Welcome to this press briefing for today, Friday, the 23rd of August.
We're going to dive straight in today.
I think you've all received the the run of show as it were.
Since we have a number of people connecting remotely, I would like to begin right away with an announcement from UNDP.
We have the Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahuna Itziankova, connecting to with us from Japan, and she has some words to say about the I'm Sahel campaign.
Miss Itziankova, the floor is yours.
Thank you so much, Kelly, and I hope you can all hear me.
Um, I really want to thank you for the.
Opportunity to announce this exciting campaign.
To all of you called I am for ****, why I am Sahel.
You know, this is a region that we as UNDP have been working in for years.
And in recent times, we've had a lot of reflection and consultations around why we are making little headway in this region despite enormous investments and I think.
Us and it is that for the most part, the lens through which we look at Sahel has been through the crisis lens rather than the opportunity lens.
An offer which we call regeneration of the Sahel because we realise that the world talks about the Sahel without actually seeing the sahelians and I am Sahel campaign it's about a number of things is switching this lens with which we.
But and seeing the people, when we did that, we started to see something different.
Not a wasteland, but a land.
Full of riches, seeing people.
Full of colour, of creativity, of.
Resilience, youth vibrancy, we see talent, innovation and we thought really if the.
View the Sahel from this lens and not just put the Sahel on the menu but have Sahelians at the table.
We could do a lot more and have much more impact.
Is introducing the world.
To this Sahel, to this Sahelians, that they probably have never.
Met those who are innovators.
Those who are creatives, musicians, fashion designers, film makers, the intellectuals.
The researchers, the educators, the.
A region with people who have what it takes to regenerate that region.
Let us bring them to tell their story.
Them and their agency, rather.
Than diminish that agency by the way we portray the region.
So hopefully after today you will not be hearing from myself on the Sahel.
But you will see more and more.
The faces and hear the voices of the.
Sahelians, as they tell their.
Story and also share how they intend to drive the region forward and to invest in its regeneration and UNDP is working with of several partners and actors in the region to really mobilise around.
This campaign and tell a.
Different story, a different narrative of the Sahelians, because that's what's going to help them overcome the numerous challenges that are also in that.
So that's our entry point.
Campaign and we are inviting you really to join us in.
That resilient, that colourful, that rich heritage, cultural heritage, that innovative Sahel and and help drive a new narrative that can help this region exit from its own vulnerabilities.
We have our colleague in Geneva with you there who can follow up with if you have any follow up questions.
They can tell tell you more.
About the campaign, thank you.
Thank you very much, Miss Yakonva.
It's great to start this briefing on a positive note.
It it's obviously an upbeat and positive campaign that you're leading.
As mentioned, Sarah Bell is here also and available to ask any questions.
Thank you very much, Maya Sharif for Kyodo News Japan.
I just wanted to ask you why.
Japan, are you also starting to lodge this campaign in Japan and do you have some?
Events to organise there.
I think if you're unmuted, go ahead, yeah.
Yes, sorry, I'm actually.
Attend the ministerial meeting of the Tokyo International Conference for Africa's Development ticket.
And of course, while we're here, we.
Will be talking about young.
People among them Sahelian youth as well.
There will be a big focus on on youth and innovation and startups.
Have in the Africa Union.
Model Africa Union here, which is also focusing on that recognition that Africa is very.
Young and investing in that.
Youth, energy and talent is what's going to.
We have an initiative called Timbuktu, which happens to derive from a Sahelian city.
Where we're looking at from?
Future again recognising that rich heritage.
The birth place of commerce, of knowledge of of of creativity and how that fuels young people's motivation to.
Take control of their own destiny.
So while a Japan meeting is not specifically on the Sahel, we will be exploring some of these themes in the next few days at this meeting.
Let me see if there are any other questions on this.
I'm looking online in the room, not at present.
Like I said, I would like to thank you very much for taking the time.
Madam Assistant Secretary General and Sarah Bell is available and as your point of contact here in Geneva for any further information about the IM Sahel campaign.
We're going to move on now to a topic that many of you have been covering and continue to follow.
Worrisome situation in Sudan.
We have two guests who are joining us today from Port Sudan.
We have Doctor Shibli Sabani, the WTO representative in Sudan, and Christine Hombrook.
UNHCR representative in Sudan, Doctor Sabani I I would give the floor to you to set the scene, please.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen from Port Sudan.
So I'm happy to be here with my colleague Christine from UNHCR to have a briefing.
I joined the briefing WH to UNHCR about the cholera situation in in Sudan.
So let me start with giving you a few figures.
As you know the the first wave of the polera ended last last May with more than 11,300 cases and over 300 deaths.
And now we are witnessing a second wave of cholera that was declared on the 12th of August.
Officially, the first case was reported on the 22nd of July and it was officially declared 812 of August.
So until now, until yesterday, the 22nd of August, we've reported 658 cases with 28 deaths.
This give us a case fertility ratio of 4.3% which is quite **** comparing to other settings.
This is due of course to many, many things including the broken health system and the capacity to respond.
That said, of course, WHO with its partners are working to address the cholera in the country in many ways.
The first one is to address the causes like the water, sanitation and hygiene.
As you know, cholera is a water borne disease and to be able to adjust it, we need to address the WASH system.
The 2nd 10 of course is vaccine and here I have good news is that after we used the 51,000 doses of vaccines and we rolled out the, the vaccine campaign that's concluded yesterday.
Now we had approval from the ICG, the the international coordinating group for vaccine allocation.
We had the approval of additional 455,000 doses that will be brought into the country and to be used to to address the cholera, the cholera issue.
In addition to that, of course, we are working on the early warning and alert system, the treatment, the cholera treatment centres, stabilisation centres and rehydration centre.
Now I want also to put all this in a context that Sudan is facing so many outbreaks.
In addition to cholera, we have measles, dengue fever, malaria suspicious.
So all this this outbreaks has to be addressed.
And here I want also to call the international community for the support to roll multi antigen campaigns in many places.
And now we are planning for a big multi antigen campaign in the in the in the Darfur's and and also we need to to strengthen our early and warning system to make sure that we don't have other outbreaks in, in the coming.
And here to conclude to highlight again that we are now in August, the humanitarian appeal is from the 30%, the same for the health sector.
And this is really worrying if we want to address the health needs in the country.
Ready for your questions.
With your agreement, perhaps we'll we'll hear from Ms Hambrook next and then we'll take questions from from the floor and online.
Ms Hambrook, the floor is yours.
No, thank you very much and good morning.
As mentioned by Doctor Shible, Sudan is facing a new wave of of cholera.
Refugee areas have also been affected.
Quite large numbers of cholera cases in Kasala kasala is an important area for us most a large number of refugees, but also internally displaced so far we have.
19 cholera cases in three refugee sites in Casala and five refugees have passed away regretfully of the disease.
It doesn't really come as a surprise, as Doctor Shibla said, I mean, cholera.
Endemic to Sudan, but also because of the recent floods, especially in Casala, we have.
Seen a huge increase of of water borne diseases from the UNHCR side of.
Course, together with WHO, who is leading the response and and with other partners, we are trying to scale up our prevention, our response to the community outreach, the cholera treatment centres, assistance being provided to the Ministry of Health.
Wherever they are available.
To make sure that the required capacity is there, but the challenges are huge.
I think as, as you know, the situation in Sudan, we are not, we are not facing a Polaroid crisis in a, in a stable health and and environment.
We are facing a Polaroid crisis in a situation.
Systems are extremely weak.
Where humanitarians are facing extreme challenges, not only of of of of Polaroid but of other diseases, but also very much of the crisis, the conflict that is there that is hampering access.
So far, Kassala and Gidaris are areas where we can easily access the populations.
That we are extremely alert.
'S where we also have seen flooding, flooding and where we have large displaced communities as well.
So the work together with WHO, the Ministry of Health is ongoing, but it will require significant investments to make sure that the.
Systems are in place that we are able.
To invest in the water sanitation systems you can imagine.
Refugee camps, displace camps are are are sites where people live on top of each other.
Hugely overcrowded with the movements.
Of of Sudanese also and also refugees from Khartoum, from wild Medani, from the Darfus to the east to get out of Pasala.
All these areas have become.
Hugely overcrowded the water.
Systems that were in place do not have the capacity to respond and really.
So it is something that I think we have to address jointly, all agencies together with the government together.
With all parties making sure.
That the agencies, NGOs have access to areas that are in need of of support from the UNHCR side of.
The border we have seen large refugee.
Movements towards charts towards South Sudan we also have seen towards.
These are also countries.
Especially child in South Sudan, we are, we are currently facing the same.
We are facing floods, we are facing populations that live in our crowded sites with very little support and also their investments are needed to make sure that we get the possible disease outbreaks under control as doctor.
Is is has already unread to us.
I think the funding levels are extremely challenging and will not allow us to address all the needs both in Sudan as well as across the border.
So this, this is really it.
It really requires an international effort to make sure that we can stabilise.
At least this other situation.
I should mention perhaps also that in addition to our guests from Port Sudan, we also have Tarek online from WHO and and Olga here in the room for so Tarek for WHO, Olga for UNHCR.
In case there are questions, I see one from Lisa Schlein.
If you don't mind just saying who your question is addressed to, Go ahead, Lisa.
Question for both of the.
I'll, I'll start with The Who.
These questions, I suppose I'll just.
From the warring parties to have your vaccine campaign.
Without any kind of interference from them.
In other words, you're going to be able.
Who are likely to be infected with?
Let's see WHO you say that you've only received 30.
Percent of the money that you need.
How much money do you need?
How many states currently are affected by?
Cholera and Are you concerned?
Do you fear that it is likely to?
Spread and if you don't have the money for early warning systems and surveillance and so.
Forth Will Could you really have a huge cholera?
Yeah, same question for UNHCR, you say?
You need significant investment in terms of money.
How much is that and do you?
Really believe that you're able.
To generate this kind of money when there have been so many campaigns for Sudan and unfortunately it has been neglected and the money has not been forthcoming.
Better health for the people.
Question for you, in HCR, are there currently outbreaks?
Of cholera in the neighbouring countries that you mentioned you.
Were talking about cholera inside.
Sudan, but what is the situation outside and are there measures being taken by the countries there in order to prevent cholera from spreading?
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Dr Sabani, perhaps we'll start with you, then go ahead.
Thank you very much, Lisa, for this very, very valid questions.
Let me address them one by one.
With regards to access, you are right.
It's really challenging in the context of Sudan to deploy the technical teams, but also to send supplies and also to access certain areas where we have to do our surveillance and the response.
The different parties mentioned in many for us that they will be facilitating the process.
We had good signs in during the last period and here I want to welcome the decision of opening the other a crossing point between child and and and Sudan.
I hope that this will be kept open to allow us to assist the the Darfur's but also part of the corridor fans through post border operations from chat but also to access other other areas.
Even with this goodwill on the ground, we are still facing some some obstacles and some challenges, either because there is a miscommunication between the decision makers and those who are on the field or because there are other other issues.
Of course, this is in addition to other other challenges due to floods and the the quality of the roads.
With regards to funding, yes, the the overall appeal is funded up to 1/3.
Now the health sector is funded to almost 4547% for for WHO we were asking for 85.7 million point 6,000,000 and what we got now is almost the third of what we are we need as you rightly mentioned, if we don't have the money that we need for sure we will not be able to strengthen our E war system, early warning and alert and response system.
And also we will not be able to respond to only as I said before, we have polar but we have other issues, other outbreaks.
We have the medical complications of malnutrition, wounded people, non communicable diseases.
And here I want to highlight this part which is not really addressed by most of our partners.
So the needs, the needs are huge.
The funding is not up to our expectations.
And as I said, we are already in August.
So having only the third of our ask will not allow us to do what we are supposed to do.
Now with with regards to the states, actually there are five states which are impacted by cholera, namely Hartum, Jazeera River, Nile, Casala and the and the Gadarif Casala being the most impacted state.
And as my friend that colleague Christine mentioned, Casala is hosting a large number of population, displaced population and the refugees and this crowded the the this this movement of population, additional movement of population has put a burden on the health system from one side.
So the health system is not able to Pope with the additional additional influx of refugees and IDPS.
But in addition to that, it puts a big burden on the on the wash system, the water sanitation and hydrogen system.
So these two parts make the the situation more complicated and in favour of the spread of of the cholera.
So again here I want just to 1st to commend the great work that is being done by the front liners and by different partners, but also to ask our partners to to work together to be able to address and to contain this, this outbreak.
I hope I answered all your questions that.
Over to Christine Hambrook.
We've got a couple more questions already, so just if you don't mind keeping your answers relatively concise.
No, and I think Doctor Shipley.
On the G side in neighbouring countries, so far we have no reported.
Countries, but the surveillance systems are being strengthened together with WHO.
We pick up immediately in case of of of outbreaks on the funding.
It's an extreme challenge.
Say that we cannot say that we have been neglected.
I think there has there have been some very steady and and generous donor contributions that have been coming in and I think we must thank these dollars for it.
Some of them have given us.
Very earmarked funding, which is also helpful.
In this, but then of course the ones that are giving us envelopes that we can use and we can adjust the depending on the requirements, those are the ones we need that we need and and we have some donors.
That support to us and that help us to respond in situations like this because as was mentioned by Doctor Shibley, I think the needs are are huge in Sudan.
We are talking people dying of hunger.
We have protection issues.
Displacement on a daily basis.
The needs are just huge and this is just.
11 on top of all the other ones that we somehow.
Have to re prioritise and make sure that investments are being made so.
I think what is important for us is to have discussions like this, but also that we provide the evidence and with the.
Surveillance mechanisms and.
For cholera, but also for other diseases, but also for other, all the other critical issues that we face.
Is to bring out as much data as much.
Reporting and have conversations with those who can help us.
Of course the only the best solution would be for the fighting to stop.
I think that would help us all and that we would have access that people that people could stabilise.
So I think funding is required, but especially I think these engagements in in the negotiations are extremely important when it comes to an.
And all guys in the room.
Can give you the details.
Question online for from Geneva Solutions, Michelle Longo.
My question is to the to both speakers, but also if if Jens could perhaps I think he's.
Could perhaps also provide insight, but could you give us an update about the aid that has been able to go through the the other?
Crossing since it since it.
Opened and to what extent is this sufficient or insufficient in terms of of the the speed that it is going through?
And you know, Doctor, Doctor Sabani has already spoken to some of the challenges.
That they're facing in terms.
Of the roads, but what about the warring parties and how this, you know, control or unhindered passage of the of the humanitarian aid?
How is that situation been?
Thank you for the question.
We do indeed have Yens here from Ocha.
So perhaps we'll we'll give him the floor first.
Excuse me and thanks for the question.
What I do have the United.
Nations and our partners.
Continue to engage with the Sudanese authorities to ensure that.
Sustained and scaled up delivery.
Of supplies into Sudan this is crucial to meet people's.
At the height of the rainy season, which is also the height of the.
The 15 trucks that crossed.
Chad via the ADRA crossing this week were a step in the right direction, however.
Fighting the deepening hunger crisis.
Sure that aid trucks can continue to cross.
There and secure a steady.
Flow of food, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene and medical emergency.
In more than a dozen areas at risk of famine.
Some of these supplies are also are seeds for.
Because they need to plant.
Before the race rainy season ends, boosting food production in Sudan is one of the most.
Effective ways to address the.
Crisis which is only worsening.
After more than 16 months of.
Thank you very much, Jens.
I don't know whether our guests online have something they want to add to this.
No, if, if not, then we've got I think two more questions.
We've got Agence France Press and Kyoto News, in that order.
Initial question to WHO, then a follow up to to Jens on what you just said on WHO, what can you tell us more on the campaign of vaccinations the the for the second wave that you you plan?
When do you think this campaign will begin?
People are targeted, where are the doses and if you think they're outside Sudan, if you think that they will?
Enter easily in the country.
Give us more information on that.
And then the the question to to Jens on the trucks.
So you mentioned those 15 trucks this weekend, I think it was Tuesday evening.
If you could explain why more?
Crossed the Adre crossing if they're waiting and what are you?
Give us more explanation of of why it's only 15 so far.
Yes, Why don't you go first?
15 I believe that the there were approval.
There there are several issues.
Of course we need the the.
Approvals, but there's also the addition, as I mentioned, the rainy season that that's another complication.
They get stuck in mud and so on and so.
Important thing of course is.
And I think that it's almost inevitable in a situation.
Like this that we will see an initial announcement of yes, there's an opening we need.
A lot go in and then there's logistics kicks in.
And what is actually feasible.
So I think we will seek some kind of a Start, Stop, Start, Stop.
With the clear intention, because the needs are enormous, to get as much in.
Thank you, Doctor Shabani.
Yes, thank you very much.
So with on the regards to the vaccination, as I mentioned, the vaccination campaign already started and we used the 51,000 doses that were already in the country.
So the vaccination in Castle Estates concluded yesterday.
So we were aiming to reach the 97% of the target population.
Now the good news as I mentioned is that we got the approval of getting additional 455,000 doses of cholera vaccine.
So this is the good news in the middle of this horrible crisis to to get the supplies.
I think it will be easier because the the most impacted states, as already mentioned, Casala with 473 cases and the Gadarif with 110 cases, both of them they are reachable directly from Port Suda.
So it will be easier to send the the vaccines to continue the vaccination campaign.
If we are able to give one dose, we will have a protection of up to six months.
If we are able to give two doses per target population, we can have a protection for up to three years.
So this is really a good news that can will help us to contain the outbreak.
But of course we need also to contain to continue with the other parts like the the early warning and alert system and to address the wash issues, water, sanitation and hygiene issues.
So I hope I addressed your question.
Thank you very much for taking my question.
Also for WHOI would like.
To know among these 455,000 doses, new doses from like they're coming from which donor and can you, can you tell us like which country is helping you the most?
It could be of about like donation of vaccines or also about funding.
Thank you for your question.
Actually there is this international coordination group on vaccine allocation, which is kind of a mechanism where we have pool funds different, different donors can contribute to that, to the vaccines.
And there is a committee that agrees on sending or approves the the allocation of vaccines to different countries according to the request and according to the situation.
It was approved yesterday.
Now with regards to the donors who are helping here, I don't want to list all of them because I may miss one of them.
But I can tell you that we have range of donors, development but also humanitarian.
The good thing is that the development partners, they show the certain flexibility to allow us to respond to the immediate needs while we are building the the health system and they want really here to thank all our donors who supported us.
We noted the interest from many donors during the last period.
We have few things in the pipeline that may help us to address the needs and I hope it will materialise in the in the very near future.
Still still polling for for other donors, either humanitarian or development, to continue their support to WHO and to the health sector in general over.
As I look to see whether any more questions either in room or in line, I want to thank WHO for sending Doctor Sabani's briefing notes.
I would invite OHUNHCR and Ocha perhaps do the same.
Our journalists here greatly appreciate those in writing.
I do not at present see any additional questions, so I'd like to thank you very much all for your time And and both Tarek and Olga are available for follow up for their respective agencies.
At this point, I would like to invite our friends from the IFRC to come up.
You know that they briefed on Tuesday on mpox and we've got a follow up to to that briefing today with Gwen Emer who is I first see senior officer in for public health emergencies and Tomas is joining her here.
I don't know if you want to say a few words to begin or if you want to go straight into it when.
I'd like to begin with the story of Ellen Moola.
A Red Cross volunteer from.
Bandaka in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Who I first met during an Ebola.
Outbreak Ellen didn't always.
Imagine herself as a frontline responder, in fact.
She was initially afraid to.
Through its work with Safe and.
Dignified burials and Ebola.
And she feared the danger, the uncertainty and the disease itself.
But reassured by other volunteers, she started to help.
Six years later, the Red Cross is a big part of who she is and as the mpox epidemic.
Spreads through her community.
Front line of the response.
Through her neighbourhood speaking to families about mpox, she reassures.
Them that the disease can be treated and that misinformation shouldn't stop them from seeking help.
In communities like Bandaca, volunteers like Elaine are often the first line of defence.
Again, this against this epidemic and they are the ones who are trusted by their neighbours to not not only offer.
Hope but information and clear.
Action Aylan's story is 1 of countless.
Others across the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond and the I foresee and our networks national societies have been.
Preparing for moments like this for many years, but the scale of this outbreak is testing our limits.
And we need them urgently.
This is why we've launched an emergency appeal for 40 million Swiss francs the funds.
Raised are critical to helping a scale up our response.
Things like community based surveillance.
Promotion efforts and provide psychosocial and material support to.
Families that are affected by this virus.
We must also ensure that Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers.
They need to continue their life saving work.
The money will be used in countries with active.
Outbreaks like the DRC and Burundi.
Countries in Africa that already have imported cases.
Used to prepare and to respond.
Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies at risk will be.
Supported to prepare to respond to the current M pox epidemic.
Those with active outbreaks will be supported to deliver targeted interventions to strengthen.
Surveillance support people with M.
Pox identify Contacts provide.
Psychosocial and material.
Support to M pox patients.
And their families and to reach **** risk.
Populations that often cannot be reached through traditional actors.
Now our response is also.
About the future building.
Long term resilience in communities across Africa.
Access to vaccines and supportive.
Testing and addressing the ongoing.
Stigma that surrounds this disease.
M pox disproportionately affects.
The most marginalised and vulnerable, then the IFRC and its.
With four million community volunteers.
Across Africa are uniquely positioned to help.
However, we can't do this alone.
We need international solidarity and.
Million Swiss francs that.
Were asking for will go towards immediate life saving activities.
And laying the groundwork for long term recovery.
Overall, it will aim to assist.
We are committed to working alongside governments, partners and local communities to ensure that the most vulnerable.
Are not left behind in the response.
To this epidemic, people like our volunteer.
Are on the front line, but anyone can who.
Contributes to our appeal.
And we're asking you today.
To help let people know about it.
The floor is open for questions for Gwen, if there are any.
I don't think so at the moment.
So I would like to thank you perhaps if you stay around and for a little while and see if perhaps the people will want to speak to you after the briefing.
You have something to add?
Just to add that we will also share a press.
Release on our emergency appeal by I think lunchtime and you will have it in your e-mail.
Let me let's move on to to WMO.
Claire Nollis is online and she has an important announcement for us.
Yes, sorry, sorry, I have a question.
So I'm sorry to interrupt you.
I see a question from the floor.
Tarek OK, All right, let's take that quickly.
Tarek, if you're still with us.
Mohammed from Honolulu Tariq is WHO you explain the difference in transmission between mpox and COVID-19.
Clearly, you stressed also spread of mpox cases is easier to control.
However, there are some rising fears about the views around the world.
Do you see any reason to to be concerned about the various thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Mohammed.
There is a There is obviously a reason to be concerned, and This is why WHO?
Has declared that this surge.
In cases of inbox as global health emergency.
So so there is a there is a clearly a concern that this virus and this new plate of the virus that it's spreading fast would affect more and more people.
And This is why the urgent action is needed.
Indeed, what we know about M boxes that is being transmitted to a close skin to skin contact.
But again, there is a new clade.
We have to understand better the transmission mode.
We need really to be on alert for new cases.
We need to understand the evolution of the virus.
So, so the the the message is that we are concerned that this is something that countries should be ready to.
If it comes to their territory, but also we know that basic public health measures like making sure to know where the virus is, who is infected, making sure that person who is infected does not infect someone else can break the transmission chains.
Tarek Mohammed, if that answers your question, should absolutely all be concerned about IMPOX as we should with the state of the global climate, which Claire Nellis is going to talk to us about.
OK, Yes, it's actually not the state of the global climate, it's the state of the climate in the Southwest Pacific, which is actually a pretty considerable, considerable part of the the globe.
The World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Celeste.
Salo is today travelling to.
The Southwest Pacific Islands Forum, where she will join UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the at the weekend.
On Monday, the World Meteorological Organisation will be releasing the State of the Climate in the Southwest Pacific 2023 report at a press conference with Mr Good Gutierrez in the capital of Tonga.
During the during the forum, there will be a sort of heavy emphasis at the.
Sea level rise on ocean heat content on sea surface temperatures, because obviously, you know, these are.
Increasingly devastating impact on the Pacific islands.
We will send you the press release and embargoed material hopefully later today.
The embargo is for 11 AM.
Tuesday the 27th, which which is sort of midnight Geneva time on, well, midnight, you know, Monday slash Tuesday, Tuesday.
You that Andrew Embargo I understand that you know, sent out an information information note correspondence about Mr Gutierrez and about a background briefing which will be given ahead of time by the by Mr Selwyn Hart so.
Details on that, please, please, please ask Michele.
But certainly from, you know, from our perspective as Celeste Salo, Salo will.
Joining Mr Guterres at the press conference, in addition to launching the State of the Climate in the Southwest Pacific report, Professor Salo will also be doing having quite a few activities connected with the early warnings for All campaign.
As we all know, Pacific islands are on the front line of climate change.
They are extremely vulnerable to impacts related to to sea level rise, storm surge, flooding and early warnings literally are a lifetime lifeline.
They they make a difference between life and death.
Will be, you know, engaging in a number of activities.
Local institutions in Tonga, you know, to highlight the need and the efficacy of early warnings.
So at risk of repeating some of the information, let me just give you some some background and some it's also so that you can, those who who want and those who are interested can connect at 3:00 PM Geneva time today to the background briefing.
So as you know, the Secretary General is currently visiting Samoa and then the Kingdom of Tonga where he will participate in the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.
He will make various site visits to engage with local communities and civil society representatives, including young people, where he will emphasise the impacts of sea level rise in the region and beyond.
So there will be this press conference with the World Meteorological Organisation in Tonga.
It's Tuesday, 27th, 11:00 AM local time.
The UN Secretary General is going to highlight the present day impacts and future projections of sea level rise, including coastal coastal flooding at the global and regional level, including for major coastal cities in the G20 and Pacific small island developing states.
There's a technical brief providing a summary of the latest science and sea level rise.
It's going to be published on the UN Climate Action site at the time of the press conference.
And ahead of this press conference, interested accredited journalists are invited to join a background briefing with UN Assistant Secretary General Selwyn Hart, the secretary general special advisor on climate action.
This is today, 3:00 PM Geneva time.
And you need to RSVP to Martina Donlon.
There's a link that I think that was sent to you in the e-mail that you received.
I've got, I've got a number of other announcements to make, important ones, which unless there are questions for Claire, I don't see any.
Claire, if you don't mind, perhaps you'll stay connected for a little while in case something comes up.
But we have on Monday, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland is organising A stakeout that's behind room 20.
It's at noon, 12 noon on Monday.
We have the, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignacio Inyatu Cassis, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation of Sierra Leone, Timothy Kaba, who will be, you know, speaking to the press following the visit of UN Security Council members to the United Nations in Geneva.
So there's a, there's a special visit of UN Security Council members in Geneva.
It's, it's connected with the with a debate that will be held in room 18 to which you're also welcome at 10:30.
And it's on the importance of the Geneva Conventions.
So this is something that is organised by the host country, Switzerland, of course, as members of the Security Council and by Sierra Leone who currently have the presidency of the Security Council.
So you're, you're all invited.
The accredited journalists have access to to Room 18 as they would for any public meeting.
On Tuesday the 27th of August, there's a virtual press conference hosted by WIPO for their launch of science and technology clusters.
Re release excerpt from the Global Innovation Index 2024.
The director general of Waipa will be there, Darren Tang as well, the chief economist Kostin Fink also on Tuesday.
So that's at 8:15 early wake up for for journalists.
And Tuesday 9:45 there's a hybrid a press conference here in this room.
It's the office of the UN Secretary General's envoy for technology and it's about the global artificial intelligence governance recommendations by the the secretary general's **** level advisory body.
So the speakers there will include the Carmen Artigas, the Co chair of the each lab on AI, former Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence of Spain, Latifah Al Abdul Karim, member of the Shura Council of the Saudi Parliament, and Sadina Mussandiya, lecturer at Sheikh Hamid U Khan at Digital University in Senegal.
Meetings update as well for today.
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is going to conclude this 113th session today at 4:00 PM and issue it's concluding observations.
You've got the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that is today reviewing the report of Denmark.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is going to open next Monday morning at 10 AM, and we'll review the reports of Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Mexico, Argentina, Israel and Armenia until the 5th of September.
And the next date of the public plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament will be announced at a later stage.
Yes, it's a question of one of the events you mentioned, the one concerning the global AI governance recommendations by this advisory body.
I don't know this body, but I understand they are based in New York, if that's right.
And what can you tell us about those recommendations?
Are they going to be published here in Geneva?
Should we expect a report or was it already?
Published before and they would present it as well in Geneva, if you could give us indications about that.
Look, I don't, I don't have a lot of information about that.
And, and, you know, obviously the, the press conference, I think will be a chance for you to ask those questions.
As I understand it, yes, the work is being done out of New York, but it's a global body.
So I, I imagine people are also working remotely.
I don't know that there's going to be launch in Geneva necessarily, but they, you know, a number of people will be here in Geneva on, on next week.
So it's a good opportunity for you to, to, to talk to them and to ask those questions.
And if I find out more in the meanwhile, I'll I'll be sure to let you know.
If there are no further questions then bon appetit and have a great afternoon and weekend.
