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Transcript\u00a0of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the President of the UN General Assembly\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n (Tuesday, 12 August 2025)<\/p>\n The following is a near-verbatim transcript\u00a0of today\u2019s briefing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Good afternoon, everyone<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Statement by the President of the General Assembly on the killing of Al Jazeera journalists<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The President\u2019s Travel<\/strong><\/p>\n President Yang travelled to The Holy See during the weekend where he met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.\u00a0The President and the Pope discussed the vital role of the Holy See\u2014as a UN observer and global moral voice\u2014in advancing peace, human rights, and social justice. During his visit, the President also held meetings with other officials of the Roman Catholic Church.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some Important dates ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n High-Level Week at the UN General Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n We will, of course, share more specifics in due course.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Media Accreditation deadline for UNGA80<\/strong><\/p>\n A reminder that the deadline for media accreditation for UNGA80 ends on\u00a0 29 August<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n