The President of the 76th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, met today with H.E. Mr. Gudmundur Ingi Gudrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market of Iceland.
The leaders touched on the Ukraine situation and humanitarian crises in the country. Minister Gudrandsson expressed concerns over the risks of the war and its spillover effects. He emphasized that Iceland is open to receiving refugees, particularly from vulnerable groups, including women and girls and LGBTI people.
President Shahid briefed the Minister on the 11th Emergency Special Session held by the General Assembly and highlighted his repeated calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
In connection with the larger humanitarian situation, President Shahid underlined the threat to global food security, the refugee influx, economic disruption and arms proliferation that could potentially arise from the conflict.
Minister Gudrandsson said that the enveloping situation in Ukraine could have an impact on Member State attention on other global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and pandemic recovery and commended the PGA for his continuous focus on these issues.
The two leaders also discussed the necessity to link climate change and gender, as women and children are affected the most by extreme weather conditions. Both leaders also agreed on the importance to advocate for more women in senior leadership and decision-making positions across the world and at the United Nations.
The meeting took place in the President’s office at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
17 March 2022
