World Economic Forum, Yemen, Tonga & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (17 January 2022)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "World Economic Forum, Yemen, Tonga & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (17 January 2022)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - World Economic Forum - Yemen - Tonga - Sudan - Western Sahara - Libya - El Salvador - Myanmar - Afghanistan - Philippines - Mali - Labour Market - Honour Roll WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM The Secretary-General delivered a special address to the World Economic Forum. He said the global economic recovery remains fragile and uneven amid the lingering pandemic, persistent labour market challenges, ongoing supply-chain disruptions, rising inflation and looming debt traps. “The last two years have demonstrated a simple but brutal truth — if we leave anyone behind, we leave everyone behind.” Stressing that there is a global inability to support developing countries in their hour of need, the Secretary-General asked the global business community for its support, ideas, financing and voice to confront the pandemic with equity and fairness, starting with vaccine equity. He also underscored the need to reform the global financial system so it works for all countries and the need to support real climate action in developing countries. YEMEN In response to questions the situation in the UAE, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General condemns today’s attacks on Abu Dhabi’s International Airport and the nearby industrial area, which reportedly caused several civilian casualties and have been claimed by the Houthis. Attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians are prohibited by international humanitarian law. The Secretary-General calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any escalation amid heightened tensions in the region. There is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. The Secretary-General urges the parties to engage constructively and without preconditions with his Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, and his mediation efforts with the aim to advance the political process to reach a comprehensive negotiated settlement and to end the conflict in Yemen. TONGA The Spokesman provided an update on UN activities in relations to Tonga, following the tsunami that occurred in the aftermath of the massive eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano that hit the country on Saturday. UN humanitarian colleagues and the Government report significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu. There has been no contact from the Ha’apai Group of islands, and we are particularly concerned about two small low-lying islands – Mango and Fonoi – following surveillance flights confirming substantial property damage. While no fatalities have been confirmed to date, two people are reported missing. The World Food Programme is exploring how to bring in relief supplies and more staff. It has also received a request to restore communication lines in Tonga by deploying its Emergency Telecommunications Cluster. Meanwhile, UNICEF said that, once the needs are confirmed by the Government of Tonga, the agency is ready to transport its pre-positioned emergency supplies from Fiji and Brisbane warehouses. These include essential water, sanitation, and hygiene kits, water containers and buckets, water field test kits, tarpaulins, recreational kits, and tents, that can be immediately mobilized in a crisis zone. On Saturday, in a statement, the Secretary-General expressed his concern and offered the UN’s support to the people and Government of Tonga. Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=17%20January%202022


Click here for more information, to subscribe to the channel of United Nations or to watch the video on YouTube.