NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Friday, 2 December 2022

 

CIVIL SOCIETY TOWN HALL

President Csaba Kőrösi this morning held a town hall with civil society organizations.

Around 450 participants were expected to join in-person.

In his opening remarks, President Kőrösi said that the major task this year, within his vision of transformation, is to bring the implementation of the SDGs back on-track.

He said unfortunately, we are further away from some of the SDGs today than we were in 2015.

The President urged participants to think forward, asking questions – is the reason that we are off-track because of COVID? Mission from methodology? Or something is missing from our cooperation, our thinking or our shared responsibilities?

He invited participants to keep their eye on transformation, speak about solutions, be very pragmatic, and be provocative.

A transcript of the President’s full opening remarks will be shared with you.

The Town Hall was supported by the Department of Global Communications, with additional support by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and DGACM, the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management.

Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, moderated.

 

COP-15

As you heard if you were listening to the town hall, President Kőrösi will attend the UN Biodiversity Conference, known as COP15 in Montreal.

He will be going the week of 12 December, and I will provide you with more information next week.

 

MORNING DIALOGUE

Earlier this morning, President Kőrösi convened the next in his Morning Dialogue Series.

The theme was “Transformation to a more sustainable world”.

Fourteen representatives from Member States took part.

The discussions are held under Chatham House rules but a summary will be circulated to Member States.

 

HUMAN RIGHTS

Turning to Geneva, where the UN Forum on Minority Issues has been underway since yesterday.

In a video message, President Kőrösi noted that minority issues are usually at the heart of conflicts because the underlying causes of clashes almost always have to do with the violation of their rights.

All too often, minorities are made to feel invisible, he said.

This status quo will change only when our mindset changes.

The full remarks are in your inboxes and online.

 

BILATERALS

In terms of the President’s schedule today…

He is meeting with a senior official from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aliza Bin-Noun.

This afternoon will be the monthly meeting with the President of ECOSOC, which you know is Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva, the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria.

This hour, the President is meeting with Ambassador Marco Suazo, Director of the New York Office of UNITAR – UN Institute for Training and Research. As well as representatives from Oberlin College and Conservatory.

 

CONCERT

As you know, this evening, President Kőrösi will be the guest of honor at Carnegie Hall.

The Oberlin Orchestra and the Conservatory Choral Ensembles will pay tribute to the 77th session of the General Assembly, and its efforts to address global challenges and its commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient world.

The concert is organized by UNITAR – in collaboration with Member States.

 

NEXT WEEK

Looking to next week..

On Tuesday, 6 December, at 10AM ET, Member States will debate how to strengthen coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance. That will be followed by action on draft resolutions.

Action will also be taken on a draft resolution related to Culture of Peace.

On Wednesday, 7 December, at 10AM ET the General Assembly will take up the reports of the First Committee – that’s disarmament and international security.

And at 3PM, the reports of the Sixth Committee – the legal committee.

Thursday, 8 December at 10AM, will be the start of the plenary meeting on oceans and the Law of the Sea. Sea, including the commemorative meeting for the 40th anniversary of UNCLOS (UN Convention on Law of the Seas).

The debate will continue Friday, followed by action on draft resolutions.

And looking past next week.

Reports of the Fourth Committee – the Special Political and Decolonization Committee – will be taken for action on Monday, 12 December at 10AM ET.

Reports of the Second Committee – which deals with economic and financial issues – on Thursday, 15 December at 10 AM.

Followed at 3PM by reports of the Third Committee – Social, Humanitarian and Cultural.

 

QUESTIONS

There were no questions for the Spokesperson.