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

PRESIDENT WARNS OF IMPACTS OF DRUG-RESISTANT DISEASES DURING ANTIMICROBIAL WEEK 

  • The President delivered virtual remarks this morning at an event to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. That event was organized by the Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Antimicrobial Resistance – namely China, Ghana, Mexico and the United Kingdom – plus the World Health Organization and the UN Foundation. 
  • In his statement, he said drug-resistant diseases are responsible for at least 700,000 deaths globally per year. And this could reach 10 million by 2050 without appropriate action. 
  • The potential economic impact – a staggering $100 trillion USD – is equally concerning. 
  • To say that this would impact progress on the Sustainable Development Goals would be an understatement, he said. 
  • He added that, if this year has taught us anything, it is that we cannot wait for the next disease to emerge before we act. We must act now to build public awareness; work with healthcare providers to avoid overuse of medications; and bolster our environmental standards to strengthen prevention and build resilience. 

PRESIDENT FOSTERS COORDINATION WITH ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COUNCIL 

  • The President held one of his periodic coordination meetings today with the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 
  • He raised two issues. The first was a joint briefing by both Presidents to Member States in January. He said this practice reinforces the importance of the two organs and maximizes their impact. It would be an opportunity to showcase coordination between the General Assembly and ECOSOC on achieving the 2030 Agenda.   
  • The President’s second topic was ECOSOC’s mandate to convene a special segment in its Financing for Development Forum next April on economic recovery from COVID-19. The President offered his office’s support on that. 

LIST OF 2021 EVENTS PUBLISHED ONLINE 

  • For journalists’ planning purposes, the Spokesperson noted that a revised provisional list of events – to be held in 2021 under the auspices of the General Assembly and/or its President – had been posted on the President’s web site under the “Events” tab.