Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Petersberg Climate Dialogue
Senior Personnel Appointment – ESCWA
Lebanon/Israel
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Yemen
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Afghanistan
Security Council/Colombia
Security Council/Ukraine
Migrants
UNESCO Sites/Report
Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Haiti
PETERSBERG CLIMATE DIALOGUE
This morning, the Secretary-General addressed via a video message the 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, which is taking place in Berlin, in Germany. He noted that the conflict in the Middle East has triggered the most severe energy crisis in a generation, and it makes one fact crystal clear: fossil fuels are not just wrecking our planet, they are holding economies hostage.
The Secretary-General underscored that there is another way. Last year, he noted, clean energy investment surged to 2.2 trillion dollars worldwide – double fossil fuel investment.
The Secretary-General pointed out that renewables deliver what fossil fuels never can: real and lasting energy security. But, he said, that requires action on three fronts. First, we must respond to the energy crisis without deepening the climate crisis.
Second, we must build the infrastructure that can deliver this transition, and third, it is time to mobilize finance at scale.
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT – ESCWA
Personnel appointment that I want to read into the record. Yesterday evening, the Secretary-General appointed Rania A. Al-Mashat of Egypt as the next Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, otherwise known as ESCWA.
She succeeds Rola Dashti of Kuwait, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service to the United Nations. The Secretary-General also extends his appreciation to Mourad Wahba who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Secretary until Ms. Al-Mashat assumes her position.
She comes to us as an international expert in economic diplomacy, with over 25 years of experience in macroeconomic policy; central banking and monetary policy frameworks.
For eight consecutive years (2018-2026), she was a Minister in Egypt on three portfolios: Tourism, International Cooperation and Planning, as well as Economic Development and International Cooperation.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-21