Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– World Food Programme/Appointment
– UNGA 81 Statistics
– Secretary-General/SDG Moment
– Security Council/Peacekeeping
– Peacekeeping Ministerial Handover
– UN System Data Commons
– Pakistan
– Yemen
– Djibouti
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Haiti
– Haiti/Peacebuilding Fund
– Ukraine
– International Days
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME/APPOINTMENT
The Secretary-General and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu announced their appointment of Luke J. Lindberg of the United States as Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), to succeed Cindy H. McCain of the United States. The Executive Board of WFP has confirmed its concurrence with the appointment.
The Secretary-General and FAO Director-General express their deep appreciation to Ms. McCain for her leadership and dedicated service to WFP. She has led the Programme through one of the most demanding periods in its history, serving as a steadfast voice for people affected by conflict, disaster and severe hunger, and for the courageous personnel serving them on the front lines. Both also wish to express their appreciation to Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of WFP, who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Director of WFP until Mr. Lindberg assumes his position.
Currently serving as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Mr. Lindberg is the principal diplomat for U.S. agriculture and brings Cabinet-level experience in food assistance policy, trade promotion, and international financing operations as well as overseeing large, decentralized organizations and multi-billion-dollar portfolios.
UNGA 81 STATISTICS
And today we have some numbers for you ahead of the high-level week.
This week, so far, we expect 73 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Government, 49 Ministers, 11 Vice-Presidents and one Crown Prince.
Alongside the mandated meetings, 168 events are scheduled during the high-level period at Headquarters, and Member States so far have submitted 1,000 requests for bilateral meetings amongst themselves.
These numbers are changing, and we’ll update you more on Monday.
SECRETARY-GENERAL /SDG MOMENT
This morning, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the 2026 SDG Moment. He stressed that the Global Goals are the shared promise made by governments to eradicate poverty and hunger, fight inequality, protect the planet and leave no one behind.
However, this promise is not being kept. Conflicts, the climate crisis, growing inequality and a lack of financing, he said, are placing sustainable development under increasing pressure.
The Secretary-General called for greater investment in education and food security, decent work, healthcare and social protection, as well as firm action on human rights and gender equality. He also urged countries to accelerate a just transition to renewable energy and to increase financing for development to build a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-09-18