Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
GA OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL DAY ON VICTIMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE BASED ON RELIGION
President María Fernanda Espinosa is marking the First International Day Commemorating the Victims of Violence based on Religion or Belief.
The day was created by the GA resolution (A/RES/73/296), and which was approved early this year.
The resolution strongly condemns continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals in the name of religion or belief.
The PGA expressed her sympathy to all people affected by such crimes. She recalled the attacks which took place this year in New Zealand, Burkina Faso, Sri Lanka, the United States and other countries targeting places of worship and some of them, during religious holidays.
Ms. Espinosa believes that everyone can help tackle intolerance, hate speech and extremism by speaking up and refusing to condone such practices.
During a speech in June, at the GA meeting on Combating Antisemitism and other Forms of Racism and Hate in the Digital Age, Ms. Espinosa said that we also “must extend our vigilance to the internet and social media. They are powerful tools that support education and tolerance, but too often, they are used to spread hatred and distort reality and truth.”
She concluded by saying that “hate speech isn’t free speech. It’s racism”.
GA TO HOST PLENARY MEETING ON INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS
The President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level plenary meeting to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.
The event, which will take place on 9 September, will be devoted to enhancing public awareness and education about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Since 1945, approximately 2,000 nuclear tests took place around the globe.
The UN estimates that the world still has about 14,000 nuclear weapons.
President Espinosa will be joined by the Secretary-General, António Guterres, and Dr. Lassina Zerbo, who is the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
The actual International Day Against Nuclear Tests is observed on 29 August.
They will deliver opening statements during the meeting. More information on our website: www.un.org/pga/73
MS. ESPINOSA TO HOLD LAST PRESS CONFERENCE ON 16 SEPTEMBER
Finally: Many of you have asked about this, and I am pleased to announce that we have a date for you.
The PGA will hold her last press conference here at the Press Briefing Room on 16 September at 11:00 a.m.
All UNCA correspondents are invited to this exchange with Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa.
As you know she has held regular press conferences and stake-outs throughout her Presidency, and she would she would like to meet you again on her last day in the office.
Ms. Espinosa is again looking forward to answering your questions and to listening to you on 16 September.
Website:
Twitter:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unpga
YouTube:
