SG Travels: SG Ban Ki-moon landed in Jakarta, Indonesia today on his way to Timor-Leste. This morning in Seoul, the Secretary-General had a number of meetings related to sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals (unfortunately, no statements were issued).
Amos lands in Syria: Valerie Amos, the USG for Humanitarian Affairs, arrived in Syria today, starting a three-day mission to draw attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the impact of the conflict on civilians caught up in the fighting. She met with the Syrian Prime Minister and Head of the UN Mission, General Babacar Gaye, in Damascus today. There has been no announcement regarding the new appointment of a Joint Special Envoy.
Somalia: The SG is “seriously concerned” about delays in the selection of the new Somali Parliament, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson late yesterday. He noted that recent acts of intimidation and violence should not continue or be allowed to threaten the successful conclusion of Somalia’s transition, which is mandated to do so by August 20.
New USG: Today, the SG announced the appointment of Gyan Chandra Acharya of Nepal as Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
World Humanitarian Day: The UN’s World Humanitarian Day campaign, highlighting the work of the world’s humanitarian workers, has reached its “first milestone” – 100 million people through social media so far – on its way towards one billion, which it aims to reach by the day on August 19. Beyonce performed her song written for the day, “I Was Here,” in the General Assembly on Friday.
UNAMID: In response to a question about the status of Ibrahim Gambari, the Deputy Spokesperson said that Mr. Gambari tendered his resignation from the posts of UN Mission in Darfur’s (UNAMID) Joint Special Representative and Joint Chief Mediator, effective 31 July. The announcement of Mr. Gambari’s successor will take place once consultations have been finalized; Ms. Aichatou Mindaoudou, the Deputy Joint Special Representative (Political), has been appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Mission and the Joint Mediation in the meantime.