Sangjin Kim Primed for a Busy Month as Security Council President
Staying true to our commitment of transparency, we would like to inform you that tomorrow, Sangjin Kim, the actingin-charge representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, is scheduled to host a press briefing. Mr. Kim, taking up the crucial role as Security Council President for the month of September, has promised a bustling month ahead. As part of his duty, he will be providing you an outline of the work planned for the month.
We are delighted to announce a significant appointment in the UN office. Diene Keita of Guinea is stepping in as the new Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), taking over from her interim role. Prior to this, Ms. Keita has been fulfilling the responsibilities as the Deputy Executive Director (Programme) since 2020. She brings to the table a significant wealth of over thirty years of experience in public service and international development leadership.
In the upcoming week, MarÃa Angela HolguÃn Cuéllar, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, will be visiting Cyprus. She will be conducting meetings independently with both Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar. The said meetings are set to occur on the 2nd of September.
Adding to her schedule, Ms. HolguÃn Cuéllar will engage with the representatives assigned by the two Cypriot leaders, take part in discussions with the Technical Committee on Youth, the Committee on Missing Persons, and other relevant interlocutors. These engagements are aimed at establishing dialogs and fostering peaceful relations between the involved parties.
We published a statement about the ongoing crisis in Sudan earlier today. The Secretary-General expressed his horror towards the perpetual assaults initiated by the Rapid Support Forces on El Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur State. This region has been facing an increasingly intense siege for over 500 days, resulting in hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians trapped within the city’s confines.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the potential serious violations and breaches of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including violations driven by ethnicity. The situation screams urgency as El Fasher has been blockaded for such an enduring period and the humanitarian supplies are waiting nearby, yet unsuccessful attempts to deliver essentials have further exacerbated the situation.
The recurring attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets in North Darfur over the previous months have attained the Secretary-General’s attention. The international community needs to act now in response to these challenging circumstances, placing the safety of civilians at the pinnacle of their priority.
The Secretary-General is advocating for an immediate ceasefire in and around El Fasher. He strongly emphasizes the need for action to safeguard civilians and ensure the steady, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to the region. Furthermore, the provision for safe voluntary evacuation for civilians from the area is paramount.
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ramtane Lamamra, is actively involved with parties involved in the conflict. His efforts are concentrated on mediating between the warring entities and facilitating amicable solutions to curb the current alarming conditions.
Moving our focus towards Gaza, it’s concerning to witness the potential devastating effects the current Israeli offensive on Gaza City could bring should it heighten further. Notably, the daily tactical pauses announced by Israel have ceased within Gaza City, a move that has raised apprehension amongst observers.
Humanitarian aid operations need to be expanded and fortified to support life-saving interventions at this time, rather than enduring more setbacks. Civilians constitute the core of these operations, amongst whom are humanitarian workers who need to be protected unconditionally. In addition, preservation of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian facilities is a matter of imperative concern.
Sharing some news from Columbia, the UN Verification Mission in Columbia expressed its gratitude upon the safe release of 33 military personnel. These individuals from Columbia’s armed forces were held captive by local residents in the South for several days amidst ongoing military confrontations against armed groups and illegal crop cultivation in the region.
Significantly, Columbia’s Defense Minister expressed his gratitude to the Mission for their role in facilitating the release in Guaviare’s Department. The Mission assured their continual commitment to the local communities and institutions to ensure the attainment of sustainable peace in the area.
Interesting developments are anticipated in Haiti, with the Security Council poised to introduce further measures to bolster international support for security in the country in response to the issues posed by armed gangs. The readiness of the international community to extend this support brings a ray of hope for the people of Haiti.
Last but not least, we express our unwavering dedication to assist the people of Haiti, in complete cooperation with the transitional authorities. We joined hands anticipating a brighter, safer future for Haiti, and our resolution remains unwavering amidst the country’s challenging climate.