NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS
Spokesperson for General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Wednesday, 1 February 2023

CHINA

President Csaba Kőrösi started his official visit to China today.

He was received in Beijing by the UN Resident Coordinator in China, Mr. Siddarth Chatterjee.

During the visit, which will last until Saturday, the President will meet with senior Government officials and with leading scientists working on sustainable development and water management projects.

While in Beijing, President Kőrösi will have talks with Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, State Councilor `Wang Yi, and the Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

You have the media advisory in English and Chinese in your inboxes.

REVITALIZATION

Meanwhile, here at UN Headquarters…There is a workshop for Member States on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly

I’m mentioning this because it’s the first time that such a workshop is taking place.

The workshop is organized by the co-chairs of the revitalization process – that’s Ambassador Egriselda López, Permanent Representative of El Salvador and Ambassador Mitch Fifield, Permanent Representative of Australia, and UNITAR.

Representing OPGA is the Deputy Chef de Cabinet, Fernando Marani.

One of the changes that Mr. Marani pointed will take place during this 77th session.

As you might not have realized, this session will be one week shorter than the previous. The 78th session will open on 5 September. The high-level General Debate will begin on 19 September.

This change is expected to allow the incoming PGA more time to prepare for the high-level week in September. The result, hopefully, being a more effective and impactful high-level week.

NEXT WEEK

And I’ve been getting questions about two events next week in the General Assembly.

On Monday, 6 February at 10AM in the General Assembly Hall, Secretary-General António Guterres will brief on his priorities for 2023. President Kőrösi will provide brief remarks in advance.

Tuesday, 7 February, President Kőrösi will convene a science-based briefing to Member States. Eminent scientists and academics will brief the UN General Assembly on three panels: economics of water; climate, conflict and cooperation; and early warning for pandemic preparedness.

You will a media advisory on this all-day event in the Trusteeship, tomorrow.

QUESTIONS

The Spokesperson was asked if the President will raise the issue of Uygur minority groups. The Spokesperson said that no, this is a trip at the invitation of the Government and the main focus of this visit is on sustainable development and the President’s priority of injecting science into the work of the General Assembly.

The Spokesperson was asked for any additional details about a meeting on Ukraine at the end of the month. The Spokesperson said that she had nothing to announce. There has not been a request for an Emergency Special Session.

UN WEBTV LINK

https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1v/k1vcpz0vdd