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

MULTILATERALISM MEANS WE CAN ALL WIN, PRESIDENT SAYS AT PEACE EVENT

• The President spoke this morning at an event at the International Peace Institute (IPI) – entitled “Broader Perspectives on the UN of Today and Tomorrow.”
• In his remarks, he said that multilateralism was “under fire.”
• But he added, “Although multilateralism does require compromise, it can mean that we all win.”
• The President was joined by members of his Team of External Advisors, who distributed an independent report containing their thoughts on the current state of multilateralism; peace and conflict prevention; the work of the General Assembly; the Security Council; migration; and financing for development.

ASSEMBLY PLENARY CONSIDERS 3 DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON AFRICA

• This afternoon the General Assembly plenary will meet to consider three draft resolutions.
• The first is entitled: “Consolidating gains and accelerating efforts to control and eliminate malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa, by 2030.”
• The second is: “New Partnership for Africa’s Development: progress in implementation and international support.”
• The United States has proposed an amendment to that annual resolution, which will be considered by the plenary.
• The third draft is called: “Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa.”
• Two delegations have proposed amendments to that draft – the United States, and Austria on behalf of the European Union. Those draft amendments will also be considered by the plenary.

U.N. BUDGET DETERMINED BY MEMBER STATES

• Asked whether it was “fair” for Member States to threaten to withhold funds from the United Nations if they did not agree with what United Nations officials were saying, the Spokesperson noted that it was the Member States that agreed on the budget of the United Nations and the scale of assessments for their contributions to that budget.
• For its part, the United Nations would continue to work as effectively as its Member States allowed, with the resources that were given to it.