Iran, Tourism, Ethiopia & other topics - Daily Briefing (30 June 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Iran, Tourism, Ethiopia & other topics - Daily Briefing (30 June 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Guest Today - Secretary-General’s Travels - Ethiopia - Iran - Botswana/Covid-19 - Tourism - Press Briefings Tomorrow IRAN Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefed the Security Council this morning on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue. She said that the context for the implementation of the JCPOA and resolution 2231 (2015) has improved considerably since last year. The continued diplomatic efforts in Vienna, she said, offer a critical opportunity for both the United States and Iran to return to the full and effective implementation of the Plan and of the resolution. This would be a welcome and crucial development. Ms. DiCarlo said it is essential that all Member States promote a conducive environment and avoid any action that may have a negative impact on these ongoing diplomatic efforts, as well as on regional stability. She echoed the Secretary-General’s appeal to the United States to lift or waive its sanctions outlined in the Plan, extend the waivers with regard to the trade in oil with Iran, and to once again facilitate nuclear-related activities consistent with the Plan and the resolution. She called on Iran to resume the temporary technical understanding with the International Atomic Energy Agency without delay, to refrain from taking further steps to reduce its commitments, and to return to full implementation of the Plan. TOURISM A new UN report released today says that the crash in international tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a loss of more than $4 trillion to the global GDP last year and this year. The estimated loss is due to the pandemic’s direct impact on tourism and the ripple effect on other closely-linked sectors. The report, published jointly by the UN World Tourism Organization and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, says the tourism sector’s recovery will largely depend on the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines globally. ETHIOPIA Our humanitarian colleagues on the ground in Ethiopia say that the situation in Tigray remains extremely fluid and unpredictable. Since the Ethiopia National Defense Force (ENDF) withdrew from Mekelle, the town remains under the full control of the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF). That is also the case in Adigrat, Adwa, Axum and Shire. The situation is largely calm in Mekelle and Shire, but there are reports of ongoing fighting in certain pockets throughout the region. Electricity and telecommunications remain cut off throughout Tigray, with communications only possible via intermittent satellite phone connection and VSAT Internet connections in two UN compounds in Mekelle and one in Shire. All parties to the conflict must protect civilians and refrain from obstructing the free movement of humanitarian workers and supplies, both within the region and to re-establish access to the region by air and roads. It is urgent to get additional staff and supplies into Tigray, restore electricity and telecoms, and ensure that cash and fuel are available throughout the region for the continuity of humanitarian operations. We continue to closely monitor the situation and reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate end to the fighting and for urgent steps to peacefully resolve the conflict. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%20June%202021


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