PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR
PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS PARLIAMENTARIANS’ ROLE IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION
- This morning, the President opened the annual hearing of the Inter-Parliamentary Union at the United Nations. It is taking place virtually today and tomorrow.
- The focus of this year’s hearing is on fighting corruption, restoring trust in government and improving development prospects.
- In his remarks, the President said that, by translating UN resolutions into effective national legislation, Parliamentarians turn our multilateral dreams into realities.
- Turning to the fight against corruption, he said that was even more urgent in the context of COVID-19.
- He said it was crucial that every effort be taken to ensure that corruption did not prevent or impede the equitable availability and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines — or lead to fake vaccines.
- He added that Parliaments could play a critical role in ensuring that pandemic-related funds are not diverted through corruption.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO BE DISCUSSED AT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON VULNERABLE COUNTRIES
- This afternoon, the President will convene the second meeting of his Board of Advisers for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
- Joining the meeting will be the CEOs of Oxfam America and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.
- One expected focus of the discussion will be the role of public-private partnerships and private sector contributions with respect to programmes aimed at helping vulnerable countries meet the 2030 Agenda.
ASSEMBLY TO HEAR FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS NEXT WEEK
- At the request of the Secretary-General, the President will convene an informal meeting of the General Assembly to hear a briefing by the Secretary-General on his Call to Action for Human Rights.
- The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 24 February, in the General Assembly Hall.
- It will focus on progress made in implementing ‘The Highest Aspiration: A Call to Action for Human Rights,’ which was issued by the Secretary-General one year ago, and how Member States can contribute to it. Further details are on our web site – in the letters section.
ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN SYRIA
- The President will convene an informal plenary meeting on Tuesday, 2 March, on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic.
- A high-level panel will brief the General Assembly on the human rights situation and also focus on: violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights; and recommendations to facilitate improvements in civilian protection and accountability measures.
- Asked whether there would be a statement by Turkey given its role in Syria, the Spokesperson said the idea behind this meeting was to have the high-level panel brief and hold a discussion with the membership. There were no speaking roles envisioned for specific Member States.
PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES NEW I.C.C. PROSECUTOR
- Yesterday, the President expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes to Karim Khan on his election as the next Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
- He said the General Assembly stands ready to support collective efforts to best serve the cause of justice.
FURTHER DETAILS ON SECRETARY-GENERAL SELECTION & APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO BE SHARED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE
- Asked for information about the selection and appointment process for the position of Secretary-General, the Spokesperson referred the journalist to: the recent joint letter from the Presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council to Member States on this topic; General Assembly resolution 69/321; and the relevant informational web page on the President’s web site.
- The Spokesperson added that, as further details became available, they would be shared with Member States and then with the public – in the interest of transparency.
PRESIDENT STANDS BY U.N. PERSONNEL WHO OFTEN WORK IN TOUGH SITUATIONS
- The Spokesperson was asked about an investigation into the death in Colombia of Mario Paciolla, an Italian UN volunteer. The journalist asked whether the President thought the UN had done enough in this and similar cases.
- The Spokesperson said the President had much sympathy and respect for UN personnel throughout the world, who often engaged in challenging work under difficult circumstances. The President stood by them.
- Regarding this particular case, the Spokesperson said it was not for the President of the General Assembly to get involved in or comment on these types of investigations. He noted that he had nothing to add to what the Secretary-General’s spokesperson had already said on this matter.
PRESIDENT WELCOMES UPCOMING PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS
- Asked if the President was aware of and had any reaction to the upcoming Palestinian elections, the Spokesperson recalled that the President had welcomed them. He later added that the President had, on 16 January, welcomed the decree by President Abbas to hold legislative, presidential and National Council elections. The President had said this was a significant step toward intra-Palestinian reconciliation and Palestinian unity.
- The President had also said that he looked forward to the successful holding of elections and exercise of the Palestinian people’s democratic rights.
- The Spokesperson noted that the Palestinian elections had also been discussed at the President’s 10 February meeting with the Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.