Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
Hope all is well…
We will say hello to our colleague Heba Al Magrahy from the International Daily Bulletin. Welcome to the Briefing Room! I will start with you today, afterwards Stephane Dujarric will brief on behalf of the Secretary-General and after that, there will be a briefing by our colleagues from UNHCR.
PGA HOSTS MORNING DIALOGUE WITH AMBASSADORS TO THE UN
This morning, the PGA met a group of Ambassadors to the UN for the Morning Dialogues (Minga) to discuss South-South Cooperation. These informal discussions, which take place once a month, focus on issues of concern to the United Nations. The Morning Minga aims to promote dialogue that seeks solutions. This third Morning Minga was dedicated to the critical issues of South-South and triangular cooperation, ahead of the second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA + 40) which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 20-22 March under the theme “Role of South-South Cooperation in the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: challenges and opportunities”. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa said that the discussion today served to highlight the importance of reinvigorating South-South Cooperation which is key to achieve the Agenda 2030 of sustainable development and promote global economic growth.
MS. ESPINOSA MEETS CARICOM LEADERS ON VENEZUELA
Yesterday, the President of the General Assembly received CARICOM leaders including Prime Minister Timothy Harris of Saint Kitts and Nevis; Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Labour of Grenada, Peter David; and the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Irwin LaRocque.
The CARICOM leaders briefed the President about their meeting with the Secretary- General, António Guterres, on the situation in Venezuela and its implications for the region. They reiterated their full support for a peaceful solution based on political dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter, emphasizing on the need to preserve Latin-America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
The President of the General Assembly commended CARICOM for their key role in the promotion of peace in the region and also reiterated her call for urgent political dialogue focused on the need for peace and stability. Ms. Espinosa acknowledged the mediation-offers by different countries to encourage meaningful national dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders in Venezuela as the most effective way to restore calm as well as the cooperation needed for the country to work for its people. A peaceful solution in a manner that is consistent with Venezuela’s Constitution and international law is the only way to ensure the well-being of all Venezuelans.
PGA’S AGENDA AND OTHER ISSUES
This afternoon, the PGA is meeting with the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Ms. Javier Manzanares. Later on, she will receive in her office the President of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Mr. Anthony Banbury, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Carter Center, Ms. Mary Ann Peters. This evening, Ms. Espinosa will talk to members of the Foreign Press Association.
More details on our website un.org/pga/73 and on our YouTube channel @unitednationsga73. The Twitter account is @UN_PGA.
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