Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
How are you today?
PGA PRESIDES OVER MEETING ON VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA
The President of the General Assembly chaired the meeting of the ad hoc Committee of the GA for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
In her opening remarks, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa addressed the funding shortfall and the need for US$ 1.2 billion to assist regular programmes to 5.4 million Palestinian refugees.
Currently, the agency has a projected shortfall of US$ 211 million to provide services such as healthcare, housing, financial and emergency assistance.
The PGA stressed that “this is not a matter of charity. This is about responsibility, about upholding human dignity and human rights. This is about keeping the promise we made through the 2030 Agenda – to leave no one behind”.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General, António Guterres, and UNRWA Commissioner General, Mr Pierre Krähenbühl, as well as two Palestinian students from the West Bank and from Gaza, among others.
More details on our website www.un.org/pga/73 and for the webcast on demand you can go to UN Web TV http://webtv.un.org/
GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL MEET ON SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM
This afternoon, at 3 pm., the General Assembly will convene a plenary meeting on equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to this body.
Following conversations with Member States and groups of States, Ms. Espinosa will present a draft roll-over decision for adoption at the GA Hall.
The document “Revised elements of commonality and issues for further consideration” is available on our website, as well as the draft oral decision to be adopted by the GA.
The plenary meeting will be webcast.
COMBATING ANTISEMITISM AND OTHER FORMS OF RACISM AND HATE
Tomorrow, 26 June at 9.30 am., the GA will hold an informal meeting on “Combating Antisemitism and Other Forms of Racism and Hate – the Challenges of Teaching Tolerance and Respect in the Digital Age”.
The meeting intends to enable a discussion on ways social media and other digital tools can be used for educational projects, to share best practices and lessons learned on combating hatred and intolerance.
The PGA and the SG will deliver opening remarks and later, the floor will be given to Rabbi Ysroel Goldstein, of the Chabad of Poway Synagogue in San Diego, California, as well as the European Coordinator on combating antisemitism, Ms. Katharina von Schnurbein and Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, as well as representatives of Member States.
MS.ESPINOSA TO SPEAK TO THE PRESS ON 27 JUNE AT 11 AM. IN THE PRESS BRIEFING ROOM
As you know, all UNCA correspondents are invited to attend the Press Conference by the PGA here in the Press Briefing Room on 27 June, this Thursday, at 11 a.m.
Ms. Espinosa will take your questions after delivering short opening remarks.
The Press Conference will be webcast by UN Web TV. The entire briefing will be posted also on our YouTube channel @unitednationsga73
We look forward to welcoming you here.
This is all from us for now. Do you have anything else?
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