PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
29 April 2024
Good afternoon, everyone! We will start with a trip announcement today.
PGA TO TRAVEL TO DOHA TO TAKE PART IN COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS OF UNGA
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, will travel to Doha, Qatar, from 1-3 May to participate in the Annual Meeting of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly (UNCPGA).
During his visit, the PGA will speak at the opening session on the importance of a UN-led multilateral system and the role of the General Assembly in addressing global crises.
The session in Doha will discuss the Summit of the Future and how it can supercharge the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and renew commitment to multilateralism.
Mr. Francis will spotlight the critical issue of Sea-Level Rise in the context of climate change, which is among the Priorities of his Presidency, ahead of the UN General Assembly’s mandated high-level meeting on the matter in September this year.
The PGA intends to use the occasion of his visit to Doha to also engage in bilateral meetings with Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of the UNCPGA, and also with Qatar’s high-level leadership such as His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, as well as Her Excellency, Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation to reflect on the state of global affairs.
The PGA’s delegation will include his Chef de Cabinet, a Deputy Team Leader for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, as well as a Communications and Media Adviser.
Travel costs are covered by the Government of the State of Qatar and the OPGA’s Trust Fund.
Shortly after this briefing we will send you the media advisory.
GA TO HOLD MEETING ON USE OF THE VETO ON 1 MAY
President Dennis Francis sent a letter to Member States informing that following the veto cast by one permanent member on 18 April 2024 under the agenda item entitled “Admission of new members”, he will convene a General Assembly plenary meeting on this matter.
The meeting under agenda item 63 entitled “use of the veto” will take place on 1 May, Wednesday, at 10 a.m., at the General Assembly Hall.
In the same correspondence, the PGA noted that he received a letter on 24 April from H. E. Mr. Abdulaziz M. Alwasil, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, H. E. Mr. Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the United Nations and H. E. Mr. Adonia Ayebare, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations, in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group, Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Group and Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, requesting the resumption of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly.
President Francis will announce the date for the Emergency Special Session after consultations with Member States.
We will update you as soon as it happens.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MARK 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
This afternoon at 3 p.m. at the GA Hall, President Dennis Francis will hold an Informal Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994, adopted its Programme of Action focusing on people’s dignity and rights.
The meeting in the GA to mark the 30th Anniversary of the ICPD will also focus on leveraging the ICPD Programme of Action in moving towards inclusive, equitable and peaceful societies.
After delivering his opening remarks, PGA Dennis Francis will be followed by the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, and other guests including UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Ashley Judd.
The meeting will conclude at 6 p.m.
ROUND TABLE POLICY DIALOGUE ON ADDRESSING GLOBAL FOOD INSECURITY AND FAMINE RISK
President Dennis Francis is speaking at the Round Table Policy Dialogue on Addressing Global Food Insecurity and Famine Risk.
The event, in the ECOSOC Chamber, is co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy, the Permanent Mission of Brazil, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda, the European Union Delegation, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
As the latest 2024 Global Report on Food Crises was published on 24 April, this event aims to raise awareness of the current food crisis, bring together New York-based member state representatives to address the high levels of acute food insecurity and risk of famine.
Apart from the Permanent Representatives of Italy, Brazil and Uganda, the other main speaker is the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Ms. Amina Mohammed.
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