REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by spokespersons for the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Food Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Organization for Migration, the World Meteorological Organization and the World Health Organization.

Migrant caravan in Central America

Marixie Mercado, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), read the following statement:

“An estimated 2,300 children traveling with the migrant caravan now in southern Mexico need protection and access to essential services like healthcare, clean water and adequate sanitation – UNICEF warned today. The long and arduous journey has left children exposed to inclement weather, including dangerously hot temperatures, with limited access to proper shelter. Some have already fallen ill or suffered from dehydration, according to UNICEF teams on the ground.

Many of the children and families in the caravan are fleeing gang and gender-based violence, extortion, poverty and limited access to quality education and social services in their home countries of northern Central America – El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Sadly, these conditions are part of daily life for millions of children in the region. Each day, families facing these harsh conditions make the painful decision to leave their homes, communities and countries in search of safety and a more hopeful future.

While those traveling with the caravan hope for safety in numbers, the perils of using irregular migration routes remain significant, especially for children. The journey is long, uncertain and full of danger, including the risk of exploitation, violence and abuse.

In Mexico, UNICEF is working with the Government and other partners to ensure that uprooted children are provided with the support and services they need and that their rights are upheld. This includes providing technical assistance to authorities on nutrition and child protection, and expanding access to psychosocial support. UNICEF and its partners are also providing children and families in the caravan with more than 20,000 litres of safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation packs, oral rehydration salts, sunscreen and soap.

Throughout northern Central America and Mexico, UNICEF continues to provide psychosocial counselling for children and families who have endured violence, exploitation and abuse at different stages of the migration journey. UNICEF is also developing models for alternative care to detention, and strengthening consular protection for uprooted children.

UNICEF reiterates its call on all governments to prioritize the best interests of children in the application of immigration laws and procedures, to keep families together, and to find alternatives to immigration detention of children.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Ms. Mercado said that current estimates put the total number of people who had crossed Guatemala to Mexico between 19 and 22 October 2018 at 9,300. The 2,300 children who formed part of that caravan were children first and foremost, irrespective of their migration status. UNICEF urged the Governments along the caravan’s route to ensure that children had access to all the protections afforded them under international law, including the right to apply for asylum, before any decisions to return or deport them were taken. Furthermore, detention and separation from family were deeply traumatizing for children and often had a long-term impact. Governments were therefore also urged to keep families together and to find alternatives to detention for immigrants and.

Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), added that the developing humanitarian situation continued to be a concern for UNHCR; stabilization was the priority focus. It was essential that there were proper reception and other conditions for those seeking asylum as well as for others on the move. He recalled that the caravan was likely to include people in real danger; it was essential that people had the chance to request asylum and had their international protection needs properly assessed before any decision on return or deportation was made. For that to happen, access to territory and to asylum determination procedures for those fleeing violence and persecution was crucial. UNHCR supported efforts by Governments to improve asylum procedures by making them more humane and continued to work with the countries along the caravan route to ensure the protection of individuals on the move.

Asked why migrants might be aiming to seek asylum in the United States, rather than in Mexico, Mr. Mahecic said he could not comment on individual political motivations, although it was possible that cultural links might make a particular destination more attractive to some. According to data from the Mexican Ministry of the Interior, 1,743 asylum claims had been registered in Tapachula to date by the Mexican Commission on Assistance for Refugees.

Yemen – critical UNHCR aid distribution

Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), read the following statement:

“Amid rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has stepped up its efforts to ensure that tens of thousands of displaced Yemenis have immediate access to cash support. In a country where three out of four Yemenis require some form of aid and protection and where food and fuel prices have increased by 25 and 45 per cent respectively this year alone, this assistance is a life-line for the most vulnerable families, helping them to meet their urgent needs while in displacement.

Current pre-famine conditions and cholera outbreak in Yemen come on top of the disastrous impact the conflict has had so far - massive displacement and mounting civilian casualties. Therefore, it remains vital that the critical life-saving activities - including protection and emergency shelter - are addressed and supported in parallel with food, health and education programmes.

More than two thirds of an estimated 2.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs) have been living in displacement for more than two years. Many of them fled to safer parts of the country and have by now depleted all their resources. In order to meet their immediate needs and strengthen their resilience, UNHCR is providing cash assistance to the most vulnerable families.

During October alone, UNHCR cash-interventions have reached more than 22,000 vulnerable families (approximately 150,000 people) across 14 of the worst affect hosting governorates. Families benefitting from this assistance have either fled fighting to areas of perceived safety, returned to their homes after internal displacement, often finding their homes damaged or destroyed. Many of vulnerable communities hosting IDPs are also struggling to survive.

The funds are released based on an in-depth household assessments by UNHCR’s partners operating across the country, often in hard to reach areas. Selected families receive cash to cover their immediate protection needs, for example life-saving medical treatments or subsidies that help families avoid evictions and secure a roof over their heads. This assistance is befitting the local economy, as families buy essential goods in local stores and pay for services.

UNHCR is working with Al-Amal bank to distribute cash directly through a so-called Hawala system which is operational and reliable despite the conflict in Yemen. After assessment, an SMS message notifies families about their entitlements. They can then proceed to collect their assistance from any of the bank’s agents across the country. This allows UNHCR to provide assistance to families in hard to reach and remote areas. Cash assistance is the most cost-efficient way to offer a flexible and dignified form of support. Those benefiting say it helps them to avoid resorting to desperate coping mechanisms, such as child labour and forced marriages. UNHCR and its partners also provide protection services such as psychosocial counselling and legal assistance, as well as distribution of basic aid items for vulnerable IDPs.

Given the increasingly protracted nature of the humanitarian crisis, as well as the dire economic situation in Yemen, UNHCR cash assistance is a life-line for many families. So far in 2018 UNHCR has distributed almost USD33 million cash assistance. We aim to distribute a total of more than USD41 million before the end of the year. In total, 700,000 IDPs, returnees and conflict-affected host communities and another 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers across Yemen will benefit from this assistance in 2018.”

Yemen – situation in Hodeidah

Responding to questions from the press, Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), read the following statement:

“On 24 October, at least 21 civilians were killed and 10 injured when strikes hit a vegetable packaging facility in Al-Masoudi in Bayt Al-Faqih District. In a separate incident on the same day, three more people were killed and six injured when strikes hit three vehicles on 7 Yuliyu road in Al Hali District in Hodeidah Governorate. Lisa Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, stressed that ‘civilians are paying a shocking price because of this conflict. This is the third time this month that fighting has caused mass casualties in Hodeidah.’”

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, read the following statement on behalf of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):

“It essential to keep all ports open and operational in Yemen without interruption so that adequate quantities of food, fuel and other supplies can reach the country. This is critical to efforts to prevent famine. Yemen depends on imports for 90 per cent of staple food and nearly all fuel and medicine. Hodeidah and Saleef ports remain open and operational. As of the morning of 26 October, five ships were unloading cargo at these ports, and 10 more are cleared to approach the ports. Although the ports have remained open and operational, existing and potential restrictions on imports have dampened commercial confidence, resulting in fewer vessels serving these ports overall. Should humanitarian and commercial imports through Hodeidah and Saleef ports stop or drastically decline for a prolonged period, famine would become likely in parts of Yemen.

Hervé Verhoosel, for the World Food Programme (WFP), said that there were also three WFP ships on their way. The port of Oman was being used as a secondary port. In addition, WFP had 52,000 tonnes of grains stored in silos near Hodeidah, but the security situation was such that the silos remained inaccessible. If the parties to the conflict made it possible to access the silos, the food could be used to feed two million people for one month. WFP appealed to all the parties to the conflict to allow humanitarian workers to carry out their activities to help civilians as a neutral party.

Responding to questions from a journalist, Ms. Vellucci said the Security Council had, on many occasions, urged the parties to find a political solution to the conflict. The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, was endeavouring to support that process. In the meantime, the United Nations appealed to the same parties to allow humanitarians to carry out their activities freely. In that connection, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, had recently briefed the Security Council on humanitarian issues in Yemen.

Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi

Responding to questions about recent remarks made by the Ambassador of Burundi to the United Nations, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that, on 25 October, the United Nations High Commissioner had issued a strongly worded statement in response to the Ambassador’s verbal attacks on the independent, international Commission of Inquiry, describing them as wholly unacceptable, and calling for the threat to prosecute the members of the Commission to be immediately withdrawn. No response to the High Commissioner’s statement had as yet been issued by the Government of Burundi. OHCHR stood by the report of the Commission of Inquiry. Regrettably, Governments often reacted thusly to reports of fact-finding inquiries. OHCHR expected Governments to review carefully such reports and to seek to address any allegations contained therein. If errors were identified, OHCHR stood ready to work with Governments to deal with them. In the particular case of Burundi, access had not been granted as requested. Providing such access was the best way to clarify misunderstandings.

Responding to further questions, Ms. Shamdasani said that, as pointed out by the United Nations High Commissioner in her statement of 25 October, Burundi was a State member of not only the United Nations but also of the Human Rights Council, which had established the commission of inquiry. Membership in the Council came with enhanced responsibilities, with members pledging to uphold human rights.

Killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Responding to the killing of journalist Khashoggi, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the statement issued by the United Nations High Commissioner on 16 October was still valid, in that it called on both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to ensure that no further obstacles were placed in the way of a prompt, thorough, effective, impartial and transparent investigation; and to waive immediately the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials. The two Governments had a duty under international law to investigate the killing. That said, given the number of unanswered questions and prevailing doubts about whether an investigation by either Governments would prove adequate, the best option might be that called for recently by two United Nations special rapporteurs: an independent, international investigation. OHCHR would echo that appeal. While a thorough investigation would be required to determine exactly what type of crimes had been committed, there had clearly been a grave human rights violation. There were no words strong enough to condemn the murder of a journalist within the consulate of a United Nations Member State. The journalist’s family must receive protection and their rights must be upheld.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Secretary-General, who was following the situation closely, had also stressed the need for a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Khashoggi’s death and full accountability for those responsible.

Updates concerning the Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was scheduled to brief the Security Council on 26 October, at 3 p.m. via videoconference from Beirut. The briefing would be public and webcast on UN Web TV. The United Nations Deputy Special Envoy was scheduled to be in Moscow from 28 to 31 October to meet with senior Russian Government officials. The Special Envoy would be in Istanbul on 27 October for the quadrilateral summit to be hosted by the President of Turkey and attended by the Presidents of Russia and France, respectively, and the Chancellor of Germany, among others.

Istanbul Summit on Syria

Hervé Verhoosel, for the World Food Programme (WFP), read the following statement:

“The World Food Programme welcomes the October 27th summit on the Syrian conflict in Istanbul, where the leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France will convene to discuss the political process for the resolution of the conflict.

WFP hopes that civilians will be the priority of the discussion, re-emphasizing that rebuilding communities and solving the hunger crisis in Syria is hinged on ending the conflict that continuously fosters it.

More than seven years of war have pushed millions of Syrians into hunger and poverty. Today, 6.5 million Syrians don’t know where their next meal is coming from. In September, WFP was able to reach over 3 million Syrians with food aid.

Continued food assistance for millions of families is vital for stability and security in Syria. For those who are beginning to return to their country and communities, developing active markets, jobs and support is essential.

In order to plan and maintain the vital lifeline of food assistance on which millions of vulnerable Syrians currently depend, WFP needs reliable and predictable funding. US$136 million is needed from now until March 2019.

WFP is also helping Syrian refugees in the ‘Syria + 5 region’: Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt where many Syrian refugees need support.”

Responding to questions from the press, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, had stated that he was fully engaged in advancing the Geneva-led negotiations process on the establishment of a constitutional committee, and would continue to be so until the very end of his mandate. As for a successor to Mr. de Mistura, the Secretary-General was actively searching for a suitable candidate.

Responding to a question about the planned convoy to Rukban, Mr. Verhoosel said that the convoy, the planning of which was complicated by logistics and security issues, would be leaving in the coming days.

Angola/DRC expulsions

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), read the following statement:

“United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday warned that the mass deportation of Congolese nationals from Angola has already resulted in serious human rights violations by security forces on both sides of the border, and left at least 330,000 returnees in an extremely precarious situation.

Since the beginning of October, some 330,000 people have reportedly crossed from Angola, mostly into the Kasai, Kasai Central and Kwango provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an expulsion order issued by the Government of Angola targeting irregular migrants. In interviews with people in the border town of Kamako in Kasai, the UN Human Rights Office received reports indicating that security forces in Angola used excessive force in their operations to deport the Congolese nationals. The team has verified information about six deaths, reportedly at the hands of security forces, but has also received many other allegations of killings that it has not been able to fully verify. Reports also suggest at least 100 people were injured.

Several migrants also alleged that upon their arrival in Kamako, DRC, they were subjected to extortion and illegal taxation by the defence and security forces. There have been allegations of arbitrary detention of returning migrants. Some of the migrants are being hosted by families or in ad hoc shelters, but many are sleeping in the streets, with inadequate access to health and food, severe water shortages and lack of proper sanitation.

The High Commissioner stresses that International law and African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights forbid the mass expulsion of non-nationals without individual assessment or other due process guarantees. In expelling such a massive number of people in such a short time, Angola has placed tens of thousands of families at severe risk.

We call on the Government of Angola to halt any ongoing deportations until it can be assured that any returns will be carried out in full respect of the rule of law and the human rights of all affected migrants. We also urge the Government to ensure that security forces and others responsible for violations in the course of these expulsions are held accountable.

The High Commissioner also urges the Government of the DRC to ensure that the returnees are protected from extortion by security forces and violence by others, particularly given the continued lack of accountability for the grave human rights violations that occurred in the Kasais between 2016 and 2017. There are reports that individuals of Tshokwe ethnicity joined Angolan security forces in carrying out the expulsions. Given the continued presence of armed groups split along ethnic lines in the Kasais, High Commissioner Bachelet warned of the risk of inter-communal violence if the situation is not handled carefully by the authorities.

The High Commissioner urges the Government of the DRC to ensure that members of security forces that may be responsible for violations, past and present, against people – regardless of their ethnic affiliations – are subjected to investigations, with a view to ensuring justice for the victims. Failing this, we fear we could see a repeat of the cycles of terrible violence that erupted in the Kasais in 2016.

We are calling on the Government of the DRC and the international community to redouble efforts to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the returnees in the DRC.

Responding to questions from the press, Ms. Shamdasani said that the figure of 330,000 had been provided by the Congolese authorities. Angolan authorities had stated that 380,000 had been expelled, while other sources had reported even higher numbers. People were still crossing the border, but not in such large numbers as earlier. There had been six cases of people killed allegedly by Congolese forces, all by gunshot wounds, during operations at the border. Additional deaths had been reported but needed to be verified. There were many reports of injuries, including by gunshot wound, burning, inhalation of tear gas, just to name a few causes.

Responding to further questions, Ms. Shamdasani said that some of the returnees had been actively expelled, while others had fled from fear of the violence. OHCHR had no staff in Angola, but had deployed some human rights officials to the border, where they had spoken with returnees about the situation in Angola. OHCHR monitored and reported on the humanitarian situation. Also on the Congolese side of the border were the Congolese armed forces and national police. The duty to protect individuals lay with the States in which the people resided. However, considering the history of the Kasais, there was a real risk that violence could erupt anew, especially since there had been no accountability for the violence in 2016 and 2017, in which the burning of homes, sexual violence and mass killings had occurred.

Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that UNHCR was also concerned at the fast-developing humanitarian crisis sparked by returns to the DRC from Angola. It had teams on the ground working with United Nations and other partners to assess the humanitarian needs to ensure that those most at risk, with children being the most vulnerable, were cared for. Local authorities had requested international assistance.

Responding to further questions, Mr. Mahecic said that OHCHR tracked only refugees; however, it was concerned about the mass removals of irregular migrants from Angola because it was possible that refugees and asylum seekers might be involved. Of course, such removals were inherently undesirable and should be avoided, as they often resulted in humanitarian tragedies.

Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), read the following statement:

“The Central African Republic achieved a milestone in the fight against impunity this week when the country’s Special Criminal Court held its inaugural session on 22 October. We congratulate the Government and its partners for their efforts to make this possible.

The Court – which is composed of national and international staff – will investigate, prosecute and try serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, in particular the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes that may have been committed in the Central African Republic since 1 January 2003.

As you know, impunity has deep roots in the history of the Central African Republic, with the repeated pattern of granting blanket amnesties widely seen as contributing to the cycle of violence. Thousands of Central Africans have been killed in successive conflicts and hundreds of thousands internally displaced or forced to flee into neighbouring countries. You may recall that we put out a mapping report last year laying out the kinds of terrible violations that have taken place in the country.

To this end, it is essential that the SCC’s prosecution strategy should prioritise the most serious crimes, including acts of sexual violence, and to identify the individuals who bear the greatest responsibility. The adoption of concrete and effective protection measures for victims and witnesses is also key. Of equal importance is ensuring the right to a fair and expeditious trial of all individuals.

The credibility and legitimacy of prosecution initiatives require that they be conducted in a non-discriminatory and objective manner, regardless of who the alleged perpetrators may be.

We therefore commend ongoing efforts by the SCC, with the support of the State and interested partners, to seek to reinforce or develop the national and international capacity for investigation and prosecution, as well as to promote an independent, impartial and effective judiciary, ensuring also the means to mount adequate legal defence.

The UN Human Rights Office stands ready to continue providing support, including for judicial proceedings, to the SCC.”

Responding to questions from the press, Ms. Shamdasani said that the holding of the Special Court’s inaugural session was a huge step for the Central African Republic, especially given its history, towards breaking the cycle of impunity. The national courts had also contributed to the effort, but it was important to point out that the newly operational Special Court had a mandate to hold its proceedings in a very public manner, thus conveying a message to perpetrators that human rights violations would no longer be tolerated. The International Criminal Court was also considering the situation in the Central African Republic, so that the two Courts would be working concurrently. A multi-partner trust fund had been set up in connection with the Court’s budget, which, for the coming five years totalled USD61 million; the 2018 budget, for USD10.7 million, would be covered by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The court would be a hybrid one: currently it had 11 magistrates on staff, but eventually a total of 25 judges would be appointed, including 13 nationals of the Central African Republic and 12 international judges.

Asked if its more public mandate could foment violence given the precarious security situation in the country, Ms Shamdasani said that that was always a risk. The security situation was still worrying, with ongoing clashes in some parts of the country. Despite the risks involved, the Court’s work would be very important. OHCHR called for adequate measures of protection to be afforded to victims and witnesses so that they would feel confident in coming forward.

Brazil

Asked about elections in Brazil, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that OHCHR condemned any acts of violence, and called for prompt, impartial and effective investigation of such acts. The violent and inflammatory speech during the current elections, particularly against women, persons of African descent, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and those with differing political views, was deeply worrying, particularly given the reports of violence against such individuals. OHCHR called on political leaders and all those with influence to publicly condemn any form of violence during the delicate electoral period, and to call on all sides to express themselves peacefully, with full respect for the rights of others.

Launch of updated Counter Trafficking Data Portal

Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), read the following statement:

“A new version of the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) has been released, now featuring data on over 90,000 cases of human trafficking and new data visualization tools.

CTDC is the world’s first global data portal on human trafficking, with primary data contributed by organizations around the world, bringing together knowledge and diffusing data standards across the counter-trafficking movement.

For the first time, CTDC facilitates unparalleled access to the largest dataset of its kind in the world, providing a deeper understanding of human trafficking both through the visualisations on the site and through the publicly available downloadable data file.

Analysis published so far on CTDC has revealed new insights into themes such as the main industry sectors where trafficking occurs, victims’ geographical regions of origin and exploitation, trafficking routes and special focus areas such as kidnapping and recruitment. Nearly half of victims accounted for in the CTDC dataset are trafficked into labour exploitation, with most being exploited in the construction, agriculture, manufacturing, domestic work and hospitality sectors. Sexual exploitation is the most common type of exploitation among victims, accounting for just over half of adults and more than 70 per cent of children.

New analysis also focuses on specific groups within the dataset: victims who are kidnapped into trafficking are more likely to have family or friends involved in perpetrating trafficking compared to the rest of the dataset, and 80 per cent are women. Women are almost four times more likely to be recruited by their intimate partners, and children are more likely than adults to be recruited by their family members.

New features also include an interactive map. Further data is to be contributed by other counter-trafficking partner organizations around the world in the coming months.”

Mediterranean Migrant Deaths

Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that the IOM Missing Migrants Project (MMP) team, based at the IOM Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) in Berlin, had confirmed two large shipwrecks of migrants off the coast of Spain in late August and early September, in which at least 113 people had lost their lives. The bodies of 13 people were found on the shores of Morocco and Algeria in the following days had likely been linked to those incidents. Since the beginning of the year, 547 people were estimated to have died in those waters, more than double the deaths documented in all of 2017. Spain was the busiest migrant destination in 2018 on the Mediterranean. Although the deaths were still significantly fewer than on the route from Libya to Italy, it was nevertheless disturbing to learn of so many deaths nearly two months after they had occurred. In addition, six Syrian migrants had recently drowned as a result of the rise of flood levels on rivers in Turkey. Worldwide, the IOM Missing Migrants Project estimated that for the fifth consecutive year, more than 3,000 people had died or gone missing on migratory routes across the globe in 2018.

World Meteorological Organization report on surface ozone

Clare Nullis, for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said that WMO had just issued a new Bulletin on reactive gases, focusing on surface-level ozone. Air quality regulations and anti-pollution measures in Europe and North America had had very positive impacts on air quality, especially since the year 2000. By contrast, the few available monitoring stations in East Asia had measured a continuous increase in surface ozone levels. Tropospheric – or surface-level – ozone was harmful to human health, crops and ecosystems and was also a greenhouse gas. The report was being released ahead of the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health and would feed into the discussions there. WHO was one of the co-sponsors of the Conference and the Secretary-General would be one of the speakers.

On 5 November, WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) would be releasing a new scientific assessment on the stratospheric ozone layer – the higher type of ozone, which protected against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The assessment was conducted every four years.

Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), recalling that the first WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health would be held from 30 October to 1 November, said that a number of other media opportunities would be available, including a “Pollution Pods” sensory art exhibit on the Place des Nations, which would be launched on Monday, 29 October, at 2 p.m. with senior officials, and which would be open throughout the week of the Conference.

Alejandro Laguna, for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said that air pollution was responsible for some 7 million premature deaths annually, two thirds of them in Asia and the Pacific. During the upcoming Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, a side event would be held for the global launch of the science-based solutions report on air pollution in the Asia-Pacific by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and UNEP in Asia and the Pacific. The report was the first comprehensive, solution-oriented interdisciplinary scientific assessment of the air pollution outlook and policy measures in Asia Pacific.

Announcements

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), recalling that the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization had concluded its meetings on 25 October, announced that a virtual press briefing would take place on 26 October, at 2 p.m.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that as part of its 124th session, the Human Rights Committee would hold a public plenary meeting on Monday, 29 October, at 3 p.m., to discuss the progress report of the Special Rapporteur for follow-up to Views (which are adopted in connection with individual complaints). It would then hold another public plenary meeting the following day, Tuesday, 30 October, at 10 a.m., to formally adopt general comment No. 36 on article 6 of the Covenant (Right to life). The Committee would conclude its session on Friday, 2 November, and issue concluding observations on the reports of the five countries whose reports it had considered during the current session: Belarus, Belize, Bulgaria, Guinea and the Sudan.

Ms. Vellucci also said that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was considering the report of Samoa on Friday, 26 October.

Press conferences

Monday, 29 October at 3:00 p.m., Press Room 1
UN Environment (United Nations Environment Programme)
Report launch: ‘Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science-Based Solutions’
The Asia Pacific region has the highest number of premature deaths from air pollution in the world. The authors of this report used the best air quality data available and state of the art modelling techniques to identify the most effective 25 measures to reduce air pollution in the region. If the measures were implemented, one billion people in Asia could enjoy air quality that conforms to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines by 2030, and premature mortality would be reduced by a third. The report is launched in the margins of the WHO’s first global conference on Air Pollution and Health.
Speakers:
• Ms. Helena Molin Valdés, Head of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat, hosted by UN Environment
• Prof. Yun-Chul Hong, Director of the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University, and report Co-Chair
• Dr. Drew Shindell, Professor of Climate Sciences at Duke University and Chair of the CCAC Scientific Advisory Panel
• Dr. Johan Kuylenstierna, Policy Director, Stockholm Environment Institute

Tuesday, 30 October at 2:00 p.m., Press Room 1
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Launch of the 2018 World Disasters Report (Embargoed until 00:01 a.m. CET on 31 October 2018)
Speakers:
• Mr Elhadj As Sy, IFRC Secretary General
• Ms Kirsten Hagon, Senior Humanitarian Policy Analyst, IFRC

Wednesday, 31 October at 10:30 a.m., Press Room 1
UNOG (Office of the Director General) /Geneva Peacebuilding Platform
Geneva Peace Week 2018 - Building Peace in a Turbulent World
Speakers:
• Salman Bal, Chief, Political Affairs and Partnerships Section, United Nations Office at Geneva
• Achim Wennmann, Executive Coordinator of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog121026