United Nations 38d ago

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Briefing - Tomorrow General Assembly resolution on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on climate change Bolivia UNRWA Security Council Occupied Palestinian Territory UNIFIL Lebanon Deputy Secretary-General Democratic Republic of the Congo/Ebola Sudan International Days Financial contribution BRIEFING - TOMORROW Tomorrow, 22 May, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a briefing by Ambassador Do Hung Viet, President of the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION ON THE ICJ’S ADVISORY OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE Yesterday, the Secretary-General issued a statement welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution following up on the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on climate change. The world’s highest body has spoken, he said and yesterday, the General Assembly has answered. The Secretary-General said this is a powerful affirmation of international law, of climate justice, of climate science, and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis. He commended the leadership of Pacific Island countries and other Small Island Developing States — together with the young people whose moral clarity helped bring the world to this moment. Those least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price, he said. That injustice must end, Mr. Guterres explained. The science is clear: fossil fuels are the primary driver of the climate crisis. The path to climate justice runs through a rapid, a just, and an equitable transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. Renewables have proved to be the cheapest and the most secure form of energy supply. The task ahead is clear the Secretary-General concluded: keep 1.5°C within reach and build a safer, fairer, and more resilient future for all. BOLIVIA The Secretary-General is following developments in Bolivia with concern, including reports of violence and protests that have disrupted essential services. The Secretary-General encourages all relevant actors to engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue to address grievances peacefully, with a view to de‑escalating tensions and safeguarding the country’s democracy and stability. UNRWA Also, yesterday afternoon, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities’ decision to establish military facilities at the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem. As you well know, that compound was seized by Israeli authorities in January. The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is an integral part of the United Nations and the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound remains United Nations premises.  These unprecedented and escalatory measures against UNRWA are a breach of the inviolability of United Nations premises.  Such actions, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice, are unlawful. The State of Israel is not entitled to exercise sovereign powers in any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as soon as possible. The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel to rescind its decision and immediately return to the United Nations the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-21