London Climate Action Week, Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

All right. Hello. Good afternoon, everyone. Tomorrow, our guest will be Pekka Havisto, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, and he will be here to brief on the situation in Sudan. The Secretary-General will be back in New York later today following his participation in London Climate Action Week. This morning, the Secretary-General addressed the Climate and Development Finance Forum 2026. The Secretary-General underscored that climate adaptation is no longer about preparing for a distant future. It's about managing risks in real time, as the searing heat now gripping London and far beyond makes unmistakably clear. Also today, the Secretary-General addressed a Super Pollutants Reception. He noted that the climate crisis is accelerating and we are now on course to overshoot the 1.5-degree limit in the coming years. Our task, the Secretary-General stressed, is to keep that overshoot as small, short and safe as possible and to bring temperatures back down. He said that can't happen without drastically reducing emissions, starting now, and accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels. Starting now. The Secretary-General stressed that it requires steps to end deforestation and protect nature, and it demands the world to move fast on super pollutants, the potent greenhouse gases that are behind nearly half the warming so far. He noted that methane is the super, super pollutant, so cutting methane is the single fastest brake we can pull on a warming planet, adding that this is why he launched yesterday a global call to action on methane. Before leaving London, the Secretary-General met Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization. The Secretary-General expressed his full support to IMO's efforts to release the seafarers stranded in the Gulf. And last evening, the Secretary-General was awarded the Kew International Medal in recognition of his global leadership on climate change Biodiversity Loss and Collective Action for People and Planet. The Secretary-General said that he accepted the medal not for himself, but for the United Nations and all those who work in the United Nations. Vanessa Fraser, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, told the Security Council this morning that the United Nations Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism verified 38,558 grave violations against children affecting 24,174 children, which she said is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the Children in Armed Conflict mandate. The Special Representative warned that this year's report shows that for the first time, government forces are the main perpetrators of grave violations against children overall, and specifically the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access. That is a profound and deeply troubling shift, she said. Ms. Fraser told the Council that the highest levels of violations in 2025 were verified in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia. She added that the growing integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into warfare is transforming the conduct of hostilities. Unless accompanied by meaningful human oversight, she said, these technologies risk increasing harm to children and distancing decision-makers from the human consequences of war. Catherine Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director, told the Council about efforts taken by different governments, including in Colombia, Haiti, and Syria, to improve the protection of children and end their recruitment for armed conflict. The Children in Armed Conflict framework works when there is political will, she says. A quick update from our UN Peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Our colleagues tell us that from midnight through 4 PM local time today in Lebanon, peacekeepers have not detected any trajectories of projectiles or airstrikes. This follows two consecutive days of calm on Sunday and Monday. UNIFIL, however, detected two trajectories of rockets yesterday evening. Both originated south of the Blue Line and impacted north of the Litani River. Yesterday, peacekeepers also reported some kinetic activity near al-Bayyada in Sector West, where several bursts of heavy machine gun fire and 8 40mm grenades were directed towards the east and northeast. UNIFIL also observed persistent Israel Defense Force airspace violations, mostly by drones, alongside IDF ground activities along— across the mission's area of operations, characterized by armored movements, engineering works, and logistical traffic. UNIFIL also observed 4 IDF patrol boats in Lebanese territorial waters southwest of Nakoura. On the humanitarian front, UNIFIL, through its liaison branch and in coordination with OCHA, facilitated 9 humanitarian missions by 3 agencies: the Sector West yesterday. Staying in Lebanon, OCHA tells us that more families are returning to their communities, or are trying to, in southern Lebanon. Our humanitarian partners report that the number of people living in collective shelters drops by the day. However, security risks remain a major concern, particularly due to the widespread presence of unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war. Local authorities in several villages in the Tyre District in south governorate have issued warnings following reports of the presence of unexploded ordnance. Our partners warn that these hazards continue to endanger civilians and pose a serious obstacle to safe and sustainable returns. We continue to call for the protection of civilians and for conditions that allow displaced families to return home voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. Turning to the occupied Palestinian Territory, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says that people were displaced overnight in Beit Laya area of North Gaza Governorate. That is according to humanitarian partners who received calls for help. Around midnight, about 30 households reportedly fled when tanks advanced towards al-Atatrah Junction. Then reportedly a quadcopter dropped incendiary munition that sent three tents ablaze. While most families could return after the troops withdrew, 6 households remained displaced because a yellow cement block was set up near their places of residence. Setting up such blocks signals the expansion into populated areas of the so-called yellow line, where according to our human rights colleagues, lethal force has often been used. Humanitarian partners are supporting families that are newly displaced or have otherwise lost their belongings. Last week, partners responded to alerts that affected 135 households. After quickly assessing their individual needs, they provided people with tents, blankets, hygiene and dignity kits, jerry cans, and tarpaulins through a rapid joint distribution mechanism. Last week, most of the newly affected families were impacted by strikes. Dozens of other families were displaced from areas along the so-called yellow line following the advancement of Israeli forces and the placement of yellow cement blocks. A smaller number of people received help following domestic fires or flooding. The vast majority of Gaza's 2.1 million people remain displaced, and partners are also responding to that ongoing displacement. However, they warn that longer-lasting shelter requires approvals to bring in construction materials and equipment to remove rubble and clear explosive ordnance.

Yemen.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grunberg, concluded a visit to London yesterday. We had discussions with senior UK officials, members of the diplomatic community, and experts on the recent developments in Yemen and the region. Discussions also focused on the prospects for advancing an inclusive, internationally supported, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices as the only viable way to achieve long-term stability in the country. The Special Envoy expressed his deep appreciation for the United Kingdom's continued support for UN-led efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Yemen that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people. Excuse me a sec. No, just water. Thanks. Turning to Sudan, our OCHA colleagues warned that ongoing fighting continues to endanger civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure in al-Obaid, the capital of North Kordofan State. Yesterday, our partners reported that a drone strike hit an empty fuel tanker parked near a school in al-Obaid. Students were reportedly injured. The incident took place close to the offices of several humanitarian partners. The World Health Organization is supporting the response to the latest escalation. WHO's Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said today that WHO has prepositioned essential medical supplies in Al-Obaid, including for trauma and injury care, disease prevention and response, reproductive, maternal and child health, and nutrition. These supplies are enough to treat more than 25,000 people. Needs across Sheikan, the biggest locality in North Kordofan State, remain immense, with nearly 800,000 people requiring some form of humanitarian assistance. We once again call for civilians and civilian infrastructure to be protected. Humanitarians must be able to reach people in need through safe, rapid, sustained— through rapid, safe, sustained, and unhindered access. Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, continues to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. In Beni, North Kivu Province, the mission recently provided 100 women survivors with socioeconomic support through vocational training, followed by the distribution of equipment to establish small businesses. Working with national institutions, civil society, and community leaders, MONUSCO is also helping to combat stigma and foster environments where survivors are believed, protected, and supported. Meanwhile, the mission also continues to provide— to protect civilians alongside supporting Ebola response efforts in line with its mandate. In Ituri Province, MONUSCO is supporting local authorities ensuring the health and safety of students attending state exams. On June 22nd, peacekeeping patrols provided security to 88 students attending state exams in Dalikpa near Djugu, while also promoting Ebola prevention measures. The next day, MONUSCO disinfected 4 national exam centers before the start of exams at the request of local authorities. The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chiloko Byani, commended the National— the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica for its unanimous adoption of a motion to declare Congress a space free of hate speech, harassment, discrimination, and intolerance. Through this declaration, the entire Costa Rican political spectrum within this country's legislative branch commits to conduct democratic debate with absolute respect for human dignity, sending an exceptionally strong institutional signal to other countries in Latin America and in the world. Special Advisor Biane said that the Declaration will serve as a model of what legislators can and must do, not only in words but also through their daily actions, to fight the scourge of hate and promote human dignity in the public space. And today is the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. Women in diplomacy are not only participants in international affairs, they are architects of peace. Our Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed says that we must all do everything possible to ensure women are at the table, our voices heard, and our contributions valued. That's it for me. Yes, Pam.

Thanks, Farhan. I have a question and then a follow-up. Given what you mentioned about the record-breaking heat, and you did refer to WMO, is the Secretary-General urging action by governments to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in Europe, but where the heat is really hitting hard? Thanks.

Yes, one of the things the Secretary-General emphasizes is that that the impact of climate changing— change is falling upon a lot of people who are least equipped to be able to protect themselves, particularly in the developing world. So he's encouraging support for the developing world, but in countries like in Europe, like you've mentioned, he's also pointing to the need for improved early warning and other forms of response so that those who are most vulnerable to heat can be protected.

And the follow-up is just, you mentioned the, the SRSG Fraser report. Is there any follow-up to the request, apparently in the form of a letter by the Israeli government, to the back and forth between Ambassador Danone and SRSG or Ambassador Fraser? Thank you.

Well, on that, what I can tell you is the Secretary-General continues to have full confidence in Ms. Fraser's work. Uh, we have tried to make clear that she is focused on her work, which is to present the facts contained in the Secretary-General's report, which are produced after a lengthy period of verification. And you'll have seen what she said about the Secretary-General's report in today's Security Council. Uh, yes, Edith.

Uh, thank you, Farhan. What is the Secretary General's understanding of the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspection of Iranian nuclear facilities?

I think for details on that, I would suggest that you deal directly with the International Atomic Energy Agency. They're the ones who are on the front lines on this, and we'll have to see what what work they're doing concerning their role.

On another nuclear issue, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that the DPRK has made significant progress toward a nuclear-armed navy. Does the Secretary-General have any response to that?

Well, this is another sign of our concerns about the nuclear program in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the U.N. will continue to urge all parties to once more return to negotiations on the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Yes, Stefano, and then Abdul Hamid.

Thank you, Farhan. It's a follow-up on the first question that he asked. Um, yesterday when I asked if the Secretary-General had spoken with, uh, um, Rafael Mariano Grossi, um, Stefan told me no. Fine, but I ask again. In this moment that there is, uh, you know, it's a very, very sensitive moment on the deal that United States and Iran trying to finish up. And the U.N., from my understanding, has not been involved during this process. Now it is because part of the deal is the inspection. Mariano Grossi— Rafael Mariano Grossi reports to the Secretary-General, right? I mean, this is— who is, uh, Rafael Mariano Grossi's boss?

Uh, well, obviously all, all of the system, uh, deals with the Secretary-General as the first, uh, uh, official among all of the UN officials, but they have their own responsibilities. In this case, as you know, The International Atomic Energy Agency is a specialized agency which has its own board. But in, in particular, when we're talking about this particular work, you're talking about negotiations that are happening between parties. We're not privy to those negotiations. If and when they have a role to give to the International Atomic Energy Agency, it's Mr. Grossi who will deal with the role that they, they provide.

I understand, but today Grossi, to a specific question, because you know the US saying, oh, the inspectors are going to go there this week, and the Iranians say, not at all, it's not true. And so, you know, there is a big discrepancy in this. And to the specific question, Grossi say, well, the inspector will go there, it doesn't matter when. That's what his answer. I would like to know, my specific question is, when Grossi gives the kind of answer, it's not important when, it's important that they will, does he, uh, you know, talk before or with the Secretary General and maybe saying like, what do you think about this answer? And the Secretary General say, I think it's a good answer. That is this kind of talking or not?

On that, what I'd simply say is that I, of course, don't speak for Mr. Grossi, and I'd refer you to the International Atomic Energy Agency to explain what he says. Abdul Hamid.

Thank you, Farhan. Maybe you received this question before about the report of the independent Commission on Human Rights in the West Bank, including Jerusalem and Israel and Gaza, of course. They concluded that Israel committed genocide. Does the SGE support this conclusion that reached by a UN body?

Well, we're certainly aware that this is a conclusion by a UN body. From our legal perspective, we await decisions that are taken by duly constituted courts, in other words, judicial bodies about this. Until then, we wouldn't express any opinion, but certainly we urge all countries to take seriously the work that's being done by these bodies.

And yesterday, Israeli authorities arrested Mohammad Barakeh. He is the coordinator of the Arab— Palestinian Arabs in Israel. That means he represents almost 2 million Palestinians. They roughed him up and questioned him for hours based on a speech he gave in 2022. Do you have any information? Do you have any language to say about that?

Well, nothing beyond our normal concerns about the rights of Palestinians and the due process rights of any Palestinians who are detained. By the Israeli authorities. Yes, Gabriel.

Thank you, Farhan. This morning, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations called on the Secretary-General to launch an official investigation into what he calls, quote, "anti-Israel bias" by UN officials and in UN reports. Does the Secretary-General have any plans to launch an investigation based on these claims by the permanent representative of Israel?

Uh, what, what I would like to point out is that all UN officials are expected to be impartial in the course of their work, and certainly in, in the case of, uh, the, the report on children in armed conflict, as you can see from today's discussions, what we have there is work that is designed to be impartial and that indeed deals with not simply Israel, but a huge number of governments and other parties. The purpose of the report and of the Office on Children in Armed Conflict is not to blacklist member states or other parties. That report exists to find ways to get all of them to improve their work so that children can be protected in concrete ways. So the special representative engages with member states, all member states, so that the protection of children can be enhanced. And that's where we stand on that.

Uh, the permanent representative of Israel also said, uh, that, uh, antisemitism is normalized in this institution and hate speech is excused. Comments like that by a permanent representative about this organization, does the Secretary-General think that puts UN personnel around the world in danger? And if it's— if so, what will he do about it?

I think the Secretary-General has made clear our track record against— in standing up against all forms of hatred, including antisemitism, including all forms of racism and xenophobia, and we will continue with that. We accept the fact that different member states will criticize the work we do, but we want to make sure that that the level of rhetoric is toned down so that we can work effectively with each other on the basis of impartiality, because this is how we conduct all our affairs. Yes, in the back.

Hi, thank you, Farhan. Do you have any statement on the Colombian presidential elections? Iván Cepeda just conceded this morning.

Well, certainly we congratulate the Colombian people on the holding of the elections, and we look forward to working with whatever government is selected as a result of this process. With that, have a good afternoon, everyone.