,
only journalists who are not accredited at the
Palais who are coming specifically for the assembly.
They need to,
uh, get accreditation from our unit colleagues.
So this is the practise that we've been following, uh, over the years. Yeah.
Yeah, OK.
Confirm There is absolutely no.
There is no request for you to have another
badge or anything like that.
We are accrediting already,
but we are accrediting people who don't have a permanent accreditation to the
Palais.
It puts your mic
on if you want to
react. I said sometimes there is a lot of restrictions.
Yes,
but
we are not allowed to film there.
But you have to
things here.
You've asked about accreditation accreditation.
As you will know, it's a pass for the Palais
people who have got a permanent accreditation like you do not
need another pass to get to the Palais to follow.
Then there might be internal guidelines on
areas which are more restricted or this or that. This I don't know.
I'm pretty sure that colleagues from
as it's
for past practise, they will probably send out media advisory or something.
If there is any of this
and I'll turn to Tariq.
But for
meditation, per SE,
you don't need to have any father.
But we the diff the situation will be different with the
anniversary. We'll hear from Kathrine in a second or we have changed that. Good.
OK, Catherine will explain, but for WH A This is not the case,
Tariq. You wanna add something on that? Maybe.
No, you're absolutely right, Alexandra.
And as always, we will have a press area in a in a committee,
uh, in committee, in the rooms where committees will, uh, will, uh,
have their proceedings.
Uh,
there are there is area for press. There is an area for for cameras.
And we always really ask reporters to respect that. Uh,
so we avoid any sort of incidents with the with the security?
Absolutely. OK, buddy.
Hi, Tariq.
Uh,
there, uh,
question of the Sunday since we have the presuming, uh, conference before W a,
uh, in the headquarter, uh, of WHO.
So is that able to attend And do we able to film inside or some some sectors outside.
Is that,
uh, any, um
um obstacle
or
thank you.
Uh, let me let me body check on that and come back to you.
Uh uh uh, We will have event, uh, in in WHO headquarters on Sunday night.
Uh, it's WHO investment round.
Uh, and, uh and, uh, let me just check.
What are the what are the, uh, arrangements for for the press.
And, um, Tariq, if you do please Michelle is asking on the chat whether,
uh, the covid pass is still the requirement to enter the
building. So I guess there will be many people interested in the answer
to that. The COVID pass requirement has been lifted.
Has been, has been lifted. You said
OK.
OK, good. Uh,
just before I give the floor to the other
journalists who are asking questions just to remind you,
in
fact, to inform you, I would say better
that as we said at the beginning of the cost saving measures,
I don't know if you remember when Mrs Krulik
briefed you.
Um, we are going to lift
the, uh, restrictions on the operational, uh, hours of the pilot during WH a
and most probably also during the International Labour Conference.
So for sure now, for next week.
Uh, there won't be this, uh, closing of the pilot. 7. 30.
The, uh, operational hours will be extended.
Uh, we'll send you.
We're waiting for a a broadcast from our security, and we will share it with you,
Lisa.
Thanks. Uh, hi, Tarik.
Just a few technical things, Uh,
wondering when a more fulsome agenda will be available in terms of
the, um, the topics and the times of that,
I think there's only a skeleton version at the moment.
Uh, then I'm I'm I'm wondering, Um, uh uh uh. Tetris usually gives his
his overview of the health situation or has in the past
In the morning, it appears that this is gonna happen in the afternoon.
Is that correct? Which makes
deadlines kind of more miserable.
Uh, in which case I would like to request, if possible.
If you could be a little bit speedier on, uh,
giving us the
the speech by email. It sometimes takes a long time and, you know, it's just
I'm just trying to think about my when I can go to sleep, you know,
Um, so if you could
deal with that, Um and, um
yeah, that that's that's essentially Oh, yeah.
And the other press conference on Thursday. It has to do.
I think it was something about health statistics. Is that right?
Do do you If that's being
webcast, uh,
you don't know what time that's gonna happen. Would you be able to
send the audio at some point? Because
there are kind of there are a lot of things happening the same day and you
become kind of schizophrenic about being able to attend all of these events.
Thank you.
No, you're absolutely right. So, uh so, yes.
So we have a world note Tobacco Day, press conference at free,
and we are planning to have a
have a press conference at, uh,
in the morning on a on a world health Statistics report.
But let's wait for the confirmation on that.
and, uh, yes, all all our press conferences are recorded,
and we can share the recording,
so that's not the issue when it comes to to the Journal.
As you know, there are always, like, preliminary journals that are being posted,
uh, on the on our website and the and the governing bodies World Health Assembly.
And there you have a daily journal that it's
usually posted the day before where you have,
uh uh what are the expected proceedings for the next day?
Uh,
this is very difficult to time because it
really depends on what the assembly and committee
decide. Sometimes they decide to to switch the topic.
Sometimes the topic, uh, doesn't get to
be discussed. So, uh, that's something that we can't really
uh uh easily predict. So really stay tuned. We will be sending from our side.
As always, we will be moving to to P a media team we will be sending to
to to to you and to those reporters
who will be accredited specifically for the assembly.
We will send
updates. We will make sure that you get the information
you need. And you are. You are also right that, uh, doctor Tedros will give give his
give his, uh uh
remarks. Uh, early afternoon.
Uh, on monday, Uh, hopefully, Uh uh uh uh.
Hopefully, um,
hopefully, uh, we will be able to send the the the the the
his speech as soon as we get it.
Uh, sometimes, uh, the speech is really being finalised the last minute.
But as soon as we have it,
uh, we can send it as we have been always doing,
uh,
check against delivery. And I'm just, uh, getting, uh
uh uh uh uh, uh. Just getting from from my colleague, uh, on on.
So media can join as of two o'clock on Sunday
for investment round the special guest announcements and other, uh,
awards announcements
and film festival winners.
So, uh, cameras, photo media are allowed from three o'clock to, uh,
from three o'clock to three for 4.
30
uh, and then media can stay longer, but no, uh, but not, uh, not uh, not, uh uh,
photo and camera.
So journalists are welcome. From 3 to 4. 30 we can have a cameras and photos.
And after after five o'clock, Uh uh, only only media, but cameras and photos,
Thanks to my colleague Christian for sending me this, uh, as we as we speak.
And obviously don't forget the work to talk.
Uh, on Sunday morning, we are all welcome to come. Uh, you've been before.
And, uh, and and, uh, and you are welcome to join us again on Sunday morning.
I It's really fun.
Yeah, I think it starts pretty early. Right seven o'clock or something like that,
if I remember. Well, if you come around eight, it's OK.
I think the official start is around nine. But, uh, but, you know, come early.
Their their activity starting early.
Perfect.
Uh, Tariq, I think it would be very useful if whatever Christian has sent you, uh,
you could share with the journalist.
Uh, Paula?
Yes. Uh, good morning.
Um, so I have a few questions. Um, first of all, regarding the access,
uh, to, uh, people that are normally not accredited at the UN.
I'm actually working with a team that's coming,
Um, from from outside. And,
uh uh, I was actually in touch with both, uh, unice and WHO yesterday.
It's not really clear,
um, about access to, um, accreditation passes on Sunday.
The team is actually just arriving on Sunday.
Um, are those passes for ex, uh uh, people, you know, external to the, uh
um UN, uh uh, press, uh, credit press.
Do they are? Do they?
Are they gonna have to take photos,
or could I eventually or somebody eventually pick up those those badges ahead?
of Sunday.
Um, because it seemed that,
uh I was told that maybe WHO was gonna pick up
those badges that they could perhaps pick up on Sunday.
Or, um, you know, whatever.
I just I just need to be sure that they'll be able to
get their badges Sunday as they're they're going to want to film.
Monday, Uh, at the opening of the assembly.
Paula,
Uh, we can check that. I'm looking a T Francois.
We can check that.
Um, possibly I don't think WHO would do that.
I mean, they would not do it for all the journalists, but it
is possible that you do it for your colleagues.
Um, I'm looking at Francois.
We go.
Can we check Francois?
If it possible.
But in any case, just to underline that on Sunday, to the best of my knowledge
and
in
Turkey, please correct me. If I'm wrong,
there will not be anything at the Palais itself.
There is the walk. The talk that, as you may remember, is on the place.
De
N makes the tour up of the hill down
and to, uh, the place
de N
again.
And there is a press conference and an event at the WHO headquarters.
Not at the palace. You don't need it for this.
But I understand, Paula, what you say about the Monday morning,
which will probably be very busy
at, uh, prey.
So let us let us check if it's possible that you can,
uh, get the budgets for your colleague in advance.
other questions to you.
I had some other questions, so,
um, yeah, also, Yeah. Are those Do those badges have photos on them?
That's I guess that's sort of key if they need.
If they need a photo, then they'll they'll have to go and pick,
pick them up or have the photos taken, I guess. But,
um, then also, I just wanted to know are there any updates regarding the, um,
um pandemic Treaty talks, uh, that you could share. And also
again, um, relating to Lisa's question. Is there Do you have any sort of ideas to,
You know, when um,
the, uh the the There may be some sort of announcement discussions on that, uh,
during the assembly.
Ok, I'll let, uh, uh uh Tarik,
answer on the second part of your question for what concerns
the picture to the best of my knowledge, the pictures a RE up uploaded on
ICO.
So there is no
problem for that that the the issue is whether the, uh,
security can, uh, produce them beforehand. And we'll come back to you on this.
And, Tariq,
I don't know if you want to answer the second part of the question from Paula.
Well, we can't really be, uh we can't really be sure about, uh
um
when, uh, When? When discussion will be. It will be during the week for sure. But, uh,
but maybe you can You can really join Paula today and and get more information
that it will be discussed more in details on the on the World Health Assembly.
Uh, so you can you can get that,
uh, for the for again, Like, uh uh, uh uh. You are.
You are correct, Alessandra, uh, we don't, uh We don't, uh, have anything at
Pale
on Sunday. So the investment round is happening at,
uh, WHO building.
Uh, and and And as I said, the media are welcome.
So let's see how we can just, uh the question is yes.
For people who are not accredited, how they should accredit. Let me get back to you.
Uh, for people with the
with the pale badges. Uh, it's, uh, that they are Welcome to come.
Thank you very much. If there are no other questions to Tariq,
uh, let's move to another event.
Well, this one is really for planning purposes, because it's not before,
uh,
the 12th of June I give the floor to
Katrine for an update on the 60th anniversary of Angad
Katrine?
Yes, just an update. And there is no issue, uh, regarding the badges. Of course.
Uh, we've, uh, discussed with security and the the previous,
uh, consideration of having two badges have been cancelled.
So your badge is enough to attend the the 60th anniversary.
I'm sorry for those who have already spent time on indi
O for the the second badge.
But, um, it's not, uh,
it's not, uh, a prerequisite to to come to our anniversary on the 12th of June.
It will start at 2 p.m. uh,
in, uh, on the tw
another reminder.
Today is the opening of the global supply chain forum in Barbados in Bridgetown.
The opening will be at 3 p.m.
with SG Greenspan. Um mia Motel,
the Prime minister of Barbados,
and Amina Mohammed the DS G of the UN.
You can follow on the YouTube. Um
uh UN
CT a the UN
CT a YouTube channel.
Uh, I can put the link in the chat or you'll find it on the
I know the programme of the the days until the 24th of the of the forum.
Uh, at the top, there's a button at the top of the the landing page
of our website.
We will have a press release, uh, on Thursday night or Friday morning
about this forum,
and that's it for me. I'm ready to answer any questions.
Uh, thank you very much for clarifying the issue of the, uh of the badge uh,
Kathrine because I saw exchange of messages so that
for everybody to be clear no double badge for the
A a, uh, anniversary.
Um, yeah, and we have heard also from U.
I CE about the forum.
let me see if there is any question.
Don't see any end up.
No,
just one second. Sorry, Ben.
The matter is now before the pre trial chamber which must be
allowed to undertake its work free from external pressure or interference.
OK, um
quack your body in case you eat body.
Uh uh. The trouble of the band
to
programme Nuclear
Iranian
pardon.
I'm just left with reminding you about the committees. As usual,
we have the committee on the rights of the Child which will close its 7 96th session
next Friday.
The Committee on the Domination of Discrimination Against Women is still
in session and is reviewing today the report of Kuwait.
This will be followed by the reports from Malaysia, Brazil and Rwanda. And
this morning
the Conference on Disarmament is having a public plenary meeting
under the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
which runs until 24 May.
I don't have a press conference to remind you so unless you have other questions.
Thank you very much. And as I said, we'll send you an information today on the
working times of the pilot during next week and the World
Health Assembly. Thank you very much.