Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Briefings Tomorrow
– UN Relief and Works Agency
– occupied Palestinian territory
– World Congress Against the Death Penalty
– Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
– Venezuela
– South Sudan
– Central African Republic
– Climate/Transport
– Ebola
– AI and Children
– Special Political Missions 1945–2025: an Overview
– International Days
– Financial Contribution
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BRIEFINGS TOMORROW
Tomorrow, at 11:00 a.m., there will be a briefing here by the UN Secretary-General to introduce the preliminary report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. He will be joined by Panel co-chairs Yoshua Bengio of Canada and Maria Ressa of the Philippines to present the findings ahead of the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, to be held in Geneva on 6–7 July.
We also expect a briefing here tomorrow by Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Permanent Representative of the of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations and Security Council President for the month of July.
We expected a briefing by the controller Chandramouli "Chandru" Ramanathan on the budget.
UN RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
The Secretary-General told Member States at a meeting this morning for voluntary contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, that today’s event is happening while the safety and welfare of millions of Palestine refugees hang in the balance. In Gaza, he noted, Israeli attacks have killed more than a thousand Palestinians since, and despite, the ceasefire announced last October.
Mr. Guterres warned that, despite all the services it provides to Palestinians throughout the Middle East, the Agency’s situation is increasingly precarious. It faces sweeping restrictions throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory. And a cash shortfall that imperils its work across the region.
The Secretary-General said he is deeply concerned about UNRWA’s liquidity crisis, which jeopardizes its ability to implement its mandate.
Earlier this year, UNRWA was compelled to reduce its service delivery hours by 20 per cent. That meant reducing salaries for most local personnel and keeping 15 per cent of international posts vacant.
He added that he is appalled by continuing efforts to marginalize and undermine UNRWA – through disinformation, smear campaigns, legislative actions, operational restrictions, diplomatic roadblocks and more.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, OCHA says humanitarian teams in the Gaza Strip are assessing the needs of those affected by yesterday’s airstrike on Al Muwasi area of Khan Younis.
Initial information suggests that – in addition to the killing of a mother and her baby girl – more than 150 families have had their tents destroyed. The tents of 250 other families were also damaged.
Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-30