Yemen, Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing Press Conferences Date: 11 September 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/briefing/sg/2026-09-11 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [0:03]: Okay. Hi, folks. Thanks for coming. I wanted to take this opportunity to brief you ahead of the weekend on the activities of the General Assembly and of President Rahman since he took office and spoke to the press on Tuesday. The days are already kind of running together. And also on the activities that are coming up. So today the Assembly met in plenary and adopted the agenda and organization of work for its 81st session. This is upon the recommendation of its General Committee, which was made earlier this week. The President is also delivering remarks today for the UN Day for South-South Cooperation, which is observed annually on 12 September. Among other things, he will highlight the ways that South-South and triangular partnerships are translating the priorities at the heart of his presidency into inclusive and country-owned action, from peace and security to climate resilience and responsible digital governance and beyond. Then on Monday, the President will deliver remarks at a GA plenary to pay tribute to the late King of Norway, Harald V, who passed away on 28 August. After that, the Assembly has quite a light schedule, as you can imagine, until the start of the high-level week, when we will have more General Assembly than we know what to do with. You'll have seen Lynese's e-mail with the most updated list of speakers for the general debate that was sent out. I think it's dated 4 September. If you do not have this, please reach out to my team. We will get it to you. And just note, this is likely the last iteration, excuse me, until the DGACM makes this final and uploads it to the journal. So it's likely not to change until then. And please keep refreshing the journal and refer to that as your next source. As you know, the general debate begins the 22nd. And I'm sure you're aware of all the high-level events taking place that week, but just to spell them out, on Wednesday, 23rd September, the President will deliver remarks at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. This will be in conference room four. 15 p.m., he will co-host the annual meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders. co-hosting alongside Miss Sima Sami Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women. Thursday the 24th, the President will deliver remarks at the high-level plenary meeting to address existential threats posed by sea level rise. That's in conference room 4. And on Friday the 25th, he'll speak to the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, which is in conference room 1. Excuse me. Side events and other meetings are being, excuse me, considered on that busy week, but we don't have anything tangible for you on that yet. So that's a glimpse into the high level week and next week as well. And with that, I think I'll take any questions that you might have for me. And please bear with me on learning all your names and faces. So thank you. Journalist [3:30]: With Arab News Daily. Thank you, Melissa. Do you have anything to share with us about any bilateral meetings that the PGA would be holding? Whatever you can share with us would be very helpful. GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [3:41]: Thank you. I know that's that's of great interest, but the the calendar is still being finalized. We will share more information once we have it. Journalist [3:49]: And if I may ask you a general question as we're gearing up for a high-level week, how would you describe the mood in the PJA office and in this building in general? What are the expectations from world leaders who will be convening in New York? And what are the hopes for this General Assembly? Thank you. GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [4:09]: Well, I think, you know, we all think that this is a transitional year, a very important year. given all the changes we've seen. So as you've heard directly from President Rahman, you know, his vision is really underpinned by his six priorities, accelerating sustainable development, strengthening peace and security, climate action, advancing human rights, and the GA's role in that process, and ensuring that technological transformation improves lives and leaves no one behind. And he's also really stressed the need to restore trust in multilateralism itself. I think this is on all of our minds. And on this last point, he has stressed that, you know, trust cannot just be requested. It has to be earned. So he's really looking for concrete commitments, tangible results, and these will be the guideposts of his tenure. Yes, Desi. Journalist · Zhang [5:08]: My name is Zhang from Xinhua News Agency. I'm wondering, you know, you updated a seating plan in the General Assembly Hall during the high level, I mean, the next General Assembly. Between Z and A, there is, in the updated plan, there is Mauritania. I'm wondering why, because should be Z and then A, B, C, right? So the old seating plan was all right, was in strict alphabetical order. But the updated plan, there is more between Z and A. Can you explain that? GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [5:46]: I assume this is a protocol issue, but I just have to be honest that I don't know about this. And I'm going to have to check with the substantive folks. And if we have something, we'll get back to you. Thanks. Anyone else in the room? OK. Oh, yes. DAAG fellow · Nathan Goma [6:09]: Thank you so much. I'm Nathan Goma. I'm from Zimbabwe, and I'm a DAAG fellow for this year. GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [6:15]: Nice to meet you. DAAG fellow · Nathan Goma [6:16]: Yes, so mine is just a general question. I don't know if you can help me. So it's based in-- it's from Mozambique in southern Africa, in Cabo Delgado, where there's been insurgency, where there's been-- yeah, where there's been Islamic insurgency. With Sadik's military mission in Mozambique now closed and Rwanda continuing with its military operations, there's been more fighting and the rebels have taken, they've actually gone into the neighboring province of Niassa where 20 people have been abducted. I just wanted to know what role does the SG seek for SADC in addressing the continuing insurgency in Southern Africa? GA · PGA Spokesperson · Melissa [7:13]: Thank you. I mean, as you know, I'm the PGA spokesperson and Stefan de Jurek is the SG spokesperson. So this is really a matter for him. And just generally speaking on these kinds of matters of peace and security or political affairs, I'll refer you, for all of you, consistently to the Security Council, the various envoys and special representatives of the SG, our colleagues in OCHA, and also in the Office for Peace and Peacebuilding Affairs. So thank you. Please refer to them. Anyone else in the room today? We can take questions online as well. I'm quite new to this technology, so bear with me. All right. I'm seeing no questions online yet. Thanks, Daniela. Okay. If there are no more questions on the upcoming weeks, let's wrap. And I'm sure you'll be speaking to His Excellency soon, too. Thank you. Thanks. Journalist [9:17]: Me. Journalist · Zhang [9:27]: I thought my passion a little bit. UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [10:08]: All right. Good afternoon and happy Friday, everyone. As you know, the Secretary-General is in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, and he met there today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for India's close cooperation with the United Nations. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed the priorities of India's presidency of the BRICS including the need for multilateral institutions that clearly reflect the realities of the world in the 21st century. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also had a wide-ranging discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and the impact both are having on the global economy, including regarding access to food and fertilizer. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation. The two leaders also had an exchange of views on the growing danger of lethal autonomous weapons. The Secretary-General will deliver remarks at the summit on Sunday, and we will share those with you when we can. I have the following statement on the passing of William Henry Draper. The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of former UN Development Programme Administrator William Henry Draper. Mr. Draper served as UNDP administrator from 1986 to 1993. He was a true champion of the world's poorest people and supported a significant expansion of UNDP's development work. Under his leadership, UNDP launched the first Human Development Report in 1990, which shifted the focus of development approach from a narrow one based on economic growth to a wider look at the range of factors affecting human well-being. The Secretary-General offers his condolences to Mr. Draper's family and friends, and to all those who worked with him to improve the living conditions of people around the world. Our Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, was in Lianyungang, China, until today, where he participated in the 2026 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum. Addressing the forum, Mr. LeCoeur reaffirmed his conviction that no country can face today's complex security challenges alone. He said international cooperation is the way forward and thanked China for convening this important event. While there, Mr. LeCoeur also met with China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. He expressed appreciation for China's continued political and financial support to peace operations. which allows us to deliver on mandates and pilot innovation. His next stop is Kyrgyzstan, where he will be meeting with senior government officials. The Security Council will hold a briefing at 3:00 p.m. today on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. That meeting, of course, is being held 25 years after the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States. At the outset of the meeting, a minute of silence will be observed to honour all victims of terrorism, and a draft presidential statement is to be adopted. Natalia Germann, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, and Ehab Omash, Representative of the UN Office on Counter-Terrorism, will brief the Council. Turning to Yemen, we are gravely concerned by the seizure of a key humanitarian common premises and its assets in Mocha by the Houthi de facto authorities. The compound houses staff of UN agencies working to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities in the area. All UN personnel working at the common premises had left the compound before the seizure and are safe and accounted for. We reiterate that humanitarian personnel, premises, and assets must be respected and protected at all times. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must also be ensured so that lifesaving assistance can continue to reach people in need, particularly at this critical time. We remain committed to supporting Yemeni vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, our humanitarian colleagues on the ground tell us that civilians continue to flee the fighting. 18,000 households have been displaced since the start of the month. People are reportedly moving towards the governorates of Taiz, Aden, Lahj, and Abyan. We and our humanitarian partners are working to respond, but access and funding constraints continue to pose severe challenges. For example, our partners working to mobilize rapid response efforts have 15,000 emergency kits ready to go, but cuts to roads mean the majority are stuck in Aden. The Mokha seaport sustained significant damage during the recent fighting, and operations there are suspended. Once again, we call on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that urgently needed assistance can reach communities in need. And just to flag that yesterday afternoon, Hans Grunberg, the special envoy for Yemen, briefed the Security Council on the situation in Yemen and the developments in Mocha. He called on Ansar Allah to cease its attacks inside Yemen and across the border into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to cease attacks and threats against commercial vessels. He added that he will continue to engage the government of Yemen and the Houthis to identify feasible ways forward, adding that he will work in close partnership with regional actors whose engagement is indispensable to help contain the situation. Turning to the occupied Palestinian territory, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that yesterday the UN and our partners brought into Gaza more than 350,000 liters of fuel and collected hundreds of pallets of supplies from the Kerem Shalom-Karem Abu Salem crossing. This assistance included antibiotics and other medical supplies, breast pumps, medical equipment, winter clothes, and school bags. The teams also supported the medical evacuation of dozens of patients and their companions. In addition, humanitarian partners offered psychological first aid, emergency assistance, and referral services to Palestinians who had previously been unable to return to Gaza. Meanwhile, our partners leading on displacement site management have been prepared for the coming winter. Last week, they reinforced shelters, improved drainage, maintained pathways, and carried out other small-scale preparations at displacement sites, despite limited capacity and lack of machinery. Our partners are also collecting and distributing wooden pallets and empty flour sacks that can be filled with sand to reduce the potential impact of heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. However, the International Organization for Migration has warned that shortages of some 8.6 million items required for the winter, including tarpaulins, mattresses, sandbags, plywood, and repair toolkits, mean that more than 1.5 million people could go without winter assistance at current funding levels. Across the occupied Palestinian territory, humanitarian efforts this year are less than 40% funded. Turning to the West Bank, more than 830,000 boys and girls returned to school this week. Among them are more than 4,000 students who have been displaced from refugee camps in the northern West Bank and not allowed to return. Schooling is also affected by the closure of six UN Relief and Works Agency schools in East Jerusalem by the Israeli authorities. Turning to Lebanon, where hostilities continue to cause further destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure in the south. In the municipality of Mansouri in South Governorate, a public school was largely destroyed overnight, following several days of intense demolition activity in the area, according to local authorities. And last night, large explosions were reported in south of Nabatiya city, following the reported destruction of underground tunnels. The blasts were felt across parts of southern Lebanon and caused civilian harm and concern among communities. Renewed fighting is also affecting people trying to return home. In Al-Nabatiyah District, our partners recorded nearly 29,000 people over the past week, a drop of 13%. The decline may indicate that renewed insecurity is discouraging some families from returning, while others who had already returned may now be fleeing again. Humanitarian access remains difficult, but there's been one positive development. Yesterday, for the first time since the 29th of July, a humanitarian convoy received clearance through the humanitarian notification system to reach border villages that have faced prolonged access constraints. Since the 2nd of March, the system has facilitated 664 humanitarian movements, but active hostilities and physical barriers by the Israel Defense Forces continue to restrict access. OSCE reiterates the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and says continued hostilities are preventing people from returning safely and sustainably. In Damascus, the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, met senior officials to discuss a wide range of issues, including the situation in Sweida, electoral issues, and hate speech. He also met the Speaker of the People's Assembly to discuss its work and UN support. Mr. Cordone traveled to Aleppo, Tartus, Latakia, and Idlib, where he met with the governors, various interlocutors, and civil society organizations. Discussions focused on issues related to recovery, reconstruction, returns, transitional justice, and social cohesion. From Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that civilians, including children, continue to be killed and injured in attacks and frontline hostilities. Homes, businesses, and other civilian infrastructure also sustained damage across the country. The Dnipro region was hardest hit, with most casualties reported in Pavlohrad, where a shopping mall in the city center was struck during the busy evening yesterday. The humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, stressed that people should be able to go about their daily lives safely and expressed his deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Elsewhere, attacks caused further casualties across the regions of Sumy, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Poltava. We, along with our humanitarian partners, are providing emergency shelter materials, psychosocial support, and hot meals for people impacted, as well as first responders. Our partners are also registering families, including those with children, for humanitarian cash assistance as the response continues. Turning to Sierra Leone, the Secretary-General has approved the Government's request to renew the country's eligibility for support from the Peacebuilding Fund for a further five years, through the end of 2030. The renewal will allow Sierra Leone to continue receiving targeted UN peacebuilding assistance and advance national efforts to prevent conflict, strengthen social cohesion, expand the role of women and young people in public life, deepen cross-border cooperation on peace, and address security risks linked to climate change and environmental pressures. In addition, the Peacebuilding Fund will provide $3 million to support the development and implementation of Sierra Leone's first national prevention strategy in partnership with the UN Development Programme, UNICEF and UN Women. Tomorrow is the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, marked this year under the theme "Solidarity Rising." In his message for the day, The Secretary-General says that countries across the Global South are creating and sharing solutions every day. He points to farmers adapting to a changing climate, entrepreneurs expanding access to green energy, and health workers responding more rapidly to outbreaks. He also welcomes the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, which will help match national priorities with financing and expertise. 30 a.m., there will be a hybrid press briefing by Carl Skou, the acting executive director of the World Food Program, following his mission to Sudan. Then, as our noon briefing guest, we will be joined by Pedro de Vasconcelos, the Financing Facility for Remittances manager, who will present IFAD's report on the launch of the latest edition of the Sending Money Home report and its key findings. That's it for me. Are there any questions? Yes, please. Journalist · Zhang [23:01]: Thank you, Vaughan. Can you give us more details on the seizure of the UN compound in Moca, like the circumstances of the seizure, whether UN staff was inside the compound at the time of the seizure, and what is the current situation? Thank you. UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [23:15]: Well, what I can tell you is that the eight national UN staff who had been in the area had relocated themselves safely from Mocha to Aden, Turba, and Taiz prior to the current incidents. No UN personnel remain in Mocha right now. One international staff member who had been in Taiz city left yesterday morning and arrived in Aden. And all of our national Yemeni colleagues in Taiz city and in Turba are safe and accounted for. And regarding some facilities, we are aware that it seems like some of the facilities in the compound are not under our control right now, including some amounts of fuel, and we'll have to see what happens to those. Yes, please. Journalist · Zhang [24:08]: Thank you, Farhan. In light of the escalation going on in Yemen right now, do you have any update as to the situation and/or the whereabouts of the 73 UN and NGO staff members that are held there? UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [24:25]: Unfortunately, I have no positive news about our detained UN and nongovernmental organization staff members. As you know, we've continued to call for their release. We continue to be worried about their condition, and we will continue to work on that. Yes, please. Journalist [24:45]: Hi, Farhan. What's the level of the UN presence in the three governorates you mentioned, Taz, Aden, Lashd, and Abyan? UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [24:56]: What I can tell you, I mean, at this stage, there are no staff remaining in Mokha. We do have some international staff, but also a larger contingent of national staff in those areas. Wait, actually, in terms of our numbers, I can give you more precise numbers. There are 12 people in Taiz, 11 in Tirba, and those are all national staff. Journalist [25:21]: Are there any security arrangements in place for those UN workers, given the story of the 73 and before that, more. UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [25:33]: Well, our Department of Safety and Security is closely monitoring developments in Yemen, and we're going to continue to review our posture and our footprint. Obviously, the safety of our staff, including our national staff, remains our paramount concern. Journalist [25:47]: And one more, please. You mentioned today 15,000, 18,000 households have been displaced. Is this the same as the number we heard yesterday, the 46,000 individuals who have been displaced? Is that the same? UN · Spokesperson · Farhan [26:00]: It's hard for me to tell how many individuals constitute a household, but yes, they're roughly proportionate. And if that's it for questions, I wish you all a good weekend. See you next week.