NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York

 

PALAU

The President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, is in Palau, where he is taking part in the 7th Our Ocean Conference.

The President will address the Conference tomorrow at 4:30PM local time, or 3:30AM New York time.

He will speak in the segment entitled “Toward a super year for the ocean: leadership and action”.

The statement will come after the President meets with Palau Women’s Group called Mechesil Belau (Women of Palau). The group is led by Bilung Gloria Gibbon Salii.

Today, President Shahid had a number of bilaterals.

He met with the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. He is the co-host of the event. The two leaders discussed issues related to Small Island Developing States, including ocean health and the impact of climate change on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

President Shahid also met with Samoa’s Environment Minister and Chair of the Pacific SIDS regional group, which is currently chaired by Samoa. That’s Mr. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster.

Yesterday, President Shahid visited with students of the Science Club at Palau High School.

Engaging with young people is a priority for the Presidency of Hope. President Shahid said that young people are at the forefront of climate action and should have a say in the decisions that will share their destinies.

Earlier on Tuesday, President Shahid met with Jaap van Hierden, who is the Resident Coordinator in Micronesia, covering also Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau.

On Monday, President Shahid took part in the SIDS Global Business Network Forum. There, he met with John Kerry, who is co-hosting the Our Ocean Conference, on behalf of the United States.

The discussion was chaired by the UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, Mr. Peter Thomson.

You have a press release from earlier this week.

The President’s address to the Conference will be shared this afternoon under embargo.

 

WHO

Turning from climate change to COVID…

We take note of today’s determination by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

President Shahid is using this announcement to again reiterate his message that everyone, everywhere must have access to a COVID vaccine.

This was the main message heard from all participants in the High-level vaccine event held in January. The only way to end this pandemic is through vaccines.

 

AGING

And ending on the topic of aging.

Underway is the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons.

President Shahid delivered remarks to the Group on Monday via video message.

He said as we endeavor to rebuild sustainably from the pandemic, and strengthen economic resilience, we must prioritize protecting and providing for older persons.

He called on Member States to support the work of the Open-ended Working Group by strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons, including by considering the further instruments and measures.

Let’s foster healthy ageing and improve the lives of older people and their families and communities, the President said.

He noted four main areas:

  • Creating age-friendly environments;
  • Fostering the abilities of older people by doing away with the stereotypes associated with age;
  • Delivering integrated and affordable health services to older people; and
  • Providing access to long-term care to ensure a life with dignity.

The President’s full remarks are online: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2022/04/11/12th-session-of-the-open-ended-working-group-on-ageing-for-the-purpose-of-strengthening-the-protection-of-the-human-rights-of-older-persons/

The Open-ended Working Group is chaired by Maria del Carmen Squeff, Permanent Representative of Argentina.

 

QUESTIONS

The Spokesperson was asked if President Shahid is concerned about Member States politicizing their lending in the context of Ukraine-Russia. The Spokesperson answered via email that “War should not be politicized. The UN Charter in Articles 1 and 2 very clearly defines as to how Member States need to conduct their relations with each other. Right now all efforts must be focused on securing an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Towards that extent, all assistance that could be lent by any or all Member States is welcome.”

The Spokesperson was asked off-camera about timing for any discussion or action on the Lichtenstein resolution. The Spokesperson answered that there is no date set yet for discussion or action.

The Spokesperson was also asked if a copy of the resolution had been made publicly available. The Spokesperson said not yet.