PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
13 November 2023
Video: https://tinyurl.com/yc6dxbr4
Good afternoon, everyone! I hope you had a good weekend. I will start today with a message from the PGA in tribute to the UN personnel who lost their lives whilst working in the Gaza Strip.
PGA OBSERVES MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR FALLEN STAFF IN GAZA STRIP
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, joined the UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, to observe a minute of silence in memory of 101 UN staff killed, in the Gaza Strip, since 7 October.
The staff members lost their lives whilst doing humanitarian work for the Palestinian refugees in the region.
The GA President expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all of those who perished paying the ultimate sacrifice.
The President remembers the staff for their unwavering and selfless dedication in helping others and believes that their legacy will not be forgotten.
You can access the video of the ceremony also on the PGA’s YouTube account
Video: https://tinyurl.com/2npptaeh
PGA URGES SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR-FREE ZONE IN MIDDLE EAST
Earlier today, the PGA spoke at the opening of the Fourth Annual Session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. The meeting was also attended by UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu.
In his remarks, the President highlighted that only two weeks ago, the First UN GA Committee (Disarmament and International Security) reaffirmed its unflinching support for the establishment of this zone –calling for urgent and practical steps to implement this proposal. For him, the overwhelming majority of Member States agree that keeping the region free of the most destructive weapons ever created by humanity is an important precursor to peace and stability in the Middle East.
The PGA recalls the clear message of the GA membership that nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to all of humanity. More on his remarks and the video on his YouTube account: youtube.com/@unpga78
The event is being held until Friday, here in New York. You may recall that the First Conference took place in 2019 and was resumed only in 2021 due to the pandemic.
General Assembly decision A/DEC/73/546 (22 December 2018) entails a mandate to negotiate and conclude a legally binding treaty on the Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. The session is taking place at the Trusteeship Council under the presidency of Mr. Taher El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of Libya.
Video: https://tinyurl.com/4aerxa9a
PGA HOLDS FIRST MEETING WITH GENDER EQUALITY ADVISERS
As we speak, the PGA is holding the first meeting with his Gender Advisory Board on Gender Equality over a luncheon. The Board has 16 members. The meeting is being moderated by the PGA’s Special Envoy and Special Adviser on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, H.E. Ms. Keisha A. McGuire.
One of the topics on the agenda is an introduction of initiatives aimed at promoting an inclusive and equal workplace.
For President Francis, “Here at the United Nations, it is imperative that we not only talk the talk but that we walk it, by leading by example to ensure that women and girls meaningfully participate in all spheres of society.”
You will remember that this follows the PGA’s meeting with female Heads of State and Government which took place during the High-Level Week in September. On that occasion, the PGA warned that progress made thus far is insufficient and called for accelerated action. Mr. Francis also noted with concern that the UN itself has yet to appoint its first woman Secretary-General, and that only four women have served as Presidents of the General Assembly.
This is everything we have for today. Do you have anything else?
END
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