Source: United Nations (video statements)
Highlights:
– Briefing
– G77
– Ethiopia/Humanitarian
– Middle East
– Yemen
– Occupied Palestinian Territory Report
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– UNIFIL
– DR Congo
– Haiti
– Nepal
– Senior Personnel Appointment – UNMISS
– International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
– World Tourism Day
– Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
– Financial Contribution
BRIEFING
At 1 p.m., Dr. Tedros, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will brief reporters on the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
In addition to Dr. Tedros, he will be joined by Professor Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Dr. Nedret Emiroglu, Head of the Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
G77
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the annual meeting of the Group of 77 foreign ministers, saying that the G77 and China’s quest for justice must continue at a time where conflicts are raging, ceasefires are broken, and human rights and international law are flouted with impunity.
From the Middle East to Gaza to Sudan, Yemen, and elsewhere, we need an end to the conflicts that are pushing development further out of reach, the Secretary-General said.
He noted that this is his last meeting with the G77 and China, and added that he will always stand with the group in its quest for justice, in its quest for development and peace.
ETHIOPIA/HUMANITARIAN
The UN remains gravely concerned by the continued deterioration of the security situation in northern Ethiopia and the expansion of the fighting along multiple fronts. The UN is particularly troubled by reports of the use of drones as well as incidents of harm to civilians.
Once again, the UN urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and address their differences through dialogue. The Secretary-General is following developments closely and continues to engage on this issue with leaders in New York, all in support of de-escalation and dialogue.
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Guang Cong, is engaging with national and regional interlocutors and is coordinating closely with partners, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). All of this is to support the resumption of dialogue under the Pretoria Framework and help advance a broader process towards sustainable peace and stability.
On the humanitarian front, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the escalation of conflict in northern Ethiopia risks adding to already substantial humanitarian needs, including for people displaced by previous fighting in Tigray. The area impacted is also experiencing below-average rainfall linked to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
The UN, along with its partners, is continuing regular humanitarian operations where security allows in Tigray, as well as in Amhara and Afar, assessing emergency needs and developing plans to respond to those impacted by the fighting. However, insecurity is already affecting UN operations. This past Sunday, a drone strike in northwestern Tigray hit a truck carrying critical food assistance for internally displaced people.
Road closures in some areas have paused or displaced planned humanitarian movements. UN humanitarian colleagues add that operations in the north, particularly in parts of Amhara, are already facing significant constraints due to insecurity, including the seizure of humanitarian vehicles and other assets by armed groups. Partners also report major disruptions to phone and internet access in Tigray, which constrain humanitarian operations as well as economic life.
The UN stresses that all parties must ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian partners to reach those in need, wherever they may be.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-09-25