United Nations Daily Highlights, 10-06-09

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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 FARHAN HAQ

ASSOCIATE SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION INCREASING SANCTIONS ON IRAN

The

Security Council this morning adopted a resolution increasing sanctions on Iran, by a vote of 12 in favour, two against (Brazil and Turkey) and one abstention (Lebanon).

In the resolution, the Council affirms that Iran has so far failed to meet the requirements of the

International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors. It decides that Iran shall not acquire an interest in any commercial activity in another State involving uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials and technology.

The Council decides that all States shall prevent the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems. It also asks States to take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer to Iran of technology or technical assistance related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

And the Council also put in place measures restricting the travel of specific individuals named in annexes to the resolution.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES WILLINGNESS FOR FURTHER EFFORTS FOR DIALOGUE ON IRAN

A statement issued by the Secretary-General noted that the Security Council has adopted today its fourth sanctions resolution on Iran's nuclear programme, in which it deplores the fact that Iran has so far failed to comply with the relevant earlier resolutions.

The Secretary-General has consistently stressed the importance for Iran to fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve all outstanding issues. These are the essential steps to restore the international communitys confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of Irans nuclear programme.

The Secretary-General continues to support a comprehensive and negotiated political solution to this issue. In this regard, he welcomes the willingness of the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) to further enhance diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and consultations. He hopes that talks will resume on this issue of paramount importance.

U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG RECEIVES LETTERS ON NUCLEAR FUEL FOR IRANIAN REACTOR

The

International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) Director-General,

Yukiya Amano, today informed the Board of Governors that he had received letters from the Governments of France, the Russian Federation and the United States concerning the provision of nuclear fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor.

The letters were in response to Iran's 24 May letter officially agreeing to the Joint Declaration signed in Tehran last month by the Governments of Iran, Brazil and Turkey. Attached to each of the letters was an identical paper entitled Concerns about the Joint Declaration Conveyed by Iran to the IAEA.

The letters and the paper have been conveyed to the Government of Iran through Iran's Resident Representative to the IAEA.

Amano said that he will continue to use his good offices to follow up on this new development with the concerned Governments.

SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES BURUNDIANS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN CONSOLIDATING PEACE

The

Secretary-General spent the day in Bujumbura on an official visit to Burundi. He met the President, Pierre Nkurunziza and spoke to the media there. He will fly to Cameroon later in the evening.

He also met a wide range of national actors from parliament, civil society, women's groups, religious life and the media. The Secretary-General

congratulated Burundians for their achievements in consolidating peace, adding that the people of Burundi are clearly determined to move beyond the turbulence of recent years. He said the current round of elections was one example of that.

He also visited a Burundian battalion to recognize Burundi's important contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to

pay tribute to those who lost their lives there.

On arriving in Burundi early on Wednesday morning, the Secretary-General was briefed by the United Nations country team and mission leaders. He also took part in a town hall meeting with UN staff.

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE D.R. CONGO

The

Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Roger A. Meece (USA) as his Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Mr. Meece will succeed Alan Doss of the United Kingdom.

The Secretary-General expresses his gratitude to Mr. Doss for his significant contribution to United Nations peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for his effective leadership of the

UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), where he has served since January 2008. In accordance with

Security Council resolution 1925 (2010), adopted on 28 May, MONUC will bear the title of MONUSCO.

Mr. Meece brings with him more than three decades of international experience with his countrys Foreign Service and as a member of the Peace Corps. From 2004 to 2007 Mr. Meece served as his countrys Ambassador to the

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). From 1995 to 1998 he also served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kinshasa. Mr. Meeces previous experience in the DRC has included involvement in conflict resolution efforts and support to elections.

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SOMALIA

The

Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Augustine P. Mahiga of the United Republic of Tanzania as his Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the

United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). Mr. Mahiga replaces Mr.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, of Mauritania, who has served in the position from September 2007.

Mr. Mahiga brings to this position many years of both Government and United Nations experience. Since 2003, Mr. Mahiga has served as the Republic of Tanzanias Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation to Mr. Ould-Abdallah for his dedicated service and exemplary leadership on Somalia over the last three years. During his tenure, Mr. Ould-Abdallah has worked hard to bring international attention to Somalia one of the worlds worst humanitarian and political crises.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES BORDER SETTLEMENT BETWEEN DJIBOUTI AND ERITREA

In a

statement issued on Tuesday night, the

Secretary-General welcomed the recent agreement signed by Eritrea and Djibouti, under the auspices of Qatar, to resolve through a negotiated settlement the border conflict between the two countries which erupted in March 2008.

The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation for the mediation efforts of the Emir of Qatar. The agreement entrusts Qatar with establishing a mechanism for the resolution of the border dispute and the normalization of relations between the two countries.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by this positive development, which he believes will contribute to long-term peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: PROGRESS MADE AGAINST AIDS BUT MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE

The

General Assembly is today holding a plenary meeting to review progress in fighting

HIV/AIDS.

Speaking on behalf of the

Secretary-General, the

Deputy Secretary-General

told the Assembly that since 2001, global rates of new HIV infections have decreased by 17 per cent and more than four million people in low- and middle-income countries have gained access to antiretroviral therapy. Much more needs to be done, however, and while the cost of taking action may be great, the cost of inaction will be even greater.

SPECIAL ADVISER ON MYANMAR HOLDS REGIONAL CONSULTATIONS

The Chef de Cabinet,

Vijay Nambiar, arrived today in Singapore for consultations with the Singaporean authorities in his capacity as Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Myanmar.

Mr. Nambiar is scheduled to visit Beijing on Friday for further consultations with the Chinese authorities. This follows consultations yesterday in New Delhi with the Indian authorities. In New Delhi, Mr. Nambiar met with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon.

Mr. Nambiars consultations are undertaken in the context of the Secretary-Generals good offices mandate on

Myanmar.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AGAINST EARLY MARRIAGE IN D.R. CONGO PROVINCE

The

UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), the

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are launching a campaign against early marriages in the Kasai Occidental province, in the

Democratic Republic of the Congo.

MONUC and agencies say that more than 32 per cent of local girls aged 15-19 are married or are in marital relationships. The region is, after the North Kivu and Orientale provinces, the third worst affected part of the country, with more than 54 per cent of unschooled girls marrying or forced into marriage before age 15.

This campaign will last three months and will be coordinated with local authorities, churches and media and youth groups.

U.N.D.P. CHIEF: ADVANCING MDGs AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN QUEST FOR A JUST WORLD

Speaking in Madrid today, the Administrator of the

UN Development Programme,

Helen Clark, said that advancing the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be an important milestone in our quest for a more just and peaceful world."

For those living in extreme poverty, reaching the MDGs offers the means to a better life a life with access to adequate food and income; to basic education and health services; to clean water and sanitation; and to empowerment for women, she said. If we are to reach the MDGs by the target date, 2010 must spark five years of accelerated progress.

Clark made her remarks at an MDG conference hosted by the Spanish Government.

U.N. AGENCIES TARGET CHILDRENS WELL-BEING IN LEAD-UP TO WORLD CUP

The

UNs Children Fund (UNICEF) has

congratulated the South African tourism and hospitality industry for its commitment to work to end child sex tourism.

This follows the signing by industry leaders of a Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct, which seeks

greater protection for children during the World Cup games And UNICEF hopes that it will leave an enduring legacy of

good practice beyond the World Cup itself.

Meanwhile, the

International Labour Organization (ILO) will be marking

World Day against Child Labour with an urgent appeal to go for the goal end child labour, calling particular attention to the agreed target of eliminating the worst forms of the practice by 2016.

With some 215 million children still labouring for survival, the ILO is concerned that the campaign to end child labour is losing steam and the world may fail to meet the 2016 deadline. The agency will expand on this and other related issues when it presents its latest

Global Report on Child Labour to the International Labour Conference this Friday, the day the World Cup kicks off in Johannesburg.