PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
1 November 2023
Video: https://tinyurl.com/2vc35zuu
Good afternoon, everyone!
GA DEBATING REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON CUBA
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, presided this morning over the start of the plenary meeting on the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo by the United States of America against Cuba.
This is agenda item 38 containing the report of the Secretary-General and the draft resolution.
The meeting will continue tomorrow morning, 2 November, and a vote is expected toward the end of the debate.
A list of speakers has been published online and was shared with you earlier. As of this morning, there were 52 speakers inscribed.
This afternoon, the GA will hold the 25th Plenary meeting on the report of the International Criminal Court. This is the continuation of the debate on item 74 and action on the draft resolution is also expected towards the end.
There are three speakers left to deliver remarks on the list.
Immediately after this meeting, the 10th Emergency Special Session will resume.
On that list there are 40 inscribed speakers to deliver their remarks after the resolution entitled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations”, ESS-10/21 was adopted on Friday at the GA Hall.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT MIDDLE EAST
This morning, the PGA issued a post on his X social media account stating that he is “gravely concerned about the further escalation of violence and hostility in the Middle East.”
Mr. Francis said that leaders have the power to stop the violence and to prevent further escalation and civilian deaths.
He strongly condemns and rejects, yet again, any indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians, and the scale of destruction of critical infrastructure.
PGA’S MESSAGE ON TACKLING CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS
President Francis has recorded a message to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
The commemoration is led by UNESCO, and this year’s observance seeks to raise awareness of the main challenges faced by journalists and communicators in the exercise of their profession especially women journalists.
Worldwide, since 1993, more than 1,600 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and informing the public.
The PGA’s message will be released later today, in its entirety, on his YouTube channel which is www.youtube.com/unpga78
PGA FELLOWSHIP: APPPLICATIONS CLOSE TODAY
Today is the last day to apply for the President of the General Assembly’s Fellowship Programme. Candidates will come to New York from developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), for training, mentorship and immersion in the work of the United Nations. Successful candidates will be notified in late-November 2023 and are expected to arrive to New York mid-January 2024.
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