Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

**Guest

Good afternoon. We are delighted to be joined virtually by our friend, Máximo Torero, who, as you well know, is the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Chief Economist. He is briefing on the launch of the State of Food Security and Nutrition 2026 Report, co-authored by FAO, by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) and of course the World Food Programme (WFP).

Joining online, as I mentioned, is Pieternel Boogaard, from IFAD, who is the Managing Director in the Office of Technical Delivery; and Jean-Martin Bauer, from WFP, who is the Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis. Maximo will present the report, and then all three of them will be available to take questions. So please Maximo, go ahead.

[Guest briefing not transcribed.]

**Trip Announcement/Syria

Let's get down to business. I think you saw that this morning, we issued a note on the Secretary-General's upcoming travel to Syria. He will arrive in Syria later this week at the invitation of the Government of Syria. In Damascus, he is scheduled to meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as other Government officials, including the Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani.

This will be António Guterres' first visit to Syria as Secretary-General of the United Nations. Throughout his stay in Syria, he will reaffirm the United Nations' commitment to supporting the Syrian Government and the Syrian people at this defining period in the country's history. He will also underscore the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty, its unity, and its territorial integrity.

The visit will offer the Secretary-General an opportunity to witness both the hope and the challenges of the political transition and recovery, as well as the impact of the enduring of years of conflict. During the visit, he will hear first-hand from representatives of Syrian civil society, women's organizations and diverse communities. While in Syria, the Secretary-General also plans to visit our colleagues from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). We will continue to keep you informed with details of the visit as it happens.

**Security Council

This morning, the Security Council also met to discuss Syria. Claudio Cordone, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, briefed from Damascus and told Council members that despite the challenges, the opportunities for Syria are indeed real.

He said the past month has demonstrated both the opportunities and the fragility of Syria's transition. He told Council members that important institutional milestones have been reached, but building confidence will require an effective and balanced system of governance, with the meaningful participation by women and all components of Syrian society, continued progress on accountability and transitional justice, and tangible improvements in the daily lives of the Syrian people. Mr. Cordone also reiterated our support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, adding that sustained commitment from the international community, including the Security Council, remains critical.

Also briefing was our colleague Edem Wosornu, who, as you know, is the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Director of the Crisis Response Division. She also briefed on the humanitarian situation in the country. Since December 2024, she said, some 1.7 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned to their communities, but recovery is not measured only by how many people return. It is measured by whether they can stay, whether they can rebuild and whether they can survive.

For many families in the country, she said, daily life continues to be defined by difficult choices and uncertainty. She asked Council members for sustained and predictable humanitarian funding, investments in the foundations of recovery and finally, she called on them to prevent further instability, protect civilians and preserve humanitarian access. Those remarks have been shared with you.

Also staying on Syria, there will be an Arria-formula meeting of the Security Council on transitional justice and the issue of missing people in Syria. Our friend, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, will be briefing. He will stress that justice and inclusivity, centred on victims, survivors and the families of the missing, are essential to rebuilding trust and securing a more peaceful future for all Syrians. His remarks will be shared with you and posted online.

**Middle East

Staying in the region, I can tell you that the Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the continuing and expanding military escalation between Iran and the United States over the past few days. The crisis has already affected Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, placing pressure on trade systems, placing pressure on humanitarian access, on transport costs, and the prices of fuel and basic commodities in those countries and beyond.

The Secretary-General is particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a nuclear power plant under construction and a desalination plant, and also across the region. We've seen attacks on power plants and desalination plants in Kuwait and other places. Such attacks are unacceptable and must stop immediately.

The Secretary-General reiterates once again that there is no military solution to the current conflict, and he calls for intensifying diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful and durable settlement. Such a settlement should include the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Vital infrastructure on which civilians rely for survival, including hospitals and water supplies, must be spared. All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.

**Senior Appointment

I was just given a senior appointment. Today, the Secretary-General has appointed Damien Mama of Benin as his Ad Interim Deputy Special Representative for the Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Ad Interim Resident Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator. Triple-hatted, as we call them. Mr. Mama takes up this ad interim appointment following the departure of Bruno Lemarquis of France, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his leadership and dedicated commitment to advancing humanitarian and development efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Mama brings more than 25 years of experience in development, humanitarian affairs, peace operations and strategic leadership across Africa. His last post was Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

**Lebanon

Back to the Middle East and Lebanon, our humanitarian colleagues on the ground tell us that many displaced families still cannot return home safely due to continued attacks, with more than 400,000 human beings still displaced across Lebanon. That includes 30,000 people living in collective shelters.

Our partners continue to report that displaced families still have significant humanitarian needs. During recent visits to collective shelters, families described to our colleagues worsening shelter conditions, reduced access to water and hygiene services, and limited opportunities to earn an income. Many also said they are increasingly relying on borrowing funds to meet basic needs, including the purchase of essential medicines.

Families have also said that repeated attempts to return home have often been reversed due to insecurity, damaged infrastructure and limited access to basic services back in their home areas. Many also reported challenges accessing adequate water, nutrition and other basic services, for children. We reiterate that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, humanitarian assistance must be sustained and facilitated for families to be able to return home safely and in dignity.

**Sudan

Turning to Sudan: A quick update on the activities of Pekka Haavisto, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan. He concluded this week a four-day visit to Uganda, during which he met with President Yoweri Museveni and other senior Ugandan officials. During their meeting, Mr. Haavisto and the President discussed recent developments in Sudan, obviously, ongoing mediation efforts and the refugee situation. Mr. Haavisto also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining close cooperation with Uganda and the region with a view to helping end the conflict in Sudan. While in Uganda, Mr. Haavisto also met with Sudanese political actors and representatives of Sudanese civil society, including women's groups, youth groups, refugees and members of resistance committees.

**Occupied Palestinian Territory

I should have included this after Lebanon, but I'll go to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Our colleagues at OCHA tell us that, over the past few days, several people have reportedly been killed and injured in the Gaza Strip. Last Friday, seven people were reportedly killed and others injured in an Israeli drone strike outside a grocery store, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp. The strike coincided with mourners leaving a nearby funeral prayer, when the area was crowded. Again, we condemn all killings of civilians.

Earlier last week, on Wednesday, a teacher was injured after reportedly being shot by a bullet fired by Israeli forces while she was working inside a temporary learning space, just west of Khan Younis. According to our partners supporting education, some 26 education-related incidents have been reported since the beginning of the year. OCHA reiterates that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.

Despite persistent insecurity issues and despite severe operational constraints, our humanitarian partners are continuing to restore and expand access to basic education wherever possible, after more than two years of prolonged disruption to learning.

During the first half of this year, our partners helped 435,000 pre-primary and school-aged children, including approximately 9,300 children with disabilities, get access to structured learning through 610 temporary learning spaces. Around 344,000 children also received essential learning and teaching materials.

Our partners also supported 11,000 teachers and education personnel through initiatives focused on education in emergencies, disability-inclusive programming, quality learning and safe learning environments.

Yesterday, our Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Susanne Tkalec, met with the leadership of the Emirati Hospital in Rafah to discuss practical solutions for strengthening medical waste management in Gaza. They discussed addressing risks linked to the safe collection, handling and disposal of medical waste, which is a big problem. This amid continued pressure on health facilities throughout the Gaza Strip.

Further on the health front, the World Health Organization and its partners yesterday supported the medical evacuation of nine child patients and their 15 companions to Jordan, as well as one adult patient and a companion to Türkiye. Since October 2023, 12,700 patients, including 6,163 children, have been evacuated abroad to more than 30 countries for treatment. Many more people need to be evacuated from Gaza to receive medical help they cannot get currently there.

**Afghanistan

Quick update from Afghanistan, where our humanitarian colleagues are responding to the impact of heavy rainfall and flash flooding that hit certain parts of the east of the country yesterday. Preliminary reports indicate that more than 40 people were killed, dozens were injured and many remain missing. The flooding also caused extensive damage to homes, public buildings and businesses.

Search-and-rescue operations are continuing in the worst-affected areas, while we and our humanitarian partners are conducting assessments and planning for the response. Our immediate humanitarian priorities include emergency shelter, food assistance, health services, essential household items and psychosocial support.

Mobile health teams have already been deployed, health facilities have been placed on alert, and additional medical, nutrition and food supplies are being mobilized. Our OCHA colleagues are coordinating with partners and local authorities, though damaged roads and difficult terrain make the response that much more difficult.

**Rwanda

In Rwanda, we and our humanitarian partners are continuing to support Government-led efforts to strengthen preparedness measures against Ebola. While no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Rwanda, the country remains at risk due to its proximity to affected areas and the movement of people across borders. The Government, supported by ourselves and our humanitarian partners, has developed a national Ebola preparedness plan, which calls for $40 million.

We are supporting their work in surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, water and sanitation, and risk communication. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated $2 million last week to support these efforts.

**Venezuela

In Venezuela, nearly four weeks after the devastating earthquakes that struck the country, our OCHA colleagues tell us that we and our partners are doing all we can to scale up support for impacted communities, as needs remain significant in the areas hardest hit by the disaster. Our estimates are that some 117,000 people have been reached with critical aid so far, including nearly 42,000 in La Guaira, the worst-affected state. Water, sanitation and hygiene support makes up the largest share of the assistance that's been provided.

We and our humanitarian partners are providing vital relief through five temporary camps in La Guaira, as well as in surrounding communities. Since the onset of the emergency, WFP has reached 97,000 people with food assistance, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reached more than 8,200 people through shelter, site coordination, health, protection and other services.

Meanwhile, our partners supporting healthcare, including the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), are coordinating the response of emergency medical teams. To date, 16 such teams have been deployed, providing consultations and treatment, including some 250 surgeries, to more than 17,000 people. Once again, we call on the international community to show solidarity and help fund our humanitarian appeal, which includes a six-month plan to assist 1.3 million people impacted by the earthquakes. The appeal is less than 40 per cent funded.

**Mauritania

We and our colleagues at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are deeply saddened and concerned at reports that 144 human beings are either dead or missing as a result of the tragic maritime accidents off the coast of Mauritania last week. UNHCR, national authorities and humanitarian partners were there at three rescue and disembarkation operations which took place last week; 387 people were safely brought out.

It's a stark reminder that, despite sustained efforts by coastal authorities and humanitarian partners to save lives, the route from West Africa towards the Canary Islands is one of the world's deadliest mixed movement corridors, with refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe facing the highest risk.

Against this backdrop, the rescues in Mauritania, as we have said here many times, demonstrate that concerted efforts need to be targeted toward creating alternatives to dangerous sea crossing, including meaningful and quicker access to legal pathways, as well as increased labour and education opportunities. Speaking of educational opportunities, Edie, waiting to be taught.

**Questions and Answers

Question: Thank you, Steph. Two questions. First, is the Secretary-General personally involved in trying to promote a restoration of diplomacy in the Iran conflict?

Spokesman: I think his message, both publicly and privately, is the same through contacts he's had, contacts that his Personal Envoy, Jean Arnault, has had and continues to have, is that we are teetering, right? We do not want to see a return to a full-scale conflict. We're seeing the price of commodities rise again. I think our friends from the food agencies gave a pretty sober assessment of food security in the world currently, and I think it is incumbent on the Secretary-General and all parties to do whatever they can to push for a return to diplomacy, and we're very thankful at the mediating lead that Pakistan has taken, assisted by others in that regard.

Question: Has he been speaking to any leaders that you can tell us about?

Spokesman: I have nothing to share with you at this point.

Question: And my second question is, is the Secretary-General planning any other stops in the Middle East after he's in Syria?

Spokesman: Nothing to share with you on that. As you will recall, we had announced the trip to Cyprus, which will take place in the same calendar zone as the trip to Syria. Gabriel?

Question: Thanks, Steph. On the conflict in the Gulf, just some more specifics. Did the Secretary-General receive the letter from the Permanent Representative from Qatar in the last 24 hours, and does he have any specific reaction to it?

Spokesman: I know we've received a number of letters which have been circulated. The letters will be answered, but obviously, the Secretary-General, as we said, is extremely concerned by the attacks we've seen on civilian infrastructure in places like Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and other places, as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Question: And you said that the Secretary-General does not want to return to full-scale hostilities, I think was the word?

Spokesman: Whatever word you want to use.

Question: Similar, right?

Spokesman: You get the picture.

Question: Fair point. My question is, how do you define that? We've had bombing by the United States on Iran for 10 straight days now, in some way, shape or form, including some from Iran to other regional countries. How do you define when we get to that point?

Spokesman: Listen, I think, Gabriel, yours is a fair point as well, right? It's a moving line. Do we call this a full return to war? Could it be worse? Could it be better? Clearly. But, I think we've seen since the start of the conflict, we have seen periods of much higher-intensity kinetic activity involving more countries, right? We do not want to go back to that. We do need to see a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, based on the historical freedom of navigation that should exist. Yes, please, Sinan.

Question: Thank you, Steph. I have a question regarding the SG's visit to Syria. You said he's going to meet diverse communities, and I was wondering if he's going to meet these diverse communities in Damascus, or is he going to, for example, the coastal area, meet the Alawite communities, and in the south, in the north-east?

Spokesman: I think most of his meetings will take place in the greater Damascus area. The Secretary-General, or I should say António Guterres, has a long history with Syria. As High Commissioner for Refugees, he spent a lot of time there, a number of visits, also to, at the point back then, to thank the Syrian people for their generosity in hosting many Iraqi refugees. I think if it was up to him, he would go to a lot of different places, but obviously the constraints and security constraints, especially that exist, will really limit him, for the most part, to the greater Damascus area, but he hopes to meet as many representatives that reflect the diversity of Syria. Okay, anybody online? Okay.

Question: Yes, me, Stefano. Thank you, Stéphane.

Spokesman: Mr. Vaccaro, please.

Question: Yes, I hope they didn't ask you this question before. But, Mayor [Zohran] Mamdani has recently declared that he's looking into the possibility that the NYPD could arrest the Premier of Israel, [Benjamin] Netanyahu, when he's coming in September. Again, then President [Donald J.] Trump said this absolutely is not going to happen. So, what is the position of… can your hear me?

Spokesman: I can hear you. I'm just waiting for you to finish your question.

Question: What is the position of the Secretary-General on this kind of debate in the possibility or not that the Premier Netanyahu could be arrested in New York?

Spokesman: We will not get in between the debate between our host Mayor and the President of our Host Country at this point.

Question: Yes, but there is any, I don't know, what is the preparation, okay, for when the Premier of Israel or any leader of a country come to the UN, right? There is any advice that the UN gives them to do or not to do when they are in the city?

Spokesman: We do not tell our visiting dignitaries where they should go, what they should do outside of the UN. We let them do their own programme. We are responsible for them while they are inside the United Nations. The rest is a coordination of a mix of federal, state, and city authorities. So, I would encourage you to ask any one of those entities outside of the gates of this place. Okay, thank you all.