{"id":220048,"date":"2020-06-12T19:56:34","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T23:56:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/74\/?p=220048"},"modified":"2020-06-12T19:56:34","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T23:56:34","slug":"press-briefing-by-the-spokesperson-12-june-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/74\/2020\/06\/12\/press-briefing-by-the-spokesperson-12-june-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Briefing By the Spokesperson- 12 June 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PRESS BRIEFING BY REEM ABAZA, <\/strong>SPOKESPERSON FOR <\/strong>GENERAL ASSEMBLY <\/strong>PRESIDENT TIJJANI MUHAMMAD-BANDE <\/strong><\/h1>\n
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United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n

12 June 2020<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Technological Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

The President of the UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande convened on Thursday a virtual High-level Thematic Debate on The Impact of Rapid Technological Change on the Sustainable Development Goals and Targets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In his remarks the President told participants: \u201cToday, you may be talking about a spotty internet connection; or how you have eventually mastered the way to hold virtual meetings. But we should not forget that this remains a privilege\u2026close to half of the people living in developing countries are not connected.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added \u201cTechnologies are vulnerable to bias and abuse. An important question remains: whom does technology serve? This needs to be studied and understood with appropriate actions taken on behalf of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The PGA said that Many algorithms that already define our lives reflect the biases of their developers. Tangible action is needed to create a more diverse work environment in the tech sector, that embraces people from different backgrounds.<\/p>\n

The PGA stressed on the need to ensure that we harness the promise of emerging technologies towards accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n

Interactive Dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

During an interactive dialogue on Thursday with (His Royal Highness) H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister of Canada, the PGA said that the COVID-19 pandemic fallouts have revealed fault lines in our global systems. He added that even before the current crisis, many countries were not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change and financing constraints have obstructed their progress.<\/p>\n

The President said: \u201cIn order to achieve the SDGs by 2030 we need to reimagine our economic systems so that they work for everyone.\u201d This will require leadership, political will and collaborative efforts among a wide variety of actors to safeguard the future for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Full speech<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Multilateralism in a Fragmented World<\/strong><\/p>\n

The President of the General Assembly participated, this week, at an event on \u201cThe UN Charter at 75: Multilateralism in a Fragmented World.\u201d Organized by the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations and The Elders.<\/p>\n

The President said that \u201cthe General Assembly is based upon equality: equality of voice and vote. We will not have a General Assembly that excludes. Indeed, the fabric of multilateralism is greatly enhanced by the rich diversity of small states.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that \u201cthere are many lessons to be learned from the ongoing pandemic. After we defeat COVID-19, we will be in a position to assess the overall performance of the United Nations to prevent future shocks and make sure that our Organization continues to focus on the people, especially those furthest behind. As we build back better, we need to reshape what the \u2018new normal\u2019 looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Full remarks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Town Hall Meeting on HL Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today at 3 PM, the President of the General Assembly will hold a virtual town hall meeting for Member States to discuss a paper sent by his office outlining elements for consideration for the high-level week of the 75th<\/sup> session of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

In a letter to Member States, the President said that he indicated that the limitations on international travel and convening of large in-person meetings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may, in varying degrees, still be in effect in September.<\/p>\n

This is based on the President\u2019s exchanges and consultations with the UN Secretary-General, Local Authorities, the Host Government, the UN Medical Director, and Member States.<\/p>\n

I shared the paper with you the night it was sent out, but some key points are:<\/p>\n