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UN Daily News
Monday, 25 April 2016

Issue DH/7144

In the headlines:
Haiti: UN chief deeply concerned as agreed upon
election deadline in Haiti goes unmet

Yemen: Security Council calls for parties in talks to

develop road map for security measures

UN chief condemns murder of Burundian General

and his family in Bujumbura

Security Council urges stronger regional approach

on eradicating piracy in Gulf of Guinea

Nepal: UN continues to support sustainable postdisaster earthquake recovery

On World Malaria Day, UN says world closer to

eliminating ancient killer

Equality and justice not luxuries but crucial

foundations of Iraqs stability deputy UN rights

chief

BAKU: UN officials call on business leaders to help

build inclusive societies

Ecuador: UN agency to scale up emergency

operation to reach 260,000 in earthquake zone

BAKU: youth stress vision of inclusive society at UN

forum

Yemen: UN envoy says 'significant differences'

remain in talks, but notes consensus on peace

Security Council strongly condemns firing of

ballistic missile by DPR Korea

More stories inside

Haiti: UN chief deeply concerned as agreed upon election

deadline in Haiti goes unmet
25 April Deeply concerned that the agreed upon date for holding
elections in Haiti was not met over the weekend and that no alternate
electoral calendar was announced, United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his strong support for the completion,
without delay, of the 2015 polls.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson noted that the
agreed upon date of 24 April set in the 5 February Agreement for the
holding of elections in Haiti was not met.
The Secretary-General reiterates his strong support for the
completion, without further delay, of the 2015 elections and calls on
all Haitian actors to ensure the prompt return to constitutional order,
as the country can ill afford a period of prolonged transitional
governance while facing major socio-economic and humanitarian
challenges, said the statement.

Haitians voted in the second round of the senatorial and

parliamentary elections and the first round for their new president, in
Haitis capital Port au Prince on 25 October 2015. Photo:
UN/MINUSTAH/Logan Abassi

Noting the intended establishment of a commission to evaluate and verify the elections held in 2015, Mr. Ban in his

For information media not an official record

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25 April 2016

statement stressed the need to conclude the process with the required urgency.
The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to extend its full support to the Haitian people in
the fulfilment of their democratic aspirations, the statement concluded.
The political agreement signed February 5, 2016 between the main political actors in the country set out a roadmap for the
rapid conclusion of the electoral process initiated in Haiti August 9, 2015.

Yemen: Security Council calls for parties in talks to develop

road map for security measures
25 April The United Nations Security Council today called on all
parties involved in the intra-Yemeni peace talks to develop a road
map for the implementation of interim security measures as they work
towards a comprehensive agreement that will bring a permanent end
to the political crisis in the country.
Adopting a Presidential Statement, the 15-member body welcomed
the commencement of the nationwide cessation of hostilities in
Yemen on 10 April as well as the launch of the intra-Yemeni peace
talks in Kuwait, reiterating a call to all parties to engage in the peace
talks in a flexible and constructive manner without preconditions,
and in good faith.
Security Council meeting on the situation in Yemen. UN
Photo/Manuel Elias

In its statement, the Council called on all Yemeni parties to develop

a road map for the implementation of interim security measures,
especially at the local level, withdrawals, handover of heavy weapons, restoration of state institutions, and the resumption of
political dialogue in line with relevant Security Council decisions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and
Implementation Mechanism, and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference.
In line with its resolution 2216 (2015) and the outcomes of the National Dialogue conference, the Council said the parties
should commit to ensure that security mechanisms, including the formation of security committees, facilitate and oversee the
negotiated withdrawal of militias and armed groups and provide for the orderly handover of heavy and medium weapons to
state control.
The Council also expressed strong concern about intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaida in the Arabian
Peninsula and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh), and encouraged all Yemeni parties to avoid any
security vacuums that can be exploited by terrorists or other violent groups.
The Security Council stresses that a political solution to the crisis is essential to address, in a durable and comprehensive
manner, the threat of terrorism in Yemen, the statement said.
In addition, the Council stressed the importance of the restoration of Government control over all state institutions, including
respect for the legally established lines of authority in state institutions; removal of any hindrance or obstructions to proper
functioning of state institutions; and changes to ensure inclusivity in political institutions.
Reiterating that resuming Yemens political transition to a democratically governed State, in line with the GCC initiative,
should be guided by a new constitution and the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections, the Council said that
such election should be conducted in an inclusive manner involving the full participation of all of Yemens diverse
communities, including all regions of the country, youth, and the full and effective participation of women.
Noting the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict on the Yemeni people, the Council emphasized that the
humanitarian situation will deteriorate in the absence of a political solution.

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The Security Council calls upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, including to take all feasible
precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, in order to prevent any further suffering for the people of
Yemen, and to ensure the security of humanitarian and UN personnel, the statement said.
Moreover, the Council requested that the Secretary-General present to it a plan, within 30 days, outlining how the Office of
the Special Envoy for Yemen could support the next phase of its work with the parties.
In related news, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, welcomed reports that indicate tangible
progress in bringing an end to hostilities and an improvement in the general security situation in Yemen.
Reports indicate real improvement in the situation which reflects the parties commitment to the cessation of hostilities,
said Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed in a statement.
The De-escalation and Coordination Committee and the Local Committees are exerting extraordinary efforts to ensure the
safety and security of Yemenis. It is clear that these efforts and the recommendations from the members of the delegations
assigned to follow up on support for the cessation of hostilities are contributing to the stabilization of the security situation
in the country, he added.
The Special Envoy also said that he began consultations with the heads of the delegations today on a general framework for
the talks, proposed by the UN, and which will be discussed by the two delegations over the coming days.

UN chief condemns murder of Burundian General and his family

in Bujumbura
25 April United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
condemned the assassination of Brigadier General Athanase Kararuza,
his wife and daughter today in the crisis-torn countrys capital,
Bujumbura.
According to a statement issued by Mr. Bans Spokesperson,
Brigadier General Kararuza had served in senior positions in both the
African-led International Support Mission to the Central African
Republic (MISCA) and the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
(MINUSCA).
A young boy from Burundi, forced to flee his home due to violence,
looks at his new surroundings in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in
Tanzania. Photo: UNICEF/Rob Beechey

Extending his deepest condolences to all affected by this tragic loss,

the UN chief said the assassination of Brigadier General Kararuza
comes in the wake of several instances of politically-motivated
assassination attempts in Burundi over recent weeks, including
yesterdays attack on Martin Nivyabandi, Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, as well as those on
prominent members of the security forces.
All such acts of violence serve no purpose other than to worsen the already volatile situation in Burundi. The SecretaryGeneral urges that a rigorous and prompt investigation of these events is undertaken, the statement indicated.
The Secretary-General underlines that a political process is the only way for Burundians to put their country back on the
path of national reconciliation and peace. He calls on all political leaders, including those in exile, to firmly renounce the use
of violence in pursuit of political agendas and commit to an inclusive and genuine dialogue, it added, noting that the UN
will continue to provide its full support and assistance to all efforts aimed at promoting a peaceful settlement in Burundi.
It has been one year since the political crisis in the country began; according to the UN, to date more than 400 people have
been killed and almost 260,000 people have fled the country.

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Security Council urges stronger regional approach on

eradicating piracy in Gulf of Guinea
25 April United Nations officials today reiterated a call for a
comprehensive regional framework to eradicate piracy and armed
robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, with the Security Council
stressing the importance of addressing underlying causes and
strengthening justice systems and judicial cooperation in the region.
The Security Council remains deeply concerned about the threat that
piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea pose to
international navigation, the security and economic development of
States in the region, to the safety and welfare of seafarers and other
persons, as well as the safety of commercial maritime routes, the 15member body said in a presidential statement adopted today.
Suspected pirates wait for members of the counter-piracy operation to
board their boat. Photo: US Navy/Jason R Zalasky

Expressing its deep concern at the reported number of incidents and

level of violence of acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf
of Guinea since 2014, the Council strongly condemned the acts of murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking and robbery by
pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea and called upon States in the region to cooperate on the prosecution of suspected
pirates and intensify efforts to secure the safe and immediate release of all seafarers held hostage in or around the Gulf of
Guinea.
The Security Council emphasizes that regional peace and stability, the strengthening of State institutions, economic and
social development and respect for human rights, and the rule of law, are all necessary to create the conditions for a durable
eradication of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, the presidential statement said.
The Council also encouraged States in the region, regional organizations and international partners to make fully operational
all the regional counter piracy and armed robbery at sea mechanisms, and urged bilateral and multilateral partners to
continue assisting States of the Gulf of Guinea with funds, skills, training and equipment.
At todays meeting, the Security Council heard from Tay-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political
Affairs, who noted that while there has been a steady decline in the number of recorded incidents of piracy, armed robbery
at sea and other illicit and illegal activities in the Gulf of Guinea over the past few years, insecurity at sea remains a source
of concern.
In the first quarter of 2016, the International Maritime Bureaus Piracy Reporting Centre recorded six attacks and six
attempted attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, including nine in Nigeria, one in Cte dIvoire, and two within the territorial waters
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Zerihoun said.
Ultimately, countering the current threats requires a combination of capacities in including qualitative improvements in the
collection of intelligence; the sharing and improved analyses of intelligence; enhancement of the capacities both
infrastructure and training of local enforcement agencies of the Gulf of Guinea countries; and the establishment of an
effective customs and border control system throughout the sub-region, he said.
In addition, he said it is important to avoid duplication of international capacity-building efforts with respect to maritime
safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mr. Zerihoun noted that the African Union (AU) is scheduled to hold an Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security and
Development for Africa on 15 and 16 October 2016 in Lom, Togo.

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We believe the Summit will provide a unique opportunity for the countries of the region to renew their commitment to
jointly enhance the maritime security architecture in the Gulf of Guinea, he said.

Nepal: UN continues to support sustainable post-disaster

earthquake recovery
25 April A year after a series of major earthquakes devastated large
areas of Nepal, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
and partners are continuing to support green and sustainable postdisaster recovery in the country.
As the reconstruction effort continues, UNEP will promote a green,
resource-efficient and sustainable reconstruction process in the
country, focused on environmental recovery, restoration of life- and
livelihood-supporting ecosystems, and promoting resource
efficiency, said Isabelle Louis, Regional Director and Representative,
UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in a press release.
Corrugated iron sheets being used to create household shelter to
protect survivors of the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Photo:
WFP/Tina Stacey

The aim is to ensure that the rebuilding results in enhanced

environmental resilience of the people of Nepal and its ecosystems,
she added.

The 25 April 2015 earthquake and its aftershocks killed more than 8,700 people, injured more than 22,000, and destroyed
and damaged more than 250,000 houses. While 8.1 million people were directly affected, millions across the mainly rural
nation were exposed to increased landslides. Major life-supporting ecosystems were also severely damaged.
UNEP said that a rapid environmental assessment undertaken by the Government of Nepal following the earthquake
revealed significant destruction of forests and protected areas as well as damage to ecotourism infrastructure such as nature
trails, trekking routes and camping sites.
The earthquake also destroyed renewable rural energy technology solutions such as improved cooking and biogas stoves.
Water sources shifted in some areas, with reduced or no flows in places, and new sources starting to flow in others.
Freshwater ecosystems were also affected by increased sedimentation and some rivers were temporarily blocked by
landslides. The economic cost of loss of ecosystems services from landslides has been estimated at nearly $328 million,
according to the agency.
Following the earthquake, UNEP worked with the Government of Nepal to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of
the disaster. This included the development of a comprehensive waste management strategy at national and sub-national
levels to manage the estimated 3.9 million tons of earthquake debris, which included hazardous material.
With landslides becoming three times more frequent following the earthquake, UNEP facilitated the sharing of best global
practices on landslide management. Working with the Government and development partners, UNEP also identified
opportunities to green the reconstruction process.
The Asia and Pacific region accounts for nearly half of the world's natural disasters. The five biggest disasters to strike Asia
Pacific in 2013 caused some $100 billion in economic loss and killed more than 19,000 people.
UN calls for more investment in resilient infrastructure
In related news, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Robert Glasser, today marked the
anniversary of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal this past year with a call for greater investment in resilient
infrastructure if the death toll from future earthquakes is to be reduced.

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The Nepal Earthquake was long forecast and worse could happen in the future, Mr. Glasser

said. As the rebuilding effort is now set to get under way in earnest, every support must be extended to the 3 million or
more people who lost their homes a year ago so they build back better to earthquake-resistant standards.
Mr. Glasser said that UN Member States have recognized that reducing earthquake risk is a priority given that about
750,000 people have died in earthquakes and tsunamis over the past 20 years.
Nepal and recent earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan are a reminder of the urgent need to invest in disaster-resilient
infrastructure as agreed in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. A major part of urban resilience is
ensuring compliance with building codes and planning laws.
Building back better cannot be done overnight, Mr. Glasser stressed.
Nepal is a textbook example of how difficult and long drawn out the process can become when risk governance is
complicated by the overall political context, including major gaps at the level of local government. The socio-economic
impact of this disaster is enormous and it will have a long-term impact on the countrys development and the welfare of its
people, he added.
Health sector partners review earthquake response
Along those lines, health sector partners recently reviewed lessons learned from the earthquake, and recommended
strengthening and expanding emergency preparedness and response capacities beyond the national capital, and testing them
periodically, to prepare better for future emergencies.
We must learn from the Nepal earthquake, just as we did from the Indian Ocean tsunami. Applying lessons learned from
such events can help strengthen our efforts for preventing emergencies from becoming disasters, said Poonam Khetrapal
Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia.
Ms. Khetrapal Singh was addressing a two-day conference organized by the Ministry of Health, Nepal and WHO, in
Kathmandu on 20-21 April. Priority lessons identified in the meeting will be consolidated into a road map for further action.
Among the key lessons highlighted at the conference was the need for extending emergency preparedness and response
measures beyond the national capital, to the districts.
As more than 80 per cent of health facilities in the affected districts were either damaged or destroyed in the 2015
earthquake, the injured had to be rushed to hospitals in Kathmandu, which remained functional as they had been retrofitted,
their staff trained in mass casualty management and they had emergency plans in place that were immediately activated.
The preparations that were done in Kathmandu hospitals helped saved many lives. Similar preparations need to be put in
place at all other levels too, so that in the event of an emergency, everyone throughout the health system is prepared and
knows what to do, said Ms. Khetrapal Singh.
As health facilities are being reconstructed, there is an opportunity to build better, and put more risk reduction measures in
place, she added.
She stressed that stronger policies will be needed for ensuring that disaster risk reduction measures are implemented and
emergency preparedness and response capacities are built at all levels, with all cadres of health staff trained.
Strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacity should be an ongoing process in Nepal and in all other
countries. With WHO South-East Asia Region prone to natural calamities, the lessons learnt from the Nepal earthquake are
important for the entire region to prepare better to respond to emergencies, Ms. Khetrapal Singh concluded.

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25 April 2016

On World Malaria Day, UN says world closer to eliminating

ancient killer
25 April A year after the World Health Assembly resolved to
eliminate malaria from at least 35 countries by 2030, a new World
Health Organization (WHO) report released today on World Malaria
Day shows that the goal, although ambitious, is achievable.
In a press release, WHO said that in 2015, all countries in the WHO
European region reported, for the first time, zero indigenous cases of
malaria, down from 90,000 cases in 1995.
Our report shines a spotlight on countries that are well on their way
to eliminating malaria, said Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO
Global Malaria Programme. WHO commends these countries while
also highlighting the urgent need for greater investment in settings
with high rates of malaria transmission, particularly in Africa. Saving
lives must be our first priority.

A woman hangs a mosquito net in the temporary dwelling in the fields

(champka) that she and her husband are clearing to farm,
Cambodia.Photo: WHO/S.Hollyman

Outside the WHO European region, eight countries reported zero cases of the disease in 2014: Argentina, Costa Rica, Iraq,
Morocco, Oman, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.
Another eight countries each tallied fewer than 100 indigenous malaria cases in 2014, and a further 12 countries reported
between 100 and 1,000 indigenous malaria cases in 2014, according to the agency.
The Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2015, calls for the
elimination of local transmission of malaria in at least 10 countries by 2020.
WHO estimates that 21 countries are in a position to achieve this goal, including 6 countries in the African region, where the
burden of the disease is heaviest.
Countries moving towards elimination of malaria
Since the year 2000, malaria mortality rates have declined by 60 per cent globally. In the WHO African region, malaria
mortality rates fell by 66 per cent among all age groups and by 71 per cent among children under 5 years old.
The advances came through the use of core malaria control tools that have been widely deployed over the past decade,
including insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnostic testing and artemisinin-based combination
therapies.
But reaching the next level elimination will not be easy, WHO noted. Nearly half of the worlds population, 3.2 billion
people, remain at risk of malaria. In 2015 alone, 214 million new cases of the disease were reported in 95 countries and
more than 400,000 people died of malaria.
WHO emphasized that the efficacy of the tools that secured the gains against malaria in the early years of this century is
now threatened. Mosquito resistance to insecticides used in nets and indoor residual spraying is growing, as is parasite
resistance to a component of one of the most powerful antimalarial medicines.
Further progress against malaria will likely require new tools that do not exist today, and the further refining of new
technologies, the agency said.

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WHO noted that in 2015, for the first time, the European Medicines Agency issued a positive scientific opinion on a malaria
vaccine. In January 2016, WHO recommended large-scale pilot projects of the vaccine in several African countries, which
could pave the way for wider deployment in the years ahead.
Need for strong political commitment and funding
New technologies must go hand in hand with strong political and financial commitment, said Mr. Alonso.
WHO stressed that governments must strengthen surveillance of cases to identify gaps in coverage and be prepared to take
action based on the information received. As countries approach elimination, the ability to detect every infection becomes
increasingly important.
Reaching the goals of the Global Technical Strategy will require a steep increase in global and domestic funding from
$2.5 billion today to an estimated $8.7 billion annually by 2030, the agency said.
WHO added that through robust financing and political will, affected countries can speed progress towards malaria
elimination and contribute to the broader development agenda as laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
In his message on the Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said malaria is a formidable opponent, so there is no
guarantee that progress will continue. If we lower our guard, experience shows that the disease may come back.
Mosquitoes develop resistance to insecticides and malaria parasites can become resistant to medicines.
He commended the World Health Assembly for setting ambitious goals for 2030: reducing malaria cases and mortality by at
least 90 per cent; and eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries.
Reaching these goals will require significantly greater investment in fighting malaria. But it will take more than money. It
will take political will and leadership, said Mr. Ban, stressing that as the world celebrated progress against this ancient
killer, everyone involved must redouble their efforts to reach the 2030 malaria goals.

Equality and justice not luxuries but crucial foundations of

Iraqs stability deputy UN rights chief
25 April Iraq must immediately take concrete steps to plan for the
day after the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL),
a senior United Nations human rights official urged today, calling for
measures grounded in equality, the rule of law and a vision that has
earned the confidence of all the countrys diverse communities.
Iraq, it seems, has a long memory but is short on vision, UN Deputy
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore,

said at the end of a week-long visit to the crisisgripped country.

It is like a vehicle travelling over rocky terrain, with a large rear view
mirror but only a keyhole for a windscreen, despite a vicious contest
for the wheel. The dominant narrative among many of Iraqs leaders is
of my communitys grievance, failing to acknowledge the
widespread nature of Iraqis suffering and failing to chart a course for an inclusive future.
Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore briefs
the press in Geneva on her week-long mission to Baghdad, Najaf,
Erbil and Dohuk IDP camps in Iraq. UN Photo/Elma Okic

She added that Iraqis are crying out for fairness, recognition, justice, appreciation and meaningful participation in shaping
their future a process that goes forward and not backwards.

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All the leaders of Iraq, at every level, in both word and action, need to demonstrate a far greater commitment to peace,
equality and to the rule of law than to grievances or to vengeance hardwired by sectarianism. There is a worrying absence of
a political narrative that brings together all the diverse communities in Iraq, a narrative that includes all the minority
communities. This must be urgently addressed, she warned.
Future is not solely a matter of defeating ISIL
Ms. Gilmore stressed that Iraqs challenges are not military alone and its future is not solely a matter of defeating ISIL and
liberating its territories.
The existence of armed conflict in certain regions does not excuse or justify the absence of the rule of law in the broader
Iraq. Judicial independence, an end to arbitrary detentions, respect for due process, the prohibition of torture these are
neither ideals nor luxuries, but are indispensable foundations of stability, she said.
Firm steps must be taken now to plan for the day after ISIL, steps that broaden inclusion and deepen fairness, including
through structured local, regional and national dialogue on inclusion, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect, she
continued.
Unchecked corruption, lack of accountability for past and present crimes, the problem of tribal militias, the growing
number of internally displaced people, the partial or total destruction of entire villages and towns, violence against women,
and the need for constitutional and legislative reforms are some of the many pressing human rights concerns in Iraq that
need priority attention, she stressed.
Abuses perpetrated by ISIL must neither be forgotten, nor silenced
During her mission to Iraq, Ms. Gilmore visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the Shariya camp for internally displaced people
(IDPs) in Dohuk. She met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other senior Government officials, as well as the President of
the Kurdistan region of Iraq, leaders of civil society, including religious and ethnic communities, human rights defenders,
and survivors of human rights violations.
The blight of ISIL was made tragically clear by the stories of survivors of violations that we met in IDP camps in Dohuk.
The Yezidi man who was forcibly convicted, subjected to mock executions and who witnessed a pregnant woman stoned to
death; the woman who was subjected to sexual slavery for more than a year; the man whose entire family wife, daughters,
son were abducted by ISIL and who couldnt afford the $30,000 ransom demanded for their release, Ms. Gilmore
recounted, in an emotional statement.
The human rights abuses being perpetrated by ISIL must neither be forgotten, nor silenced. The right to truth is crucial, as
is the possibility of accountability for those who have committed what may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity
or even genocide. Evidence must be preserved and testimony must continue to be gathered, he insisted.
The Deputy High Commissioner also urged the international community to provide more support to humanitarian needs, the
rebuilding of essential infrastructure and towards justice and reconciliation in Iraq.
We all have responsibilities towards the people of Iraq. While there is an international military coalition in place, a
comparably resourced international coalition of practical compassion is also needed to help with the building blocks towards
a sustained peace in Iraq, she said.

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BAKU: UN officials call on business leaders to help build

inclusive societies
25 April At a Forum under way in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku,
senior United Nations officials today stressed the important role the
private sector plays in creating inclusive communities, underscoring
that companies cannot operate successfully in societies that fail.
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, head of the United Nations Alliance of
Civilizations (UNAOC), a body tasked with promoting harmony
among nations, was among the main speakers at a business
symposium, which preceded tomorrow's official kick-off of the body's
7th Global Forum.
The Alliance's Global Forum Baku 2016, will bring together
nearly 3,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government,
political officials, civil society representatives, religious and youth
leaders, who will share their perspectives and solutions under the
main theme on 'Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge
and A Goal.'

Representatives from the private sector address the Business

Symposium at the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of
Civilizations (UNAOC) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Masayoshi
Suga/UN News Centre

Addressing business leaders today, Mr. Al-Nasser spotlighted the role of the private sector in dealing with, among others,
interfaith issues, the refugee crisis, and the link between corporate diversity and business sustainability.
The private-sector contributions to interfaith understanding and peace can help unravel many political and economic
tensions, he said, emphasizing the urgent need to raise the universal level of understanding and partnership amid the
growing political and economic dissonance.
Interfaith models embrace four key items: tolerance, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, the culture of peace and
combatting violent extremism, he said. The private sector and philanthropists highly contribute to promoting the values of
peace and inclusive societies through partnerships with international organizations, governments and inclusive religious
leaders.
Turning to the refugee crisis, he said that the private sector can provide humanitarian aid and support refugees in their
resettlement and professional integration. Throughout Europe, the support of the private sector can help migrants get jobs.
Mr. Al-Nasser also said diversity and inclusion should be at the core of any corporate sustainability strategy as these values
can drive greater results for corporations. Companies must build their culture based on such drivers.
'Smart businesses understand success depends on success of societies'
Also addressing the business symposium was Ursula Wynhoven, Chief of Governance and Social Sustainability of the UN
Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative to promote responsible practices and UN values to
the global business community and in the UN system.
She said that although the main responsibility for political and social stability and addressing poverty and inequality rested
with governments, the private sector can play an important complementary role in helping to build and maintain inclusive
societies through their workplace, marketplace and the communities where they operate.
Smart businesses understand that their success depends in large measure on the success of the societies where they
operate, she said.
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Recognizing that companies cannot operate successfully in societies that fail, fostering respect and understanding,
embracing diversity and promoting inclusion are beginning to be understood as prerequisites for long-term business success.
We call on business to act responsibly by respecting universal principles on human rights, labour, the environment and
anti-corruption, as well as to look for opportunities to support UN goals whether through their core business, social
investment, advocacy and/or partnerships, she said.

Ecuador: UN agency to scale up emergency operation to reach

260,000 in earthquake zone
25 April The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
announced today the start of an emergency operation to assist 260,000
vulnerable and food insecure people seriously affected by the
earthquake in Ecuador and in desperate need of food and other basic
necessities.
Due to the earthquake a significant number of people no longer have
access to their regular sources of income and food, and this will
impact negatively their food security, said WFP Regional Director
for Latin America and the Caribbean, Miguel Barreto, who is in
Ecuador to coordinate the agencys emergency response with WFPs
Director of Emergencies, Stefano Porretti.
WFP distributing supplies in Ecuador following the April 16, 2016
earthquake. Photo: Video capture WFP

The earthquake, the worst in Ecuadors history, has reportedly left

more than 600 people dead and over 12,000 injured mostly in coastal
areas. According to estimates by Government and international agencies, 520,000 Ecuadorians were directly affected by the
disaster and require food assistance. The first WFP food supplies reached the stricken area only three days after the
earthquake but now the scale of the impact is becoming clearer.
Following a government request, a convoy with WFP emergency food kits reached the city of Portoviejo in Manab
province on 19 April. WFP staff supported distribution of food to the most affected families and hospitals in Manab,
reaching some 50,000 people to date.
Last Thursday, the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), managed by WFP, airlifted 40 metric tons of emergency
supplies from its base in Panama including water and sanitation equipment, hygiene and kitchen kits and mobile storage
units to support the humanitarian assistance effort in Ecuador. This is part of a WFP Special Operation to support logistics
capacities in response to the earthquake. A $2 million operation has also just been launched.
WFP plans to scale up to assist a quarter of a million people affected by this disaster, in close coordination with the
Government, said Mr. Barreto, after visiting the devastated city of Pedernales with Ecuadors Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Guillaume Long, and the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General, Luis Almagro.
Based on the results of upcoming field assessments, WFP will adapt its plans in coordination with the authorities who are
leading this effort, and support the overall government capacity to respond, he added.
Meanwhile, WFP Representative in Ecuador Kyungnan Park said the number of institutions and individuals who are joining
efforts to provide humanitarian assistance on the Ecuadorian coast is amazing.
WFP recalled that it relies entirely on voluntary funding from governments, companies and private individuals. The cost of
the three month operation designed to support the overall Government response to the earthquake is $34 million.

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BAKU: youth stress vision of inclusive society at UN forum

25 April Gathering from around the world for a United Nations
conference in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, young people of all
walks of life, from an Internet technology intern to a dentist, are
working to define future narratives to counter potentially compelling
discourse of those who seek to divide society.
People are disconnected because they don't know each other's
experiences, Rashida M. Namulondo, a storyteller and actress from
Uganda, told the UN News Centre today during the pre-opening event
of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum Baku
2016, which will formally kick off tomorrow.
About 150 youth representatives from around the world gather at the
UN Alliance of Civilizations' 7th Global Forum being held in Baku,
Azerbaijan, 25-27 April 2016. Credit: Masayoshi Suga/UN

Ms. Namulondo operates an online platform through which people

can share each other's experiences. It is important that we tell our
stories and listen to other people's stories, she said, emphasizing the
power of storytelling to heal people's hearts.

Lou Louis Koboji Loboka, a medical lab scientist in South Sudan, was also among the 150 participants at the youth event,
titled 'Living Together in Inclusive Societies: Narratives of Tomorrow.'
Having been displaced to a neighboring country, he returned home to start a health training venture. A lot of youths are not
educated, and therefore are messing up the country as I speak, he said. In order to contribute to the development of his own
country, he is seeking to learn how other countries bring their youths together.
For the Alliance, inclusive societies cannot exist without the full participation of youth
After being selected two months ago from 6,000 applicants in more than 160 countries, the youth participants, who had
never met each other, started sharing their narratives via Facebook, WhatsApp and other online platforms.
They work in 10 groups. For instance, one group is discussing narratives from the perspective of migrants while another is
trying to build narratives for conflict-affected areas.
Ranim Asfahani, of Syria, said she chose to join the thematic group on youth and children because her organization engages
with youth and children. Her one-word message is peace.
Shuhei Sakoguchi, a student at Soka University in Japan and a Buddhist, said he joined the thematic group on interfaith
because every religion has good principles.
For Minh Anh Thu, of Viet Nam, said she was inspired by many peers who engage in innovative intercultural projects, and
this youth event was an opportunity to think about community development and investment in youth in her country.
'Young people are the primary agents of change'
Welcoming the youth to the Global Forum, UNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser highlighted their
ability to transform the world for the better. For the Alliance, inclusive societies cannot exist without the full participation
of youth, he said, stressing that UNAOC's youth-focused activities and programming are built on the principle that young
people are the primary agents of change not just in the future but in the present as well.
The outcome of this youth engagement, titled 'Narratives of Tomorrow,' will be presented to high-level representatives of

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25 April 2016

the UN and governments during other sessions of the Forum. It will also be published as a reference to be used by youth
organizations, other civil society organizations, the UNAOC, and interested stakeholders. The youth participants are
expected to promote the Forum's outcomes in their home countries, communities, and platforms of action.

Yemen: UN envoy says 'significant differences' remain in talks,

but notes consensus on peace
24 April The fourth day of the United Nations-brokered peace
negotiations among Yemeni parties in Kuwait included extensive
discussions on security, political and humanitarian issues in meetings
in joint sessions as wells as bilateral sessions with each delegation, the
UN envoy for Yemen has said today.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said in a
press release that significant differences in the delegations' points of
view remain but nonetheless there is consensus on the need to make
peace and to work intensively towards an agreement.

UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould

Cheikh Ahmed, briefs the media. UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Representatives from the two sides, who were appointed yesterday to

support the work of the De-escalation and Coordination Committee,
acknowledged there has been notable improvement in the security
situation in most parts of the country, the envoy said.

During today's discussions, the delegations proposed a number of practical measures to also strengthen Local De-escalation
Committees, which the special envoy said are playing a critical role in support of the cessation of hostilities.
Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he met with the heads of delegations and representatives of the diplomatic community to
review the latest developments and find mechanisms of advancing the pace of the discussion.
There are only two alternatives; war or peace and everyone should assume responsibility for the choices they make, he
added.
Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed also said he intends to intensify his efforts to reinforce the cessation of hostilities and to resume
the talks tomorrow morning.

Security Council strongly condemns firing of ballistic missile by

DPR Korea
24 April The United Nations Security Council has strongly
condemned the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile
yesterday by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),
reiterating that such activities increase tension in the region and
beyond.
This incident constituted yet another serious violation by the DPRK
of UN Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087
(2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016), said a press statement issued
today by the 15-member body.

Security Council unanimously adopts resolution imposing additional

sanctions on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). UN
Photo/Mark Garten

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

The members of the Security Council emphasized that the DPRK's

development and testing of new ballistic missile capabilities, even if
launches are failures, is clearly prohibited by these resolutions.

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25 April 2016

In this context, the Council reiterated its serious concern, as expressed in resolution 2270 (2016), that such ballistic missile
activities contribute to the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension in the region and
beyond.
The members of the Council reiterated that the DPRK shall refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Security
Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions, including to suspend all activities related
to its ballistic missile program and in this context reestablish its previous commitments to a moratorium on missile
launches.
In light of these recent violations, the Council emphasized the importance of the work of its Committee established pursuant
to resolution 1718 (2006), and urged all Member States to redouble their efforts to implement the measures imposed in all
relevant Council resolutions.
The members of the Security Council particularly emphasized the need to strengthen implementation of the measures
imposed in resolution 2270 (2016) and reiterated their call to Member States to report to the Council on concrete measures
taken to effectively implement the provisions of that resolution.
In addition, the Council reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, and
welcomed efforts by Council members as well as other States to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through
dialogue.
The Council agreed that it would continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures in line with
its previously expressed determination.

DR Congo: UN envoy expresses 'serious concern' over rising

political tensions
23 April The head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization
Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has
expressed serious concern about rising political tensions in some parts
of the country.
In a press release, MONUSCO said the situation follows the
announcement by certain political groups and parties of their intention
to organize political gatherings in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, and
subsequent measures taken by the security forces to prevent the
holding of these gatherings.
According to the statement, Maman Sidikou, the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC and Head of
MONUSCO, stresses the need for all Congolese political actors to
demonstrate maximum restraint during this critical period in the
political evolution of their country.

UN peacekeepers in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of

the Congo (DRC). Photo: MONUSCO/Myriam Asmani

He urges the Congolese authorities to do their utmost to scrupulously uphold the rule of law and desist from any actions
that could impede political actors from exercising their constitutional rights and freedoms, including the freedom of
expression, association and assembly, the statement also said.
Mr. Sidikou reaffirmed the critical importance of adequate political space to foster a genuinely inclusive political dialogue
that would pave the way for the holding of peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
In that regard, he reiterated the readiness of MONUSCO to support the African Union-designated facilitator, Edem Kodji,
and work with him in the pursuit of his efforts, bearing in mind the relevant provisions of Security Council resolution
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25 April 2016

2277 (2016) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.

Security Council deplores maritime tragedy in the

Mediterranean Sea
23 April The United Nations Security Council has deplored the
recent maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea that resulted in up
to 500 deaths when an overcrowded boat capsized en route from
Libya to Europe, emphasizing the need for better coordination of
efforts to deal with the smuggling of migrants.
In a press statement, the members of the Council expressed grave
concern at the proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the
smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, including off the
coast of Libya.

Tens of thousands of desperate people are attempting to cross the

Mediterranean and reach Europe in dangerous boats like these in
Libya. Photo: UNHCR/F. Noy

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the

implications for regional stability posed by transnational organized
crime and illicit activities such as human trafficking and the
smuggling of migrants and condemned and deplored the said acts
which undermine further the process of stabilization of Libya and

endanger the lives of people, the statement said.

Extending its deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragedy, the Council underlined the need bring the
perpetrators of the acts to justice.
The Council also called for the full implementation of resolution 2240 (2015), which is intended to disrupt the organized
criminal enterprises engaged in migrant smuggling and prevent the loss of life.
Expressing its strong support to countries in the region affected by the smuggling of migrants, the Council emphasized the
need to improve coordination of efforts in order to strengthen an effective multilateral response to this common challenge,
and in order to protect vulnerable migrants from being victimized by human traffickers.
The Council also urged all Member States, including countries of origin, destination and transit, to cooperate with one
another and with relevant international and regional organizations, including the International Organization for Migration
(IOM), in addressing illicit migration flows, and dismantling smuggling networks in the region.
In addition, the Council reemphasized that migrants, including asylum-seekers and regardless of their migration status,
should be treated with humanity and dignity and that their rights should be fully respected.
In this regard, the Council urged all States to comply with their obligations under international law, including international
human rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law.
Earlier this week, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that as many as 500 people
had lost their lives when an overcrowded boat carrying refugees and migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown
location between Libya and Italy.
The 41 survivors of the incident which could be one of the worst involving refugees and migrants in the past 12 months
include 37 men, 3 women and a 3-year-old child who were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the
Peloponnese peninsula of Greece, on 16 April, UNHCR said.
Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese.

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25 April 2016

The survivors told UNHCR staff that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week
from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre-long boat.

Somalia: sexual violence must be subject to criminal justice,

says UN expert
25 April A United Nations human rights expert today called on the
Government of Somalia to enhance the capacity of the judiciary and
police force in handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence,
and to prohibit the handling of such cases by traditional clan elders.
I call on the Government to prioritize the creation and
implementation of a twin strategy: to enhance the capacity of the
judiciary and the Somali Police force, and to prohibit clan and
traditional elders from resolving or adjudicating such cases, said the
UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia,
Bahame Tom Nyanduga, in a press release.
There is also a crucial need to create human rights awareness among
clan elders and religious leaders about women's rights, as one way of
facilitating change within communities, he added.

Somali judicial officers walk into the Banaadir Court Complex in

Mogadishu. UN Photo/Raymond Baguma

Mr. Nyanduga began his visit to Somalia on 16 April. During his mission, he visited Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa, and
met the Speaker of the Federal Parliament, Federal Government authorities in Mogadishu, representatives of Jubbaland
state, and the South West state.
On Saturday, at the end of his third mission to the country, Mr. Nyanduga noted that the Xeer Somali traditional dispute
resolution system continues to play a key role in the country, given that rule of law institutions are still being established. He
was concerned to learn that traditional elders adjudicate sexual and gender-based violence cases, such as rape, due to the
absence of a fully functioning criminal justice system in many parts of Somalia.
He called for the adoption of the Sexual Offences Bill during the forthcoming session of Parliament to further guarantee the
protection of womens rights and also urged the Government to implement the recommendations arising from Somalias
2016 Universal Periodic Review before the Human Rights Council, including the adoption of a moratorium on the death
penalty.
Mr. Nyanduga commended the Federal and regional authorities and Parliament for committing themselves to holding
elections later this year, widening the electoral base and ensuring that a 30 per cent women representation is met. However,
he expressed concern that representation of youth, minorities and persons with disabilities, is not similarly guaranteed.
The Independent Expert also reiterated the need to address the human rights challenges that journalists and media in Somalia
face. He warned that the Media Law must not be used as a tool to harass journalists, but rather to ensure respect for the
rights to freedom of opinion and expression.
He noted with satisfaction the Governments commitment to adopt the National Human Rights Commission Bill,
establishing an independent National Human Rights Institution before the end of its tenure, and urged that this commitment
be met.
However, another bill, the Counter Terrorism Bill, could potentially negatively affect the enjoyment of human rights, Mr.
Nyanduga said. I urge the authorities to ensure that this bill conforms to international human rights guarantees in
accordance with Somalias international human rights obligations and the revised Federal Constitution. To be effective in
fighting terrorism, the law must be firmly entrenched in human rights.
AMISOMs role in Somalia
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The Independent Expert commended the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for the role it continues to play in
the country. He noted its commitment to comply with human rights and international humanitarian law, including ensuring
accountability for violations committed by its forces. Regarding the incident on the killing of the four civilians by AMISOM
forces in Bullo Mareer, Lower Shabelle, the expert urged the Mission to conduct thorough, independent investigations and
make the findings of its inquiries public.
In this regard, he welcomed the plan by the UN and AMISOM to hold the first UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
implementation review workshop on 26 and 27 April, urging that stronger collaboration on the ground will foster
compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law, which is a shared objective for both the United Nations
and the African Union.
Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report
back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff,
nor are they paid for their work.

Legal framework key to realizing right to food for the most

vulnerable in Poland UN expert
25 April An overall legislative framework is critical to ensure
accessibility and affordability to food in Poland, an independent
United Nations human rights expert said today, urging the
Government to strengthen the protection of the right to food especially
for small farmers.
Small-scale farmers and the vulnerable groups in society will be
affected the most in Poland, where the economy is in transition from
centralized systems to market economy, Hilal Elver, the UN Special
Rapporteur on the right to food, warned at the end of her eight-day
official visit to the country.
Credit: FAO

The current legal framework, Ms. Elver highlighted, is among the

main obstacles hindering the realization of the right to food.

At each level within the national framework, whether it is the Constitution or laws, adherence to the principles of human
rights and upholding the rule of law is crucial in a democratic society, she underscored.
As accessibility and affordability is fundamental to the right to food, a political embargo, however, has had an enormous
impact on farmers, especially small-scale farmers who account for a large portion in the Polish agricultural sector, according
to the UN rights expert.
I am concerned that new legislation [] may nevertheless have unintended consequences which could negatively impact
small-scale farmers and family farms, said Ms. Elver.
While commending some positive Government policies and programmes, such as innovative agricultural technologies,
subsidies from the European Union, new laws on school nutrition standards, Ms. Elver stressed that more structural changes
need to be done for the full realization of right to food, as well as problems like obesity, child poverty and climate change.
I would encourage Poland to [] establish a stronger legislative framework and coordinating institutional body to protect
the right to access to nutritious food and ensure adequate support for small holders and family farming, she concluded as
one of the recommendations.
Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report
back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff,
UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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25 April 2016

nor are they paid for their work.

UN report reveals increasing incidents of female genital

mutilation in Guinea, including on infants
25 April Despite being forbidden by national and international law,
according to a new United Nations report, female genital mutilation
shows no sign of abating in Guinea with more infants and very
young girls undergoing the excisions than before.
Although female genital mutilation appears to be decreasing
worldwide, this is not the case in Guinea, where this practice is
widespread in every region and among every ethnic, religious and
social group, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid
Raad Al Hussein in a press release on the report.
In recent years, female genital mutilation and/or excision has been
inflicted on girls at a younger age. According to a recent study, 69 per
cent of women aged 20 to 24 were excised before the age of 10.

A woman holds a knife used in Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

(FGM/C). Photo: UNICEF/Catherine Ntabadde

In Guinea, female genital mutilation is mostly seen as an initiation rite. Groups of girls from multiple families are often
excised together, either at home or in camps. However, due to financial constraints and out of fear of legal sanctions, the
report shows an increasing trend towards individual excisions, especially when it comes to excising infants or very young
girls.
Although FGM/E is usually carried out by traditional excision practitioners, there is also a growing trend towards its
medicalization despite a 2010 decree specifically prohibiting public or private health institutions from practicing it.
Mr. Zeid noted that after Somalia, Guinea had the highest rate of female genital mutilation in the world, by far surpassing its
immediate neighbours Senegal, with 25 per cent; Cte dIvoire, with 38 per cent; and Liberia with 50 per cent.
Female genital mutilation is not only extremely detrimental to women and girls health and well-being, it is also an
atrocious act of violence. There is no possible justification for this practice no cultural, religious or medical reason
whatsoever, he said.
While most women in countries where the practice is still occurring advocate for its abolition, an increasing number in
Guinea support it. A study by the Institut national de la statistique showed that the proportion of women and girls in favour
of the practice rose from 65 per cent in 1999 to 76 per cent in 2012.
Broadly speaking, non-excision of girls is considered dishonourable in Guinean society, the report said. Social pressure
is such that girls may request excision for fear of being excluded or forced to remain unmarried if they do not suffer the
practice.
No repercussions
The report acknowledged that the Guinean Government has attempted to prevent and sanction the practice by adopting
numerous legislative texts and regulations, and organizing training for judicial, security and medical personnel. However,
due to some political and religious leaders support, these efforts have thus far not resulted in any decrease of this harmful
practice.
According to the report, the persistence of the practice is in large part due to the lack of action by the judicial authorities.
The report said: Generally speaking, legal texts prohibiting [female genital mutilation and/or excision are not respected.

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Thousands of young girls are excised across the country every year, during school vacations, with the full knowledge of
judicial personnel, including prosecutors and instructing magistrates.
Excision practitioners are rarely subjected to legal proceedings and no medical professionals have been sanctioned for
carrying out female genital mutilation. The report also notes that when justice personnel have tried to address the issue, they
have often been subjected to severe pressure and threats. Since 2014, only eight people have been convicted in connection
with FGM/E and all of them received suspended sentences and/or small fines.
The report warned that Government-, national and international organization-launched awareness campaigns focusing on
associated health risks have, paradoxically, seemed to have contributed to the medicalization of the practice rather than to its
reduction.
The report made several recommendations to the Government, non-governmental organizations and the international
community to enhance the fight against female genital mutilation. In particular, it calls on the authorities to ensure the full
respect and enforcement of all relevant legislation, with independent and impartial investigation of every suspected case of
such excision, and the prosecution of perpetrators and their accomplices.

The UN Daily News is prepared at UN Headquarters in New York by the News Services Section
of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (DPI)