UN: Ghana/COVAX, Human Rights, Myanmar & other topics - Daily Briefing (24 February 2021)

Official global announcement of the United Nations. The UN feature videos on a wide range of global topics including current news, peace and security, social and economic development, human rights, climate change and more.
Topic of this video: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Secretary-General - Secretary-General Call To Action For Human Rights - Myanmar - Rohingya - Yemen - FSO Safer - Central African Republic - WFP Tribute - Ghana - Mozambique - Mexico - Costa Rica - Colombia - Ecuador - Children/School Meals - Noon Briefing Guests - Financial Contribution SECRETARY-GENERAL The government of Portugal has written to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council, officially nominating António Guterres as a candidate for a second term as Secretary-General. The Secretary-General is grateful and humbled by this support and will do everything he can to be worthy of that trust. SECRETARY-GENERAL CALL TO ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Earlier today, the Secretary-General, in a briefing on his Call to Action for Human Rights, said in the General Assembly, the health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly turned into an economic crisis, a humanitarian crisis, and a human rights crisis. He added that we now have a unique and historic opportunity to forge a world where every person is afforded dignity; where every society can withstand crises; and where everyone’s future is built upon a foundation of inalienable rights. He listed progress accomplished since the Call to Action was launched last year, but he said that our enduring challenge is to transform the promise of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into real-world change on the ground. Transformative change will take the full commitment and support from everyone, he added. MYANMAR The UN team in Myanmar is gravely concerned that the recent events will jeopardize the COVID-19 vaccination effort that is underway. Our colleagues say that Myanmar had developed a robust, meticulous national deployment and vaccination plan. It had already vaccinated 105,000 health workers as of 31 January. Also on Myanmar, the UNICEF team in the country said today that it is alarmed by the continued use of excessive force against children by security forces during ongoing demonstrations. Earlier this week, on February 22nd, a five-year-old child was seriously wounded in Kachin State when he was reportedly shot by a member of security forces using a slingshot. As we told you earlier this week, a child was killed by security forces in Mandalay over the weekend. UNICEF is once again calling on security forces to refrain from violence, to exercise maximum restraint and for differences to be resolved through constructive and peaceful means, prioritizing the protection and safety of children and young people. ROHINGYA There are reports that a ship carrying Rohingya refugees is in distress in the Andaman Sea. The International Organization for Migration today called on countries in the region to meet their international obligations and to ensure that all people onboard are immediately rescued and safely disembarked. The vessel has been at sea for more than 10 days and there has reportedly been loss of life on board. IOM once again stresses that saving lives must be a top priority and that a lasting regional solution to a regional problem must be found. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=24%20February%202021


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