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

ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY REVIEW

• The General Assembly plenary is meeting today for its sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
• It started today’s meeting by adopting a resolution by consensus entitled: “The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review”.
• A debate is now underway.
• In his remarks this morning, the President said, “No one country can ever be immune to terrorism– and no one country can ever hold all of the answers – which is why international cooperation is vital.”
• He added, “We will be stronger if we work together. And this Strategy gives us an opportunity to do so.”
• He also said, “We cannot afford to underestimate the threat facing us… We need to pool our capacities and experiences… And we need to deliver a strong message: that we do not – will not – accept international terrorism.”
• The Spokesperson was asked who exactly the President was addressing when he said we “will not accept international terrorism.” The Spokesperson replied that the President’s message was for all people throughout the world.
• The Spokesperson said the President felt that no person should ever have to be the victim of terrorism. The General Assembly also stood strongly against terrorism, which is why it had adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
• Asked whether terrorists would listen to the President’s words about terrorism, the Spokesperson said the President hoped that the world was listening. That is why he was delivering his message in the most democratic body of the United Nations.
• In response to further questions, the Spokesperson reminded journalists that it was the General Assembly that had approved the creation of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. In that regard, terrorism was a subject that was taken very seriously by the General Assembly and its President.
• Asked about the practical implications of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Spokesperson urged the reporter to read through the strategy and the resolution that had been adopted by consensus today.
• Replying to additional questions, the Spokesperson said the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy had been adopted by the General Assembly in 2006 and was a unique global instrument to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism.

COOPERATION NEEDED TO FIGHT GLOBAL DRUGS PROBLEM

• The President delivered remarks at today’s launch of this year’s World Drug Report.
• He said, “We do have a global drugs problem. No country is immune from it. But that does not mean that all countries have the same experience… So national solutions and policies are crucial.”
• He added, “But the only way to make them stronger – the only way we can ensure long-term success – is through cooperation. Both regionally and internationally.”

PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ANGOLAN & CHINESE AMBASSADORS

• Asked why the President was meeting today with the Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations, the Spokesperson said the Angolan ambassador had recently arrived at the United Nations. In that regard, today’s courtesy meeting was meant to welcome her.
• Asked why the President met today with the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, the Spokesperson later said the topics of discussion had included multilateralism, the Belt and Road Initiative, and new UN-Chinese projects concerning the fight against corruption.

PRESIDENT TO ATTEND SECRETARY-GENERAL LUNCHEON & JOURNALISTS’ RECEPTION

• Asked about the President’s meeting today with the Secretary-General, the Spokesperson said this was a regular monthly working luncheon.
• The Spokesperson added that the President held monthly meetings with other heads of United Nations organs as well.
• The Spokesperson was asked why the President was attending a reception this evening organized by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) and whether he would be delivering remarks there.
• The Spokesperson said the President was going because he had been invited by UNCA and was not planning to deliver remarks.