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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

MONDAY, 06 JULY 2026

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS

The Secretary-General is in Geneva today, where this morning, he took part in the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

In his remarks at the Dialogue’s opening session, the Secretary-General said that, used well, and shared widely, Artificial Intelligence could compress decades of development into years. He added that the choice before us is not between faith in AI or fear of it. It is between governing by design, and drifting by default.

He shared four priorities for the road ahead.

First, safety, he said. He called for an AI Child Safety Pledge, so that when a child is harmed, the answer must never be “the algorithm did it.”

Second, the Secretary-General said we need red lines in protecting human rights.

Third, he called for capacity, adding that we cannot allow the digital divide to harden the AI divide.

The Secretary-General added that he will submit to the General Assembly his recommendations for a Global Fund for AI.

And finally, the Secretary-General reiterated his appeal for transparency through his AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, which calls on every major AI company to measure and publicly disclose the full footprint of its systems and to commit to power every data centre with renewable energy by 2030.

He also brought up the issue of lethal autonomous weapon systems, or killer robots. He reiterated his call to have them banned by international law, adding that some decisions must remain forever human, none more than taking a human life.

The Secretary-General expressed the hope that this dialogue will become the place where global participation leads to global action. 

Later in the afternoon, at the Palais des Nations, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at a meeting of the International Law Commission. He said that finding legal solutions to today’s crises is a fundamental duty for us all. And shaping the future of international law, by anticipating tomorrow’s challenges, falls with particular weight on this Commission. 

Throughout the day, he held a number of bilateral meetings with leaders taking part in the Global Dialogue, 

The Secretary-General will back in New York tomorrow. 

RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT

This morning, Courtenay Rattray, the Chef de Cabinet, delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General at an event marking the 21st anniversary of the adoption of the commitment of the Responsibility to Protect, in which Member States undertook a promise to take collective action, timely and decisive action in line with the UN Charter if a State fails to uphold its responsibility to protect its own people. 

In those remarks, the Secretary-General told Member States that the Responsibility to Protect commitment is now more vital than ever, with the world facing more than 120 conflicts in 2025. 

He also warned that we need to be proactive and vigilant, and to act before warning signs become mass graves.

SUDAN

Earlier today, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, held a telephone call with the head of the Rapid Support Forces, General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, otherwise known as Hemedti. During the call they discussed the escalating hostilities in Sudan, including in El Obeid. 

Mr. Fletcher stressed the need to maintain safe access for humanitarians to reach those in need, and for safe movement for civilians. He also expressed concern over the impact of drone attacks on civilians and the infrastructure in which they rely on. They also discussed challenges that are impacting our own ability and the ability of our partners from various non-governmental organizations to carry out life-saving relief efforts, including existing bureaucratic impediments.

In recent days, Mr. Fletcher has been engaging with a range of key interlocutors to stress the need for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as the protection of civilians.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, wrapped up a mission yesterday to El Obeid, where she engaged with partners on the aid response and witnessed the impact of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today said that since May, 18 children have been killed and 17 injured in El Obeid alone. Across the country, the agency says that at least 330 children were killed or injured during the first six months of this year.

Also, in relation to the situation in El Obeid, earlier today, the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted by consensus a resolution requesting the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan to conduct an urgent inquiry into alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed in and around that city. They were also called to provide updates to both the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly in the coming months.

Across the Kordofan region, the humanitarian community is fully mobilized to address to the spiraling humanitarian situation. 

In West Kordofan, where more than 800 cholera cases have been recorded, our Humanitarian Office tells us that they have allocated more than $1 million through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund to support water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as health interventions, in response to this outbreak. 

And in South Kordofan, humanitarian partners confirmed the arrival last Thursday of a humanitarian convoy to Kadugli and Dilling. The convoy included 14 World Food Programme (WFP) trucks carrying food, three World Health Organization (WHO) trucks carrying some 8.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies, including cholera kits, and four Plan International trucks carrying humanitarian supplies. These are the first UN humanitarian supplies to reach these locations since early June. 

In Darfur, we are seeing continued clashes that are disrupting humanitarian operations and driving displacement. In Kulbus locality, in West Darfur, the situation remains volatile, with sporadic clashes reported in the northern parts of that locality. This is forcing humanitarian partners to either suspend activities or postpone planned missions. And in North Darfur, the International Organization for Migration estimates that insecurity displaced over 3,500 people from a village in Um Baru locality on July 3rd. 

The UN, once again, calls for the protection of civilians, the protection of civilian infrastructure, and for all parties to facilitate rapid, safe and unhinderedhumanitarian access to all those who need it. 

UKRAINE

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the latest overnight missile and drone attack by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, which reportedly resulted in many civilian casualties and injuries, and causing widespread destruction of residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.   

Any attacks against civilians, any attacks against civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur, are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal for urgent de-escalation, leading to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. 

For his part, Matthias Schmale, our Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, also condemned these deadly attacks, noting that they tear apart homes, take innocent lives and must not be accepted.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that search-and-rescue operations for people who might still be trapped in the rubble are underway. Local NGOs and UN agencies are continuing to provide first aid, medical and psychological support and other types of support following the attacks in Kyiv.

VENEZUELA

In Venezuela, the UN and its partners are continuing to scale-up assistance to impacted people by the earthquakes, in coordination with the Government. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that some Search and Rescue (USAR) teams remain deployed in the affected areas, while other specialized support teams, from medical to engineering, continue to arrive. A comprehensive assessment of needs is in near completion and will inform an updated response plan and resource request.

According to the Government, and as of yesterday, the death toll stood at more than 3,000 people, while more than 16,740 have been injured, and around 17,000 people have lost their homes. 

The government continues to lead the response, focusing on supporting displaced people and addressing urgent humanitarian needs.      

At least 79 transitional camps in major stadiums and sports centres are now operational, and they are now hosting people and providing aid. UN agencies are already delivering services in three camps and conducting assessments to provide services to additional sites. Health partners continue providing primary health care, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as sexual and reproductive health services when needed. 

OCHA notes that access to safe water and sanitation services continues to improve in transitional camps. Distributions of hygiene kits and the expansion of sanitation infrastructure in temporary accommodation sites also continue. 

To date, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Venezuela has received $274 million, while over $32 million was contributed by the private sector for humanitarian support. This comes alongside donations, in-kind of goods and services. 

LEBANON

The Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), Jean Arnault, has begun his work in Beirut. Last week he met with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss recent developments and cooperation between the UN and Lebanon in advancing the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. 

On the ground, in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of operations, UN peacekeepers are continuing to observe violations of Lebanese airspace, with 29 air violations detected yesterday. On Saturday, UNIFIL observed two airstrikes on a road near Deir Siriane in Sector East.  

Peacekeepers continue to face high risks as well as obstructions to operations. 

On Saturday, a projectile hit a sanitation facility causing structural damage to a UN position in Sector East. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Yesterday UNIFIL personnel encountered physical roadblocks at three locations in Sector East. On Saturday, UNIFIL patrols were delayed twice by the Israel Defense Forces on the coastal road north of Naqoura, which as you know, is the headquarter of UNIFIL. Following a short delay, they were able to continue. 

Moreover, during the past days, UNIFIL peacekeepers continued to observe extensive IDF’s ground activities throughout the mission’s area of operations, including armored movements, as well as engineering and logistical activities. 

On the humanitarian front, UNIFIL and OCHA facilitated five humanitarian missions on Saturday in Sector West, following ten missions in both Sectors West and East on Friday.   

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, over the weekend, the UN continued to collect food and fuel from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing. But what we and the private sector can bring into Gaza to meet people’s immense needs is limited, as we have been saying, because all other crossings remain closed for our cargo, and restrictions on specific types of supplies continue to be in place.

Data from the UN 2720 Mechanism shows a decline in the overall volume of supplies that we and our partners have been able to bring in last month, less than 42,000 pallets, down from about 46,600 in May.

Last week, only 42 per cent of the supplies from Egypt and 65 per cent of the supplies from Ashdod port, already approved in principle, could be offloaded at Kerem Shalom.       

Meanwhile, concerns continue for the safety and wellbeing of people across the West Bank, especially children.

Yesterday, Israeli forces shot and killed a 16-year-old child in Qalandiya Camp, near Jerusalem. Two other children were shot in the lower limbs.

This is yet, just another reminder that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank must be protected, as required by law, and that perpetrators of violations must be held accountable.

Also yesterday, in Ramallah governorate, our human rights colleagues tell us that a four-month-old baby died after Israeli forces refused to open a gate blocking the main entrance to his village, delaying his access to medical care while an ambulance was waiting on the other side. 

ABYEI

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) today said that the Acting Head of the mission and Force Commander, Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, has just concluded visits to South Sudan and Sudan, where he met with government officials and partners to address political and security issues, and discuss cooperation on implementing the UNISFA's mandate.

Major General Shrestha underscored the UN's commitment to continuing engagement with both Governments to help sustain dialogue on shared security challenges, including the resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM). Both Governments expressed support for UNISFA mandate and reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, including through the Mechanism.

One of the key issues discussed was the demilitarization of Abyei and UNISFA's efforts to maintain the area free of weapons, including by intensifying efforts to encourage the withdrawal of all unauthorized armed forces and armed elements from the Abyei area. That is in accordance with the Mission's mandate granted to it by the Security Council.

While in South Sudan, Major General Shrestha also met with representatives of WHO to discuss the Ebola situation in the region and the Organization's preparedness to support UNISFA and communities in Abyei should deployment become necessary.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that escalating violence in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is driving new displacement and severely restricting humanitarian access.

Since 4 July, heavy clashes, including reported drone attacks, in the Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira territories have reportedly killed at least five civilians and injured dozens more. We condemn these attacks. 

The fighting has disrupted supply routes, leading to critical shortages of the medical supplies needed to treat the injured.

At least 6,000 people have fled to Kipupu and Malanda in the Mwenga territory, and our colleagues are currently verifying further displacement.

The renewed fighting is also having negative impact in our operations, delaying planned humanitarian assessments in areas that were already hosting more than 200,000 displaced human beings.    

Meanwhile, health authorities report more than 1,560 confirmed Ebola cases across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Ituri remaining the epicentre of the outbreak in the DRC.

Poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in displacement sites are a particular concern, with Ebola cases in at least four sites in Ituri.

Response activities are ongoing, but humanitarian partners warn that funding shortfalls are limiting their work across displacement sites in the province, where more than 273,000 displaced people face acute needs. This year’s humanitarian appeal for the DRC is just 54 per cent funded, with $752 million received out of the $1.4 billion that we actually need.

OCHA once again calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure that all parties allow for guarantee safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian operations.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

One more note from Africa, this one from the Central African Republic. Just to let you know that we are aware of photos and videos that have been circulating on social media falsely claiming that a UN armoured personnel carrier (APC) was being misused by armed groups. 

We can confirm that the APC depicted in the images belongs to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the CAR, MINUSCA, and is located in Am Dafock, in Vakaga Prefecture, in that country. 

On 30 June, following clashes in that area between the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and armed elements, one MINUSCA APC was rendered inoperable after coming under hostile fire. The vehicle subsequently remained immobilized in the vicinity of the incident. MINUSCA personnel who were aboard the APC were safely evacuated and repositioned at the Temporary Operating Base.

The APC was not seized or appropriated by any armed group.

However, recovery efforts could not be undertaken immediately due to the prevailing security situation, with armed groups maintaining control of a number of strategic area in that place.

In the aftermath of the incident, MINUSCA focused on efforts on the protection of civilians and the stabilizing the area, including facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance and supporting the evacuation of injured peacekeepers, Central African security people and civilians.

On 5 July, the State authority was re-established in Am Dafock following the withdrawal of armed elements. The Zambian contingent is currently making the necessary operational planning to secure and get back the APC.      

MYANMAR

The UN is receiving alarming reports of hostilities in the city of Pokkoku, in the Magway Region in Myanmar. Since July 2, these operations triggered the displacement of over 20,000 men, women and children. That’s according to preliminary figures, and on top of the roughly 80,000 others who have fled this area since May. 

The UN is particularly concerned for the safety and protection of civilians fleeing their homes amid reports of a scale-up of military operations in the area.

The UN and its partners are working to assess and respond to people’s needs, despite challenges to humanitarian access in these conflict-affected areas. The UN calls on all parties to protect civilians and to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with humanitarian law.

Myanmar remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with more than 16 million people in need of assistance, including almost 3.8 million people who are displaced from their homes. 

Humanitarians are working to save lives, but needs continue to outpace resources. Of the $890 million required for this year, $387 million has been received to date.      

SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT

On Thursday evening, the Secretary-General the appointment of Edward (Ted) Chaiban of Lebanon as Deputy Executive Director, Programme, of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), effective 1 January 2027. He succeeds Omar Abdi of Canada, who will retire on 31 December 2026, and to whom the Secretary-General and UNICEF are grateful for his dedicated service.

Mr. Chaiban has been working as UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, since 2023. 

WORLD RURAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

Today is World Rural Development Day. Around 80 per cent of the world's poorest people live in rural areas, many on the frontlines of climate change and lacking basic services. This Day highlights the need to invest in rural development and ensure no one is left behind. 

BRIEFING

Tomorrow, at 12:45 p.m., there will be a briefing here on the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026. It will be launched by our Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, and she will be joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, and the Acting Director of the Statistics Division in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Shantanu Mukherjee.