PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
26 April 2024
Good morning, everyone!
GA HOLDS INFORMAL INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE ON COMMODITY MARKETS
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, welcomed today the Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development, UNCTAD, Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, to the Informal Interactive Dialogue of the GA on Commodity Markets.
In his remarks, the PGA said that commodities – “the basic goods and raw materials that form the bedrock of global trade – are integral to the global economy.”
Mr. Francis, however, alerted for the adverse consequences of an excessive dependence on commodities, what affects developing countries, in particular.
The Unctad State of Commodity Dependence report points out to 13 percent of advanced economies being commodity dependent.
In contrast, 85 percent of the world’s Least Developed Countries are in the same position.
Another fact: 95 percent of the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change are commodity-dependent developing countries.
The UN agency believes that addressing the issues of commodity dependence is “key to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the SDGs.”
PGA Dennis Francis believes that “breaking free from commodity-dependence is achievable.”
The event in the Trusteeship Council Chamber included two interactive panels.
More on the PGA’s speech on his website www.un.org/pga/78
GA TO MARK 30th ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
For your diaries: On Monday, 29 April, the President of the General Assembly will convene the Informal Plenary Meeting of the GA to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.
In a letter to Member States, the PGA informed that the time limit for statements will be three minutes for individual delegations and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States.
The event will take place at the General Assembly Hall from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
PGA Dennis Francis will deliver remarks at the opening segment alongside the Executive Director of the UN Population Fund, Dr. Natalia Kanem, the UN Under-Secretary-General for the Economic and Social Affairs, DESA, Mr. Li Jun Hua, the former President of the General Assembly and Head of Global Women Voices, Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Victoria Flamant, who is a Youth Representative, and Ms. Ashley Judd, Actress and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.
After that, Member States will deliver their respective remarks.
PGA’S MESSAGE ON WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY
The President of the General Assembly recorded a message on this World Intellectual Property Day highlighting the role of innovation and creativity in driving human progress and societal transformation.
The PGA recalled that innovative, creative solutions are essential to our common future and that from industrial design, brands and patents to trademarks and information – intellectual property is a powerful enabler of progress across all 17 SDGs.
Mr. Francis believes that: “Now is the time to act decisively– to close the gaps, to unleash the ingenuity of all inventors and creators in all corners of the world, and to build a sustainable future for all.”
More on this message, please access the PGA’s YouTube channel.
This is everything we have for today. Do you have anything else?
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Twitter (X):
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