The United Nations Office at Geneva
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UN Geneva Press Briefing - 11 June 2024
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UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
11 June 2024
Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Meteorological Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, and the United Nations Trade and Development.
Impact on civilians of Israeli raid in Gaza to free hostages
Jeremy Laurence, for the United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that the OHCHR was profoundly shocked at the impact on civilians of the Israeli forces’ operation in An Nuseirat over the weekend to secure the release of four hostages. Hundreds of Palestinians, many of them civilians, had been reportedly killed and injured. The way the raid had been conducted in such a densely populated area seriously called into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution had been respected by the Israeli forces.
OHCHR was also deeply distressed that Palestinian armed groups continued to hold many hostages, most of them civilians, which was prohibited by international humanitarian law. Furthermore, by holding hostages in such densely populated areas, the armed groups were putting the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the hostages themselves, at added risk from the hostilities. All those actions, by both parties, might amount to war crimes, said Mr. Laurence.
Full OHCHR statement is available here.
Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the Secretary-General was in Jordan today where he was attending a high-level conference on Gaza entitled “A Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Aid for Gaza”, where he would deliver remarks at 12:30 pm Geneva time. He reminded that the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel would be presenting its report to the Human Rights Council on 19 June.
Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Laurence said that he did not have specific details on how the Israeli raid had been conducted. More than 600 people had been injured in the raid, he specified. Mr. Laurence said that precaution, proportionality, and distinction ought to be essential elements of every military operation. The scale of Palestinian victims raised the question whether those international humanitarian law principles had been respected. OHCHR could not decide whether this Israeli action amounted to a war crime; that was up to relevant courts to decide. OHCHR brought to public attention multiple incidents and raised questions whether international humanitarian law rules were being adhered to.
Mr. Laurence explained that the OHCHR had very few staff in Gaza, mostly local employees. He said that the casualty numbers came from the Ministry of Health in Gaza; OHCHR was satisfied that the numbers provided by the authorities were accurate. Under normal circumstances, those numbers would be checked, which was not possible in the current conflict. Over 270 people were reported to have been killed in the latest raid, reiterated Mr. Laurence. The fact that the four hostages were now free was clearly good news; they should never have been taken in the first place. The same applied to all remaining hostages, stressed Mr. Laurence. OHCHR had also repeatedly called for all arbitrarily detained Palestinians to be released. On another question, Mr. Laurence explained that the OHCHR was in constant contact with the Israeli authorities and had raised concerns on numerous occasions.
Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the WHO had gone on a mission to the Al Aqsa hospital in central Gaza on 8 June. The team had witnessed tens of people lying on the floor; it was clear that the hospital, where some 270 medical staff were providing care to 700 patients, needed more supplies. Keeping the Rafah crossing closed further exacerbated the situation. Hundreds of patients were receiving dialysis treatments at this hospital, he explained, but only two instead of three per week. There were currently 17 hospitals in Gaza that were providing some services. Mass casualty events, such as the Israeli raid in An Nuseirat, put an additional strain on the already stretched health system.
Escalating risks for women and girls in Eastern and Southern Africa
Lydia Zigomo, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), stated that the region was no stranger to adversity, and from climate-driven disasters to conflict and displacement, women and girls bore the brunt of those challenges. They suffered disproportionately, their vulnerabilities exacerbated by factors such as food insecurity, inadequate access to clean water, and limited health services. The aftershocks of the global pandemic had only intensified these hardships.
Ms. Zigomo said that currently, 65 million people in the region were facing unprecedented challenges. The 2023/24 El Niño season, which had brought mid-season dry spell exceeding 50 days had led to record-low rainfall across several areas including Angola, Botswana, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe, marking this period as the driest in the last 40 years. The prolonged conflict in Northern Mozambique had intensified since December 2023, leading to over 100,000 new displacements in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. The ongoing conflict in Sudan had displaced almost 700,000 people into South Sudan, including many returning refugees. Thousands of others had been displaced into Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, and other neighbouring countries. In times of crisis, the most fundamental rights of women and girls were often pushed to the backburner. The risk of sexual violence soared, and unintended pregnancies became a harsh reality. An investment had to be made in rights-based integrated sexual and reproductive health services, ensuring access even during crises. The voices of women and girls ought to be amplified, recognizing their agency and leadership. Together, escalating risks could be turned into opportunities for transformation, including rebuilding and strengthening health systems, stressed Ms. Zigomo.
Answering questions, Ms. Zigomo explained that 7.2 million women and girls needed assistance in northern Ethiopia. In addition to inadequate funding, access to those in need remained a challenge. Health systems ought to be made more resilient and more ready to adapt, she said.
Impact of floods in East Africa
Liesbeth Aelbrecht, Incident Manager for Greater Horn of Africa at the World Health Organization (WHO), speaking from Nairobi, said that the region was one of the most vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, there had been some unprecedented events in the Horn of Africa: a historic four-year drought had been followed by devastating El Nino-induced floods at the end of 2023; that, in turn, had been followed by weeks of relentless torrential rains causing catastrophic flooding, across Eastern Africa. OCHA reported that as of 30 May, an estimated 1.6 million people had been affected, across Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Tanzania.
The toll of the current floods on health was significant, ranging from immediate risks like injury and infection, to enduring mental health impacts. Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation facilities heightened the threat of waterborne disease outbreaks. Following the flooding, new cholera outbreaks had been reported in Kenya and Uganda, and important spikes had been noted in Ethiopia and Somalia. Floodwaters served as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which elevated the risk of vector-borne disease outbreaks, including malaria, dengue, and Rift Valley Fever. Ethiopia, for example, had reported nearly 1.9 million cases of malaria from January to April, the highest number reported during this period since 2018.
Ms. Aelbrecht warned that weather forecasts predicted more above-average rainfall for June to September in several areas in the region such as Djibouti, Eritrea, parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, much of Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan. In South Sudan, where already 72 percent of the population needed humanitarian assistance, they were on high alert for flooding in the northern and central parts of the country, with up to 2.5 to three million people projected to be impacted in the worst-case scenario. She stressed the importance of preparedness: WHO had mapped the flood vulnerability of all health facilities; it was prepositioning essential medicines, life-saving emergency health kits, strengthening surveillance systems with outbreak investigation and cholera treatment kits; and it was continuing to support the prevention and management of acute malnutrition. The magnitude of the task ahead required a well-funded, collective, and coordinated action with full engagement of the communities and local leaders. The time for action was now, concluded Ms. Aelbrecht.
Announcements
Clare Nullis, for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), informed that the WMO Executive Council was meeting this week. One item on the agenda was on how to best use anticipatory action and early warning to help local communities. In the annual session which had started the previous day, the Council focused on the “Early Warnings for All” initiative, launched in 2022. The Council would look at a detailed roadmap so that early warning systems could become a reality for all by the end of 2027. The Council was also working on an implementation plan for the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W), which would take several years to become operational. Finally, Ms. Nullis informed said that that the WMO was looking into more details for the cryosphere, components of the Earth System at and below the land and ocean surface that are frozen. Another item on the agenda was how to improve monitoring of the cryosphere (frozen water) around the world.
Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that the UN Secretary-General would be in Geneva the following day, to attend the UNCTAD 60 anniversary event. A short press stakeout was expected after his address to the UN Trade and Development event, in Tempus, around 3:30 pm; there would be space for up to 20 journalists, who would need to inform today UNCTAD’s press team of their interest to attend.
Catherine Huissoud, for the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said that at the end of the afternoon today, she would share the list of speakers at the event, including heads of state. As the space in Tempus was limited, journalists were encouraged to follow the event live online. Only journalists coming with state delegations would have space in Tempus during the high-level segment on 12 June.
David Hirsch, for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), informed that the Secretary-General would visit the ITU on 12 June. Mr. Guterres would address the ITU Council on the necessity of closing the digital divide and using AI for good. He would also bilaterally meet with Doreen Bogdan-Marin, the ITU Secretary-General. The event could be watched online.
On 14 June, ITU would host the inauguration of the UN Virtual Worlds Day. This one-day event would underscore a significant milestone in technological innovation and its potential to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The event could be followed online.
Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that, after Geneva, the Secretary-General would go to Italy – Puglia and Brindisi, to attend the G7 meeting and an event marking the 30th anniversary of the UN Global Service Centre, respectively.
He further informed that registration deadline to attend the Ninth Global Review of Aid for Trade at the World Trade Organization had been extended until 14 June. The event would take place from 26 to 28 June.
The Conference on Disarmament was holding today a public meeting titled “The challenges of new and emerging threats: Assessing the impact of emerging technologies on international security and arms control efforts”.
The Committee on Migrants’ Rights would end its ongoing session on 14 April at 5:30 pm and issue its final observations regarding the reports submitted by Türkiye, Senegal, and Congo.
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The webcast for this briefing is available here: https://bit.ly/unog11062024
The audio for this briefing is available here: https://bit.ly/UNOG11062024
Teleprompter
very good morning.
Thank you for joining us here at the UN office at Geneva for this press briefing
today, the 11th of June. Another very busy agenda. We are starting off immediately,
uh,
to address the situation in Gaza with our colleague Jeremy
Lawrence from the office for the High Commission for Human Rights
who will, uh, address this.
And then we have other colleagues who are joining us online and in in the room here
who will address, uh, the situations,
the humanitarian situations in eastern southern Africa
as well as the floods in Eastern Africa.
And we also have announcements from the World Meteorological Organisation
and the International Telecommunications Union
so immediately over to you, Jeremy, for an update from Human Rights on Gaza.
Thanks Roo
and good morning, everyone.
We are profoundly shocked at the impact on
civilians of the Israeli forces operation in Al Nazara
at the weekend to secure the release of four hostages.
Hundreds of Palestinians, many of them civilians, were reportedly killed
and injured.
The manner in which the raid was conducted in such a densely populated area
seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction,
proportionality and precaution
as set out under the laws of war
were respected by the Israeli forces.
Our office is also deeply distressed.
The Palestinian armed groups
continue to hold many hostages,
most of them civilians,
which is prohibited
by international humanitarian law.
Furthermore,
by holding hostages in such densely populated areas,
the armed groups
doing so are putting
the lives of Palestinian civilians as well as the hostages themselves.
At added risk from the hostilities,
all these actions by both parties may amount to war crimes.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker
Turk welcomes security resolution 2735,
calling for a full and complete ceasefire,
the release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups,
the return of the remains of dead hostages
and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
An immediate priority must be to ensure
the full and unfettered flow of humanitarian aid
to the desperate population of Gaza.
The High Commissioner calls on all parties
as well as third states,
in particular those with influence over the parties to the conflict,
to also maximise efforts to work towards the goal whereby Israelis
and Palestinians
can fully enjoy all human rights
and live side by side
in peace.
Thank you very much.
Uh, Jeremy, before we turn to you for questions, Just wanted to on a related note,
I shouldn't
remind you that the Secretary General is currently in
Jordan, where he is attending, uh, the high level conference on Gaza,
which takes place today, uh, at the being organised at the invitation of Jordan,
Egypt and the United Nations and and in in his remarks,
which we did share with you under embargo.
Strict embargo for 1230 Geneva time,
um, to the conference. And the conference, as you know, is called a call for action.
Urgent humanitarian
aid for Gaza.
Mr.
Guterres is expected to shed light on the, uh,
deplorable situation in Gaza as he has been doing since the onset of this,
uh, conflict. Um,
so please take a look at that statement we shared with you
and in terms of the Security Council since, uh, jeremy referred to that,
I should mention that the SG also welcomes,
um, the adoption of Security Council resolution 2735,
which calls for a ceasefire and hostage
release deal in Gaza,
and he calls on all parties as he has been to accept and implement the proposal
on the table fully and immediately. Uh, this is crucial.
And a long overdue step towards peace in the region. He says
questions.
Uh, Yuri.
Thank you. Jeremy. I am glad to see you.
The first one is not a question. It is a request. Can you please share your notes?
Because
we don't have it for now.
And my second question is we know how many hostages are in Gaza.
But do you have any update on how many
Palestinians have been detained illegally by Israel since now?
And are there because when we are talking about an exchange,
this is an exchange working in the two directions. So do you have any update on that?
And then I have a question on Ukraine, but I think we will wait for the end of Gaza to
take Ukraine questions afterwards. But Jeremy
Yeah, thanks, Yuri. I'll have to come back to you on the precise number
on, uh, the the Palestinians being held. Uh,
I will, uh, be in contact with, uh, with our office there.
thanks. You are Nina. A FP.
Thank you. Hi, Jeremy.
Um, I was wondering about the allegations that the Israelis, uh,
that the Israeli forces that went in were,
uh, in an aid truck.
Uh, when they went in to free the hostages, if you could just say a little bit about,
uh, if you have any information about
about that And, uh, also the numbers that you said reportedly, uh, on the on the desk.
Do you have any, uh, sources, or can you sort of tell us sort of how you know?
how you know what the the toll is or if you do. Thank you.
Yes. Thanks. So, starting with your first question,
I I'm not
I don't have details on the manner of the how the raid was conducted.
Like you, I've I've read the media reports and and I'm aware what has been said,
uh,
but it would not be for me to to make a comment when the information is not verified.
so with respect to the numbers, um, so the Gaza Health Ministry, uh,
I think it was 270 plus were killed.
and also 6, 600
plus
were injured.
Uh, certainly in the immediate aftermath, I, uh, saw some reports of, uh, 700
injured,
uh, being treated at hospitals,
uh,
hospitals, which are already under immense pressure
and operating on minimal services. So you can imagine,
uh,
that the ordeal not only for for those who have suffered
the injuries and those who have lost ones lost loved ones,
but for the people working in the hospitals trying to deal,
uh,
with such fast numbers.
Um, it was, uh, we're here today because it was
it was catastrophic the way, uh, that
that this was carried out
in that
civilians
again
were caught smack bang in the middle of this.
First part of my question, um,
I understand that you don't have information on on how the raid was, uh, handled.
But, um,
if it has happened before, in previous, uh, raids,
if you could say if it is indeed the case, you know how how concerning would that be?
Well, I I again,
I don't want to go into the specifics of that that case that you raised,
But
like we said in the in the statement just issued
the conduct,
uh, calls into question when it,
uh whether it be precaution, proportionality and distinction.
And those are the three issues that we're raising here,
which
are essential elements in the conduct of any military operation.
and
the scale of destruction,
the scale of the people, the number killed and injured
seriously calls that into question
whether those principles have been
applied.
Thank you. Um, Christian, please.
Thank you. Jeremy,
I have two questions. The first one is
one of the hostages, I think said she was held
in a civilian home
by a family.
Does that change the, uh, the dynamics is the military action allowed
in a civilian surrounding if that civilian surrounding is
actually the place where a hostage is held.
And, um,
my second question is, you always, uh the wording is always may amount to war crimes.
Uh, can you explain a little bit if I understand correctly? Uh,
I guess you would say it.
It's up to a court to determine whether that is the case,
But can you elaborate a little bit?
Why you cannot at this point say
proportionality? Um, distinction and so on was not
was not in order. And that's why it is a war crime. Thank you.
Yes. Thanks. So, the first one,
the hostages being held in a civilian location?
Yes,
That should not be the case.
they, uh, to an extent, uh, they, uh,
could be that could be tantamount being used as human shields.
Uh,
so
that in itself is AAA serious breach
as well
of IHL
when it comes to, uh,
when we refer to may amount to war crimes,
you're right again.
Uh, it's not for us
to to make a categorical decision on on that.
That's
for a competent court to decide
what we can do. And we repeatedly have done.
Now we're entering the ninth month of this.
We bring your attention
to IHL and we circle always circle around that.
And there are rules under IHL
the way conduct should be conducted.
We draw those to your attention.
We assess information on the ground
ourselves and through other sources.
And we
question whether those rules are being ad adhered to.
Thank you. Any more questions in the room?
We have a few online, so I just wanted to make sure. OK, let's go online. In that case,
John
Zarak
Costas.
Uh, good morning.
Uh, Jeremy, just, uh, a couple of follow ups to my colleague's questions.
do you have any,
uh, people from your monitoring, uh, office on the ground,
collecting information in Gaza
and Ha. Have they,
uh, come across any information to reports
that the operation by the Special Forces included
summer executions of Children as young as 12?
Thank you.
So, John,
our staffing. You know,
uh, uh, our we only have AAA small amount of staff in Gaza.
Uh, predominantly, uh, that were local staff. Many have many left.
I understand. We still have people on the ground in Gaza.
Uh, I don't want to go into detail in in that respect,
and of course,
we've got thousands of UN colleagues, Uh
uh,
in in in Gaza.
beyond that,
we have our other sources, um,
in
in Gaza who provide us information from on the ground.
I think that's I I'd probably like to leave it there.
Uh,
John, Then you also asked about the the details, the micro detail.
I. I don't have anything on the on.
I have no knowledge about summary executions and and certainly of Children.
What I can say is that,
uh,
there were many Children
who who were killed in this operation.
Uh, we've raised this repeatedly that
women and Children often,
uh uh
are the worst. Uh,
they suffer the highest amount of casualties in in in this whole conflict.
Uh, on a related note, I should just, um,
remind you I think the president of the
Human Rights Council referred to it yesterday.
The commission of inquiry on the occupied
Palestinian territory in Israel will be presenting
a report to the Human Rights Council next week. I believe it's Wednesday next. Um,
but of course, um, look out for that report, which I believe is
being shared with you
fairly soon.
A few more questions for you. Uh, Jeremy? Uh, Jamie Keaton, Associated Press.
Thank you, Rolando. Hello, Jeremy. Um, nice to see you again.
Um, I just wanted to touch on two things just to make sure exactly.
Specifically, what you're talking about could amount to war crimes on both sides.
Um, it's not exactly clear.
I mean, you mentioned the rules of distinction, proportionality and precaution
and holding hostages. Just if you could be a little more specific on that.
And the second thing is about the numbers, um, of the casualties that you refer to.
Um I know OHC.
HR generally has a very strict methodology about vetting, um, casualty counts.
And I'm just wondering, given that you just as you just mentioned to John,
that you have a a limited presence on the ground How, uh,
and and we've had a number of cases in which, uh, uh,
casualty counts have maybe not been so accurate
in the over the course of this conflict.
Um, how sure are you about the numbers that you're providing That, uh,
you say are attributing to the Gaza Health Ministry?
Thanks.
let's work backwards.
Uh, from there. So on the numbers we've I know you.
You We've had this question a lot over the past month.
The numbers come from the Gaza Health Ministry.
Uh, in the past, we've used the
Gaza
Gaza Health Ministry,
on numbers before this conflict began.
We are satisfied that the numbers that they provide us,
uh,
accurate
and very close to being 100% accurate.
There may be a slight deviation.
but these numbers, uh,
are all checked.
Uh, in normal circumstances,
this isn't a normal circumstance, because we have limited access,
as do many of you international journalists,
which makes our job so much harder
but we continue to, uh,
speak to our contacts on the ground who are reliable.
otherwise we wouldn't be using them
as simple as that.
And, uh, Jamie, you asked about the the the specific issues.
Uh,
without II, I will be just repeating essentially what I've said in in in the notes. So
the attack
over 270 people were killed,
600
plus left injured.
we have serious
concerns with re, with respect to the principles of distinction,
precaution and proportionality
in the conduct of this, uh, operation
it. It really is, Uh, it's that's that's the nuts and bolts
of the of that
when it comes to the hostages.
Of course,
we we can, uh, repeat what has been said from New York. Uh, the
the fact that four hostages are now free is
clearly very good news.
These hostages should never have been taken in the first place.
It's a breach of international humanitarian law.
They must be freed. All of them
promptly.
And so when I call out when we call out our office and say, uh, with, uh, what is, uh,
the breach on, uh, with respect to the Palestinian armed groups.
Uh, the the taking of hostages.
The use of indiscriminate projectiles towards Israel. These are all breaches
simple.
Thank you very much, Jeremy.
And and of course, uh, thank you for elaborating on the methodology of numbers.
And we have discussed this issue
at length at this briefing. Tarik is online from WHO.
Of course, Tarik, if you ever want to jump in,
feel free to put up your hand and expand on on that, um,
the issue of numbers in particular,
we still have a couple of questions for you.
Jeremy Isabel from Spanish news agencies online.
Isabel.
Isabel.
Can we unmute Isabel?
No.
OK, we're having problems with the microphone here, so let's go to Ravi.
Kant.
Robie, over to you.
Yeah. Uh uh. Thank you. Uh, thank you. Can you hear me?
Yes, we can.
Thank you. Uh, you know, for, uh, some of the clarifications you provided,
Uh, namely, I have a question. You have said a
lot of women and Children suffered
very unjustly and indiscriminately.
Uh, does it actually constitute a war crime in a scale that has never been seen?
And also, the question is, in a asymmetrical warfare.
Uh,
it is true that the,
you know, the the war started from the Palestinian side.
Uh, but does it mean that, uh, you know,
principles of distinction, proportionality and all,
or set aside merely to talk now of some 100 odd hostages still out there?
What about thousands of Palestinians jailed in Israel?
Why is it not being mentioned that it should also simultaneously happen? Thank you.
Thanks.
Uh, um, I think you'll recall we actually mentioned that in the, uh, briefing note.
And we said that all, um, the the Palestinian prisoners, Uh,
there should be an exchange. Um,
we have repeatedly called
for,
uh, Palestinians arbitrarily detained,
um, to be released.
Uh,
that that has been clear. Uh, we have repeatedly said that
with respect to
the conduct of hostilities,
and you said the Palestinians started it. Is it proportionate?
The fact of the matter is,
when it comes to IHL and the conduct, uh, of of hostilities,
everyone, no matter. Every party, no matter, has a duty to abide
by those obligations.
So
you can't just say because, um,
one party started and then inflicted,
but the other party inflicted more casualties, so that they are, uh,
more responsible.
No
IHL. All parties are are the same.
So it's simple as that,
And whether it's,
uh a person, a civilian who is killed, that could be a woman, child or man
if they are killed.
during a course of conduct of hostilities, Um
then it's,
uh and it it could be a breach of IHL depending
on how the specific circumstances it becomes a little more complicated.
That's why I say to you
when we talk about IHL.
And when you get to that next stage of prosecution,
that's for a competent court to make that decision.
Thank you, Jeremy. OK, we still have a few questions, including Musa in the room.
Go ahead, Mussa.
I am asking about
the terms used for the Palestinian prisoners. Why?
You use prisoners for Palestinian and hostages for Israeli and Gaza.
What is the difference between both sides? Thank you.
Can you just repeat it? I didn't.
For Palestinians,
you
use always prisoners
and for Israeli in Gaza
you use the term hostages.
What is the difference between hostages and prisoners for you? Thank you.
With respect to the, uh the the prisoners detainees
those arbitrarily detained.
Thank you for that clarification. Uh, we two more questions.
Uh, Lisa, Voice of America. Over to you, Lisa.
Oh,
thank you. Good morning, Rollo. Good morning, Jeremy.
Uh, yeah.
Have you, uh,
conveyed your shock to the Israeli authorities?
And have you received a response from them? I'd like to know what that would be
since, uh, the hostages were held in a civilian home.
Does this mean that the, uh, civilians were,
uh, Allied affiliated with Hamas? And is this a justification
that Israel could use for attacking
civilians?
And then I have a question for, uh, WHO. I think you said that Tariq is there.
If you could perhaps, uh, fill us in on
what the situation is with the the the very many,
the hundreds from what Jeremy seems, Uh, Jeremy has said
hundreds who have been wounded in
this assault. Uh,
and I gather that, uh,
the the the kind of medical care that should be there is not there.
So what is happening? How are they being treated?
Uh, is it even possible? Thank you.
So, with respect to, um,
engaging with the Israeli authorities, Yes,
we are in constant contact with the Israeli authorities.
on, uh, and we've raised our concerns in the the conduct of their operations.
on a number of occasions.
finally, on your other question on the, uh, the hostages.
Um, and if I can just refer back to to the statement
the holding of hostages in in densely populated areas,
not only are the are the armed groups putting the lives of Palestinians themselves
at risk, but they're also putting the lives of the hostages,
uh,
at at risk. Um,
so I think I can leave it at that.
Thanks, Jeremy. OK, I think Tarek, uh, your cameras on, So thanks.
You heard the question? I suppose so.
Over to you. Uh, yes. Uh, thanks. Uh, thanks, Lisa and hi. Hi. Rolando and everyone.
Uh, indeed. What happened on Saturday is uh,
uh,
WH organised an interagency mission to assess the
response capacity and identify what are the biggest
challenges. So we went to, uh, Al
Aqsa
Hospital. So Aqsa
Hospital is in the central part of
of, uh, Gaza in
Alba.
Aha.
And, uh, this area in central Gaza has a catchment population of more than a
million people currently,
so at
the time of the visit, it was about three o'clock.
Uh, on on Saturday, there was, uh there were lots of patients inside.
Uh, our teams have seen more than 80 people just lying on the,
uh, on the on the floors. Um,
there is obviously a need for supplies. There is a need for, uh,
uh, uh uh uh uh, for for more treatment being available for these people.
So, uh, the hospital,
uh uh right now is is is is providing care for to estimated 700 patients. So this is,
uh, including those who have been brought in Many of these, uh uh,
patients who have been there for a longer period of time could be discharged, but
most of the people have nowhere else to go, so they they stay in a hospital.
Uh, this hospital is also providing dialysis services for estimated 700 patients,
but they are only providing two
sessions per week instead of three sessions,
uh, per week as it should be. There are about 270 health workers in Alexa
Hospital.
Uh, many of these doctors, uh,
are volunteering from who are normally employed in
other in other hospitals but are volunteering there.
So there was a There was a NSF team helping to stabilise the the patients.
There was a, uh, a referral system.
Uh, uh, Put in place to, uh, to treat, uh, to treat, uh uh,
patients in other functioning hospitals.
So, uh, so, for example, orthopaedic injuries have been
referred to NASA
medical complex. Other patients have been referred to I MC and
ICRC
Field Hospital.
So there was a There was an effort to to see what can be treated,
how many people can be treated and what patients can be treated at
Al
Aqsa
and others.
Who, uh uh who can't, uh, to be to be sent elsewhere.
Uh, we will, uh we will continue to, uh uh to work with Alexa
Hospital, uh, to reassess the need. So the the the the the,
uh, the plan is to bring the medical supplies that are needed
there. So I will, I will. I will just,
uh uh uh uh, Stop at that.
But really,
this just shows how the the the the the the the mass casualty event like this put, uh,
uh, put strains on a on a already, Uh uh.
uh, almost dismantled health system,
uh, in Gaza, where hospitals are struggling to reopen some
services. Currently, there are 17 hospitals that are
providing some, uh, uh,
services, but yet many of them are very difficult to reach. Uh, in Rafah,
there are no more hospitals being, uh,
uh,
functional. Except, uh, except of field hospitals.
Uh, the the border crossing is still closed.
Those who need medical education cannot be evacuated.
We have problems of
moving around, uh, due to the delays, uh,
during the denial of of mission, uh, plans due to the infrastructure.
Uh uh uh uh, issues where roads are very difficult to cross.
So again,
we are in a very difficult situation and mass casualty event on this is
just putting additional strain to to what is available in terms of health services.
Thank you so much, Tarik.
And I know we'll be going back to you later for a different subject.
But, um, before I go back to you, Yuri, Isabel is back online. Let's see
if we can take your question now, Isabel.
Hm?
Seem to be having some technical issues. Um, sorry for that, Isabel. If you want.
Exceptionally. If you want to pose your question in the chat.
I'd be happy to read it out. Do you
hear
me
now? OK, there you are.
Yes, go ahead.
I know. I know. The problem
was the problem.
Thank you.
I would sorry, but I would like just to go back to
to the first question by Christiana
because I would like to know if I understood.
Uh Well, uh, when she referred to information that the
some one,
at least one of the hostages were was taken or was held
in a civilian location and in a family house or whatever.
you you said that it is not, uh, should not be the case. And
but I But you didn't really And you said that Maybe they are.
I understood that you refer that, uh, they may, uh, being used
at
as human shield.
So in that case,
there is no attack on that location That could be, um,
justified by the international law.
Is that correct? Because this family could also
considered as a hostage by Hamas. Is that correct?
Or could you Could you elaborate on this, please?
Yes, It'll be,
the the manner in which the the hostages. Uh, or the way uh, where they have been held
is it was in a densely populated area.
We know that.
We know we just heard from Tariq that it's
It's very There's a million people in in Central,
uh, Gaza.
Uh,
a
lot of people are pushed from the north and then from the up from the south, Um,
it was, uh,
refugees. Um, that was Naz
Nazar
at is a refugee camp.
Um, so it was packed.
now where the hostages were I. I don't have those specific details,
but I, I did raise that
that it was a very densely populated area,
and which then raises concerns with respect to the
to the strikes that which were carried out,
uh,
to, uh, secure the release of the hostages.
Uh,
and specifically,
it raises concerns with respect to the principles of distinction,
proportionality
and precaution.
That's it. That's it.
Thanks.
Uh, colleagues, we still have a few other agenda items,
so I note that we still have a couple of questions.
Yuri, is this on Gaza or is this Ukraine?
Ukraine?
OK, let's take one follow up from John,
and then we'll go to you for your question on Ukraine.
John Zarak
costs.
Yes. Uh, good morning, Tariq. Uh,
just to follow up to
the brief you just gave us, uh,
um
WHO and, uh, its partners on the ground.
What's the situation with medical supplies?
Especially for, uh, emergency triages, especially of the mass casualties.
Do you have sufficient supplies?
Are you getting any from the Israeli side of the border?
Well, nothing is coming in. What's the situation,
Tarek?
Hi, John. Uh, indeed, uh, indeed, the the the the the the Having the the
Rafa crossing being closed.
Uh, it is making things more complicated, as it was the main,
uh, main entry points.
So, uh, uh, we, uh we definitely need more things to come in, and not only in terms of,
uh, of of medicines, but also we we kept saying about, uh, about a fuel and, uh,
and and about all the other humanitarian assistance.
Now, uh uh, some of the supplies have been coming into, uh, to other entry points.
I can look for exact details,
but this is really clearly not enough. But besides supplies, we really need
hospitals to be able to function. For that, we need
security.
We need health workers to be able to get to their place of work patients to get
to get
there. And we need to be able to move ourselves.
I'll, I'll try to get the exact details What has entered since the beginning of
May?
Uh,
in terms of medical supplies, Uh, since, uh, since the closing of the Rafa.
But, uh, but that's that's not enough.
And that just adds to all the other issues that are making that, uh,
that health system
cannot function properly and that people of Gaza are
having extreme difficulties in getting basic health services.
Thanks so much, Tarik. Ok, I think now we've exhausted the questions on Gaza.
Thank you very much, Jeremy.
I know we still have another question, but just to remind before we turn to Ukraine
again, um, highlighting the SG speech
at, uh, just over an hour from now, An hour and a half from now in Jordan. Um,
do take a look at that.
That important statement we shared with you under embargo
Yuri, uh, Ukraine Question over to you?
Yes. My question is
on what happened? Eight of June
in the village of
Sadow
in the
KSK
Obs
Oblast in English.
22 civilians at least,
were killed after two strikes by the Ukrainian army on this village.
Do you have any information of that?
Because I didn't see any communication from your office after the strike.
Thank you.
Uh,
I don't have any precise information to share on that. Um,
we we
have limited capacity to do that.
Um
uh,
having said that,
we continue to try to gather information about civilian casualties.
Uh
uh,
killed in such circumstances.
Uh, and we will use our, uh, standard, uh, methodology, uh,
whenever possible to to verify
that information.
OK, thank you. Once again, Jeremy, uh,
and, um,
you know, good luck with
everything to come. Um,
right then. In that case, I'm very pleased to
to invite our guest who's been waiting patiently in the room.
Um, he's going to join us. Join me here on the podium, Miss, uh, Lydia
Zygoma,
who is from the UN? Uh uh,
population fund. Uh, regional director. Uh,
and she's addressing the situation of women
and girls and mi humanitarian situations in eastern
southern Africa. So, Miss
Gomo, thank you very much for joining us here.
Thank you. very much
good morning.
The East and southern Africa region is no stranger to adversity,
from climate disaster driven disasters to conflict and displacement.
Women and girls bear the brunt of these challenges.
They suffer disproportionately,
their vulnerabilities exacerbated by factors such as food insecurity,
inadequate access to clean water
and limited health services.
The aftershocks of the global pandemic have only intensified these hardships.
Currently, 65 million people are facing unprecedented challenges.
The 2023 to 2424 El Nino season,
which has brought mid mid season dry spell ex exceeding 50 days,
has led to record low rainfall across several areas,
including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Marking this period
as the driest of the last 40 years.
The prolonged conflict in northern
Mozambique has intensified since December 2023
leading to over 100,000 new displacements in
K, Kabo,
Delgado and
Nampula provinces.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced almost 700,000 people
into south Sudan,
including many returning refugees.
Thousands of others have been displaced into Chad,
Ethiopia,
Uganda and other neighbouring countries.
Despite relative C calm in northern Ethiopia,
The scars of prolonged conflict remain.
People in need of gender-based violence response increased
to 7.2 million,
up from 6.7 million in 2023.
Further 3.5 million people are in need of
S sexual and reproductive health services in 2024.
Despite increasing humanitarian needs,
funding is projected to fall by 40 to 50%
significantly challenging the humanitarian response capacity,
which was already low
at 38% in 2023.
In times of crisis,
the most fundamental rights of women and girls are often pushed to the back burner.
Driven from their homes by conflict and climate events,
they find themselves displaced
far from family planning clinics and national health care.
The risk of sexual violence soars and
unintended pregnancies become a harsh reality.
These are not mere statistics.
They represent the lives of our sisters, daughters and mothers.
Resilience lies within our grasp.
Today. I want to emphasise hope,
hope that stems from our collective efforts.
UN FP A alongside UN member states civil society,
including local actors and donors,
is committed to fulfilling rights and choices for all,
including during emergencies.
We must invest in rights based
integrated sexual and reproductive health services,
ensuring access even during crisis.
We need to amplify
the voices of women and girls, recognising their agency and leadership
and let us forge partnerships that transcend the borders.
Because disasters know no boundaries,
the current humanitarian situation poses significant challenges.
But it is also paved with possibility.
Together, we can turn escalating risks into opportunities for transformation,
including rebuilding and strengthening health systems.
Let us safeguard the well being of women and girls,
ensuring that they emerge stronger,
more resilient and ready to shape a brighter future for eastern Southern Africa.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Miss
Gomo.
Do we have questions? Uh, yes. Paula Dupraz of Geneva Solutions.
Pola?
Yes. Good morning. Um, I, uh, wanted to know a little bit. You said that, uh,
the number of people of women and girls in need of, um,
response, uh, to gender based violence,
uh, has risen to 7.2 million. Uh, which seems enormous. Um,
I was, uh, wondering how much of those numbers actually are receiving.
Um
uh, assistance. And,
uh, if you could detail also the types of, um,
issues impediments that you're facing in terms of funding.
Uh, for this, uh, going towards this specific, um, issue.
Thank you for the question.
indeed,
the the figure we mentioned of 7.2 million was for those
in need in for in terms of gender based violence,
um, responses in northern Ethiopia.
Uh, so it is definitely something that, um
we have to, um,
shine a light on that. This continues to be something that,
uh, needs attention
in terms of, uh, funding.
Um, as we said, the funding that is coming through falls far below what is required.
So we need to galvanise,
continued efforts, uh, to increase funding,
uh, for some of these, uh, types of crisis that are still happening,
uh, in north, in in eastern, southern Africa and in the Horn of Africa particularly,
the challenges that are faced besides the funding. Uh,
of course, uh, ensuring that access is is indeed possible to all those who I need, um,
and can actually, uh, be reached by services.
Um, the work that's going on is is A is a mixture of mobile clinics that are going out,
uh, with very courageous midwives and health professionals.
Uh,
you know, going into communities which are far and hard to reach To make sure that,
uh, these women in need of sexual and reproductive, uh, services get them.
But also those who are experiencing gender-based violence,
Um, are are, uh, are having the necessary services in terms of HIV
um, family planning,
uh, counselling, psychosocial support and everything that they require.
So I think we we cannot but stress that one of the
ways in which we need to work going forward
is how we make our health systems not just resilient,
but able to adapt
so that in times of crisis,
uh, no matter, no matter where women and girls are,
they can still access the the right type of service, even during a crisis
is challenging. But this is what we're trying to work towards.
Um, I think in general now, um, humanitarian access has improved.
But as I said, there are still pockets where it is still very,
very difficult to reach,
Um, because of the terrain,
because some of these issues,
particularly with respect to gender-based violence,
are very difficult for women and girls to come forward about
and and speak to someone about,
uh so we need to continue to raise awareness within communities.
Uh,
and amongst all stakeholders that these are issues
that they should shine a light upon so that
women and girls feel able to come forward to
speak to the lived realities that they're experiencing.
Thank you very much. Um,
Paula, you have a follow up?
Yes. Ashley, um, I. I wanted to know about, uh, whether
the, uh when it comes to to actual funding,
Um, whether you are, um,
receiving enough funding, um,
with regard to to, uh, this this crisis,
I think, um,
the the the real answer is no. We need, uh, definitely much more,
um, as UN FP a globally,
um, we have an appeal for $1.2
billion for 2024
linked to the numbers of needs we see, uh, across the globe,
including in eastern southern africa.
Um, I was just looking at what is the funding levels for that? And it's around 20%.
So we have to do much, much more as a global community
to respond.
Particularly in this, these types of situations where,
uh, climate
induced, uh, realities are something we can respond to. We can do something about,
um, And therefore, uh, these are windows of opportunity where we can turn the tide
in favour of, um,
ensuring that women and girls not only
receive the necessary ge gender-based violence responses,
uh, and prevention mechanisms, uh, being put in place,
but also in terms of their sexual and reproductive health needs.
Thank you very much. Uh, do we have further questions for Ms
Emo?
I don't see. That's the case you mentioned. Raising awareness.
Shedding a light indeed.
Thank you very much for doing that here and to you journalists,
for for doing just that.
Uh, very much. I appreciate it. This critical situation.
Thank you very much for joining us here.
OK, we're gonna stay on the continent of Africa.
We have, uh, Tarik who's online, who's been speaking with us on on Gaza.
But now we shift to the floods in East Africa, Eastern Africa, maybe tariki.
If you want to introduce,
uh, your guest over to you,
Um Thank you, Rolando.
So we would like to update you on the situation in
a in a great home of Africa we have with us.
Uh uh,
ms, uh, Elizabeth, uh, Albrecht
that, uh, you have already, uh, had opportunity to hear from, uh,
previously.
So she's, uh, calling, uh, dialling in from Nairobi, and, uh, she will give a update,
Uh, on the current situation, Uh, following the floods in parts of eastern Africa,
Uh, her notes will be sent to you, as as she speaks.
Uh, Elizabeth, over to you.
Thank you. Good morning, everybody.
Uh, so, yes, I'm, uh,
joining you today from Nairobi on behalf of the Great Horn of Africa
teams. So a region,
uh, which is indeed one of the most vulnerable to climate change.
And, uh, we've seen the signs. They've been clear, they've been quite alarming.
We see more erratic rainfalls, higher temperatures, soaring temperatures,
and then more floods and droughts.
And these extreme weather events,
as, uh,
Ms Lydia has just explained they happen against the backdrop
of a multitude of other threats and really very,
uh, complex, um, humanitarian contexts,
Um, in recent years, or just in the whole of Africa alone.
So we saw that longest historic drought ever.
And then that was immediately followed by, uh, floods.
And during the last quarter of last year, which were, um, induced by El Nino
and then um, just in the recent weeks and months, another, uh, crisis, uh,
appeared with more flooding,
uh, across, uh, the region, which, according to
OSHA at the end of May,
had affected 1.6 million people displaced almost half a million.
And, um,
as many as 528 lives were lost. And so I wanted to share with you today
what kind of, uh, rather devastating impact that has on people's health.
So, of course, it goes from the obvious immediate impact. Um, uh,
in
to the longer term impact, Uh uh,
causing, uh, mental health, Uh, distress,
Um, and you know, many other impacts, Uh, as as as Ms Lydia has highlighted.
So it's it's nice to come, uh, after her presentation.
Um, so one of the main, uh, risks is that, uh, floods lead to contaminated water,
inadequate sanitation facilities and that then, uh,
heightens the threat of cholera.
And so in this region, almost immediately in the days following the floods, we saw,
uh, cholera spiking in, um, Ethiopia In Somalia, where outbreaks were ongoing
and we saw cholera reappearing. So new outbreaks appearing in Uganda and in Kenya,
Kenya, where literally five weeks earlier, only they had
declared the previous outbreak under control.
That previous outbreak came after the flooding at the end of last year,
just to to to highlight how really these communities
that they have little or no time to recover.
And then the second main risk is, of course, the one because of the flood waters,
which are the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and
that then leads to more diseases that are vector borne
dengue, uh,
Rift Valley fever out here yellow fever, but also malaria. And so in Ethiopia, we are
really concerned with some of the highest numbers reported seen since uh, 2018.
I wish I could stop here,
but, uh, unfortunately, looking ahead,
more above average rainfall is being forecasted.
Uh, during the period June to September, which, uh will affect, uh, Djibouti,
Eritrea,
parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, much of Uganda, Sudan
and South Sudan. And actually, I wanted to bring to your attention in particular
the um imminent, uh, risk of severe flooding,
which might have catastrophic consequences in south Sudan.
That is as a combination not only of, uh, excessive rainfall,
but as well because of the water inflow from,
uh, Lake Victoria into the Nile. Uh, basin as we have seen that in in previous years.
Worst case scenarios that, uh, you know, um, the the old sectors are working with
in coordinate efforts. Um,
look at up to 2.5 to 3 million people who could possibly be, uh, impacted.
Uh, just as a reminder. South Sudan has extremely high hunger levels.
More than half of the population is in. Uh,
I PC three. So in crisis situation and
79,000 people, households are really facing catastrophic conditions.
Almost half a million
Children severely malnourished.
And so these are kids that are nine times as likely to die,
uh, from a combination of malnutrition and disease.
So what are we doing? Preparedness is our greatest asset, for sure.
At WHO, we have mapped all the health facilities in how
looked at how vulnerable they are to floods. We are prepositioning.
These, um, emergency, uh, supplies.
Uh, we are, um, strengthening our surveillance and, uh,
continue to work on preventing and treating malnutrition.
So, um,
again, as as as Lydia said, um,
we know what to do. We can We can do this.
Uh,
we also know that a strong health response before the
crisis during the crisis and after this crisis can really,
uh, prevent, uh, high levels of Mobi
mobidity. And actually, uh, we can avoid unnecessary,
uh, loss of life. What is needed definitely
is more funding.
Um, a collective approach, including the authorities, the communities,
the local leaders.
The time for action is now, and, um
and the stakes are very, very high. Thank you.
Thanks to you, Miss Albrecht.
Do we have questions for WHO?
No, I don't see that. We Sorry, I'm mistaken. Uh, Lisa Schlein, the Voice of America.
Lisa?
Yes, thank you. Uh, good morning.
I'd like to know
what sort of
precautions or actions can
individuals can People who are, uh,
who who are in the eye of the storm so-called take in order to protect themselves.
And I'm wondering whether
you are coordinating your actions that is prepositioning supplies and, uh,
perhaps strengthening the
the health systems that you have whether you're coordinating your actions
with other, uh uh, UN and nongovernmental agencies.
You mentioned the problems of hunger and all sorts of other
problems that, uh, most well that are already there,
but will become even more acute.
Thank you.
Thank you for the question.
So, yes, I think, actually,
it's it's it's It's quite a good example of what is happening in South Sudan.
So a national, uh, response preventers and response task force was activated.
So I think this is really where we are seeing that the co ordination is is really, uh,
happening.
Uh,
well, and so there is a call for more,
um, actors and NGO S to come also and and and sit at the same table.
It's together with the authorities. And then, like, now it's national.
Indeed.
It's going to be very important to work with the community leaders and to pass, uh,
these messages.
So,
uh, what? What is also being done For?
Sure, there's a lot of work going into strengthening, uh, the dykes.
But there are also going to be, um
um calls for, um, evacuation and for relocation.
Um, we, of course, from a health perspective,
uh, really important. Uh uh.
What we can do is take, um, preventive action.
So, you know, make sure that, uh, Children
are vaccinated that, um, Mannerist
Children are, um, identified early on,
so, you know severe malnutrition can can be avoided, but yes.
So that coordinations is happening.
Thank you again, Miss
Albrecht.
Do we have further questions for WHO?
I don't see. That's a case. So thank you so very much for joining us from Nairobi.
And, of course, Tarik, if you could share those notes,
that would be much appreciated.
OK, I think now we'll just turn to announcements.
Uh, David, if you want to join me on the podium in the meantime,
I'll turn to you. Claire of World Meteorological Organisation, who has
a short announcement for us. Claire, over to you.
Ok, um
thanks. So, thanks very much. And just to follow up on the previous, um
uh, speaking from the World Health Organisation, I put a link in the chat to the
latest seasonal outlook, Um, for the Greater Horn of Africa and indeed, you know,
with the risk of flooding, especially in, um, south south Sudan.
Uh,
the World Meteorological Organisation Executive Council
is taking place at the moment.
And
one of the items
One of the many items on the agenda is
how we can use, um forecasts and early warnings to support
anticipatory action by the humanitarian community, and there's actually, um,
an event taking place with our deputy secretary general. This lunchtime,
which will bring together the forecasters
plus representatives of the humanitarian regions
and former economists that were very prominent in the history of
will be,
will be celebrated further until the end of the year along the following weeks
months. So
I think that's, uh,
that's what is to be followed. Yeah, follow us until the end of the year.
Uh, and and if if I just may say I, I have taken a look at the material that that, uh,
trade developments put out and it's it's quite, uh,
quite impressive, really shows a very, um,
very pointed and thoughtful way the road map that's led from 1964 up to today,
which is a lot of very important material, which is on social media,
among other assets that you've made available.
So
there's a huge timeline in the Tempest that will stay,
I imagine a bit longer than after the three coming years coming days
so you can see the development of ideas and the engagement and
outcomes of the work done in
with member states.
Thank you. Uh, ok. Last two questions we need to wrap up soon.
Maya, you in brief and then John Zarak
Costa. Maya.
Yes, Thank you. My question is for Catherine,
Do you have numbers in terms of how many women work at which level
of the organisation in this 60 years if there is any change If,
uh, because I know most of the UN organisations from the very beginning,
the majority
of representatives of, uh, UN officials appointed at the PE and above level
were men.
So I would like to know if there is this number somewhere or
if you're going to put out a release on the history of gender
equality in
that
Thank
you.
My
second
question
for, um
it's for, um
David is David, Do you have something about, uh
uh also the economic impact of these conferences in Geneva?
You know, like art Basel,
Miami puts out AAA post mortem, usually saying how many people attended where they
are from and how much
they bought brought to the local economy, which is 40 million, I believe,
a few years ago.
So is that that that do you calculate the approximate number of, uh,
revenue that the city of Geneva uh, earns when these conferences come,
Uh, the both the vices and ITU for good. And then last question
is ITU for good.
And vices are going to be always overlapping because this was a bit, uh,
almost too much.
But
I would like to know if that's something you envisioning or
is just, um
let me let me just say this, uh, the schedule is one which is predictable,
and one which has been the case.
I mean, ILC meets every year, this time of year. The WH a meets this time of year.
The Council's meeting next year. You know, there's always gonna be a conflict.
And that's why we do what we do
to really help you. Uh, Maya,
But of course, we try to deconflict where we can,
but certain things are out of our hands.
But of course, we let you know well in advance.
Catherine, on the gender issue? Yes, thank you very much for the question
on gender. I don't have the numbers
at
the top of my head, but I will get back to you on that.
The situation has improved in many organisations,
and, um,
maybe we can underline that Rebecca Greenspan
is the first woman heading the organisation.
That's a sign of the improvement.
I'll get back to you with the figures.
Yeah, thank you.
And and and may I recognise that that's a It's a similar question to what you posed,
a number of weeks ago,
and as far as the impact of something that we can see if
we look into to see if that we have on file Otherwise,
it might just be something to refer you,
um, to colleagues elsewhere,
Uh, on the issue of scheduling.
Um, all I can say for the moment,
as I pleased we are that you are already looking forward to next year
and a I for good and,
uh, the
wi US forum. So,
uh, keep your eyes eyes open on that for announcements relative to scheduling.
Nothing to announce at the moment.
Super. Thanks very much. Um, to both Catherine and David. Oh, sorry. Daniel Caston.
John Zac
Costas.
Go ahead, John. Sorry about that.
Yes. Good morning. Uh, Catherine, it's a It's a logistical question.
Perhaps I didn't catch it. Right, But, um,
do we need a special badge? Uh,
and our UN A credited, uh badge for the Palais is, uh,
null and void for the
anted event.
Thank you, John. It will allow me to repeat how it's going to work for the opening.
You need a secondary badge. And as I told you on Friday, we don't have any space
for you. For any media
aside from the apart from the the
the media coming with the delegation. So I would encourage you to follow
online or to come to the room.
I understand it's maybe much comfortable for you to be on your computer.
It's not the case for the rest of the of the proceedings.
You can come whenever you want with your badge on the 13th and 14th of June.
Thank you, John. Is that related? Follow up. Uh, go ahead and
it's
It's a follow up to Ravi's question.
II. I gather the, uh, three former secretary generals were not invited.
Uh, are the press invited to the opening reception tomorrow evening or not?
I think you have to ask the Swiss, um, the Swiss, uh rep delegation because it's, uh,
it's, uh,
it's a reception, uh, organised by the the Swiss government.
thank you very much. I think, uh, Maya, let's let's continue.
Let's continue offline. I'm sorry, but we really need to.
I know there's a lot of questions. Katherine and David have been very comprehensive
in providing with lots of details. So let let me just, uh,
draw this to a close. Um,
and Oh, sorry, David. I
prematurely was gonna
cut you off there. You do have an additional point.
So go ahead and just make a quick announcement.
Um, that on Friday, 14 June ITU will host,
uh, the inaugural UN, uh, virtual Worlds Day at ITU headquarters,
and it and on, uh, Webcast.
The objective of the UN Virtual Worlds Day is
to highlight the transformative power of virtual worlds,
including the Metaverse.
To accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals,
the event will feature discussions on regulating virtual World's case
studies on how virtual worlds have addressed global challenges.
A session on safety, privacy and accountability in virtual worlds and more.
The full programme is available online.
The event is organised or co organised by ITU along with 17 other UN entities.
And there will also be a technology exhibition
on site.
Uh, access is possible. Accreditation is required
uh, to RSVP we we just ask you to send a note to press info at ITU.INT.
And we can, uh, facilitate that for you.
And we can also, if there are reporters who have more interest in this, we can.
We can certainly,
uh, line you up with an expert before Friday
to, uh, talk you through the event.
That's great. Thank you very much, David. Much appreciated.
Ok, um let's
OK, Maya, I am, uh, going to give you the floor again.
I think maybe this is connected to your previous brief,
which is the interest of everyone here.
So go ahead. Maya,
please.
Oh, yes. Thank you.
Uh, it's for Catherine regarding this event tomorrow, so we need to ask a new,
um um accreditation.
Uh, I. I wasn't very clear if you could repeat.
No, you don't need another accreditation. In fact, there is no space in the room, so
I would encourage you to follow online. We will have everything available live
and photos.
Statements will be shared with you as soon as they are,
Even before I think we're going to have the
statement and
statement available before
to be checked against delivery.
I'm sorry about that. This is how we have to.
Yeah, and maybe just to accommodate everybody.
Thank Thank you, Katherine. And and just, uh, in terms of the stakeout again.
As noted, Please do inform, you know, as a matter of priority,
we'll do what we can to accommodate you at the press stakeout around 3.
30 ish, I believe. Yes. I. I will have, um a special double budgets for you.
Uh, for those of you, uh,
telling me they want to come
in the limit and the limitation of
numbers we can accommodate. I will know that a little bit later today.
Thank you so much.
Ok, colleagues,
I appreciate there are a lot of questions on this logistics
and And II I really would suggest that we discuss this offline
because I know that this will lead to other questions. We again are doing what we can.
Um, I. I see that his hands are still up on this particular point.
But let's let's maybe end this aspect in this setting.
And then let's if I could indulge you, uh, to to wait,
and then we can We can address this after after this briefing
because I know that they're gonna be a lot of additional questions.
OK,
um, I do want to mention a couple of other, uh, SG, uh, travel plans.
Uh, as mentioned, he will be here all day tomorrow for these two events.
and then tomorrow he will travel to Southern Italy, uh, to attend the, uh,
the G7 leaders summit that takes place in
Apulia. As as you know,
and the SG will hold a number of bilateral meetings
with leaders there on the margins of the summit.
We'll make sure to share with you readouts of of those meetings. Um,
and I should mention that just prior to the G7,
the Secretary General will be in Bindi,
see
to take part in the ceremony to mark the
30th anniversary of the UN Global Service Centre,
which serves as our logistics hub.
Um
uh, for many operations, Um
in Brindisi,
Uh, which, uh, as you know,
plays a vital role for peacekeeping operations
and other UN activities around the world.
So that's the SGS plans.
Um, I just wanted to announce, uh,
I missed the opportunity to announce this in the context of our previous, uh,
encounter on Gaza But there is a,
uh, a gender alert from UN women which I wanted to share with you.
There's a so called gender alert report which is titled Voices of Strength.
Contributions of Palestinian Women led organisations
to the humanitarian response in the occupied Palestinian territory
Uh,
this was sent out yesterday from UN Women
and reveals the staggering challenges of women led organisations
um that women organisations are facing in the occupied Palestinian territory.
So do take a look at that which we shared with you.
Um, in terms of meetings here we have,
um the Conference on Disarmament today holding
a public meeting on the challenges of new
and emerging threats assessing the impact of emerging
technologies on international security and arms control efforts
That's taking place today. Um, it started just about an hour ago
and this Friday the Committee on Migrant
Rights Migrants' rights will end its ongoing session
uh at approximately 5.
30 this coming Friday at Pale Wilson and will issue
its final observations regarding the report submitted for Turkey,
Senegal and Congo
and lastly, on behalf of the World Trade Organisation,
I've been asked to note that registration to attend a
WTO S ninth Global review of aid for trade at
the WTO here in Geneva has been extended until the 14th
of June. If my
estimation is correct, that is Friday.
Uh, the event will take place, uh,
from 26 to 28 June under the
theme of mainstreaming trade into development strategies
with a special focus, uh, to be given on food security,
digital connectivity and transition to a greener economy.
And the event,
will be opened by the WTO Director General and OECD
Secretary General and the Minister of foreign affairs for Barbados.
Um, So, um,
do take note of that, um, if you are
interested, contact Carletta zt
of WTO. I think you have her contacts.
I believe that's all I have. So
OK, I see a few hands still up.
OK, I suppose this is in connection with our housekeeping and logistics. So
I'm in a very good mood today, so I'm happy to take a few more questions on this,
and it's important.
No, I'm not kidding aside, this is a very important, uh,
matter for you, and we're doing what we can, but I anticipate that this is,
uh, about the logistic
logistical arrangement for tomorrow. So
Maya, Catherine and John in that order. Go ahead, Maya, please.
Ok, um,
the
meeting
was
abruptly ended. OK,
so,
Rolando, I cut the meeting.
OK, fair enough. I thought it was finished. Very sorry.
That's OK.
All right. Uh, it is so decided. Um, see you on Friday.
The
phones
are open.