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	Countries renew calls for an end to the war in Ukraine at UN Assembly by UN News, agencies   At the UN General Assembly meeting in September, States call for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. (A brief selection of statements edited for brevity)   Philip Joseph Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia:   Articles 2 and 33 of the UN Charter are unambiguous in binding Member States to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and to negotiate and settle all international disputes by peaceful means.   In the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the UN, Heads of State and Government reaffirmed those principles, when they said: “We will promote peace and prevent conflict. We will abide by international law and ensure justice.”   The war in Ukraine has not only unleashed death and horrendous destruction, but has plunged the world into an economic crisis of runaway inflation, catastrophic shortages of food and energy supplies and worsened a global supply chain crisis that had been triggered by the COVID19 pandemic.   The world could have been spared this humanitarian and economic agony, if once again countries and their leaders had respected and adhered to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.   We therefore call upon all parties involved to immediately end the conflict in Ukraine, by undertaking immediate negotiations to permanently settle all disputes in accordance with the principles of the United Nations.   The billions and billions of dollars being spent in Ukraine in wanton destruction and war could have transformed for the better, the economies, the livelihoods and the lives of millions and millions of people in the developing countries of the world, if spent on poverty reduction and economic transformation.   Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon:   Many countries face critical humanitarian crises, exacerbated by armed conflict. This is the case in Ukraine, where the war has led to a worsening of the situation of countries and regions already experiencing food shortages. This is why my country has clearly expressed its opposition not only to this bloody war, but to any form of war.   Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia:   We implore Russia and Ukraine to heed the global plea for political dialogue and end the war. Africa is simply asking for global peace and friendly relations. Our survival and progress depend on global peace and stability.   Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See (Vatican):   The war in Ukraine has exacerbated already concerning global trends, including rising food and fuel prices and increased displacement. The conflict has also brought renewed attention to nuclear security and the risk of nuclear escalation, an issue that has remained largely outside the public consciousness for decades.   Furthermore, the war in Ukraine not only undermines the nuclear non- proliferation regime, but also presents us with the danger of nuclear devastation, either through escalation or accident. … To avoid a nuclear disaster, it is vital that there be serious engagement to find a peaceful outcome to the conflict.   Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of Madagascar:   The world was barely getting back on its feet from Covid 19, but new crises have emerged. No country has been spared by the consequences of the pandemic, and the conflict in Ukraine has sowed further instability and heightened inequalities. This greatly complicates our efforts at recovery and revival post-covid. Like every country in the world, we are suffering the full inflationary impacts of this crisis.   We are convinced that all wars end around a table. Dialogue is the only way to establish peace. That is why Madagascar reiterates its call for dialogue to resolve the conflict, since the consequences are planetary, they get heavier from day to day, and developing countries like ours are the main victims.   Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso:   Under the auspices of the United Nations, we must all commit without delay to peace negotiations—just, sincere and equitable negotiations.. All wars finish around the table of negotiation. The world urgently needs these negotiations to prevent the current confrontations - which are already so devastating - to prevent them from going even further and pushing humanity into what could be an irredeemable cataclysm.. a nuclear war.. about which Einstein, the great atomic theorist, said that it would be the last battle that humans would fight on Earth.   Nelson Mandela, a man of eternal forgiveness, said that peace is a long road, but it has no alternative, it has no price. In reality, the Russians and Ukrainians have no other choice but to take this path, the path of peace..   Now I wish to be direct, and directly address my dear Russian and Ukrainian friends.   Too much blood has been spilled—the sacred blood of your sweet children. It’s time to stop this mass destruction. It’s time to stop this war. The entire world is watching you. It’s time to fight for life, the same way that you courageously and selflessly fought together against the Nazis during World War Two, in Leningrad, Stalingrad, Kursk.   Think about the youth of your two countries. Think about the fate of your future generations. The time has come to fight for peace, to fight for them. Please give peace a real chance, today, before it is too late for us all. I humbly ask this of you.   Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Prime Minister of Malaysia:   The UN Charter and international laws are there to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes between countries. The charter and the laws set the limits of a country in pursuing its own interests. Based on that principle, Malaysia opposes violations of international laws, including the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of any nation.   When a conflict erupts, all parties hold the responsibility of easing tension and giving priority to the safety and lives of civilians. At the same time, the conflicting parties need to return to the negotiating table to stop the conflict as soon as possible.. The price to be paid for a war is high. This is proven by the situation experienced by Ukraine. The effects are felt not only by the people and the country but also by the world. This conflict has threatened peace, global security and the economy, and undermined food security.. The world needs to realize that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiation.   Bharat Raj Paudyal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal:   We are deeply concerned about the deaths and suffering of civilians in the war in Ukraine. We call for an urgent cessation of hostilities and violence and urge all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to the path of dialogue.   Pedro Castillo Terrones, President of Peru:   It is the duty of the international community to work for ceasefires and peaceful resolution of conflicts through diplomatic negotiations. We should not encourage conflicts. We must make a commitment to peace. That’s why Peru calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, increased protection of civil society affected by the conflict, and the start of negotiations to find a peaceful solution that takes into consideration the interests of all parties. At the same time, it is crucial to ensure the continuity of the agreement that allows the export of grains from Ukraine, as well as arrangements to normalize Russian exports of fertilizers, since the scarcity of fertilizers is suffocating the poorest farmers of the developing world. We must stop economic sanctions from affecting food security.   Macky Sall, President of Senegal and Chairman of the African Union:   We call for de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, as well as for a negotiated solution to avoid the catastrophic risk of a potentially global conflict.   Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal:   Russia must cease hostilities and allow for the creation of a serious and sustained ceasefire- and peace-oriented dialogue. This is not the time for Russia to escalate the conflict or to make irresponsible threats to resort to nuclear weapons.   We welcome the efforts of the entire United Nations system, in particular its Secretary-General, to resolve this conflict and to mitigate its damaging effects, such as the food crisis. Once again, it has been the most vulnerable who have felt the impact of the energy and food crisis the most, after being buffeted by almost three years of health crisis.   Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa:   Building a better world requires peace and stability. South Africa continues to believe that conflict resolution must not come through fuelling conflicts, but through investing in efforts aimed at political dialogue. We should aspire to peace as a global public good. There have been no winners of the wars of the past seven decades. Instead, they engendered strife, distrust among nations, divisions, a perpetual misallocation of resources to weapons, increased poverty and underdevelopment.   Philip Isdor Mpango, Vice-President of Tanzania:   In matters of peace and security, Tanzania has always believed in diplomacy as the best instrument for resolving conflicts. Experience has taught us that, in war, everyone loses, including the non-warring parties. It is therefore our plea that, in the work of the global conflicts, our focus should be that of safeguarding human lives, especially children and women, and the well-being of the people.   More so just recently, we have witnessed disruptive effects on global supply chains, dramatic increase in food and fuel prices, as well as food shortages and declining agricultural and industrial production around the world. All the more reasons that we must have a stake in pursuit of peaceful resolution of conflicts. As we do so, we must also leverage our abundant resources and human capabilities to address some of the impacts.   Jessica Alupo, Vice-President of Uganda:   The world is currently facing many challenges that undermine peace and security. The Russia-Ukraine military conflict continues to cause more suffering, destruction and displacement of the civilian population, mostly women and children. The longer it persists, the more suffering, destruction and displacement we shall witness. We are deeply concerned about the loss of lives and the serious humanitarian situation. Uganda supports dialogue with a view to reaching a peaceful resolution to the crisis.   Francisco Bustillo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay:   My country condemns the Russian Federation’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine — a clear violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We call on Russia to withdraw from that territory of Ukraine and cease all hostilities immediately. The parties in this conflict should do everything possible to return to the negotiating table to resolve their dispute peacefully, in accordance with the UN Charter.   Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam:   Our actions, both individually and collectively, must be guided by and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Viet Nam firmly believes that respect for international law, especially vis-à-vis the respect for sovereign equality, political independence and territorial integrity of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes is the most effective and viable measure to prevent conflicts and promote sustainable peace and security. Constructive dialogue and respect for the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, in accordance with international law, are key in resolving differences and reducing tensions.   Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia:   Zambia joins other governments in expressing particular concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine. As we stand with all those affected both inside Ukraine and in the neighboring countries, we also take this opportunity to trace the far-reaching negative consequences of the war, particularly on the prices of food, fuel, fertilizer and other key commodities.   War in any part of the world has a damaging effect on economic activity, which derails our collective fight against poverty and hunger. A few months of war can erase decades of progress. I shall repeat this. A few months of war can erase decades of progress. We need to take note of this. We therefore categorically condemn war anywhere and we continue to urge all parties involved to pursue diplomatic solutions to conflict resolution.   Remarks by Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly:   One of the main messages I heard reverberating through the Hall is that the war in Ukraine should end. You also pointed out that its effect is being felt around the world. You described the pain of shortages. Inflation. The impact on refugees.. concerns about the safety of nuclear plants, and fears of a nuclear attack..   27 Sep. 2022   So-called referenda in Russian-controlled Ukraine ‘cannot be regarded as legal’: UN political affairs chief. (UN News)   Recent so-called referenda conducted in four Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine cannot be considered legal under international law, the UN’s political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the Security Council on Tuesday.   The referenda were held over the past five days in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions for residents to vote on whether they wished to become part of the Russian Federation.   Voting took place in polling centers, Ms. DiCarlo reported, and de facto pro-Russian authorities accompanied by soldiers, also went door-to-door with ballot boxes.   These exercises - which were held during active armed conflict, in areas of Ukraine under Russian control and outside Ukraine’s legal and constitutional framework - “cannot be called a genuine expression of the popular will,” she said.   “Unilateral actions aimed to provide a veneer of legitimacy to the attempted acquisition by force by one State of another State’s territory, while claiming to represent the will of the people, cannot be regarded as legal under international law.”   The political affairs chief underscored the UN’s full commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. She reminded Russia of its obligation to respect the country’s laws in the administration of occupied territories.   This latest development is among recent actions that threaten to further escalate the conflict, now in its seventh month.   Ms. DiCarlo spoke about heavy fighting in southern Ukraine in the past few weeks and escalating military operations in Donetsk and Luhansk. The Ukrainian military also conducted a counter-offensive this month to restore control over much of the Russian-held areas in the Kharkhiv region.   Meanwhile, daily attacks on many Ukrainian cities have continued, including in Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as targeting of civilian energy and water infrastructure.   “We have also heard alarming rhetoric regarding the use of nuclear weapons. This is unacceptable,” said Ms. DiCarlo.   The UN remains deeply troubled by reports of continuing attacks near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and she urged combatants to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “It is imperative that all attacks on nuclear facilities end, and that the purely civilian nature of such plants be re-established,” she stressed.   Ms. DiCarlo also expressed grave concern over allegations of human rights violations committed in areas of northeastern Ukraine, including after the recovery of more than 400 bodies from improvised graves in the city of Izium. The UN human rights office, OHCHR, is working with local authorities to investigate this and other allegations in areas in the Kharkiv region that were until recently under Russian control.   Last week, the UN-appointed Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that war crimes had been committed in the conflict. Ms. DiCarlo called for those responsible to be brought to account.   “Rarely, if ever, has the international community collected so much evidence of human rights violations, potential war crimes and other atrocities as they were happening,” she said. “It is tragic that we have not been able to stop them. But it would be shameful if we were not able to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones.”   The war's ripple effects continue to be felt by millions worldwide, affected by rising fuel and energy costs. Ms. DiCarlo also highlighted the vital need to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is due to expire in November.   http://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128161 http://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1129047   * Oct. 2022: The UN General Assembly passed a resolution by a large majority, calling on countries not to recognise the four regions of Ukraine which Russia has claimed, following so-called referendums held late last month. The results were 143 Member States in favour, with five voting against, and 35 abstentions. The resolution now passed in the Assembly, calls on all States, the UN and international organisations not to recognize any of Russia’s annexation claim and demands the immediate reversal of its annexation declaration: http://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129492 Visit the related web page
	Act to secure a more sustainable, safer future for every child by Catherine Russell Executive Director, UNICEF   Children everywhere are facing interlocking crises including hunger, lack of access to education and conflict — many of which exacerbate each other.   The interlocking crises of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change mean millions of children are being uprooted and pushed into poverty and starvation.   Disruptions in routine immunization and healthcare threaten a resurgence of life-threatening diseases like measles, while a global learning crisis risks becoming a global learning catastrophe for an entire generation of children.   But this can be prevented with a concerted global push to protect, support, and educate every child.   It is a dangerous time to be a child. In Ukraine, millions of children and families have fled the violent war that has engulfed their country — and exacerbated a global food crisis.   Years of conflict and crises in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen have shattered economies along with all the systems children rely on to survive and thrive.   The worst climate-induced crisis in 40 years is threatening 10 million children in the Horn of Africa — 1.7 million of whom could die without urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition.   The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated threats to the world’s most vulnerable children – and created new risks to their lives and futures. Millions more children are living in poverty, millions more girls are at risk of child marriage, and millions more children are falling into learning poverty, lacking even the most basic skills.   Around the world today, more children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance than at any time in UNICEF’s 75-year history.   The evidence is clear: we cannot meet our global development goals unless we reach these most-excluded children and invest in their potential.   Here are five ways we can get there, together.   System strengthening and humanitarian action   Currently, more than 400 million children live in conflict zones. Millions of them are out of school, without access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Millions are suffering from malnutrition — including its most severe and deadly forms.   The war in Ukraine has driven up food prices in places where children are already going hungry, like Yemen and Syria.   Our humanitarian response must not only meet these urgent needs. It should also help communities prepare for future shocks.   If we want to ‘future-proof’ our children, both public and private sectors need to invest in more resilient systems that help children cope, including health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation and social protection systems. Helping families to remain stable in crises yields cascading benefits, especially for children.   Primary health system strengthening   The pandemic has made clear that well-functioning and resilient primary health systems are the foundation of our ability to respond to health emergencies.   A fully resourced primary healthcare facility — staffed by well-trained, properly remunerated healthcare workers equipped with essential products and equipment — is the first line of defence against pandemics. It is also the most effective point of delivery for other essential health services, including nutrition and immunization.   Now is the moment for global action. Investing in primary health care can achieve three goals at once: healthier children, a more equitable end to the pandemic, and a lasting legacy of more resilient health systems and more sustainable societies.   Climate resilience and adaptation   UNICEF estimates that nearly 1 billion children are already at extremely high risk from the impacts of climate change. Without urgent action, it will be every child.   Governments have a responsibility to reduce emissions and invest in mitigation strategies. But we also need to work across sectors to help communities adapt to the immediate realities of climate change.   These investments will pay off. UNICEF estimates that $1 invested in adaptation may yield up to $10 in economic gains.   This area is primed for public partnerships to drive innovation — and especially partnerships with young people. Businesses can also help by investing in new technologies and green skills building, changing energy and water consumption practices and exerting influence through operations and supply chains.   The global learning crisis   Even before COVID-19, more than 260 million children were out of school. Half of all children living in low- and middle-income countries were unable to read a simple sentence at the age of 10.   Pandemic school closures and related disruptions in learning are turning a crisis into a catastrophe, with serious implications for children today — as well as the future workforce.   The impact of school closures could cost as much as $17 trillion in lifetime earnings for an entire generation.   We need to bring every child back into the classroom, assess their learning, help them catch up and support their wellbeing. Every child who needs it must have access to a remedial programme focused on basic reading and maths, the foundation of all future learning.   Business can help by investing in innovative ways to reach children and improve learning. They can also invest in skills training for young people, including transferable, digital, entrepreneurial and job-specific skills.   Mental health of children   COVID-19 lockdowns and other effects of the pandemic have had a deep impact on the mental health of adolescents and young people.   The pandemic has also revealed the gap between mental health needs and access to support services. Too many young people are not receiving treatment and support. Mental health challenges remain stigmatized and underfunded.   The cost of inaction is enormous: the estimated annual loss in human capital arising from mental health conditions in children and adolescents up to the age of 19 is $387.2 billion.   We need a “whole of society” approach to promote mental health, engaging all sectors. Business can and should play a key role in promoting workforce mental health. This includes implementing policies and practices that promote the mental wellbeing of employees and their families, and challenging stigma in the workplace.   These are just a few areas where we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children. With so much evidence demonstrating the inseparable connection between the wellbeing of children and sustainable development, it is time to put children at the center of the public agenda.   Nelson Mandela famously said that “there is no keener reflection of a society than how it treats its children.” By extension, there can be no greater measure of a society’s sustainability than the investments it makes in the wellbeing of its children.   http://www.unicef.org/media/press-centre Visit the related web page
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