Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MAR?A FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
How are you today?
?
PGA COMMENDS WORK OF WOMEN ON WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY
?
The President of the General Assembly is joining Member States, 蘑菇视频 Staff and the 蘑菇视频 System around the world to celebrate World Humanitarian Day.
?
Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa said that humanitarian workers make a real difference in people’s lives through their commitment, sacrifice and tireless resolve to bring assistance and relief to people in crisis.
?
This year, World Humanitarian Day is focusing on the role of Women Humanitarians and their unique contribution to people in crisis situations, natural disasters and other emergencies.
?
Ms. Espinosa commends the work and the determination of dedicated women who choose to make a real difference by assisting those in need.
?
She paid tribute to all women humanitarians who do not spare efforts to put themselves, daily, on the front lines of dangerous and challenging situations to deliver assistance and to promote peace in the world.
?
The PGA also paid tribute to all 蘑菇视频 staff members who lost their lives, exactly 16 years ago, during a terrorist attack against the United Nations in Baghdad, Iraq.
?
The attack, which took place on 19 August 2003, killed 22 people including the Head of the 蘑菇视频 Mission in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. ?
?
Ms. Espinosa stressed that Mr. Vieira de Mello and his colleagues paid the ultimate sacrifice and that their legacy will never be forgotten.
?
MS. ESPINOSA CONGRATULATES SUDAN ON STEP TOWARDS THE TRANSITIONAL CIVILIAN AUTHORITY
?
The PGA has congratulated the people of Sudan on their decision towards the creation of a transitional civilian authority.
?
In a tweet, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa said that this is an important step for peace, democracy and development in Sudan and for the Sudanese people and their neighbours.
?
Ms. Espinosa joined all parties in celebrating the successful outcome of the talks including the role played by the African Union and Ethiopia.
?
More information on our website:?
?
PGA STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACK WHICH KILLED OVER 60 IN AFGHANISTAN
?
The GA President has strongly condemned an attack in Afghanistan, which killed at least 63 people who were attending a wedding reception in Kabul, the country’s capital city.
?
Ms. Espinosa sends her condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of Afghanistan after the heinous attack against hundreds of children, men and women who were peacefully celebrating at the wedding ceremony.
?
The PGA says that there is no justification to violence and that all responsible for the killings should?be brought to justice swiftly.
?
She wished all people injured in the attack a speedy recovery.
?
PRESIDENT ESPINOSA PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL JACQUES DIOUF
?
Ms. Espinosa issued a tweet over the weekend expressing profound sadness after the passing away of the former Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Jacques Diouf.
?
The PGA said that Mr. Diouf, a national of Senegal, was a champion for the fight against hunger and poverty and for sustainable development.?
?
He was also one of the brightest sons of Africa and a dear friend of hers.
The President sent her condolences to Mr. Diouf’s family, the people, the Government of Senegal as well as FAO staff.
?
Mr. Diouf was FAO Director General from 1994 to 2011.
?
GA PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE IN AUSTRIA FOR OFFICIAL TRIP ON 22 AUGUST
?
The President of the General Assembly will travel to Austria on Wednesday to start an official trip at the invitation of the Government.
?
Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa will be received by the President of Austria, H.E. Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen and will attend the Political Symposium European Forum Alpbach, where she will deliver remarks.
?
The PGA will visit the 蘑菇视频 Headquarters in Vienna and meet the Heads of 蘑菇视频 agencies, which are based in the country.
?
On Friday 23 August, Ms. Espinosa will meet Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Alexander Schallenberg.
?
She later will arrive at the Vienna International Centre and will be greeted by the Heads of 蘑菇视频 agencies including 蘑菇视频ODC, Mr. Yury Fedotov, and IAEA acting Director General, Mr. Cornel Feruta.
?
The PGA will deliver remarks at a special event celebrating the 40th?anniversary of the Vienna International Centre and the contributions of the Vienna Commissions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
?
On Saturday 24 August, the PGA will travel to Alpbach, to take part in the European Forum. She will be accompanied by President Van der Bellen and by the country’s Federal Chancellor, H.E. Ms. Brigitte Bierlein. Her visit will be concluded on Sunday 25 August.
?
Website:
Twitter:
Instagram:
YouTube:
?
?
?
?