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

Good afternoon, everyone!

I hope all is well.

PRESIDENT ESPINOSA CHAIRS 29^th PLENARY MEETING

Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa is presiding over the 29^th plenary meeting on the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba – Item 43”. As of this morning, the list of speakers has 36 Member States inscribed. The meeting is scheduled to last until 1 pm today, and tomorrow, 1 November, the 30^th plenary meeting on the same subject will take place at the GA Hall, starting at 10 am.

GA, ECOSOC AND SC MEET ON RENEWING MULTILATERALISM

This afternoon, the PGA will speak at the High-Level Dialogue of the Presidents of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council. Ms. Espinosa emphasizes the importance of renewing the commitment to multilateralism and implementing the Agenda 2030 on sustainable development. The meeting with the three presidents will be held at the ECOSOC Chamber from 4 pm to 5 pm.

WORLD CITIES DAY

Ms. Espinosa has issued a tweet on World Cities Day. She says that we must make sure that our cities are inclusive and accessible to all, and that everyone can reap the benefits from urbanization. The PGA notes that half of the world population lives in cities today. By 2050, this number will increase by 70%.

PGA’s AGENDA

On her agenda, the President of the General Assembly will have a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E, Ms. Maleeha Lodhi. She is also holding separate meetings with the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), H.E. Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. Later today, President Espinosa will receive in her office Mr. Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

This is all for today. Now, over to you. Any questions?

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