This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/sep/20/un-general-assembly-obama-final-address-syria-ceasefire-refugees-live-updates

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UN general assembly: Ban Ki-moon says Syria aid convoy attack was sickening – live Syria ceasefire not dead, says Kerry, as UN chief addresses general assembly – live
(35 minutes later)
3.19pm BST
15:19
And here he is:
Better late than...#UNGA pic.twitter.com/3TFGktvt3S
3.14pm BST
15:14
Here is the fashionably late president:
POTUS arriving now at #UNGA pic.twitter.com/KM5QgZhrOY
3.13pm BST
15:13
The United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has echoed John Kerry in saying the ceasefire is not dead but warned that it is “in danger”.
UN envoy de Mistura on #Syriaceasefire 1/ The ceasefire is not dead. That I can tell you. It was confirmed by everyone around the table....
De Mistura: 2 The ceasefire is in danger. The ceasefire has been seriously affected but the only ones who can announce the ceasefire is dead
De Mistura 3/ are the two co-chairs and they have today not done so. They want to give it another chance.
And here are Julian’s thoughts:
#Syriaceasefire now continues a zombie existence in the hotel lobbies of New York, having died violently in Syria.
3.08pm BST
15:08
Apparently, Barack Obama is still on his way so the speaker who was due to be after the US president is going to swap places with him and is at the podium now. It’s the president of Chad, Idriss Déby.
2.59pm BST
14:59
Julian has more from the Syria meeting, this time from the UK foreign secretary:
.@BorisJohnson on #Syria meeting Very difficult indeed, but the mood of meeting was that nobody wants to give this thing up../1
.@BorisJohnson on #Syriaceasefire: "The Kerry-Lavrov process is the only show in town and we have to get that show back on the road."
Reuters reports that the French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, said that today’s meeting was dramatic and that he’s not about to say the ceasefire will be saved. He proposed a wider mechanism to monitor the ceasefire, saying it could not just be a US-Russian effort.
2.46pm BST
14:46
Syria ceasefire 'not dead'
More news on Syria from the support group meeting. Despite recent events, members are not yet prepared to say the ceasefire has failed:
Kerry: the #Syriaceasefire is not dead. We are going to meet on Friday to decide on some specific steps.
Updated
at 2.49pm BST
2.45pm BST
14:45
Meanwhile, as the International Syria Support Group, whose members include the US and Russia meet, Russia claims that there was no attack on a UN aid convoy yesterday but that it “caught fire”. From Reuters:
The Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday rejected assertions that an aid convoy near Aleppo had been shelled or struck from the air, saying it believed it had caught fire instead, the Interfax news agency cited spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.
It quoted Konashenkov, commenting on the incident which occurred on Monday, as saying that only the White Helmets civil defence rescue group could answer who was responsible and why.
Konashenkov was cited as saying that the White Helmets were close to the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front.
The Syrian government has also denied responsibility.
About 20 people were killed according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The US has said Russia must bear responsibility for the attack on the convoy, regardless of whether Russian planes were involved.
2.36pm BST2.36pm BST
14:3614:36
I did say Bocelli would be a hard act to follow.I did say Bocelli would be a hard act to follow.
No standing ovation for Ban Ki moon. Andrea Bocelli still the only person to get oneNo standing ovation for Ban Ki moon. Andrea Bocelli still the only person to get one
2.34pm BST2.34pm BST
14:3414:34
Ban suggests that the UN president and his successor should look into ways to improve decision making.Ban suggests that the UN president and his successor should look into ways to improve decision making.
He refers to countries exercising vetoes and “holding the world to hostage on so many important issues”.He refers to countries exercising vetoes and “holding the world to hostage on so many important issues”.
There have been a number of vetoes on Syria, by Russia and China.There have been a number of vetoes on Syria, by Russia and China.
Ban says that when he came to office a smartphone was not available but now it is a “lifeline” for many people.Ban says that when he came to office a smartphone was not available but now it is a “lifeline” for many people.
Despite being misused by extremists smartphones they can be of great value in making the world a better place, he says.Despite being misused by extremists smartphones they can be of great value in making the world a better place, he says.
Our phones and social media have connected the world.Our phones and social media have connected the world.
Ban concludes.Ban concludes.
2.26pm BST2.26pm BST
14:2614:26
My colleague Julian Borger questions Ban’s claim about appointing more women than ever before to senior problems:My colleague Julian Borger questions Ban’s claim about appointing more women than ever before to senior problems:
At #UNGA, Ban Ki-moon claims to have appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. Fact-check: https://t.co/dNIWEQsdceAt #UNGA, Ban Ki-moon claims to have appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. Fact-check: https://t.co/dNIWEQsdce
2.25pm BST2.25pm BST
14:2514:25
Ban says he has appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. To applause he says:Ban says he has appointed more women to senior positions than ever before. To applause he says:
I’m proud to call myself a feminist. Women hold up half the sky.I’m proud to call myself a feminist. Women hold up half the sky.
More must be done to tackle chronic violence against women and improve their participation in decision-making.More must be done to tackle chronic violence against women and improve their participation in decision-making.
He is talking about a range of achievements, including in-roads against the death penalty, the international criminal court.He is talking about a range of achievements, including in-roads against the death penalty, the international criminal court.
Ban urges those present to say “No” to cracking down against freedom of assembly and expression. One would imagine Turkey is on the list of countries he is thinking of.Ban urges those present to say “No” to cracking down against freedom of assembly and expression. One would imagine Turkey is on the list of countries he is thinking of.
2.18pm BST2.18pm BST
14:1814:18
Here is the quote that could be seen as criticism of Donald Trump, as well as other right wing politicians:Here is the quote that could be seen as criticism of Donald Trump, as well as other right wing politicians:
"All too often, refugees and migrants face hatred." Ban Ki-moon to world leaders at #UNGA https://t.co/D17Ok7Vo6h pic.twitter.com/48g0opywDp"All too often, refugees and migrants face hatred." Ban Ki-moon to world leaders at #UNGA https://t.co/D17Ok7Vo6h pic.twitter.com/48g0opywDp
2.17pm BST2.17pm BST
14:1714:17
Ban calls on all with influence to end the fighting.Ban calls on all with influence to end the fighting.
The future of Syria should not rest on the fate of a single man.The future of Syria should not rest on the fate of a single man.
He says the prospects of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine diminish by the day.He says the prospects of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine diminish by the day.
Ban also cites problems in North Korea, Ukraine, South Sudan, and urges leaders to serve their people and not pilfer resources.Ban also cites problems in North Korea, Ukraine, South Sudan, and urges leaders to serve their people and not pilfer resources.
In comments that seem aimed at Donald Trump, he refers to the demonisation of Muslims that he says has haunting echoes of the past, urging politicians to be wary of hateful rhetoric.In comments that seem aimed at Donald Trump, he refers to the demonisation of Muslims that he says has haunting echoes of the past, urging politicians to be wary of hateful rhetoric.
Ban also cites places where he says prospects are more positive, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Cyprus.Ban also cites places where he says prospects are more positive, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Cyprus.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.38pm BSTat 2.38pm BST
2.10pm BST
14:10
Ban calls attack on aid convoy 'sickening'
Ban says he stands before the assembly with “deep concern” despite many achievements since he entered office eight years ago.
He refers to “gulfs” between leaders and their citizens and the danger posed by extremists and climate change.
Nevertheless he remains optimistic that the gap between rich and poor can be bridged. He urges leaders to bring the Paris agreement on climate change into effect before the end of the year.
There are “great security threats”, he says, citing radicalisation. The consequences are on display from Yemen to Syria. On Syria, he says “powerful patrons” of both sides in the conflict “have blood on their hands”.
Present in this hall today are representatives of governments that have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians.
Many groups have killed innocent civilians, none more so than the government of Syria.”
He calls yesterday’s attack on a UN aid convoy sickening.
Updated
at 2.39pm BST
2.05pm BST
14:05
The general debate is about to begin. Before that, opera singer Andrea Bocelli serenaded heads of state with a rousing version of Nessun Dorma. It’s a hard act for Ban Ki-moon to follow.
Now it's Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma at the UN pic.twitter.com/YVohrmj4cY
1.52pm BST
13:52
My colleague Julian Borger is at the hotel where the meeting of the International Syria Support Group is taking place. There is a lot for its members to discuss.
Kerry and Lavrov went past deep in conversation on way to #syria meeting
Lavrov and Kerry on way to Syria meeting in NYC. Lavrov spokeswoman came by but said nothing on convoy bombing pic.twitter.com/79K6vpck2S
Reuters quotes the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as saying they must see if there is a way back to a truce in Syria or if “this has already become hopeless”.
Updated
at 1.54pm BST
1.46pm BST
13:46
Interested in the types of seats the heads of state will be sitting on? The UN thinks you are:
Shortly these chairs will be moved into the #UNGA hall for use by heads of states. Watch: https://t.co/YDghrBCyDr pic.twitter.com/IpSzNyFW0o
And if that’s not exciting enough for you:
The UN is live streaming "VIP Arrivals" at #UNGA today like it's the Oscars or something https://t.co/4pHKwsSATQ …. Mesmerizing
1.36pm BST
13:36
Patrick Kingsley
Theresa May’s plan to keep refugees to the first country they reach after fleeing their homes is unrealistic, the head of the UN’s migration agency has told the Guardian.
Comparing the UK prime minister’s idea to the EU’s failed Dublin scheme, which is nominally meant to keep refugees inside the first European countries they reach, William Lacy Swing, head of the International Organisation for Migration, said it was impractical to expect a similar plan to work better across a far wider area.
During an interview on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in New York, he said:
I’ve felt for a long time that Dublin is not being honoured or respected. I think that migrants and refugees should be able to go to where they need to go to get work and protection. I don’t think it’s something that is likely to be extendable [beyond the borders of Europe].
Countries like Germany and Sweden have largely failed to send people back to the countries in which they entered Europe partly because of the logistical impracticalities of moving so many people and also due to the failing infrastructures of countries like Greece.
1.33pm BST
13:33
The International Syria Support Group, encompassing the foreign secretaries of international powers with interests in Syria, is taking place now.
The meeting comes amid a collapse of the short-lived ceasefire and tensions between the US and Russia over who is to blame for the ending of the truce, as well as the attack on the aid convoy outside Aleppo on Monday.
At the New York Palace Hotel waiting for #Syria formins meeting Lavrov is in the building but had no comment as he walked by
Updated
at 1.39pm BST
1.26pm BST
13:26
This is the scene in New York:
The @UN General Assembly hall starts filling up for the official opening #UNGA 71. @eucopresident to speak pic.twitter.com/W81yq94bF9
1.15pm BST
13:15
Patrick Kingsley
Today’s the second and final day of the refugee-focussed parts of the summit. After the disappointment of yesterday’s UN-led meeting, in which leaders agreed to a generic and non-binding statement on refugees that delayed collective action until 2018, around 45 countries are expected to make more concrete pledges on an individual basis at a US-led gathering today.
Negotiations are going down to the wire, and yesterday US officials wouldn’t tell me exactly what is expected from who but they did feel hopeful that they will more or less meet their target of a) increasing humanitarian aid by 30%, b) doubling resettlement places, and c) letting one million more refugees into the labour market, and another million refugee children into education.
“’We’re confident that we’re going to accomplish all this in terms of pledges,” Assistant Secretary of State Ann Richard said.
But Richard also admitted that they have included within this calculation anything that has already been pledged since the start of the year, and said that some of the pledges may not strictly fall within the goals of the summit. She said:
We took a very broad interpretation. It didn’t have to be a formal UNHCR resettlement programme, it could be other legal pathways for admission – scholarships, work visas or humanitarian visas.
Implementation is also a concern, said Richard.
For me the much harder piece is follow-up. The countries that make commitments – do they mean it, and will they follow through? Usually an administration would spend the next year making sure these countries follow up – but the Obama administration is going to leave office at the end of January.
Separately, various business leaders are expected to announce initiatives to help refugees. George Soros has already announced a $500 million fund for refugee-focussed enterprises.
1.12pm BST
13:12
Russian and Syrian air forces were not involved in air strikes on a humanitarian aid convoy near Aleppo in Syria on Monday, Russia’s defence ministry said on Tuesday.
In comments read on Russian state-run Rossiya 24 television channel, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said:
All information on the whereabouts of the convoy was available only to the militants controlling these areas.
The US has said Russia must bear responsibility for the air strike, whether or not Russian planes were involved because it was responsible under the ceasefire agreement for reining in Bashar al-Assad’s government forces. The convoy was hit while unloading food at a warehouse in opposition-controlled Urem al-Kubra.
The International Committee of the Red Cross says around 20 civilians were killed, including a member of the Syrian Red Crescent.
1.07pm BST
13:07
Opening summary
The 71st session of the UN general assembly has the theme of “The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world” but the general debate takes place today amid familiar rancour between the US and Russia:
Updated
at 2.33pm BST