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Good afternoon, everyone\u2026<\/p>\n
I hope you are well today.<\/p>\n
GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ECOSOC TO DEBATE REVITALIZATION OF THE Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ<\/strong><\/p>\nThe General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council will hold a joint briefing on the 31st of January to outline efforts to improving coherence in the work of the GA and ECOSOC. The announcement was made in a letter signed by President Mar\u00eda Fernanda Espinosa, and the President of Ecosoc, Ms. Rhonda King. The meeting entitled; \u2018Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly\u2019 will discuss the need to enhance synergies and reduce overlap in both the agendas of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and their subsidiary bodies, as well as the high-level political forum and other related forums in light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The meeting will take place at the Trusteeship Council Chamber from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 31 January.<\/p>\n
GA MARKS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES<\/strong><\/p>\nOn 1 February, the General Assembly will mark the beginning of the International Year of Indigenous Languages with a high-level plenary meeting at the GA Hall. Member States and stakeholders will be offered an opportunity to exchange views and best practices about the preservation, promotion and revitalization of indigenous languages. The Group of Indigenous Peoples includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Spain, Paraguay and Peru. According to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO, there are some 6.000 – 7.000 languages in the world today, and 370 million indigenous people. There are 90 countries with indigenous communities, 5000 different indigenous cultures and 2680 languages are in danger of disappearing. Without appropriate measure to address this issue, the richness of memory and linguistic diversity worldwide will be at risk too.<\/p>\n
PGA\u2019S AGENDA AND OTHER ISSUES<\/strong><\/p>\nOn the PGA\u2019s Agenda: President Espinosa met today with the Executive Director of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵICEF, Ms. Henrietta Fore. This afternoon, the PGA will have a bilateral meeting with the Under-Secretary-General of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Counter-Terrorism Office, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, and later Ms. Espinosa will grant an interview to the Press Trust of India and to Morocco News Agency. As you know, all interviews are arranged through my colleague Mark Seddon, Media Adviser to the PGA.<\/p>\n
And I was asked yesterday about the 18-year-old Saudi woman, in Thailand, who is trying to seek refuge away from her family.<\/p>\n
The PGA is pleased that Ms. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun is now receiving assistance from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHCR in regard with her asylum request.<\/p>\n
Ms. Espinosa says that it is paramount that Ms. Mohammed al-Qunun\u2019s rights are respected.<\/p>\n
The PGA highlights the importance of equal rights for men and women, and she urges Governments, in line with international conventions and declarations, to be faithful to their basic tenets.<\/p>\n
\u2026 And this is it for today. Now, I am happy to take your questions.<\/p>\n
Website: https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/<\/p>\n
Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ_PGA<\/p>\n
Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/unpga<\/p>\n
YouTube: https:\/\/bit.ly\/2S7Wl3q<\/p>\n
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