NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Wednesday, 5 April 2023

 

AFGHANISTAN

Let me start with a statement related to Afghanistan.

President Csaba Kőrösi strongly condemns the Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working with the UN in the country.

This step is a blatant violation of the human rights of women and undermines the work of the United Nations in Afghanistan, the people of which are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

The consequences of this decision would harm the Afghan people, in particular the most vulnerable segments of the population.

The President joins Secretary-General António Guterres and others in calling on the Taliban to reconsider this decision and guarantee the fundamental rights of women, including the right to work and education.

Afghanistan needs sustained development, and for that, it should mobilize the country’s full potential.

 

GENDER

Here in New York, this hour, President Kőrösi is meeting with the Advisory Board on Gender Equality.

Today’s meeting includes about a dozen Ambassadors, as well as the Executive Director of UN-Women, Sima Sami Bahous.

The President raised the developments in Afghanistan in the meeting.

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY

Coincidentally today is the International Day of Conscience, which calls for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.

 

SG MEETING

After we met yesterday, President Kőrösi had his monthly coordination meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres.

They discussed the outcomes and next steps of the UN Water Conference.

As well as the ongoing processes of the General Assembly and preparations for UNGA high-level week in September.

They also exchanged views on global peace and security challenges.

 

FUTURE GENERATIONS

Earlier this morning, President Kőrösi followed the discussion on the Dialogue for Future Generations in the Trusteeship Council Chamber

This is part of the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda recommendations.

Under-Secretary General Ryder represented the Secretary-General and discussed a related policy brief at today’s meeting.

This is one of the 16 General Assembly negotiation processes.

The co-facilitators are Ambassador Yoka Brandt, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Ambasasdor Brian Christopher Manley Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica.

 

BILATERALS

Turning to today’s bilaterals…

President Kőrösi spoke by phone this morning with the WHO Representative in Hungary, Mr. Haris Hajrulahovic, in connection with a Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in May, and other issues.

The President will also meet today with Thomas Graham from the Council on Foreign Relations

 

TOMORROW

 Looking to tomorrow… Among the President’s activities will be a meeting with the co-hosts and co-chairs of the UN Water Conference, to discuss next steps.

 

QUESTIONS

There were no questions for the Spokesperson.