NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Monday, 12 June 2023

 

HIV/AIDS

The General Assembly today are holding a plenary meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

In his opening remarks, President Csaba Kőrösi said that pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response – whether in addressing AIDS, or Covid-19 – is a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda.

He said that progress on HIV and AIDS is exceptional, it is also uneven.

And while the AIDS pandemic is a public health crisis, the crux of it is inequality.

The most significant improvements happen in countries that choose to invest in their HIV and AIDS responses.

The President today outlined four areas to improve progress on HIV and AIDs:

First, by addressing the gaps in HIV prevention, testing and treatment services – particularly for vulnerable groups;

Second, by ensuring adequate and equitable funding;

Third, by implementing evidence-based programmes;

Fourth, by using the synergies between AIDS response, broader health goals and the whole 2030 Agenda.

The full remarks are online and in your inbox: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/06/12/pga-remarks-to-ga-plenary-on-hiv-aids/

 

MULTILINGUALISM

This morning, President Kőrösi spoke about the importance of multilingualism to the work of the United Nations.

The online event was organized by the Permanent Missions of Andorra, Burundi, Canada, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, and Spain and the Permanent Observer Mission for the International Organization of la Francophonie as well as the NGO Committee on Language and Languages and the Study Group on Language and the United Nations.

The President delivered remarks in Arabic, English, French and Russian.

He said that at the United Nations, we have to find ways to prioritize resources for multilingual practices.

Quote “To use – and respect the use of – as many languages as possible here in our organization. And to always ask: what more can we be doing to reach beyond the walls?”

The President ended his remarks by echoing lawyer and writer Amy Chua, who asked: “Do you know what a foreign accent is? A sign of bravery.”

The full remarks are in your inboxes.

 

EASY TO UNDERSTAND COMMUNICATIONS

And on the topic of communicating in a way that is inclusive… Today at 3PM in CR-4, President Kőrösi will discuss easy to understand communications.

This is a special event organized in line with General Assembly Resolution 77/240 from December, entitled “Promoting and mainstreaming easy-to-understand communication for accessibility for persons with disabilities”.

The President is expected to say that accessibility is a prerequisite of equality. And if we are  unable to access to information, how can we arm ourselves with the knowledge needed to make decisions in our lives?

I will share his full remarks when given.

 

BILATARALS

Among the President’s bilaterals today, he is meeting with Mr. Volkan Bozkir, the President of the 75th session of the General Assembly.

 

TUESDAY

And looking to tomorrow…

At 10AM ET, President Kőrösi will participate in the 16th session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Also tomorrow, President will meet with his Gender Advisory Board.

One of the topics that is likely to be discussed is the joint campaign underway with UN Women to encourage all Permanent Missions to complete the UN online trainings on gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment.