PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
7 February 2024
GA HEARS SG’S REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION
This morning, President Dennis Francis chaired the 54th plenary meeting on the Report of the Secretary-General, António Guterres, on the work of the Organization – Item 110 (A/78/1).
After the SG’s speech on his priorities for 2024, Member States delivered statements on the report.
More information on UN Web TV (video).
PRESIDENT FRANCIS APPOINTS CO-FACILITATORS AND CO-CHAIRS
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, has appointed co-facilitators and co-chairs for three intergovernmental processes.
In a letter sent to Member States on 6 February, the PGA informed that H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations and H.E. Mr. Viliami Va’inga Tone, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations will be co-chairs of the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 54/33, and 78/69 of 5 December 2023.
President Francis also appointed H.E. Mr. Walton Alfonso Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and H.E. Ms. Ana Paula Zacarias, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations as co-facilitators for the intergovernmental process to consider the recommendations presented in the final report of the High-level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States.
The co-facilitators who will conduct open, transparent and inclusive consultations with Member States to finalize the organizational arrangements, including on a possible outcome document, for the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise will be H.E. Ms. Maritza Chan Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations and H.E. Ms. Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations.
More information on the PGA’s website: www.un.org/pga/78
GA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE PRESIDENT OF NAMIBIA, H.E. HAGE GEINGOB
The General Assembly held a tribute to the memory of the late President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Hage Gottfried Geingob, during the plenary meeting at 3.pm. in the GA Hall.
Following his death on 4 February, the PGA described the late President as a “beacon of leadership on the African continent” and as a true champion of self-determination, independence, democracy, multilateralism, and the values of the UN.
PGA FRANCIS SADDENED BY THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT OF CHILE
The PGA issued a post on his X social media account on the passing of the former President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, stating that his death is a profound loss for Chile and the international community.
Mr. Francis was shocked to hear about the tragic news. For the PGA, President Piñera’s vision for a better world will endure.
—
YouTube:
Twitter (X):
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unpga
LinkedIn:
