Photo UN/E. Debebe Meeting of the UN Security Council. Top news of the day | environment: Ukraine, Middle East, hantavirus, innovation UN
Main news in the UN and in the world: the UN Security Council discussed the consequences of attacks on the United Arab Emirates, the UN and partners delivered aid to the front-line areas of Ukraine, a Multilateral Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals opened in New York.
UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East
On Wednesday morning, a closed meeting of the Security Council on the Middle East was held at the UN. Deputy Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo informed Security Council members about the recent missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates. She emphasized that from the very beginning of this conflict, the Secretary-General condemned all illegal attacks in the Middle East and beyond. He also noted that Security Council Resolution 2817 must be respected and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be ensured. The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Conflict in the Middle East and its Consequences, Jean Arnault, continues diplomatic consultations in the region.
Ukraine: aid delivery
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that, despite intense shelling of cities in the east of the country, humanitarian convoys continue to deliver aid to front-line settlements. Yesterday and today, the UN and partners sent supplies to support residents of the Donetsk and Kharkov regions. The convoy that arrived in Svyatogorsk, one of the hardest hit cities in the Donetsk region, was led by UN Humanitarian Aid Coordinator Matthias Schmale and the head of the Ukrainian office of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Andrea de Domenico. People received solar lamps, medicines, building materials and hygiene products. According to Ukrainian authorities, yesterday and in the early hours of today, about 30 civilians were killed throughout the country, and another 170 were injured. Among the incidents is a large-scale attack on gas production facilities in the Poltava region.
Hantavirus outbreak
On Wednesday it became known that another passenger on the cruise ship on which an outbreak of hantavirus was recorded was infected with this deadly disease. In total, three people died as a result of infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently coordinating international efforts aimed at containing the outbreak and ensuring the safety of passengers on the ship. A man diagnosed with hantavirus is being treated in a Zurich hospital after returning to Switzerland.
Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation
The 11th session of the Multilateral Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation began at UN headquarters. This year, the meeting will focus on water and energy issues and the impact they have on the infrastructure and well-being of cities and communities. The forum will feature 10 youth innovation projects demonstrating practical solutions based on local experience and with high potential for adaptation and application around the world. In the coming days, more than 60 events will be held on the sidelines of the forum – at UN headquarters, at external venues and in a virtual format.