8 May 2020 -  Biweekly Geneva Press Briefing Chaired by Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva

ANNOUNCEMENTS
WIPO Edward Harris
• Confirmation of a new Director General to take office on 1 October 2020

WHO Christian Lindmeier, with Dr Rosamund Lewis, Head of Smallpox Secretariat, WHO
• 40th anniversary of the declaration of the eradication of smallpox, by the World Health Assembly (WHA)

WHO Christian Lindmeier
• Update on World Health Assembly - WHA73

COVID-19
WMO Clare Nullis
• Impact of COVID on the global weather observing system

UNHCR Charlie Yaxley
• Conflict and heavy floods force tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in Somalia, amidst COVID-19 threat

OTHER ISSUES
UNHCR Charlie Yaxley
• Surging violence uproots thousands of people in eastern Congo

OHCHR Rupert Colville
• Syria – warning on escalating violence/killings across the country
• Migrants in the Mediterranean