/sg/en/content/ossg/latest-statements Latest Statements, Off-the-Cuff and Readouts from Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General of the 51³Ô¹Ï en /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-15/secretary-generals-video-message-the-18th-plenary-session-of-the-parliamentary-assembly-of-the-mediterranean Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+4+Apr+24/MSG+SG+PARLAMENTARY+ASSEMBLY+OF+MEDITERRANEAN+4+APR+24.mp4 Excellencies, I am pleased to greet this 18th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean in the beautiful city of Braga. You are meeting as your region and the world are facing immense challenges. 14/05/2024 - 16:19 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-15/secretary-generals-video-message-the-18th-plenary-session-of-the-parliamentary-assembly-of-the-mediterranean /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-05-14/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-ecosoc-segment-operational-activities-for-development-prepared-for-delivery Vice-President of ECOSOC, Excellencies, Five years on, the reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system has become the beating heart of the UN’s development efforts.   Together, we have realized the vision of the historic development system reforms. And the dividends are tangible.   The impact delivered in the last year is a testament to the leadership displayed across the UN system – from my Vice Chair in the UNSDG, Achim Steiner, through the heads of each entity to the individual members of the UN country teams. 14/05/2024 - 21:34 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/deputy-secretary-general/statement/2024-05-14/deputy-secretary-generals-remarks-ecosoc-segment-operational-activities-for-development-prepared-for-delivery /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-gaza The Secretary-General is appalled by the escalation of military activity in and around Rafah by the Israeli Defense Forces. These developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation. At the same time, Hamas goes on firing rockets indiscriminately. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza. For people in Gaza, nowhere is safe now. 14/05/2024 - 12:09 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-gaza /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-video-message-the-2024-ecosoc-operational-activities-for-development-segment Download the video: 13/05/2024 - 12:20 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-video-message-the-2024-ecosoc-operational-activities-for-development-segment /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-message-the-fifth-world-entrepreneurship-and-investment-forum-%28weif%29-scroll-down-for-arabic-version I am pleased to convey my warm greetings to the Fifth World Entrepreneurship and Investment Forum, hosted under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The world is grappling with a confluence of crises — from worsening poverty and hunger, rising inequalities, conflicts, climate change and stalled progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This Forum reminds us that entrepreneurship and innovation provide an effective path forward for people and planet alike. 13/05/2024 - 12:48 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-message-the-fifth-world-entrepreneurship-and-investment-forum-%28weif%29-scroll-down-for-arabic-version /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-video-message-the-international-energy-agency-%28iea%29-summit-clean-cooking-africa Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+4+Apr+24/MSG+SG+IEA+SUMMIT+ON+CLEAN+COOKING+4+APR+24+Full+HD-2K%2B_1920x1080p.mp4 Excellencies, Friends, I thank the International Energy Agency and its Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol, for convening this important Summit. Cooking fuels are fuelling crises: 13/05/2024 - 12:17 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-14/secretary-generals-video-message-the-international-energy-agency-%28iea%29-summit-clean-cooking-africa /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-sudan The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the outbreak of fighting in El Fasher, which puts over 800,000 civilians at risk. He is alarmed by reports of the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, significant displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. He recalls that civilians in the area are already facing a looming famine and the consequences of over a year of war.  13/05/2024 - 19:31 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-sudan /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-security-incident-gaza The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a 51³Ô¹Ï Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they traveled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning. The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation. He sends his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member. 13/05/2024 - 12:12 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-13/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-security-incident-gaza /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-12/secretary-generals-video-message-the-9th-conference-effective-partnership-for-better-humanitarian-aid VIDEO MESSAGE TO 9TH CONFERENCE ON EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR BETTER HUMANITARIAN AID Salaam aleikum. It is an honour to address you today. The war in Gaza is causing horrific human suffering -- devastating lives, tearing families apart, and rendering huge numbers of people homeless, hungry, and traumatised. But amid the darkness, the commitment of the humanitarian community to help and support people is a ray of light. 12/05/2024 - 04:15 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-12/secretary-generals-video-message-the-9th-conference-effective-partnership-for-better-humanitarian-aid /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-12/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-hh-sheikh-meshal-al-ahmad-al-jaber-al-sabah-amir-of-the-state-of-kuwait The Secretary-General met today with H.H. Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. The Secretary-General thanked Kuwait for its constructive and consistent role in promoting dialogue in the region and its contribution to humanitarian efforts, including with regard to the situation in Gaza.   12/05/2024 - 06:52 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-12/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-hh-sheikh-meshal-al-ahmad-al-jaber-al-sabah-amir-of-the-state-of-kuwait /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-11/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-afghanistan The Secretary-General is saddened by the loss of life in flash floods in Baghlan Province, in the northeast of Afghanistan.    The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured.   The 51³Ô¹Ï and its partners in Afghanistan are coordinating with the de facto authorities to swiftly assess needs and provide emergency assistance. 11/05/2024 - 13:02 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-05-11/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-afghanistan /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-11/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-phone-call-he-sheikh-mohammed-bin-abdulrahman-bin-jassim-al-thani-prime-minister-and-minister-for-foreign-affairs-of-the-state-of-qatar The Secretary-General spoke by phone with H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. They discussed the dire situation in Gaza and agreed that a full-scale military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences and must be prevented. The Secretary-General expressed deep appreciation for Qatar’s continued mediation efforts to broker a deal for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages.  11/05/2024 - 09:57 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-11/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-phone-call-he-sheikh-mohammed-bin-abdulrahman-bin-jassim-al-thani-prime-minister-and-minister-for-foreign-affairs-of-the-state-of-qatar /sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2024-05-10/note-correspondents-peacebuilding-commission-chairs-mission-s%C3%A3o-tom%C3%A9-and-pr%C3%ADncipe-advancing-peace-and-stability The Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), H.E. Mr. Sérgio França Danese of Brazil, will undertake a visit to São Tomé and Príncipe from the 13 to 15 May 2024 at the invitation of the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Patrice Trovoada. The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), H.E. Mr. Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the 51³Ô¹Ï Regional Office for Central Africa, Mr. 10/05/2024 - 17:01 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2024-05-10/note-correspondents-peacebuilding-commission-chairs-mission-s%C3%A3o-tom%C3%A9-and-pr%C3%ADncipe-advancing-peace-and-stability /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-05-10/secretary-generals-press-conference-ahead-of-the-closing-session-of-the-united-nations-civil-society-conference Dear members of the media, It is a pleasure to be back in Nairobi. Kenya is a critical partner of the 51³Ô¹Ï, a powerful force on the global stage, and a pioneer of peace regionally and internationally. I am particularly grateful to Kenya for agreeing to lead international efforts to quell the violence in Haiti. But this visit comes at a very difficult time for the country. I extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating floods that have swept through Kenya and neighbouring countries.   10/05/2024 - 09:20 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2024-05-10/secretary-generals-press-conference-ahead-of-the-closing-session-of-the-united-nations-civil-society-conference /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-10/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-dr-william-ruto-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya The Secretary-General met with H.E. Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.  The Secretary-General expressed his condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by recent flooding.  He also thanked the President for Kenya’s work in hosting the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference.  The Secretary-General underscored the conference’s significance ahead of the Summit of the Future planned in New York in September 2024. The Secretary-General saluted Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission that is so desperately needed for Haiti. 10/05/2024 - 10:00 51³Ô¹Ï Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General /sg/en/content/sg/readout/2024-05-10/readout-of-the-secretary-general%E2%80%99s-meeting-he-dr-william-ruto-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya