Russia, Ukraine, Ecuador & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (25 March 2024)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
-Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
-Security Council
-Security Council/Afternoon
-Secretary-General/Travels
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Ukraine
-Russia
-Haiti
-Ecuador
-Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
-International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANIRATIAN AFFAIRS
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has informed the Secretary-General of his intention to step down for health reasons.
The Secretary-General extends his deep gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Griffiths for his tremendous leadership and service to the United Nations and the humanitarian community in advocating for people affected by crises and mobilizing resources to address their needs.
Mr. Griffiths, who heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), came to the role in July 2021, at a time of mounting humanitarian needs and shrinking resources. He advocated tirelessly for life-saving aid to reach those most in need and for the resources needed to do so.
A skilled diplomat and mediator, he has played a key role in leading the humanitarian response of the United Nations and partners and negotiating solutions to some of the most intractable crises.
Mr. Griffiths will remain in his post until the end of June to allow for a smooth transition.

SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council today passed a Resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution passed by a vote of 14 in favour with one abstention, the United States.
In response, the Secretary-General said in a Tweet, “The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.”
Prior to the vote, the Security Council held a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the Friday terrorist attack in Russia.

SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
And this afternoon, at 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on threats to international peace and security, as called for by the Russian Federation.

Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Central Asia, Europe, and Americas at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will brief Council members.

Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=25%20March%202024