"AFRICA"

Without prospect of end to occupation, Middle East region faces irreversible, dangerous collapse, Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

Without prospect of end to occupation, Middle East region faces irreversible, dangerous collapse, Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “let’s be clear: while Omicron causes less severe disease than Delta, it remains a dangerous virus, particularly for those who are unvaccinated." WHO

A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council that “every effort” should be made to resolve current challenges linked to the transition process, as “a protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out.” UNIFEED

The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Fathi Waly said, “maritime insecurity, illicit flows, and linkages between transnational organized crime and terrorism all represent major obstacles to achieving peace, security and development in West Africa and the Sahel." She reiterated, "we must encourage political will and increased international support to strengthen comprehensive and cooperative crime responses.” UNIFEED

Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the Secretary-General.

Organized crime perpetuating instability, violence, poverty across West Africa, Sahel, executive director tells Security Council.

WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove said, “We have heard some people suggest that Omicron is just mild. That's not the case. There is evidence that Omicron is causing less severe disease, but it doesn't mean that Omicron is mild and Omicron is not the common cold.” WHO