United Nations Daily Highlights, 09-08-13

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

UN

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

During August, the Spokesperson's noon briefings will take place on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's.

Developments within the UN system will be posted on the website daily during this time.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN OVER AUNG SAN SUU KYI VERDICT

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their statements of 11 October 2007, 2 May 2008 and 22 May 2009 on Myanmar, and reiterate the importance of the release of all political prisoners. In this context, the members of the Security Council express serious concern at the conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and its political impact.

The members of the Security Council note the decision of the Government of Myanmar to reduce Daw Aung San Suu Kyis sentence and urge the Government of Myanmar to take further measures to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the good offices role of the Secretary-General.

The members of the Security Council affirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar, and in that context, reiterate that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS ASIAS ROLE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today delivered the keynote

speech at the Jeju Peace Forum, which was held on the Republic of Koreas Jeju Island.

In his remarks, he said there is no doubt that Asia is vital in shaping our new world. But, he added, for Asia to fully realize its tremendous economic and political potential, for Asia to take its rightful place on the global stage, it must build strength from within.

Acknowledging such factors as unresolved territorial disputes and disparities in economic development, the Secretary-General nonetheless stressed that all Asians are part of a very special family -- a community drawing strength from a common history, values and traditions. This is a foundation to build on, and we must leverage this tremendous strength for the global good, he said.

Also in his speech, the Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. He added that we must work together -- and work creatively­-- to put the six-party talks back on track. If successful, he said, the six-party process could pave the way toward a broader multilateral security framework in North East Asia.

Referring to Typhoon Morakot, which recently left as many as nine million people homeless in China and Taiwan, he said that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have the skills, technologies and financial resources to help the region reduce disaster risk.

While on Jeju Island today, the Secretary-General also visited the

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, which are included on the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

UNICEF FORCED TO POSTPONE AID DELIVERY TO ACUTELY MALNOURISHED SOMALI CHILDREN

Due to increased hostility towards aid organizations in Somalia, UNICEF has today postponed the dispatch of hundreds of tons of life-saving nutritional supplies meant for the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition in over 85,000 Somali children.

The delayed dispatch in certain areas in the central and southern regions of Somalia also affected the distribution of malaria prevention bed-nets to more than 100,000 women and children. In areas where security assurances are provided, UNICEF continues to deliver its humanitarian supplies and programmes.

We need concrete assurances from local authorities for the safe delivery and storage of supplies to ensure that we can carry out programmes for the survival of Somali children and women, said Ms Rozanne Chorlton, UNICEF Representative to Somalia.

UNICEFs compound in Jowhar (Central Somalia) - the main hub for its programme operations in Central South Somalia - was taken over on 17 May 2009 and large volumes of life-saving humanitarian supplies and communications equipment were destroyed or looted.

The UN refugee agency reports that hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia have been forced to leave their homes due to ongoing conflict, and the flight to safety often leaves families separated.

Since May, the conflict in Somalia's capital between government forces and the Al Shabaab militia has forced nearly 227,000 people to flee their homes. UNHCR estimates that of those, 61,500 have fled to settlements in Afgooye. Many say they are determined to cross the border into Kenya or join the thousands who have paid human traffickers to take them across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article