HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA,?SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MIROSLAV LAJ??K

United Nations Headquarters, New York

12 February 2018

 

PRESIDENT RETURNS FROM REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SAYS U.N. CAN NEVER BE REPLACED

  • The President returned to New York yesterday following a visitto the Republic of Korea.
  • In Seoul, ?the President met with the Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly. In both meetings, he discussed the links between the United Nations and Seoul, and relations between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
  • While in Seoul, the President delivered a speech, entitled “The role of multilateralism in a turbulent world,” at the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development.
  • He said, “While we can always work to strengthen the United Nations, we can never replace it… It plays a unique role in our world. A role which billions of people depend on.”
  • The President was also in PyeongChang for the Winter Olympics. He participated in the Olympic Torch Relay as a torchbearer, attended the Opening Ceremony and visited the Olympic Village.
  • Upon receiving an award from the Truce Foundation of the United States, he said, “Sport is a driver of peace. That is why the United Nations General Assembly is such a strong supporter of the Olympic Games. Seeing the unified Korean team at the Opening Ceremony and visiting athletes from all over the world in the Olympic Village has reminded me that barriers between people can be overcome. And there are things that can unite us all, including the pursuit of excellence.”

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR STRONGER FOCUS ON CONFLICT PREVENTION AT PEACEKEEPING COMMITTEE MEETING

  • This morning the President addressedthe Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, or “C34”.
  • He said we need a stronger focus on conflict prevention. But more conflict prevention does not, necessarily, mean less peacekeeping.
  • He also said we need a more inclusive approach to peacekeeping, adding that we do not have enough women troops, police or military observers.
  • On sexual exploitation and abuse, he said, “Protectors must protect. They cannot rape. They cannot abuse. They cannot exploit. If they do, they cannot get away with it. And, if they do, we must act.”
  • He also paid tribute to United Nations peacekeepers, noting the dangers they face. In that regard, he said that the technical issues before the C34 were of crucial importance – because, in the field, they could mean the difference between life and death for uniformed personnel.

LOSS OF VOTING RIGHTS IS THE ONLY CONSEQUENCE FOR MEMBER STATES IN ARREARS

  • Asked to elaborate on Member States that had lost their voting rights in the General Assembly due to being in arrears, the Spokesperson said that the loss of voting rights was based on Article 19 of the United Nations Charter.
  • Article 19 states: “A Member of the United Nations which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. The General Assembly may, nevertheless, permit such a Member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member.”.
  • In response to further questions, the Spokesperson later added that requests made under Article 19 are considered by the General Assembly in the Fifth Committee at the beginning of the main session. He noted that the Committee on Contributions, a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, advises the Assembly on action to be taken with regard to the application of Article 19.
  • Asked what other consequences existed for Member States if they were in arrears, the Spokesperson said that the loss of voting rights was the only one.
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