Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
I will start saying hello or buongiorno to Ilaria Maroni, she is working with ATN, and is joining our press briefings this week. Welcome to the UNCA family!
We will begin with a note on the Amazon fires.
PRESIDENT ESPINOSA WELCOMES GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR THE AMAZON FOREST
The President of the General Assembly has welcomed expressions of global support for the Amazon rain forest after incidents of fires.
Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa said that the logistical and financial support agreed by the G7 leaders of approximately U$ 20 million will help efforts to control the fires and to bring relief to people living in the affected areas, most of them are from indigenous communities.
The PGA also stresses that the forest must be protected from any harmful activities which jeopardize its crucial role to tackle climate change, to conserve biodiversity and to ensure food security.
As a specialist in environmental policies, who worked in the Amazon for several years, Ms. Espinosa believes that all countries which share the Amazonian territory, could benefit from strengthening their cooperation even further.
The PGA says that the work of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is a good example of partnership for sustainable development of the Amazon Basin. She believes that ACTO can inspire initiatives to promote the protection of the Amazon and its crucial role as the world takes climate action.
The Amazon is home to about 38 million people and occupies 40% of all South-American territory. The forest also concentrates 20 percent of all existing fauna and flora. The Amazon basis has 20 percent of the world’s fresh water.
PGA WILL TRAVEL TO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, TO ATTEND 68TH CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE
The President of the General Assembly will travel tomorrow, 27 August, to Salt Lake City, in the US state of Utah, to take part in the 68th Civil Society Conference.
Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa will be a keynote speaker at the opening and the closing of the event, which will take place from 26 to 28 August.
This year, the Conference’s theme is: “Building inclusive and sustainable cities and communities.”
The UN Civil Society Conference is focusing on climate change, peaceful societies, opportunities for youth, partnership with civil society and its role to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Ms. Espinosa will speak to the Youth Caucus on youth taking firm action on saving the planet. She later will visit the LDS Charities Humanitarian Center and will hold a bilateral meeting with the Mayor of Salt Lake City, H.E. Ms. Jackie Biskupski.
The GA President will also be received by State Legislators in Utah and before returning to New York, she will hold a bilateral meeting with the Utah Valley University President, Ms. Astrid Tuminez.
Whilst in Salt Lake City, Ms. Espinosa will speak to national and international media outlets.
The PGA’s delegation includes an adviser, a communications specialist and her personal assistant. Travel costs are being covered by the PGA’s Office Trust Fund. Ms. Espinosa will be back in New York on 29 August.
MS. ESPINOSA TO HOLD LAST PRESS CONFERENCE ON 16 SEPTEMBER
Finally, I have a note for the ones who were not here on Friday.
The President of the General Assembly 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.
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