United Nations Daily Highlights, 10-04-23

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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 MARTIN NESIRKY

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, April 23, 2010

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND CHAD

The

Security Council is holding consultations today on the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, known as

MINURCAT. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy briefed the Security Council on recent discussions with the Governments of those two countries to extend the mandate of that Mission.

The Security Council extended the mandate of MINURCAT until 15 May. The United Nations has made clear its preference for the Missions mandate to be extended beyond that date.

Also on the Council, the Secretary-Generals report on women and peace and security is out as a document today. The Council is scheduled to discuss the report next Tuesday.

BAN KI-MOON URGES ALL LEBANESE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD ACHIEVEMENTS

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a

report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, says that the formal parliamentary endorsement of the Government of national unity in Lebanon last December, six months after the parliamentary elections, is an important achievement. He says that Lebanon is currently witnessing its longest period of domestic stability and all Lebanese must continue to work together in a spirit of coexistence and democracy to safeguard the achievements they have made since 2004.

The Secretary-General adds that progress in Lebanese-Syrian relations was evident in Prime Minister Hariris visit to Damascus and is a positive trend for the sake of regional stability and prosperity.

However, he adds, the presence of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continues to pose a threat to the stability of the country and the region. The Secretary-General calls upon the leaders of Hezbollah to complete the transformation of the group into a solely Lebanese political party.

U.N. HUMANITARIAN CHIEF ARRIVES IN SENEGAL ON FIRST LEG OF WEST AFRICA MISSION

The

Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, arrived in Senegal today on the first leg of his mission to West Africa.

Holmes will meet Senegalese government officials and representatives of humanitarian organizations and discuss the main challenges affecting the region. He will also explore means to strengthen cooperation among the various actors who provide humanitarian interventions in West Africa.

On Sunday, the humanitarian chief will travel from Senegal to Niger to assess the human impact of the food crisis that is affecting some 7.8 million people.

D.R.CONGO: U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY ALARMED BY CONTINUED SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The UNs Refugee Agency, UNHCR,

says it is alarmed by the large numbers of women who continue to be affected by sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

UNHCR says that in the first 3 months of this year, 1,244 women were sexually assaulted throughout the country an average of almost 14 assaults each day. The Agency adds that the real number could be much higher since many victims keep silent for fear of being ostracized.

According to

UNHCR, more than a third of the recorded cases are in North and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC a region that hosts some 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In the camps it runs, UNHCR says it put in place prevention measures -- such has providing firewood so that women need not venture beyond safe areas. The Agency is also working to follow up on rape cases by providing counseling, medical treatment and legal advice.

U.N.-A.U. MISSION IN DARFUR CANNOT CONFIRM REPORTS OF IMMINENT ATTACK

Asked about reports by the Justice and Equality Movement of a possible attack that may soon take place in Darfur, the Spokesperson said that the UN-African Union Mission there (UNAMID) has also received an unconfirmed report from a local leader in West Darfur, claiming that the JEM had begun the recruitment of combatants in preparation for war. However, he said, the Mission has not received any reports that confirm signs of an imminent attack by the Government or the presence of the JEM in East and North Darfur.

Asked about a separate attack in Darfur, Nesirky said that UNAMID had received reports of an attack on Sudan Border Guard Police north of Nyala, as a result of which 15 guards were killed and 24 were injured.

AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT BEING BRIEFED ON BOARD OF INQUIRY FINDINGS

We are in the process of briefing the Government of Afghanistan and other key parties about the findings of the Board of Inquiry that looked into the 28 October attack on a

UN guest house in Kabul.

That process is still underway, but we are arranging for you to have a briefing by a senior UN official about the Board of Inquirys findings on Monday.

Asked how the decision was taken not to release the Board of Inquiry report, the Spokesperson noted that in general, such reports are not made public, to protect those who provided information. At the same time, he said, briefings are frequently provided on such reports, particularly when there is an overriding public interest.

KOSOVO ENVOY CONCERNED OVER HARASSMENT OF RETURNEES

Lamberto Zannier, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for

Kosovo, remains concerned about incidents of harassment targeting the returnees to the area of Zallq/ac, where stones were thrown at tents housing returnees on several nights.

Zannier welcomed the Pristina authorities strong condemnation of the attacks and similar statements from a wide range of stakeholders in the returns process.

He adds that a sustainable solution to the issues surrounding the return of displaced people to Zallq/ac and to other parts of Kosovo can only come about through open and honest dialogue between the communities that must live side by side.

W.H.O. LAUNCHES IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGNS IN 112 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) will launch tomorrow immunization campaigns simultaneously in 112 countries and territories in the World Health Organization Regions of the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean and Europe. The goal is to expand immunization coverage and raise awareness of the importance of vaccines.

The simultaneous immunization weeks promote national and cross-border activities in a collaborative effort to prevent disease and save lives. Many countries are working to eliminate measles, and most are expanding vaccination to reach those who have been excluded up to now.

In addition to vaccinating children and adults and delivering integrated packages of health interventions such as vitamin fortification, countries are planning a variety of activities including workshops, training sessions, social mobilization, round-table discussions, exhibitions and media events addressing vaccine-related issues. Beyond impact on populations through increased immunization rates, the immunization week initiative is intended to communicate the value of immunization and demonstrate WHO leadership in assisting national programs.

UNESCO LAUNCHES ANTI-PIRACY OBSERVATORY TO MARK WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY

Today is World Book and Copyright Day. UNESCO is

celebrating the Day by highlighting the need to preserve creativity from piracy.

UNESCO recently established the World Anti-Piracy Observatory (WAPO), a free on-line platform that provides information on anti-piracy measures and policies implemented by Member States.

In the light of the emergence of new forms of books, of changes in the design, production and access to contents of books, it is urgent to recall that there can be no book development without respect for copyright, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, said in a message for the Day.

The Day also marks the launch of celebrations in Ljubljana (Slovenia), World Book Capital for 2010.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS[1]

Saturday, 24 April

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will hold a press conference in Abu Dhabi, before wrapping up her ten-day visit to all six Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Monday, 26 April.

Sunday, 25 April

Today is World Malaria Day.

Monday, 26 April

This morning, the Security Council will hold consultations on the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

At 1:00 p.m., on the second floor of the North Lawn Building, the Vice President of the Government of Spain, H.E. Ms. María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, will speak to correspondents following her meeting with the Secretary-General.

In Geneva today, the Committee against Torture will open its forty-fourth session which will run until 14 May.

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Today is World Intellectual Property Day.

Tuesday, 27 April

This morning, the Security Council will hear a briefing on women and peace and security (resolutions 1888 and 1889).

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan will visit United Nations Headquarters today to launch a new childrens book on cross-cultural understanding, entitled The Sandwich Swap. The Secretary-General and the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public information, Kiyo Akasaka, are expected to participate in the special event which will take place in the UN Bookshop.

At 3:00 p.m., in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, there will be a press conference by the Truce and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations.

Wednesday, 28 April

At 10:00 a.m., in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, the Secretary-General will launch the report of the Secretary-General's Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change. Participants include UNIDO Director General Kandeh K. Yumkella, and Statoil CEO Helge Lund.

Today, the Security Council will hold a debate on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Thursday, 29 April

Today, the Security Council is expected to adopt texts on the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

Friday, 30 April

This morning, the Security Council will hold consultations on its 1559 report.

At 9 a.m., the Second Conference of States Parties and Signatories to Treaties that Establish Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones and Mongolia will be held in Conference Room 4 (NLB).

At 2:30 p.m., in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, the Permanent Mission of Lichtenstein will hold a press conference.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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