"MIGRANTS"

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

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

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

Given the continuing desperate plight of migrants and refugees at the Belarus-Poland border, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reiterated its call to both countries to urgently address this appalling situation in line with their obligations under international human rights law and refugee law. OHCHR

Briefing by Paulina Kubiak, Spokesperson for the President of the 76th Session of the General Assembly.

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

Ahead of the International Migrants Day, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) urgently called on governments and health providers for better access to Covid-19 vaccines for migrants two years into the pandemic. UNTV CH

The World Health Organization (WHO) said its new Global Competency Standards for refugee and migrant health services aim to strengthen countries’ capacity to provide health services to refugees and migrants worldwide by defining the range of competencies that should be incorporated into health workers’ education and practices. WHO

Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General.

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over a “continuing series of forced expulsions of asylum-seekers and other migrants in Libya,” and said it was “appalled by the alarming escalation of grave human rights abuses in Myanmar,” according to a spokesperson. UNTV CH