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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

2 March 2021

 

SYRIA: PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE, AID & POLITICAL SETTLEMENT AS ASSEMBLY CONSIDERS HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION

  • The President this morning convened an informal General Assembly meeting on the human rights situation in Syria. The meeting is currently still in progress.
  • A high-level panel is briefing the General Assembly on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law – and making recommendations to help improve civilian protection and accountability measures.
  • That panel is made up of six individuals from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (COI), as well as civil society.
  • In his opening remarks, the President said that, ten years on, the conflict in Syria and its effects are far from over.
  • He added, “We may have become familiar with the images of death and destruction, but we must not become immune.”
  • He also called for a permanent ceasefire; humanitarian aid for the 13 million Syrians in need of assistance; and a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political settlement in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254.
  • He said, “We must all show our strong commitment to Syria’s independence, unity and territorial integrity, and support the process facilitated by the UN and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General in Geneva.”

 

ELECTION FOR NEXT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO BE HELD IN JUNE

  • This morning the President met virtually with H. E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul of Afghanistan, who is a candidate for President of the 76th session of the General Assembly.
  • The election is scheduled for 7 June, and in line with regional rotation, the next President will come from the Asia Pacific Group.
  • There are currently two candidates, who have been nominated by Afghanistan and Maldives.
  • Both are expected to present vision statements and take part in informal interactive dialogues with the membership in early May.
  • Our office has just published a web page on the election process, which will be updated as more information comes in.
  • It can be visited at: https://www.un.org/pga/75/pga76-election/

 

 

ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER NEW DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON ARGANIA & MILLETS

  • Tomorrow morning the General Assembly plenary will meet to consider a number of items. Among other things, it will take action on two new draft resolutions.
  • If adopted, one would proclaim 10 May as the International Day of Argania. And the other would declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

 

WE MUST CALL OUT DISCRIMINATION WHEN WE SEE IT, PRESIDENT SAYS

  • The President released a video message yesterday to mark Zero Discrimination Day.  
  • In that video, he said that we each have a responsibility to call out discrimination when we see it, to amplify the voices of those who have experienced discrimination, to uphold the dignity of each individual, and to advocate and legislate for a more equal, just, and safer world for all. 

 

MYANMAR: ASSEMBLY TO BE GUIDED BY CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

  • In response to a question, the Spokesperson confirmed receipt of a letter sent to the President on 1 March by Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun of Myanmar.
  • Asked who was currently considered to be the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, the Spokesperson said it was up to Member States to communicate to UN Protocol about who represented them.
  • Asked for the President’s position on this, the Spokesperson said the President would be guided by the recommendations of the Credentials Committee, a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, which was headed by Tanzania.
  • Asked whether the Credentials Committee would vote on the matter if there were a dispute, the Spokesperson first stated that he did not speak for the Credentials Committee. That said, he noted that it was his understanding that the Credential Committee usually operated on the basis of consensus.
  • The Spokesperson added that, as of now, the General Assembly was acting in accordance with a recommendation by the Credentials Committee, which the General Assembly had adopted last December.
  • Asked whether the President had received another letter from the Permanent Mission of Myanmar dated 28 February, the Spokesperson noted that the 1 March had been addressed to the President specifically, which is why he could confirm receipt. He was not aware that an additional letter had been addressed to the President on 28 February.

 

SPOKESPERSON ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON SECRETARY-GENERAL SELECTION & APPOINTMENT PROCESS

  • In response to a question, the Spokesperson confirmed that the President had forwarded two signed letters and curricula vitae to his Security Council counterpart. Replying to a further question, the Spokesperson said that, as of now, the name and curriculum vitae of only one candidate, António Guterres of Portugal, had been jointly circulated by the Presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council to Member States.
  • Responding to a further inquiry, the Spokesperson reiterated that the Secretary-General selection and appointment process was a joint one between the General Assembly and Security Council.
  • Asked about next steps, the Spokesperson said that, normally at the beginning of the month, the President held a coordination meeting with his Security Council counterpart. The President’s office was currently working on setting that up, and the Spokesperson said this topic would certainly be discussed at that time.