Belgium, Islamophobia, Lebanon & other topics -Daily Press Briefing (16 March 2026)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Trip Announcement/Secretary-General Islamophobia Secretary-General/Lebanon UN Interim Force in Lebanon Middle East/Humanitarian Conflict/Global Agrifood Occupied Palestinian Territory Sudan South Sudan UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Afghanistan/World Food Programme Ukraine Ethiopia/New Resident Coordinator Jürgen Habermas Guest Tomorrow Financial Contribution TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT/SECRETARY-GENERAL Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will head to Belgium, to participate in an informal discussion with the members of the European Council. In addition to the discussion with the EU Council, the Secretary-General will have separate bilateral meetings with the President of the European Council, António Costa, as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Among the issues expected to be discussed at these various meetings are the state of the world, the state of international affairs, the relationship between the United Nations and the European Union, and the broader issue of multilateralism.  While in Brussels, the Secretary-General will also have meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium, Maxime Prévot, and he will have a separate meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. ISLAMOPHOBIA This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the high-level event marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, and he warned that we are facing a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry and hate. When discriminatory narratives are echoed by those in positions of authority, he said, prejudice becomes normalized.  And when stereotypes are left unchallenged, they harden into policy. Governments have a clear responsibility, the Secretary-General said. Laws and policies must safeguard equality, not entrench prejudice. Online spaces should bring people together, not drive them apart. He told the meeting that we must work together to eradicate the rising tide of anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry, and build a world rooted in respect, inclusion, justice and peace. SECRETARY-GENERAL/LEBANON The Secretary-General returned from Lebanon yesterday, where he was on a two-day solidarity visit. In a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, he sent a clear message to the warring parties, calling on them to stop the fighting. “There is no military solution,” he said, “only diplomacy and the full implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions,” adding that the diplomatic avenues remain available, including through his Special Coordinator [for Lebanon], Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and through key Member States. Also on Saturday, the Secretary-General visited a reception centre for displaced people who fled the bombing, where he met with some of the families displaced from the south of the country, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. He heard their testimonies about how some of them left their homes with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The Secretary-General reassured them that the United Nations is doing everything possible to help the displaced people, including launching the humanitarian appeal on Friday, together with the Government of Lebanon, to provide support the people of Lebanon. Also on Saturday, he visited Lance Corporal Albert Abrefa Busia, our injured UNIFIL peacekeeper. As you will recall, he was seriously injured and wounded in an attack on 6 March, and he is receiving medical care in a hospital in Beirut. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-16