PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA

Good afternoon, everyone!

How are you today?

PGA CONGRATULATES FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF ETHIOPIA

In a tweet, published early this morning, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa congratulated the first woman to become President of Ethiopia. The PGA noted that she was proud that a former UN official, Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, is now the first female President of Ethiopia. Ms. Espinosa reiterates that women do make a difference in politics. The President of the General Assembly wishes success to the newly-elected African female leader, who not only takes an historic step in her own country but also sets an example for other women in Africa and beyond.

YEMEN: “IT’S TIME TO HALT THE HUMAN SUFFERING”

On the humanitarian situation in Yemen: Ms. Espinosa has affirmed today that with the United Nations sounding the alarm, that Yemen is in “clear and present” danger of mass deaths and starvation. It is thus the duty of all parties to halt the human suffering in the country. The President of the General Assembly made the statement in a tweet during her official trip to Geneva. She shall depart from Geneva tomorrow, Friday, when she concludes her first official trip to the city, and her participation in the Global Leaders Investment Summit, organised by UNCTAD.

ORANGE DAY – SAY NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

As you will recall, gender equality is the first priority of President Espinosa’s agenda for the General Assembly. Given this, the President will participate in Orange Day, which is marked on the 25^th of each month. The PGA says she is joining UN Women to raise awareness and take action so that every woman and every girl can have equal participation at all levels of society. You will recall that Orange Day was created to draw attention to the elimination of violence against women and girls.

PGA’s AGENDA

On the agenda: Ms. Espinosa met the Ambassador of Sweden to the UN, Ms. Veronika Bard, and had another meeting with 24 female Ambassadors, who are taking part in the International Gender Champions initiative (IGC). The network is formed by male and female decision-makers who are determined to break down gender barriers.

President Espinosa has recorded two videos explaining about this network and also about her support to Orange Day. Both videos will be on our YouTube channel soon. The channel is UNGA73 United Nations General Assembly.

This is all for today. Do you have any questions?