NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

 

OPEN SCIENCE

President Csaba Kőrösi today called for open access to scientific information.

He said that grossly inaccurate misinformation, disinformation and malinformation are freely available online. But credible, authoritative and peer-reviewed scientific advances are guarded by paywalls.

He noted also that we live in societies that have grown divided along arbitrary lines such as gender, class, caste, religion or ethnicity.  And, sadly, this unequal and unfair inheritance also seeped into academia and science.

The President made the comments at the Third Open Science Conference, organized by the Dag Hammarskjold Library, UNESCO and DESA.

In his remarks, he also noted the Sustainable Development Goals – asking how can we expect breakthroughs in implementation if we cannot measure them?

What we need is a “science-based, simple, flexible, adaptable to various conditions of countries methodology of measuring sustainability transformation.”

This idea of measuring, keep track of data and sharing that information is a concept that you’ve heard him speak about since day one.

This concept is also part of the gamechangers on water and sustainability that he spoke about in October at the water consultation, and yesterday at the Science Briefing, and you will be hearing more about them as we get closer to the UN Water Conference.

His full remarks are in your inboxes and online: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/02/08/pga-remarks-to-special-high-level-event-of-the-general-assembly-and-ecosoc-on-the-doha-programme-of-actio/

 

SCIENCE BRIEFING

On the issue of water and the Science Briefing, I wanted to highlight that you have two press releases slash news stories in your inbox.

One is about the new economies of water, which was the topic of the first panel.

Just to highlight a couple of points.

One – the scientists said that we have breached the planetary boundaries for water for the first time in human history. Through our mismanagement of water, we have altered the global water cycle.

The planetary boundary is this concept of nine transgressions that can make the world not safe for humans. We have now breached the one on freshwater use.

This is alarming. But we have the tools to put water management back on track, from data and information to scientific knowledge, technology, capabilities and finance.

The key is to organize the capabilities and resources to conserve water locally and globally, and to coordinate them with efforts to fight climate change and biodiversity loss.

Scientists also underscored that you have to price water, and raised some idea about what to take into account.

They all stressed the importance of scientific information and data.

The second panel was on conflict, climate and cooperation.

One of the key ideas is that up to now, there has only been one war over water, but given the changes brought on by climate change and growing human demands, that is going to change.

Why? Because as we heard from the first panel, the demand for water is expected to exceed supply by 40 per cent at the end of this decade.

There were also practical examples of the need to integrate strategies.

For example, you can build a dam to create hydroelectricity. But if you forget to control deforestation while making that dam, it will cause soil erosion and get deposited in the water.

So you have press release stories in your inbox.

There was a third panel, on the challenges and opportunities in creating an early warning system for global pandemics.

I will share some information that might whet your appetite for that topic, later today.

Press release on panel “Economics of Water” https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/02/07/press-release-first-science-briefing-to-general-assembly-focuses-on-economics-of-water/

Press release on “Conflict, Climate and Cooperation” https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/02/07/press-release-conflicts-over-water-will-become-more-common-without-science-based-water-diplomacy-panel-tells-un-general-assembly/

 

ECOSOC

Turning back to the President’s schedule.

Earlier this morning, he spoke alongside ECOSOC President Lachezara Stoeva in a joint high-level event on LDC5. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed was among the participants, as well.

The President noted that the second part of the Fifth UN Conference on LDCs will take place in less than one month’s time – this year’s theme being ‘from potential to prosperity’.

He said that this is the time to show solidarity with the most vulnerable countries by fulfilling commitments instead of backtracking on them.

The President will be in Doha for the Conference, as you know.

You have the President’s full remarks online and in your inbox: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/02/08/pga-remarks-to-special-high-level-event-of-the-general-assembly-and-ecosoc-on-the-doha-programme-of-actio/

 

GA, IPU ANNUAL BRIEFING

Turning to next week..

I wanted to let you know that on Monday and Tuesday, 13 and 14 February, will be the 2023 Annual Parliamentary Hearing.

This is a joint initiative between the President of the General Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The theme is “Water for People and Planet: Stope the Waste, Change the Game, Invest in the Future”.

Some 250 Members of Parliament, Speakers, advisers and related officials from more than 60 countries are expected in-person at the UN Headquarters

The Hearing takes place only a few weeks after the General Assembly adopted a resolution highlighting the critical role that parliaments play in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

You have a press release in English in your inboxes. You will have a French version later this week. https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/02/08/un-general-assembly-and-ipu-to-focus-on-water-in-annual-hearing/

Let me highlight the President Kőrösi’s quote: “The theme of this year’s Hearing is critical. We live in a time of multiple and interconnected crises. But the greatest one we face is the water crisis. Nearly all climate change is felt through water – we have either too much, not enough or it’s not potable. The policy that we implement now will impact not just us, but dictate how our children and our grandchildren will live. We have the gamechangers ready, but we need support to make them a reality – a lifechanging reality for all of humanity.”

 

TURKIYE CONDOLENCE BOOK

And a final note, just in the past hour… President Korosi paid his respects at the Turkish Mission to the UN.

He wrote in a condolence book that he was deeply shocked and saddened by the destruction and tragic loss of lives caused by the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye.

On behalf of the General Assembly, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Government and the People of the Republic of Türkiye.

His heart goes out to the victims who lost their lives, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The President pledged the General Assembly’s support to Türkiye and the Member States as they work together in these difficult times.

He ended by writing that the strength and resilience of Türkiye will see brighter days.

Just to note – that the President has expressed condolences to Syria, as well. The moment of silence in the General Assembly Hall was obviously to honor the people in both countries, Syria and Türkiye.

 

QUESTIONS

 

The Spokesperson was asked about attendance a possible high-level meeting on Ukraine. The Spokesperson said she had nothing to announce.

 

The Spokesperson was asked whether the President raised the issue of a financial appeal, during his visit today to the Turkish Mission, and if he would be involved in such an appeal. The Spokesperson said that the PGA is typically not involved in appeals, but President Kőrösi stands ready in the General Assembly to support any efforts of Member States to alleviate the situations in Syria and Türkiye as a result of the earthquake.