NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS
Spokesperson for General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Monday, 22 May 2023
RULE OF LAW
President Csaba Kőrösi is in Vienna today.
He spoke this morning to the opening of the Opening of the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
He spoke alongside Mary Mugwanja, Chair of the 32nd session of the CCPCJ, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the UNOV and Ms. Ghada Waly, Director-General of United Nations Office at Vienna and Executive Director of UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The President said that rule of law is critical to development and security, and that equal access to justice for all is at the core of effective and inclusive justice systems.
The President said that the SDGs cannot be achieved if the rule of law does not prevail.
To get the SDGs back on track, there needs to be public trust and stability – based on the belief that our jointly accepted rules are respected by all.
The President then spoke about SDG16 which is about “peace, justice and strong institutions”
He urged the CCPCJ to do two things.
First, to promote more attention to and greater capacities for the achievement of Goal 16.
Second, to provide Member States with tools to measure progress towards meeting SDG16 indicators.
The President noted that on 15 June in New York, the General Assembly will hold a high-level debate on “Equal access to justice for all: advancing reforms for peaceful, just and inclusive societies”.
Full remarks at https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/05/22/pga-remarks-to-opening-of-the-32nd-session-of-the-commission-on-crime-prevention-and-criminal-justice-ccpcj/
SIDE EVENT ON SDG16
And let me highlight that the President also took part in a special event on achieving SDG16, under the CCPCJ umbrella.
He talked about the wide reach of rule of law. From a woman being able to walk home alone safely to the food crisis.
Quote “Access to justice and the rule of law enable societies to resolve conflicts, claim rights and both seek and secure remedies.”
Indeed, our multilateral system is defined by the principles underpinning the rule of law – equality, inclusion, fairness and respect for human rights.
The President says that even in times of geopolitical crises, well-crafted international and domestic law provides answers, assurances, order and justice in the face of political turmoil, natural disasters and health challenges.
Quote “The massive reach of SDG 16 anchors our aspirations in crucial actions that reduce violence and corruption, eliminate discrimination and impunity, foster equality, create economic growth, and promote stability.”
He calls solutions for SDG16 “the solutions and game-changers for many other SDGs”.
Especially as we look to the SDG Summit in September, those solutions are important for getting the SDGs back on track.
This is also an opportunity to send a strong message from the international community about upholding the values of the UN Charter.
Full remarks at https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/05/22/pga-remarks-to-special-event-of-ccpcj-on-achieving-sdg16/
AFRICA DIALOGUE SERIES
On the topic of sustainability, let me take you back to New York, where the Africa Dialogue Series opened this morning.
President Kőrösi addressed the opening with hope, he said.
The African continent stands as a land of opportunity and sustainability, but its role in the world still does not reflect its potential.
He said this year’s AU theme, “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation”, could not have been timelier.
The FTA is a strong signal to the international community that Africa is open for business.
Long-term investments in Africa must prioritize intra-African solidarity and cooperation, and protect small and medium business, which are the majority of African businesses.
They must also be aligned with the sustainability transformation, again, with a view of the SDG Summit in September and getting back on track.
Full remarks at https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/05/22/pga-remarks-to-high-level-policy-dialogue-africa-dialogue-series-ads/
DISARMAMENT
Let me change topics now to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
You know that power to the Zaporizhzhia power plant today was cut – for the seventh time. In Vienna, the President put out a recorded message.
President Kőrösi called on world leaders, politicians, scientists and civil society to please raise their voices.
He said the world is going to a dangerous direction.
Two years ago, the five permanent members of the Security Council reconfirmed that nuclear wars cannot be won, and so should not be fought.
Nevertheless, we now hear on a weekly basis that nuclear weapons could be used, could be considered as a tool of resolving political or military conflicts.
Quote – We cannot play with a nuclear Armageddon.
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia, nuclear power plant is in a war zone under near constant bombardment.
We are testing our luck, he said. And that luck might be running out.
The repercussions could be more dangerous than what happened in Chernobyl.
The President’s statement came after his meeting with Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
Right around now, the President is touring an IAEA lab with the senior leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Full remarks at https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/05/22/pga-reaction-to-nuclear-proliferation-and-nuclear-arms-coincides-with-visits-to-ctbto-and-iaea-lab/
