Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Deputy Spokesperson of the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-05
Hurricane Melissa: World Food Programme (WFP) Relief Efforts – Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
World Food Programme (WFP) officials in the Caribbean briefed journalists in New York on the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti and ongoing response and operations to support those affected.
From Jamaica, the Country Director for WFP’s Multi-Country Caribbean Office, Brian Bogart, said, “many people across Jamaica have lost their homes, they’ve lost their livelihoods, and they’re still in shock.”
Bogart said, “the Jamaican people are resilient. They tell us they are. We see that they are. But they need urgent support to maintain that resilience.”
He said, WFP “has managed to airlift 2000 food kits from a regional logistics hub that we have established for the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency in Barbados to Kingston, and we continue to airlift additional supplies while we’re sending up a commodity pipeline of assistance from markets here in Jamaica and working with national authorities to coordinate delivery of that assistance to people in need by air and by road.”
Bogart stressed WFP’s “commitment to meet the most urgent needs of the people in Jamaica and to support long term recovery efforts to ensure that the people of this country remain food secure.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 1.5 million people – over half of Jamaica’s population – have been affected by Melissa, facing the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
More than 130 roads have been blocked, while power and communication networks have been disrupted. Access to some western parishes remains difficult due to roads being blocked by debris as well as fuel shortages.
Health services are under heavy strain, as several hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed, including the hospital in the town of Black River.
WFP estimates that up to 360,000 people may require food assistance. Meanwhile, UNICEF and its partners are working to restore safe water and sanitation services, particularly in shelters and affected communities.
WFP’s Country Director in Cuba, Etienne Labande, for his part praised the Cuban Government’s anticipatory actions, which he said, “demonstrated not only saved lives, they also optimise resources and reinforce the resilience of Cuba’s emergency response system.”
Labande said, “the ongoing response is an outcome of preparedness work alongside the Cuban government. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated ahead of the shock to protection centres, and WFP and the government prepositioned food supplies to support 275,000 people for up to 60 days.”
Pending permitting, he said, WFP plans to assist “900,000 people for three months and half of those in need of assistance for an additional three months.”
The United Nations in Cuba, Labande continued, has finalised its response plan, “which has been approved by the government and will be launched officially tomorrow from La Habana, appealing for a total of 74 million US dollars, all sectors included, and aiming at assisting around a million persons affected over a period of 12 months, including the recovery period.”
In Doha today, Secretary-General António Guterres met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and discussed the impact of climate change on the Caribbean, and the devastation left recently by hurricane Melissa.
The Prime Minister commended the United Nations team’s response and support to Cuba in these difficult circumstances, while the Secretary-General assured the Prime Minister of the United Nations’ solidarity and continued aid to Cuba in this regard.
Turning to Haiti, Labande said, “even before Melissa hit one in two Haitians were already severely food insecure. Armed groups controlled large areas of the capital and other regions, complicating food movements within the country. Our colleagues are reporting that homes and infrastructure have been washed away along the southern coast, where 1,250,000 people, estimated to be affected by the hurricane.”
The UN and partners in Haiti, continue to carry out assessments of the damage wreaked by Hurricane Melissa and are ramping up our efforts to reach people in need. According to the authorities, at least 30 people have died.
OCHA continues to work closely with authorities and partners to ensure a coherent, efficient, and well-coordinated response, facilitating information sharing and supporting collective efforts to reach affected populations. The $908 million Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for is just over 21 percent funded with $195 million received so far.
Gaza Evacuees in Qatar
Source: United Nations (video statements)
President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock visited the al-Thumama Complex in Doha, Qatar. The complex was developed for the FIFA World Cup 2022 but now is hosting Palestinian refugees. She spoke with children many of whom are orphans, women undergoing vocational training, and those seriously injured – who were evacuated from Gaza in the aftermath of the war in the Strip.
Palestine, Sudan, Hurricane Melissa & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Deputy Spokesperson of the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq.
Highligths:
-Secretary-General/Doha
-Deputy Secretary-General/Doha
-Secretary-General/Trip Announcement
-Emissions Gap Report
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Sudan
-Hurricane Melissa
-Madagascar
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SECRETARY-GENERAL/DOHA
The Secretary-General spoke to the opening session of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar today, and he warned that today, we are at a moment of high global uncertainty with crises on going in terms of poverty, inequality, and climate.
He saluted the adopted Doha Political Declaration as a “booster shot for development,” describing it as a people-centered plan requiring urgent action in four areas: accelerating poverty and inequality reduction, job creation, increased financing for developing countries, and greater social inclusion. The Declaration, Mr. Guterres said, calls for targeted investments, climate finance, and inclusive governance.
The Secretary-General urged governments and partners to mobilize the political will and resources to realize the Declaration’s ambitious vision for sustainable development. This Summit, he said in closing, is all about hope – hope through collective action that is so desperately needed to continue the journey that we began together thirty years ago in Copenhagen.
He spoke to the press in Doha about the Political Declaration, and he also discussed the horrifying crisis in Sudan, which he said is spiralling out of control, and about the continued violations of the ceasefire in Gaza.
On Sudan, he said that, for over 18 months, El Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have been an epicentre of suffering, hunger, violence and displacement. And since the Rapid Support Forces entered El Fasher last weekend, the situation is growing worse by the day.
He once again called for an immediate end to this unimaginable violence; for the safe, rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilians in need; for an end to the flow of weapons and fighters into Sudan; and for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Regarding Gaza, the Secretary-General said that all parties must abide by the decisions of the first phase of the peace agreement. And he stressed the need to establish a credible political path towards ending the occupation, realizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and leading to a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/DOHA
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, arrives in Doha, Qatar, today to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development. The Deputy Secretary-General will meet with senior government officials from Qatar and other delegations, as well as civil society representatives, youth, and other stakeholders, to discuss how to translate commitments made at the Summit into tangible progress on the ground.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
The Secretary-General will depart Qatar on Wednesday to head to Brazil, where he will attend the Belém Climate Summit, which will be held ahead of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, taking place in Belém from November 10 to 21.
The Secretary-General will speak at the opening of the General Plenary of Leaders on Thursday, where he is expected to stress that in this critical moment for our planet and the billions of lives and livelihoods it sustains, every leader must confront some stark truths.
Noting that newly submitted Nationally Determined Contributions represent progress, the Secretary-General will say that policies and plans governments have put on the table still fall far short of a credible pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed by all Member States in the Paris Agreement. The truth, the Secretary-General will warn, is that the climate crisis is accelerating.
The Secretary-General will also highlight that another truth is that we have never been better equipped to fight back, emphasizing that this COP must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery. While in Belém, the Secretary-General will also meet with leaders attending the conference. The Secretary-General is expected back in New York on 9 November.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-04
5 Facts: World Summit for Social Development
Source: United Nations (video statements)
World leaders are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for a high-level UN conference aimed at reigniting the vision of people-centred, inclusive development.
From 4 to 6 November, Heads of State, ministers, civil society, youth and private sector representatives will assess progress, confront persistent gaps, and chart a renewed path forward to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Leaders Gather at World Summit for Social Development | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Leaders Gather at World Summit for Social Development
World leaders are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for a high-level UN conference aimed at reigniting the vision of people-centred, inclusive development.
From 4 to 6 November, Heads of State, ministers, civil society, youth and private sector representatives will assess progress, confront persistent gaps, and chart a renewed path forward to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Doha Declaration represents people’s plan – UN Chief at WSSD2 Opening Presser | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Opening press encounter for the Second World Summit for Social Development with the UN Secretary-General.
Speaker: António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Moderated by: Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations
World Summit for Social Development: Hope through collective action – UN Chief | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Opening remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Second World Summit for Social Development WSSD2 (Doha, Qatar 4-6 November 2025).
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recalled that the first gathering in Copenhagen in 1995 was “a moment of moral clarity”, reminding the world that “true development isn’t about prosperity for the few — it’s about opportunities for the many”.
He hailed progress since then — more than a billion people lifted from poverty, near-historic low unemployment, and expanded access to healthcare, education and social protection — all achieved through “actions by the global community to deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda”.
But today, he warned, the world faces “high global uncertainty, divisions, conflicts and widespread human suffering”. Hunger, poverty, and displacement persist, while “developing countries are not getting the level of support they need”. The world is “not moving fast enough” on climate change and is “falling short on the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Palestine, Sudan, Tanzania & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (3 November 2025) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson of the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Secretary-General/Social Summit
-Secretary-General/C40 World Mayors Summit
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Sudan
-Tanzania
-Afghanistan
-Hurricane Melissa
-Haiti
-Ukraine
-Land Degradation
-Marathon
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SECRETARY-GENERAL/SOCIAL SUMMIT
The Secretary-General arrived in Doha a few hours ago; tomorrow, he will open the Second World Social Summit there.
Today, he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. During the meeting, the Secretary-General thanked Qatar for hosting this landmark event. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed several regional issues, including the situation in Gaza. He thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive engagement for personally facilitating the recent ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. The Secretary-General underlined the need to establish a political horizon towards a negotiated two-State solution.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/C40 WORLD MAYORS SUMMIT
Also today, the Secretary-General addressed via a video message the C40 World Mayors Summit, which is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. He noted that ten years after Paris, a new clean energy economy has emerged.
The Secretary-General pointed out that continuing to invest in fossil fuels is a dead end, but the task before us remains immense. He stressed that COP30 must mark the start of a decade of acceleration, and deliver a clear plan to close the gaps on ambition, adaptation, and finance.
The Secretary-General stressed that local leadership will be the force that turns this plan to life. He noted that a decade ago, bold leadership gave us the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Today, he added, we must summon that same courage and solidarity – to make the clean energy revolution the engine of climate justice.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing scale-up of the aid response is already having a positive impact on people in all areas of the Strip. But much more is needed so that we can address the full scale of the needs and leave no one behind.
This Saturday, the UN and our partners collected nearly 200 truckloads of essential supplies from Israeli crossings along the perimeter fence that encircles Gaza. Among the supplies were nearly 1,900 metric tonnes of different food supplies and wheat flour and over 100 pallets of food boxes. The supplies also included over 1,000 pallets of mattresses, blankets, tents, tarpaulins and winter clothes. And they included nearly 300 pallets full of hygiene kits, buckets, water containers, and jerry cans; 50 pallets of fortified cereals; and some 200 pallets of dignity kits, menstrual health kits, and midwifery supplies.
On Sunday – based on initial data that’s still partial – our teams collected nearly 1,000 pallets of blankets, tents, hygiene kits, water tanks, mats, winter clothes, tarpaulins and jerry cans, alongside one truckload of animal fodder.
All of this data is preliminary, and it covers the UN and our partners but does not include bilateral donations and the commercial sector.
Inside Gaza, the UN and our partners are currently supporting 17 bakeries in Gaza – nine in the south and eight in the north, which produce 150,000 bread bundles every day. That’s as of Thursday. These bread bundles are distributed through more than 400 points across the Gaza Strip. We’re also supporting 180 kitchens serving nearly 1,160,000 meals every day. This is as of Saturday. And all of this is in addition to the distribution of food parcels.
On the nutrition front, we are currently supporting 133 treatment sites, including 20 in Gaza City, where famine was confirmed in August. We’re also improving services that prevent malnutrition, including by providing blanket supplementary feeding. On Saturday and Sunday, our teams also delivered 1,000 tarpaulins and 2,500 blankets to people in need.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-03
UN Security Council’s November 2025 Agenda – Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Press Conference by H.E. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York, and President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of November 2025 on the programme of work of the Security Council during the month of November 2025.