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 representatives of the secretariat of the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation and the spokespersons for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization.

High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation

Amandeep Singh Gill, Executive Director, secretariat of the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, recalled that the Secretary-General had established the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation in July 2018. It was chaired by Jack Ma and Melinda Gates and had 22 members. It sought to identify both the positive and the negative aspects of the digital landscape. The Secretary-General had asked the High-Level Panel to submit a report by May 2019. The Panel had held its first formal meeting in New York in 2018 and would hold its second such meeting in Geneva the following week. Jack Ma and Melinda Gates would be present, and the Secretary-General would join by video link on Monday. Panel members had been on a global listening tour with a view to obtaining information to relay back to the Panel as a whole. The Geneva meeting would mark the end of the Panel’s research and engagement activities. It would then focus on digesting those inputs and would look for the key messages that should be conveyed in its report. The Panel would then begin the process of writing the report. The Panel’s meetings were closed, but interested journalists should get in touch to explore the possibility of hearing directly from Panel members.

Isabel de Sola, Senior Advisor, secretariat of the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, said that, in the first phase of its work, the Panel had focused largely on engaging with existing digital policy processes around the world. The Panel’s engagement had taken four principal forms. First, Panel members had travelled to a number of events, including the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Argentina and the Internet Governance Forum in Paris. Second, Panel members had also travelled to hubs for digital economy and policy, including Silicon Valley, China, Israel and India, to see the impact of digital policy. Third, the Panel had launched an open call for contributions through its website. It would remain open until the end of January 2019. So far, 100 written contributions had been received from stakeholders around the world. Fourth, the Panel had convened virtual discussion groups on specific areas on which it had sought to obtain further information. In all, Panel members had attended around 60 events worldwide and had engaged with around 2,000 persons.

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Gill said that the Panel had sought to strike a balance in its engagements between virtual meetings and physical visits. Many of the visits had been funded by partner organizations. The Panel would present a report in accordance with the requirements set out in its terms of reference, which were available on its website. It would address such questions as how digital technologies could be used to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and how the risks associated with the deployment of those technologies could be addressed. The Panel had enjoyed a productive collaboration with the Internet Governance Forum. However, it tended to look at more than just Internet governance. For example, the Panel explored issues relating to the broader digital economy, such as inclusiveness, the start-up sector, and small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Panel had identified five priority areas, one of which was digital trust and security. In that regard, the Panel had organized events, including one held at King’s College London, at which actors dealing with security issues had come together to discuss ways in which standards for behaviour could be established, trust in digital platforms could be enhanced and industry could be further engaged.

Responding to further questions, Ms. de Sola said that the United States of America was the country that had submitted the largest number of contributions. However, contributions had also been received from many other countries. Capacity-building and development, human rights and the digital economy were some of the areas of focus of the contributions.

Zimbabwe protests

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

“We are deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that is unfolding in Zimbabwe and the repression of large scale protests in the country, following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices. We call on the Government to find ways of engaging with the population about their legitimate grievances and to stop the crackdown against protestors.

We are concerned about reports of the excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by Zimbabwean security forces during protests which started on Monday this week. People took to the streets to protest against economic austerity measures and the rise of fuel prices, which affect their already impoverished households and businesses, and limit access to basic goods and services.

Reports suggest that protesters burned tyres, used rocks to barricade roads, and blocked buses from taking passengers to work. A number of buildings were also set on fire and there were reports of looting. Police responded with force, apparently including the use of live ammunition. There are credible reports of a number of deaths – including of a police officer – and many more injured, as well as hundreds of arrests in relation to the protests.

There are also worrying allegations of generalised intimidation and harassment by security forces carrying out door-to-door searches. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has also received allegations of police beatings. According to official figures presented by the Minister of National Security, more than 600 people have been arrested countrywide. Among those detained are opposition leaders and prominent civil activists. We are also concerned that Internet services have been severely disrupted in the last few days.

We support the call of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission for the Government to set up a national dialogue, with wide participation of all sectors, to find solutions to the economic challenges the country is facing. We urge the Government to work with the support of the international community to ease the current crisis.

We call on the Government ensure that security forces handle protests and exercise their power - especially the use of firearms and live ammunition - strictly in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations and the relevant principles, including legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and accountability. State authorities have a duty to ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, and to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful assembly. It is essential that all sides, including the protestors, refrain from the use of violence and seek to resolve the situation peacefully.

We call on the Government to carry out investigations into all reports of violence, including the alleged excessive use of force by security forces in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to accountability.

All those detained for the exercise of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression should be promptly released.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Ms. Shamdasani, for OHCHR, said that it was unclear who had ordered the actions taken by the security forces. There had been some violence on the part of the protestors, including looting, but the security forces had used live ammunition and excessive force. Doctors’ associations had reported that more than 60 people had been treated in hospital for gunshot wounds. OHCHR had a human rights advisor in Zimbabwe and had been communicating with the Government. OHCHR did not have monitors on the ground, but the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission had received reports that were consistent with those received from doctors’ associations and civil society organizations. There had been a previous outbreak of violence in the country in August 2018. The commission that had investigated the incident then had found that the security forces had used unjustified and disproportionate force. On the present situation, it had been reported that access to WhatsApp and Facebook had been periodically blocked, and access to the Internet in general had been shut down for a time. The Government claimed that such measures had been taken to combat disinformation, but they also prevented people and businesses from communicating with one another.

Sentencing of a journalist in Montenegro

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

“We are concerned about the sentencing by the High Court of Podgorica on Tuesday of investigative journalist Jovo Martinoviæ to 18 months in prison on charges of drug smuggling and membership in a criminal organization. Martinovic had already served a prolonged period of pre-trial detention and there are concerns that his case might be politically motivated.

We urge State authorities to ensure that journalists are able to work in a free and enabling environment without fear of imprisonment or violence.”

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Responding to a question on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that, as far as she understood, a Constitutional Court ruling was expected the following day. OHCHR appealed for calm. It had been reported that, since the provisional results had been announced on 10 January, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the country had reported at least 34 deaths, 59 injuries and 241 arbitrary arrests.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Secretary-General had also emphasized that those involved in disputes regarding the outcome of the elections should refrain from violence and channel any disputes through the established institutional mechanisms.

Responding to questions from journalists on the possible budget cuts for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Ms. Vellucci said that she was not aware of specific issues with this peacekeeping mission. However, the Secretary-General had spoken the day before to the General Assembly about problems in the peacekeeping budget.

No further meetings on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were scheduled for January 2019.

Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador

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

“Latin America and the Caribbean are facing an unprecedented migration crisis. Millions of people have left Venezuela in the past few years due to lack of food, medicine and other basic needs, and the loss of income.

With more than 1.1 million Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia and an additional 400,000 Colombian returnees back home as of 2018, Colombia is bearing the brunt of the mass exodus.

Migrants are increasingly using Colombia as a corridor to enter Ecuador, Peru and other countries in South America, stretching host governments to the limit. The mass exodus, one of the largest in Latin American history, is expected to continue in 2019 and beyond.

As of January 2019, over 3 million Venezuelans are living outside their country. However, the figures may be higher as they do not count Venezuelans without regular status.

If the current situation persists, an estimated 5.3 million Venezuelans will be living outside their country by the end of December 2019.

Nearly 1.1 million Venezuelans have settled in Colombia.

As of October 2018, some 806,000 people have crossed from Colombia to Ecuador in 2018 and more than 540,000 entered Peru, according to the governments of Ecuador and Peru.

Ecuador is a transit country. According to the UN Regional Response Plan, 83 percent of migrants that cross into Ecuador from Colombia move on to the border with Peru, whereas 17 percent remain in Ecuador.

Migrants are at high risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

WFP is providing food assistance in Colombia and Ecuador, especially to vulnerable women and children, who lack access to basic services and do not know where their next meal is coming from.

From April to December 2018, WFP has provided emergency food assistance to 290,000 people in the border departments of Arauca, La Guajira, Norte de Santander and Nariño. Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees and host communities have been assisted.

WFP and its partners have provided hot meals in community kitchens and transit centres for migrants; food vouchers for three months; and school meals in the department of La Guajira for vulnerable schoolchildren from migrant, returnee and host communities.

As the flow of migrants into Colombia is expected to rise, WFP hopes the international community will continue to support this emergency response. WFP needs more than USD34 million to meet the food and nutrition needs of the migrants arriving from Venezuela.

WFP has provided food assistance to 107,000 vulnerable migrants (87% Venezuelans).

WFP provides food assistance through a monthly food voucher for six months to newly arrived vulnerable migrants who stay in the country, hot meals at shelters and community kitchens managed by local partner organizations, and a food kit at migration checkpoints.

In Ecuador, more than USD 34 million are needed for the implementation of the WFP components included in the UN Regional Response Plan for 2019.

Once again, WFP is ready and willing to support the Government of Venezuela if requested.”

Responding to a question on the forecast for the future, Mr. Verhoosel said that it was likely that the number of migrants would increase in 2019.

World Economic Forum

Hervé Verhoosel, for the World Food Programme (WFP), said that WFP would be represented in Davos by its Executive Director, Davis Beasley.

Mr. Verhoosel, for WFP, read the following statement:

“Throughout the week, WFP will co-host events focusing on subjects such as conflict and hunger, and the use of data and digital technology in the humanitarian sector, amongst other topics.

Systemic poverty and hunger, often created by crisis or conflicts, remain global challenges that require action from world leaders. With over 3,000 participants from more than 110 countries, more than 330 public figures including more than 50 heads of state and government, and over 40 heads of international organizations, the World Economic Forum provides a valuable opportunity to keep the issue of global hunger on the world’s agenda and to continue building and strengthening relationships with world leaders and corporations to reach our goal of ending hunger.

Engaging the private sector – which includes companies, foundations and individuals – is key to fight hunger as well. Over 1,700 business leaders from all industries are expected at the Forum.

Many of these companies attending Davos understand that investments in zero hunger are fundamental to business success—it saves lives and builds stronger markets around the world. In fact, it can increase GDPs by up to 16.5 percent and a person’s lifetime earnings by 46 percent.

With a long track record of creating ground-breaking global partnerships, WFP sets a high standard for private sector relationships that combine technical assistance and knowledge transfer with financial contributions that solve global problems while creating measurable business outcomes.

For example, our partner Nielsen has developed a methodology for gathering data related to food insecurity through mobile phones, which reduces operational costs and provides WFP with more timely, accurate data about the needs of the people we serve.

UPS optimizes ground handling at airfields during emergencies, allowing food to move faster and more efficiently to those in need.

And cause-marketing campaigns with Mastercard are bringing critical funds to school meals programmes while raising WFP brand awareness around the globe.

Each year, WFP receives $85-90 million in contributions from the private sector, which includes more than 80 companies.”

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva (UNIS), said that Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, would also attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. As usual, there would be a dedicated media zone.

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, was scheduled to be in Davos on 23 and 24 January. Mr. Lowcock would seek to develop transformational partnerships with the private sector and discuss humanitarian financing.

Mr. Laerke, for OCHA, added that he had distributed a press release on the Sustainable Impact Hub, which was an initiative of 27 private sector, United Nations and international organizations. It would be open to the press and the public throughout the World Economic Forum.

Marixie Mercado, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, would be in Davos from 21 to 25 January 2019. She would seek leaders’ expertise, resources and reach to assess how business, finance and digital technology could better meet the needs of children and young people who were either caught up in humanitarian crises or being left behind in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda. Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, would also attend. Her ongoing engagement with the forum included co-chairing the Global Future Council on Development Finance. For the first time in its history, the forum had named six Global Shapers aged under 30 years, who would serve as co-chairs of its annual meeting. The gathering would focus on ways of shaping a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable global architecture for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Ms. Fore also had a blog on the website of the Global Economic Forum. It was focused on how business could equip young people with the skills needed to join the new global workforce. On Monday, Ms. Fore would be the keynote speaker at a meeting bringing together the Global Shapers, young global leaders and social entrepreneurs. UNICEF would release a short news note on the findings of an online poll of what 10,000 young people thought about globalization, technology and the future.

Jean Rodriguez, for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), said that UNECE Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, would be in Davos from 22 to 24 January to raise awareness of road safety, in particular the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund launched in 2018. While in Davos, Ms. Algayerova would participate in Belt and Road events organized by China and would hold a series of bilateral meetings on autonomous driving. UNECE hosted the two international forums that worked on the regulatory framework for autonomous cars worldwide.

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the High Commissioner for Human Rights would be in Davos from Tuesday evening until Thursday evening. She would attend events on a wide range of topics, including LGBTI standards, human rights and democracy in a changing world, the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Latin America, women’s rights and female leadership.

Alessandra Vellucci, for UNIS, read the following statement on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme:

“Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, will be in Davos from January 22nd to 25th. His official schedule includes his participation on Wednesday 23rd to the Lion’s share breakfast, an initiative to raise USD 100 million to protect wild animals and their habitat and to the first meeting of the Task Force on Digital Finance and initiated by the UN Secretary General. Achim Steiner is the co-chair of the task force that aims at identifying how global capital markets might best advance the SDGs. Sarah Bel will staff the Administrator and can be reached on her cell phone.”

Responding to a question on the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, Alessandra Vellucci, for UNIS, said that the Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, was planning to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos and, while there, would push for consultations with relevant leaders from the region and beyond. Mr. Pedersen was continuing his tour. He had been in Damascus, had arrived in Riyadh and would then travel to Moscow for consultations with senior government officials.

Responding to questions from journalists, Hervé Verhoosel, for WFP, said that United Nations agencies were exempt from paying the membership fees that private companies were required to pay to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. They were also invited to participate in a preparatory event in advance of the meeting.

UNICEF announcement

Marixie Mercado, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that, on 29 January, at 9.30 a.m., UNICEF would launch its Global Emergency Appeal. The Head of Emergencies, Manuel Fontaine, would be present at the event.

Separation of migrant children from their families

Responding to a question on a recent New York Times report, Marixie Mercado, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that UNICEF did not have a programme in the United States of America. However, it did have a National Committee in the country, which worked with partners to support migrants at the border. Some months previously, UNICEF had issued a statement by Executive Director Henrietta Fore in which she had affirmed that children should not be separated from their families because of their migration status, that children who had no option but to flee had the right to be protected, access essential services and be with their families, and that such practices were in no one’s best interests, least of all the children who suffered their effects.

Autonomous driving

Jean Rodriguez, for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), said that, from 28 January to 1 February, in Room XII of the Palais des Nations, UNECE would host the second meeting of its dedicated Working Party on Autonomous and Connected Vehicles. A set of guidelines on cybersecurity would be discussed. If adopted, the guidelines would pave the way towards a formal United Nations regulation on the matter. Other items that would be discussed included software updates, the automatically commanded steering function and advanced emergency braking systems. The relevant documents were available on the UNECE website.

Responding to a question on the possibility of a press event, Mr. Rodriguez, for UNECE, said that UNECE was not in a position to issue simplified versions of its documents. However, it would be possible to brief interested journalists on the issues that would be discussed.

Press conference by the Secretary-General

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, later that day, at noon, New York time, the Secretary-General would be giving a press conference at the UN Headquarters, where he would be speaking about his priorities for 2019.

WHO announcements

Tarik Jašareviæ, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that, earlier that day, WHO had published its second Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) report. The report drew on information from GLASS-enrolled countries on the status of their antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems and on antimicrobial resistance surveillance (AMR) data for selected bacteria that caused infections in humans. There were 69 countries enrolled in GLASS, of which 67 provided information on their AMR surveillance systems. Further information was available on the WHO website.

Mr. Jašareviæ added that, on Monday, 21 January, there would be a press conference at which WHO would launch its first report on the health of refugees and migrants in the European region. Journalists were invited to request a copy of the embargoed report. It was expected that a press release would be ready by Monday.

Allegations of misconduct at WHO

Responding to a question on a news story published some days previously, Tarik Jašareviæ, for the World Health Organization (WHO), read the following statement:

“WHO is aware of a news story published today about allegations of misconduct in the organization.

The allegations are being investigated according to WHO’s established procedures, having been referred to WHO’s Office of Internal Oversight Services by the Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The anonymous allegations, which had been circulating internally, were also addressed openly by Dr Tedros in global meetings with staff in which he stressed that WHO has zero tolerance for misconduct or discrimination of any kind.

Since Dr Tedros took office as Director-General in July 2017, he has championed openness, transparency and diversity. WHO’s senior management team is now one of the most diverse and gender-balanced of any United Nations agency. All regions of the world are represented and almost two-thirds are women. WHO is working consistently to increase geographical diversity and improve gender balance at all levels as part of its ongoing transformation process.

WHO has established mechanisms by which anyone inside or outside the organization can report concerns about any form of suspected misconduct by WHO personnel. WHO has recently strengthened the capacity of its internal oversight mechanisms and has proven processes for reporting and dealing with allegations of misconduct.

These include an independently-run integrity hotline which anyone can use to report concerns confidentially and anonymously. We regularly report the outcome of substantiated allegations arising from independent investigations to Member States in our reports to Governing Bodies. All these reports are posted on our public website.

WHO listens to all feedback so we can learn and improve and provide the best possible advice and assistance to countries.”

Responding to further questions on the story, Tarik Jašareviæ, for WHO, said that the allegations in question were being investigated. The findings would be presented to the Director-General and, where appropriate, regional directors. The Office of Internal Oversight Services always presented reports to the World Health Assembly on any allegations that had been substantiated. In recent years, there had been an increase in the number of reports of concern, which was a positive trend, as it reflected a high level of confidence in WHO management. Persons who wished to make allegations had the right to do so anonymously. The length of an investigation would depend on the complexity of the case. First, a preliminary review would be conducted to determine whether there were sufficient grounds on which to launch a full investigation. If there were, a plan would be drawn up for the conduct of the investigation. The Office of Internal Oversight Services was fully independent, as it reported to the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee, which was a sub-committee of the Executive Board whose members were appointed by member States.

UNAIDS

Responding to a question on the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that she could not comment on the affairs of their organisation, but she would forward the press’ request for a representative of UNAIDS to attend a subsequent press briefing for that purpose.

Geneva announcements

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, that afternoon, the Committee on the Rights of the Child would begin its consideration of the report of Bahrain. The following week, it would consider the reports of Czech Republic and Italy.

Ms. Vellucci added that, on Monday, 21 January, at 10 a.m., the Conference on Disarmament would hold the first public plenary of its 2019 session, in the presence of Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament. The session would open under the presidency of Ukraine. In 2019, the presidency of the Conference would also successively be assumed by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Venezuela, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe. The three parts of the Conference’s 2019 session would take place from 21 January to 29 March, from 13 May to 28 June and from 29 July to 13 September.

Press conferences

Friday 18 January at 2.30 p.m., Press Room 1 - UNCTAD

Presentation of the latest Global Investment Trends Monitor (Embargo 21 January 2019 at 1 p.m. Geneva Time)

Speaker:

• James Zhan, UNCTAD, Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise

The embargoed material is available to journalists via an online newsroom. A password is required to access the newsroom; to obtain one, it is necessary to fill out the form online. Journalists with access to the UNCTAD virtual newsroom can download embargoed press releases and summaries of UNCTAD reports.

Monday 21 January at 1.00 p.m., Room III - WHO

Launch of first WHO report on the health of refugees and migrants in the European Region

Speakers:

• Dr Zsuzsanna JAKAB, WHO Regional Director for Europe
• Dr Santino SEVERONI, Coordinator Public Health and Migration programme at WHO/Europe, and the lead of the report (Will also attend the launch and will be available for interviews.)

Thursday 24 January at 11.00 a.m., Press Room 1 - UNISDR

Analysis of disaster statistics for 2018 including number of deaths, the number of people affected and the breakdown between extreme weather events, earthquakes and tsunamis

Speakers:

• Ms. Mami Mizutori, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Dr. Debarati Guha-Sapir, Professor, Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Institute of Health and Society, Catholic University of Louvain

Thursday 24 January at 1.00 p.m., Press Room 1 - OCHA

Update on the humanitarian situation in Cameroon

Speaker:

• Allegra Baiocchi, Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon

Friday 25 January at 12.00 p.m., Press Room 1 - The Embassy of Burundi in Switzerland and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi

Reality on Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (Foreign NGOs) in Burundi

Speaker:

• His Excellency Mr. Rénovat Tabu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary/ Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi in Geneva

The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog180119