UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

30 October 2026

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives of the Joint Inspection Unit, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, and the International Telecommunication Union.

JIU at 60: Who Holds the UN System Accountable?

Mika Tapio, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) Executive Secretary for the United Nations Office at Geneva, said on 4 November 2026, the Joint Inspection Unit, (JIU), would mark 60 years since its establishment by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. The JIU remained the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations system with a system-wide mandate. Rather than examining individual organizations, the JIU examined challenges across participating UN system organizations, identified common weaknesses and good practices, and formulated recommendations to strengthen management, governance, accountability and coordination. Over six decades, JIU reviews had helped inform institutional improvements in areas ranging from human resources management and governance to accountability mechanisms, accessibility and risk management.

The Unit’s sixtieth anniversary came at an important time for the United Nations system, as the UN80 initiative, financial constraints and increasing demands for efficiency and accountability had renewed attention to institutional reform. The Unit’s anniversary panel, “From Recommendations to Results: How Independent System-wide Oversight Contributes to Change,” would take place on Wednesday, 4 November, from 15:30 to 17:00, in the Tempus Room at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with online participation also available. The discussion would bring together perspectives from JIU Inspectors, Member States, executive management and the wider oversight community, to explore examples of how JIU findings had informed institutional reforms, the responsibilities of Member States and leadership in ensuring follow-up, and what was needed to translate recommendations into lasting improvements. Journalists were welcome to attend in person or online and further information and registration details were available on the JIU website.

Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Tapio said JIU did not review the reform process for UN80 in real time but aimed to ensure all reviews provided some evidence and information on the review of the whole UN system. For example, a report was currently being finalized on shared services, as well as one on data governance. The JIU was finalizing their programme for next year, where it was aiming to ensure all reviews would inform decision-makers.

Also answering a question, Mr. Taipo said around a month ago, the JIU issued a report on recruitment in the UN system, discussing AI in recruitment, including risks and challenges.

UNHCR Winter Appeal

Dominique Hyde, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Director of External Relations, said winter was fast approaching and UNHCR expected nine million people across Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon to need additional support in the months ahead. She was here to ask individuals and the private sector to show solidarity with internally displaced persons in these countries. The cost of living was increasing, driven by a surge in oil prices, food prices and inflation, which had an outsized impact on the most vulnerable people like refugees. UNHCR was aiming to raise 50 million dollars from individuals and the private sector, through their Winter Campaign. Donations were tangible; they could provide a heating device, thermal kits and insulation materials.

Ms. Hyde explained the situation of different families including a mother and son in Ukraine, whose home had been destroyed by drone strikes, making shelter an immediate protection need and a survival issue. She also spoke of families in Afghanistan and Syria, whose homes had been destroyed and looted, and who were doing all they could to heat their freezing houses for their children. In some cases, UNHCR had been able to rebuild these homes; the Refugee Agency had been able to rebuild around 4,000 homes in both Afghanistan and Syria. However, the needs were enormous, and this was why UNHCR were asking for support for their winter campaign.

The full release can be viewed here.

Responding to further media questions, Ms. Hyde said in Ukraine, four years into a full-scale war, the scale of destruction was massive and attacks on energy were a major concern. UNHCR anticipated greater needs this winter.

Answering further questions about Syria, Ms. Hyde said she had been there last December and had been able to feel the cold local winter temperatures. The government was now stepping up with the private sector and the UN to rebuild the country; the UN was shifting their approach to development and building infrastructure, with the support of the private sector. The needs were massive, including for water systems and electricity. A lot of work beyond the winter support involved the protection system documentation, and helping it come back to life.

Ms. Hyde said the winter campaign had been happening for the past few years. Last year UNHCR raised 47.6 million dollars from companies, foundation and philanthropies. She also said that while UNHCR also received contributions from Governments, these were earmarked funds. The winter campaign was also targeted at individuals and the private sector with the goal of raising additional unmarked income.

Situation in Ukraine

Responding to questions from the media regarding the situation in Oleshky, Ukraine, Matthew Saltmarsh, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said the Agency was monitoring the situation there, which was evolving, with civilians still trapped in the area. UNHCR hoped the ceasefire would bring much needed relief in Oleshky and allow those inside to evacuate the area. The Refugee Agency stood ready to provide support when people were moved.

Answering further questions on Oleshky, Jens Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said at this point in time, no official request for UN support had been received, but the UN were monitoring the situation closely. Mr. Laerke referenced an X post by Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Release Coordinator, who said that each day the ceasefire held was hope for civilians in Oleshky.

Mr. Laerke said he did not know why the UN hadn’t been asked for support; that was up to the authorities. OCHA would continue to advocate that all international regulations were upheld during the evacuation. It was positive that human rights commissioners from Ukraine and the Russian Federation were involved in the operation on the ground.

Refugees in Yemen

Matthew Saltmarsh, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said UNHCR were alarmed by the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis facing more than 65,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in Yemen. Escalating conflict, economic collapse, dwindling resources and access constraints were leaving thousands at risk. Conditions were particularly concerning in Kharaz refugee camp, home to 9,500 refugees, where nearby shelling had disrupted services and heightened fear. While food, health care and water assistance continued, schools and other services remained suspended, and rising prices were making it harder for families to meet basic needs. Refugees were increasingly moving in search of safety, while demand for assisted voluntary returns had surged.

Since August, UNHCR had supported the return of 607 Somali refugees, though ongoing fighting threatened future operations. More than 134,000 asylum-seekers and migrants arrived in Yemen by sea during the first nine months of 2026, while at least 139 people reportedly died attempting the crossing in October. At the same time, some 4,200 people had fled Yemen by sea since September. With over 250,000 Yemenis newly displaced and humanitarian needs growing, UNHCR's Yemen operation was only 19 per cent funded. Meanwhile, insecurity in Yemen and disruptions affecting key maritime routes were increasing costs and delays for humanitarian shipments across the region, including operations in Sudan, Djibouti and Ethiopia. UNHCR called for urgent de-escalation, humanitarian access, protection of civilians and sustained support to ensure life-saving aid reached those who needed it most.

The full release can be viewed here.

Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Saltmarsh said bringing supplies into Yemen had become much more challenging; UNHCR had a consignment arriving the day after over land, but access in the country was extremely difficult. When access was allowed, assistance was moved in. The Agency had been hearing that displaced people had been unable to reach places where supplies and assistance were located. UNHCR reiterated calls for an urgent deescalation and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into all parts of the country.

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, recalled that 71 UN staff members, as well as members of civil society and diplomats, were still detained in Yemen, and the UN continued to call for their release.

Situation in Ethiopia

Responding to questions from the media, Matthew Saltmarsh, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said the situation in Moyale, Ethiopia, had become deeply concerning, with around 50,000 Ethiopians fleeing fighting into Kenya. Many new arrivals were being hosted with extended families, but there was congestion in public buildings where people were gathering. The Red Cross had been distributing hot meals but had run out of supplies. Additionally, heavy rain was complicating the relief effort. There were also reports of open defecation, lack of water, communicable disease and mosquito swarms. UNHCR and partners had developed a refugee response plan, seeking nine million USD for 50,000 refugees over the next few months.

Jens Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said OCHA were not tracking casualties in Ethiopia. Some aid was coming in but there were a lot of issues with access. He expected to have more of an update later that evening.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said WHO did not have information on the numbers of casualties. But according to a report from a week ago, the situation in the northern part of the country remained volatile and there were restrictions affecting operations. Health services continued to be disrupted; in Tigray, mobile health teams’ work had been suspended due to insecurity. WHO continued to coordinate the health response through the health cluster system. Supplies to reach hard to access populations had been distributed, worth over 80,000 dollars. Mobile health and nutrition teams remained a critical lifeline for the population, serving seven internally displaced person sites.

ITU’s upcoming Facts and Figures 2026 report on global connectivity

David Hirsch, for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said on Tuesday November 3, ITU would release its annual facts and figures report, on the number of people connected to the internet, reporting the progress being made to bridge the world’s digital divide, particularly in regards to age and rural living. ITU were aiming to release an embargoed press release prior to the report.

Mr. Hirsch also said that media accreditation remained open for the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 set to take place in Doha, Qatar, from 9 to 27 November. The Plenipotentiary Conference was ITU’s highest policy-making body, and it would host senior officials’ elections and approve its strategic and financial plans. More information was available online.

Announcements

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, said the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) would close its 93^rd session today, and would issue its concluding observations on Angola, Cabo Verde, Cook Islands, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova, and Togo, whose reports it had reviewed during the session.

Ms. Vellucci also said that the 80^th session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) would open next Monday at 10 a.m. During the session, the Committee would review reports submitted by Austria, Eswatini, Mexico, and Pakistan regarding their implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Finally, Ms. Vellucci noted that October 31 marked World Cities Day and November 2 marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Ms. Vellucci shared the statement from the Secretary- General to mark the latter day.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UN Mika Tapio, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) Executive Secretary (PR)

· JIU at 60: Who Holds the UN System Accountable? From Recommendations to Results – How Independent System-wide Oversight Contributes to Change

ITU David Hirsch (PR)

· ITU’s upcoming Facts and Figures 2026 report on global connectivity. This is expected to be issued 3 November.

UNIS on behalf of HRC

TOPICS

UNHCR Matthew Saltmarsh (PR) with Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations (PR)

· UNHCR winter appeal: 9m people urgently need winter aid as resources dwindle and temperatures slide

· Refugees in Yemen trapped between conflict, displacement and dangerous journeys