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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

5 December 2018

[As delivered]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I hope you are well today.

PRESIDENT ESPINOSA ATTENDS DPI/NGO MEETING

The President of the General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa, has just attended a meeting with the Department of Public Information and representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs.

Ms. Espinosa declared that we all need to join forces to make sure that multilateralism is taken seriously. She believes that the voices of civil society are key to make the UN relevant to all, and that communities around the world have a crucial role to play in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

Earlier today, Ms. Espinosa issued a tweet recognizing the work of volunteers as she marks International Volunteer Day. The PGA recalls that as we approach the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we also recognize volunteers, who embody the thinking of the architects of the Declaration. She thanks all volunteers, who dedicate their time and passion to others. Every year, over 6,500 UN Volunteers serve with UN entities, and across the world 12,000 UN online volunteers complete over 20,000 assignments online, says UNV.)

PGA’s AGENDA

On the agenda: The PGA has chaired a meeting at the GA Hall on the report of the First Committee followed by her conversation with NGO representatives in a separate gathering. The PGA is holding separate meetings with the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs of Ireland, and the Chairperson of the Coordinating Bureau of Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries, Mr. Samuel Moncada. Later today, Ms. Espinosa will meet the General Committee, and this evening, she will be at the 2018 UN Correspondents Association, UNCA, Awards ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNCA and to honour the winners of the best media coverage of the United Nations…

Sounds familiar?

This is all from us today. I am now happy to take your questions.

Website: https://www.un.org/pga/73/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UN_PGA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpga

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2S7Wl3q