Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– secretary-general
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon/Israel
– Ukraine-Humanitarian
– Ukraine
– Moldova
– Nigeria
– Mali
– South Sudan
– Jamaica
– World Television Day
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SECRETARY-GENERAL
Today, the Secretary-General arrived in South Africa, to participate at the G20 Summit, which kicks off tomorrow. He had a press conference earlier today, which you may have seen on UNwebtv. He said that his message to G20 leaders over the next two days is simple: Now is the time for leadership and vision.
We are living through tumultuous times, he said, with conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid are all inflicting massive suffering around the world. Pointing out that the world’s largest economies, the G20 can hold enormous influence to ease that suffering, ensure that economic growth is widely shared, and set our world on a better, more peaceful course for the future.
Mr. Guterres said that over the next two days, he will call on G20 members to use their leverage to lead the action we need – economic action, climate action and action for peace. His remarks have been shared with you. We sent out the Q&A from the transcript a few moments ago.
Tomorrow, he will address three sessions. One on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leaving no one behind; another one on building a resilient world and the G20’s potential contribution and the last one will be "A fair and just future for all: Critical minerals; decent work; and artificial intelligence”.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Spokesman presented an update about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the horrific things that took place earlier this week.
And as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, I can tell you that the information we have received is truly horrific. This is about the deadly deadly violence that took place between the 13th and the 19th of November in several localities of the Lubero Territory, in North Kivu.
According to information gathered on the ground by our human rights colleagues from the peacekeeping mission, the attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group – the ADF. They took place in the Bapere and Baswagha [chefferies] and resulted in the killing of 89 civilians, including at least 20 women and an as yet undetermined number of children.
In Byambwe, which is about 60 kilometres west of Lubero, at least 17 civilians — among them women who were receiving care in the maternity ward — were killed inside the health care centre that was operated by the Catholic Church. During the attack, four wards housing patients were set on fire.
Other places, including Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili were also impacted by serious abuses, including abductions, the looting of medical supplies, the burning of homes and the destruction of property belonging to communities already facing severe humanitarian vulnerabilities.
We of course extend our condolences to the families and communities and we express our solidarity with all those affected. As you know, violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Mission remains fully committed and will continue to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity. The UN Peacekeeping Mission is working in close coordination with government authorities, the Armed Forces of the DRC, regional partners engaged in joint operations, as well as local organizations.
The Peacekeeping mission urges the Congolese authorities to promptly initiate independent and credible investigations to identify the individual perpetrators and accomplices of these horrific massacres and bring them to justice. We also reiterate our call on armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing humanitarian scale-up – which is, as you know, made possible by the ceasefire – is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating, and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside Gaza, among other challenges.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-21