Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/Travel
– Cyprus
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Afghanistan
– Haiti
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Ebola
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Human Rights
– India
– Food Price Index
– International Day of Clean Air
– Air Quality
– International Days
– Financial Contributions
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVEL
The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York.
Earlier today, he spoke to the media just before leaving Papua New Guinea. He told journalists gathered in Port Moresby that he felt gratitude and solidarity for the role played by the country today, especially as it relates to its contribution to address climate change.
Papua New Guinea does not contribute to climate change, he said, adding that the country has a negative emissions record, due to an enormous carbon sink: its rainforest and the ocean.
The international community, which benefits from the country’s forests and oceans, must pay back, Mr. Guterres said. First, the international community needs to accept that there must be climate justice. Countries like Papua New Guinea must have all the support that was promised to address adaptation needs, to build resilience and to protect people and country against the devastating impact of climate change.
But, he added, there must also be justice in the way international financial institutions address the problems of development. The Secretary-General reiterated his call for reforms of the international financial systems.
CYPRUS
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Maria Angela Holguin, is set to travel to Cyprus next week. She will meet the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, on 12 September, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, on 15 September. She is also expected to engage with the representatives of the two leaders, among other Cypriot stakeholders.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing offensive on Gaza City has further intensified today, increasing the damage to civilians and the facilities on which they depend to survive.
Earlier today, Israeli forces attacked a high-rise building that they say was used to execute attacks against them. Initial information collected by OCHA indicates that tents sheltering displaced people were damaged nearby. We are also concerned by the announcement that more high-rise buildings will be attacked soon.
These developments are forcing increasing numbers of people to flee, in a place where just about everyone has already been displaced, often many times, and famine has just been confirmed. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in the north, people are simply exhausted.
They can’t afford to move south, not only because displacement sites are overcrowded, but also because transport can cost more than $1,000.
Between Wednesday and yesterday, our colleagues tracking population movements in Gaza recorded nearly 3,000 movements from the north to the south. That brings the total since 14 August to nearly 41,000.
Meanwhile, OCHA reports that in more parts of the Strip, Israeli authorities require any movement of humanitarian personnel to be coordinated with them in advance. On Wednesday and yesterday, our teams attempted to coordinate 29 such movements, but 19 of them were either denied outright or initially approved but then significantly delayed or otherwise impeded on the ground. Only nine were facilitated, and one had to be cancelled by the organizers.
Despite the impediments, we were able to collect some fuel and supplies related to water, hygiene and sanitation from the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings and transfer some other items within the Gaza Strip. Our teams could also repair a road in Rafah that’s needed to improve cargo flow in the south. And as we mentioned yesterday, they were able to assess the conditions and needs of displaced people in North Gaza.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization distributed critical nutritional supplies to support hospitalized infants and patients at Al Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis. These included 4,900 units of infant and high-protein formula and 2,000 feeding components.
To respond to famine and malnutrition adequately, humanitarians working in Gaza continue to call for scaled-up, sustained, and safe access – so that enough food and medicines can enter the Strip and reach those who need them. And we need sustained and unimpeded access directly to the north, including Gaza City.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=05%20September%202025