Anniversary of terrorist attack in Baghdad & other topics - Daily Briefing (19 August 2019)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- World Humanitarian Day
- Secretary-General
- Food and Agrigulture Organization
- Afghanistan
- Sudan
- Ebola
- Brazil/Venezuela
- Wildlife
- Sri Lanka
WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY
As you know, in 2003, 22 of our colleagues were murdered when terrorists targeted the UN compound in Baghdad. Today, on World Humanitarian Day, we honor their memory as we recall their courage and dedication to improving the lives of the Iraqi people who had suffered so much.
We also think of our colleagues who survived the bombing. Many of them quietly returned to, serving at headquarters and in the field further keeping alive the memory of our friends who never came back.
This morning, the Deputy Secretary-General laid a wreath a memorial in the Visitors’ lobby. Speaking to theme of this year’s Day, she stressed how the presence of women makes UN efforts more effective, from addressing health epidemics to providing support to victims of gender-based violence. Thanks to their efforts, millions of people have found protection from conflict and had hope itself rekindled, the Deputy Secretary-General said. Her remarks have been distributed.
In his message, the Secretary-General outlined their role in supporting civilians caught up in crisis and addressing disease outbreaks. He calls on world leaders and parties to conflict everywhere to live up to their legal obligations to protect all humanitarians from harm. His message was distributed over the weekend.

SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Secretary-General will be back in the office late tomorrow afternoon.
He has a meeting scheduled late in the afternoon with the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, who he will meet here in New York.
On 18 September, we have a press conference scheduled by the Secretary-General in advance of the General Assembly.
AFGHANISTAN
In a statement we issued yesterday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180.
The Secretary-General also expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan. He wishes a swift recovery to those injured.
Full Highlights: