HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BYSTÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025
UN80
This morning, in a press encounter, the Secretary-General said that during this 80th anniversary year of the United Nations, it is essential that an organizational system as complex and crucial as ours subjects itself to rigorous and regular scrutiny to assess its fitness for purpose in carrying out its goals efficiently.
This is why he has informed Member States that he is officially launching what we call the UN80 Initiative.
The Secretary-General has appointed a dedicated internal Task Force led by the Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Guy Ryder, and composed of principals representing the entire UN system.
The objective will be to present to Member States proposals in three areas: first, rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way we work; second, thoroughly reviewing the implementation of all mandates given to us by Member States, which have significantly increased in recent years; and third, a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment within the UN System.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The United NationsOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) warns that after 11 days of no humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, the crucial progress made during the first six weeks of the ceasefire continues to unravel. Across the Gaza Strip, it is becoming more difficult for people to have decent and sufficient food, water, medical services and other vital items.
Efforts to restore the health system in Gaza continue, but progress is slow. In North Gaza governorate, only 16 per cent of health service points are functioning either fully or partially. That includes three out of five hospitals, six out of 50 medical points, and four of over two dozen primary healthcare centres.
Major challenges also persist in solid waste management. Overflowing trash is creating unsanitary living conditions and obviously, heightening public health risks.
The problem is compounded by a lack of spare parts, with 80 per cent of all waste collection vehicles and containers damaged or destroyed.
OCHA has noted the inadequate management of infectious medical waste, as well as the mixture of solid waste with debris contaminated with explosive hazards. Partners are working to move waste from 70 makeshift dump sites into 30 temporary ones – but most are already full. Access to others sites closer to the border is urgently needed.
Meanwhile, UN partners are also working on mine action continue to warn of explosive hazards. This year, three people have been killed and nearly 40 injured in 18 explosions recorded to date.
Education efforts are making some headway. Since the start of the ceasefire, our partners have set up more than 200 temporary learning spaces, bringing the total to over 630. These spaces support more than 170,000 children. As of yesterday, 60 per cent of all school-age children in Gaza have access to some form of learning – either in schools or in temporary spaces. However, UN partners are still unable to bring in any of the supplies and any of the equipment necessary for education, including large tents and student kits.
LEBANON/ISRAEL
The Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue their efforts in support of the Cessation of Hostilities.Today in Lebanon, Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held a round of meetings with Lebanon’s top leaders, including President Joseph Aoun, the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, the Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Defense Minister Michel Menassa. Prior to that, during the week, she was in Israel, where she met with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel, Gideon Saar, the Defense Minister, Israel Katz, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, among others that she met there.
Her meetings with both sides focused on the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding and the implementation of Security Council resolution1701.
And, as you have also seen in news reports yesterday, Lebanon and Israel will begin talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues between the two countries. The Spokesperson said that we of course welcome this announcement. Dialogue capable of addressing all outstanding provisions of resolution 1701 is critical to ensuring civilians on both sides of the Blue Line should be able to live their lives without fear of the resumption of conflict.
Yesterday, UNIFIL hosted the sixth meeting of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation “Mechanism” in one of its positions along the Blue Line in Ras Naqoura. In the afternoon, following the meeting of the “Mechanism”, UNIFIL – in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Israeli Defense Forces, the Red Cross and the Mechanism itself – facilitated the transfer of four Lebanese nationals from Israeli detention into Lebanon. UNIFIL liaison officers accompanied a Red Cross team, who transported the individuals from the crossing point. The released individuals were subsequently taken to a hospital in Lebanon for checkups. On the operations front, peacekeepers observed intensive IDF air surveillance over UNIFIL’s area of operations, as well as gunshots and IDF activity in Sector East.
The UN peacekeepers are continuing to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in its redeployment to the south, including with patrolling and engineering activities.
SYRIA
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that access to vital services in Coastal areas in Syria continues to be severely challenged, with some cities still lacking electricity, and that includes Lattakia.
Despite that, the UN and its partners are mobilized and supporting the response in those areas.
Water is being distributed via the main network in Lattakia Governorate, but rural areas face shortages due to issues related to the maintenance of generators. Bakeries are operational, and shops are reopening, though essential materials and fuel remain scarce.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supplied 38 tons of water treatment supplies to Lattakia's Water Authority, covering over two months of needs. UNICEF is planning on providing five water tanks to Jableh National Hospital, in Lattakia governorate, to replace the ones that have been damaged.
UNICEF and its partners are also collaborating to maintain the Al Sin Spring generator in Tartus to ensure drinking water supply for the population there. Health partners have delivered emergency supplies, including 64 trauma and emergency surgical kits and non-communicable disease treatments to Tartous and Lattakia to be distributed as soon as the security situation permits.
UKRAINE
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that attacks early this morning and yesterday resulted in civilian deaths and injuries across different parts of Ukraine. Donetsk, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Kherson regions were among the ones that were the most impacted. Apartment buildings, homes, a hospital, schools and other infrastructures were damaged. Authorities also report disruptions to gas and electricity networks.
This morning, in Odesa, a commercial maritime vessel docked in the port was hit and four sailors were killed. This is according to the authorities, who added that the civilian vessel was intended to transport grain to Algeria.
In Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro, humanitarian organizations responded swiftly and provided first aid, including shelter material and psychological support. Humanitarian efforts also continue in the Kherson region, where continuing hostilities have left many residents without electricity and living in severely damaged homes. Yesterday, an inter-agency convoy delivered much-needed assistance to frontline communities. The convoy transported generators, medicines, hygiene supplies, and winter-related items, including essential supplies for women and for girls.
Since the start of this year, the UN and its humanitarian partners have facilitated 13 humanitarian convoys, including six to Kherson, reaching nearly 17,000 residents in frontline communities in the east and south of Ukraine.
As needs persist and the situation evolves, humanitarian organizations remain committed to ensure that vital aid reaches those most impacted by the conflict.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today warned that clashes and attacks in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to kill civilians and to force people to move for safety. In North Kivu, local humanitarian sources tell us that at least 13 civilians were killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group (ADF) on 9 March in Lubero Territory. Survivors have reportedly been forced to flee to nearby areas.
Despite continued fighting in several areas, we and our humanitarian partners have continued assessments, as security allows us to do it. More than 160,000 people who have returned to Lubero Territory,which has faced chronic instability in recent decades. They need food, they need shelter, water and health care.
And in South Kivu, humanitarian partners report that an air strike on Monday in Fizi territory, damaged the Minembwe airport, which is a critical lifeline for the area. Over 1,000 displaced households, which are mostly women and children, are sheltering inthe locality amid severe shortages of basic goods. That is according to humanitarian partners.
In Walungu Territory, ongoing clashes have displaced more than 65,000 people just since mid-February. Local authorities and humanitarian partners are also receiving reports of alarming attacks on civilians, including gender-based violence, which we have seen tragically a lot in the area.
And in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, humanitarian partners are highlighting urgent needs for food, healthcare, and protection services for a large number of displaced people who have sought safety on the outskirts of Bukavu, after fleeing clashes elsewhere in the region. Needs assessments are underway.
OCHA says that the cholera outbreak continues to spread in the east. In Maniema Province, bordering South Kivu, authorities there have declared an outbreak in seven localities and have appealed for urgent support. Resource gaps in the health sector and recurrent floods are themain drivers of this outbreak.
In the Tanganyika province, which is south of South Kivu and Maniema, ongoing fighting between local armed groups in Moba Territory have reportedly forced more than 25,000 people to flee to neighboring areas. Many of those had already been displaced by earlier rounds of violence, and humanitarian sources are telling us they estimate 90,000 people are now displaced in that area.
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FORUM
The 2025 Development Cooperation Forum is taking place today and tomorrow at UN Headquarters. The Forum is gathering high-level officials and representatives from Member States, along with experts from academia, the private sector, and civil society, to discuss the future of international development cooperation. Taking place under the theme “Transforming International Development Cooperation: From Global Dialogue to Action,” the Forum aims to be a catalyst for action, driving reforms in policy and practice, with greater coherence, and country-led solutions.
And - as mentioned yesterday- with the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development coming up in Seville, the Forum seeks to build momentum for high-quality and high-impact development cooperation that aligns with national priorities and delivers lasting progress on sustainable development.
VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
Today, in Geneva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, has presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council, which highlights an alarming rise in child trafficking.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children now represent 38 per cent of detected victims, with a notable increase among girls since 2019.
Ms. M’jid said that several interrelated factors contribute to this increase, including the rising vulnerabilities of children resulting from global crises, the growth of organized crime facilitated by new technology, and the increasing demand for child exploitation in both labor and sexual abuse.
To tackle the problem, the report calls for these factors to be addressed simultaneously, and for States to take a coordinated, child rights-centered approach.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
The Philippines and Qatar have paid up their dues to the regular budget, bringing the number of fully paid- up Member States to 75.
***The guest at the Noon Briefing was the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher.
