NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY

President Csaba Kőrösi took part this morning in the special meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

In his remarks, he asked the international community to walk a mile in the shoes of the Palestinians. Asking officials to only stand in solidarity, but to  move so – act.

He appealed to all to use the leverage of their governments to seek compromise, direct dialogue and good-faith negotiations in the Middle East.

Quote “our aim is to have a Middle East free of conflict, and able to fully use the enormous potentials of its peoples.”

In today’s remarks, President Kőrösi also drew attention to UNRWA’s funding gap, which he said is more than $600 million.

At a time when the political will to find a long-term solution seems low,  he said, let us ensure at least the sufficient and reliable multi-year funding of UNRWA to enable it to perform its tasks.

The President’s full remarks are in your inbox and online: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2022/11/29/remarks-to-the-special-meeting-in-observance-of-the-international-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people/

 

TOMORROW

And a reminder that the General Assembly tomorrow will hold a plenary meeting on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East.

The President will have remarks in English, Arabic, French and Russian.

Action is expected on draft resolutions.

 

WATER REPORT

Turning to sustainable development.

The World Meteorological Organization today put out the first State of Global Water Resources report.

President Kőrösi welcomed the publication of the report.

In a statement, he said that knowing how much water is available – where and when – is key to water security, as well as a catalyzer of cooperation.

He said the report confirms that the conception and sustainable implementation of resilient food and energy systems is possible based on informed scientific analysis.

This is a topic that you’ve heard the President speak a lot about, particularly at COP – the connection between climate change, water and food.

The President’s full statement on today’s WMO report, was shared overnight under embargo, and it’s also available online: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2022/11/29/statement-at-the-launch-of-wmos-state-of-global-water-resources-report/

 

CIRCLE OF WOMEN AMBASSADORS

Right now, President Kőrösi is meeting with Permanent Representatives who are part of the Circle of Women Ambassadors.

The President has been committed to promoting gender equality. He is an International Gender Champion.

He has re-established the Advisory Board on Gender Equality.

And through this body, he is working to ensure that all staff of Permanent Missions have access to UN training courses on gender equality and on the prevention of sexual harassment.

The President also convened the Platform of Women Leaders at UNGA.

And just a few days ago, he visited the Manhattan Family Justice Center – thanks to our great cooperation with New York City officials.

That said, the President will likely today point out that it’s expected to take 132 years to reach gender parity.

And even in our UN home, only 1 of the 6 Chairs of the General Assembly Main Committees is a woman.

Three Permanent Representatives are women among the 16 elected Vice-Presidents.

 

OTHER MEETINGS

The President will have an opportunity to meet with more of the Ambassadors today.

He has a bilateral with Ambassador Egriselda López, the Permanent Representative of El Salvador and Ambassador Mitchell Fifield, the Permanent Representative of Australia, in their capacity as the co-chairs of the revilations of the work of the General Assembly.

 

 

QUESTIONS

 

There were no questions.