The third and final phase of the second round of polio vaccinations, which was supposed to begin in northern Gaza, has had to be postponed. Top stories of the day | Thursday: Gaza, BRICS, emissions cuts, UN Day UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: World Polio Day and obstacles to vaccination in Gaza, Secretary-General at BRICS summit in Kazan, countries must commit to 42 percent emissions cuts by 2030, UN Day.
Polio in Gaza
In the Gaza Strip, which is currently under threat from the spread of polio, humanitarian pauses are needed to complete the vaccination campaign, Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA), said on World Polio Day, which is marked on October 24. The third and final phase of the second round of polio vaccinations, which was supposed to begin in the northern part of the Strip more than 24 hours ago, had to be postponed due to escalating violence, intense bombing, mass evacuation orders and the lack of guaranteed humanitarian pauses.
UN chief at BRICS summit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the BRICS summit in Kazan on Thursday. He noted that the countries represent almost half the world’s population and welcomed the group’s commitment to addressing international challenges, but said no group or country can act in isolation. The secretary-general also stressed the need for a just peace for Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and General Assembly resolutions. He called for upholding the values of the UN Charter, the rule of law, and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states.
Emissions Gap Report
Countries must collectively commit to cutting annual greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and by 57 percent by 2035, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said. As UNEP said in a report published today, failing to do so will make the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius unrealistic in just a few years. The report shows that humanity has the potential to cut emissions by more than 50 percent by 2030, but it will take a huge effort.
United Nations Day
United Nations Day, celebrated on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General stressed that the organization was created “by peace for the world”. But, according to him, hope alone is not enough. Decisive action and multilateral action are needed to ensure peace, shared prosperity and well-being, the UN chief noted. It is also necessary for all countries to work as one, he added.