"DROUGHT"

According to the UN Refugee agency, over 1 million Somalis have been displaced by a devastating drought that has destroyed livelihoods in the Horn of Africa, leaving families hungry. UNHCR

Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell said, “climate change does not respect borders and boundaries, it does not respect political election cycles,” but it does impact the lives of people globally. UNIFEED / FILE

The ten elected members and five incoming members of the Security Council called on the Taliban to immediately reverse the decision to exclude girls from secondary education in Afghanistan. UNIFEED

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, told world leaders, “Climate disaster and its insufferable impacts are preventable.” He made an “urgent” call to all states to translate rhetoric into action, adding that “we must realize our climate finance commitments to build resilience and mitigate impact. We should act to meet our emission reduction targets.” UNIFEED

South Sudan’s Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol said, the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement effectively “ended the internal conflict in South Sudan,” and has improved the security situation, allowing the internally displaced and refugees to voluntarily return home.” UNIFEED

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, said, “there is absolutely no doubt that today, we as a community of nations, collectively face the most challenging social, economic and environmental situation we have experienced in modern history.” UNIFEED

Humanitarian, security and political developments including the formation of district councils were among the issues covered in discussions on Tuesday by top United Nations officials in Somalia on their visit to Jubaland. UNSOM

UN Special Representative for South Sudan Nicholas Haysom said, “it is always the political will that can make a difference.” UNIFEED

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

25-year-old Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate has been appointed as the newest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, affirming her collaboration with the organisation and recognising her outstanding global advocacy for climate justice for current and future generations. UNIFEED