NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Today is World Press Freedom Day.
The President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, took part in a high-level dialogue on Press Freedom and the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. The event was organized by UNESCO and the Government of Uruguay.
In his remarks, President Shahid urged the international community to reaffirm its commitment to protect journalists, to value free expression and to combat the harassment of journalists and media workers.
He noted that journalists go to great lengths on behalf of the public interest, risking their safety, and even their lives. “They deserve to be recognized not only for the service they provide, but also for their bravery,” the President said.
In his remarks, he also noted that women journalists often face additional harassment and spoke about the need to be aware of the additional challenges faced by women in the media.
What came out of this event is a joint statement on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.
The joint statement is signed by President Shahid; the President of the General Conference of UNESCO Santiago Irazabal Mourão and the President of the Human Rights Council, Federico Villegas.
The statement refers to resolutions and declarations adopted in recent years to protect journalists, and also notes the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity which now marks its 10th anniversary. The statement also makes reference to the SDGs and the importance of freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information to achieving the Goals.
You have copies of the statement in the six official languages.
Tomorrow, President Shahid will take part in the New York observance of the Day. Tomorrow’s event is organized by UNESCO and the Department of Global Communications. It is entitled “Journalism Under Digital Siege.” The President will take part virtually.
TOURISM EVENT
Tomorrow is also the high-level thematic debate on tourism event.
The theme is Putting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery.”
The aim is to renew political commitment to support tourism as a driver of sustainable, inclusive and resilient COVID recovery.
This high-level thematic debate is held in close collaboration with UN World Tourism Organization (WTO), the UN Development Progamme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The opening segment will include statements from President Shahid, from Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and WTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. Heads of State and Government and senior Ministers are expected to participate.
There will be a fireside chat on the prospects for a sustainable, resilient recovery of tourism. It will be moderated by CNN International’s Richard Quest.
And ahead of the event, President Shahid is recording today his latest episode of the video podcast, “In Conversation With…”
He is speaking today with Travel + Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Gifford, about the magazine’s Global Vision Awards.
Related to the high-level event, President Shahid has a bilateral today with Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili.
President Shahid is also meeting today with the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania, Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi. https://twitter.com/UN_PGA/status/1521524930344534018
As well as with the Chairman of the Committee of Tourism Development of Tajikistan, Tojiddin Jurazoda.
BILATERALS
In terms of who else the President is meeting with today…
This morning, President Shahid had a bilateral with a delegation of the European Union. The President met with 28 Ambassadors of the EU Political and Security Committee. https://twitter.com/UN_PGA/status/1521516169265561603
The President is also meeting with the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. Those are Ambassador Mitch Fifield, the Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, and Ambassador Egriselda Lopez, the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations.
The President also had a curtesy call with Ambassador Jakub Kulhanek, Permanent Representative of Czech Republic.
QUESTIONS
The Spokesperson was asked about plans for the 77th UNGA in September, whether it would be virtual or in-person. The Spokesperson responded by email that the arrangements will be finalized in the coming months.
