SG Trip Announcement, Ukraine, Democratic Republic…

The Secretary-General will be heading to Japan, where he will take part in the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima, held on 6 August every year. 

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Ukraine says that civilians are facing tremendous challenges in areas that have experienced a dramatic increase in airstrikes and shelling over the last few days, particularly in the south of the country. 

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an update regarding the incident that occurred at Kasindi, on the border with Uganda, on Sunday.  Based on preliminary information, the incident occurred at the border post where a battalion from the UN Peacekeeping Mission’s Force Intervention Brigade, upon returning from leave, was not immediately granted access to the DRC.  
  
In response to questions about the latest political developments in Myanmar, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General notes with concern that the self-declared State Administration Council on 31 July extended the State of Emergency that was declared on 1 February of last year was extended for another six months, following the convening of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC). 
  
The International Labour Organization says that Myanmar remains deeply impacted by heavy job losses 18 months after the military takeover and 2.5 years after the COVID-19 start. 

In response to questions about the arrest of a journalist in Guatemala, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General has noted his concern about the legal action against justice officials in Guatemala.   
  
The peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan said it is very concerned by the rise in cases of conflict-related sexual violence, despite an overall decrease in the number of civilians impacted by violence in the country. 

Martin Griffiths, our friend and Head of the Humanitarian Affairs department, is in Venezuela, where he met with the President of the Republic, and other senior government officials, the opposition delegation to the Mexico dialogue, UN agencies, national and international NGOs based in Venezuela. 

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), briefed reporters on the NPT Review Conference.  

Tomorrow, 3 August, at 12:15 p.m., the Secretary-General will brief reporters to introduce the third report of the Global Crisis Response Group.