United Nations Daily Highlights, 10-05-11

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY MARTIN NESIRKY

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MIDDLE EAST QUARTET WELCOMES FIRST ROUND OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PROXIMITY TALKS

The Quartet welcomes the first round of proximity talks between

Israelis and Palestinians.

These talks are a significant step toward direct, bilateral negotiations and comprehensive peace in the

Middle East based on the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors.

The Quartet calls on the parties to pursue these talks in good faith and offers its support for their efforts.

The Quartet calls on all concerned to promote an atmosphere conducive to the talks and to act on the basis of previous agreements and obligations.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN IRAQ

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly

condemns the wave of terrorist bombings and other attacks in

Iraq yesterday that reportedly claimed the lives of over a hundred people and injured many more, mostly civilians.

The United Nations stands in solidarity with the Iraqi people in the face of these deplorable, unjustifiable acts.

UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ SIGN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

The United Nations and the Government of Iraq signed today the first United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Iraq for the period 2011-2014. That framework marks a new strategic partnership between the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations and the Government of Iraq.

Christine McNab, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for

Iraq, said that today is an historic day for the UN and Iraq as they strengthen their partnership to achieve a better future for

Iraq and its people.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON WORK OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES

The

Security Council today is holding an open meeting to receive updates from the chairs of its Committees dealing with al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Counter-Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction.

NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED ON PROTECTION OF PEOPLE FLEEING SOMALIA

The

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today

issued new guidelines to governments on the protection of people fleeing

Somalia. The guidelines seek to establish a consistent approach to assisting Somalis fleeing the violence in their country.

They encourage governments to process applications for refugee status from people out of central and southern Somalia in the broadest possible way. This is already the practice in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Yemen, the refugee agency says.

UNHCR also advises all governments to extend other forms of protected status in line with international rules and practice where full refugee status is not granted.

Somalis continue to flee the violence in ever growing numbers. UNHCR says that there are now some 1.4 million civilians displaced inside Somalia and more 575,000 Somali refugees in neighbouring countries.

The

Secretary-General will be attending a conference in Istanbul on Somalia next week.

U.N.D.P. CHIEF, TANZANIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSED MDG PROGRESS

On the last day of her four-day official visit to Tanzania, the Administraor of the

UN Development Programme (UNDP),

Helen Clark, met with President Jakaya Kikwete to discuss Tanzanias progress on a range of

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including high primary school enrolment and greater representation of women in decision making.

Miss Clark also visited the UNDP-supported National Voter Registration Center. Overall, it is expected that the number of registered voters will be increased from 15.9 million to 21 million for this years national elections.

UNDPs support to Tanzanias election includes voter education, training for media and political parties, and domestic election observation.

MAJOR ONLINE PETITION LAUNCHED TO TACKLE GLOBAL HUNGER

The

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today

unveiled a major online petition calling on people to get angry at the fact that around a billion people suffer from

hunger.

"The 1billionhungry project" uses strong images to illustrate hunger at its worst. Bold language and typography grab attention saying that enough is enough.

A yellow whistle works as an icon encouraging people to blow the whistle against hunger.

The online petition calls upon governments to make the elimination of hunger their top priority.

"We should be extremely angry for the outrageous fact that that our fellow human beings continue to suffer from hunger," said FAO Director-General

Jacques Diouf.

"If you feel the same way, I want you to voice that anger. All of you, rich and poor, young and old, in developing and developed countries, express your anger about world hunger by adding your names to the global 1billion hungry petition at http://www.1billionhungry.org," he said. FAO hopes the petition will spread through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

NO DECISION YET ON ATTENDING THE FIFA WORLD CUP: Asked about the FIFA World Cup tournament that is to take place in South Africa, the Spokesperson said that the

Secretary-General is actively considering his presence there, although no decision has been taken yet on a visit.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ELECTIONS UP TO MEMBER STATES: Asked about elections to the

Human Rights Council, the Spokesperson underscored that those elections are in the hands of the UN Member States.

TEAR GAS USED DURING DEMONSTRATION IN HAITI: Asked about the use of tear gas at a demonstration in

Haiti, the Spokesperson said that the Haitian National Police had used tear gas. UN police were present, but the

UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti handled its duties without recourse to violence. He added that one UN vehicle had been slightly damaged.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, SA-1B15

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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