UN Webcast

By the Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General

GUESTS

I am very pleased to welcome as my guest today Barbara Crossette and Richard Kollodge, who have authored along with others “The State of the World Population 2011 ”.

PRESS CONFERENCES TODAY

Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, will be briefing you on her recent trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shortly.

SECURITY COUNCIL

This morning, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Ian Martin, briefed the Security Council. In his briefing Mr. Martin said that Muammar and Motassim Qadhafi were mistreated and killed in circumstances which require investigation, and there are other disturbing reports that killings amounting to war crimes were committed on both sides in the final battle for Sirte. Such killings were contrary to the orders of the National Transitional Council, and he welcomed their announcement of an investigation. He said they also are within the scope of the International Commission of Inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council.

Mr. Martin noted that the flow of weapons across borders is naturally a major anxiety for Libya’s neighbours and beyond. The implications of events in Libya for the region also include the outflow of people – not just migrant workers, but also armed elements from the former regime - and concerns for those third country nationals who remain. Together with the African Union, the United Nations will work with Libya’s neighbours to support them in addressing these matters.

After Mr. Martin’s briefing, the Security Council held closed consultations on the situation in Libya.

This afternoon it will meet in closed session for consultations on Western Sahara.

NGOS

This morning, the Secretary-General met with the non-governmental organization community.

He expressed his strong appreciation for their strong commitment and willingness to work with the United Nations in addressing many of the important challenges we are facing.

The Secretary-General said that the world needs to forge a common agenda for sustainable peace, prosperity, freedom and justice.

The three areas in which non-governmental organizations’ efforts will be especially important are: sustainable development, disarmament and helping countries in transition.

His full remarks are available online.

PRESS CONFERENCES TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Juan Somavia, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Michelle Bachelet, the Executive Director of UN Women will be my guests at the Noon Briefing. 

And then at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, there will be a press conference by the Permanent Mission of Mongolia, together with UNESCO, on the “2011 UN Day Concert: Celebrating Cultural Diversity”. An event which will take place tomorrow in the General Assembly Hall.