"SAHEL"

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi called for greater international cooperation to solve multiple crises at the opening of the 72nd session of the Executive Committee. UNHCR

Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN and President of the Security Council in October 2021, briefs the press on the programme of work for the month of October.

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga told the General Assembly’s General Debate that Mali and countries of the Sahel have for 10 years faced “a many-headed serpent of terrorism, violent extremism and instability,” and “in this difficult context, the people of Mali, following several months of popular upheavals, has chosen a different direction for our country.” UNIFEED

Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council that the effects of climate change “are particularly profound when they overlap with fragility and past or current conflicts,” and are “complicating efforts to prevent conflict and to sustain peace.” UNIFEED

An ambitious reforestation project, carried out since 2018 by refugees and host communities in northern Cameroon, is contributing to the Great Green Wall, an African-led initiative that aims to grow an 8,000-kilometer continent-wide barrier to stop the ongoing desertification of the Sahel. UNHCR

Following a “Leaders Roundtable on Climate Action,” United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the upcoming 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will be “a turning point for the world.” UNIFEED

Ahead of the General Assembly’s General Debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it is “time to ring the alarm bell,” adding that his message to world leaders is: “wake up, change course, unite, and let's try to defeat the enormous challenges we are facing today.” UNIFEED

The temporary reduction in carbon emissions caused by global COVID-19 lockdowns did not slow the relentless advance of climate change. A multi-agency climate report published today warned that greenhouse gas concentrations are at record levels, and the planet is on path towards dangerous overheating. UNTV CH

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

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