WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:19.559 Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights, 2 00:00:21.160 --> 00:01:10.599 the show about the government policy and human rights. And welcome back to Policy 3 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:15.280 and Rights here in Depictions Media Radio. I am your host, Michael Cloggs, 4 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:23.599 and we're gonna hear from the again from the United Nations, and it 5 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:29.920 is the beginning of the month, and we're going to actually hear from the 6 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:42.079 new President of the UN Security Council and the press conference held by Carolyn Rogue 7 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:52.319 Riege is the breakhead of Guyana as she will take the presidency of the of 8 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:57.840 the Security Council. And remember there's still issues, very very big issues on 9 00:01:57.879 --> 00:02:04.400 the floor that between Israel and Palestine. We still have conflict going on between 10 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:10.280 Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There's still lots of problems to be solved around 11 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:17.639 the world that would involve the UN Security Council and how they're going to move 12 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:28.159 forward to resolve maybe at least one of those conflicts or issues. There are 13 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:38.639 still issues around crimes of war and how they're being directed, especially against not 14 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:47.159 only civilians but female civilians. When things like rape are still part of warfare, 15 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:52.360 they're considered to be a war crime, but they're still part of the 16 00:02:52.400 --> 00:03:00.800 warfare. How do we find equality for everyone, no matter race, creed, 17 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:08.000 gender or selected gender. How do we allow people to be the individuals 18 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:14.039 that they should be. And there's a lot to be a work to be 19 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:22.520 done on all fronts, and we'll see how with the new president for February 20 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:32.400 of Guyana's MS Bricket right Reguez Briget in what she's going to find values in 21 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:38.280 in how she's going to help the Security Council move forward for the month of 22 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:43.439 February. Meanwhile, we're from the press floor, we're still going to hear 23 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:57.319 about, of course Undra and me or Mar issues going on there as things 24 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:05.199 are trying to to settle out and try trying to get released from prison certain 25 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:15.759 political figures and former leaders of Mirmar and how things were going to move forward 26 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:20.800 with that. And there's other course, still other issues around the world. 27 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:30.240 And as we reported yesterday, a release of POWs between Russia and the Ukraine 28 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:41.720 as citizens and residents of their perspective countries rather they were Russian or Ukrainian have 29 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:47.319 been returned home and welcome back to their families. So why don't we push 30 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:54.079 forward here from the press floor first and then let's listen to the new President 31 00:04:54.279 --> 00:05:03.879 of the Security Council. To all of you, just want to give you 32 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:08.639 an update on me and More. You saw our statement yesterday and today is 33 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:12.879 the anniversary of the military takeover, and I just want to focus a bit 34 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:17.560 on the fact that our humanitarian colleagues are trying to meet people's needs wherever they 35 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:25.240 are as fighting continues across multiple fronts, including heavy fighting in Rakin State. 36 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:30.120 The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that humanitarian workers were able 37 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:34.720 to assist more than three million people last year, but that is not enough. 38 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:40.959 They need both greater access and drastic improvements in funding to access to the 39 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:46.399 most vulnerable people In Meanmar. More than eighteen million people need humanitarian aid, 40 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:53.000 up from one million just before the military takeover. Our OCHA colleagues tell us 41 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:58.240 that sustained underfunding of both the humanitarian and development operations in me and More has 42 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:03.639 led to significant unmet needs that are now cascading into twenty twenty four. Humanitarian 43 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:10.600 organizations are asking for a record nine hundred and ninety four million US dollars to 44 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:16.160 support the response in Myanmar. That's for twenty twenty four. The situation demands 45 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:23.879 immediate attention and increased international support to address both the humanitarian and development challenges facing 46 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:29.720 the civilian population. A quick update for you on the situation in Gaza. 47 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:35.439 The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs informs US that fighting is continuing in 48 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:42.120 southern Gaza, including in Conunis. The UN Relief and Works Agency ANOIR reports 49 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:46.839 that some one hundred and eighty four thousand people had registered for humanitarian assistance yesterday 50 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:57.199 in the western outskirts of Conunis after they were displayed from Conunist City in recent 51 00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:02.519 days amid evacuation orders and continue hostilities along those displaced. On Why itself had 52 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:08.319 to move part of its operation from Western Communist City and is now re establishing 53 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:15.360 operations in the outskirts of that area due to constant hostilities. The scale of 54 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:21.360 explosive contamination in Gaza requires urgent action. The UN Mine Action Service continues to 55 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:29.000 provide explosive ordnance disposal support to ensure the safe passage of convoys. Last week, 56 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:33.279 the UN Mine Action Service supported three convoys to the north, including two 57 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:39.199 food convoys and one fuel delivery to shift a hospital. In addition, two 58 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:45.600 explosive threat assessments were conducted in communists, including one at the Communist Training Center, 59 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:51.360 which, as you will call, was hit last week. Moving to 60 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:59.560 the situation on the borders on the along the Blue line between Lebanon and Israel, 61 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:03.000 our peace keepers are informing us that they continue to carry out their tasks, 62 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:09.600 including patrols and other activities amid daily exchanges of fire along that blue line. 63 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:16.399 The Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon UNIFIL also remains actively engaged with the authorities 64 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:22.040 on both sides to try to de escalate the situation. Yesterday, the head 65 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:28.600 of the UN mission and the force Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazzaro, held 66 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:35.039 a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najimikati and General Joseph Aoun, who is 67 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:41.639 the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission, 68 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:46.639 General Lazzaro underscored the significance of de escalating tensions in Southern Lebanon and the 69 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:52.679 region and the imperative of fully implementing Security Council Resolutions seventeen zero one, as 70 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:58.240 well as working towards a political and diplomatic solution that is crucial to re establish 71 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:05.240 stability. Turning to Ukraine, our humanitarian friends tell us that new attacks on 72 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:11.879 the east have injured civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure. Yesterday, in Kharkiv City, 73 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.879 a hospital was damaged in an attack, with several people injured and many 74 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:22.519 evacuated. That's what the National Rescue Service of Ukraine is telling us. Health 75 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:26.720 facility also sustained damage in Turete's town and the Donets region, as reported by 76 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:33.039 the Regional administration. In frontline areas, our humanitarian colleagues note that the continued 77 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:39.320 hostilities in their Donets and Kershon regions of Ukraine are continuing to kill and injure 78 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:45.919 civilians. Homes, educational facilities, public transport, water, electricity, and 79 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:50.080 health facilities, among others have continued to be damaged. That's according to what 80 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:56.159 local authorities are telling us. Our humanitarian colleagues add that the humanitarian hub run 81 00:09:56.200 --> 00:10:01.039 by local Lengio in Kerson City was hit today. Despite challenges of operating in 82 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:07.240 frontline areas, aid organizations continue to provide assistance. In recent days, We 83 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:11.679 along with our humanitarian partners, have provided emergency repair materials, as where as 84 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:20.200 psychosocial and legal support in the Dornets and Kharkiv regions and in the Democratic Republic 85 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:24.840 of the Congo. Peacekeepers are continuing to do their utmost to protect civilians in 86 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:31.600 North Kivu amid ongoing classes between the twenty three rebel group and the armed forces 87 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.679 of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As we mentioned a few days ago, 88 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:41.360 the UN mission established a temporary presence in Muso following classes in that area. 89 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:46.480 Peacekeepers have also created a humanitarian corridor which has allowed more than one thousand 90 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:52.279 displaced men, women and children to move to safer grounds. The UN mission 91 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:58.799 is also continuing to protect and provide medical assistance to displace communities taking refuge near 92 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:05.440 its base in in Kichunga, which is about fifteen kilometers away from Musso. 93 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:11.879 Additionally, the peacekeeping Mission reports they helped evacuate to Goma eight Congolese soldiers that 94 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:15.480 were wounded in the fighting with the twenty three and as you can imagine, 95 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:22.720 we're continuing to monitor this situation very closely. You know what week starts today, 96 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:30.639 Interfaith Harmony Week. It is an opportunity to recognize the imperative need for 97 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:35.679 dialogue amongst different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among 98 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:39.600 people. And we need that more than ever. Kumbaya, as they say 99 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:46.639 on a roll, little quiz for you. It's not about me this time. 100 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:54.000 So I know, I know, exactly exactly, Okay. This European 101 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:58.759 country has the oldest reported flag in the world, which is eight hundred years 102 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:09.679 old. Boom boom boom. They make cheese there. Who doesn't make cheese. 103 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:16.120 It's Denmark? Denmark, all right, um. And this country has 104 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:20.960 one of the oldest trees in Europe. The still Moves oak is reported to 105 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:26.399 be fifteen hundred years old. Yes, it's not Deadmark. We've done Deadmark. 106 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:30.840 We thank them. We took the money from Copenhagen, that is Lithuania. 107 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:35.440 Yeah, so we say thank you to our friends in Vilnius. And 108 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:39.799 the origins of the game of chess can be traced back to this Asian country 109 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:48.720 in the sixth century India, India. So we thank our friends in New 110 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:52.120 Delhi as well. And you're all. You all failed, But Maggie, 111 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:58.360 you failed the least so yeah, or the most equally, I believe you 112 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:01.720 said. There was assessment team that was trying to go to northern Gaza was 113 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:07.559 it supposed to be yesterday? Did it happen? I didn't say. I 114 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:11.039 don't know if I said. I can't remember what I said yesterday. But 115 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:16.120 what I can tell you is that James is taking a seat late commercy for 116 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:20.320 a TV reporter. He knows really well how to cross the caramera to make 117 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:24.879 sure everybody sees it. Yes, yes, yeah, you're like the Queen. 118 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:30.320 You're never late. Everybody's just early. Yeah, her late majesty. 119 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:39.200 Excuse me, yes, sorry. A first reconnaissance mission is in process both 120 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:45.639 yesterday and today to the North. The mission aims to ascertain the current security 121 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:50.279 and logistical conditions in the North to better understand the actual environment on which future 122 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:54.799 aid deliveries to the North might take place. But this is I know there's 123 00:13:54.840 --> 00:14:01.360 been a lot of uh of discussion about the assessment mission that was announced a 124 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:05.600 few weeks ago. This is really just the first step in doing a real 125 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:09.720 assessment mission. It's a I guess you would do the reconnaissance mission, then 126 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:16.360 you do the assessment mission. Okay. Another question, given the unprecedented number 127 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:22.000 of journalists who've been killed in the Israel Hamas war, what are the Secretary 128 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:26.639 General's concerns and is there any action that the UN can take to better shield 129 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:31.240 or protect journalists covering this and other kinds. Well, let's be honest on 130 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:37.440 the ground, I don't think there is any action we can take. We 131 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:43.879 are our humanitarian workers are like journalists and in the front lines and have paid 132 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:48.639 for with their lives. We know of more than one hundred and fifty of 133 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:58.919 our colleagues have perished in this conflict, where we have raised repeatedly publicly privately. 134 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:05.600 Are concerned about journalists their ability to do their work out of fear free 135 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:11.879 excuse me, free from fear and free from the threat to their own personal 136 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:18.120 lives. As in any conflict, the role of journalists is critical to public 137 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:24.000 opinion, to the world getting a view to what is going on on the 138 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:28.039 ground. And can I just ask one on UNRA. About a dozen Republican 139 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:33.080 Senators have sent a letter to the majority of minority leaders at the Congress US 140 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:41.000 Congress demanding that any supplemental budget package that's passed include quote an immediate and permanent 141 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:46.960 prohibition against US contributions to UNRA. Has the Secretary General called anyone on the 142 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:54.919 hill since this situation where we've seen these reports. We're obviously in touch with 143 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.720 the US government. As I mentioned to you, I think the Secretary General 144 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:03.600 met with the Permanent Representative of the US a few days ago. They discussed 145 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:12.080 the issue. The Secretary generally engaged extensively with the major ANOIR donors two evenings 146 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:18.639 ago. If I recall, that meeting lasted more than two hours, where 147 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:22.720 he listened to their concerns, tried to address the concerns, and made it 148 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:27.720 very clear of the swift action that we are that we are taking. The 149 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:32.720 US is the biggest donor and there's a lot of money in jeopardy. So 150 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:37.039 has anyone on your team made any particular congressional outreach? You know, I 151 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:41.480 think ANHI it also has it has a liaison office in Washington. I know 152 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:51.480 they're fully seized of the matter. If to some do you have any comments 153 00:16:51.559 --> 00:17:00.600 on are it's reporting that the Israeli newspaper arts reporting that Israeli army as Gaza 154 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:07.920 Holmes and then burns them down. And according to the newspaper, we're talking 155 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:14.359 about hundreds of homes that we were burned down after the soldiers left them. 156 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:22.000 Look, we've I think we've been very public in our condemnation of the destruction 157 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:29.640 of civilian infrastructure. Uh and I think it is critical that the Israeli authorities 158 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:36.680 respect international human humanitarian law and international law during this operation. Evelyn, and 159 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:48.440 then James, thank you, thank you, Okay, thank you, step 160 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:55.160 on me and Mark. I know there's no chance of getting an arms and 161 00:17:55.279 --> 00:18:00.480 bargo China would be to it, but at least is it part possible devastatement, 162 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:08.359 at least from the Secretary General discouraging countries from giving that government weapons. 163 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:18.000 And I don't think we've ever encouraged increased military aid to that country. Your 164 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:25.720 second question, I mean discourage Okay. The second question is on the follow 165 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:30.279 up what Maggie said, Have any of our people in Washington, whether it's 166 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:38.680 UNRA or our office there, reached the Republicans because the ambassador here is not 167 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:47.240 a Republican and it would be it would be good to. As I told 168 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:53.200 Maggie, there is a office in Washington and they're fully seized of this issue. 169 00:18:53.880 --> 00:19:00.359 James, following up on Maggie's question, there was a meeting yesterday between 170 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:03.880 the U. S Secretary of State and Sigared Cog. I've seen a State 171 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:08.400 Department readout. Can you give us the UNS view on what that meeting achieved. 172 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:14.559 I haven't had a chance to speak Cigarette's team this morning. This is 173 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:22.240 part of her briefing a number of Member states on the work and on her 174 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:26.640 first initial initial go around. But one assumes that she would have been making 175 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:30.799 the case in that meeting for UNRA and for the US lifting its suspension as 176 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:33.799 soon as possible. I will try to share with you a readout. Okay, 177 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:37.680 that's it for now. I do have another one, thank I've forgotten 178 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:41.319 it. We'll go to Dulci and then we'll come back to We'll go to 179 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:47.799 the screen after that on is there any progress on a personal on boy being 180 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:55.079 named? The process is ongoing. The once progress has been achieved and we're 181 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:57.119 ready to announce, we shall do it. So you do have a pool 182 00:19:57.160 --> 00:20:03.160 of candidates. We are looking at numerous candidates. Okay, and over to 183 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:11.000 Gaza and so in the turnscript last night, you say that Felipe Lazarini actually 184 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:17.880 flew from Jerusalem to New York to talk to the Secretary General personally. It 185 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:22.039 looks like on January twenty second, you said on Monday, that's correct. 186 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:26.599 How long was he here talking to Secretary General about this problem. He was 187 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:30.839 in New York. In New York one of two days. I think I 188 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:37.720 saw him on Tuesday. I mean how long did the meeting last, I 189 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:41.119 don't know, but I mean they had a substantive conversation. So this was. 190 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:49.000 This was after Lazarini was followed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry that they had 191 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:56.119 a list. This was after Anhah was given information by the Israeli Foreign Ministry 192 00:20:56.599 --> 00:21:03.400 and then a cross checked and the names they were given. Then mister Latzerini 193 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:07.079 came here to brief the Secretary General about what he had been told in the 194 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:11.359 actions he intended to take. So he was given a list of these twelve. 195 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:18.000 He was, as I've said repeatedly, they were giving information regarding those 196 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:23.720 staff members. And has the US seen this list? Have to ask the 197 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:27.319 United States what they've seen and what they haven't seen. But I can tell 198 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:34.480 you that mister Latzerini also briefed the US and other key donors on the developments 199 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:40.680 before we made the announcement, so there would be no surprise in a number 200 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:45.799 of capitals. Okay, so you hadn't made the announcement. I believe it 201 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:49.160 was Friday morning, or was it Thursday night. I believe I did it 202 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:55.200 Friday from here. I mean the announcement was made Friday morning. We had 203 00:21:55.200 --> 00:22:00.680 a statement and then I repeated it here in this room. Okay, why 204 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:06.920 did the UN wait four days to make this because this was an this is 205 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:14.640 an extremely serious situation with grave impact and gravery percussions, and we're seeing it 206 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:19.279 now. So it was very important for mister Lazerini and THEANOIS leadership to ensure 207 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:26.359 that things were done seriously, in a particular order, and that people were 208 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:33.000 briefed. Key donors were brief that the Secretary General was briefed, and so 209 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:40.440 he acted quickly, but he also took the time to ensure that a number 210 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:47.200 of steps were taken. So there was no coincidence between the UN releasing this 211 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:52.160 information on the same day that the ICJ reuling came out. We have no 212 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:56.279 control over the calendar of the ICJ. We did things as we thought it 213 00:22:56.359 --> 00:23:00.440 was the most appropriate to do in the most transparent manner that is possible for 214 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:11.920 us abdel Hamid, and then we'll go back to the room. I cannot 215 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:18.359 here. I just want to ask one question, where is dor Winslam all 216 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:22.000 this time? Mister venis Lan is in Jerusalem and he is working, and 217 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:29.119 I expect him to be here probably at some point in the next uh early 218 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.759 in the first two weeks of the month, you will get a briefing. 219 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:37.680 And I forgot I failed to mention the lead that Ambassador Carolyn Rodriguez Berkitt of 220 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:41.160 Guyana will be here to brief you at one o'clock on the program of work 221 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:45.400 you'll see hi Middle East briefing. We expect mister Venislan to be here in 222 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:51.839 person. The fact that he is, like many of our envoys and special 223 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:55.200 representatives, the fact that they are not in the media speaking to camera, 224 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:59.920 giving quotes does not mean they are not working. You are the question, 225 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:08.160 Okay, thank you? Uh yes, Fran Hello Steph. Just wondering if 226 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:15.720 you've seen the report from Sky News that the number of the ANDRA employees who 227 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:23.039 was originally twelve NRA employees allegedly accused of aiding October being part of October seven 228 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:26.440 attack, now it's being brought down to six. Have you heard of that. 229 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:32.519 I've seen the reports. You know, there's a lot of there's a 230 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:37.480 lot of information that seems to be shared with the media that may not be 231 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:42.480 shared with with Anhua. We acted and acted on the information. Uh, 232 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:52.279 it was given based on their own feeling of confirmation that of the veracity of 233 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:56.920 the information. There's a lot of other dosiers and reports that are coming out. 234 00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:06.519 We would welcome any sharing of any written information that's good at James because 235 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:11.079 I think I don't want to miss his memory. No, it might pass 236 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.839 again. Now I follow up though on that. Yeah, you must know 237 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:17.119 how many people you dismissed, six or twelve, twelve? I mean we 238 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:22.079 we the state the statement. I would refer you to the the statement it 239 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:26.519 talked about twelve and that was what was impacted, the twelve twelve names, 240 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:32.960 because it's the one is not even alive apparently. Can you check with unrope 241 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:37.279 because you know I can check. I would refer excuse me, I would 242 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:42.039 refer you to what the original state from from Ana, which was very clear 243 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:49.400 and still stands, and we just based its information on the information that was 244 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:56.079 shared that was shared with them at the time. Okay, one more quick 245 00:25:56.119 --> 00:26:00.400 follow up before I remember my question, and the quick follow up is mister 246 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:04.240 Wennersland, can he please come into this room and do a press briefing with 247 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:10.599 us. We will ask okay my question. A new draft resolution, an 248 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:15.200 early draft we're told, has been circulated by Algeria again calling for a cease 249 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:21.920 fire in Gaza, circulated to the Security Council. As Security Council members look 250 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:26.039 at this draft, what would the Secretary Channel's message be to the fifteen members? 251 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:36.559 I mean, I want to press the pre record button right. The 252 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:41.079 message is one of unity. The message is one of the support from the 253 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:47.079 Secretary. The Secretary General has been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. That's what 254 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.039 he would like. He would like to see unity from the Council on this 255 00:26:49.119 --> 00:27:00.400 issue. Margaret Diana will take the presidency of the UN Security Council for the 256 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:18.599 month of February and of the media. Thank you for joining us for the 257 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:22.359 press conference, those of you who are joining us here in the room, 258 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:26.319 as well as those who we have with us virtually. My name is Trishallah 259 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:32.839 Prasad. I'm the Deputy Permanent Representative for the Guyana Mission and the media focal 260 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:37.319 point for our Security Council team today. As you're aware of, Guyana assumed 261 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:41.480 the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February and in keeping with 262 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:48.039 the tradition. Ambassador Carolyn Roderigs Burkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN 263 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:52.839 and this month's President of the Security Council, will brief you on the program 264 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:59.119 of work which was adopted this morning, and with us also is our political 265 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:03.799 coordinator, Miss Nischanta Bed. After the briefing, I will open the floor 266 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:11.000 for questions. So now I'm Massador Roderick's bucket. Good afternoon, ladies and 267 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:15.920 gentlemen, and let me also join in welcoming you to this press conference. 268 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:22.319 I'm pleased to be here to present to you February's program of work of the 269 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:27.279 United Nations Security Council. Before doing so, I would just like to indicate 270 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:36.880 how we intend to approach our presidency in relation to the working methods. As 271 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:44.440 President of the Security Council, Guyana will promote enhanced transparency, efficiency, effectiveness 272 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:51.079 and inclusiveness in the Council's work. We also commit to adopting a consensus building 273 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:57.680 approach and to executing our mandate in full collaboration with all Council members. We 274 00:28:57.720 --> 00:29:03.279 will also seek to include a gender perspective in meetings as far as appropriate, 275 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:10.599 in keeping with our commitments to the women's peace and security, our commitments to 276 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:15.440 women's peace and security. We are thankful for the guidance and advice that we 277 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:19.519 have received from fellow Council members, and for the steady support that has been 278 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:26.920 provided to us by the Secretariat. Now for the Program of Work, I 279 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:30.160 understand that you are already in possession of the Program of Work, which has 280 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:37.279 just been adopted by the Council. We have a very busy month ahead with 281 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:44.839 many important matters demanding the Council's attention. On the program are all the mandated 282 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:51.839 meetings for the month and our signature event. As you are aware, the 283 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:56.799 Program of Work does not represent the totality of all the meetings that will be 284 00:29:56.880 --> 00:30:03.799 held in February. We expect additional meetings, including on Ukraine and Me and 285 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:07.720 mar and on other matters as they arise. Of course, the war in 286 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:15.160 Gaza will remain a priority. There will be sixteen mandated meetings, including on 287 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:23.519 UNAMI, Somalia, UNSMIL Minuska, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and the situation 288 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:27.359 in the Middle East. On the fifteenth of February, we will have the 289 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:33.640 annual Briefing on Threats to International peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Based 290 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:40.799 on the Secretary General's Strategic Level Report on the threat posed by ISIL. There 291 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:45.000 is one adoption schedule for the month, the renewal of the mandate of the 292 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:51.640 Panel of Experts of the fifteen nine to one Sanctioned Committee concerning Sudan. Also 293 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:56.519 during this month, the Council will on the take of field visit to Columbia 294 00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:02.720 within the context of Resolution twenty seven twenty seven to zero four. The mission 295 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:07.279 will be co ed by the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Presidency Guyana. 296 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:14.799 Turning to our signature event, on the thirteenth of February, we will host 297 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:19.559 an high level open debate focusing on the impact of climate change and food insecurity 298 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:25.519 on the maintenance of international peace and security. The meeting will be chaired by 299 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:30.000 the President of Guyana, His Excellency, Doctor Muhammadir Finale. Our Foreign Minister 300 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:37.839 on Rebehutad will also be here for the meeting. The topic chosen is one 301 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:45.960 that Guyana attaches high importance suit The meeting will examine the dynamic relationship between climate 302 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:53.640 change, food insecurity and conflicts within the context of maintaining international peace and security. 303 00:31:55.400 --> 00:32:01.440 We anticipate a very rich discussion given the interest in this topic by many 304 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:07.160 Council members but also by the wider United Nations membership, and Guyana intends to 305 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:15.480 provide a summary of that event following its conclusion. The meeting will see the 306 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:22.279 presence of the Secretary General. We also have three briefers in the persons of 307 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:28.359 the Head of the Executive Secretary of the United Framework Convention and Climate Change, 308 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:34.039 the Deputy Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, and one civil society 309 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:38.799 briefer. We are grateful that they have accepted our invitation to brief the Council. 310 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:44.960 As mentioned earlier, we do not expect that this program of work will 311 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:51.599 remain as it is now, given the many issues that is attracting the Council's 312 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:55.119 attention, and we do intend to keep you a price of any updates through 313 00:32:55.680 --> 00:33:02.119 weekly emails to the UN Press. Scoretionally, my mission remains available if you 314 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:07.200 have any questions for the Presidency or for me and my national capacity, and 315 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:14.440 I know open the floor to for you for any questions you may have on 316 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:19.480 the program of work. Thank you, ambassador, and we'll start over here. 317 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:22.559 Thank you so much, Thank you ambassador, and be also of the 318 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:27.319 United Nations Correspondent Association for this briefing and we wish you the best of luck 319 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:34.240 for the busy mant ahead. My question is on Venezuela. Are you planning 320 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:38.440 to bring to the Security Council attention the issue Venezuela that wanted to annext a 321 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:45.160 Guayana region in a referendum. There will be a possible debate on that, 322 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:50.960 discussion of sanctions or any other steps. Thank you so much. It's Valle 323 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:53.480 Rebecca from ans and is Wire. Sorry, thank you Vera. In my 324 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:59.400 capacity as President of the Council, I can see that Venezuela is not on 325 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:05.000 the program of work. In my Nashnal capacity, I can see that Guyana 326 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:12.519 has not requested a meeting on Venezuela. That'll take good. Question for James 327 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:17.119 Berrys from Our Jazeera like to ask you two related questions related to Gaza and 328 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:21.320 the wider problems in the Middle East region. First, I mean you can 329 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:25.119 welcome to answer these as president or probably more interestingly, in your national capacity. 330 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:32.960 There's now we believe an early draft of from Algeria of a resolution again 331 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:37.719 on a ceasefar In your view, what do you think of the chances of 332 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:44.519 getting that much needed cease far for Gaza during this month when you are presiding 333 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:46.800 over the Security Council. And secondly, as you know, there was that 334 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:52.360 attack on a US base with three US service personnel killed. The US is 335 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:59.920 now planning, we're told, a extensive military response to that attack on that 336 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:04.199 based in Jordan's clost to the Syria border. How worried are you that this 337 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:09.239 could just lead to further escalation in the region. Thank you, James. 338 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:14.760 We are aware that a resolution, a draft resolution, is being discussed. 339 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:19.880 I can tell you that in our national capacity, we intend to adopt a 340 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:27.199 constructive approach towards the resolution. On the other question you ask, I can 341 00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:32.039 say again, in my national capacity, we are concerned about spillovers. Based 342 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:37.239 on what has happened, what is happening in Gaza, I would expect that 343 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:45.280 the US would be more appropriate to answer the other part of the question. 344 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:51.840 Thank you. Hello, Ambassador. I'm Margaret Basher with the Voice of America. 345 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:55.239 Good Luck this month, I would like to ask you about Haiti, 346 00:35:55.440 --> 00:36:00.760 especially because Guyana is the chair of carry COM. Also for the next six 347 00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:06.440 months. Your president has said regional security is a key priority. So what 348 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:13.960 is Guana going to do in the Security Council to get this multinational force deployed, 349 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:17.239 especially since we've seen now an obstacle arise in Kenya with the High Court 350 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:24.920 decision. Thank you very much for the question. Hiti is one of the 351 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:30.039 priorities for sure, for our region, for Guyana and for the Caribbean community. 352 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:36.639 As you know, the multinational support mission is a non UN mission. 353 00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:43.719 But nevertheless, the Security Council is cease of this matter. We have seen 354 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:49.840 that the Kenyan government has decided to appeal the decision and we are hoping to 355 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:53.159 as we go along this month to have an update at the appropriate time. 356 00:36:53.760 --> 00:37:00.760 But we are concerned and I can say that for Guyana in our national capacity 357 00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:06.960 with the growing challenges in Haiti and the dire humanitarian situation. But the work 358 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:13.440 of the Eminent Persons Group of CARACOM continues in terms of the political tract and 359 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:20.760 just has Carrie Com gotten any more regional countries interested in contributing to the force 360 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:27.440 at this point in time, we are advised that the countries that have indicated 361 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:37.519 their participation would be the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica insct question. 362 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:45.360 Thank you very much, Madam and sorter edith letter from the Associated Press. 363 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:54.119 First, a follow up on the possibility of another ceasefire resumelution. You said 364 00:37:54.199 --> 00:38:01.159 Guyana would take a constructive approach. Could you expand or on what exactly that 365 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:13.599 means? And secondly, February twenty fourth is the second anniversary of the Russian 366 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:23.320 invasion of Ukraine? Is the Security Council planning anything to mark that occasion, 367 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:30.639 any kind of meeting, any kind of outcome document? Thank you, thank 368 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:34.599 you for your question. Let me answer on gas in my national capacity. 369 00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:39.360 Ghana has called for a ceasefire and Ghana will continue to call for a ceasefire 370 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:45.239 in Gaza. We believe that we should not wait another day for that, 371 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:52.639 and this is why I said we will be constructive in the resolution and hopefully 372 00:38:52.000 --> 00:39:00.800 we would be able to have a resolution on Ukraine confirmed that there will be 373 00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:07.360 a meeting. We are finalizing the date at this point in time on a 374 00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:15.400 product We do not foresee one at this point in time. Sorry, do 375 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:23.039 you expect any senior officials from Ukraine to come to the United Nations for that 376 00:39:23.159 --> 00:39:30.000 meeting whenever it's scheduled. We do not have that information as yet, but 377 00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:39.519 we believe we will be informed in the coming days. Good question, thinking, 378 00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:43.679 Ambarsador. So my name is you from kild On News, Japanese media. 379 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:47.559 So I have two questions. So one is that you mentioned about the 380 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:52.880 meeting of Myanmar, so could you give me more details? And then second 381 00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:58.679 question is about the North Korea dprkare so are you ready for the meeting about 382 00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:04.760 the North Korea? You think about the issue. We will be attentive to 383 00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:10.159 all the requests of Security Council members for various meetings. I can confirm that 384 00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:19.559 the meeting on ME and MAR will take place in the first week. Yes, 385 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:32.719 yeah, yeah, sorry, Thank you very much for ambassador on February 386 00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:37.840 thirteenth year high level meeting. Are you going to have a product a statement 387 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:45.800 of resolution? And secondly, could you give me some details on what you're 388 00:40:45.840 --> 00:40:52.000 doing on ME and MAR? Thank you on the in terms of a product. 389 00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:57.239 As you know, it's still a very complex situation discussing at least half 390 00:40:57.280 --> 00:41:00.920 of the topic the depart on climate. But this is but we believe it's 391 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:06.079 a very important topic for most of the UN membership, and so this is 392 00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:10.320 why I indicated we will do a summary and hopefully in the future we can 393 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:15.400 have a product and I speak there in my national capacity on me and Mar. 394 00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:21.000 The meeting will take place and we will see where we go from there. 395 00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:28.920 Yeah. What kind of an agenda at the meeting? Just a general 396 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:32.519 discussion on me and Mar. And also I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. 397 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:42.440 It's evidently approach God prat media and past. Thank you. We we understand 398 00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:47.360 that their work is ongoing by the ass and Special Envoy and so we will 399 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:58.880 be having a report from him. Yeah, thank you so much, Am 400 00:41:58.920 --> 00:42:01.000 Bessador. My name is that from Society from Arab News Daily. A bit 401 00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:06.119 of a bit of a wider question, please, as a representative of a 402 00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:13.239 country that has suffered under colonialism and has a history with that struggle, how 403 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:19.360 is that past and history informing today your foreign policy and your role on the 404 00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:22.239 council. How does it feel to be in the same room now with the 405 00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:28.280 former colonizer And what is your message to if you feel any connections with what's 406 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:31.400 happening in Palestine today? And if so, what's your message to Palestinians and 407 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:38.960 Israeli? Thank you, thank you. Yes, we do have a colonial 408 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:47.559 past. We like to consider ourselves friends with everyone as a small state. 409 00:42:47.639 --> 00:42:53.559 We bring to the Council what we have always practiced and held through to, 410 00:42:53.639 --> 00:43:01.360 and that is our principles. And also in terms of Palestine, Guyana is 411 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:08.960 actually a founding member of the Committee on the Alienable Rights of the Palestinian People, 412 00:43:09.960 --> 00:43:16.559 and we have continuously advocated for the two state solution, and we believe 413 00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:22.239 that this is the ultimate solution in the crisis that we face right now. 414 00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:30.599 And while what we see is unprecedented, we also believe that there's opportunity in 415 00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:37.480 this to move forward that process. I would say to our Palestinian brothers and 416 00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:45.719 sisters and to our Israeli brothers and sisters, that we hope that even though 417 00:43:45.119 --> 00:43:52.719 at this point in time we see disaster and destruction in Gaza, and we 418 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:59.119 see the wider complications of this in Palestine, we would like to see Israel 419 00:43:59.159 --> 00:44:05.280 and Palestine living side by side in peace and security and in harmony. We 420 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:12.760 believe it is time. Yes, Medavia Messador, have you retalted from f 421 00:44:12.920 --> 00:44:20.480 newswhere? Last December the Security Council held a meeting on your conflict with Venezuela 422 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:24.360 as a kibo and how come you are not taking advantage of your presidency to 423 00:44:24.400 --> 00:44:30.599 bring again the subdue to the Council, or maybe you consider that the conflict 424 00:44:30.639 --> 00:44:38.079 is overall on the right track. Let me say that when we decided to 425 00:44:38.119 --> 00:44:44.239 put forward our candidacy for the Security Council, it's because we believe, as 426 00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:47.159 a small state, especially from the group of small island developing states, that 427 00:44:47.199 --> 00:44:52.599 we can bring a unique perspective to the Council. And at that time, 428 00:44:52.119 --> 00:44:57.079 just twelve years ago, Venezuela was one of the first countries, the government 429 00:44:57.079 --> 00:45:04.039 of Venezuela to support our candidacy. We decided that it was necessary for us 430 00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:09.480 to inform the Council in December of what was happening between our two countries. 431 00:45:10.199 --> 00:45:16.000 Given the narratives, the worrying narratives that was coming out at that time from 432 00:45:16.199 --> 00:45:22.400 Venezuela, and given the responsibility of the Council for international peace and security, 433 00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:28.280 we taught it important to inform the Council. At this point in time, 434 00:45:29.039 --> 00:45:34.679 we do not believe that it is a matter that we need to bring to 435 00:45:34.719 --> 00:45:39.960 the Council again. I should inform that following that Council meeting, there was 436 00:45:40.039 --> 00:45:45.599 a meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana and Venezuela signed an agreement, 437 00:45:46.119 --> 00:45:52.400 and part of that agreement is for a joint commission to discuss issues that 438 00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:59.199 are consequential. Of course, the matter is in the hands of the ICG, 439 00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:01.360 the land border matter is in the hands of the i c J. 440 00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:08.840 But consequential matters relating to our cooperation with Venezuela as a neighbor is included in 441 00:46:08.880 --> 00:46:15.960 that joint commission where those issues would be discussed. And the first meeting was 442 00:46:15.000 --> 00:46:22.280 held already. Thank you. If we could before I get to the remaining 443 00:46:22.360 --> 00:46:25.559 questions in the room, if we could go online. We have if the 444 00:46:25.639 --> 00:46:36.679 car Ali, you have the floor, mister, if the car Ali, 445 00:46:45.400 --> 00:46:49.199 if there is an issue with the audio, maybe we can go to the 446 00:46:49.280 --> 00:46:53.800 second person online, who is Abdelhamed C. It doesn't give your designation. 447 00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:58.440 If you could indicate that would be helpful. Thank you. Could we have 448 00:46:58.559 --> 00:47:15.239 volume for the questions for technical team. Thank you. It seems that there's 449 00:47:15.639 --> 00:47:19.880 difficulty in us hearing those questions, so we'll go back to the room and 450 00:47:19.880 --> 00:47:23.280 see if that can be fixed. We'll take the question there first. If 451 00:47:23.320 --> 00:47:29.920 you could identify the literally thank you. My names I to Sam as a 452 00:47:29.960 --> 00:47:37.199 ladder BLD newspaper. My question is about some breaking news that coming out from 453 00:47:37.280 --> 00:47:43.199 the Qatari Foreign Ministry, a spokesperson that's saying that Israel agreed to assist for 454 00:47:43.239 --> 00:47:50.199 her proposal, and we have initially positive confirmation from Hamez. My question here 455 00:47:50.519 --> 00:47:54.519 first, do you have any comments on that and do you believe that such 456 00:47:54.559 --> 00:48:00.960 an agreement should come also in front of the Security Council, that should be 457 00:48:01.079 --> 00:48:07.440 discussed in details. Thank you very much. We do, We do not 458 00:48:07.599 --> 00:48:12.840 have any information, does not have any information as that, as you said, 459 00:48:12.840 --> 00:48:16.599 it just came out. But let me say that if there's a ceasefire, 460 00:48:16.679 --> 00:48:27.880 we certainly welcome that. Will they be as I mentioned earlier? In 461 00:48:27.920 --> 00:48:32.360 fact, as was mentioned earlier, there is a draft resolution that is being 462 00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:37.480 discussed and we will see how that will progress in light of this new information 463 00:48:37.559 --> 00:48:47.800 that you just provided. The other question, thank you, Mradashi. What's 464 00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:55.440 your position regarding the human rights violations violations in Gaza and West Bank and do 465 00:48:55.519 --> 00:49:06.440 you support a rule on this matter by i CC and ICG. We have 466 00:49:06.800 --> 00:49:14.000 consistently called, of course international capacity for the respect for international law, international 467 00:49:14.119 --> 00:49:19.280 humanitarian law and of course human rights, and we will continue to do so 468 00:49:20.360 --> 00:49:25.639 on the matter of the ICJ. We welcome the provisional measures of the ICJ 469 00:49:27.400 --> 00:49:34.800 and we look forward to the consideration of the larger matter as we go forward. 470 00:49:35.000 --> 00:49:39.320 We understand that that will take some years, but we are concerned of 471 00:49:39.440 --> 00:49:46.519 the the overall situation in Gaza, of the women and children that have died, 472 00:49:47.159 --> 00:50:02.159 of everyone that is suffering in Gaza. Step go ahead, Stefan, 473 00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:10.400 New York and ital Press. Are you satisfied with the way the Security Council 474 00:50:12.480 --> 00:50:19.920 is uh you know, is proceeding so far or do you think a reform 475 00:50:20.159 --> 00:50:28.280 should be very urgent? And just recently the Secretary General repeated that he thinks 476 00:50:28.519 --> 00:50:37.360 is the time for a new permanent seat for Africa and what you think about 477 00:50:37.400 --> 00:50:45.280 new permanent seats? In my national capacity, we believe Security Council reform is 478 00:50:45.360 --> 00:50:51.440 urgent and it may sound hollow because we've been saying this for the past three 479 00:50:51.480 --> 00:50:57.400 decades or so, but we believe that it is. Guyana supports the common 480 00:50:57.440 --> 00:51:01.639 African position. We believe that it's a historical injustice that should be made right, 481 00:51:02.239 --> 00:51:08.280 and so we support Africa having a permanent seat on the Council. I 482 00:51:08.280 --> 00:51:14.840 should indicate that this is also the position of many Caracom countries as well. 483 00:51:15.239 --> 00:51:21.599 We also advocate for a rotating seat on the Council non permanent seat for small 484 00:51:21.639 --> 00:51:27.320 island developing states. We believe that they bring a unique perspective, especially being 485 00:51:27.320 --> 00:51:30.360 on the front lines of climate change, and as we spoke about earlier, 486 00:51:30.400 --> 00:51:36.159 the impacts of climate change on the maintenance and peace and security is something that 487 00:51:36.199 --> 00:51:39.559 we must continue to consider. And so yes, we believe that the reform 488 00:51:39.639 --> 00:51:49.239 of the Security Council should not wait before I go to the hands I see 489 00:51:49.239 --> 00:51:52.719 in the room. I think we'll try again with those who are online if 490 00:51:52.719 --> 00:51:57.320 we could see if mister if we car Ali, if we can hear you 491 00:51:57.400 --> 00:52:09.800 now? Yeah, still not able to hear you. I'm not sure if 492 00:52:09.840 --> 00:52:15.960 you're on mute. We did have a second request online, which is mister 493 00:52:15.000 --> 00:52:20.760 Abdelhahmed, can you hear me? We're hearing you. Go ahead? This 494 00:52:20.800 --> 00:52:24.079 oh great, Thank you so much, thank you, mister Madame President. 495 00:52:24.719 --> 00:52:32.760 I have a few questions and my first question about visiting Gaza by the Security 496 00:52:32.840 --> 00:52:40.079 Council. Last December, the Ambassador of the United arm Emeris took a delegation 497 00:52:40.280 --> 00:52:45.360 to the Rapha crossing, but they didn't cross to Gaz. Would you consider 498 00:52:46.840 --> 00:52:52.239 the taking a group of members of the Security Council or suggest at least to 499 00:52:52.400 --> 00:52:59.159 visit Gaza and see for yourself autrocities and genocide in the making. That my 500 00:52:59.280 --> 00:53:06.960 first question and the second. There are now floating ideas to recognize Palestine as 501 00:53:07.079 --> 00:53:12.360 a full, independent, softfire state in the UN. What is the position 502 00:53:12.519 --> 00:53:19.199 of your country if this issue came to the forefront of the Security Council during 503 00:53:19.320 --> 00:53:24.719 your membership. And finally, I don't want to take much of your time, 504 00:53:24.800 --> 00:53:30.320 but if you can tell me, would you work with the non permanent 505 00:53:30.440 --> 00:53:38.320 members to form some kind of common ideas of the ten elected members to influence 506 00:53:38.440 --> 00:53:45.239 the outcome of the Security Council resolutions and the statements and not to leave it 507 00:53:45.280 --> 00:53:51.719 only to the permanent five. Thank you very much for your patients and accepting 508 00:53:51.800 --> 00:53:58.440 my three questions, thank you very much. There is no plan at this 509 00:53:58.639 --> 00:54:04.559 time to Gaza, but I can say in my national capacity, this is 510 00:54:04.599 --> 00:54:09.400 something we would welcome when it is appropriate for us to do so, and 511 00:54:09.679 --> 00:54:15.760 when the Security allows us to do that as well in terms of Palestine as 512 00:54:15.760 --> 00:54:22.320 a sovereign state, and should that be considered here, Ghana will certainly support 513 00:54:22.360 --> 00:54:30.000 that as we have advocated for this for many many years in terms of the 514 00:54:30.079 --> 00:54:36.199 elected members working together, we try to do this all the time, but 515 00:54:36.280 --> 00:54:42.920 also as the Council as a whole, and we will always adopt a constructive 516 00:54:42.960 --> 00:54:47.119 approach to whatever is before us, always keeping in mind that we are there 517 00:54:47.159 --> 00:54:59.760 to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. Aaron Lewis from Indoasian 518 00:54:59.760 --> 00:55:04.119 News Service. I see that you have a private meeting setup for Afghanistan, 519 00:55:04.559 --> 00:55:08.079 and you said that one of your main priorities is a gender issue, and 520 00:55:08.159 --> 00:55:15.440 I see that pretty much reflected very prominently right here on the podium. Would 521 00:55:15.440 --> 00:55:20.400 you be considered would you consider taking any further steps on Afghanistan, especially on 522 00:55:20.440 --> 00:55:24.280 the gender issue and related manners of human rights? Thank you, thank you. 523 00:55:24.960 --> 00:55:30.360 Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the meeting will take place and in 524 00:55:30.440 --> 00:55:39.119 my national capacity, Guyana has made certain commitments to the WPS agenda and whichever 525 00:55:39.159 --> 00:55:44.840 a file we're looking at, we also look at it through a WPS lens 526 00:55:45.280 --> 00:55:51.000 as well. Thank you, Yes, oh, thank you. My name 527 00:55:51.000 --> 00:55:54.159 is sin and with rude our media network could short that my question is about 528 00:55:54.199 --> 00:55:59.760 Iran. Iran has been attacking Iran attack kills willims in Pakistan a few weeks 529 00:55:59.800 --> 00:56:02.000 ago and in curtict our region over ark and a few days ago they killed 530 00:56:02.000 --> 00:56:07.000 three American soldiers in Jordan. So I wonder if you have any message for 531 00:56:07.039 --> 00:56:12.039 Iran and what would you like to say about this escalations or any comment on 532 00:56:12.079 --> 00:56:19.639 that. I think I have a message for everyone that we just need to 533 00:56:19.639 --> 00:56:25.239 make this world a better place, safer, more prosperous for all our people. 534 00:56:30.920 --> 00:56:35.920 Thanks ambassador, it's Margaret again. I just wanted to follow up on 535 00:56:35.960 --> 00:56:39.840 the Afghanistan meeting. What will the topic actually be and why is it a 536 00:56:39.880 --> 00:56:45.559 private meeting? I assume that's in part so the charge can attend, but 537 00:56:45.719 --> 00:56:52.880 could you explain to us what the subject is actually the As you would recall, 538 00:56:52.960 --> 00:56:57.719 there was a resolution that was passed and the Secretary General is expected to 539 00:56:57.800 --> 00:57:04.119 report within sixty days on his meetings with the various envoys there, and so 540 00:57:04.679 --> 00:57:09.000 that report will be considered. I just ask you one question, in your 541 00:57:09.079 --> 00:57:14.280 national capacity, where are your talks at with the United States in terms of 542 00:57:14.320 --> 00:57:21.159 strengthening your military. We have very good relations with the United States on many 543 00:57:21.400 --> 00:57:28.079 matters. The United States is our largest trading partner and our largest diaspora actually 544 00:57:28.119 --> 00:57:31.400 reside in the United States. So we have cooperation and a number of issues 545 00:57:31.440 --> 00:57:35.920 for many, many years. But there was supposed to be some new military 546 00:57:35.960 --> 00:57:42.239 cooperation I believe following last year's incident with Venezuela. We have had these types 547 00:57:42.239 --> 00:57:46.719 of cooperations with the United States and several other countries, and I think those 548 00:57:47.360 --> 00:57:52.280 continue. So what you see us doing right now is part of that program 549 00:57:52.320 --> 00:57:57.840 that we have, and every year, of course, we perhaps add to 550 00:57:57.880 --> 00:58:07.079 that corperation as well. Thank you very much, madame Ambassador. I just 551 00:58:07.159 --> 00:58:12.239 wanted to say, and I'm sure all my colleagues agree, we would greatly 552 00:58:12.280 --> 00:58:17.119 appreciate it if you came to the stakeout after all the meetings and at least 553 00:58:17.199 --> 00:58:24.440 gave us a rundown on what happened and your view. Thank you, Thank 554 00:58:24.440 --> 00:58:31.400 you. We'll consider that. Taking second questions very kindly, I'm going to 555 00:58:31.400 --> 00:58:36.559 ask another one, and again it's going to be about Gaza. At the 556 00:58:36.639 --> 00:58:39.480 end of last year, there were despite all the efforts to get a cease 557 00:58:39.519 --> 00:58:45.639 far, there were two resolutions passed. Both of them said that the humanitarian 558 00:58:45.000 --> 00:58:50.519 aid needed to be scaled up. You listened yesterday to Martin Griffiths in the 559 00:58:50.519 --> 00:58:53.039 Council, and he made it very clear that's not happening. And he also 560 00:58:53.079 --> 00:59:00.639 made it clear that part of the reason is Israel that Israel is taking items 561 00:59:00.679 --> 00:59:04.639 out of the AID, is blocking convoys coming in, is not allowing all 562 00:59:04.719 --> 00:59:07.760 the crossing points that you n would like. Is Israel complying with those two 563 00:59:07.800 --> 00:59:14.159 resolutions? And if not, what action can be taken. The information we 564 00:59:14.280 --> 00:59:17.960 have, and I speak here in my national capacity, is that for those 565 00:59:19.000 --> 00:59:22.960 two resolutions to be implemented, you need a ceasefire. And this is why 566 00:59:23.000 --> 00:59:28.480 we continue to call for this. We are very, very concern about the 567 00:59:28.559 --> 00:59:34.360 humanitarian situation and access to AID because in some cases what we know is there 568 00:59:34.440 --> 00:59:39.400 is aid, but access is the problem. I'm getting it to the people 569 00:59:39.400 --> 00:59:44.559 who really need it. But yes, what we have before us is that 570 00:59:44.719 --> 00:59:50.519 those two resolutions cannot be fully implemented and also the provisional measures of the ICG 571 00:59:51.119 --> 00:59:58.679 unless there's a cease fire. We will take two final questions. Unless there 572 00:59:58.679 --> 01:00:05.480 are no more. Maybe we can give mister mt if car Ali final try 573 01:00:06.119 --> 01:00:09.079 see sir, if we can hear you this time. I know you've been 574 01:00:09.639 --> 01:00:16.360 trying really hard to get your question in cank you hearing me now, yes 575 01:00:16.440 --> 01:00:29.119 we can, thank you, madam ambassador and Fanny and the last one to 576 01:00:29.119 --> 01:00:35.960 get the question, bye bye. Now all my questions have been answered them 577 01:00:36.440 --> 01:00:42.679 Ghada and thank you very much. Thank you, and I have I have 578 01:00:42.719 --> 01:00:47.760 a final question, can I yes, go ahead? Thank you very much 579 01:00:47.800 --> 01:00:53.679 again. I mean Pastilians have been under occupation. Occupation is illegal. As 580 01:00:53.719 --> 01:01:00.920 you know, international law supports people under occupation but resist occupation. Why when 581 01:01:01.000 --> 01:01:09.400 Palestinians resist occupation they are labeled at terrorists, but when the Ukrainians resist occupation 582 01:01:09.840 --> 01:01:16.199 they are labeled as heroes. Do you see the double standard in the international 583 01:01:16.199 --> 01:01:22.639 community in this labeling of both sides doing the same thing. Thank you. 584 01:01:23.480 --> 01:01:30.320 It's a concern for us. Thank you, and I see no further questions 585 01:01:30.320 --> 01:01:34.480 in the room, so I just want to say thank you for your very 586 01:01:34.480 --> 01:02:27.000 many questions and also for your interest. 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