Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the President of the General Assembly
3 December 2024
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing
Good afternoon, everyone,
First a reminder
The President of the UN General Assembly Philémon Yang is convening the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly tomorrow at 3 pm and next Wednesday 11 December at 10 am. This follows the veto cast by a Permanent Member of the Security Council on 20 November on a draft resolution on the Middle East.
This morning, the plenary meeting on the Question of Palestine started.
There will also be an informal plenary meeting on the implementation of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration on 5 December at 10 am.
On Friday, there will be a plenary, which will include the credentials of representatives to the 79th session of the General Assembly as well as appointments and other actions.
Committees
Turning to Committees, action on the First Committee’s proposals took place yesterday. Action will be taken on proposals by the Fourth Committee and Sixth Committee tomorrow. On 17th and 19th December, action on proposals by 3rd and 2nd Committee will take place respectively.
Fifth Committee
On the Fifth Committee, informal consultations are ongoing. The Committee is expecting a number of reports to be introduced this week.
Appointments
With regard to appointments, following the departure of Ms. Joanna Skoczek, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the UN, the President has appointed H.E. Ms. Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole of the General Assembly on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including socioeconomic aspects in accordance with General Assembly resolution 75/239 of 31 December 2020. H.E. Kimberly Louis, Deputy Representative of St. Lucia to the UN will continue to serve as the other co-chair.
International Days
With regard to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the PGA calls for us to break down barriers, create equal opportunities and foster a world where the leadership of persons with disabilities paves the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Questions
Question: Does the PGA have any plan to do an end of the year briefing or presser for us?
Response: That, I will have to come back to you. We are hoping if not the end of the year, at least early next year because he will be unveiling his priorities.
Question: Just a detail on the Emergency Session on Palestine tomorrow and next week. If I understand correctly, there are several texts under consideration for adoption. Can I confirm there is no vote scheduled for tomorrow, but it should be next week?
Response: At this point, there are approximately 63, at least up to yesterday, there were 63 speakers registered. Tomorrow, it looks like it will just be the debate, the discussion. Then, on the 11 December, if there are texts to be adopted, it will take place then.
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 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org
More Information and Updates : Website: YouTube: X (Twitter): Instagram: LinkedIn: Photo Repository: GA Resolutions during 79th Session
