PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
27 October 2023
Video: https://tinyurl.com/2p954y7b
Good afternoon, everyone!
I would like to welcome to Press Briefing Room two new colleagues who came all the way from Russia. They are: Denis Akishev and Margarita Tamaeva from TASS News agency. Welcome!
GA TO TAKE ACTION ON DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THE MIDDLE EAST THIS AFTERNOON
The General Assembly has decided to take action on a draft resolution at 3 pm. today during the 10th Emergency Special Session on the Middle East.
This is a change to the initial schedule to have the vote towards the end of the debate. The decision followed a motion by Jordan which was announced at the start of the meeting this morning.
The GA will consider the draft resolution introduced by Jordan, which is co-sponsored by 42 Member States, and an amendment proposed by Canada. The amendment will be put to vote first.
There are 113 speakers inscribed to deliver remarks during the debate, which is taking place, until 1 pm. and will be resumed at 3pm. for the General Assembly’s action.
In order to be adopted, the draft resolution will have to receive two-thirds of votes “yes” or “no”; abstentions and absences are not counted.
Yesterday, at the opening of the resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, said that: “At this juncture, the most immediate step is clear – the violence must cease, and further bloodshed must be prevented.” The PGA called for the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages; an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire and an immediate, unconditional opening of corridors for humanitarian assistance and relief.
More information on the PGA’s YouTube which is youtube.com/unpga78 and on the PGA’s website un.org/pga/78
PGA FELLOWSHIP: APPPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 1 NOVEMBER
The President of the General Assembly’s Fellowship Programme will stop receiving applications on 1 November. This is the deadline. The initiative grants an opportunity to young diplomats to spend several months working in the Office of the President of the GA on global challenges and solutions to move towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.
Candidates will come to New York from developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), for training, mentorship and immersion in the work of the United Nations.
Successful candidates to be notified in late-November 2023. The acceptance letter is to be conveyed on 5 December 2023.
Fellows are expected to start in New York mid-January 2024.
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE 2023
President Francis has sent a letter informing Member States that the award ceremony for the 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize will be held on 15 December at 10 am. at the General Assembly Hall.
In his letter, the PGA recalled the correspondence sent in July during the last session announcing the winners: Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Belarus; Ms. Julienne Lusenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, Jordan; Mr. Julio Pereyra, Uruguay and the Global Coalition of civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, social movements and local communities for “the universal recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.”
As you may recall they were chosen amongst 400 nominees.
The meeting will also serve as an occasion to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This is all we have for today. Do you have anything else?
Website:
Twitter:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unpga
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@UNPGA78/featured
