UN Secretary-General warns UN Charter is under ‘profound strain’
UN Secretary-General António Guterres [DJ1] warned the Security Council on Tuesday that the principles of the UN Charter are facing growing threats from conflict, geopolitical divisions and weakening respect for international law.
During an open debate on strengthening the UN-centered international system, he pointed to rising global conflict, an accelerating arms race, attacks on human rights and the worsening climate crisis as key challenges.
“We now face the highest number of conflicts since the founding of the United Nations. Violence is expanding in scale and complexity – in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and beyond. And there is growing external interference, including the provision of weapons such as drones, which now frequently target civilians and civilian objects”
The Secretary-General called on Member States to recommit to peaceful dispute resolution, uphold international law consistently and pursue reforms to make global institutions more representative of today’s world.
He also stressed the need for greater cooperation on emerging threats such as artificial intelligence and climate change.
Air travel safe as Ebola emergency declared in DR Congo and Uganda
Turning to the Ebola outbreak now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda: the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, said on Tuesday that international air travel remains safe, urging governments, airlines and airports to follow World Health Organization advice.
The alert follows WHO’s 17 May decision to declare the rare Bundi-bugyo virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, not a pandemic.
WHO chief Tedros said Monday that 101 cases have been confirmed in DRC, including 10 deaths, but warned the epidemic is likely far larger, with more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths.
Uganda has also reported seven confirmed cases, including one death, after two more healthcare workers tested positive.
ICAO said new post-COVID-19 protocols now allow faster information sharing between States, airlines, airports and health agencies.
Digital health declarations, contactless border processes and WHO-aligned aviation guidance are also being used to manage risks.
WHO says countries should not close borders or restrict travel and trade.
Screening outside affected areas is not considered necessary, the agency adds, although exit screening may be used at airports in affected countries for travellers with fever or other symptoms.
UN alarmed by escalating attacks and damage in Ukraine
Lastly, multiple UN agencies have raised concerns over an escalation in Russian attacks across Ukraine in recent days, warning of growing damage to humanitarian infrastructure and cultural heritage sites.
The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that a humanitarian warehouse in Nee-pro was struck by an advanced ballistic missile on Sunday, destroying food supplies intended to support around 130,000 people living near the frontline.
The aid stored at the facility was valued at approximately $1.4 million.
Richard Rag-an, the WFP Representative in Ukraine, notes that more than 84 incidents have affected WFP operations in Ukraine over the past 18 months, in violation of international law.
Meanwhile, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned recent aerial strikes in the Kyiv [DJ2] region that reportedly damaged more than 10 key cultural institutions in the capital.
UNESCO also voiced alarm over reports of damage to a vocational school and dormitory in the Luhansk [DJ3] region, which allegedly resulted in civilian casualties, including students.
The UN has no access to the region to verify the reports.
Jolina Dong, UN News.
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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