PRESS BRIEFING BY AMY QUANTRILL, DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR

United Nations Headquarters, New York

6 April 2021

PRESIDENT TRIP TO TURKEY QATAR & AZERBAIJAN

  • The President of the General Assembly is currently on first official trip of the session.  
  • He is currently in Ankara where he has met with Turkish and United Nations officials and addressed the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
  • ‪President Bozkır started his morning by paying his respects at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey.
  • He was also received by H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, where Mr. Bozkır lauded Turkey for its strong support to the United Nations; for its active and visible role in the General Assembly; and for hosting more refugees than any other country.
  • The President has also met with Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr. Mevlut Cavusoglu, to discuss Turkey’s unwavering support for the UN General Assembly and how to be use dialogue, diplomacy and multilateralism, to find political and peaceful solutions to our world’s most pressing problems.
  • The President addressed the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and met with Mustafa Sentop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The President and Speaker discussed the role parliamentarians can play in promoting sustainable development and advancing policies in such crucial areas as health, the environment and the rights of women and children.
  • The President said: “As a Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee for years, I fully appreciate the important role national parliaments and MPs can play in international affairs. I have frequently raised this issue at the United Nations within the scope of my General Assembly Presidency.” He added, “Parliaments perform a great role in reflecting the Global Goals… in the daily life of citizens in each country, through enacting at the national level the decisions taken in the United Nations General Assembly”.
  • The President met with Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez, who leads the UN Country Team in Turkey. They discussed the UN’s efforts on the ground and how it works with communities to translate policy into action. The President commended the team for its dedication and expertise.
  • The President also met with Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank, which is based in Gebze, Turkey. They discussed areas of collaboration, including Mr Setipa’s participation in the High-Level Thematic Debate on Digital Cooperation and Connectivity that the President will convene on 27 April.
  • The President will be traveling to Doha Qatar tomorrow.  
  • When asked about the thematic design of the trip, the Deputy Spokesperson said the President would raise his priorities throughout his trip and advocate for multilateralism and the United Nations to address global challenges. He would be looking forward to future trips as travel restrictions ease.  
  • When asked about if the President will be raising human rights issues during his visit the Deputy Spokesperson confirmed the President will discuss human rights, particularly in regard to his priorities.

 

PRESIDENT CONCERN OVER FLOODS IN INDONESIA AND TIMOR-LESTE

  • The President has also tweeted his concern over the floods and landslide in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The President said: “I am following with concern the news of cyclone-related floods and landslides that have killed at least 100 people and displaced thousands in southeast Indonesia and Timor-Leste. My thoughts are with the survivors and the families of the victims.”