Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the President of the UN General Assembly
(Tuesday, 12 August 2025)
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing.
Good afternoon, everyone
Statement by the President of the General Assembly on the killing of Al Jazeera journalists
The President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang condemns the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and his five colleagues in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, on Sunday 10 August. Targeting journalists is unacceptable. He stresses that the work of journalists and media workers is indispensable for documenting realities on the ground and ensuring that the international community has access to credible, timely, and accurate information.
At least 242 journalists have been killed in Gaza, since October 2023, an alarming and unacceptable toll. The prevailing impunity for attacks and violence against journalists contributes, he says, to the recurrence of these crimes. The President supports the call of the UN Secretary-General for an independent and impartial investigation into these latest killings.
The President’s Travel
President Yang travelled to The Holy See during the weekend where he met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The President and the Pope discussed the vital role of the Holy See—as a UN observer and global moral voice—in advancing peace, human rights, and social justice. During his visit, the President also held meetings with other officials of the Roman Catholic Church.
Some Important dates ahead
You may already know this. The 80th session of the UN General Assembly opens on Tuesday, 9 September. The first day of the General Debate will be Tuesday, 23 September.
High-Level Week at the UN General Assembly
We will, of course, share more specifics in due course.
- On Monday 22 September, there will be a High-Level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth world Conference on Women as well as a High-Level Meeting to mark 80th anniversary of the UN. There will also be an SDG Moment.
- On Wednesday 24 September, there will be a Climate Summit and a Biennial Summit between UN and the International Financial Institutions.
- The High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Fourth High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being take place on Thursday 25 September.
- There will be the High-Level Meeting: International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on Friday 26 September.
- To note that the debate is scheduled to end on Monday 29 September and a High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other Minorities in Myanmar follows on Tuesday 30 September.
Media Accreditation deadline for UNGA80
A reminder that the deadline for media accreditation for UNGA80 ends on 29 August
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Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 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: mariam.shaikh@un.org
More Information and Updates : Website: YouTube: X (Twitter): Instagram: LinkedIn: Photo Repository: Bluesky; Weekly Highlights: Resolutions of the 79th Session – UN General Assembly
