Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Secretary-General / COP30
-Ukraine
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Syria
-Yemen
-Abyei
-Libya
-World Toilet Day
SECRETARY-GENERAL/COP30
Today, the Secretary-General is in Belém, where he is attending the COP30 summit. This morning, he participated in a European Union Coordination meeting and also met with the Ministers from a group of African nations.
Also, this morning, in a meeting with representatives of civil society, the Secretary-General thanked civil society for its leadership, vigilance and moral clarity, noting that their work is indispensable in driving ambition, as well as protecting communities and holding decision-makers to account.
Later on, in a meeting with indigenous peoples, the Secretary-General underscored that the ancestral wisdom, knowledge, and stewardship of indigenous peoples are vital for the planet’s survival. He said their voices and effective participation must shape the global response to the climate crisis.
This afternoon and tomorrow morning, he will continue meeting with other negotiators and Ministers and different groups. He is also expected to speak to the media tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Belém time, which is about 9:00 a.m. in the morning here in New York, and that will be webcast.
Also to flag that yesterday afternoon, apart from engaging with youth representatives, Mr. Guterres met with the so-called Umbrella Group, which is formed by a diverse group of non-EU developed countries. He also had a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, Lars Aagaard Møller, and the European Union Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra.
UKRAINE
Turning to Ukraine, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the latest overnight missile and drone attacks by the Russian Federation on several Ukrainian regions, that reportedly killed at least twenty-five people, including children and injuring several dozen others in two residential areas in Ternopil in western Ukraine.
Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable, wherever they occur, and they must end immediately.
Today’s appalling attack – one of the deadliest against civilians since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago – once again underlines the urgency of a full and unconditional ceasefire in this country, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace that fully upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, its independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
Our Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is in Ukraine, she is in Kyiv today. She said that she herself was appalled by the overnight attacks.
Ms. DiCarlo is wrapping up a three-day visit to Ukraine and today, she met with Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The discussions centered on how the United Nations can further support efforts towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and assist the country in addressing its complex needs amid the war. The Under-Secretary-General said that strengthening recovery, social cohesion and the role of women in public life remain shared priorities.
She also addressed the Fourth International Food Summit in Kyiv today, highlighting the war’s devastating impact on the global food supply and our own efforts to advocate for safe navigation in the Black Sea. Her full remarks are available on the website of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
For his part, our Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, also strongly condemned the latest wave of attacks overnight, and his statement is online.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-19