Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York
25 July 2025
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephanie Tremblay, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
**Briefing Today
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the noon briefing.
Let me start with a reminder that at 12:45 p.m., there will be a briefing here by Diego Pacheco, the Chair of the Landlocked Developing Countries and Chargé d´Affaires of the Bolivian Mission to the UN along with others.
They will brief on the adoption of the General Assembly resolution entitled "International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries". So that's at 12:45, so stay put after we're done here.
**Amnesty International
This morning, António Guterres became the first United Nations Secretary-General to address Amnesty International's Global Assembly. He told the Assembly that powerful forces are ranged against human rights — and against the international system built to protect and uphold them.
The Secretary-General said that the scale and scope of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is beyond anything we have seen in recent times. And he spoke about the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community.
The Secretary-General said that the UN's heroic staff continue to serve in unimaginable conditions, while many are so numb and depleted that they say they feel neither dead nor alive.
He said that the United Nations stands ready to make the most of a ceasefire to dramatically scale up humanitarian operations across the Gaza Strip, as we successfully did during the previous pause in fighting. Our plans are ready, and they are finalized, he said. He once more called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access and urgent, concrete and irreversible steps towards a two-State solution.
**Deputy Secretary-General's Travel
Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will travel later today, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to attend the Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4), taking place from 27 to 29 July, in Addis Ababa; it is co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy. Four years since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, UNFSS+4 will serve as a platform to reflect on progress, strengthen collaboration and unlock finance and investments to accelerate the transformation of food systems.
While at the Summit, Ms. Mohammed will meet with senior government officials, the private sector, civil society, youth and other stakeholders, to discuss priority actions to support food systems transformation and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Deputy Secretary-General will then go on to Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to chair the annual regional retreat with UN Resident Coordinators from across the Arab region, with a focus on advancing sustainable development in these countries.
Ms. Mohammed will also meet with senior government officials to strengthen the UN-Jordan partnership and discuss priority actions to support the SDGs.
The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York on 2 August.
**Occupied Palestinian Territory
Now turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warn that conditions on the ground which are already catastrophic are worsening fast. Colleagues remind us that hunger and malnutrition increase the risk of illnesses that weaken the immune system, especially among women, children, older people and those with disabilities and chronic diseases. The consequences can turn deadly fast. Food scarcity is also having a severe impact on pregnant and breastfeeding women, as their babies are more likely to be born with health complications. It affects mothers' ability to breastfeed, putting children at increased risk of infectious diseases.
In Gaza, systems and services are on the verge of collapse, as we have been telling you for days now.
Just yesterday, the local health authorities announced that two more people died from starvation. In the meantime, the trickle of supplies that are making it into Gaza are nowhere near adequate to address the immense needs.
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, said yesterday that we must save as many lives as we can and stressed that the UN has a plan to do so. Mr. Fletcher shared that plan with Member States and we've shared it with you, as well. It outlines the steps necessary to stop the horror, the constraints placed on humanitarian operations in Gaza and our proposed solutions to resolve them.
Our teams are in place to ramp up delivery as soon as we are allowed to do so. Our supplies — which have been paid for by Member States from around the world — are ready to move.
As you'll recall, during the last ceasefire, tens of thousands of truckloads entered Gaza, with food aid reaching nearly every single person in the Strip.
What's missing right now is safe, sustained access. Aid workers face constant danger, crossings are unreliable, and critical items are routinely blocked. If Israel opens the crossings, lets fuel and equipment in and allows humanitarian staff to operate safely, we will accelerate the delivery of food aid, health services, clean water and waste management, nutrition supplies and shelter materials. Ensuring that these elements are in place will be critical to scaling-up assistance in the event of a ceasefire.
However, right now, various constraints imposed by the Israeli authorities on aid delivery continue to hamper our ability to respond. OCHA reiterates that humanitarian workers must be enabled to deliver aid safely and efficiently.
As access constraints continue, yesterday, out of 15 attempts to coordinate humanitarian movements inside Gaza, four were outright denied, with another three impeded. One was postponed, and two others had to be cancelled by the organizers. Only five missions were facilitated, including the pickup of cargo from the crossings and the transfer of fuel.
Further on fuel, the quantities entering Gaza remain insufficient to maintain critical facilities. The limited amount of fuel received yesterday has been fully allocated to support community kitchens, healthcare and water and sanitation facilities.
And in response to questions we've received, I can confirm that Tom Fletcher has written a letter to the head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. In the letter, Mr. Fletcher reiterated that the UN stands ready to engage with any partner to ensure desperately needed humanitarian aid reaches people in Gaza.
But, he stressed, any such partnership must adhere to the globally accepted principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. This means that aid must go where needs are greatest and without discrimination, and that we answer to civilians in need, not the warring parties. These principles are vital to fostering the community acceptance and trust that underpin effective humanitarian action.
Mr. Fletcher said he welcomes dialogue on how to reach as many people as possible and alleviate widespread suffering, without causing harm.
**Syria
Now turning to Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that as of yesterday, an estimated 176,000 people have been displaced due to the recent hostilities in Sweida Governorate. This includes an increase in displaced people arriving in Damascus Governorate, in addition to those in Sweida, Dar'a and Rural Damascus.
We continue to work with our partners, including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to deliver assistance to those affected by the violence, but access, particularly to Sweida, remains highly constrained.
Meanwhile in northern Syria, local authorities reported a large explosion yesterday at an ammunition depot in Ma'aarat Misrin town, in Idleb Governorate.
Six people were killed and at least 140 others injured, that's also according to the local authorities. Syrian Civil Defence teams responded to evacuate people and transfer the injured for medical care, though secondary explosions in the vicinity have significantly hindered emergency response efforts.
These latest developments underscore the urgent need to sustain large-scale humanitarian assistance in Syria. However, severe underfunding of the response is challenging those efforts.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, yesterday launched an extension of our 2025 humanitarian appeal for the country. The plan requires $3.2 billion to support 10.3 million people in need through the end of this year.
But to date, only $367 million has been received, representing less than 12 per cent of the funding needed. Last year's response plan was only 37 per cent funded, a steep decline compared to previous years.
OCHA and our partners call on the international community to step up with timely, flexible and predictable funding to help millions of Syrians rebuild their lives and futures.
**Lebanon
Now in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers continue to observe ground and air military activities by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including yesterday two Israeli battle tanks crossed north of the Blue Line in Sector East. UNIFIL also observed an air attack with nine explosions conducted by at least two fighter jets in Sector East.
Yesterday, a UNIFIL patrol found unauthorized mortar shells and detonators in Sector East. As per usual practice, the cache was referred to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Peacekeepers also supported the Lebanese Armed Forces in collecting weapons and ammunition that had been discovered recently at locations in Sector West.
On 23 July, UNIFIL peacekeepers assisted the Lebanese Armed Forces in clearing two roadblocks in Sector West, enabling their deployment in that area.
Peacekeepers also conducted five trainings for Lebanese Army personnel earlier this month focusing on unexploded ordnance identification and handling.
Last week, the peacekeepers, working in collaboration with an NGO (non-governmental organization), provided an unexploded ordnance awareness session for schoolchildren. This activity is crucial, as several southern Lebanese areas are littered with unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices following the recent hostilities.
**Climate — China—EU Summit
You will have seen a statement we issued yesterday evening on the joint press statement on climate change at the China—EU Summit. The Secretary-General welcomed the commitment of China and the European Union to strengthen cooperation on climate change and drive the global just transition.
As two of the world's largest economies, the Secretary-General said that he believes it is critical that China and the European Union continue to work together to ensure that COP30 (30th Conference of Parties) in Brazil represents a major turning point in the global effort to address the climate crisis.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call to all G20 countries to present 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are economy-wide, cover all emissions, align with the 1.5-degree goal and define a credible pathway to transition away from fossil fuels as agreed at the First Global Stocktake.
**Security Council — Ukraine
This morning, as you saw, the Security Council held a briefing on Ukraine. Briefing Council members, Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, warned the daily barrage of Russian missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and towns has continued to intensify with devastating consequences for the civilian population. He added that we are also concerned about the increasing number of reported civilian casualties, reportedly resulting from Ukrainian drone attacks inside the Russian Federation.
Mr. Jenča noted that on Wednesday, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul for the third time this year. He said that we welcome the continuation of these direct contacts between the sides and urge Ukraine and the Russian Federation to make further progress towards a ceasefire and a lasting settlement.
Also briefing Council members this morning was Joyce Msuya, our Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, who warned that the humanitarian situation in Ukraine has continued to deteriorate sharply. She said that civilians in the country continue to bear the heaviest burden — struggling to access food, water, power and healthcare.
Ms. Msuya noted that nearly 13 million people need assistance, but limited funding means we can reach only a fraction of them. Both of their remarks were shared with you.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
Just a few more notes and I will be done. Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the country's worsening cholera outbreak demands an urgent scale-up of the response.
As of today, health authorities have reported over 38,000 suspected cases and nearly 950 deaths since January; this surpasses the total number of cases and deaths due to cholera for last year. The outbreak has now spread to 17 of the DRC's 26 provinces, including Kinshasa, Maï-Ndombe and Équateur, which are non-endemic for cholera.
While the Government, the UN and humanitarian organizations are scaling up health interventions, significant challenges remain. Water, sanitation and hygiene services remain critically underfunded.
To curb the spread of cholera, a vaccination campaign is now under way since early July and aims to reach 3 million people across 11 health zones in four provinces through the end this month — so, through the end of next week.
And yesterday, an additional $750,000 was allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support anticipatory action against cholera in the capital Kinshasa, where a significant increase has been reported. Kinshasa has recorded more than 1,500 suspected cases and 120 deaths since mid-April.
The new CERF allocation for the cholera response is the third of its kind in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this year, following earlier CERF allocations for the cholera response in North Kivu in March and Maniema and Tshopo in May.
OCHA warns that the risk of the outbreak spreading further will increase as the rainy season approaches between September and December. Our humanitarian colleagues emphasize the urgent need for immediate funding to strengthen health responses and address critical gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene services.
**International Days
I have a few of international days for you.
Today is the first International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent. Empowering women and girls of African descent requires a comprehensive approach, grounded in human rights, cultural affirmation and inclusive policymaking.
Today is also International Day on Judicial Well-Being. Many judges struggle in silence: working long hours, isolation, as well as the emotional toll of decision-making can affect their well-being.
And finally, today is World Drowning Prevention Day.
**Global Advocate for Peace
And I have three more notes and a housekeeping note. Our colleagues at the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) tell us that today, Ms. Maryam Bukar of Nigeria was officially designated as a UN Global Advocate for Peace. Ms. Bukar uses the power of poetry and performance to champion gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive peacebuilding.
And if you are free on Sunday at 6 p.m., you can go see Maryam performing in Central Park, at the Summer Stage festival. She will be introduced by Assistant-Secretary-General for Africa, Ms. Martha A. Pobee, and followed by other performances celebrating African diaspora voices and music for peace.
**Briefing on Monday
On Monday, at 1 p.m., our friend Máximo Torero, Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will join us once again.
He will brief on the newly released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report.
**Financial Contribution
And finally, we would like to thank our friends in — I don't have a quiz but you can guess which country we want to thank today? — Beirut for their full payment to the Regular Budget.
So, Lebanon is bringing us to 117 paid-up Member States.
**Questions and Answers
Associate Spokesperson: Now your turn. Edie.
Question: Thank you, Stephanie. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on Israel's announcement that it is going to allow airdrops, including by Jordan to Gaza?
Associate Spokesperson: Yes, yes. Sorry, can you tell I have too many notes here? We welcome all efforts to provide aid to people in Gaza who desperately need it. We reiterate that the most efficient way to bring in supplies is by road. This is why it is imperative that aid is allowed to enter through all crossings and via all available corridors. There's simply no alternative to large-scale delivery of aid by land, but of course, we welcome also this announcement.
Yes, Lenka, and then Dezhi.
Question: Thank you very much, Stephanie. So, according to the list of speakers you sent to us, American President Donald Trump should be attending the UN General Assembly session. I just wanted to ask you, please, is there any meeting scheduled already, or has the UN requested one, or has the American side requested one? Thank you so much.
Associate Spokesperson: You're talking about the UN General Assembly in September. You know, we'll give you updates on all of that when we get closer to the date.
Question: But would the UN like to meet President Donald Trump?
Associate Spokesperson: Of course. So, yes. Dezhi?
Question: On the letter from Mr. Fletcher to GHF: Is that the response of the GHF's help offer of a couple of days ago to help security convoy?
Associate Spokesperson: It's really an offer for dialogue on how to reach as many people as possible in Gaza and how to alleviate the suffering that you've been seeing everywhere. So, as we've said it so many times here that we're open to working with... we already work with several partners in Gaza, but elsewhere all around the world. The idea is that the partners that we work with, as we've said so many times, respect humanitarian principles.
Question: Is this letter, by any chance, under the pressure from any parties?
Associate Spokesperson: No.
Question: No. Okay. Yesterday, we received this OCHA's aid delivery plan in the event of a ceasefire, right? So how would the UN see GHF fit in that plan? Because in that plan, you didn't mention GHF's help, right?
Associate Spokesperson: I think the position on the GHF remains the same. And I think I can just restate what I just said. We're open to working with partners who work along the lines of humanitarian principle and make sure that they do not set up operations that endanger the lives of people. And you see there's going to be dialogue. The plan was shared yesterday with Member States. We shared it with you. In the long note that I read today, I described at length the outline of this plan, and then we'll see, of course, you know, what happens during an eventual ceasefire, which we hope would happen as soon as possible, because as you heard the Secretary-General this morning calling once again for a ceasefire, it's urgently needed to end the suffering that we've been seeing.
Question: Given the history of GHF, will the UN consider the offer from GHF to secure the convoy?
Associate Spokesperson: I will not get into that. Let's see what happens with everything that we've just described today, and I'm not going to speculate on any of this, but I guess you can look... [cross talk]
Question: Which means you're open to the option that you're going to [inaudible] via security... [cross talk]
Associate Spokesperson: You can look. We have these principles where I think we've described here so often how aid is delivered and how, you know, we do not... When convoys move, they need to have safety and security, but we do not also hire external contractors to do security. Yes?
Question: Yeah. Thank you, Stephanie. You didn't mention this afternoon, Security Council meeting. I understand it's a closed-door meeting, but will there be someone from the Secretariat to brief the council?
Associate Spokesperson: Yes, it's a private meeting, but I can tell you that the Secretariat will have someone briefing in that closed session. [cross talk]
Question: Who that will be?
Associate Spokesperson: It will be Khaled Khiari. Yeah. But it's a private meeting, which means that we will not be sharing these remarks.
Question: I have a technical question. The closed-door meeting and the open meeting, technically, are they the same in terms of procedures? I mean, you know, we have briefers. You have all the Council members, and then we invite relevant countries. Are they the same in terms of procedures?
Associate Spokesperson: These procedures are determined by the Security Council members themselves, by the presidency, and this afternoon, they determined that this was going to be a private meeting. Yes. I think, let me go to... and then Edie, and then at the back. Yes.
Question: Thanks, Stephanie. Firstly, on Thailand and Cambodia, do you have, any updates on the topic, like any phone calls, any meetings?
Associate Spokesperson: The Secretary-General continues to call for utmost restraint. I can tell you that from our humanitarian side, from our humanitarian colleagues, they confirmed with both Cambodian and Thai authorities that there have been civilian deaths and injuries. They also confirmed that more than 131,000 people in Thailand and over 4,000 people in Cambodia have had to leave their homes, and this is according to humanitarian partners. Temporary shelters, including schools and temples, are overcrowded, with food, shelter and medical assistance among the most urgent needs, and the UN stands ready to support these efforts if requested at this point. So, this is where we stand.
Question: Any information on the displaced people, on both sides?
Associate Spokesperson: That's what I have for the moment.
Question: All right. Another one. I'm not sure if I missed it or you've said it. Do you have any, like, details or, like, comments on the decision of France to recognize the State of Palestine?
Associate Spokesperson: So, on this, you know, France's decision is a bilateral and sovereign decision. The Secretary-General welcomes all the steps that support the realization of the two-State solution. We stand ready to support all efforts to advance a just comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, and we look forward to next week's meeting here.
Yes, Edie.
Question: Has the Secretary-General made any calls to either the leaders in Cambodia or Thailand or both?
Associate Spokesperson: I'll keep you posted on any calls that are made in that file. Yes. Yes?
Question: Hi, good afternoon. Talking about the food crisis in Gaza, how will the UNFSS+4 summit commitment ensure urgent and safe delivery of food to 2 million hungry people in Gaza?
Associate Spokesperson: Can you repeat the beginning of your question? You're talking about the Food Summit in Addis, right?
Question: Yes. So how will this Summit commitment ensure the delivery and safe... I mean, urgent and safe delivery of food to 2 million hungry in Gaza?
Associate Spokesperson: We can expect renewed calls from the UN side for the safe, sustained food delivery inside Gaza. And on the Summit itself, we will keep you posted. We will have updates as the Summit begins early next week.
Question: Can we expect, like, any real action plan soon?
Associate Spokesperson: We'll keep you posted on what comes out of this Summit. Yes. Thank you.
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