Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Hello everyone, good afternoon!
PGA HIGHLIGHTS GLOBAL CHALLENGES AT POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, IN BRUSSELS
A few hours ago, the President of the General Assembly concluded her visit to Brussels, Belgium. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa started her day by meeting Heads of UN Agencies and Funds. She discussed ways of strengthening the work of the United Nations in Belgium, cooperation with the European Union and how to bring people even closer to the UN.
In the afternoon, Ms. Espinosa addressed the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the EU, where she spoke about the importance of “standing firm” in defence of multilateralism and its values”.
The PGA said, and I quote: “We must change the narrative and counter the false dichotomy between multilateralism and national sovereignty because we know the opposite is true.”
The President of the General Assembly highlighted the fact that collectively, the European Union makes the biggest contribution to the United Nations’ regular and peacekeeping budget. Ms. Espinosa stressed that together the UN and the European Union need to demonstrate that “multilateral institutions can deliver, that they can be effective, accountable and transparent.”
She also highlighted some of the challenges the world has been facing in number, in complexity, in urgency and impact such as climate change, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, pandemics, cybersecurity, organized crime and mass displacement.
Whilst in Brussels, the PGA also held a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker. They talked about international migration, climate change and cooperation with the United Nations.
Before departing from Belgium, she granted an interview to Euronews TV.
Ms. Espinosa and her delegation are now on their way to Helsinki, Finland, where she will take part in the International Youth Summit and hold bilateral meetings with Finish authorities and youth leaders.
More on both official travels, can be found on our website www.un.org/pga/73.
And you can find more information and access our videos on our YouTube channel @unitednationsga7
PGA TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON 8 MARCH AT 11 AM.
And on 8 March at 11 am. here in the Press Briefing Room, President Espinosa will hold a Press Conference for all UN correspondents.
The PGA will deliver her opening remarks for five minutes and take your questions.
We look forward to this interaction with you.
And now I am happy to take your questions…
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