Noon Briefing Summary by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres
Friday, 7 February 2025
Secretary-General’s Travel
The Secretary-General will visit Paris, France, on Monday to participate in the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. On Tuesday, he will address leaders, highlighting the risks posed by the concentration of AI capabilities among a limited number of corporations and nations. He will warn that this trend could exacerbate global inequalities and deepen geopolitical tensions. The Secretary-General will stress the importance of preventing a divided world where some benefit from AI advancements while others are left behind. He will urge leaders in the field to collaborate and establish global frameworks to ensure equitable access and oversight.
During his stay, he is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and other global leaders. The Secretary-General will depart France on Wednesday.
International Criminal Court
Responding to questions about the U.S. Government’s executive order concerning the International Criminal Court, the Deputy Spokesperson stated:
International criminal law plays a crucial role in combating impunity, which remains a significant challenge worldwide. The International Criminal Court is a cornerstone of this effort and must operate with full independence.
Human Rights
In Geneva, the Human Rights Council convened a special session today addressing the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that without action to halt the M23 offensive, backed by Rwandan forces, the crisis could worsen, affecting not only the DRC but also neighboring regions. He expressed alarm over widespread sexual violence, with his team verifying numerous reports of rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery in conflict zones.
Türk also noted that hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members have reported threats or persecution by M23 and Rwandan forces. The UN has also assisted in protecting judicial authorities at risk.
The Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution establishing a fact-finding mission and an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in North and South Kivu provinces since January 2022.
Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), also spoke in Geneva. She highlighted the plight of displaced individuals forced to return to their homes without guarantees of safety or humanitarian aid. Keita raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and the suspension of social media platforms like X and TikTok, which she described as a violation of the right to information. She also emphasized the ongoing threat of ethnically motivated attacks in the region.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
MONUSCO clarified reports about civilians and disarmed individuals seeking refuge in its bases. The mission is providing protection to unarmed individuals in line with international humanitarian and human rights laws. No one under MONUSCO’s protection has left its premises armed.
On the humanitarian front, clashes in South Kivu have caused mass displacement and civilian casualties. Thousands are fleeing toward Bukavu, with recent bombings injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure. In North Kivu, three aid workers were killed under unclear circumstances, prompting the suspension of food and agriculture assistance for 36,000 people.
Health facilities in North Kivu have been severely affected by violence, with many destroyed or struggling to operate. The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed emergency supplies to address the growing threat of infectious diseases, including cholera, malaria, and measles.
Cyprus
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will visit Cyprus this weekend. She will meet with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to discuss the Cyprus issue and prepare for broader talks. DiCarlo will also engage with civil society representatives, including youth and women’s groups. Following her visit, she will hold meetings in Athens and Ankara to address regional and global developments.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited a UN-run shelter in Deir al Balah today, where he met displaced families and staff managing the facility. He stressed the urgent need to reopen schools in Gaza to restore education for children.
In Jerusalem, Fletcher met with heads of UN aid agencies to discuss sustaining humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. The WHO reported supporting the medical evacuation of 178 patients this month, including 115 children from Gaza.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered over 15,000 tonnes of food to Gaza since the ceasefire began, reaching more than 525,000 people. UNICEF has provided nutritional support to over 10,000 infants.
Shelter assessments are underway following a winter storm, with plans to distribute 1,500 tents to returnees in northern Gaza. However, nearly one million displaced Palestinians remain in inadequate shelters.
In the West Bank, Israeli operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas continue to displace families and restrict access to essential services.
Syria
Humanitarian aid continues to flow into northwest Syria from Türkiye, with 19 trucks delivering food, medical supplies, and education kits this week. The UN has welcomed the extension of cross-border operations through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for another six months.
Hostilities persist in northeast Syria, with incidents reported in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, and Ar-Raqqa.
Haiti
Gender-based violence remains a severe issue in Haiti, with nearly 6,500 incidents reported last year, including a sharp rise in sexual violence against children. The UN Humanitarian Air Service, a critical lifeline for aid delivery, faces a funding shortfall and requires $3.9 million to sustain operations for the next three months.
Food Price Index
The FAO reported a decline in global food prices in January, driven by lower costs for vegetable oils and sugar. Despite the drop, prices remain higher than a year ago but significantly below the peak reached in March 2022.
Financial Contributions
Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Eswatini, Georgia, Malta, and the Republic of Korea have made full payments to the UN Regular Budget, bringing the total number of contributing Member States to 49.
