UN spokesperson fields questions on Venezuela airspace, alleged maritime strikes and diplomatic notes
December 01, 2025 | United Nations, Federal
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Reporters at the United Nations press briefing on Monday asked about a range of international developments, including Venezuela's filing with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), recent reporting alleging strikes on vessels, and diplomatic exchanges between China and Japan.
On Venezuela, journalists asked whether the secretary-general had received a formal complaint to ICAO. Spokesperson Stefan said he had not seen the document and reiterated that issues involving airspace and international civil aviation should be addressed through ICAO. "Any issue dealing with airspace and air travel should be dealt with through ICAO," he said, and he noted UN staff remain in Venezuela.
Separately, when asked about reporting in The Washington Post that the United States military had struck vessels and that lives may have been lost, Stefan said the reporting was "very troubling indeed" and referenced the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who called for transparent investigations into strikes that may violate international human rights law.
On China and Japan, Stefan said he could not immediately confirm whether the secretary-general had received a new letter but expected correspondence among member states to be shared with member states once received. On the Ukraine peace plan and the UN's potential role, Stefan said the UN had not been formally shared the plan and reiterated that the UN is willing to support initiatives that respect Ukraine's sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.
The briefing covered additional topics raised by journalists, including attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, the selection process for the next secretary-general and UN participation at COP30; Stefan repeatedly emphasized the UN's calls for de-escalation, respect for international law and the need for transparent investigations where civilian harm is alleged.
The spokesperson declined to speculate on hypothetical legal characterizations of reported incidents and directed some aviation-specific questions to ICAO.
The Q&A session closed with the spokesperson introducing the next guest, Cesar Nunez, who would brief on World AIDS Day.
On Venezuela, journalists asked whether the secretary-general had received a formal complaint to ICAO. Spokesperson Stefan said he had not seen the document and reiterated that issues involving airspace and international civil aviation should be addressed through ICAO. "Any issue dealing with airspace and air travel should be dealt with through ICAO," he said, and he noted UN staff remain in Venezuela.
Separately, when asked about reporting in The Washington Post that the United States military had struck vessels and that lives may have been lost, Stefan said the reporting was "very troubling indeed" and referenced the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who called for transparent investigations into strikes that may violate international human rights law.
On China and Japan, Stefan said he could not immediately confirm whether the secretary-general had received a new letter but expected correspondence among member states to be shared with member states once received. On the Ukraine peace plan and the UN's potential role, Stefan said the UN had not been formally shared the plan and reiterated that the UN is willing to support initiatives that respect Ukraine's sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.
The briefing covered additional topics raised by journalists, including attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, the selection process for the next secretary-general and UN participation at COP30; Stefan repeatedly emphasized the UN's calls for de-escalation, respect for international law and the need for transparent investigations where civilian harm is alleged.
The spokesperson declined to speculate on hypothetical legal characterizations of reported incidents and directed some aviation-specific questions to ICAO.
The Q&A session closed with the spokesperson introducing the next guest, Cesar Nunez, who would brief on World AIDS Day.
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