"FINANCING"

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the move by the Japan’s central bank to raise interest rates for the first time in 17 years, spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters in Washington DC. IMF

Assistant-Secretary-General Khaled Khiari told the Security Council that the expansion of armed conflict throughout Myanmar, “has deprived communities of basic needs and access to essential services, and a devastating impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms.” UNIFEED

The General Assembly adopted a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, expressing deep concern regarding the unprecedented challenges faced by the Kimberley Process arising from ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts. UNIFEED

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first and second reviews of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility arrangement on Friday, and approved an augmentation of the original program by about US$5 billion. IMF

Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the Head of the United Nations Mission in the country told the Security Council that the security situation in Eastern DRC “further deteriorated” since the end of the December elections, with the M23 rebel group “marking significant advances and expanding its territory to unprecedented levels.” UNIFEED

The Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 on Sudan reminded the warring parties “that those who commit violations of international humanitarian law and other atrocities may be subject to targeted sanctions” and other measures. UNIFEED

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said, “UNRWA only exist because there are Palestinian refugees. It is not a present to the Palestinians. It is an answer to their needs.” UNIFEED

On the margins of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, Fawzia Koofi, said the Taliban is denying young women the right to education “under the name of Islam,” but in reality, it is “in contradiction with Islamic principles.” UNIFEED

Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The Commission on the Status of Women is a catalyst for the transformation we need,” adding that at this difficult and divided moment, let’s end poverty in all dimensions by “investing in women and girls, betting on women and girls, and pushing for peace and dignity for women and girls everywhere.” UNIFEED

A top UN official said, “repeated calls” for protection of civilians in Russia and Ukraine “appear to fall on deaf ears.” UNIFEED