Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone! It’s nice to see you again after a short break. The PGA is now in Cuba after concluding a very successful visit to Mexico…
IN CUBA, PGA MEETS PRESIDENT MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL BERMÚDEZ
The President of the General Assembly is meeting today the President of Cuba, H.E. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, in the country’s capital, Havana.
Ms. Espinosa and the Cuban President are discussing cooperation with the United Nations, the strengthening of multilateralism, the implementation of the Agenda 2030 of sustainable development among other issues.
The PGA started her day by visiting the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana.
This afternoon, the President of the General Assembly will grant a lecture on the importance of multilateralism to students of the Superior Institute of International Relations.
She will end this second day by meeting the group of Heads of Agencies and Funds of the UN in Cuba, which is called the UN Country Team.
This is the PGA’s first official visit to the country since taking office in September last year.
Yesterday, she met with the Foreign Minister of Cuba, H.E. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, to discuss cooperation between Cuba and the UN. Ms. Espinosa and the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of strengthening multilateralism in face of global challenges.
The leader of the General Assembly highlighted the need to promote the right to peace and development of all peoples in order to create a more just and equal international order.
In line with gender equality (one of her seven priorities), Ms. Espinosa also met the president of the Federation of Cuban Women, Ms. Teresa Boué, to learn some of the country’s initiatives in this area.
The PGA says that it is crucial to continue to empower women in Latin American and in the world.
Ms. Espinosa also met with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, H.E. Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz. Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening South-South Cooperation and praised the valuable contribution of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC.
The President of the General Assembly laid a flower wreath at the José Martí Memorial, in Havana. In a tweet yesterday she said that Martí, a national hero and a poet, remains a source of inspiration to all.
More on our website un.org/pga/73 and on the PGA’s Twitter account: @UN_PGA
SAVE THE DATE: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PGA AND THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF ILO
And finally, for your diaries: On 10 April at 12:30 here at the Press Briefing Room, Ms. Espinosa will hold a joint-press conference with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, ILO, on the High-Level Event to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of ILO. This will be followed by the High-Level Event on the Future of Work. Mr. Guy Ryder and the PGA will make short opening remarks and dedicate the remaining time to your questions. You are all invited.
This is all from us! Do you have any questions?
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