General Assembly President back in New York after meeting with Pope and External Advisers in Rome
New York, 1 May?2018?–The President of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj?ák, met with His Holiness Pope Francis, on Monday, 30 April. They discussed common priorities, including peace, migration, sustainable development and the fight against global warming. The impact of these issues on people was also at the core of their talks.
Later, the President met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See. The President briefed the Cardinal on various United Nations processes, including the recent High-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, as well as the ongoing negotiations for the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The role played by the Holy See at the General Assembly of the United Nations was also a main topic of discussion.
The President’s trip to the Vatican took place after a meeting with his External Advisers, which was held, in Rome, on Saturday, 28 April.? This was the third meeting to take place, after the President appointed his team of External Advisers last October.
The discussion centered on three main topics: the state of multilateralism today; peace and prevention; and pressing issues for the United Nations, including migration and financing for development. The meeting, which was interactive and informal in nature, aimed to?furnish?the President with?new perspectives and ideas for his work over the coming months.
The President returned to New York last night, 30 April, and was back in his office this morning.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Sharifa Alnesf, Communications Adviser to the President of the General Assembly, + 1-917-367-3150, 1-646-585-8888, sharifa.alnesf@un.org
