Security Council/Climate Change, Nigeria & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (13 December 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Security Council/Climate Change, Nigeria & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (13 December 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Highlights: UN Convention Against Corruption Security Council Deputy Secretary-General/Travels Ethiopia Central African Republic Afghanistan Libya Financial Contribution UN Population Fund Hybrid Briefing Tomorrow UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION This morning, the Secretary-General addressed – in a video message - the 9th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption, which is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, until 17 December. He noted that corruption spreads through societies and erodes people’s trust in leaders and institutions. The Secretary-General stressed that tackling corruption is essential to protect human rights and promote democratic accountability, and it is an important step towards inclusive, sustainable development. He called on all to revive hope and restore trust in institutions, adding that now is the time to act for a safer, more prosperous and just future. SECURITY COUNCIL This morning, the Security Council voted on a resolution sponsored by Ireland and Niger on the link between climate change and security issues. The resolution did not pass, with 12 votes in favour, two Member States voting against – India and the Russian Federation – and one Member State - China - abstaining. DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS The Deputy Secretary-General is back in New York, following her trip to Nigeria. While there, she met with the Minister of Environment, Sharon O Ikeazor, to discuss Nigeria’s climate and environment related issues. The meeting also focused on Africa’s pathway to COP27 and Nigeria’s new role as the Chair of the Great Green Wall. The Deputy Secretary-General then proceeded to Lagos with the Executive Director of the Global Compact to meet with the private sector and the Global Compact Local Network, prior to the launch in February 2022 of the UN Global Compact Africa Hub, which will be based in Abuja. The Deputy Secretary-General then travelled to Ibadan, in Oyo State, to visit the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. She returned to Abuja from 6-8 December for meetings with senior government officials. She met with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, to discuss the Africa Vaccine Manufacturers Initiative and UN’s support through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to improving vaccines manufacturing capacity. She met with the North West Governors to discuss development challenges and the increasing threat to development gains due to heightened insecurity in the region. She also met with the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, and discussed UN support through the UN Development Programme (UNDP) stabilization program in the lake Chad region. The Deputy Secretary-General capped off her visit with a courtesy visit to the Presidency. ETHIOPIA From Ethiopia, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its NGO partners strongly condemn the commandeering of its trucks and assets, as well as forcible threats to their staff, as they continue to be targeted by military groups in Dessie and Kombolcha in the Amhara region. On the evening of December 10th, a group of armed individuals – believed to be either from the Ethiopian National Defence Forces or an affiliated allied military force – entered the Disaster Risk Management Committee compound in Kombolcha and took 18 WFP trucks by force. These individuals then used the trucks in several locations for their own purposes. Most of the trucks have since been returned, but three trucks are still unaccounted for. WFP has informed the Federal Government and local authorities in Dessie who are assisting in recovering the remaining trucks. WFP and its partners reiterate that, under international humanitarian law, it is prohibited to attack, destroy, misappropriate, or loot relief supplies, installations, material, units, or vehicles. The safety and security of UN and partner staff remain our highest priority and we call for the immediate and safe release of our staff, colleagues, and vehicles. WFP and its partners are staying and delivering in Kombolcha, Dessie and across Amhara region, where an estimated 3.7 million people are in dire need of food assistance. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=13%20December%202021


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