Olympics, Cyprus, Madagascar & Other Topics - Daily Press Briefing (22 July 2021)

Noon briefing by Florencia Soto Nino, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Highlights:
- Deputy Secretary-General/Rome
- Olympics
- Cyprus
- Ethiopia
- Madagascar

Olympics
The Summer Olympics are beginning in just a few more hours in Tokyo, and the Secretary-General, in a video message for the opening ceremony, said that he is proud to salute the world’s Olympic athletes and thankful to the people of Japan.
He said that the Olympic spirit brings out humanity’s best: Teamwork and solidarity, talent and tolerance.
The Secretary-General said that we are all in mourning for those lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Every athlete in Tokyo has overcome enormous obstacles and demonstrated great determination, he said, adding that if we bring that same energy to our global challenges, we can achieve anything.

Cyprus
In a statement, the Secretary-General expressed its deep concern about the announcements made on the 20th of July by the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey regarding a further opening of the fenced-off town of Varosha. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that provoke tensions and that may compromise the ongoing efforts to seek common ground between the parties towards a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue.   
The position of the UN on Varosha remains unchanged and is guided by the relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Secretary-General calls on all sides to refrain from any unhelpful actions and to engage in dialogue to bring peace and prosperity to the island through a comprehensive settlement.

Madagascar
In Madagascar, hundreds of thousands of people continue to suffer from one of the worst droughts the southern region of the country has faced in more than 40 years. The severe lack of rains and sandstorms have made it nearly impossible for farmers to grow their own food, leaving at least 1.31 million people—nearly two in every five people in the Grand Sud — severely food insecure.
The UN Resident Coordinator for the country, Issa Sanogo, recently visited the Grand Sud region with Government officials to see the situation first-hand, and said that where joint interventions have taken place, results are promising. However, needs will rise further as we enter the lean season if urgent action is not taken now.

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