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

Good afternoon, everyone!

I hope you are well today…

 

UN DEBATES INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN WATER AND CLIMATE

Today, the President of the General Assembly took part in the High-Level Event on Interlinkages between Water and Climate.

Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa said that: “Globally, one in three people lacks access to safe water in their homes, schools and workplaces. More than a quarter of the world’s people live in countries with high water stress. More than half experience water scarcity for at least one month a year.” She also said that “Over 2.1 billion people live without safe water at home”.

The PGA said that the poor and the marginalized are disproportionately affected. Eighty percent of people using unsafe water live in rural areas. Over 700 children under five die every day from diarrhea linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Ms. Espinosa asked for action and support in order to make  sure that the decade 2018 to 2028 really is a Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development.

She also invited participants to attend the High-Level Meeting on the Protection of the Global Climate for Present & Future Generations of Humankind, which she is convening for tomorrow and Friday.

This event is happening as per the UNGA Resolution 72/219 and in the Context of the Economic, Social and Environmental Dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Member States will be represented by Heads of State and Government and State Ministers, other guests include representatives of civil society and the private sector. They will take part in two panels on synergies between climate and the sustainable development agenda and means of implementation.

 

PGA TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE SG, HEAD OF WMO ON THE STATE OF THE GLOBAL CLIMATE 2018

And as you have heard, Ms. Espinosa will be here tomorrow at 12:30 with the Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the Head of the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, Dr. Petteri Taalas, to answer your questions on the State of the Global Climate Report.

All UNCA colleagues are welcome to attend it as well as the ones who follow us on the webcast and through UNTV.

 

PGA’S AGENDA AND OTHER ISSUES:

Today, the President of the General Assembly signed the book of condolences at the Mission of New Zealand for the terrorist attacks of 15 March. Ms. Espinosa is also signing the book of condolences opened by the Mission of Mozambique in tribute of the victims of cyclone Idai. As we speak, the PGA is meeting students of the Hunter College, and later she will have bilateral meetings with the Ambassadors of Ireland, H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, and the Ambassador of Fiji, H.E. Satyendra Prasad.

This is all from us. Do you have any questions?

 

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