NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
TONGA
Starting with the situation in Tonga… President Abdulla Shahid is closely monitoring the developments in the region, as he has since Friday.
The President is relieved that there have been – so far – no confirmed reports of deaths or major injuries. But he notes that communications remain down and details are coming in slowly. The President is aware that losses are difficult to assess.
President Shahid says that these events once again demonstrate the vulnerability of small island developing states to natural disasters, such as tsunamis. The usual response options, when it comes to SIDS are limited. There is limited higher ground. The ground water is easily contaminated and almost all infrastructure is located near the shoreline. What we need is efforts to enhance resilience. As outlined in the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, and further specified in the 2030 Agenda.
And this is an instance where international solidarity is needed – in responding to the crisis once the Tongan Government identifies the support needed, and supporting in building back better.
In addition to these new comments today, President Shahid sent his thoughts and prayers to the people of Tonga, immediately following the volcano eruption.
VACCINES EVENT
I have an announcement on the vaccine equity event. The high-level event Towards Universal Vaccination: From Hope to Action, will be held on Friday, 25 February.
If you haven’t already, please join the vaccine equity social media campaign available at: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2021/12/30/president-of-the-general-assembly-new-years-resolution-on-vaccine-equity/
MLK Jr.
And given that today honors Martin Luther King Junior, President Shahid is remembering the civil rights leader on social media with a quote fitting for the Presidency of Hope.
Mr. King had said “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite HOPE.” https://twitter.com/UN_PGA/status/1483047005505077248?cxt=HHwWgICyxZvZ65QpAAAA
HOPE FELLOWS
Before I take your questions, I wanted to acknowledge one of our HOPE Fellows. One of the eight young diplomats who joined our office last week for the President’s Fellowship for Harnessing Opportunity for Promoting Empowerment of Youth. Phongsavath (Pongsavat Mahatilad) Mahatilad, who goes by “Mee”, is from LAO PDR. Welcome Mee.
Q&A
There were no questions for the Spokesperson.
