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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026

MUSCAT PLAN OF ACTION

At 3:00 p.m. today, in the ECOSOC Chamber, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks at the launch of the Muscat Plan of Action, an initiative aimed at countering hate speech and help prevent genocide and atrocity crimes. The Plan highlights the role of traditional and Indigenous leaders in promoting peace and strengthening social cohesion. It is the result of a collaborative process led by the Sultanate of Oman, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, and is co-hosted by the UN Alliance of Civilizations. 

In his remarks, the Secretary-General is expected to stress that hate speech is a growing threat to peace and security, and to call for breaking this cycle through education, support for those targeted, and stronger action by governments and technology companies.   

MIDDLE EAST 

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by continuing escalation in the Middle East, including the strikes by the United States on Iran and the strikes by Iran on neighbouring countries in the Gulf and beyond that are not parties to the conflict and significant increase in hostile rhetoric.  

He urges the parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and avoid any further deterioration, which, as he told the Security Council yesterday, could trigger a full resumption of the conflict, with unpredictable consequences for the region and the world, especially the most vulnerable countries.  

The Secretary-General underscores that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. He further calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians.                                                               

The Secretary-General reiterates that the only way forward is through genuine dialogue and negotiations.  

He calls on the United States and Iran to redouble their efforts towards a peaceful, comprehensive and durable agreement that advances regional and international peace and security. 

UNIFIL 

Turning to the situation along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. This morning, a strike impacted near a UNIFIL logistical convoy in the village of Harris, in Sector West. Two Malaysian peacekeepers sustained light injuries and two UN vehicles were damaged. The convoy returned to a nearby UNIFIL base, where the injured peacekeepers are receiving treatment. Their condition is stable. UNIFIL will investigate the incident. 

In a separate incident yesterday, an IDF tank fired near a UNIFIL convoy northwest of Bint Jubayl, in Sector West. The convoy took a detour and was able to safely resume its movement. 

UNIFIL peacekeepers also observed significant drone activity in the Bayyadah area in Sector West yesterday.  

Seven drones were seen flying north, including a reconnaissance-type drone that overflew a UNIFIL position, followed by four-armed drones that flew over the same base at altitudes ranging from 50 to 250 metres. Two-armed drones subsequently crashed in the area, one of them directly in front of the UNIFIL position. There was no damage to UN facilities and no injuries to personnel. 

All these incidents are unacceptable. We once again remind all actors of the inviolability of UN personnel and assets. UNIFIL is serving the cause of peace and must be able to carry out its mandate without obstruction. 

Meanwhile, UNIFIL peacekeepers yesterday recorded 86 violations of Lebanese airspace by Israel, amounting to more than 128 hours of overflight. They also reported 14 Israeli airstrikes, alongside extensive ground movements and dozens of incidents of indirect fire across the area. 

In total, UNIFIL recorded 449 projectile trajectories yesterday. Of these, 431 originated from south of the Blue Line or from within the area of operations in south Lebanon. Eighteen trajectories were observed transiting from north to south, with only one crossing the Blue Line. 

On the humanitarian front, UNIFIL facilitated nine humanitarian missions yesterday: eight to Tyre in Sector West and one to Fardis and Hasbaya in Sector East. 

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 

Turning to the occupied Palestinian territory, OCHA says that the number of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage this year in the West Bank has now surpassed 1,000. 

These attacks have affected more than 230 communities across all parts of the West Bank. 

More than 2,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler violence and other access restrictions, alongside hundreds more who have been displaced due to home demolitions by Israeli authorities. 

Just last week, settler attacks resulted in the injury of more than 30 Palestinians and widespread damage to property, essential infrastructure and livelihoods. 

The current pace of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage – an average of six incidents per day – is higher than in any year on record. 

Meanwhile, our partners on the ground are supporting people in need, especially in Area C, East Jerusalem and other areas where the Palestinian authorities are not allowed to provide services directly. 

The latest report by the World Food Programme indicates that more than 300,000 people across the West Bank received food and cash assistance in May. 

On the health front, our partners helping deliver essential services through a network of 870 service points, including 230 locations that they reach with mobile clinics. They warn that some health facilities in the West Bank have had to reduce their operating days and working hours, because of shortages in operational capacity, medicines, medical supplies and consumables, as well as access restrictions. 

Turning to Gaza, our mine action colleagues in Gaza say that in the first week of June, they conducted 50 assessments of explosive hazards. Through these assessments, they supported the removal of debris and other humanitarian efforts. They are also raising awareness among children and adults of risks associated with explosive ordnance and how to avoid them. 

And our nutrition partners say that, in May, they screened more than 77,000 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months. More than 4 per cent of them were identified with acute malnutrition and admitted for treatment. 

Of over 53,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women who were also screened in May, just over 3 per cent were admitted for treatment.  

SUDAN 

From Sudan, our humanitarian colleagues report that aid delivery continues in several parts of the country despite ongoing access constraints. 

In South Kordofan State, UNICEF delivered life-saving health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies this week to the towns of Dilling and Kadugli. Delivered via an eight-truck convoy, the assistance is expected to support nearly 39,000 people who have been largely cut off from humanitarian support due to the fighting. 

Meanwhile, in Blue Nile State, the World Food Programme and its partners have distributed food rations to some 25,000 displaced people near the state capital, Damazine. 

At the same time, violence continues to affect civilians and to hinder humanitarian operations.  

Yesterday, drone strikes in the capital of North Kordofan State, El Obeid, reportedly killed at least four civilians and injured several others. In Dilling in South Kordofan State, a vehicle was reportedly struck by a drone, resulting in two deaths. We condemn killings of civilians in this conflict all other conflicts.

We reiterate our call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate the rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance.  

UGANDA/EBOLA 
We have an update from our UN team in Uganda, where our colleagues are supporting the national response plan to the Ebola outbreak.  

UNICEF, IOM and UNHCR are assisting with risk communication, border screening, surveillance and services in refugee settings, while the World Food Programme (WFP) has transported 33 metric tons of relief supplies to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
 
Our UN team and humanitarian partners are appealing for $15.8 million to support Uganda's Ebola response through August. While $3.1 million has been mobilized, a funding gap of $12.7 million remains. 
Earlier this week, the head of WHO, Dr. Tedros [Adhanom Ghebreyesus] visited Uganda, where he met with Government officials, the UN Team and partners. 

He reaffirmed WHO's commitment to the response and commended joint efforts to contain the outbreak. 

REFUGEES/REPORT  

The Global Trends Report today released by the UN Refugee Agency shows that global forced displacement has decreased for the first time in a decade while remaining unacceptably high. Overall, the data showed that global refugee numbers declined in 2025 by 3 per cent to 41.6 million. In 2025, 5.4 million people escaped violence and persecution by fleeing to other countries.  

The report showed that returns are also gathering pace; 14.7 million displaced people returned to their areas or countries of origin in 2025, with a sharp increase in Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria. Refugee returns were the second highest since records began 60 years ago, though UNHCR many occurred under pressure and to precarious conditions at home.  

With 70 per cent of refugees trapped in exile for years and many living below the poverty line, Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, urged the international community to back a new initiative to lift millions out of long-term displacement and reliance on humanitarian aid. Mr. Salih outlined a clear and measurable goal: to reduce by more than half, over the next decade, the number of refugees in long-term displacement reliant on humanitarian assistance, improving prospects for millions of people.  

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 

Today, Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, launched the Global Alliance for Human Rights to mobilize people from all sectors, regions and generations and to inspire hope, strengthen collaboration and generate collective action for human rights. Anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building towards its 80th anniversary in 2028, the Global Alliance aims to drive measurable change through four strategic pathways -- Human Rights at Home, in Action, in Mind and for the Future. These pathways reflect a simple premise: human rights must be lived locally, defended in moments of risk, understood and trusted by people, embedded in future-facing solutions, and supported by resilient institutions and sustainable resources.  

WFP GOODWILL AMBASSADOR 

The World Food Programme today announced Danish Chef Rasmus Munk as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, and its first from the Nordic countries. He is the founder of the two Michelin-star restaurant, “Alchemist” and the global food research centre, “Spora.” 

In this role, Munk will bring his globally recognized culinary artistry and experimental approach to help spotlight WFP’s mission of saving lives and combating global hunger, using food as a powerful medium for awareness and engagement. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY 

Today is the International Day of Play. On this occasion, and on the opening day of the FIFA World Cup, UNICEF announced the appointment of Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old star of FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, as its newest Goodwill Ambassador.   

As one of the youngest ambassadors in UNICEF’s history, he will use his platform to champion every child’s right to play.  

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION 

San Marino paid its full dues to the Regular Budget. San Marino’s payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 113.   

 **Guest tomorrow 

Tomorrow, noon briefing guest will be Angeli Achrekar, who is the Assistant Secretary-General of UNAIDS. 

She will be here to brief on UNAIDS’ latest report.