Depictions Media

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh holds a news conference in St. John’s as he continues his tour of the Atlantic provinces. He takes aim at the cost of food in Newfoundland and Labrador and outlines his party’s plan to lower grocery bills across the country. Singh is joined by Mary Shortall, the NDP candidate for St. John’s East.

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Press briefing by Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and David Gressly, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, on the FSO Safer tanker.

The United Nations has started pumping oil off the decaying vessel FSO Safer, moored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast, averting a potential spill and environmental disaster, Steiner and Gressly informed.

Briefing journalists in New York on Tuesday (25 July) via video, Steiner and Gressly marked the milestone but warned it’s the beginning of a long process.

Steiner said, “Years and months of preparation for the salvage operation of the FSO Safer lay behind us. Many challenges and hurdles. But, as of this morning, we are pleased to report that the pumps are on. The pipes have been laid between the FSO Safer and Yemen, the replacement tanker, and the first gallons of oil have been pumped off the SAFER onto Yemen.”

The UNDP Chief said the team involved was “very relieved” that “the operation of pumping oil has finally begun.” But, Steiner warned, “This is just another step in this highly complex operation that ultimately will lead to the emptying of the tanks, then the cleaning of the tanks, then the towing away, and the sound and ecologically and socially responsible scrapping of the FSO Safer, and the delivery of a convoy.”

Speaking to journalists from a ship supporting the operation, Gressly said, “As you know, there are over a million barrels of oil on board, so this is going to take some time to finish. We will know shortly how much we have moved today. They're taking the sounding readings as we speak to see what quantity was moved. But we do expect that this will take approximately 19 days to move the 1.1 million barrels off of the vessel.”

The Resident Coordinator noted that “the broader coalition working to prevent the catastrophe includes countless individuals and organizations that provided invaluable expertise and in-kind support.” Gressly added, “It includes environmental groups like Greenpeace and private companies like the Fahem Group that propose the initiative that was the basis for the plan we're implementing today. I think this also shows the breadth of knowledge of the operation of the concern and the threat that this vessel presented.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday rebuked the Florida Board of Education’s new standards for how Black history will be taught in schools, calling it an effort by extremist leaders to spread propaganda.

Speaking in Jacksonville, Harris said the recently approved curriculum, which suggests some slaves reaped benefits from the skills they acquired during forced labor, was based on a policy intent on misleading children.

"They want to replace history with lies," Harris said. "These extremist, so-called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach if we really are invested in the well being of our children. Instead, they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America. We're not supposed to do that.

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Yesterday, WHO and UNICEF published new data which show promising signs that immunization services are rebounding in some countries after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, 4 million more children received immunizations than in 2021.

This is encouraging news, but large gaps remain, and global and regional averages mask severe and persistent inequities, especially in low-income countries.

More than 20 million children missed out on one or more vaccines last year, and almost 15 million missed out entirely.

While these numbers are lower than 2021, they’re still higher than pre-pandemic levels.

We’re still falling behind with our targets to reach children with measles, HPV, yellow fever and many other vaccines, risking outbreaks and suffering as a result of diseases that can be easily prevented.

Of the 75 countries with substantial declines in immunization, only 15 have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with the rest stagnant or even declining further.

Most concerningly, low-income countries are not yet showing signs of recovery.

In response, WHO, UNICEF and other partners have launched the Big Catch-up, working with the most-affected countries to catch-up, recover, and strengthen immunization infrastructure.

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This week, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate the pandemic accord is holding its sixth meeting.

Next week, the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations will hold its fourth meeting.

As the negotiations of both processes are entering a critical stage, with less than a year to finalize their work, later this week the two groups will hold their first joint meeting. The meeting will be webcast.

The groups will discuss topics including the definition and declaration of a public health emergency of international concern, and a pandemic.

However, just as mis- and disinformation undermined the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so mis- and disinformation is undermining these efforts to keep the world safer from future pandemics.

20 years ago, the tobacco industry tried to undermine negotiations on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The same thing is happening now. Groups with vested interests are claiming falsely that the accord is a power grab by WHO, and that it will stymie innovation and research.

Both claims are completely false.

I need to put this plainly: those who peddle lies about this historic agreement are endangering the health and safety of future generations.

If two companies sign a business contract, and use lawyers to help them develop it, that doesn’t give the lawyers control over the contract, nor make them a party to it.

It’s the same here. The pandemic accord is an agreement between countries, and WHO is helping them to develop that agreement.

But WHO will not be a party to the agreement. As the countries themselves have pointed out repeatedly, this is an agreement between countries, and countries alone.

This accord aims to address the lack of solidarity and equity that hampered the global response to COVID-19.

It’s a historic opportunity for the world to learn the painful lessons COVID-19 taught us, and make the world safer for generations to come.

===

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of addressing the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.

I made the point that the global economy and global health are inextricably linked, as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated.

And of course, pandemics are far from the only threat to health and economies.

Every day, diseases, conditions and injuries incur huge costs to governments, in terms of health sector spending and lost productivity.

Many of these diseases, conditions and injuries could be prevented at a fraction of the cost of dealing with their consequences.

Investments in health are therefore an economic no-brainer. If they were bonds, they would be rated triple-A.

It’s time to rethink financing for health.

It’s time to see health not as a cost, but an investment;

Not as a consumptive sector, but a productive sector – as the anchor for more inclusive, more equitable and more prosperous societies and economies.

Over the past three years, the G20 has played an important role in bringing together finance and health to respond to COVID-19, and to strengthen the global architecture for pandemic preparedness.

I appreciate especially the G20’s leadership in establishing the Joint Finance-Health Task Force, which is supporting countries to identify and mitigate economic vulnerabilities, and finance pandemic response.

WHO is proud to host the Task Force secretariat, with the support of our partners at the World Bank.

On the other hand, it’s concerning that at this meeting, G20 countries were not able to reach agreement on debt relief for low-income countries.

The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the world’s poorest countries. The burden of debt will keep them in a cycle of poverty, and prevent them from making the investments in health that could help to fuel their recovery and growth.

Just as the world’s largest economies have taken action to protect the world from pandemics, we call on them to demonstrate solidarity by taking action on debt relief to protect the world from poverty.

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One of the biggest contributors to keeping people trapped in poverty is the lack of rehabilitation services for those who need them.

For most people, rehabilitation services, including assistive technologies, are often out-of-pocket expenses that they cannot afford.

Ensuring access to quality rehabilitation services, without financial hardship, is an essential part of every country’s journey towards universal health coverage.

Last week, WHO launched the World Rehabilitation Alliance, a global network focused on promoting rehabilitation as an integral part of universal health coverage.

The World Rehabilitation Alliance is a powerful demonstration of the collaborative spirit of the rehabilitation community and the importance of bringing together the voices of many stakeholders to promote one message.

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Many countries in the northern hemisphere are now experiencing extreme heat, driven by the El Nino weather pattern and climate change.

Two weeks ago we saw the hottest day on record.

Extreme heat takes the greatest toll on those least able to manage its consequences, such as older people, infants and children, and the poor and homeless.

It also puts increased pressure on health systems.

Exposure to excessive heat has wide ranging impacts for health, often amplifying pre-existing conditions and resulting in premature death and disability.

In collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization, WHO is supporting countries to develop Heat Health Action Plans to coordinate preparedness and reduce the impacts of excessive heat on health.

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Now to Poland, which has notified WHO of an unusual outbreak of 29 cases of H5N1 avian influenza in cats.

The source of exposure is unknown and investigations are ongoing.

No human contacts have so far reported symptoms, and the surveillance period for all contacts is now complete.

WHO assesses the risk of human infection as low for the general population, and low to moderate for cat owners and vets, without the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Infection of cats with H5N1 has been reported before, but this is the first report of high numbers of infected cats over a wide geographical area.

WHO continues to monitor the situation, in close collaboration with partners and the government of Poland.

H5N1 is of particular concern because it is known to be highly dangerous to humans, although it has never been shown to be easily transmissible between people.

This outbreak is another example of the continued circulation and risk of H5N1, which since last year has caused increased outbreaks in central and south America.

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Finally, a reminder that although COVID-19 is over as a global health emergency, it remains a global health threat.

Cases and deaths continue to be reported from around the world.

And although people are better protected by vaccination and prior infection, this is not an excuse to let down our guard.

WHO continues to advise people at high risk to wear a mask in crowded places, to get boosters when recommended, and to ensure adequate ventilation indoors.

And we urge governments to maintain and not dismantle the systems they built for COVID-19:

To continue to conduct surveillance and report, to track variants, to provide early clinical care, to provide boosters for the most at-risk groups, to improve ventilation, and to communicate regularly.

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Media Stakeout by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Speaking to journalists outside the General Assembly, Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said, “Yesterday, when I had a meeting with the Secretary-General, ahead of his phone conversation with President Zelenskyy, we literally discussed all possible options with him.”
He continued, “And he instructed relevant departments of the Secretariat to consider possible viable options.”

Kuleba concluded, “So less than 48 hours since Russia withdrew from The Grain Initiative, we are literally still looking into every possible option. We're doing it in Kyiv, our partners are doing it in Brussels, in Washington, here at the headquarters, in Ankara. Everyone is looking for the way out.”

BLACK SEA INITIATIVE
This morning, the Secretary-General said that he deeply regrets the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative – including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwest part of the Black Sea.
He noted that this Initiative has ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tonnes of food commodities from Ukrainian ports.
The Initiative, he said, together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers, has been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world.
He said that participation in these agreements is a choice, but struggling people everywhere, especially in developing countries don’t have a choice. He warned that hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis, including food prices.
He said he was deeply disappointed that his proposals went unheeded, adding that today’s decision by the Russian Federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere. But he will not stop and United Nations will not stop our efforts to facilitate unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

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The Secretary General praised the President, the Ukrainian people, the armed forces and the political leadership for their courage and determination since the beginning of Russia’s war. “NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes,” he said.

The establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council is part of a three-part package of support bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. The Council will act as a forum “where Ukraine and NATO Allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations, and jointly take decisions,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

The package also includes a multi-year programme of assistance to help the Ukrainian armed forces transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards and become fully interoperable with Allied forces.

Allies have also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. “This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process,” said the Secretary General, adding: “we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met.” This is “a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership,” he added.

Mr Stoltenberg further stressed the need for “credible arrangements” to be in place to ensure Ukraine’s security when the war ends, welcoming the plan of many Allies to commit to providing long-term security assurance to Ukraine. “This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends,” he said, adding that it complements the support provided by NATO.

“The decisions made here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine. Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as Allies,” Mr Stoltenberg concluded.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

President Zelenskyy, dear Volodymyr,
Welcome to NATO, it is great to see you again.

Always a pleasure to meet with you.
And it is a true honour to have you here at the NATO Summit.

When President Putin invaded Ukraine last year,
he underestimated the bravery of the Ukrainian people, the courage of the Ukrainian forces, and the determination of the Ukrainian political leadership.

But he also underestimated the unity and strength of the NATO Alliance. NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes.

NATO Allies have provided tens of billions of dollars in support over the past year. And now we have agreed a three part package bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.

A multi-year programme of practical assistance establishing a new NATO-Ukraine council, and the reaffirming that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and removing the requirement for the Membership Action Plan.

Our new multi-year programme of assistance for Ukraine will help you transition from Soviet era to NATO equipment and standards. And will make Ukraine’s forces fully interoperable within NATO.

The inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine council will start in a few minutes. This is a forum where Ukraine and NATO Allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations and jointly take decisions.

Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan.

This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. And we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met.

This is a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership.

We must ensure that, when this war ends, there are credible arrangements in place for Ukraine’s security. So that history does not repeat itself.

I therefore welcome that many Allies will today commit to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine. This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends.

And it complements the support provided by NATO.

The decisions made here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine.

Today we meet as equals, I look forward to the day we meet as Allies.

And again, a very warm welcome to you.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks with reporters as Canada's premiers gather in Winnipeg for the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation from July 10 to 12. Affordability issues, improving health care, Canada's competitiveness, and economic growth are the focus of the meeting, which is being chaired by Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson in her capacity as current head of the Council of the Federation

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Announcing priorities of the United Kingdom for its presidency of the Security Council for the month of July, Permanent Representative Barbara Woodward said, “we'll be bringing artificial intelligence to the Security Council for the very first time with our signature event this month.”

Speaking to journalists on Monday (3 July), Barbara Woodward, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of July, said, “A second pressing issue of today, of course, is conflict related sexual violence, and this will be the subject of our second signature event, our ministerial level open debate.”

She continued, “We've talked a lot about it and you know that sexual violence has been recognized as an international war crime for over a hundred years.” Woodward noted, “Yet we've seen this appalling crime repeatedly in recent conflicts, including in Myanmar, in Syria, in the DRC and now in Ukraine by Russian forces.”

The Ambassador also noted that this Friday (7 July) the Security Council will talk about the question of cross border humanitarian aid to Syria. She said, “As some of you know, last month, I went to visit the border myself. I saw the overwhelming level of humanitarian need, and that is, of course, since the earthquake in February, it has intensified and the resolution on this was in January in the Council.”

The Permanent Representative said, “On the 17th of July, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, will chair the Council's regular briefing on Ukraine as Russia's illegal invasion enters its 17 month. We've said it several times in the Council, but Russia's invasion is clearly also a calculated assault on the UN Charter and the values and principles it stands for.”

She continued, “Many of you have seen that in the past 17 months, Russia has sought to abuse its position on the Council to legitimise the war and disrupt Council’s activity as a distraction.”

Woodward added, “So as President of the Council, we will consult closely with Council members to ensure the Council's time is used productively.”

Speaking about Security Council reform, the Permanent Representative added, “We want to see expansion of the Council's permanent seats to include India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, and African representation.”

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NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERS (NATO)
Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of senior officials from Türkiye, Sweden and Finland on Thursday 6 July 2023 at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

From the Unitenations

During the briefing, O'Neill underscores the detrimental impact of weak accountability and rampant corruption on the state institutions in Haiti. The resulting failure to protect human rights has led to a loss of confidence among the population. He stresses the urgent need for effective governance and strengthened oversight mechanisms to improve the human rights situation.

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In Somalia, South Sudan, and parts of Kenya, WHO teams are seeing the highest levels of severely malnourished children arriving in health facilities since the crisis began 3 years ago.

Over 10 million children under 5 years are facing acute malnutrition in 2023.

While drought has given way to heavy rain and flooding, the situation remains extremely difficult, and hunger levels are expected to remain high.

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