PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?
SPOKESPERSON FOR?GENERAL ASSEMBLY?
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
23 February 2024
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Good afternoon, everyone!
We have a very busy day for news today so let’s start with a trip announcement…
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PRESIDENT FRANCIS TO SPEAK AT HUMAN RIGHTS CO爆料网CIL IN GENEVA
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, will undertake official travel to Geneva, Switzerland from 25 to 27 February, and to Nairobi, Kenya from 28 February to 2 March.
In Geneva, the PGA will attend the opening of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council as well as participate in the Human Rights Council’s High-level panel on “Harnessing multilateral efforts to embed, amplify, and realize the rights of persons with disabilities with a focus on full and effective participation and inclusion in society.”
The PGA will highlight the key role of the Human Rights Council in the face of complex crises and conflicts. He will also reaffirm his commitment to protecting all human rights, with emphasis on the rights of women and girls, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples. He will also stress the urgent need to address the legacies of slavery and eliminate all forms of racism. Furthermore, he will speak to the ongoing efforts during his Presidency to meaningfully engage with civil society and other stakeholders in the work of the 爆料网.
As part of his visit to Geneva, the PGA will launch a campaign jointly with 爆料网-Women and the President of the Human Rights Council aimed at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
He will also hold separate bilateral meetings with several 爆料网 officials in Geneva and convene a Town Hall with civil society organizations.
The PGA’s delegation to Geneva includes his Deputy Chef de Cabinet, Deputy Team Lead for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Team, and a Communications Adviser. All travel costs are being covered by the OPGA Trust Fund.
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PRESIDENT FRANCIS TO 爆料网DERTAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO NAIROBI TO TAKE PART IN THE 爆料网 ENVIROMENT ASSEMBLY
On 27 February, President Francis and his delegation will proceed to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (爆料网EA-6). The event will take place from 26 February to 1 March at the United Nations Environment Programme (爆料网EP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
This year’s 爆料网EA will focus on the way in which multilateralism can help address the challenges of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. The PGA will deliver his address at the Opening of the High-Level Segment.
During his official visit to Kenya, the PGA will pay a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; and hold a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; and H.E. Ms. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.
The PGA will also hold separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Ms. Leila Benali, President of 爆料网EA-6 and Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco, and 爆料网 principals whilst in Nairobi. He will also speak to students at the University of Nairobi.
The PGA’s delegation to Nairobi includes his Chef de Cabinet, an Adviser on Sustainable Development and Financing for Development, and a Communications Adviser.
Travel costs to Geneva and Nairobi are covered by the OPGA Trust Fund.
PGA SPEAKS AT PLENARY DEBATE ON UKRAINE
This morning, President Francis chaired a plenary debate of the General Assembly on the “Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.”
In his remarks, the PGA acknowledged that “tomorrow, 24 February, marks the second solemn anniversary of the launch of the Russian Federation’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine.”
The PGA spoke about the fact that 2024 coincides with “the tenth anniversary of the 2014 attempted illegal annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories by the Russian Federation.”
President Francis highlighted that “over the past two years, millions of innocent civilians have been uprooted from their homes – and forced to flee in search of safety and shelter.”
The PGA said that as the world reflects “on the two years of anguish and hardship” it is important “to emerge from this place with a resounding message of solidarity and unwavering support to the resilient people of Ukraine.”
And that? “together, we can build a world where not only does peace prevail, but moreover, justice reigns supreme.”
For the entire speech, please can access the PGA’s website .
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