Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Persons With Disability
– Middle East
– Middle East Envoy
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Security Council / Central Africa
– Security-Council/Ukraine
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo、
– Financial Contribution
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
This morning, the Secretary-General delivered remarks to the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the General Assembly Hall.
He noted significant progress, saying that the Convention has now been ratified by 192 countries and one regional organization. More than 90 per cent of countries have laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and nearly 80 per cent prohibit discrimination in hiring. These advances have helped millions gain access to education and employment. At the same time, the Secretary-General stressed that major challenges remain. The latest UN Disability and Development Report shows that almost all disability-related Sustainable Development Goal indicators are off track.
Mr. Guterres urged governments to empower persons with disabilities as full partners in policymaking and decision-making.
MIDDLE EAST
A statement we issued last night expressed the Secretary-General’s alarm at the renewed escalation in the Middle East. He calls on all concerned parties to immediately stop attacks, exercise maximum restraint, and refrain from any action that could further inflame an already volatile situation.
The Secretary-General urges all parties to fully abide by the ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran and Gaza, and to avoid any steps that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Mr. Guterres is also deeply concerned by the decision by Israel to close crossings into Gaza. He reiterates his call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza.
The Secretary-General underscores that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. He further calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. The full statement is online.
MIDDLE EAST ENVOY
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, is in Washington, D.C., where he arrived yesterday. He is meeting with officials of the United States Government and representatives of Washington‑based think tanks.
These engagements are part of Mr. Arnault’s ongoing consultations aimed at exploring Member States’ perspectives on pathways toward a sustainable resolution of the conflict in the Middle East, including in the context of Pakistani‑mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran, as well as regional efforts to advance relations grounded in full respect for national sovereignty and mutual security.
Mr. Arnault is also meeting with senior officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to speak about the economic impact of the conflict on regional and global economies. Discussions are focused on measures undertaken by governments and businesses worldwide to mitigate the consequences that continue to deepen as the conflict remains unresolved.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-09