Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
We will say hello today to our guests in the back. They come from the Moscow Institute for International Relations. This is their first time in the UN. Welcome!
PRESIDENT ESPINOSA MEETS PREVIOUS GA LEADERS AT THE UN
A group of former Presidents of the General Assembly (PGA) are in town. They are meeting later today for an interactive dialogue at the invitation of the current PGA, María Fernanda Espinosa. The theme for the meeting is “Revitalization of the United Nations in favour of a strengthened multilateral rules-based system”.
This is the first event of this kind. President Espinosa will make a statement and there will be no pre-determined list of speakers. All delegations have been encouraged to participate with short statements.
The previous leaders of the General Assembly taking part in the event are: Their Excellencies Miroslav Lajčák,72nd session; Peter Thomson, 71st session; Mogens Lykketoft, 70th session; Vuk Jeremić, 67th session; Joseph Deiss, 65th session; Jan Eliasson, 60th session H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, 61st session. This informal meeting will take place at 3 p.m. at Conference Room Number 4.
The dialogue will be preceded by a luncheon which is being offered by the PGA to her predecessors. And at 6 pm. the former PGAs and the current President of the General Assembly will talk to UN Correspondents on “Strengthening Multilateralism at the UN” in a session moderated by the president of UNCA, Ms. Valeria Robecco.
WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK
World Interfaith Harmony Week has started in accordance with the GA resolution 65/5 from 2010. The objective is to reaffirm that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace. The President of General Assembly believes that the promotion of religious and cultural understanding, harmony and cooperation is key to foster sustaining peace agenda and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The dialogue among different faiths and religions will also strengthen our collective efforts to promote a culture of peace and non-violence globally. They must be at the centre of our collective action to advance peace. The promotion of peace is only possible by joined action through empowerment of individuals everywhere at all levels to act in accordance to fundamental principles of dialogue, understanding and solidarity
ON WORLD CANCER DAY, PGA ASKS FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO CARE
President Espinosa has issued a tweet to mark World Cancer Day and raise awareness on the importance of prevention and screenings to combat this global health challenge. Ms. Espinosa said that all people must have access to diagnosis, treatment and care independently from their gender, where they live and what they earn. According to the World Health Organization, 17 people die every minute from cancer in the world.
More details on our website un.org/pga/73 and on our YouTube channel @unitednationsga73. The Twitter account is @UN_PGA.
This is all from us. Now I am happy to take your questions.
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