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Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- Secretary-General trip
- Syria
- Girl Child
- Statelessness
- Bahamas
- Budget
- Ethiopia
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRIP
The Secretary-General wrapped up his visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, today.
He delivered a keynote address at a plenary session of the C40 World Mayors Summit, saying that cities – home to more than half of the world’s population – are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the role played by mayors in the fight against climate change, calling them the world’s first responders to the climate emergency.
Before he departed Copenhagen, he issued a first-person statement on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I have said often that the winds of hope are blowing ever stronger across Africa,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister is one of the main reasons why. 
“His vision helped Ethiopia and Eritrea achieve a historic rapprochement, and I was honored to witness the signing of the peace agreement last year. 

SYRIA
Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock issued a statement following the completion of his planned visit to the border region between Turkey and Syria.
Mark Lowcock noted that he repeatedly expressed his concern about the impact on civilians of military operations in Idlib since last April. Mr. Lowcock said his visit has coincided with the start of the Turkish military operation across the border in north-eastern Syria, and he expressed his concern at reports of civilian casualties on both sides of the border and of the large number of people moving inside Syria in the hope of avoiding the fighting. He reiterated what the Secretary-General has said: that we urge all parties to exercise restraint, to act in line with their obligations under the Charter and international humanitarian law, to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and in particular to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Mr. Lowcock added that he has discussed the situation with the Government of Turkey, who assured him that they attach maximum importance to the protection of civilians and the avoidance of harm to them.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says an estimated hundred thousand people have now left their home in the area.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said today that it has begun to receive reports of civilian casualties during the first two days of the Turkish operation.
The Human Rights Office said that military operations must be conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
It added that civilians and civilian infrastructure are to be protected from attack and from the effects of the hostilities. When displacement occurs, displaced civilians must be provided with assistance and protection until they are able to return to their homes or relocate elsewhere, voluntarily, in safety and dignity.
Full Highlights: