This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
COVID-19Somalia – visit to laboratory Plus, read more here about the response of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to the pandemic. For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its impact, please visit:
Security CouncilDiCarlo “Cooperation is not a zero-sum game”
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NATOAnnual talks between the UN and NATO
IraqNew Deputy Special Representative appointed
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Today marks one year since the airstrike on the Tajoura Detention Centre which resulted in the killing of at least 52 migrants and the injury of 87 others in one of the deadliest incidents since the launch of the attack on Tripoli in April 2019.
The attack on Tajoura, where migrants and refugees were trapped, and where some had been detained for up to two years without charge,...
Mr. President,
First let me recognize the presence today of His Excellency, Mr. Michael Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States of America, and His Excellency, Mr. Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I would also like to recognize the presence of Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, endorsed by resolution 2231, is a significant achievement of multilateral diplomacy and dialogue. It remains crucial to the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and to regional and international security.
It is therefore regrettable that the future of this agreement is in doubt. The United States withdrew from the agreement in May 2018. Before that date, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified in 11 reports that Iran was complying with its nuclear commitments contained in the Plan.
As we have said, we regret the US withdrawal from the Plan. The re-imposition of US national sanctions lifted under the Plan, as well as the decision not to extend waivers for the trade in oil with Iran and on all remaining JCPOA-originating projects, are contrary to the goals of the JCPOA. These actions have impeded the ability of Iran and other Member States to fully implement the Plan and the resolution.
On 12 March, in a letter to the Secretary-General, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif wrote that US sanctions were constraining his country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary-General has appealed for the waiving of sanctions that could undermine a country’s capacity to respond to the pandemic. Further, he has expressed concern that the posture of private sector actors seeking to avert risk may continue to impede legitimate humanitarian aid transactions, especially with regard to banking needs.
Mr. President,
We also regret the steps Iran has taken, since July 2019, in response to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA. As a result of these steps, taken under the monitoring of the IAEA, Iran has surpassed JCPOA-stipulated limits on its uranium enrichment level and on its stockpiles of heavy water and low-enriched uranium. Iran has also lifted JCPOA limitations on its nuclear research and development activities.
Today, we appeal again to Iran to return to full implementation of the Plan. We also urge Iran to address concerns raised by other States regarding its actions inconsistent with the restrictive measures in Annex B of the resolution.
We encourage JCPOA participants to resolve all differences within the Dispute Resolution Mechanism under the Plan. We also urge all Member States to avoid provocative rhetoric and actions that may have a further negative impact on the JCPOA and regional stability.
The full implementation of the Plan is key to securing tangible economic benefit to the Iranian people. We are encouraged by the positive developments in INSTEX, which started to process its first transactions.
Mr President,
I will now turn to the Secretary-General’s ninth report on the implementation of resolution 2231 (S/2020/531). As guided by the Security Council, the report focuses on Annex B to the resolution. It also provides findings and recommendations to Council members, as called for in paragraph 7 of the Note by the President 2016/44.
First, regarding the nuclear-related provisions, we stress that the procurement channel is a vital transparency and confidence- building mechanism. We call on all Member States and the private sector to support and use the procurement channel.
Further, we regret the 27 May decision of the United States to terminate the sanctions waivers related to the modernization of the Arak reactor.
Exemptions set out in paragraph 2 of annex B are specifically designed to provide for the transfer of such items, materials, equipment, goods and technology required for the nuclear activities of Iran under the Plan.
Second, regarding the ballistic missile-related provisions, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States provided information on Iran’s launch of “Simorgh” and “Qased” space-launch vehicles in February and April of this year.
The information provided reflects divergent views among those Member States as to whether those launches are inconsistent with paragraph 3 of annex B. Paragraph 3 called upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.
Third, on the arms-related restrictions, the Secretariat analyzed two US seizures of arms and related materiel and continued its assessment of the cruise missiles and delta-wing UAVs used in the 2019 attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Regarding the November 2019 and February 2020 US seizures of arms and related materiel, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the Secretariat that the (I quote) “allegedly seized anti-tank guided missiles and thermal optical weapon sights do not conform to the products manufactured by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”(End quote) Iran further informed us thatsimilar optical sights claimed to be exported to Iran and later seized in Aden, are still in use in different military units.
Our findings indicate that the container launch units of the anti-tank guided missiles were of Iranian origin and had post-2016 production dates. We ascertained that the optical weapon sights had been delivered to Iran between February 2016 and April 2018 and observed that thermal optical weapon sights have design characteristics similar to those also produced by a commercial entity in Iran.
We also found that the components associated with the anti-ship missile, the unidentified missile, and as well as the cruise missile bore Farsi markings. The transfer of such materiel from Iran after 16 January 2016 may be inconsistent with resolution 2231 (2015).
Let me now turn to the cruise missiles and delta-wing UAVs used in the attacks on Saudi Arabia last year. In December 2019 we stated that we had not yet been able to independently corroborate that those weapons and their components were of Iranian origin or transferred from Iran in a manner inconsistent with resolution 2231 (2015).
Since then, we made further progress in our examination of the cruise missiles and delta-wing UAVs used in the attacks. We were able to confirm that some of the components of the delta wing UAVs (ignition coils) and the cruise missiles (pressure sensors of the fuel-feed system) had been exported to Iran in 2016 and 2018 respectively. In our analysis, we took note of the feedback from Iran that “the concerned pressure transmitter is not a dual-use item to be monitored by the government”.
We also ascertained that the jet engines and other components of the UAVs and cruise missiles show similarity to known Iranian models or have similar components (gyroscopes and engines) to an Iranian UAV reportedly recovered in Afghanistan in 2016.
Furthermore, the sections of the cruise missiles recovered from the attacks and the sections seized by the United States in November 2019 form part of the same missile system, and it is highly likely that they were produced by the same entity. Finally, some of the items in the two seizures by the United States (a digital air data computer and the “Model V10” gyroscope) were identical or similar to those found in the debris of the cruise missiles and the delta-wing UAVs used in the 2019 attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Mr. President
Based on these technical findings, while also having taken into account the information provided by Iran, the Secretariat assessed that the examined cruise missiles and delta-wing UAVs and/or parts thereof used in the attacks on Saudi Arabia were of Iranian origin.
Finally, the Secretariat also received information from Australia, Israel and Saudi Arabia regarding alleged transfers of arms and related materiel from Iran. We are analyzing these issues and the Secretary-General will report back to the Council, if appropriate, in due course.
Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the current challenges to the JCPOA, it remains the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Its full implementation, as well as faithful adherence to resolution 2231, is also fundamental to regional stability.
Let me conclude by acknowledging the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve in his role as the Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 and to assure him once again of the Secretariat’s full support. I would also like to thank the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission for the continued cooperation.
Thank you, President.
New York, 30 June 2020
The International Day of Parliamentarism is a timely occasion to honour the pivotal role of Parliaments in giving people a voice and influence to shape policy.
As a former Parliamentarian, I am deeply conscious of the responsibility and privilege of representing people and delivering on their aspirations.
Parliaments have a special duty...
Thank you, Mr. President.
The Blue Nile, which contributes approximately 85 per cent of the main Nile volume when it merges with the White Nile in Khartoum, is an important transboundary water resource, critical for the livelihoods and development of the people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of the Sudan.
The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a major hydropower project located on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region, began in April 2011. Through the generation of hydroelectricity, the GERD will significantly boost Ethiopia’s energy sources, allowing it to increase electrification, accelerate industrialization, and export excess electricity to the region.
Recognizing the need for cooperation on the GERD to fully realise its benefits and mitigate potential negative effects on the downstream countries, the Blue Nile riparian countries have undertaken several commendable initiatives over the past decade. These include the establishment of an International Panel of Experts in 2012 to examine the design and construction plans of the GERD; a follow-up Tripartite National Committee in 2014; and the 2015 Declaration of Principles on the GERD.
The Declaration takes note of the rising demand on the transboundary water resources of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. The three countries committed to several principles, including cooperation, equitable and reasonable utilization, security, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
In 2018, the three countries formed a National Independent Research Study Group, which was to discuss the filling and operation of the GERD. Trilateral discussions at the Ministerial level, as well as among the Heads of State and have been assisted by the United States and the World Bank since 2019. A draft text was discussed, but the three riparian states were not able to reach agreement on the text presented in February 2020.
Sudan, therefore, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Abdullah Hamdok, took the initiative earlier this month, to seek to narrow the differences on this issue. We understand that 90 per cent of the technical issues have already been settled.
Following the inconclusive negotiations in February, the three countries agreed to appoint observers to the talks, including the Republic of South Africa, the United States and the European Union. Their representatives have been observers to the recent meetings.
On 26 June, South Africa as Chair of the African Union, convened the Bureau of the African Union Heads of State. President Sisi, Prime Minister Abiy and Prime Minister Hamdok attended the session and agreed to an AU-led process aimed to resolve outstanding issues. The parties will meet over the next two weeks for this purpose.
I commend the parties for their determination to negotiate an agreement and applaud the African Union’s efforts to facilitate a process to this end. The remaining differences are technical and legal in nature. They include the binding nature of an agreement, the dispute resolution mechanism and the management of water flow during droughts.
Mr. President,
While the United Nations has not participated in the negotiations on the GERD, the Secretary-General is fully seized of this matter. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s statement of 19 May urging the parties to peacefully resolve all outstanding differences.
These differences can be overcome, and an agreement can be reached, should all the parties show the necessary political will to compromise in line with the spirit of cooperation highlighted in the 2015 Declaration of Principles.
The United Nations stands ready to assist, through technical and expert support, as appropriate and as requested by the three countries. This includes any support that may be required by the AU-led process.
Transboundary water cooperation is a key element in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. I would like to emphasize that climate change, combined with projected demographic growth and socio-economic changes, will increase water management challenges worldwide, not only for Blue Nile riparian countries.
Mr. President,
Cooperation is not a zero-sum game. It is the key to a successful collective effort to reduce poverty and increase growth, thus delivering on the development potential of the region. We firmly hope that Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan will persevere with efforts to achieve an agreement on the GERD that is beneficial to all.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
COVID-19Somalia – UN Envoy calls for continued support to help Somalia’s COVID-19 fightSupport provided by international partners has enabled Somalia to provide facilities for patient care in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but more international assistance is needed to help the federal government in critical response areas, Special Representative and Head of UNSOM James Swan said during a visit to De Martini Hospital in Mogadishu on 21 June. “As friends and partners, we have been honored to help you and to stand by your side and to provide support. The core work and leadership has been yours, but it has been our privilege to offer some assistance through the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, through the United Nations Children’s Fund and through many other UN entities that have contributed since the beginning of this pandemic,” he said. Read more here Iraq – Special Representative salutes immense bravery and sacrifice of health workers
Colombia - UN Mission continues to transport humanitarian aid
Meeting of Peacebuilding Fund Advisory Group For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its impact, please visit:
Security CouncilMladenov: “Annexation could irrevocably alter the nature of Israeli-Palestinian relations”
Lyons: “By working together, we can overcome COVID-19” |
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Call for global ceasefireNew policy note explores challenges and opportunities
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New York, 26 June 2020
Mr. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
I send my warmest greetings to “we the peoples”.
Those first three words of our founding Charter, adopted 75 years ago today, give the United Nations its vision and its mission.
We exist to serve people -- and we work as one...
New York, 25 June 2020
Seafarers are among the world’s unsung heroes.
The International Day of the Seafarer is a time to honour the world’s two million seafarers whose dedication and professionalism keep the vast majority of world trade moving safely, delivering vital goods – including food, fuel and medical...
New York, 25 June 2020
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. We mark tomorrow’s 75th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Charter at a time of colossal global upheaval and risk. From COVID-19 to climate disruption, from racial injustice to rising inequalities, we are a world in turmoil. At the same time, we are an international community with an enduring vision – embodied in the Charter – to guide us...
New York, 24 June 2020
Today we face a global pandemic.
Worldwide, people rightly raise their voices against racism.
Confronting problems is a start. But we also have to solve them.
We have a timeless guide to tackle our...
New York, 23 June 2020
As the world continues to grapple with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, public servants have been on the frontlines of the crisis response.
They are the nurses, doctors and paramedics who provide life-saving care;
The sanitation workers who disinfect and clean public spaces;
The transportation...
New York, 20 June 2020
Nearly 80 million women, children, and men around the world have been forced from their homes as refugees or internally displaced people. Even more shocking: ten million of these people fled in the past year alone.
On World Refugee Day, we pledge to do everything in our power to end the conflict and persecution that drive these appalling numbers.
...This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
COVID-19Afghanistan: Young Afghans speak out for peace – voluntarism in context of the COVID-19 pandemic Peacebuilding Commission meeting on The Gambia DiCarlo: “Our works goes on despite challenging conditions”
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its impact, please visit:
Security CouncilPedersen calls for action on the release of detainees and abductees
La Lime: “reform of the Constitution is required to break the circle” BoliviaNew agreement between the Government and the UN |
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Colombia'Mountain Honey,' a contribution to peace
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