Disability, Cement, Ukraine and other topics …

Highlights:

- Disability

- Cement

- Ukraine

- Security Council

- Russia

- Syria

- Migrants

- Health

-  Albinism Awareness Day

DISABILITY
The Secretary-General spoke at the opening of the 16th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this morning in the General Assembly Hall.
He said that the adoption of the Convention 17 years ago marked a landmark moment in our shared journey towards a more just and inclusive future for all.  However, he warned, the progress we achieved is at risk of reversing. 
We are confronting a cascade of crises – from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the worsening climate emergency, to proliferating conflicts, soaring humanitarian needs, and a global cost-of-living crisis.
The Secretary-General highlighted three areas for progress. 
First, we must improve digital accessibility for persons with disabilities. Second, we must ensure equal access to sexual and reproductive health services for persons with disabilities, and third, we must do more to ensure the full inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities in all their full diversity.  

CEMENT
This morning, in a video message, the Secretary-General addressed the leaders of the Global Cement and Concrete Association, who are gathering at a conference in Zurich, Switzerland. 
The concrete and cement industries account for seven percent of global emissions.  The Secretary-General told members of the Association that "to put it simply: we need concrete pledges from the concrete industry."
He urged them to commit to end the use of coal-fired power in cement production, to work with governments to develop policies, regulation and investments to speed-up decarbonization of their sector and to set ambitious emissions reduction targets and transition plans to take their industry to net zero. 

UKRAINE
The United Nations condemns an overnight airstrike that hit a residential building and other civilian infrastructure in Kryvyi Rih, killing and injuring many civilians.
In the Kherson region, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that an attack this morning hit Bilozerka – where the UN delivered assistance a couple of days ago and where people are heavily impacted by the destruction of the dam. A civilian was killed.
The United Nations stresses that international humanitarian law must be respected, and constant care must be taken to spare civilian infrastructure from more harm.
Following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, another humanitarian convoy reached 7,000 people in the Ukraine-controlled Darivska community outside Kherson city today. The four-truck convoy delivered water, food, hygiene kits and medical supplies.
The Humanitarian Coordinator, Denise Brown, noted in a statement that the UN has engaged with the Governments of Ukraine and the Russian Federation to ensure access to all civilians impacted by the devastating destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
Operationally, she said, we have boats, personnel and supplies ready to go. However, Ms. Brown added that the Russian Federation is yet to provide the safety guarantees we need to cross the front line to the left bank of the Dnipro River, including to Oleshky. These guarantees are necessary for the safety of our team and not to create additional risks for the people we intend to serve.