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United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n 3 June 2019<\/span><\/p>\n [As delivered]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Good afternoon, everyone!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PGA THANKS ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, NORWAY, AND ALL PARTNERS FOR SUPPORTING CAMPAIGN AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n The President of the General Assembly has thanked the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Norway, for their strong the support\u00a0for\u00a0the \u2018Play it Out\u2019\u00a0Concert\u00a0against plastic pollution, which took place in Antigua on Saturday.<\/p>\n Ms. Mar\u00eda Fernanda Espinosa said that partnership with Antigua and Barbuda, Norway, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOPS,\u00a0the Krimm Group (TKG) and Lonely Whale was crucial to help turning the tide against single-use plastics.<\/p>\n The PGA is grateful also to the international performers, goodwill ambassadors and advocates who helped\u00a0in\u00a0bringing awareness for her global campaign.<\/p>\n During the concert, in Antigua,\u00a0\u2018The Antigua & Barbuda Declaration\u2019 was launched and opened for signatures. The document is 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 More information on our dedicated website:\u00a0https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/73\/playitout\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n WHOOPI GOLDBERG TO LAÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL EXHIBITION ON PLASTIC POLLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Tomorrow, 4 June, the President of the General Assembly will join Oscar-winner actress Whoopi Goldberg, to unveil a photo exhibition by National Geographic at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Visitors Centre Hall, here in New York. The event will take place from 6 pm\u00a0to 8 pm.<\/p>\n The exhibition is part of the\u00a0campaign to beat plastic pollution. The PGA and Whoopi Goldberg will be joined by the Permanent Representative of Monaco,\u00a0H.E. Ms. Isabelle Picco\u00a0and the National Geographic Society\u2019s Chief of Content, Communications and Public Affairs, Ms. Kalee Kreider.<\/p>\n This exhibition, a partnership between National Geographic and the Office of the President of the General Assembly, is supported with funding from the Government of Monaco, and will effectively \u2018tell the story of plastics\u2019.<\/p>\n The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ will be the first stop on a global tour for the \u2018Planet or Plastic?\u2019 photo exhibition.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n GA MEETS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POLITICAL DECLARATION ON HIV\/AIDS<\/strong><\/p>\n President Espinosa is chairing the plenary meeting on the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV\/AIDS and the political declaration on HIV\/Aids \u2013 Item 11. The meeting analyses progress on the eradication\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0epidemic.<\/p>\n In her opening remarks, the PGA highlighted the role of the GA in drawing international attention to the commitment\u00a0to\u00a0the fight against HIV\/Aids including\u00a0the 2030 Agenda, which plans to eradicate HIV by 2030.<\/p>\n The meeting is being attended also by the Secretary-General\u2019s Chef de Cabinet, Ms. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, the acting Executive Director of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAIDS, Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, and representatives of Member States, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ agencies among others.<\/p>\n Ms. Espinosa said that thanks to collective efforts, in 2017 a record number of 21,7 million people living with HIV received the antiretroviral medicines, an average of five and half times more than 10 years ago.<\/p>\n The PGA said that in order to win the battle against new infections and the epidemic entirely, it will be necessary to implement initiatives for key vulnerable groups in regard with services for prevention, treatment and anti-discrimination\u00a0measures.<\/p>\n Ms. Espinosa also said that more must be done to close gaps in financing to tackle HIV\/Aids, and that the world still has time to take urgent measures to deliver on the promise of eradicating HIV\/Aids by 2030.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ELECT NEW PRESIDENT TOMORROW<\/strong><\/p>\n Tomorrow at 10 am., the General Assembly will meet to elect the new President of the GA.<\/p>\n The Ambassador of Nigeria, H.E\u00a0Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, will stand for election as the candidate nominated by the African Group.<\/p>\n \u00a0After the vote, in the afternoon, there will be a stakeout in front of the GA Hall where you will be able to ask your questions to the incoming PGA.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n We will keep you up-dated on the exact timing for the stakeout. This is all from us. Do you have anything else?<\/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