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

 

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

 

The President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, is in Antigua and Barbuda today.

 

Just a short time ago, President Shahid addressed the Wadadli Action Platform, organized by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) – which is chaired by Antigua and Barbuda, in partnership with the Governments of Denmark and the United Kingdom.

 

President Shahid noted that as a small-islander, he has always championed the priorities of the SIDS and other vulnerable countries.

 

He urged the international community to ensure that SIDS remain a top priority.

 

Quote “We need unity and solidarity to build back better and to prioritize the long-term recovery of our islands,” he said.

 

This issue is especially urgent amid climate change, given that one-third of the 65 million people who live on SIDS, live on land that is less than 5 meters high. Making them extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels.

 

President Shahid spoken alongside Mr. Paul Chet Green, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration… and representatives from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Denmark. Dr. Natalia Kanem, the Executive Director of UNFPA also took part.

 

The full remarks are online: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2022/08/08/opening-remarks-for-the-wadadli-action-platform-in-antigua/

 

As you know from the media advisory that went out on Friday, this is Mr. Shahid’s first visit to the CARICOM region.

 

The trip comes at the invitation of the Government. It is paid for by the OPGA Trust Fund.

 

ASEAN DAY

 

ASEAN today marks its 55th anniversary.

 

President Shahid has congratulated the Kingdom of Cambodia for chairing ASEAN this year.

 

In a video message, the President said it is his hope that ASEAN will continue its role as a driver for peace, stability and prosperity throughout its region, and throughout the world.

 

The full message is online: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2022/08/08/remarks-at-the-asean-day/

 

 

FOOD SECURITY

 

And I wanted to draw your attention to an opinion piece penned by President Shahid, along with Gabriel Ferrero de Loma-Osorio, who is the Chairperson of the UN Committee on World Food Security.

 

It is entitled “It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis.”

 

The authors argue that while everyone is squeezed by food price inflation, the poor are the hardest hit, especially in developing countries, where food accounts for half of a typical family’s budget.

 

They call for a stepping up of humanitarian response, stabilization of the markets, greater local food production, restoring fertilizer availability, reinforcing social protections (such as school meals) and fiscal responses.

 

This was published last Wednesday in Al Jazeera Opinions.

 

The link is at: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/8/3/its-time-we-all-come-together-the-address-the-global-food-crisis

 

QUESTIONS

 

The Spokesperson was asked for any updates on UNGA preparations. There is nothing new to report.