Afghanistan & other topics - Daily Briefing (13 April 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Afghanistan & other topics - Daily Briefing (13 April 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Afghanistan - Security Council/Kosovo - ST Vincent & Grenadines - Ethiopia - South Sudan - Sudan - Mozambique - Djibouti - Brazil - Covax - Ramadan AFGHANISTAN In a joint statement, the Republic of Turkey, the State of Qatar and the United Nations, said that they are co-convening a high level and inclusive conference from the 24th of April to the 4th of May between the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban. Turkey will be hosting the conference in Istanbul. The statement said that the co-conveners are committed to supporting a sovereign, independent and unified Afghanistan. It adds that the overriding objective of the Istanbul Conference on the Afghanistan Peace Process is to accelerate and complement the ongoing intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha on the achievement of a just and durable political settlement. Participation in the Conference and its agenda have been the subject of extensive consultations with the Afghan parties. The Conference will focus on helping the negotiating parties reach a new set of shared, foundational principles that reflect an agreed vision for a future Afghanistan, a roadmap to a future political settlement and, of course, an end to the conflict. The co-conveners said that their expectation is that the Conference will provide an important opportunity for all parties to reiterate support for the people of Afghanistan on their path toward an inclusive peace, stability, and prosperity. SECURITY COUNCIL/KOSOVO This morning, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo, Zahir Tanin, briefed the Security Council by video link. He said that a strong desire for change was expressed in Kosovo’s recent elections. Mr. Tanin said that the expectations expressed were for a shift in the responsiveness of a government to the real hopes and needs of its voters, for greater equality of opportunity, accountability, and the rule of law. On the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Tanin briefed the Council on the alarming infection rates in Kosovo and said that Kosovo remains under relentless pressure from the spread of COVID-19. He urged Member States to accelerate vaccine-related support for Kosovo, amid global struggles to ensure vaccination supplies. ST VINCENT & GRENADINES In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the World Food Programme today said that its staff with expertise in food security, cash and social protection, vulnerability analysis and logistics have now arrived in Saint Vincent. They are working closely with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and national authorities to identify and address immediate needs and strengthen the logistics response. According to the World Food Programme, the eruption of La Soufrière volcano has displaced an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 people, out of a total population of around 100,000. Initial estimates indicate that 3,500 persons are in shelters as of April 12th. Other evacuees are being housed in private homes. Neighbouring countries are also making plans to host potential evacuees. WFP is currently planning for food, cash or voucher assistance to evacuees, including in neighbouring areas. WFP has nearly 2,800 ready-to-eat meals on standby to be used. For its part, the UN Children’s Fund and its partners are also on the ground providing humanitarian assistance to approximately 4,800 children in need. Within 24 hours of the eruption, UNICEF provided an estimated 9,000 people, including children, with access to safe water and hygiene services in the evacuation shelters. UNICEF says they need about $925,000 to cover needs for the next six [weeks]. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=13%20April%202021


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