NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS

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

Monday, 20 March 2023

WATER MARATHON

President Csaba Kőrösi is this hour speaking at a New York City Water Week event.

This is the SDG 6 Research and Innovation Marathon Relay organized by the CUNY or the City University of New York.

The President said that as a global community of governments, the UN system, civil society, the private sector, scientists, academics and stakeholders of diverse backgrounds – we all are in a race against time.

The UN Water Conference is an opportunity to deliberate on SDG 6 – on clean water and sanitation. The goal is to expand thinking about water and a water secure future. And to identify innovations that will have impact.

The President again reiterated his call for a “New York Moment” this week, on scale with the “Paris Moment” following climate change talks in 2015.

You will have his full remarks shortly.

CIVIL SERVICE

Earlier today, President Kőrösi addressed the opening of 95th session of the International Civil Service Commission.

He told the ICSC that he “cannot stress enough the important role of the ICSC in strengthening and maintaining high standards in the international civil service, and in continuing our rapid adjustment to new workplace realities.”

The President then made three suggestions for the Commission’s work, including to continue its close coordination with the Fifth Commission.

This Commission is an independent expert body, established by the General Assembly in 1974.

Their work is divided into three areas – cost-of-living, salaries and allowances, and human resources policies.

Remarks available at

BILATERALS

Among his bilaterals today, the President will be meeting with Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Thiaw, who is the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification

The President will also meet today with Pedro Arrojo Agudo, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Water.

NOWRUZ

And today is the first day of spring.

Today is also the International Day of Nowruz, marked by some 300 million people around the world.

In his message for the Day, President Kőrösi says that “today we user in a new year, bringing fresh life – the rebirth of nature after a long fall and winter. To apply our UN terminology, we are using this beautiful opportunity to celebrate transformation.”

Nowruz also stands as an inspiration to cherish the link between the human being and nature. To that end, the President will encourage the international community to make this a time to reaffirm our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Due to scheduling challenges, the remarks will be delivered by the President’s Chef de Cabinet. Mr. László Szoke.

 

QUESTIONS

There were no questions for the Spokesperson.