As 2022 winds down, Csaba Kőrösi marks 100 days as President of the General Assembly. Here are the five key takeaways from his presidency so far, and what to look for in 2023:
- Science
President Kőrösi said in September that he wants the 77th session of the General Assembly to access data and evidence before deliberations, bringing scientific knowledge “from microscopes to microphones”. Talks with scientists started months ago, and there are plans for public briefings to Member States in February.
- Water
You can’t talk about science without talking about climate and water. Ahead of the UN 2023 Water Conference, the President and his office held two days of consultations with the scientific community, experts and practitioners, resulting in “gamechangers” for the water crisis. One of those ideas is an integrated water management system, a place to share information on water locally and globally. Read his remarks at COP27.
- Gender
An International Gender Champion, President Kőrösi selected a team that is gender balanced. In September, he convened a meeting with women heads of State and Government. He then marked 16 Days of Activism by visiting the Manhattan Family Justice Center, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Edit Mora. There are plans to bring families impacted by abuse to the UN, and to highlight what New York City is doing to support them.
- Leadership
When asked by the press the last few months to comment on breaking news, President Kőrösi – who has his personal opinions which he keeps to himself – has always said that he represents all 193 Member States. “I am impartial, except when it comes to the abuse of the UN Charter”, he has said. The President has had key meetings on the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, the situation in the Middle East and Security Council reform, among other topics.
- Multilingualism
They say if you speak another language, you perceive a different world. President Kőrösi has delivered remarks in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Lushootseed, speaking multiple languages in 13 of his major speeches. Watch him address the preservation of indigenous languages at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
