PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA VILLELA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
PGA speaks on crucial role of multilateralism at Non-Aligned Movement Anniversary in Belgrade
The President of the General Assembly spoke earlier today at the opening of the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in Belgrade.
Mr. Shahid met the Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vučić. Both leaders are Co-Hosts of the Commemorative Meeting.
The PGA said that “as a forum for consultation and collaboration, with consistent advocacy in favor of peace, cooperation, and friendship, NAM serves as a keystone of global multilateral system.”
Mr. Shahid also spoke about the need for all to support climate action.
On 26 October the PGA will convene a meeting in New York, ‘Delivering Climate Action – for People, Planet & Prosperity’, which will highlight best practices and achievements in renewables, in climate finance, and in adaptation.
This afternoon, in Belgrade, the PGA is also meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Ms. Ana Brnabić.
Tomorrow he will take part in an event with women leaders.
Mr. Shahid will be back in the Office on Wednesday afternoon.
President Shahid delivers video message on the Day of the Girl Child 2021
This 11 October marks the Day of the Girl Child. This year, the theme is: “Digital Generation. Our Generation”.
The President of the General Assembly has recorded a video message highlighting that millions of girls simply do not have access to digital technology and that this represents an impediment for their full education.
Mr. Abdulla Shahid firmly believes that “the sad reality is that the digital divide, often called the new face of inequality, is deeply gendered.”
The fact that some 2.2 billion people below the age of 25 still do not have access to internet at home is described by the PGA as a tragedy.
Mr. Shahid has invited all to shine a light on girls everywhere, and to recommit closing the digital divide and to empowering an entire generation of women and girls, of boys and men.
For the PGA, this would offer potentially the single greatest leap in sustainable development the world has ever seen.
You can find more information on our YouTube Channel which is UNPGA 76
General Assembly will hold elections for the Human Rights Council on 14 October
Finally, a note for your diaries on 14 October, this Thursday. The General Assembly will elect the new members of the Human Rights Council. The following candidates have been received by the Secretariat.
In the African Group there are five seats and five candidates: Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Republic of the Gambia, and Somalia.
The Asia Pacific States have equally five seats available and five candidates: India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Group of Eastern European States will offer two seats for elections. Lithuania and Montenegro are the candidates.
The Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries has three seats and three candidates: Argentina, Honduras, and Paraguay.
The Western European and Other Groups will offer three seats in this election. Finland, Luxembourg, and the USA are running as candidates.
The election will start at 10 am on Thursday, and as usual, Member States are encouraged to arrive a bit earlier as they will collect their ballots.
This is all we have for today. I will now take your questions here and from colleagues on the screen.
Ray, you have a question, please go ahead.
Hashtags: #UNPGA, #PresidencyOfHope #UNGA76 #Deliver4Equality
Website: https://www.un.org/pga
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/un_PGA
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3k2xXQA – (UNPGA 76)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpga
