NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Tuesday, 1 August 2023

BBNJ

Let’s start with the General Assembly…

This morning, Member States took action on a draft resolution related to the BBNJ – the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.

In addition to the draft resolution, which was introduced by Singapore, there was an amendment introduced by the Russian Federation.

The draft amendment requested the deletion of three operative paragraphs from the draft resolution – paragraphs 1, 5 and 6. Those paragraphs welcome the Agreement; call for signing and ratification of the Agreement so that it enters into force at the earliest possible date; and consider supplementing the provisional agenda of the 78th session with a sub-item on the BBNJ.

After discussion, Member States took action on this draft amendment.

If you were following, you would have seen that Samoa and Marshall Islands had technical problems, the incorrect votes were displayed on the board.

Taking into consideration Samoa’s and Marshall Islands’ votes as they expressed them, the final vote on the amendment was

  • In favour 4
  • Against 119
  • Abstention 22

The draft amendment proposed by the Russian Federation was not adopted.

Member States then took action on draft resolution A/77/L.82 in its original text, as presented by Singapore.

The resolution was adopted, with a vote of:

  • In favour 150
  • Against 2
  • Abstention 0

Member States broke out into applause following the adoption.

 

ARBITRATION

Member States then action on a draft resolution related to the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The draft was presented by the Philippines.

It was adopted by consensus.

A note that the Permanent Court of Arbitration is a non-UN intergovernmental organization. In 1993, Member States adopted a resolution inviting the Permanent Court of Arbitration to participate in its sessions and works in the capacity of observer.

 

PAKISTAN STATEMENT

Let me read into record a statement that you received in the evening from President Csaba Kőrösi on the suicide attack in Pakistan.

President Kőrösi strongly condemns the suicide attack on 30 July 2023 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The President conveys his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, the Government and people of Pakistan.

Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever commits it.

The President urges the international community to strengthen their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Full text is available at https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/07/31/statement-on-suicide-attack-in-pakistan/

 

BILATERLS

On the President’s agenda today, let me highlight that is meeting this hour with the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill.

 

GA REFORM

And I told you yesterday about the latest episode of the OPGA Fellows podcast, focusing on General Assembly revitalization.

And in that context, Edie had asked me about the possibility of changing the wording on the GA rules of procedure – which currently refer to the PGA, the SG, and the Chairperson as a “he” and “him”.

To confirm, that process can be done through a GA resolution.

There is a current draft of the GA revitalization that will go before the GA plenary in early September. Then it will be discussed in the Fifth Committee.

That draft has been finalized as document A/77/942, but it is not yet public – it is still being translated – so I cannot share it with you.

But I am told that the draft has a reference to the rules of procedure.

The zero draft – so an earlier version of the resolution – is available on the OPGA website, and the line in it reads: “49.bis. Decides to amend the rules of procedure in order to remove gendered language and to ensure its inclusivity, further requests the Secretariat to reflect this update in its online format and any future print editions of the rules of procedure;”

That is not necessarily what appears in the final draft, but to give you an idea.

And just a reminder, if this wasn’t enough, that the GA reform process results in practical changes.

One of the changes that was made in the resolution two years ago – because these resolutions are bi-annually… was to give the incoming PGAs more time to get used to their role before UNGA. As a result, the 77th session is one week shorter than all other terms.

This session will end on Tuesday, 5 September. Normally, it would have gone until Tuesday, 12 September.

 

QUESTIONS

The Spokesperson was asked to clarify the context in which the gendered language was raised, and what this means for the General Assembly. The Spokesperson should have clarified that the GA’s rules of procedure will not be amended to gender-neutral language by this session’s resolution on GA revitalization, as Member States could not reach an agreement. The matter would be examined again in the 79th session when they discuss the next resolution. Reference to the language, however, is included in this session’s resolution.

The Spokesperson was asked about the resolution introduced last week by Morocco related to religious items, and what action will be taken given that some Member States are continuing to disrespect holy books. The Spokesperson said that GA resolutions are a guiding light. It is up to Member States to interpret resolutions and decide what action – if any – is necessary if the resolution is not followed.

The Spokesperson was asked which Member State(s) disassociated themselves from the resolution. The Spokesperson confirmed by email that the European Union, represented by the delegate from Belgium, disassociated itself from the resolution adopted by consensus on 26 July.

The Spokesperson was asked about Raffi Gregorian’s speech on counter-terrorism in which he said the GA did not provide him with the proper mandate to speak with and investigate countries. The Spokesperson said that she would follow up, but nothing has been scheduled on the GA agenda on this topic.

The Spokesperson was asked what “disassociating from a resolution” means. She explained that it is a softer way for a Member States to distance themselves from a resolution without breaking consensus. The Member State is not calling for a vote, but showing disagreement with the wording of a resolution.