PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
3 September 2024
Good afternoon, everyone! This is our last week before the press conference by the PGA, which will take place on 9 September at 11 a.m. which will be also the last full day of President Francis in the Office.
PGA FRANCIS AND PGA-ELECT YANG TAKE PART IN HANDOVER RETREAT
The President of the General Assembly (PGA), Mr. Dennis Francis, is taking part today in the 14th Annual General Assembly Retreat under the theme “Towards a Stronger UN General Assembly”.
The meeting, which takes place in New York, is being facilitated by the Permanent Mission of Finland with the support of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM). The retreat will include a Q&A session moderated by the Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku.
In his opening remarks, President Francis highlighted the achievements of his session and unforeseen developments which reminds the entire PGA’s Office that: “The General Assembly may have a plan, but global events can – and indeed, do – significantly alter priorities, sometimes overnight, and determine how the session will unfold.” President Francis believes that “a methodical focus on ensuring a holistic perspective across the priorities” is extremely important given the ongoing global developments and any future challenges.
PGA-elect Mr. Philémon Yang also delivered remarks in the session followed by discussions and presentations on the GA revitalization, the Pact for the Future, and cooperation with other parts of the United Nations, among other topics.
The purpose of the retreat is to contribute to the revitalization of the General Assembly and provide an opportunity for the elected members to familiarize themselves with the work of the GA.
GA TO CONSIDER DRAFT RESOLUTION TO ENHANCE PARTICIPATION BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
The President of the General Assembly has informed Member States that he intends to submit a draft resolution entitled “Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them” to the GA for action.
Mr. Dennis Francis said that the draft resolution A/78/L.106 will be presented in a plenary meeting under agenda item 68 “Rights of Indigenous Peoples” to be announced shortly.
In February, the PGA appointed two co-facilitators for the consultations on potential further measures to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them: H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations and H.E. Mr. Victor Garcia Toma, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations. This process includes two Advisers from Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Claire Charters and Mr. Belkacem Lounes, who were appointed in April.
If the draft resolution is adopted, the GA will decide on continuing its consideration of possible further measures to enhance the participation of indigenous peoples at its eightieth session and will request the GA President to appoint two co-facilitators from Member States and two advisers from Indigenous Peoples “with the aim to adopt procedural and institutional steps”. The process shall include consultations with indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions from all regions of the world as an input to the intergovernmental process.
We have a copy of the draft resolution for you in your e-mail.
More information on the PGA’s website www.un.org/pga/78
Before we leave, just a gentle reminder on the PGA’s final press conference with you on 9 September at 11 a.m. here in the Press Briefing Room.
To colleagues who have asked: we hear from DGACM that an updated Speakers’ List to be published by Friday.
This is all we have for today. Do you have anything else or any questions?
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