PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR

United Nations Headquarters, New York

7 December 2020

 

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR INVESTMENTS IN GLOBAL HEALTH AS 27 DECEMBER DECLARED TO BE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS

  • The General Assembly plenary is meeting today to consider a number of items. This morning it addressed global health and foreign policy.
  • In remarks on that topic, the President said the past two centuries have seen enormous achievements in global health. But as COVID-19 has demonstrated, we cannot be complacent.
  • He noted that, one year ago, the General Assembly adopted a political declaration on Universal Health Coverage, a comprehensive commitment to a healthier world for all. He added that it is time for us to match our ambition with action, to improve health and well-being for everyone.
  • Noting that more than 800 million people spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets on health, he said the current pandemic provides a compelling case to invest in health now. He encouraged all countries to expand investments, achieve universal health coverage, ensure that tuberculosis services are supported, and prepare for the worst health emergencies.
  • And under this agenda item, the plenary adopted a new resolution by consensus today – by which it decided to proclaim 27 December as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 2 RESOLUTIONS ON PREVENTION OF ARMED CONFLICT

  • The General Assembly plenary is also considering the prevention of armed conflict this morning.
  • Up for action was a new draft resolution on the role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development.
  • According to that resolution, which was adopted by consensus, the Assembly welcomed the decision of the Government of Turkmenistan to host an international conference on peace, security and development, devoted to the International Day of Neutrality, which falls on 12 December.
  • The plenary also took action on an additional draft resolution entitled: “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.”
  • According to that resolution, the Assembly urged the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, immediately, completely and unconditionally to withdraw its military forces from Crimea and end its temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine without delay.
  • That resolution was adopted by a vote of 63 in favor to 17 against with 62 abstentions.

PLENARY CONSIDERS REPORTS FROM DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE

  • The plenary will also meet this afternoon to consider the reports of the Assembly’s First Committee, which handles disarmament and international security.
  • The President is expected to say that he welcomes the efforts of the First Committee to increase confidence between nations and seek out compromises to enhance global security for us all.  

SPECIAL SESSION ON COVID-19 WRAPS UP AFTER HEARING FROM NEARLY 130 HIGH-LEVEL SPEAKERS

  • The General Assembly’s special session on COVID-19 wrapped up on Friday night.
  • Over the two days of the general debate, there was a total of 129 speakers, including 34 Heads of State, 1 Vice-President, 38 Heads of Government, 6 Deputy Prime Ministers, 49 Ministers and the President of the European Council of the European Union.
  • The 129 speakers included 21 women.
  • It was not possible to hear all statements from Member States, observers and civil society, during the mandated timeframe.
  • Remaining statements include: 5 videos from Member States; 2 videos from the Holy See and Palestine; 16 statements from Member States, which were meant to be delivered by Permanent Representatives from the floor; and video interventions from civil society.
  • Those will therefore be heard at a later date.
  • Asked about that date and whether the remaining statements would be heard before the end of the year, the Spokesperson said the date had not been announced yet, but the general expectation was for the statements to be heard this month.
  • The Spokesperson was asked whether the President had been satisfied with the special session, or if he would have preferred to have seen more substantive outcomes. The Spokesperson replied that, considering the mandate that the Member States had given the President, the President felt that the special session had been a success. The special session had accomplished what it had meant to – in that it had brought together Member States, UN leaders and representatives of the health sector, to discuss the way forward and act multilaterally to combat the pandemic.

SPOKESPERSON TO ANNOUNCE PRESS CONFERENCE DATE WHEN READY

  • Asked when the President would hold his next press conference, the Spokesperson said he would announce a date when he had one to share.