PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
10 July 2024
Good afternoon, everyone!
GA DECIDES TO PROCLAIM UN DECADE ON COMBATTING SAND AND DUST STORMS
This morning, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2025-2034 as the United Nations Decade on Combatting Sand and Dust Storms. The resolution aims to enhance international and regional cooperation to prevent and mitigate the negative effects of those storms especially in countries which are affected.
The text also highlights that sand and dust storms “cause numerous human health problems” especially in arid, semi-arid and other areas, and “there is a need to reinforce protective strategies.”
According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), sand and dust storms are “an underappreciated problem” that has become more frequent in some places, with at least 25% of global dust activities originating from human activities.
Last year, GA Resolution 77/294 proclaimed 12 July as International Day of Combatting Sand and Dust Storms, to be observed annually.
The draft resolution was adopted by consensus at the 98th plenary meeting which was chaired by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, at the GA Hall.
The PGA is back in the office after returning from his mission trips to Ukraine, Latvia, and Moldova.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROCLAIS FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RELFECTION OF 1995 GENOCIDE IN SREBRENICA MARKED IN THE GA HALL
For you diaries: tomorrow, the first International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica will be marked in the GA Hall.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., following the adoption of Resolution 78/282 in May, designating 11 July as the International Day.
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, will deliver remarks as well as other UN officials, Permanent Representatives, and a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide.
The event is being organized by the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations.
PGA TO PRESIDE OVER UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE ON 12 JULY
This Friday, 12 July, President Francis will convene a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The event will take place on 12 July, at 10 a.m., in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.
The UNRWA Pledging Conference is a unique opportunity for Member States to financially support UNRWA’s mandate through substantial contributions.
President Francis is encouraging philanthropic organizations, private sector, and the public, with individual donations, to contribute to the agency’s cause.
After the event, the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, will speak to you at this Press Briefing Room.
We will let you know more details as we receive them.
This is everything we have for today. Do you have anything else?
* *** *
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@UNPGA78
Twitter (X):
@UN_PGA
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unpga
LinkedIn:
https://lnkd.in/eBPsvcsU
