Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– State of the Global Climate/Report
– World Meteorological Day
– Racial Discrimination
– Lebanon
– West Bank
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Security Council/Afternoon
– Ukraine
– Senior Personnel Appointment
– Financial Contribution
– Guest
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
This morning, the Secretary-General addressed the General Assembly event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He said that many of the solutions to confront racial discrimination are being weakened as some governments dismantle anti-racist policies and practices and leaders try to rewrite history.
He said he was deeply troubled by how racism and xenophobia are being mainstreamed on digital platforms and in political discourse. What might begin with dog whistles, coded messages meant to embolden other bigots, can quickly turn into full-throated hate speech.
Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, also spoke and said that race remains the most common ground for discrimination globally. Yet many countries still lack anti-racism legislation, and not even a quarter have comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. And he warned that hate speech is spreading unchecked, even in societies that pride themselves on tolerance, adding that racism is not only unjust and unlawful; it is morally and intellectually bankrupt.
LEBANON
The UN is deeply concerned about continuing attacks on healthcare, including health workers, health facilities and ambulances. As of today, the WHO [World Health Organization] reports 64 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 51 deaths and 91 injuries, further straining an already fragile health system.
Displacement also continues to surge. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that more than 1.2 million people, or around one in every five residents, have been forced to flee their homes. More than 130,000 people, including some 46,000 children, are currently sheltering in more than 600 collective sites nationwide, most of which are already at full capacity. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that these figures will rise further as hostilities intensify, with Israeli authorities announcing plans to escalate ground operations along the blue line.
Strikes on critical infrastructure also continue. Reports indicate that yesterday’s destruction of the Qasmieh bridge in the Sour district has further isolated southern Lebanon from the rest of the country. This comes amid a broader pattern of strikes on crossings over the Litani River, with three bridges destroyed by Israeli forces in just the last 10 days. Between the Sour and Saida districts, only one bridge remains functional, raising concerns over people’s ability to flee and access assistance. Such destruction may also impede our peacekeepers’ ability to fulfill their mandate under Security Council resolution 1701.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-23