[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-5px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”2803.6px” custom_margin=”-22px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”11px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ghBYcDKPKUg” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”1px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”-22px|||||” custom_padding=”||41px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ghBYcDKPKUg” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
PRESS BRIEFING <\/strong><\/p>\n BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS<\/strong><\/p>\n United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n 12 July 2024<\/p>\n Video link<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Good afternoon, everyone!<\/p>\n PGA LEADS UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF UN AGENCY<\/strong><\/p>\n The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, delivered opening remarks at the UNRWA Pledging Conference, which he has convened to support the work done by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).<\/p>\n The PGA asked the participants to observe a minute of silence in the memory of 197 UNRWA staff members who lost their lives since 7 October 2023.<\/p>\n President Francis stressed that the UN agency provides protection for 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees \u2013 including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. A total of 58 refugee camps addresses the humanitarian needs of 1.6 million people in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank including East Jerusalem.<\/p>\n The GA President said that: \u201cIt should deeply alarm us all that UNRWA is currently standing on the precipice of financial collapse.\u201d If nothing changes, UNRWA could be forced to cease operations this year.<\/p>\n The agency\u2019s emergency appeal of $1.2 billion are underfunded at 18 per cent.<\/p>\n Mr. Francis highlighted that \u201cmore than 90 per cent of the Gaza Strip\u2019s population is displaced \u2013 with nowhere safe to turn.\u201d<\/p>\n The territory is grappling with severe acute food insecurity \u2013 with half a million people on the brink of famine.\u201d<\/p>\n President Francis affirmed that \u201cin these extraordinary times\u201d, the UNRWA Pledging Conference cannot proceed on the basis of \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d.<\/p>\n The PGA is advocating for substantial contributions to be made.<\/p>\n He also reiterated his call for donations by all stakeholders, including philanthropic organizations, the private sector and individuals.<\/p>\n Whilst speaking about the conflict in the region, Mr. Francis reiterated the General Assembly\u2019s resolutions in its Emergency Special Sessions for \u201can immediate and lasting humanitarian ceasefire, for the adherence to international law by all parties, for the facilitation of immediate humanitarian access, including the lifting of restrictions placed on humanitarian actors by Israel, and the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.\u201d<\/p>\n The Secretary-General, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, and the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, and the Permanent Observer of the observer State of Palestine, H.E., Mr. Riyad Mansour, also spoke at the opening segment, which is being followed by remarks from Member States and regional organizations.<\/p>\n There are 62 speakers inscribed on the list to deliver remarks.<\/p>\n The meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee to announce voluntary contributions to UNRWA is taking place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and will continue until 1 p.m. until resuming from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. later today.<\/p>\n As previously announced, the Commissioner-General will speak to the press later today on the outcome of the UNRWA Pledging Conference.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n GA ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SAFETY OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES OF UKRAINE <\/strong><\/p>\n Yesterday, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on \u201cSafety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant<\/a>\u201d. This was part of Agenda Item 62, on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This morning, President Dennis Francis, issued a post on his X social media account welcoming the GA adoption and stating that \u201cthe militarization of nuclear sites significantly heightens the risk of a nuclear accident or incident, endangering not only the people of Ukraine but the entire international community.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PGA\u2019S AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK:<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally for your diaries: PGA Dennis Francis will speak on Monday, 15 July, at the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including the three-day ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum, which will be held from\u00a0Monday, 15 July, to\u00a0Thursday, 18 July 2024. He will deliver opening remarks at the event which will hear also from the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina J Mohammed, and other speakers.<\/p>\n This is everything for today and for this week. Do you have anything else?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n * *** *<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n YouTube:<\/strong><\/p>\n www.youtube.com\/@UNPGA78<\/p>\n Twitter (X):<\/strong><\/p>\n @UN_PGA<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/unpga<\/p>\n LinkedIn:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/lnkd.in\/eBPsvcsU<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0 SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0 PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS United Nations Headquarters, New York 12 July 2024 Video link \u00a0 Good afternoon, everyone! PGA LEADS UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":372,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.23.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_margin=\"-5px|||||\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" min_height=\"2803.6px\" custom_margin=\"-22px|auto||auto||\" custom_padding=\"11px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_video src=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dQPBHQiYQpE\" _builder_version=\"4.25.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" vertical_offset_tablet=\"0\" horizontal_offset_tablet=\"0\" custom_margin=\"1px|||||\" hover_enabled=\"0\" z_index_tablet=\"0\" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_vertical_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_blur_tablet=\"40px\" box_shadow_spread_tablet=\"0px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.25.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" vertical_offset_tablet=\"0\" horizontal_offset_tablet=\"0\" custom_margin=\"-22px|||||\" custom_padding=\"||41px|||\" link_option_url=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dQPBHQiYQpE\" link_option_url_new_window=\"on\" hover_enabled=\"0\" z_index_tablet=\"0\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_vertical_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_blur_tablet=\"40px\" box_shadow_spread_tablet=\"0px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> PRESS BRIEFING <\/strong><\/p> BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS<\/strong><\/p> United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p> 11 July 2024<\/p> Video link<\/a><\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p> Good afternoon, everyone!<\/p> RHETORIC ROOTED IN HATE LEADS TO UNSPEAKABLE EVIL, PGA SAYS<\/strong><\/p> The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, spoke this morning at the High-level Commemorative Event on the first International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.<\/p> The PGA paid tribute to over eight thousand three hundred people killed 29 years ago in this \u201chorrific chapter of History\u201d.<\/p> President Francis warned against rhetoric \u201calways rooted in hate\u201d that, if left unchecked, will \u201calways lead to unspeakable evil.\u201d<\/p> He highlighted the need for \u201cremaining vigilant and guarding\u201d against narratives that dehumanize, degrade, and discriminate against a particular group of people.<\/p> In May, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 78\/282 designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.<\/p> The event in the General Assembly Hall was organized by the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> GA PRESIDENT TAKES PART IN EVENT ON TRANSFORMING EDUCATION<\/strong><\/p> This morning, President Francis joined the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), H.E. Ms. Paula Narvaez, at the High-level opening of the Special Event on Transforming Education.<\/p> The event focused on the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.<\/p> In his remarks, the PGA said that \u201cby mobilizing real action, ambition and innovative solutions, we can transform education to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world \u2013 for everyone, everywhere\u201d.<\/p> He highlighted the need for urgent action as 250 million children and youth are out of school and basic reading skills are lacking in 40 per cent of primary school children in the world. Some 25 per cent of young people are not in education, employment, or training.<\/p> President Francis spoke about the relation between education investments and debt increase in developing countries, where those investments are most needed to change the future of millions of children.<\/p> The Special Event on Transforming Education was convened by the Secretary-General with the Presidents of the General Assembly and of ECOSOC.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> GA HOLDS PLENARY MEETING ON UKRAINE, UN SYSTEM AND OTHER TOPICS<\/strong><\/p> This afternoon, at 3 p.m., the General Assembly will hold its 99th<\/sup> plenary meeting on several agenda times including a report by the Secretary-General on the responsibility to protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (Item 129: (A\/78\/901<\/a>). This will be followed by the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - Item 62: draft resolution (A\/78\/L.90<\/a>)\u00a0 on \u201cSafety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant\u201d, which will be acted upon by Member States. The last topic on the agenda is Item 122 entitled \u201cStrengthening of the United Nations system - \u201cParticipation of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector in the high-level Summit of the Future\u201d.<\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p> PGA CONVENES MEETING ON UNRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE ON 12 JULY<\/strong><\/p> Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the PGA 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).<\/p> The event is in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.<\/p> So far, there are 61 speakers inscribed on the list. The first remarks will be delivered by the European Union and the last will be the Holy See.<\/p> After this briefing, you will receive the list of speakers in the transcript via your mailbox.<\/p> The PGA is looking forward to a strong event and encouraging Member States, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and the public to donate to the work of UNRWA. Today, the PGA published an opinion article for the newspaper The National from the United Arab Emirates on UNRWA funding being needed now more than ever.<\/p> The event will be opened by Mr. Dennis Francis. The Secretary-General, Mr. Ant\u9ac7io Guterres, and the Commissioner-General Mr. Philippe Lazzarini will also address the Conference with opening remarks.<\/p> We have a dedicated website<\/a> produced by the Office of the PGA with more information.<\/p> Access the live webcast here<\/a>.<\/p>
Also, on Monday, the PGA will convene an informal meeting of the General Assembly to observe Nelson Mandela International Day, at 11 a.m., in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, UN Headquarters New York.<\/p>\n