UNRWA Pledging Conference & other topics - Daily Briefing (25 June 2019)

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- U.N. Relief and Works Agency
- Nigeria
- Security Council
- Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Yemen
- UN Women Report
- Seafarer
- Human Rights Bodies
- Anti-Semitism
U.N. RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
The Secretary-General this morning spoke at a pledging conference for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, otherwise known as UNRWA. He told diplomats at the meeting that, for nearly seven decades, UNRWA has faithfully and effectively fulfilled its mandate to assist Palestine refugees until a just and lasting solution is found. He said that millions of children have benefitted from an UNRWA education. He added that UNRWA’s innovative health care services maintain high standards and are remarkably cost-effective; its emergency and social services address the fundamental needs of millions; and, in Gaza alone, one million Palestine refugees depend on the agency for food.
If we are proud of these accomplishments, he said, we need to support them in concrete ways. Given what is at stake at the human level, at the political and security level, and at the multilateral level, we must rise to the challenge and empower UNRWA to continue its important and impressive work, he said.
The Secretary-General noted that UNRWA has taken extraordinary reform and cost-control measures to reduce inefficient spending, and over the past five years, UNRWA has saved $500 million through these internal measures.

NIGERIA
Yesterday, the Deputy Secretary-General met with His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria. The Deputy Secretary-General thanked the Vice President for the visit, conveyed the Secretary-General’s greetings and expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between the UN and Nigeria.
The Deputy Secretary-General and the Vice President exchanged views on the strengthening the solid relationship between the United Nations and Nigeria on issues ranging from sustainable development, sustaining peace, preventing crisis, addressing violent extremism and other challenges especially across the Sahel, and West Africa.

SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council this morning held an open meeting on South Sudan.
Addressing Council members, David Shearer, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said that the peace agreement continues to progress and that the ceasefire is holding in most states.
Mr. Shearer noted that the drop in political violence has meant that hundreds, if not thousands, of people are alive who otherwise would not be, and more than half a million people have returned to their homes. He said that the desire for peace is palpable and that there is a fierce aversion to any renewal of fighting.
The Special Representative said that, while disappointing, the postponement of the formation of a transitional government will give time to resolve outstanding issues that might otherwise derail the peace deal.
The African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, and the UN have been working collectively to support the process and are strongly unified in our position that the six-month extension must be the last one.
Also speaking at today’s meeting was Andrew Gilmour, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights. He called on South Sudanese parties to abide by and implement their commitments to end hostilities and stop conflict-related sexual violence.
Also in the Council this morning, the members of the Security Council mmbers adopted a resolution that will transform 15 years of peacekeeping in Haiti into a new political mission.
On October 16, the BINUH mission – Bureau Intégré des Nations Unies en Haïti – will be established as a special political mission for an initial period of 12 months to advise the Government of Haiti to promote and strengthen political stability and good governance.
Among other things, the mission will provide assistance with the planning and holding of elections; will work to reinforce the capacity of the Haitian National Police; improve prison management; and strengthen the justice sector.

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