Morning Multilateralism

Wednesday, July 29 2020

• United Nations experts told the Security Council of a deteriorating situation in Yemen. After an agreement between the government and Houthi rebels in 2018, the Council authorized a limited monitoring mission to the country. But continued fighting and the Covid-19 pandemic have mostly prevented the mission from becoming operational on the ground. The Council has also imposed a variety of sanctions on parties in Yemen, including asset freezes and a partial arms embargo.

  A variety of UN agencies and others are involved in a humanitarian relief operation for the country. But according to undersecretary general Mark Lowcock, funding for humanitarian operations have dried up.

  We used to provide food to 13 million hungry people every month in Yemen. Because of funding cuts, only 5 million of these people are still getting full rations. Eight million have had their rations cut in half. Similar cuts are affecting millions of people who rely on aid for water, healthcare and other needs….What had in recent years been one of the better funded humanitarian operations around the world is now one of the most underfunded.

  Lowcock also reported that there had been no progress in dealing with an oil tanker stranded off Yemen’s coast, which threatens to spill thousands of gallons into the Red Sea.

• The recently reelected president of the Asia Infrastructure Development Bank, Jin Liqun, says that recent China-India tensions will not impact the organization’s “apolitical” work. Jin, who previously served with the Asia Development Bank, begins his second five-year term this summer. Initially viewed as challenge by China to the World Bank, the AIIB has thus far collaborated closely with the Bank and other multilateral lending institutions.

• An expanding government role in the economy during the pandemic creates new opportunities for corruption, warn International Monetary Fund experts:

  During this crisis the IMF hasn’t taken its eye off the ball of our governance and anti-corruption work. Our message to all governments has been clear: spend whatever you need but keep the receipts, because we don’t want accountability to be lost in the process.

• Very briefly noted:

  • According to Egypt’s president, the African Union-sponsored talks on the Grand Renaissance Dam will be a “long battle.”

  • Al Jazeera reports on dwindling Palestinian expectations that the International Criminal Court will administer justice.

  • The World Health Organization official responsible for North Korea provides an update on testing results.

  • Amidst tensions with NATO allies over Libya policy, Turkey’s defense minister emphasizes the alliance’s importance.