Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights, the show about the government, policy and human rights. Okay, welcome back to Policy and Rights. Here in Depictions Media Radio. I'm your host, Michael Cloggs, and we have an update from eater or ITR dot org and they are a well here, let's just read their basic background and directive. EATER is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power and it
will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility. Fusion is the process that powers the Sun and the stars. When light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant, in environmentally responsible energy source and in my opinion, they can't get much cleaner than that. Okay. So we are also going to hear from the United Nations about Libya, Haiti, Syria and of
course Gaza. We're also going to hear from the NATO chief Jen Stollenberg as he is in Canada and talking with Justin Trudeau and his cabinet. Okay, So over to the press release from EATER, and they are making revisements to improve the project okay updating the baseline of the project, and the Director General, Barbara Barbara Bushy, launched a program of reform with the support of the DA under the supervision of the Council. These reforms includes streamline project management,
heightened attention to quality control and enhanced reporting. In addition, they will address the need for development of revised project baseline due to delays caused by COVID nineteen and technological challenges linked to the first of its kind nature of many components. The proposed new baseline will prioritize a start of substantial research operations and as rapidly as possible. This it be achieved by consolidating assembly stages, enhancing pre assembly
testing, and reducing machine assembly and commissioning risk. Throughout this phase of the assembly, the project will continually progress through critical technical milestones that will be relevant
to global fusion innovation programs. In two weeks the Director General of EITHER will hold a press conference and of course we want to keep updates on that, so we are also going to hear from a UN representative as you report it to the UN Security Council on the status of of Libya and what is actually some of the things that are moving forward and what are the whole backs to Libya as a nation who was devastated by of course uprisings and natural disasters.
We will also, of course we will also be hearing from Jen Stollenberg as he speaks with reporters in Ottawa. Basically in the nutshell, mister stollen Butter made a statement that he will be helping Canada achieve these NATO standards of defense measures, that while Canada may be behind now, he is hoping that he is ensuring I should say not hoping, he is ensuring that Canada will meet
the standards and will be a strong part of NATO. So why don't we move forward to the you impressed from floor as we hear more updates on what global issues are around of course Libya and Palestine and other issues with humanitarian efforts. Thank you all for your patients. So first off, in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humansion Affairs so that people continue to be displaced amid active fighting and bombardment. Currently, the UN Relief and Works Agency unraw
TOMY said sixty five thousand people remain in Rufa. This is in Stark contrast to six weeks ago, in Rufa hosted one point four million displaced people before the Israeli evacuation orders and military operation. UNRA also tells us that for more than eight months now, six hundred and twenty five thousand children have been out of school because of the hostilities. Human teering partners are lending support by offering
psychosocial activities, but children need to resume their schooling. Meanwhile, OCHI reports that for the first time since early July, five trucks of fuel entered Gaza. However, the supplies remained scarce as no fuel has been delivered in the
strip for the past two weeks. Stephanie Kuri, the Deputy Special Representative for Libya, briefed the Security Council on our consultations with Libyans today and she said that overwhelmingly citizens conveyed the need for a political agreement so that credible national elections can be held to restore legitimacy to all institutions. She discussed the need for an inclusive Libyan led process to overcome the political impasse and support the Libyan people
in achieving their aspirations for peace, stability, prosperity and democracy. Mscouri said that many Libyans continue to express deep concerns which she shares about the de facto division of the country and parallel governing institutions. These developments undermine economic security and
stability, as well as Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Amid concerns about the impact of geopolitical tensions on Libya, she commended the work of the Presidential Council in the House of Representatives Justice and Reconciliation Committee for agreeing on one draft law that upholds victims' rights and adheres to international standards. She calls on all relevant bodies to engage in the same spirit so that this vital legislation can be adopted
based on consensus. As you know. Yesterday afternoon, the Under Secretary General for Political and Peace Bilding Affairs, Rosemary to Carlo briefed the Security Council on Ukraine. She noted that this past weekend, many world leaders came together in Switzerland to build consensus on the elements of a just peace in Ukraine. Those discussions took place in the wake of a sharp escalation of hostilities and an appalling
increase in civilian casualties. Mister Carlo said that in Switzerland over the weekend, many voices stressed the need to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter. She stressed that these principles are as valid today as they were in nineteen forty five. Mister Carlo added that the Secretary General has been consistent and clear calling for just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter,
international law and relevant General Assembly resolutions. The United Nations welcomes and is ready to support all meaningful efforts and initiatives towards this end. This morning, the Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammad spoke at the General Assembly Annual Review of HIV AIDS on behalf of the Secretary General. She said that on HIV and AIDS,
we have an inspirational story to tell. With more than three quarters of those living with HIV receiving life saving treatment, that's almost thirty million people globally. Access to anti retroviral therapy has expanded massively across sub Saharan, Africa and Asia and the Pacific Wished together are home to more than eighty percent of people
living with HIV. Shattered that if progress is maintained we are on course to reach a key global milestone next year thirty four million people receiving HIV treatment. MS Muhammad urged countries to continue with this progress by supporting low and middle income countries so they can expand their national health and HIV investments. We have an update on displacement in Haiti. The International Organization for Migration says that nearly five
hundred and eighty thousand people are now internally displaced across the country. This, they say, represents a sixty percent increase since March. In addition to the displacement in and around the capitol of Port de Prince, violence has pushed ever greater numbers of people to flee to neighboring provinces. A result, in the southern region, the number of internally displaced men, women and children has gone from one hundred and sixteen thousand to two hundred and seventy thousand in the last
three months. Many of most of those displaced are currently hosted by communities already struggling with overburdened social services and poor infrastructure. IOM says this is particularly acute in the country's southern areas, already weakened by the twenty twenty one earthquake in the metropolitan area quort prints. Two thirds of the people displaced live in spontaneous
sites with very limited access to basic services. Since the end of February, IOM has provided nearly five million liters of clean water to some twenty five thousand people and rehabilitated twenty two water hand pumps. More than thirty seven thousand people have been provided with relief supplies, including blankets, water containers, solar lamps,
kitchen sets and plastic sheets. Mobile clinics have also been deployed to provide medical assistance, and psychosocial support has been made available, including through a free hotline turning to Sedan. The U and High Commissioner for Refugee is Filippograndi, who today concluded a second visit to Sudan since the outbreak of war last year, warned that without concerted peace efforts, many more people will flee the brutal
war in Sudan and into neighboring countries. Mister Grande visited refugee camps and displacement centers in Kosti, in Sudan's White Nile State, whereover a million people have sought shelter since the fighting started. He noted that the level of suffering is truly unconscionable, adding that Sudan is the definition of a perfect storm shocking human rights atrocities. With millions uprooted by this insane war and other wars that came
before it. Mister Grandy warned that a terrible famine is looming and severe floods will soon hamper aid deliveries even more. He expressed deep alarm at the scale of the Humanharan emergency. Violence has escaped and has escalated in El Fasher, North Darfur, and atrocities have been reported against citizens civilians in Al Jazeera State. The UN Refugee Agency and partners have scaled up response efforts in White Nile
and other areas since the start of the conflict. UNHCR has reached some eight hundred thousand display Sudanese with protection, assistance services and referrals and cash, core relief items and emergency shelter. The End Children's Fund, in partnership with the Health Effects Institute, an independent US based nonprofit organization, today released a report that says air pollution is having an increasing impact on human health, becoming the
second leading global risk factor for death. The report found that air pollution accounted for eight point one million desks globally in twenty twenty one. The report also says that children under five years old are especially vulnerable, with health effects including
premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases. In twenty twenty one, exposure to air pollution was linked to more than seven hundred thousand deaths of children under five years old, making the second leading risk factor for death globally for this age group after malnutrition. A staggering five hundred thousand of these child deaths were linked to household air pollution due to cooking indoors with polluting
fuels, mostly in Africa and Asia. More information online and Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence and Conflict, which this year focuses on healthcare. In a message for the day, the Secretary General points out that conflict related sexual violence is a devastating form of attack and repression, which is lasting harmful effects on survivors physical, sexual, reproductive, and mental health,
and destroys the social fabric of communities. This past year has seen harrowing reports of sexual violence from Sudan, to Haiti and Israel. He notes, adding that far too often the perpetrators walk free while survivors spend their entire lives in recovery. On this International Day, the Secretary General calls an all to pledge to eliminate the scourge, stand in solidarity with survivors, and reaffirm our
commitment to protecting hospitals and health care facilities during conflict. And I can flag that today the Department of Peace Operations has launched the report Preventing and Responding to Conflict Related Sexual Violence twenty to twenty three Annual Summaries of activities and Good Practices by United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. The report is available online and if you need
more information you can contact our UN peacekeeping colleagues. And tomorrow our guest will be the UN Development Program Global Director for Climate Change, Cassie Flynn and Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Oxford Stephen Fisher, and they will launch the second edition of the People's Climate Vote, the largest ever poll of public opinion on global climate action. And that's it for me, Yes, Deshi
and then Needy never expect to be the first one. Well, it's only because you keep saying that she asked your questions first, so this time you can do the same. Okay, so farhan in my hand. This is the report, the twenty one page report of the Independent's International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem in Israel. Just want to know what does the Six General have to say on the conclusion in this report?
The Secret General support the conclusion? Does he think this conclusion is correct? Well, certainly he respects the work being done by the Commission of Inquiry. But this is a report, as you know, that goes to the members of the Human Rights Council and it's for them to evaluate. And so he will leave it for the Human Rights Council to evaluate the conclusions reached by the
Commission of Inquiry. Whether this commission is set up to i quote, investigate all alleged violations of international commediterarian law and abuses of international human rights law leading up and since thirteenth April twenty twenty one. So technically speaking, this is not a rappertor this is a UN commission, right, It's a Commission of Inquiry which is set up by and reports to the Human Rights Council, and
so that is where the reports go. Obviously, they've been doing serious work for some years now and the Human Rights Council should listen to what they have to say. So they suggest that both Hamas and Jahad Group as well as Israel IDF, they both all of them committed war crimes and particularly crimes against humanity for the Israel. Does the Secret General think that is the situation here? Well? There, these are things. Ultimately they are being investigated by
different bodies in different ways, as you know. So this is an investigation, right, this is this is one this is the conclusion. This is one such body. There are other bodies also doing similar work as you know. This is these are considerations that have been taken up by the International Criminal Court, by the International Court of Justice. The Office of the High Commission for Human Rights has also been looking into reported violations. And so we'll let
them go about their extremely serious work while this is ongoing. And my second question, my second question the idea of just greenlighted a plan to have all
out war with against Hazebola in Lebanon. We know that yesterday you mentioned about the situation near Blue lying does the Situation General have anything to say on the fast developing, let's say, deteriorating situation in the border area there well, the Secretary General has repeatedly spoken against any escalation of the conflict along the Blue
Line. He as well as Janine Hennis, pleasuret Our Special Coordinator in Lebanon, General Erroldo Lazzro, the Force commander for UNIFIL, have all been warning and trying to work with the parties to make sure that tensions are de escalated, and we will continue with that work. I'm just curious if Israel really
started their operation in Lebanon, would that be considered as invasion. I don't want to speculate on something that hasn't happened yet, but certainly we have warned that any further tensions in the region, any escalation of tensions in the region, would be devastating, and the Secretary General has already war against what has happened in Gaza, and we cannot afford to have the similar sort of violence happened elsewhere. Okay, and I'll leave my colleagues to ask about DPRK and
Russia. Okay, Ebie, thank you for hun first follow up on what you said from Unwrap about the one point for million people who were in Rafa and only fifty five sixty left. First, is there any breakdown on exactly where the rest of the people from from Rafa actually went and fled to? And secondly, are the fifty five thousand people who are still in Rafa? Are they because us the crossing is closed? Are they actually getting any human
food, Arrian aid and food. We've worn for some time that the amount of food going into southern Israel, into southern Gaza as a whole is extremely limited given the closure of the Ruffa crossing, and so we've been warning against that. We are trying and we continue to get some small amount of supplies
in, but it's been very difficult regarding where the population has gone. There's no precise numbers to share this time, but clearly very large numbers of people have gone into Conunis and de Albala, so they're in other parts of southern Gaza close to Rauffa, but away from it. My second question goes to the road from Karam Shoalam to the North South Highway. Has any you and
humanitarian aid gotten through on that road in the past day? Yeah, what I can say although no fighting was reported today in the area between Karam Shlom and Sala Leiden Road, our humanitarian colleagues were not able to pick up aid from Karam Shulam due to lack of law and order in the area. As this is the sort of unrest that we've been warning about for some days now. Five trucks of fuel traveled via the fence road and entered Gaza via the
military gate. The responsibility of Israel as the occupying power does not stop at Karam Sharloam where aid is dropped off. It includes ensuring that this assistance reaches women, children and elderly who needed the most, and creating the enabling environment to do so. So we have been working with our Israeli counterparts to make sure that those additional responsibilities are dealt with. The un know who is responsible for this lawlessness. Is it criminals, is it hungry people? Is it
anybody else? It's hard to say. It's clear that it's probably a combination of several factors. Criminal gangs are taking advantage of the unrest, but there's an overall anarchy and there are a lot of frightened people, so there's many different causes behind this. Abdelhamide and then Emily, and thank you for Hahn. This situation in the West Bank is really deteriorating so fast. Reports are coming from the West Bank about the settlers, violence attacks. Even now there's
hungry people and the refugee comes, especially because everything is under siege. Yet the West Bank situation does not show in your daily reports. No, I disagree. I actually spoke extensively about the West bankers yesterday. My second question about the doctor I Dronteci who was kidnapped in November and found that six days later. Now Ares is reporting that he died under investigation. He's the second doctor who killed was murdered during the investigation. Do you have any information to
share with us? Certainly we want this killing to be thoroughly investigated, but as you know, we stand firmly against the mistreatment, the harassment and in some cases the killing of medical workers and medical professionals. Oh, Emily and then Gabriel, thanks Forahn. I have a few questions on the floating doc. The US over the weekend said that they are moving it to as Output to protect it from rough sea, and then then we'll bring it back later.
So considering all the difficulties around this dock. From the UN point of view, is this worth bringing it back afterwards? Well, certainly questions about the relocation of the floating dock are really for our US counterparts. But on our side, our basic position has always been that we welcome any and all efforts to bring in additional aid to Gods, given the crucial need for aid. But at the same time we have made very clear the limitations of getting
aid through these avenues. And was the security assessment by WFP finished? I mean, like, if the doc comes back, will WFP be able to restart their operation at the dock? There's no further updates on our security evaluation of the situation, Gabriel, thank you for hunt. The U and High Commissioner of Human Rights released a report, Thematic Report on Indiscriminate and Disproportionate Attacks during the conflict in Gaza. It looked at six different attacks by the Israeli
military at residential buildings, school, refugee camp and a market. The report concluded that Israel the Israel strikes did not or repeatedly violated the fundamental principles of the laws of war. As a Secretary General seen this, and what's his reaction to the report. Yes, yes, he has any stands by the
work done by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It's clear that what our human rights colleagues have found is that there were failings in terms of abiding by the laws of war, particularly with respect to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions. And we've been talking about this now for many months, that
any attacks have to abide by norms regarding those topics. What mister Turk has said is that the need the requirement to select means and methods of warfare to minimize civilian casualties appear to have been consistently violated during the bombing campaign and this is something that the in depth look at six specific incidents seems to bear out. So we would encourage you to read the full report for that information.
And who should be held accountable for this? How should accountability be carried out? Well? As I'd mentioned in response to an earlier question, there are many different groups looking into things. Obviously there will be the need, as with every conflict, for measures for accountability to be taken. Yes, please in the back, yes you thank ye, sorry, Okay, it works. Do you have any updates or timetable of Secretary General Personal Envoy for Cyprus,
Is you Missus Marie angelal Gin upcoming visit to Cyprus? Uh? Not at this stage. When when we have a new visit by miss Holgan uh to cypress to announce, we'll let you know. Okay, I asked you because mister jerich A we Go confirmed that Missus Holgan is going to travel to Cyprus to continue here effort to find common ground between the two sides. Therefore I asked yes, yes, and and certainly a trippest planned once. Once we have any dates to share, we'll let you know. Stefano, thank
you for this is a follow up on unifil Ah. I understand that the Secretary General wish that that is doing at the front and so home, but it looks like he's not any more if by his one no, no, that's not the case. It's still a case of if. Okay, let's hope. We all hope, But looks like the war he's eminent there.
So my question is about uniphil. Does there you hand have contact with the Israeli government that the Israeli will inform in a timing matter when they're going to invade Lebanon, so that the UNIFIL troops can, I don't know, maybe evacuated before this happened. Do you have any agreement on that to you?
An interim force in Lebanon is in touch with all the parties on both sides of the Blue Line to make sure that the situation can remain as calm as possible, and it will continue to work with the parties to deter any escalation of the conflict. That's a quick follow up. So if if Israel will invade, you are telling me now that basically can happen a situation where that there is an open confrontation between Israel and Hanzbolah with the Yuan Blue Helmets sold
in in the middle. They's still there, They're going to still be that. No, no, no, that's that's that's both speculative and alarmist. What we are trying to do is make sure that there's no escalation. This is what Uniform is working towards. This is what the Secretary General and his key officials on the ground, including Miss Hennis playshert are working towards. And we will continue with that effort, yes, Linda, And then Levon,
thank you for ahn. I just have a question record and yes, g I was just wondering, given what's happening in Gaza and in Lebanon, has he been in touch lately with any of the leaders of these countries, whether it's Lebanon, Israel or Hamas's. Recently, he's been in touch share periodically with the various leaders, and his officials on the ground are also in touch with the leaders. No, no, I understand that. I was just
thinking, maybe you know, his own personal diplomacy. Yeah, he has spoken to two different leaders on each side, not in the last days, but certainly in recent weeks. Yvonne, thanks for having following up from Stephano's question. If what is the protocol in the events of an all art conflagration breaking out while peacekeeping troops are in that area? What is the protocol?
What's the steps that's the peacekeeping mission then has to take. Again, without being drawn too much into speculation on this, in the past, whenever UN troops are are in the middle of conflicts that this becomes an issue for the for the peacekeeping mission to deal with with the parties, but it also becomes an issue for the security Council as it deals with what the appropriate mandate of the mission should be. All right, have a good afternoon, good afternoon,
Thank you, good good afternoon. It's great to be back in Canada.
It's it's great to be here, not least because Canada it is such a highly valued NATO ally which contributes in so many different ways to our collective defense, our shared security, and especially now when we are preparing for the upcoming NATO submit in Warship next month, it's important to consult and to travel around and meet the leaders who are going to be at the submit and therefore hope forward also to have a dinner with premise to justin Judoor later on today
to also discuss different issues that will be important that the NATO summit, and that is the terms and events Ukraine and also our Asia Pacific partners. I think you heard the speech. I think the best thing now is for me to be available to answer some questions. Secretary General, Welcome back to Canada. Murrae Brewster with CBC News. Canadian officials have been saying that they've been assuring you and pretty much anyone else who listened at NATO that they're working on
a plan for two percent? Have you seen a plan and are you satisfied with the explanations that you've been given. What I've seen is that Canada has increased defence spending and that Canada is investing in new important capabilities for NATO, not least the thirty five is the fifth generation five to aircraft, also modernizing an aural which is important not only for Canada and in States, but the whole of NATO. Then I expect that all allies will reach two percent.
We have agreed to present of GDP for defense and I expect those allies, when not able to reach it by this year about twenty twenty, for that they will put forward a plan for when they will be there. And I'm looking forward to have a plan from Canada. President Putin met today in the North Korean capital. It looks like there is going to be increased defense cooperation.
What should the alliance make of that? And what can the alliance potentially do When authored Italian powers like Russia, North Korea, Iran, China are aligning more and more, then it's even more important that countries like NATO allies stand together and protect the freedom and democracy. So the most important on sure is to strengthen NATO, is to strengthen the alliance between democratic free nations.
Also actually to work with those countries who are not native allies, but which share our values and our close partners, and the NATO will remain an alliance of North America and Europe. But it's extremely important that we, in light of the alignment between Russia, China, North Korea, are also working more closely with our close partners in the Asia Pacific, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and they will be present at the at the summit.
I think the visit of President put Into Pungyog to North Korea just demonstrates how dependent Russia now is on their other auther Italian friends China, Iran, North Korea, and North Korea has delivered supplied Russia with enormous amounts of ammunition and military support to the war aggression against Ukraine. The Toronto Star just picking up on that. You talked about the sort of this increasing alignment of authoritarian
regimes and the need to impose costs on China. Can can you expand on that a bit and maybe articulately what kind of costs you'd like to see a country like Canada imposed Well, it's totally for me to say exactly what kind of costs, but my message is that we need to start to assess that
option. We need to start to consult on potential costs because it's not sustainable, unviable that China continues to fuel the biggest security threat challenge for NATE allies, especially in Europe, by propping up the Russian war economy, by by by supplying the advanced technologies they are using to produce the weapons they use in the ward against Ukraine. Without to see that going on without having any consequences
for China. I'm not able to tell you now exactly what those consequences will be, but I'm confident that if this behavior of China continues, there will and must be some consequences. Just falling up on Murray's question about the two percent plans that you'd like to see that you expect to see, do you expect to see that from Canada a plan outlining how they'll get there before or by the Washington summit. Well, I would sit down with the Prime Minister
and also met Foreign Minister later today and we will discuss many issues. I'm hearing Canada now to discuss a wide range of issues, so all Ukraine also all kinda speading the contributions to our collective defense that the Canadian led battle in Latville, which we are now looking into, how it can scale up Canada's contributions to what to do in the High North a nor odd to do in the High North a nor odd maritime operations, So it's a it's a it's
a wide agenda with many issues, but of course one of them is also defense spending and and and then we also I also expect that we'll address when and how Canada can present a plan for when to be at two percent. Hi, Kyle Duggan from Politico. The Defense Minister has talked about the two percent target and how it's difficult to explain to people what it means. It's kind of an imperceptible spreadsheet target. So how would you explain to Canadians what
the risk is of not meeting the target. We're projected to not meet it
through or the rest of the decade. The best way to preserve peace is to have a strong defense force, is to have defense which is credible, meaning that there's no risk for misunderstanding miscalculation in Moscow or in any other capital or potential adversary, that NATO is not already able to defend all night allies, because as long as we have credible deterrence, as long as we have strong defense, we will succeed in the next seventy five years with what we
have been able to achieve over the past seventy five years, and not to prevent any military attack against any native Allied country. And of course, when we see China Russia investing heavily in new military capabilities, including long range weapons, advanced missile systems, then and we also see that rush in particularly willing to use military force against the neighbors, not only Ukraine, but Georgia and
elsewhere. Then and also we see China behaving more and more aggressively against the neighbors and threatening neighbors, then it is important that we invest in our defense, not to fight the word, but to prevent the war. And of course I understand that in Canada you are in a position where you have the
Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic in the north, under the Pacific Ocean. Then a good friend an ally the United States in the south, but no nation is is is protected against threats in an age of global great power power rivalry, in the age of val stick missiles, strategic submarines, weaponization of the
space, of cyber threats, of tarist threats. So so this is also an issue for the challenge for Canada and and the best way to ensure that we preserve peace is to stand together NATO and invest as we have agreed and we have ingrediinated to invest at least two percent And are you going to raise
this issue with the Prime Minister tonight to two percent target. I will discuss a wide range of issues during my meetings and and and my visit here to Canada, and I will also praise Canada for everything Canada does because kind of really really contribute to NATO in many, many different ways. But of course
one of the main issues we will address is the issue of spending. And NATO allows reduce the fence spending after the Cold War, and NATO now started to increase the fence spending off the end of the of when you see tensions have gone up with lost years, and also Canada has increased defense spending significantly. I think the challenge was that back in twenty fourteen. When you made the pledge, Canada was at a very low level, so compared to some
older allies, you have a longer way to go. But also Canada has now moved in the right direction and added significantly to the Canadian's defense budget. Hi andrean Appa plaza radu Canada about the two percent? Can Canada stay part of NATO if it fails to provide a clear plan to reach the target, Canada will stay as a NATO ally. Canada will be a staunch and highly value NATE to ally. And then, of course i will work to ensure
that all allies meet the two percent guideline. And I'm confident that Canada will do that risk diplomatic isolation by providing a clear plan. That's not the way it NATA works. We work together, we address common challenge together, and the confident that will find a way forward also on this issue. Okay, thank you, Thank you all very much, and thank you Secretary Jim,
thank you, thank you so much. Thank you mister President, Members of the Council, and thank you for the opportunity to brief you today on the situation in Libya. Let me first wish the Libyan people and all Muslims celebrating idel Attah a joyous occasion. May it bring respite for those suffering. It is the first idel Attah since the durn A disaster, a tragic event that
brings back memory of those who lost their lives and this terrible catastrophe. Yet in the face of adversity, Libyan people continue to demonstrate determination and unity. Since assuming the role of Officer in Charge and Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs, I began consultations to hear the concerns and priorities of the Libyan people, including their views on an inclusive, Libyan led and Libyan owned political process.
To date, I've held meetings in the East and West of Libya. I met with political leaders and officials, academics, civil society organizations, women's groups, and military leaders. I also engaged representatives of cultural components, business people, as well as members of the diplomatic community. These consultations are ongoing and while I plan to visit other areas of the country soon, I will now
share with you some observations to date. Overwhelmingly, citizens conveyed the need for a political agreement so that credible national elections can be held to restore legitimacy to all institutions. I discussed the need for any inclusive Libying led process to overcome the political end pass and support the Libyan people and achieving their aspirations for peace,
stability, prosperity and democracy. Libyans have also shared their ideas on what a future political process should look like, including the role of five key living institutional actors of the two chambers, of the need for a broad based type of dialogue, a combination of the above, and other ideas. Many have signaled the importance of a pact or an agreement that would, among other things,
affirm the party's respect for electoral outcomes. Similarly, some have emphasized the importance of including sufficient detail and mechanisms of enforcement in any future agreement to help ensure that the parties will adhere to its terms. They also provided ideas on a roadmap on the substantive aspects include whether to focus on issues of an interim government formation and steps to advance theholding of elections. Other citizens and officials expressed
the need to address underlying conflict drivers. These to focus on issues are related to the economy, security structures, and the governance structure in Libya. The need for more decentralization, inclusiveness, fairness and transparency and governance were also widely expressed. Many Libyans continued to express deep concern about the de facto divisions of
the country and parallel governing institutions. I share this concern. These developments undermine economic security and stability, as well as Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and misconcerns about the impact of geopolitical tensions playing out on Libya, Mister President. In addition to national political solution, many Libyans have also began emphasizing the need for local elections, an important step in ensuring accountable service delivery and in restoring
legitimacy to an important segment of living institutions. On the ninth of June, the High National Elections Commission or h NEC open voter registration for municipal elections and sixty municipalities across Libya. To date, over thirty six thousand people have registered at in person registration centers and through the electronic SMS system. This is an important step, although voter registration and particular female voter registration remains quite low.
HNK, with the support of UNSMIL is undertaking efforts to encourage greater registration. Moreover, on the onset of eight ten out of twelve in person registration centers in the eastern municipalities have been prevented from opening, I urged the authorities to allow those centers to open and established and enable Libyans to rush to register and exercise their political rights. Mister President, Conflict prevention and preserving stability remain at
the forefront of most Libyan's concerns. In April, they were brief though intense. Classes in the density populated Ansara district in Tripoli face with the risk of further escalation in the capital. Armed group leaders successfully engaged in dialog to de escalate the situation. In May, sporadic clashes between armed groups in El Jamal and Zawiam and the car bombing in Tripoli last week, coupled with reports of continued arms build up in the country, are also a stark reminder of the
fragility of Libya's security landscape. These dynamics underscore the importance of unified, reformed security sector institutions and the importance of local mediation efforts. While no violation of the ceasefire was recorded during the reporting period. Progress on the withdrawal of foreign
forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries remain installed. Among other factors, The security situation in several neighboring countries has disrupted the contact initiated by the Five plus five Committee with the liaison committees established by these nations to deal with this issue. Greater efforts are also needed by Libying authorities to address the presence of land mines and explosive remnants of war. Twelve children were injured in Obari in southern Libya
and Tripoli in April and May alone, Mister President. For many Libyans, the economic situation is difficult, with families and small businesses facing high prices, less purchasing power or limited access to cash. Libyan wealth is not translating into equitable distribution of resources, access to services, and opportunities for all people,
particularly youth and women. Unifying the national budget is an absolute necessity, and I urge all stakeholders to resolve remaining differences to ensure its swift adoption and agree on its transparent and accountable implementation. On human rights, I remained deeply concerned by reports of violations throughout the country, particularly the repetitive pattern of abduction or arbitrary rest and detention of Libyans. On seventeenth May, House of Representatives member
Ibrahimo Dotterci disappeared in Benghazi. On nineteenth to April, political activists Saraje Dolan died under unclear circumstances while in detention in Benghazi. House of Representative member Hassan Jabbalah, among others, remains arbitrarily detained arbitrarily detained in Tripoli. The Mission continues to call on transparent and investigation and independent investigations into the disappearances and deaths of men and women in custody and for those arbitrarily detained to be released.
Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers also continue to experience serious human rights violations. A comprehensive legal and policy framework is needed to address their situation and manage migration in line with international principles. In light of the horrific war in Sudan and
its impact on Libya. On twenty eighth May, UN agencies and humanitarian partners launched in coordination with Libyan authorities, the twenty twenty four Response Plan for Sudanese Refugees in Libya The plan provides for forty three point eight million dollars to meet the needs for projected population of one hundred and ninety five thousand people, including Sudanese refugees and host communities. Mister President, these developments illustrate the fragility of
the situation and the multiple needs and challenges the Libyan people face. UNSMIL and the UN Family continues to support a multipong approach to address these issues of concern, including advancing work on economic reform, security and human rights priorities along with the political efforts. In an encouraging step, the co chairs of the Security Working Group are continuing discussions among themselves and with the five plus five Joint Military
Commission in preparation for the next Security Working Group meeting in Libya. The co chairs of the Economic Working Group are also discussing an agenda for resuming its work in support of Libying efforts to address the economic priorities. The International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Group is also engaged in advocacy to support national efforts to address
arbitrary attention and efforts towards rights based national reconciliation. It is critical to advance national Reconciliation and Transitional Justice, and I commend the work of the Presidential Council in the House of Representatives Justice and Reconciliation Committee for greeing on one draft law that upholds victims' rights and adheres to international standards. I call on all relevant bodies to engage in the same spirits so that this vital legislation can be adopted
on consensus. The Mission with the African Union is ready to continue providing facilitation and technical advice. UNSMILL also continues to support living efforts for greater empowerment of youth. Livying Youth have expressed their desire for an active role in developing solutions
for their communities and in shaping their country's future. In line with Security Council Resolution twenty two fifty and twenty thirteen on Youth bethin Peace and Security, UNSMILL launched its in May its new Youth Engagement Strategy, which focuses on training, advocacy and networking aiming to empower young people. In June, the first annual
REDAT training program for thirty young women across Libya was successfully completed. This program is done in cooperation with the UN Family h NEK and the Ministry of Education. A second training cohort will be launched in September members of the Security Council and closing, there is consensus among Libyan people about the need to advance the
political process. The status quo is not sustainable. While institutional political divisions keep deepening, ordinary Libyans long for peace, stability, prosperity and reconciliation resolutes in the United Action to advance a political process is needed by Libyans with the support of the international community. Thank you, I thank the miss But I'm excited about what is going on and with with Eater and the the updates that we've
received. Fusion, as as we said before, it powers the stars, which means that if we can harness that type of energy here on in a controlled environment, here on on on our plan the Earth, that we should be able to produce an abundance of global electricity. That would would mean that we wouldn't have the need for other things the wind farms, the dams, all that sort of stuff, because this would actually be able to power our
world. My concern, of course is that we of course live in a corporate and greedy environment and how are what corporation is going to try to take it over? And at what costs to we the people? Is that going to happen? How is that going to affect our power bill? Hey, I get a power bill just the same as you do. I my Depictions Media also receives a power bill the same as any other entity on this planet.
How is it going to affect that? And who's going to going to want to try to take over a global power plant for profit instead of allowing it to be shared to us, the people and the populace for little to any cost. Thank you for listening today. You've been listening to policy and writes here in Depictions Media Radio, and please find that subscribe button wherever it may be. Give us some support if you come across a support button,
and help spread the love around the world. The show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please contact us at Depictions dot media for more information.