PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
Hope all is well…
GA ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR VICTIMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF
Earlier today, the General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution designating 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
The resolution, which was adopted by consensus, was co-sponsored by Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland and the United States of America.
Member States expressed their serious concern at “continuing acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief against individuals, including against persons belonging to religious communities and minorities”, and reiterated that “terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group”.
The resolution invites all Member States, UN agencies, civil society, the private sector and individuals to observe the international day, which will take place this year.
More information on our website: www.un.org/pga/73
IN ROME, PGA GREETS POPE FRANCIS, MEETS VATICAN AND ITALIAN AUTHORITIES ON 2030 AGENDA
The President of the General Assembly is on her way back to New York following a successful series of meetings on climate change, which took place in Vatican City and Rome.
On Saturday, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa spoke at the Pontifical Academy in Vatican City on Climate Change and New Evidence from Science, Engineering and Policy. The event was attended by several Finance Ministers.
The PGA also held a bilateral meeting with His Eminence, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, and was greeted at the meeting by H.H. Pope Francis.
On Sunday, Ms. Espinosa took part in the launch of the UN Decade of Family Farming and Global Action Plan, at the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO.
The PGA said that: “The UN Decade of Family Farming is an opportunity to increase public awareness on the role that family farmers – many of which are women and young people – play in our society and in our economies.
Ms. Espinosa stressed that: “In a world where one third of the food produced is lost or wasted and one third of land is used for livestock production, family farmers are vital socio-economic actors who can support improved livelihoods, job creation, community cohesion, and development in rural areas. From pastoralists to indigenous peoples, forest dwellers, family farmers make a crucial contribution to the 2030 Agenda and for sustainable development”.
In Rome, she met with Italy’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Enzo Milanese, and spoke to international media outlets before delivering the opening remarks at the reception of the Conference on Sustainable Development Goal # 16 on “Peace and Justice – Strong Institutions” in Preparation for the High-Level Political Forum 2019.
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