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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

21 May 2018

 

MIGRATION NOT JUST A TREND, NEEDS A GLOBAL RESPONSE

  • As part of the preparatory process for the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the fifth and final informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing is being held today.
  • The hearing is called “Migration – What’s Really Going On: Lessons from the Field”.
  • In his remarks, the President said, “Migration is here to stay. It is not a trend. It is not a phase. And it is not going to disappear, over time. The only question is how to respond.”
  • He added, “Before, we tried to do it alone. But now we have decided to do it together. We have said, firmly, that a global phenomenon needs a global response.”
  • He also noted, “This will require a balancing act. We need to cater to the needs and rights of migrants. And, at the same time, the needs and rights of states and communities.”

 

PRESIDENT URGES COMMISSION TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL LAW

  • The President spoke today at a commemorative meeting to mark the 70th anniversary of the International Law Commission.
  • He encouraged the Commission to forge ahead with developing international law. In doing so, the Commission was helping to reinforce multilateralism, he said.

 

TEXTS CIRCULATED TO MEMBER STATES ON DEVELOPMENT, REVITALIZATION, SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM

  • The final draft of the resolution on the repositioning of the United Nations development system has been officially circulated to Member States.
  • The General Assembly’s plenary meeting to consider this draft will be held on Thursday, 31 May.
  • Meanwhile, the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly have shared the zero draft of the next annual resolution on this topic.
  • This draft will be presented this Friday morning. Member States will be welcome to share views on the text at that time.
  • The draft contains proposals to further improve the work of the General Assembly – including on elections conduct.
  • Also available now is a document related to Security Council reform. This was prepared by the Co-Chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations (IGN).
  • It is called “Revised Elements of Commonality and Issues for Further Consideration.”
  • The fifth meeting of the IGN will be held on 6 and 7 June.
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