Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the President of the General Assembly
15 October 2024
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing
Good afternoon, everyone.
Some Updates
Yesterday, the President of the General Assembly Philemon Yang delivered remarks at the opening of the debate -From the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to Agenda 2063.
He said there has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
He added that as President of the General Assembly, he pledges to keep the spotlight on Africa’s promise and hone focus on support for Agenda 2063. (His full remarks are on the website)
This morning there was… a debate continues on the Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The action on the draft resolution will be taken later today.
Tomorrow there will be a debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
In terms of the updates on the Main Committees.
The First Committee
A draft resolution entitled ‘Cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization’, which has been initiated under agenda item 125(k) by Japan, is now open for co-sponsorship.
Second Committee
In terms of the Second Committee, the general debate just concluded. The theme was “Fostering Resilience and Growth in an Uncertain World”.
High on the agenda will be the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review which will provide guidance to the UN Development System for the next four-year cycle.
This week and in terms of the Second Committee, the Committee is discussing Sustainable Development and sub-items include; UN-Habitat and food security and nutrition.
Today, there is a joint meeting of ECOSOC and the Second Committee on fostering resilience and growth in an uncertain world.
Third Committee
With regard to the Third Committee, Member States agreed that regional and global cooperation is essential to combating organized crime,
Issues related to women’s advancement were a central focus. Discussion also centred on the accountability for the staggering number of child casualties in armed conflicts as well as other violations such as child marriage and labour.
Fourth Committee
With regard to Fourth Committee, ongoing consultations continue in 4th committee. The topic of decolonization will continue until 17 October.
Informal consultations are ongoing including on the draft resolutions related to the effects of atomic radiation, which will be considered by the Committee on 21 October.
A draft resolution is also on the table titled “Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and People“.
The agenda items titled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)”, and “Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories” will be on the Committee’s agenda from 13 to 20 November.
Fifth Committee
In terms of the Fifth Committee, Member States negotiated the scales of assessment, in line with the established triennial cycle.
Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations was adopted on 9 October 2024 without a vote. See (Resolutions of the 79th Session – UN General Assembly)
Sixth Committee
In terms of 6th Committee, there are few items here.
Delegations reaffirmed their willingness and readiness to work towards consensus on the draft comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and related items.
Another point to flag is that all delegations agreed that there is a need to ensure accountability for crimes against humanity.
Mexico and The Gambia have submitted a draft resolution which calls for the convening of a Conference to continue substantive discussions on the proposed convention with a view to elaborate and eventually conclude it.
The PGA has addressed most of the Committees.
He will address the Second Committee and Sixth Committee this coming Thursday 17 October
A couple of other updates.
The Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council – the Permanent Representatives of Kuwait and Austria – have extended an invitation to delegations to a first informal informal meeting to take stock of the progress achieved and discuss the work of the IGN during the 79th session.
International Days:
And just last, as Stephane said, today is the International Day of Rural Women.
The President of the General Assembly urged the international community to recognize the invaluable contributions made by these women, attach greater importance to the improvement of their livelihoods, and dismantle all barriers to ensure the full and equal participation of women in rural households and communities.
Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh
Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations M: +1 917 361 4990, Email:
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