UN chief addresses biodiversity summit in Colombia. Top stories of the day | Tuesday: UNRWA, Ukraine, biodiversity, Gaza UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: concerns over laws passed by the Knesset to ban UNRWA, health workers injured in shelling in Ukraine, Secretary-General at biodiversity summit in Colombia, Middle East experiencing ‘most dangerous time in decades’.
UNRWA Ban
Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlining his concerns about the laws passed by the Knesset the day before, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said while answering questions from reporters at a briefing in New York. Under the new legislation, the ban on the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA) will come into effect in 90 days. According to Dujarric, the UN chief was encouraged by the numerous statements of support that UNRWA had received in the past 24 hours. Thus, many countries that often disagree with each other on many topics expressed unity on this issue, he noted.
Shelling of Ukraine
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 30 civilians, including medical workers, were killed and wounded as a result of shelling last night and today in Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv and Kyiv. According to local authorities, hospitals and apartment buildings were damaged in Kharkiv. Humanitarian organizations mobilized emergency aid to the victims. Meanwhile, as a result of fighting in the Kherson and Donetsk regions yesterday and today, more than 20 civilians, including children and medical workers, were killed and wounded. According to local authorities, more than ten houses and other civilian objects were damaged.
Biodiversity Summit
Countries must work in four key areas to turn the promises of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework into reality, the Secretary-General said while speaking at the UN Conference on Biodiversity in Colombia. Thus, all countries must present clear plans in line with the goals of the Framework. In addition, the UN chief spoke about the need to strengthen the monitoring system, and called on countries to fulfill their financial pledges and accelerate support for developing countries. Guterres also recalled that all sectors of society and various groups of the population, including indigenous peoples, must be involved in preserving diversity.
Security Council on the situation in Gaza
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Thor Wennesland said during a meeting of the Security Council that the region is going through “the most dangerous time in decades.” He mentioned in particular the Beit Lahia attack on Monday, which left at least 90 people, including 25 children, dead or missing. Wennesland stressed that the conflict has claimed the lives of more than 42,000 Palestinians and 1,600 Israelis since October 2023. He also called for an end to unilateral steps that undermine the peace process and the two-state solution. The Special Coordinator is deeply concerned about developments regarding the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA).