United Arab Emirates, World Health Assembly, Iraq & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

All right.
Good afternoon, everyone.
The Secretary-General is in Tokyo, where today he attended an event at UN University with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu, entitled Celebrating 70, Japan UN Cooperation, Expo 2025, and the Future of Multilateralism, held as Japan marks the 70th anniversary of its admission to the United Nations.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that he has visited Japan more than 20 times in his capacity as UN High Commissioner for refugees and as Secretary-General.
He's always found strategic cooperation and support that benefited millions of people around the world.
The Secretary-General added that the spirit of working together for human progress was on full display in expo 2025 and the UN Pavilion in Osaka in Japan.
Also on Monday, the Secretary-General held a meeting with the Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae.
They exchanged views on global and regional peace and security, including the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, as well as on UN reforms.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will chair the sessions of the UN System Chief Executives boards for coordination, also known as the CEB, which brings together the heads of the UN systems organizations.
CEB members will reflect on current world affairs, and they will engage in deliberations on mega trends transforming the world and the UN AD initiative.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, in her capacity as chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Group, convened a meeting of the group in Tokyo today, bringing together heads of UN agencies.
Discussions focused on leveraging the full strength of the United Nations development system to respond to the scale of today's challenges and get the sustainable development goals back on track.
The Secretary-General said earlier today that he was deeply alarmed by reports that drone strikes set fire yesterday to an electrical generator within the perimeter of the Baraka nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Secretary-General has consistently warned against any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and this incident provides yet another reason for all sides to halt the fighting completely.
There must be no further attacks near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants.
Attacks on nuclear installations are totally unacceptable, a violation of international law and must be condemned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is following the situation closely and is in constant contact with the UAE authorities ready to provide assistance if needed.
Also today, the Secretary-General addressed the opening of the World Health Assembly via prerecorded video message.
He said that the annual gathering is a vital opportunity for member states to align and accelerate efforts to address global health challenges in a context where challenges have rarely felt more daunting.
Over the past year, cuts to bilateral and multilateral aid have disrupted health systems and widened inequalities, he said.
The World Health Organization has reprioritized and recalibrated while preserving core functions, while providing technical leadership, operational support, and a trusted convening space.
The Secretary-General said WHO stands at the center of our global health architecture, adding that it must be strong and independent with ample and sustainable financing.
His full message is online.
Over the weekend, the Secretary-General welcomed the formation of the new government of Iraq, led by Prime Minister Ali Al Said.
As he encourages the swift completion of the cabinet, the Secretary-General looks forward to working with the new government to advance the aspirations of the Iraqi people for economic and social development.
He reaffirms the United Nations steadfast commitment to supporting Iraq in that endeavor.
Also, over the weekend, the Secretary-General welcomed the announcement of a 45 day extension of the cessation of hostilities, which followed talks between Israel and Lebanon facilitated by the United States.
He reaffirmed the support of the United Nations to all efforts to end hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the blue line.
The Secretary-General urges all actors to fully respect the cessation of hostilities, cease any further attacks, and comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law at all times.
Unfortunately, strikes by Israel and Hezbollah continue to be reported over the weekend with the Lebanese authorities reporting civilian casualties in Lebanon.
UofL peacekeepers observed sustained kinetic air activity across the area of operations throughout the weekend and today.
This included airstrikes by Israel defense forces in Sector East and sector West, as well as near UN positions 641 and 566.
Additionally, airstrikes were observed north the Lani River in the vicinity of Arnon and Der Kayah.
On Saturday, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported a total of 430 firing incidents originating from IDF positions, and seven trajectories were attributed to Lebanese Lebanese non state armed groups, presumed to be Hezbollah.
On Sunday, Unifill peacekeepers reported a total of 377 firing incidents originating from IDF positions, and 15 trajectories were attributed to Lebanese non state armed groups, presumed to be Hezbollah.
And today, until 1,600 hours Lebanon time, Unifileacekeepers reported a total of 251 firing incidents originating from IDF positions and 19 trajectories attributed to Lebanese non state actors presumed to be Hezbollah.
On Friday, one of our UNIFIL positions, position 126 in the vicinity of Alvalada incurred significant damage as a result of an impact inside the position, and another one in its immediate vicinity, including extensive structural and equipment damage.
The origin of the impact is yet to be determined.
We reiterate our call on all actors to uphold the inviolability of the United Nations premises, ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.
Also Friday, the movement of UniFLeakeepers was obstructed in an incident near the Al Nakura Seaport when seven IDF soldiers halted a UNIFIL convoy, aimed their weapons at the vehicles, and conducted an inspection of an ambulance before allowing it to proceed.
Turning to the occupied Palestinian territory, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that funding shortfalls are constraining humanitarian operations, and it leaves more people hungry or without access to critical services.
The 2026 Flash appeal, which seeks just over $4 billion to support nearly 3 million people across Gaza and the West Bank is currently only 12% funded with $490 million received so far.
One clear impact is on food assistance.
In Gaza, the UN and our humanitarian partners are supporting kitchens and serving 1 million meals a day.
That is down from 1.8 million daily meals in February.
Our food security partners are gradually shifting from in kind food assistance to livelihoods and cash support so people can produce food, generate income, and make their own choices.
However, partners report that the private sector does not currently provide enough food that is nutritious, varied, and affordable.
One in five families is eating only once a day, and mothers are skipping meals so that their children can eat.
Apart from limited funding, humanitarian operations are undermined by constraints on the entry of critical spare parts, backup generators, and other equipment, as well as shortages of fuel and engine oil.
In addition, they're limited by restrictions on the operations of key partners, movement restrictions within Gaza and damaged roads and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, military operations in Gaza continue to affect civilians.
Over the weekend, partners on the ground recorded the displacement of more than 150 families from Eastern Communists and from Eastern Gaza City.
Affected families said they fled because of tank movements or bombing.
While most remain displaced, about 20 families have returned.
40 of the newly displaced families have been identified by partners as requiring emergency assistance.
They fled with only what they could carry and a response by multiple partners has been initialized.
You will recall that most of Gaza's 2.1 million residents remain displaced, often in dire conditions.
Civilians must always be protected, and this includes allowing them to move to safer places when their basic needs can be met.
They must also be allowed to voluntarily return when conditions permit.
You will have seen that yesterday, the World Health Organization said that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, highlighting the high risk of further spread and the likelihood that the outbreak may be larger than currently detected.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics.
The outbreak is centered in the province of Buri where more than 482 suspected cases have been reported since April.
Including eight confirmed cases and around 116 deaths among suspected cases across several health zones.
Testing of suspected cases is ongoing.
A case was also confirmed yesterday in Goma in the province of North Kivu, raising concerns about potential spread in a densely populated urban area.
We, alongside humanitarian partners, are supporting the government led Ebola response.
WHO is supporting national efforts through, among other things, the deployment of technical expertise and rapid response teams.
Yesterday, more than five tons of WHO medical supplies, along with experts were airlifted to a Turi by the World Food Program to reinforce response efforts.
Needless to say, additional resources and sustained humanitarian access will be critical to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
We and our humanitarian partners warned that insecurity, population movements, and displacement are significantly complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and response efforts in a context already marked by violence, food insecurity, and severe needs.
Nearly 9 million people across the eastern provinces of Vituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu are facing crisis or worse levels of hunger, further straining fragile health systems, while only 30% of required health funding has been mobilized.
We call on the international community to urgently scale up support for both the Ebola response and the broader humanitarian response in the DRC.
Without immediate action, lifesaving assistance will not reach those most in need and critical humanitarian gains risk being reversed.
The $1.4 billion humanitarian needs and response plan for the DRC is currently 34% funded with $478 million received.
For their part, our peacekeeping colleagues on the ground report their support to the authorities of the DRC, the World Health Organization, and all partners involved in the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak.
The UN mission in the DRC, Monusco is closely following the guidance of the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization and continues to adapt its previous measures accordingly.
Monusco Medical Services have already reinforced screening procedures at the entrance to Mission clinics and the systematic use of personal protective equipment for medical personnel in contact with patients.
The mission also underscored the importance of reliable and verified information and encourages everyone to refer to official communications from competent health authorities.
The mission remains mobilized within its mandate and coordination with the Congolese authorities and relevant partners to support an effective response aimed at protecting populations and contributing to health security in affected areas.
The Secretary-General continues to closely follow political developments in Somalia, notably the recent high level talks between the federal government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council.
He welcomes the willingness of both parties to engage and encourages them to continue to dialogue with a view to reaching an agreement on the way forward on elections and related issues.
Turning to Sudan, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report that we and our partners continue to provide lifesaving assistance to people affected by conflict across the country.
In Central Darfur State, our humanitarian partners have distributed food rations for May to about 313,000 people across six localities.
In north and south Darfur states, an ongoing cholera vaccination campaign organized by the World Health Organization and our partners aims to protect more than 250,000 people at risk of the disease.
The risks of cholera and other waterborne diseases will increase during the rainy season, which begins next month.
As a reminder, in March, the authorities had declared the end of a countrywide cholera outbreak, which recorded more than 124,000 cases and over 3,500 deaths.
Meanwhile, OCHA remains alarmed that fighting continues to force people from their homes.
Local sources report that in recent weeks, more than 6,700 people were forced to flee their homes in Blue Nile State and have sought refuge in neighboring Sennar state.
The International Organization of Migration also reports nearly 4,000 people were displaced within Blue Nile State last week due to increased insecurity.
Since January, more than 50,000 people have been displaced in the state, sharply increasing humanitarian needs there.
OCHA appeals for additional funding to scale up lifesaving assistance.
The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which requires $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people.
More than one third of the people in Sudan prior to the crisis is only 21% funded with just $597 million received so far.
From Ukraine, OHS says that civilians, including humanitarians, continue to face great danger amid continuing hostilities and attacks across the country.
Over the past three days, frontline attacks across the country continued and killed at least 11 civilians and injured nearly 200 others, including five children, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The cities of D Nepro and Odesso were among the most heavily affected.
In the regions of Keron, Zapirisha and Nepro, attacks damage residential buildings, civilian vehicles, health and educational facilities, as well as railway and public transport infrastructure.
Following these latest attacks in the regions of Depro, Odessa, and aparisha, humanitarian organizations rapidly mobilized first aid, psychosocial, hot meals, shelter materials, and other emergency support.
We also wanted to flag a few incidents impacting humanitarian workers in the past few days.
On May 15th, while delivering hot meals to hard to reach frontline area in the region of Kercon, a marked vehicle of a national non governmental organization came under drone attacks, severely injuring one aid worker who remains in critical condition.
The driver was also injured in the attack.
In a separate incident on May 14th, a drone struck an armored vehicle operated by a local partner of World Central Kitchen in Kerson, damaging the vehicle but causing no injuries.
According to the Human Rights monitoring mission to Ukraine in April, Kirson City recorded the highest number of civilian casualties for a single month since last July, with 26 people killed and more than 200 injured.
Short range drones were the second leading cause of civilian harm near the front line.
The ninth edition of the Protection of Civilians Week starts today, with this year's theme being how to ensure protection of civilians amid reforms and constraints.
Co coordinated by OCHA, Switzerland, the Center for Civilians Conflict, and the International Rescue Committee, the week aims to ensure that protecting civilians remains at the heart of how the UN and the international community adapt to a rapidly changing world.
On Wednesday, the Security Council will hold an open debate on the protection of civilians.
This year, there will also be 18 side events that amplify the voices of civilians affected by armed conflict.
Tomorrow we will be joined by guests from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Santano Mukuji Des Director of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, and Ingo Patele De senior economist and officer in charge of the global economic monitoring branch of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division.
We'll be here to brief on the world economic situation prospects as of mid 2026.
Okay, that's it for me.
Are there any questions? Yes, Linda.
Thank you, Farhan.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the Secretary-General, as you mentioned, was in Japan, but he was just asked a question about the Strait of Hormuz and said, of course, the situation is dire.
It's not totally unacceptable that fertilizer and other goods are not getting through.
Does he consider the closure in the sense of not allowing fertilizer and certain humanitarian goods a crime against humanity? I think the problem is, it's a huge problem for the world, and ultimately, the lack of fuel and the lack of fertilizer will cause different crises in terms of high rates of inflation, lower growth, and ultimately a food crisis down the line, and particularly affecting the countries who can least afford it.
So that is why he wants to make sure that basic freedom of navigation, as enshrined in the Law of the Sea and other relevant laws, is restored.
Gabriel.
Thank you, Farhan.
Following up a little bit on that, Iran announced today or in the last 24 hours a new agency called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which Iran says will be in charge of access through the Strait of Hormuz.
What does the Secretary-General feel that any sort of government agency by Iran monitoring and or potentially giving or not giving access to the strait falls in line with freedom of navigation.
Ultimately, for us, we want to make sure that there's no constraint to freedom of navigation on the high seas and on the Strait of Hormuz.
And so we don't want any particular entity to restrict that freedom of access.
Yes, Islam.
Thank you, Farhan.
I have a couple of questions.
First of all, do you have any comment again Israel interception to the global Summit flotilla in Mediterranean water? Well, we want to make sure that all of the people on the flotilla are not harmed.
We want to make sure that this is handled in a peaceful manner.
But the same concerns we've expressed all the time about these interceptions on the high seas and their status apply in this case as well.
Second question about the Wall Street Journal reported first and New York Times followed that Israeli forces established a covered base in Western Iraq.
According to the reports, Iraqi authorities reported this to the Security Council.
Has Secretary-General office received anything about these two covered bases and what's your comment in general on that? Well, certainly, we want to make sure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq is respected.
Beyond that, as you mentioned, if this is in the hands of the Security Council, we trust that they will take up this issue.
Pam? Thank you, Farhan.
The reports that Iran has proposed to transfer its enriched ranium Russia instead of to the United States.
Does the Secret C has any comments on this? No.
Obviously, as these negotiations proceed, what we want to make sure is that the parties can come to an agreement, but we encourage all efforts to move forward with proposals for these negotiations.
Yes, please.
Thank you, Farhan.
Sorry if I missed this.
The World Health Organization declared on Saturday that the spread of the Ebola virus was a global health emergency.
What does that mean? Would that be another pandemic that we need to worry? No, I mean, ultimately, the point is that this is a cause for international concern.
In particular, that concern applies to the two countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda where it's present.
I said earlier in this briefing the measures that the World Health Organization, along with OCHA and the UN mission Monusco are taking in the region, and so we'll continue to follow up with that.
And it's not the first time that this region has April Vals Faros outbreak.
Is there any difference this time? Well, in this case, the problem is that this is a specific strain called the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, and there are no licensed vaccines for specific therapeutics for this strain.
So that creates a huge problem, and we hope that the research into this strain can allow for vaccines to be developed as soon as possible.
Yes, Alex in the back.
Thanks, Farhan.
I have a couple of follow ups on Ebola virus as well.
First of all, is there a risk of the virus spreading to neighboring countries? And secondly, do you guys, UN teams on the ground have enough resources to fight this outbreak? For the first question, certainly we hope that this can be contained.
Obviously, as with other cases, there will be contact tracing placed so that we can monitor what the spread of this disease is, but we are supporting the DRC government in the response.
Regarding resources, I mean, one of the problems is that our own humanitarian needs and response plan for the DRC is underfunded.
It's only got about a third of the $1.4 billion in funding that it needs.
So obviously, in order to combat this more effectively, we need to make sure that donors will provide the necessary support.
What about other African countries? I mean, UN teams there, are you getting prepared for the outbreak there or at this stage, we don't have any reason to suspect that the strain is going that far.
Obviously, like I said, we need to do contact tracing to see where it spreads to.
But for now, the focus of concern is the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the areas in Uganda that border it.
Now, here's a voice we haven't heard from Manuel Desi.
Hi, Farhan.
Can you hear me? I can hear you.
Right.
I have several questions.
Let's start with the latest development on Ana's East Jerusalem premises.
The Israeli cabinet just approved a plan to build a what they call defense compound, most likely a museum on the site of Arwa headquarters in East Jerusalem.
Does the Secretary-General have any comments on the latest development and what action will the UN take? What I can tell you, obviously, the UNRWA sites are UN premises and they're meant to be inviolable.
We have raised concerns about exactly what's happened to the site, the way it was invaded, the way it was taken over, and those concerns still apply.
As a party to the 1946 Convention on the privileges and immunities of the UN, Israel is under obligation to honor and respect the inviolability of all UN premises, including for UNRWA.
The Secretary-General take in this latest development to, let's say, Security Council or General Assembly or just sit and watch? We're considering through our legal office what the next steps are, but we intend to make sure that all legal obligations are honored.
Okay.
Secondly, I want to quote some words from Secretary-General of his remarks in the UN university a world without nuclear weapons is a go deeply ingrained in the DNA of both Japan and the United Nations.
Currently, in Japan, some people, they are in a serious discussion of changing the non nuclear principles.
What message does the Secretary-General have for those people who try to change the non nuclear principles and does the Secretary-General consider it's stable sovereign rights for Japan to have nuclear weapons? We do not want any more countries to have nuclear arms or nuclear weapons programs.
Ultimately, the point is to reduce the level of threat that such weapons produce in the world.
So you want the countries that have it to restrict usage of it, but certainly the countries that do not have nuclear weapons, we do not want them to take them up.
And with that, Abdul Hamid.
Thank you, Farhan.
My first question about a drone attack on Gaza Friday evening, killing seven civilians and wounding 50.
Of course, Israel claimed that there was a resistance leader there and maybe that's true.
But does that justify killing seven civilians and wounding 50, even if that in the building, there was some resistance there? From our standpoint, we are opposed to attacks that kill civilians.
As you know, particularly over these last years in Gaza, we've drawn attention to how many times attacks have occurred in densely populated areas.
Israel has to use extreme caution and avoid any attacks that have a disproportionate civilian effect.
My second question is about Cuba.
I asked a member of the Security Council why the Security Council is not paying attention to Cuba.
He said, this is a humanitarian crisis and it's not classified as a threat to international peace and security.
Does the Secretary-General agree that putting 10 million people in Cuba under strict embargo and blockade and not a threat to international peace and security.
I think the Secretary-General has made clear his concerns about this.
He spoke to the press in Kenya just last week about the situation in Cuba, and I would refer you to what he said in his press conference.
And I believe Abusfan you have a question? Yes, Farhan, thank you for giving me the floor.
On Bangladesh, according to the UN fact finding Missions report, Shekhina led government kill 1,400 students and K people during July uprising in 2024.
The victim's family are waiting to seek justice.
A court has convicted former Prime Minister Sheikhsina.
Many of other accused involved in the same crime are residing in the different countries around the world.
Will the UN Secretary-General request that the countries are sheltering the criminals, exate them back to Bangladesh to ensure justice? Well, first of all, Abu Sufyan, as you're aware, extradition treaties and extradition arrangements are handled bilaterally among countries and we expect them to deal with these issues on a bilateral basis.
From our standpoint, we encourage all countries to cooperate in efforts to have accountability for the crimes that were committed.
Have a good afternoon, everyone.
Thank you.
Thank you.