NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

Spokesperson for General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi
United Nations Headquarters, New York

Thursday, 10 November 2022

 

 GA DEBATE ON AFGHANSITAN

The General Assembly today is expected to take action on a resolution about the situation in Afghanistan.

[Since the noon briefing, Member States adopted the resolution with a recorded vote of 116 votes for and 10 abstentions (Belarus, Burundi, China, DPRK, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Zimbabwe)]

Among its topics, the resolution expresses deep concern over the developments and the volatility in Afghanistan since the takeover by the Taliban.

It urges Afghanistan to honour and fully respect and implement all treaties, covenants or conventions, bilateral or multilateral, to which it is party.

In his opening remarks to the debate, President Csaba Kőrösi noted that Afghanistan is facing complex and interlinked challenges that the Taliban have shown they cannot – or would not – solve.

He spoke about human rights in the country, concerns over narcotics, the economic pitfalls and the humanitarian situation.

He suggested a possible solution through solidarity – one of his themes for this GA session – which is for Member States to fund the $4.4 billion dollar humanitarian appeal, which has a shortfall of $2.3 billion dollars.

President Kőrösi also noted that Afghanistan has a rich history of scientific achievement.

He encouraged the country’s reengagement with the international science community.  And to allow women who used to be respected members of the country’s science community to resume their research and their studies.

The President reiterated his call for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, especially women and girls.

He also urged quote “the Taliban to ensure the safety of all Afghans, regardless of gender, ethnic background, religious belief or political affiliation.

To protect journalists and civil society members.

To allow unhindered humanitarian aid, and to cooperate with humanitarian workers.”

His full remarks are in your inboxes and online: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2022/11/10/pga-remarks-at-the-general-assembly-plenary-meeting-on-the-situation-in-afghanistan/

 

VANUATU

President Kőrösi met this morning with a core group of ambassadors leading on an initiative to pursue an Advisory Opinion at the ICJ related climate change.

As you might know, this is a group of 16 Member States led by Vanuatu, who said that they will table a draft resolution in the General Assembly requesting the International Court of Justice to give an advisory in relation to legal applicable framework to address the adverse effects of climate change.

President Kőrösi has said that he welcomes efforts from Member States to address the climate crisis in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

 

THIRD COMMITTEE 

The Third Committee just took action on the resolution “Intensification of efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls” presented by France and the Netherlands.

The resolution is presented biannually.

This year it focused on gender stereotypes and negative social norms.

It paid particular attention to women and girls who face structural inequalities and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, as well as to the root causes of these inequalities.

Among other developments, language around violence in digital context and the media has been strengthened.

The entire resolution was voted on with a result of 165 for and 14 abstentions. There were no votes against.

 

3C MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF DEATH PENALTY

Tomorrow, the Third Committee is expected to take action on draft urging a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

The resolution was presented by Costa Rica and Australia, on behalf of an Inter-Regional Taskforce of 44 Member States.

This resolution invites all States to protect the right to life by establishing a moratorium on executions.

This is a biennial resolution that was first adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.

 

THIRD COMMITTEE FRIDAY

The Third Committee will also tomorrow consider draft resolutions related to the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Draft resolutions under the agenda item on human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

And a draft related to crime prevention and criminal justice.

 

FOURTH COMMITTEE FRIDAY

Turning to the Fourth Committee…

I have been getting questions so wanted to let you know about discussions and draft resolutions related to the agenda item – Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.

The General Debate in the Fourth Committee on this topic began yesterday.

Action on three draft resolutions under this agenda item is expected tomorrow.

The draft resolution topics are: 1) the occupied Syrian Golan; 2) Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian People and other Arabs of the occupied territories; 3) Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

 

G4 SUMMARY

I was asked yesterday about more information on the meeting that took place yesterday with representatives of the G4 Group – Brazil, Germany, India and Japan.

I shared the lines with Ephrem, but will with you now.

President Kőrösi recognized that Security Council reform remains a critical issue on the UN agenda, especially during these pressing times, noting the number of world leaders calling for the reform of the SC during this year’s High-Level Week.

He talked about his efforts to ensure coherence and coordination among the different intergovernmental processes in the UN, including Security Council reform, and the use of  the General Committee for this purpose.

G4 members underlined that due to current developments in the world stage, there is a renewed momentum for the reform of the Security Council, therefore advocated for meaningful progress to take place during this session. They also welcomed the President’s positive engagement and commitment toward the reform.

 

STAKEOUT

And on the issue of Security Council reform, the General Assembly will take up this issue on Thursday, 17 November.

Following the morning session, so around 1PM, I expect President Kőrösi at the General Assembly stakeout to make some remarks related to Security Council reform.

 

BILATERALS

In terms of bilaterals today, President Kőrösi will meet with Ambassador Zhang Jun, the Permanent Representative of China, this afternoon.

 

QUESTIONS

The Spokesperson was asked on the further restrictions today of women’s rights in Afghanistan, banning them from the use of public parks. The Spokesperson referred to President Kőrösi’s statement to the General Assembly where he spoke against the restrictions on women’s and girl’s rights to education, work and the requirement on them needing an escort to leave their home. The Spokesperson also referred to the President’s call on the Taliban to abide with the commitments they made to the international community.

The Spokesperson was asked about the equal rights listed in the speech and why sexual orientation was omitted. The Spokesperson said that it was not a purposeful oversight.

The Spokesperson was asked if the President believes in Member States engaging meaningfully with the Taliban, because it is not called for in the speech. The Spokesperson said that yes, the President believes in meaningful engagement with the UN community and Member States.

The Spokesperson was asked if the draft resolution includes mention of US funds and if it criticizes the Taliban’s human rights record. The Spokesperson said the issue of US funds was not in the resolution because that is not an issue before the General Assembly, but the issue of human rights is noted in the draft.

The Spokesperson was asked if the President continues to monitor the human rights abuses in Iran, particularly against women journalists. The Spokesperson said that current events in Iran are very much on the President’s radar.

The Spokesperson was asked if the President is considering going to Afghanistan with a copy of the approved resolution. The Spokesperson noted the suggestion.