Ethiopia, Climate Change, Paris Peace Forum & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (11 November 2

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
-Secretary-General/Climate Change
-Secretary General/Paris Peace Forum
-Ethiopia
-Yemen
-Afghanistan
-Guinea
-Belarus-Poland Border
-Covax Update
-FAO/Food Outlook
-UN Refugee Agency Mid-Year Trends Report
-Noon Briefing Guests Tomorrow
-Financial Contribution


SECRETARY-GENERAL/CLIMATE CHANGE
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the Global Climate Action High-Level Event at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in in Glasgow.
He said the announcements made in Scotland are encouraging – but they are far from enough.
He underscored that the emissions gap remains a devastating threat and the finance and adaptation gap represent a glaring injustice for the developing world.
He called for more ambitious future revised Nationally Determined Contributions and for implementation of the countries’ pledges.
He also said that he was inspired by the mobilization of civil society, the moral voice of young people and the dynamism and example of indigenous communities.
Governments need to pick up the pace and show the necessary ambition on mitigation, adaptation and finance in a balanced way. He said we cannot settle for the lowest common denominator.
He also met with more leaders on the sidelines of COP, including Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the European Commission; a group of mayors; and ministers from Russia and China.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/PARIS PEACE FORUM
The Secretary-General is also about to speak, via pre-recorded video message, to the Paris Peace Forum.
He will say at a time when fractures are greatly threatening the world, he will encourage leaders to engage in dialogue and conflict prevention. He will also call for greater solidarity as the only way to heal the great fractures of this world.

ETHIOPIA
On the situation in northern Ethiopia: Our humanitarian colleagues say that people in Amhara need shelter, food, and water, as well as medicines and protection, as fighting in Amhara has led to many people being newly displaced from Dessie, Kombolcha, Baati, Kamissie and other areas in Amhara.
Tens of thousands of internally displaced people have reportedly registered in the city of Debre Berhan, with many people taking shelter in two schools there.
Thousands of people are also reportedly displaced from Chifra and Ada’ar in Afar as well. The majority of these people are women and children, once again.
As you know, the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid has been hampered by lack of access due to insecurity. Electricity and telecommunications have also been cut in Dessie and Kombolcha in Amhara province since October 30th. In Amhara, some 915,000 people have received food assistance and nearly 160,000 people have received shelter and other items since August.
No UN-organized humanitarian supplies have arrived in Tigray through the Semera-Abala-Mekelle route since October 18th. In Semera, 364 trucks are on hold, pending authorization from the authorities to proceed.
The continuing fuel and cash shortage is significantly affecting our partners’ ability to transport supplies, including food. The lack of essential medical equipment, supplies, and vaccines across the whole of Tigray is also seriously impacting the availability of health care.
Humanitarian partners remain in Tigray and aim to deliver assistance with available resources.
Between October 28th and November 3rd, some 112,000 people received food in Tigray, which is well below the average of 870,000 people who should be assisted each week.
Throughout the country, humanitarian operations face a funding gap of $1.3 billion, including $350 million for the response in Tigray alone.

Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/conte....nt/noon-briefing-hig