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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

20 August 2018

ASSEMBLY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO KOFI ANNAN; PRESIDENT SADDENED BY HIS PASSING

  • It is expected that the General Assembly will hold a commemorative meeting to pay tribute to former Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Discussions on the timing and format of that meeting will be held this afternoon.
  • For his part, the President issued a statement on Saturday, in which he said the following: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, one of the world’s most respected diplomats, an extraordinary statesman, and a visionary champion for multilateralism. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was a strong believer in dialogue and deeply committed defender of peace, development and human rights. He dedicated his life to making the world a better, more peaceful, and just place for all people. And in many ways, he is a symbol for the shared values of the United Nations.”
  • The President added, “Like so many among us, I considered Kofi Annan a role model and a mentor. During my time with the Secretary-General´s Special Envoys for the Balkans, Eduard Kukan and Carl Bildt, I had the honour to work closely with him. Since then, I have admired his wise and steadfast leadership, acumen and charisma.”
  • He concluded by saying, “I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends, the people of Ghana and Africa, and all who mourn the loss of this remarkable man. Let us continue to be inspired by his lifelong example.”

 

‘CULTURE OF PEACE’ FORUM TO BE HELD ON 5 SEPTEMBER

  • The President will convene a one-day High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace, on Wednesday, 5 September, in the General Assembly Hall.
  • The forum will highlight emerging trends that have an impact on this topic.
  • And it will allow Member States and other actors to exchange views on how to further promote a culture of peace.
  • The keynote address will be delivered by Rigoberta Menchú, the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

 

TOMORROW IS 1st INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM

  • Tomorrow – 21 August – is the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
  • The General Assembly decided last December to proclaim this day to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism — and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  • This will be the first time that this day has been marked since the General Assembly’s decision.

 

REPORT ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS IN HANDS OF DELEGATIONS

  • The Spokesperson was asked whether the General Assembly would be taking any action on the Secretary-General’s report, entitled: “Protection of the Palestinian civilian population”. That report had been written in response to a request from the General Assembly, from its tenth emergency special session.
  • The Spokesperson responded that this matter was now in the hands of delegations
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