Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Highlights:
- Secretary-General’s Travels
- Emissions Report
- D.R. Congo
- Yemen
- Iraq
- Security Council
- Mali
- Morocco
- Africa – Floods
- Albania/Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bolivia
- UNAIDS Report
- Disarmament
Secretary-General’s Travels
Today, in Berlin, in Germany, the Secretary-General called on Member States, companies, technology experts and civil society to join forces and explore the possibility of a Global Commitment on Digital Trust and Security.
Speaking alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel at the opening of the Internet Governance Forum, the Secretary-General also announced that he will soon appoint a Technology Envoy to help advance international frameworks and nurture a shared digital future that puts people first and helps bridge the social divide.
Immediately after the event, the Secretary-General had a bilateral meeting with Angela Merkel. In his remarks to the press, he said that digital technology is shaping history, and reiterates that we have a collective responsibility to maximize its benefits, while managing risks and avoiding unintended consequences. He also said that we need smart regulatory frameworks and that he was pleased that Europe is leading the way.
Turning to the climate crisis, the Secretary-General mentioned the two reports published this week that bring more evidence that we are currently not winning the race for our lives against the climate crisis.
Throughout the day, the Secretary-General met with several other Government officials, including the President, Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As you saw last night, the Secretary-General hosted an informal dinner with the leader of the Greek Cypriot Community and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community. That statement was issued yesterday.
Emissions Report
Ahead of the start of the next UN climate change conference in Madrid, a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that global emissions must be slashed by 7.6 per cent every year for the next decade to meet the Paris Agreement target of a 1.5°C temperature rise.
With the current unconditional commitments made under the Paris Agreement, this year’s annual Emissions Gap Report cautions that global temperatures are expected to rise by 3.2°C.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has cautioned that going beyond 1.5°C will increase the frequency and intensity of climate impacts.
The Secretary-General stressed that there has never been a more important time to listen to the science, adding that failing to heed these warnings and take drastic action to reverse emissions means we will continue to witness deadly and catastrophic heatwaves, storms and pollution.
In a Tweet, he underscored that we need more ambitious climate action from every country, city, business and individual to protect our future.
Full Highlights:
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