Hong Kong protests in early 2020. Top stories of the day | Tuesday: Russia, Ukraine, G20, Hong Kong UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: UN press secretary answers question about Russia’s nuclear doctrine, on the 1,000th day of the war, the UN calls for support for Ukraine, G20 leaders demand agreement on a new climate finance target, UN human rights activists are concerned about the sentences of activists in Hong Kong.
Russian Nuclear Doctrine
All nuclear states are responsible for fully implementing their nuclear disarmament obligations under the relevant treaties. This was stated today at a briefing in New York, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, by his press secretary Stephane Dujarric, in response to a journalist’s question about updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine. “We want to avoid any situation where the [relevant] rhetoric is intensified and, what is even more dangerous, the risk of miscalculation with respect to these destructive weapons increases,” he said.
Ukraine: the thousandth day of war
Since February 2022, more than 39,000 civilians have been killed or wounded across Ukraine, more than 3,400 schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and 10 million people have fled their homes. UN Resident Coordinator Matthias Schmale recalled this on Tuesday, the 1,000th day since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He stressed that as Ukrainians prepare for another winter of war, the support of the UN and the international community is more important to them than ever.
G20 Summit and Climate Conference
The G20 leaders gathered for the summit in Rio de Janeiro sent a clear signal to the participants of the UN Climate Conference (COP-29), currently taking place in the capital of Azerbaijan: they cannot leave Baku without agreeing on a new goal for climate finance. The head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Steele, said that this is “in the interests of all countries.” Tense closed-door talks continue in Baku, but delegates have so far failed to reach a common denominator.
Sentences of Hong Kong Activists
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed grave concern over the sentencing of 45 opposition activists in Hong Kong. They have been given prison terms of up to 10 years under China’s National Security Law. The Office’s spokesman, Jeremy Lawrence, condemned the use of the law to criminalize activities protected by international law, including peaceful assembly and expression.