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Tag: António Guterres

  • Why Earth experienced hottest three-month period on record- UN agency

    Why Earth experienced hottest three-month period on record- UN agency

    The past three months have been the hottest ever recorded on Earth, according to the United Nation’s World Meteorological Organisation.

    The UN agency, citing data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, further said August was the hottest month on record “by a large margin” and the second hottest ever month after July 2023.

    August is estimated to have been around 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial average.

    August also saw the highest global monthly average sea surface temperatures on record at 20.98 degrees Celsius.

    “Our planet has just endured a season of simmering – the hottest summer on record.

    “Climate breakdown has begun,” said UN Secretary General António Guterres in a statement.

     

  • Nigeria mobilises $500m for food system transformation – Shettima

    Nigeria mobilises $500m for food system transformation – Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that Nigeria has mobilised more than half a billion dollars for innovative, profitable, equitable and sustainable food system transformation initiatives.

    Mr Olusola Abiola, Director, Information, Office of the Vice President, in a statement said that Shettima made this known while chairing a high-level meeting on the first day of the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome, Italy.

    The meeting was declared open by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

    Shettima explained that the funds were mobilised through domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and climate funds by leading agro-businesses.

    He said that the funds would be used for financing food system transformation, development of Nigeria’s agro value chain and the setting up of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.

    “In this event, the Government of Nigeria will be showcasing its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) as a unique example of a successful partnership between producers, the public sector and private operators.

    “The VCDP, which is co-funded by Nigeria and IFAD, has empowered vulnerable farmers and youth to engage in commercial partnerships with some of the biggest food processing and marketing firms in the world such as OLAM,“ Shettima said.

    OLAM is operating in more than 60 countries with an annual revenue of about 39.8 billion dollars.

    While speaking on the government’s vision about ending hunger, the vice president noted that building on the success of the VCDP, the Federal Government was determined to empower Nigeria’s rural small holders and operators, youth and women living below the poverty line to enable them to take advantage of the new Special Processing Zones.

    Also on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ),  Shettima said it brought together local governments, IFAD, AfDB, IsDB, GCF, OLAM and other private actors alongside the government of Nigeria for transformative financing of food systems that leaves no-one behind.

    Similarly, while featuring in the panel discussion with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua; and Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ouhoudou Mahamadou, Shettima said President Bola Tinubu was determined to transform the concept and meaning of modern governance”  by demonstrating commitment towards the food system in the country.

    “President Tinubu hit the ground running from day one of his administration, which is barely two months in office and has declared a state of emergency in food security and took it as a livelihood item within the National Security Council.”

    On removing impediments to economic recovery, he said “we had two albatrosses around our necks, subsidy on petrol and multiple exchange rates system.

    “We withdrew the subsidy on petrol from day one, just like President Ruto did in Kenya.

    “To mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal, the government embarked on the immediate release of grains and fertilizers.

    “A commodity marketing board has been put in place to continuously review and monitor the prices of food items. Along this way, the president has already approved the infusion of huge quantum of funds towards repositioning of our security architecture.

    “We have similar problems with Somalia and Kenya, especially in the Northeast and Northwest regions of our country and so we are repositioning our security architecture to provide support for farms and farmers,“ the vice president said.

    Earlier, while declaring the Summit open, the UN Secretary General, Guteress commended the participating countries for their commitment to addressing the problems of hunger and malnutrition.

    “This is the gathering about food system. It is essentially to fulfill those basic of human rights, the right to food. It is outrageous that people continue to suffer in the world of plenty,” he said.

    The Vice President also had bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders discussed issues about the development of the two countries.

    Shettima was accompanied to the meeting by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Abam and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, and other senior government officials.

    In attendance were the President of IFAD, Dr Alvaro Lario, Muhammad Suleiman Al Jasser, President of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Vice President of AfDB, Mrs Hassatau N’Sele.

    Others were the Vice President of OLAM International, Mr Reji George and the Vice President, Commodity Alliance Forum (Representative of farmers) Mrs Ejim Lovelyn.

  • UN chief congratulates Tinubu, seeks stronger ties with Nigeria

    UN chief congratulates Tinubu, seeks stronger ties with Nigeria

    United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his inauguration as the 16th Nigerian President.

    The Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said this while fielding question from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent at UN headquarters in New York.

    “Nigeria is an important partner of the United Nations, has an important role to play in the promotion of sustainable development, in the promotion of peace and security in the region and beyond.

    “And we look forward to deepening the ties between Nigeria and the United Nations.,’’ Dujarric said.

    In a related development, the Secretary-General also congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his re-election as President of the Republic of Türkiye.

    He looks forward to further strengthening the cooperation between Türkiye and the United Nations.

  • UN chief shocked, saddened by U.S. California mass shooting

    UN chief shocked, saddened by U.S. California mass shooting

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed shock and sadness by the mass shooting in Monterey Park in the U.S. state of California.

    Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for the UN chief said in a statement.

    Five women and five men were killed while another 10 people were injured in the mass shooting Saturday night in the city of Monterey Park, 16 kilometers east of Los Angeles downtown, local authorities said Sunday.

    The death toll rose to 11 as of Monday. Guterres “extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” said Dujarric.

    The secretary-general also “expresses solidarity with the Asian-American community in the United States of America,” the statement added.

  • UN chief pledges to make 2023 “a year of peace”

    UN chief pledges to make 2023 “a year of peace”

    United Nation (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on Monday, pledged to make 2023 “a year for peace” and a “year for action”, highlighting the need for practical solutions to a raft of pressing problems facing all regions of the world.

    Guterres who made the pledge at the end-of-year press conference at UN Headquarters, said “We owe it to people to find solutions, to fight back, and to act”.

    Building on his general call to action, Guterres announced that he would convene a Climate Ambition Summit in September 2023, and called on every leader to “step up – from governments, business, cities and regions, civil society and finance.”

    He said it would be “a no-nonsense summit. No exceptions. No compromises. There will be no room for back-sliders, greenwashers, blame-shifters or repackaging of announcements of previous years.”

    The UN chief said it would be convened alongside a General Assembly opening-week summit already in the calendar, designed to accelerate action at the halfway point towards the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    He said that although there might be “plenty of reasons for despair”, amid the Ukraine war, and associated cost-of-living crisis leaving the poorest nations on “debt row”, that was not an option.

    “This is not a time to sit on the sidelines, it is a time for resolve, determination, and – yes – even hope.

    “Because despite the limitations and long odds, we are working to push back against despair, to fight back against disillusion and to find real solutions.

    “Not perfect solutions – not even always pretty solutions – but practical solutions that are making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

    “Solutions that must put us on a pathway to a better, and more peaceful future.”

    He highlighted the deal just hours earlier, to halt the destruction of ecosystems worldwide, at the UN’s Biodiversity Conference, COP15.

    “We are finally starting to form a peace pact, with nature”, he said, urging all countries to deliver on their promises.

    Progress has been made on ending conflict in some of the world’s warzones, he said, pointing to the cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia, as another “reason for hope”, a by-product of “a rebirth of diplomacy.”

    There’s been progress in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo too, where armed groups have intensified the fight against Government troops, drawing in UN peacekeeping forces, and “a truce in Yemen has delivered real dividends for people”.

    Inspite of pledges made at COP27 in Egypt and the biodiversity deal, it is clear that overall, the battle to limit emissions to just a 1.5 degree increase above pre-industrial levels, is still “moving in the wrong direction”, with the global emissions gap is growing.

    “The 1.5 degree goal is gasping for breath. National climate plans are falling woefully short. And yet, we are not retreating. We are fighting back”, added the UN chief.

    He said the international community was now “fighting back to restore trust between North and South”, with a deal over the long-stalled issued of Loss and Damage, at COP27.

    Another positive step was taken during 2022 with the launch of an action plan to cover every person in the world with early warning systems, within the next five years.

    “Going forward, I will keep pushing for a Climate Solidarity Pact, in which all big emitters make an extra effort to reduce emissions this decade in line with the 1.5-degree goal and ensure support for those who need it.

    Without it, he warned, “the 1.5 degree goal will soon disappear. I have pulled no punches on the imperative for all of us to confront this existential threat. And I will not relent.”

  • Guterres appoints Nigerian Balogun-Alexander UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste

    Guterres appoints Nigerian Balogun-Alexander UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday announced the appointment of Ms Olufunmilayo Balogun-Alexander of Nigeria as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, with the host Government’s approval.

    Guterres, in a statement, stated that Balogun-Alexander’s appointment is with immediate effect as she takes up her post on Dec. 1, 2022.

    Balogun-Alexander has more than 30 years of experience working on and leading humanitarian, peace and development projects at a senior level within the United Nations and international NGOs.

    Prior to her appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Balogun-Alexander served as Head, Humanitarian Normative and Coordination Action, UN Women, where she led UN Women’s global response to humanitarian crises.

    She also supported UN Women Country Offices to strengthen gender mainstreaming in UN-led Humanitarian Coordinated response in crisis-affected countries.

    Before that, she worked as UN Women Country Representative to UN Women, Deputy Representative, UN Women Ethiopia, Director, External Relations and Advocacy, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region and Kenya Programme Manager for the UN Development Fund for Women.

    Balogun-Alexander led and supported multi-functional teams at the country level to be fit for purpose and to achieve impact and results, particularly on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

    She led UN inter-agency coordination to coordinate joint assessments, develop and implement joint UN programmes, including on gender-based violence, governance and protection, from sexual exploitation and abuse.

    The gender expert has coordinated national support and government priorities for development and social policy funding, including co-creating and driving solutions, including on contentious issues of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and minority groups to ensure that no one is left behind in achieving the SDGs.

    Balogun-Alexander has established and maintained strategic partnerships with governments, intergovernmental commissions, bilateral donors, media and the private sector for innovative funding and programmes.

    She has a master’s degree in Gender and Development from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK and a bachelor of arts degree in English from University of Lagos, Nigeria.

  • UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has decried the breakdown of trust between the global North and South at the ongoing 27th session of Conference of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

    Guterres in his remark at COP27 briefing on Thursday, said the breakdown in trust between North and South, and between developed and emerging economies was a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “This is no time for finger pointing. The blame game is a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “I am here to appeal to all parties to rise to this moment and to the greatest challenge facing humanity. The world is watching and has a simple message: stand and deliver,” said the UN scribe.

    Guterres urged the parties to deliver the kind of of meaningful climate action that people and the planet so desperately needed; as global emissions were at their highest level in history and still rising.

    “Climate impacts are decimating economies and societies and growing. We know what we need to do and we have the tools and resources to get it done.

    “And so I appeal to the parties to act in three critical areas. First, the most effective way to rebuild trust is by finding an ambitious and credible agreement on loss and damage and financial support to developing countries.

    “The time for talking on loss and damage finance is over. We need action. No one can deny the scale of loss and damage we see around the globe.

    “The world is burning and drowning before our eyes and I urge all parties to show that they see it and get it.

    “Send a clear signal that the voices of those on the frontlines of the crisis are finally being heard. Reflect the urgency, scale and enormity of the challenge faced by developing countries.

    “We cannot continue to deny climate justice to those who have contributed least to the climate crisis and are getting hurt the most. Now is a moment for solidarity, said the UN chief.

    He also appealed to all parties to forcefully address the huge emissions gap, noting that the 1.5 target was not simply about keeping a goal alive, but it’s about keeping people alive.

    “I see the will to keep to the 1.5 goal – but we must ensure that commitment is evident in the COP27 outcome. Fossil fuel expansion is hijacking humanity.

    “Any hope of meeting the 1.5 target requires a step change in emissions reductions. We cannot close the emissions gap without an acceleration in the deployment of renewables.

    “The Just Energy Transition Partnerships are important pathways to accelerate the phasing out of coal and the scaling up of renewables. This effort must be expanded,” he said.

    Guterres also called for the delivery of the $100 billion in the climate finance for developing countries by the developed world.

    The parties, he said must act on the crucial question of finance as it meant clarity on how the doubling of adaptation finance will be delivered through a credible roadmap.

    “We have agreed solutions in front of us to respond to loss and damage, to close the emissions gap, and to deliver on finance. The climate clock is ticking, and trust keeps eroding.

    “The parties at COP27 have a chance to make a difference here and now. I urge them to act — and act quickly,” the UN boss appealed.

  • UN Chief, Antonio Guterres says UN-AU collaboration best ever

    UN Chief, Antonio Guterres says UN-AU collaboration best ever

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has lauded the collaboration between the UN and the African Union (AU), describing it as the best ever, but warned that major challenges were imminent.

    Guterres said at a Security Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and the AU that in the 20 years since its creation, the African Union has shown its determination to work towards integration, peace, and prosperity on the continent.

    He said that collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger, but major challenges remain, including conflicts and unconstitutional government changes.

    The secretary-general said that for many Africans, climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality even though Africa barely contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions.

    “As we prepare for COP27 in Egypt next month, I urge leaders, especially from G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, to finally take the urgent action needed,” he said.

    “Developed countries must also make good on their commitments, starting with their pledge to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars a year for developing countries, and double funding for adaptation.”

    The UN chief said the climate conference must also deliver concrete action on loss and damage.

    “This is not just a matter of trust between developed and developing countries.
    “For many countries, and particularly in Africa, it is a question of survival.”

  • UN Secretary-General condemns attack on peacekeepers in DRC

    UN Secretary-General condemns attack on peacekeepers in DRC

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned Friday’s attack on UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which left one Pakistani blue helmet dead.

    “The secretary-general recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime under international law.

    “He calls on the Congolese authorities to investigate this incident and swiftly bring those responsible to justice,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, in a statement.

    The UN chief expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the government and people of Pakistan, said the statement.

    He reaffirmed that the United Nations will continue to support the Congolese government and people in their efforts to bring about peace and stability in the east of the country.

    Twirwaneho combatants were suspected to have carried out the attack against a Company Operating Base of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC in Minembwe of South Kivu province, according to the statement.

    The Twirwaneho militia is one of over 120 armed groups in volatile eastern DRC.

  • Turkish President Recep, UN’s Guterres travel to Ukraine to meet Zelensky

    Turkish President Recep, UN’s Guterres travel to Ukraine to meet Zelensky

    United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine on Thursday.

    Guterres arrived in Lviv on Wednesday evening, the UN said.

    The meeting, planned to take place in the western city of Lviv, will discuss efforts aimed at “ending the war between Ukraine and Russia through diplomatic channels,” among other topics, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

    The three leaders will also discuss maintaining Ukrainian grain exports to world markets, Ankara said.

    Guterres and Erdoğan helped bring Russia and Ukraine to an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain at the end of July, breaking a blockade on Ukrainian ports since Russia’s invasion in February.

    The UN chief is also scheduled to visit the joint coordination centre for monitoring grain exports across the Black Sea in Istanbul on Saturday.