NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York
UKRAINE/GA
The 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly resumed this morning.
There were at least 70 speakers inscribed in the debate. The session will break for lunch at 1pm and then resume at 3pm.
Following the speakers, we expect actions on the resolutions, with explanations of vote both before and after action is taken.
In terms of the order, in line with Rule 91 of the Rules of Procedure, action will be taken on proposals in the order in which they were received. That means the resolution sponsored by Ukraine and other Member States will be considered first.
Presiding over this morning session in the General Assembly is Ambassador Enrique Manalo, the Permanent Representative of Philippines and one of the Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly.
And in response to many questions about why South Africa did not speak this morning, that was a decision of South Africa.
I can tell you that introduction of drafts is voluntary. The fact that South Africa did not speak does not impact the status of the draft resolution to be considered by the Plenary.
UKRAINE SITUATION
At the start of the debate, Vice-President Manalo delivered a statement on behalf of the President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid.
He said the security situation in Ukraine has deteriorated rapidly following the launch of the Russian military offensive on 24 February.
Armed violence has escalated in various regions of Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv.
The intense military escalation and rapid expansion of the conflict throughout the country has resulted in severe loss of life, injuries, misery, and mass movement and displacement of the civilian population throughout the country and to neighboring countries, as well as severe destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure and residential housing.
The President goes on to note that essential services such as water, electricity, heating and emergency health and social services are under severe strain, and people’s access to health care continues to be limited by growing insecurity and shrinking humanitarian space.
People on the move are extremely vulnerable to numerous potential health and protection risks, while local capacities in host communities receiving growing numbers of displaced people are already stretched to the brink.
Allowing for safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for those in need in Ukraine, including women, children, the elderly, the disabled and humanitarian personnel is the need of the hour.
The President again reiterated his call to all parties to respect international law and international humanitarian law.
FINANCING
And turning to financing for development.
Since we met yesterday, the President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, addressed the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development.
He urged coordinated efforts to scale up development, prioritizing three areas.
These are adequate financing for COVID vaccine programs, increasing emergency concessional financing, and reducing the debt-burdens of developing countries.
The President’s full remarks are online: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2022/03/22/intergovernmental-group-of-experts-on-financing-for-development/
QUESTIONS
The Spokesperson was asked if the votes will happen today. The Spokesperson said it will depend on the length of the speeches. There is the possibility that the debate will continue on Thursday morning.
The Spokesperson was asked when the General Assembly would reopen fully for civil society and visitors. The Spokesperson said that President Shahid is a big proponent of the GA reopening. He held a town hall with civil society a few months back. He meets regularly with the Secretary-General and this issue is discussed. At this time, there is no date to announce.
The Spokesperson was asked if the “silence of South Africa is the first step of the resolution disappearing.” The Spokesperson said that Member States do not have to introduce a resolution.
The Spokesperson was asked how many countries are co-sponsoring the Ukraine resolution. The Spokesperson replied that the full list will not be known until action is taken. In the earlier part of the Emergency Special Session, additional co-sponsors were added from the floor.
The Spokesperson was asked if adoption of the resolutions would require a two-thirds majority or a simple majority. The Spokesperson confirmed by email that a two-thirds majority may be required for the adoption.
