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

GUATEMALA

I would like to start with a travel announcement…

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, will undertake an official visit to Guatemala from 14 to 17 July, at the invitation of the Government.

The working visit will focus on sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, sustainable development and peacekeeping.

The themes of the visit are among the priority areas of Mr. Shahid’s Presidency of Hope: recovery from the COVID pandemic, responding to the needs of the planet, rebuilding sustainably, respecting the rights of all, and revitalizing the United Nations.

The trip is paid for by the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and the OPGA Trust Fund.

And you have detailed media advisories in English and Spanish.

 

IGN

 

Turning to the General Assembly Hall…

 

The General Assembly today adopted by consensus an oral decision on Security Council Reform.

 

The resolution decides to continue intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform during the 77th session of the informal plenary of the General Assembly.

 

President Abdulla Shahid presided over the General Assembly at the adoption.

 

He said the resolution shows commitment and solidarity, and provides a robust basis for further progress in the upcoming session.

 

BILATERALS

The President has a number of bilaterals today. I wanted to highlight just one of them.

He is meeting tonight with Nadia Murad, the President and Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative. Ms. Murad is also the UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Ms. Murad and the President will discuss issues related to sexual violence in conflict, including prevention and support to survivors.

 

ECOSOC ELECTIONS

Since we didn’t see each other yesterday, I wanted to update you on what happened in the General Assembly.

The General Assembly resumed its election to fill the last vacant seat of the Economic and Social Council, starting in 2023. The balloting was inconclusive. The election will continue at a date to be determined.

 

MEDIA SAFETY

The General Assembly also adopted two resolutions.

One on strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia.

The other on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.

On this topic, I wanted to remind you that President Shahid had issued a joint statement, signed also by the Presidents of the Human Rights Council and the UNESCO General Council, this past May for World Press Freedom Day. They recalled the essential role played by media workers in ensuring access to information for all and in advancing human rights, sustainable development, and peace.

 

“WHAT WERE YOU WEARING”

 

Also yesterday, the President of the General Assembly spoke at a reception for the “What Were You Wearing” art exhibit in the Visitors Lobby.

 

President Shahid said the exhibit underscores the reality that rape is a threat looming over the lives of all women: regardless of their station in life; regardless of their occupation; regardless of their clothing choices.

 

The world remains a dangerous place for women and girls, he said, especially as hard-won gains to advance women’s autonomy and well-being are being rolled back and jeopardized.

 

Those comments were made in a video message.

And a reminder that President Shahid spoke to Amanda Nguyen, CEO and founder of Rise, in March, as part of his ongoing monthly podcast series.

She spoke on the importance of access to justice for survivors of sexual assault; and on the broad responsibility of society as a whole to end gender-based violence and sexual assault.

 

 

 

NEXT WEEK

There are five events that I wanted to mention briefly, which will happen next week…

Monday, 18 July, in the morning is the annual commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International Day.

Monday in the afternoon, is an event on food security. This is jointly organized with the UN Committee on World Food Security. You have a media advisory in your inboxes.

Tuesday, 19 July is one on the need for coordinated approaches to environmental action. This is the President’s Moment for Nature event.

Wednesday, 20 July is an event on development in Africa, jointly organized with ECOSOC.

You will have more details on all these coming up.

And then in the morning on Thursday, 21 July, the General Assembly will hold a debate in connection with the most recent use of the veto in the Security Council.

A veto was cast on 8 July under the agenda item “The situation in the Middle East”.