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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

3 May 2021

PRESIDENT MARKS WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 

  • Today is World Press Freedom Day. In a video message, the President said, “We cannot expect people to be empowered over their own lives if they do not have access to accurate, fair, and unbiased information.” 
  • In that context, he paid tribute to all the brave people who have taken unimaginable risks to keep us informed. 
  • He said, “We must do our utmost to protect these information warriors in their efforts towards the public good.”   

 

PRESIDENT WELCOMES SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE TO EBOLA OUTBREAK IN D.R. CONGO 

  • The President said this morning that he was heartened that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – with support from the World Health Organization – was able to stamp out an Ebola outbreak in the DRC today after just 3 months.  
  • He added, “This proves that health crises can be tackled when people work together in a coordinated and focused way. Thank you to our health heroes.” 

 

MEMBER STATES DISCUSS PANDEMIC-ERA BUSINESS CONTINUITY 

  • This morning the President convened the Assembly’s fourth informal meeting on COVID-19 related business continuity issues.  
  • The idea behind these meetings is to provide a platform for Member States, the host country and the Secretariat, to review the way we’re working at UN Headquarters and how we can safely continue to deliver throughout the pandemic. 
  • It is expected that these discussions will have an impact on the arrangements for upcoming high-level meetings, including the seventy-sixth session’s High-level Week and General Debate. 
  • Of course, Member States will make the final decision on the format for High-level Week – taking into account the advice and local requirements of the Host Country, and in consultation with the Secretariat and the next President of the General Assembly. 
  • In terms of what came out of today’s meeting, the message from Member States was clear: The UN should not be left behind during the gradual reopening of New York City. It needs to plan to return to greater normalcy to carry out its crucial work. 
  • The agreed next steps include the following: a paper by the Secretariat on options for the coming period and High-level Week; looking into having “1+1 delegations” in meetings, which would allow for “Minister +1”; reopening the Delegates’ Lounge; gradual return of staff to UN Headquarters; and the use of outdoor spaces at UN Headquarters. 
  • The President’s Office will work with the Secretariat on this. And vaccine equity will be key. 
  • The next business continuity meeting will be on 19 May, and then the next one will be on 16 June. 
  • Asked when a decision would be made about High-level Week, the Spokesperson said he had no date to share. This was one of the topics being discussed by Member States in the framework of business continuity. For the President’s part, he would continue to use his convening power to provide a forum for such discussions to happen. 
  • Replying to a question about “1+1 delegations”, the Spokesperson noted that, due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, Member States were currently limited to only one person per delegation in the General Assembly Hall. Member States had asked for consideration to be given to moving to “1+1” formats, which would allow for a Minister from a Member State to be accompanied by one other person from their delegation.    

 

ASSEMBLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE PRESIDENT OF CHAD 

  • The plenary is meeting today to pay tribute to the memory of His Excellency Idriss Déby Itno, the late President and Head of State of the Republic of Chad.  
  • Statements are being delivered by the President, the Secretary-General, regional groups and the Permanent Representative of Chad. 
  • In his remarks, President Bozkir said President Déby was known for his proactive approach to peace and security. 
  • Under his leadership, Chad remained a reliable UN partner on issues related to regional stability, particularly as part of efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime in the Sahel.   
  • He said, “Today, we honour the accomplishments of President Déby, which will long be remembered here at the United Nations. I wish the family of the President and the people of Chad well as they mourn this great loss.” 
  • He then asked delegates to join him in a minute of silence.   
  • In response to a question, the Spokesperson said it was the practice of the General Assembly to pay tribute to the memory of Heads of State who had passed away while in office. 

 

FIFTH COMMITTEE MEETS TO CONSIDER PEACEKEEPING BUDGET 

  • This morning, the second resumed session of the Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters, kicked off.  
  • The main focus of this session, which lasts until 26 May, will be the peacekeeping budget. 
  • The President is closely following the Fifth Committee’s deliberations and hopes that Member States will engage constructively – so that UN peacekeepers are given adequate resources to ensure that mandates are fulfilled in an effective and safe manner. 
  • The Secretary-General has proposed a nearly 6.5 billion-dollar budget for peacekeeping operations for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. 

 

THIS WEEK TO INCLUDE PRESIDENT’S PRESS CONFERENCE, MULTILATERALISM DAY EVENT, DIALOGUES WITH CANDIDATES FOR NEXT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT & SECRETARY-GENERAL 

  • The President will give a press conference at UN Headquarters – tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. 
  • He will speak about what the General Assembly has achieved so far this session and what is expected in the coming months – and take journalists’ questions. 
  • Looking ahead, there are a number of noteworthy events happening this week. 
  • On Wednesday, the President will convene an interactive dialogue to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This will be the first time in recent history that the heads of all principal UN organs are gathering together. 
  • There will be a discussion on the multilateral system’s achievements and challenges – and how it can remain effective and inclusive in the post-COVID era.  
  • On Thursday, there will be informal interactive dialogues with the two candidates running to become the next President of the General Assembly. They have been nominated by Afghanistan and the Maldives.  
  • And then on Friday, there will be an informal dialogue with a candidate for the position of Secretary-General.