Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly
New York, 20 January 2015
Briefing to Member States on the Ebola virus outbreak
On 20 January, H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the General Assembly (PGA) convened an informal briefing of the General Assembly on the response to the Ebola virus outbreak. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed Member States alongside Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), and Dr. David Nabarro, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Ebola.
On the eve of the briefing, the PGA met with H.E. Ms. Marjon Kamara, H.E. Mr. Mamadi Touré, and H.E. Mr. Vandi Chidi Minah, respectively Permanent Representatives of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York. They were joined by H.E. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations and Chair of the African Group for the month of January 2015. In his statement to Member States on 20 January, the PGA expressed his deep appreciation for “the steadfast efforts of the people and national governments in the affected region”. President Kutesa commended “their courage in the face of a most daunting challenge”, and added that “efforts by regional and international partners, including the United Nations system, the African Union and ECOWAS have made a tangible difference.”
Secretary-General Ban made a special appeal to national stakeholders, community leaders, response partners and Member States, urging them to “stay engaged and sustain this effort” and insisting on the need for “sufficient resources to eliminate the disease and ensure recovery.”
Briefing via videoconference from Freetown, Sierra Leone, SRSG Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed stated that “the epidemic has turned, and we are now beginning to see an overall decline in the number of new cases.” However, he stressed that “despite the progress achieved in the Ebola response to date, the fight is far from won. Ebola continues to be a global threat.”
Dr. David Nabarro, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Ebola, explained that “the Ebola response remains short of financial and material contributions to save lives and protect communities.” He further underlined the need to ensure that “throughout 2015 we must see sustained commitment from the international community to reach zero cases, stay at zero cases and support durable social and economic recovery. ”
PGA meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
President Kutesa and Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Photo/Oraya Wittayasooporn
Earlier in the week, on 19 January, President Kutesa met with H.E. Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. They exchanged views on the priorities of the 69th session, including the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its implementation. The President and General Tanasak Patimapragorn discussed a number of important regional issues, and noted the importance of further strengthening the coordination and interaction between the General Assembly and the Security Council.
President Kutesa and Héctor Marcos Timerman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
PGA meets with the Foreign Minister of Argentina
On 19 January, PGA met with H.E. Héctor Marcos Timerman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina. They discussed the priorities of the 69th session, such as the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its implementation, climate change, poverty eradication, sovereign debt restructuring, gender and women empowerment, United Nations reforms, including the reform of the Security Council and the revitalization of the General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly and the Minister for Foreign Affairs underlined the need for decisive action to implement a transformative Post-2015 Agenda and to combat climate change. The PGA stressed that the greatest responsibility of the international community would be to ensure the mobilization and effective use of means for implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda, in terms of finances, technology development and transfer and capacity-building.
President Kutesa and Valentin Rybakov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
PGA meets with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
On 20 January, PGA met with H.E Valentin Rybakov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. In addition to discussing priorities of the 69th session, they strongly condemned –as other dignitaries did during meetings this week with PGA- recent terrorist attacks. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations was condemned and declared criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The President underscored the importance of redoubling efforts to combat extremism and the scourge of terrorism. He also stressed the need to promote peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding amongst peoples to avoid extremism and polarization.
President Kutesa and Neven Mimica, European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development. UN Photo/Loey Felipe
PGA meets with the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
On 20 January, PGA met with H.E Mr. Neven Mimica, European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development. The President of the General Assembly commended the European Union for its role and contribution to development. He underscored the need for a positive and constructive spirit in the negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, climate change negotiations and financing for development. The PGA and the Commissioner underscored the importance of mobilizing adequate resources from all sources domestic and external, fulfilling Official Development Aid commitments as well as the need to involve other development partners, the private sector and civil society. They noted the strong EU-UN partnership and stressed that economic development and good governance are all essential for the next development agenda. The EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development welcomed PGA’s initiatives on Post-2015 development Agenda and climate change such as the High-level Event President Kutesa will convene in New York on 29 June ahead of COP 21 in Paris.
President Kutesa and Mme Laurence Tubiana, France’s Special Representative for COP 21 and Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
PGA meets with France’s Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations
On 19 January, PGA met with H.E. Mme Laurence Tubiana, France’s Special Representative for COP 21 and Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations. They exchanged views on the outcome of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Twentieth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) held in December 2014 in Lima –which PGA attended- and the High-Level event on climate change scheduled for 29 June in New York, which will be platform to exchange views, share experiences and take stock of the progress made ahead of the Paris meeting on Climate Change.
President Kutesa and Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UN Photo/Loey Felipe
PGA meets with the Deputy Executive Director of UNEP
On 20 January, Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) paid a courtesy call to PGA. The Deputy Executive Director briefed the President of the General Assembly on UNEP activities and advocacy in promoting sustainable development and protection of the global environment. President Kutesa and Mr. Thiaw exchanged views on global, regional and national environmental challenges and opportunities.
