Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
High lights:
– General Assembly
– Secretary-General / El Niño and La Niña Update
– Ukraine
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan / Consultations
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Haiti
– Bangladesh
– Global Dialogue on AI Governance
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the General Assembly meeting, in which Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh was elected as the forthcoming President of 81st session of the General Assembly. The secretary-general said that the new President-Elect’s theme is an inspiring call to action for the multilateral system — “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”
The Secretary-General also paid tribute to Annalena Baerbock of Germany for her outstanding leadership during the 80th Session of the General Assembly. He noted how Ms. Baerbock, over her term, pushed Member States forward on the implementation of the Pact for the Future and had organized interactive dialogues with the candidates for the next Secretary-General.
He said that the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative represent a blueprint for action, a blueprint for solutions and bold reforms to carry the United Nations into the future
The work of the General Assembly, he added, is critical to bringing these commitments to life and delivering real solutions and results that can renew the world’s faith in the work that the UN does.
And Morocco was selected to be the first seat for the next General Assembly session
SECRETARY-GENERAL/ EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA UPDATE
In a video message released today on the World Meteorological Organization El Niño / La Niña Update, the Secretary-General noted that the science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90 per cent certainty. He stressed that the world must treat it as the urgent climate warning that it is.
The Secretary-General warned that El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. He emphasized that the only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis, ending out addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.
UKRAINE
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the latest overnight large-scale missile and drone attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. These attacks reportedly killed at least 20 people, including two children, injured more than 100 others, and resulted in widespread destruction of residential and other civilian infrastructure.
Once again, we emphasize that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law and must end immediately. We also reiterate the Secretary-General’s urgent appeal for immediate de-escalation leading to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in this conflict.
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, also condemned the attacks. Our humanitarian colleagues noted that rescue operations were ongoing as of this morning.
Mr. Schmale pointed out that, instead of enjoying the start of the school summer break, children and their families spent the night in shelters, awakened by air raid sirens and explosions.
Humanitarian organizations, including our own UN agencies, are fully mobilized and providing first aid and psychological support, distributing emergency relief items, and registering affected people for humanitarian cash assistance.
And as you know, yesterday afternoon, the Security Council met to hold a briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security, following a request by Romania.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-02