Several displaced Palestinians were killed in central Gaza, according to OCHA. Daily Top Stories | Friday: G20, Middle East, Ukraine, Methane UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: Secretary General to attend G20 summit in Brazil, rising death toll in Lebanon and Gaza, $500 million to help Ukrainians in winter months, methane emissions monitoring system proves effective.
UN chief at G20 summit
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is heading to Brazil to attend the annual G20 meeting on 18 and 19 November. The Secretary-General will address sessions on social inclusion, the fight against hunger and poverty, reform of global governance institutions, as well as sustainable development and the energy transition. In Rio de Janeiro, the UN chief will hold bilateral meetings with the Brazilian president and other G20 leaders. From Brazil, the Secretary-General will return to Baku for the closing of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Escalation in the Middle East
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix concludes his four-day visit to Lebanon and Israel today. His meetings in both countries took place against the backdrop of ongoing escalation and a deteriorating humanitarian situation. For example, the UN expressed concern over the growing number of victims of Israeli airstrikes on densely populated areas of Lebanon. In Gaza, several displaced Palestinians were killed today in attacks in the central part of the enclave, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine
As the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the UN recalls the deaths of 12,000 civilians, the destruction of energy infrastructure, and the terror that drones have brought to local communities. More than 2,000 attacks on health facilities have been recorded across the country, and two million homes have been damaged. The UN and its partners need $500 million to prepare for winter and respond during the winter months. The funds will help meet emergency needs, including solid fuel supplies, water supply support and financial assistance.
Methane Emissions
A high-tech system for detecting major methane leaks has sent 1,200 alerts to governments and companies over the past two years. However, only one percent of recipients have responded to the alerts, according to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) presented at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku. Despite commitments under the Global Methane Agreement to cut emissions by 30 percent by 2030, the UNEP report highlights that the alerts remain an untapped opportunity.