NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York
GENEVA
Starting in Geneva.
The President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, addressed a high-level commemorative event for the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.
One of the issues that he discussed was the link between human rights and climate change. He said that he was encouraged by the adoption of two resolutions on human rights and climate change last year.
He said that these resolutions identify and reaffirm the threat posed by climate change to the enjoyment of human rights.
Quote “For some countries, such as my own small island state, this corresponds to the right to life.”
President Shahid spoke alongside Council President, Federico Villegas; High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet; and Estela Carlotto, President of the Association of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo.
GENEVA CIVIL SOCIETY
Not long ago, President Shahid met with more than 150 civil society representatives in a town hall format.
They discussed the work of the Presidency of Hope, in particular the five Rays of Hope – recovering from COVID, rebuilding sustainably, taking care of the planet, respecting human rights, and the revitalizing the United Nations.
GENEVA BILATERALS
While in Geneva today, President Shahid met with Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR, Ms. Gillian Triggs.
As well as with the Human Rights Council President, Federico Villegas.
President Shahid met with High Commissioner Michelle Bachelt. He applauded her leadership in advocating for common ground to address shared human rights challenges and reaffirmed crucial importance of respecting the rights of all.
He also had a bilateral with the President of the ICRC, Mr. Peter Maurer.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
From Geneva, the President of the General Assembly will head tomorrow to the Dominican Republic.
He will be in the DR from 16 to 19 June at the invitation of the Government, where he will focus on sustainable tourism and successful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Friday, President Shahid will attend a High-level Event on Sustainable Tourism and Economic Recovery at the National Palace, hosted by President Luis Abinader.
This event follows the high-level event on sustainable tourism held at the UN General Assembly here in New York on 4 May.
WTO GLOBAL SUMMIT TOURISM
Speaking of tourism, today is the World Tourism Organization’s Global Summit on Community-based Tourism. It is being held in the Maldives.
Community-based tourism means involving local residents in the sector, either as tour guides or service providers.
In his video remarks, President Shahid notes that local communities are able to provide context-specific tourism, with experiences unique to their region and culture.
As we work to build back our tourism sector following the devastation wrought by COVID-19, more emphasis should be given on empowering local communities, as part of redesigning the tourism model.
GLOBAL PSYCHOLOGY SUMMIT
President Shahid also had a video message today to the Global Psychology Summit.
He spoke about how climate change is creating a generation of climate despair and hopelessness.
He said that we must act urgently to counter the dispiriting narrative that the future will bring only more alienation, tragedy, and loss.
A narrative of hope reminds us that humanity can take control of its own destiny.
In that context, he will host a Moment for Nature on 19 July, to remind people that it is possible to tackle climate change, and to address the challenges that we face.
ECOSOC ELECTIONS
Turning back to New York…
I wanted to let you know that the ECOSOC elections will resume tomorrow, 16 June at 10AM in the General Assembly Hall.
General Assembly Vice-President Pedro Comissário Afonso, Permanent Representative of Mozambique, will oversee the session.
