HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MIROSLAV LAJČÁK

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR “MULTILATERAL RENAISSANCE” AT FORUM IN SLOVAKIA

• The President is in Slovakia today. This morning he addressed the GLOBSEC 2018 Bratislava Forum, a prominent conference that brings together international officials, academics and civil society.
• In his remarks, he said, “We have never needed multilateralism more. Yet, calls for unilateralism and isolation seem to be louder than ever.”
• Calling for a “multilateral renaissance”, he said that the multilateral system we created can produce solutions – but only if we use it the right way.
• In that regard, he called for a recommitment to dialogue, which he described as “the most basic but most powerful tool in our toolbox.”
• In the margins of the forum, the President has been holding bilateral meetings.
• This morning, he met with India’s Minister of State for External Affairs. They discussed migration, sustaining peace, sustainable development, regional issues, and India‘s commitment to United Nations peacekeeping.
• With the Foreign Minister of Malta, he spoke about the need to strengthen multilateralism, as well as the current state of negotiations on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
• Later today, he is expected to meet separately with the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Director-General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

CONSULTATIONS HELD AHEAD OF NELSON MANDELA PEACE SUMMIT

• Member States will be holding consultations today on the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, which will be held on 24 September.
• Today’s discussions will focus on the political declaration which is expected to be adopted at the summit.
• The General Assembly decided to convene the summit to focus on global peace, while honouring the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

PRESIDENT CELEBRATES COMPASSION & DIVERSITY ON ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA DAY

• The President marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Twitter today.
• He said we should all be offended by hate — never by love. And the LGBTI community should not have to be afraid – because we are all entitled to the same rights.
• Noting that the United Nations stands for the dignity of all people everywhere, he said that, on this day, let us remember our compassion and celebrate our diversity.

PRESIDENT SENDS BEST WISHES TO THOSE OBSERVING RAMADAN

• Also on Twitter today, the President sent his best wishes to everyone observing Ramadan.
• He echoed the UN’s recognition that peace and compassion are the focus of Muslims around the world during this month.

PRESIDENT WOULD SUPPORT CREDIBLE PROBE INTO GAZA DEATHS

• Asked whether the President would issue a statement on the deaths that had occurred in Gaza on 14 May, the Spokesperson said the President had already pronounced himself on that day. The President said he was following developments in Gaza with concern. He also expressed regret over the loss of life and called for calm, restraint and dialogue.
• The Spokesperson was asked whether it was enough for the President of the General Assembly to only express concern and not call for an investigation. The Spokesperson replied that, as he had told journalists before, the President would support the establishment of a credible investigation, which he hoped would be in the interest of future relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
• In response to further questions, the Spokesperson said the President believed that any use of force must be proportional at all times and should only be used as a last resort. He called on all parties to refrain from any further actions that could lead to additional violence, and to prevent further loss of lives at all costs. The President found it unfortunate that the recent escalation had not been prevented.
• The President felt that all parties must assume responsibility to avoid confrontation and exercise maximum restraint. The return to meaningful negotiations was more urgent and pressing than ever before.
• The Spokesperson reiterated the President’s wish to see two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, and within recognized borders.

SLOVAKIA: NOT FOR ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO COMMENT ON ONGOING INVESTIGATION

• Asked about reports that Slovak authorities had confiscated the phone of a Czech journalist, as part of their investigation into the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak, the Spokesperson said it was not for the President of the General Assembly to comment on an ongoing domestic investigation.
• In general, the President had already expressed his strong support for press freedom and his deep concern over the killing of Mr. Kuciak.