{"id":194277,"date":"2019-05-31T15:26:34","date_gmt":"2019-05-31T19:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/?p=194277"},"modified":"2019-05-31T15:26:34","modified_gmt":"2019-05-31T19:26:34","slug":"press-briefing-by-spokesperson-31-may-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/2019\/05\/31\/press-briefing-by-spokesperson-31-may-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Briefing by Spokesperson \u2013 31 May 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0<\/strong>SPOKESPERSON FOR <\/strong>GENERAL ASSEMBLY <\/strong>PRESIDENT MAR\u00cdA FERNANDA ESPINOSA<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n

31 May 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

[As delivered]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Good afternoon, everyone!<\/em><\/p>\n

Nice to see you again\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

PGA WELCOMES\u00a0<\/strong>\u2018<\/strong>ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA DECLARATION\u2019 FOR ACTION AGAINST SINGLE-USE PLASTICS POLLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

The President of the General Assembly welcomes a new \u2018Antigua & Barbuda Declaration\u2019 for action on single-use plastics pollution. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The document will be signed at the \u2018Play it Out\u2019 Concert in Antigua, tomorrow 1st<\/sup>\u00a0June, as part of the PGA\u2019s global campaign against plastic pollution and single use plastics.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Antigua & Barbuda Declaration\u2019 is considered to be\u00a0a ground-breaking initiative aimed at encouraging all Caribbean countries to\u00a0further the steps being taken to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and end the pollution of the oceans.<\/p>\n

Ms. Espinosa, who is arriving in Antigua and Barbuda today for the event, believes that the declaration is not only historic but highly practical and can be implemented. It\u00a0highlights leadership on plastics action, and the need for urgent and strong commitment to combat it.<\/p>\n

Antigua and Barbuda is the first country in the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) to take such extensive action on single-use plastics.<\/p>\n

The Concert \u2018Play it Out\u2019 will take place tomorrow, 1st<\/sup>\u00a0June, at 6 pm. EST.\u00a0 The festival is featuring\u00a0Grammy Award winner, Ashanti, Machel Montano, Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s \u2018King of Soca\u2019. international artists include Bomba Estereo, Nico and Vinz, Robin Schulz, Rocky Dawuni, and St. Lucia.<\/p>\n

You can follow it live on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Web TV:\u00a0http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HHftsjvKcCo<\/a><\/p>\n

The event will be co-hosted by actress Meagan Good and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Environment\u00a0WildforLife programme advocate\u00a0Amanda Cerny, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Adrian Grenier.<\/p>\n

Ms. Espinosa thanked the Governments of Antigua & Barbuda and Norway for their support for the \u2018Play it Out\u2019 concert and the wider campaign against single-use plastics pollution.<\/p>\n

More information on our dedicated website: https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/playitout\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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MS. ESPINOSA SAYS DONORS CONFERENCE IN MOZAMBIQUE MUST SEND STRONG MESSAGE O<\/strong>F\u00a0<\/strong>SOLIDARITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

The President of the General Assembly has sent a message to the International Pledging Conference to secure support for recovery in Mozambique after the country was affected by tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth.<\/p>\n

In a written message, in English and Portuguese, to participants of the Conference, in the city of Beira, Ms. Espinosa expresses her full support to\u00a0Mozambique at this time of need and called for concrete action to support the recovery efforts.<\/p>\n

Both cyclones ravaged infrastructure, severely reduced basic services for the population and worsened the living conditions of millions of Mozambicans in the affected areas.<\/p>\n

Ms. Espinosa said that: \u201cWe need to do more than to express solidarity by sending a\u00a0\u00a0 strong and clear message that the international community stands by the people of Mozambique in word and in deed; that we will support the country as it mobilizes its own efforts to rebuild and achieve sustainable development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cyclones Idai and Kenneth struck Mozambique in March and April within six weeks affecting about 2 million people, according to Mozambican authorities.<\/p>\n

The Donors Conference which starts today is expected to be attended by hundreds of participants from international organizations, civil society and the private sector, representatives of the Government and the country\u2019s President H.E.\u00a0 Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.<\/p>\n

This is all from us. Do you have any questions<\/em>?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Website:<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Twitter:<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ_PGA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Instagram:<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/unpga<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

YouTube:<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/bit.ly\/2S7Wl3q<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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