PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
05 February 2024
PGA SPEAKS AT THE OPENING OF 62nd SESSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
This morning, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, delivered remarks at the opening segment of the Sixty-Second Session for Social Development. The PGA reminded participants that “we are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” and asked for socially just policies, frameworks, budgeting, and legislation that are also conscious, and responsive to the fact that “different common circumstances have impacted – and continue to impact – people differently, creating and perpetuating inequalities.”
President Francis highlighted the need for cooperation and alignment of international and domestic policies to capitalize on funds that may be available, especially through official development assistance as well as domestic resources. “Building upon the outcomes of the 2023 SDG Summit, I urge Member States to rally around actions that will give rise to meaningful gains.”
The PGA described the inaugural Sustainability Week, which he will host from 15-19 April, in New York, as “one big opportunity” for cooperation and action in this regard.
The event will explore challenges and opportunities for delivering sustainable solutions in tourism, transport, infrastructure and connectivity, energy, and debt.
The GA President also urged Member States to use the Summit of the Future, in September 2024, and its expected outcomes, the Pact for the Future, as well as the Declaration on Future Generations, and the Global Digital Compact, if inter-governmentally agreed, to advance discussions ahead of the World Social Summit in 2025.
PGA EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO NAMIBIA AFTER PRESIDENT’S DEATH
The PGA expressed his deep sadness by the death of the President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage Gottfried Geinbog.
In a post, on Sunday, on his social media account on X, Mr. Francis said that the African country and “indeed the world at large have lost an icon and true champion of self-determination, independence, democracy, multilateralism and the values of the United Nations.”
President Francis conveyed his condolences to the late leader’s family, to the Government and the people of Namibia.
GA AGENDA:
Tomorrow, 6 February, the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Summit of the Future, H.E. Mr. Neville Gertze, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia and H.E. Ms. Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany, will hold informal consultations on the Summit of the Future. The event is scheduled for September 2024.
The meeting will take place in the Economic and Social Council Chamber from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. and from 3p.m. to 6 p.m.
More details on the PGA’s website
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