Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/BRICS
Deputy Secretary-General
Texas
Ukraine / Russia
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sudan
South Sudan
Syria
Haiti
Myanmar
Kiswahili Language Day
Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/BRICS
The Secretary-General is in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, where he is attending the 17th Summit of the BRICS countries. This morning, addressing an outreach session on "Environment, COP30 and global health”, Mr. Guterres warned that our environment is being attacked on all fronts.
The Secretary-General pointed out that across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart, and sustainable development gains left in tatters as disasters accelerate. He said that the most vulnerable and the poorer pay the highest price and stressed that we need to tackle the point where climate and health meet.
The Secretary-General emphasized we need governments to build on the progress of last year’s biodiversity COP, particularly reaching an ambitious agreement on finance, adding that we need to make COP30 a success, and as you know COP30 will be held in Brazil this year.
Yesterday, addressing an outreach session on “Strengthening multilateralism, economic-financial affairs and artificial intelligence", the Secretary-General said that artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies, and that the fundamental test is how wisely we guide this transformation.
The Secretary-General also emphasized that AI cannot be a club of the few, but must benefit all, and in particular, developing countries which must have a real voice in the governance of artificial intelligence.
The Secretary-General is also expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings with some leaders who are attending BRICS. We will share the readouts with you as we receive them.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, over the weekend, was representing the Secretary-General at the official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Cabo Verde.
Today, she is in The Gambia where she met with President Adama Barrow and other senior government officials to strengthen the relationship between the United Nations and the Gambia. She also discussed with him national efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Deputy Secretary-General is currently meeting with youth and women stakeholders, and she is expected to highlight the importance of investing in youth skills and women’s economic empowerment as a strategic lever for advancing the SDGs.
Tomorrow, she will travel to Cameroon to also represent the Secretary-General and this time she will be representing him at the International Conference on the Sustainable Blue Economy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=07%20July%202025