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United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n 4 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 How are you today?<\/em><\/p>\n GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT FOR 74th<\/sup>\u00a0SESSION, WHICH WILL START IN SEPTEMBER<\/strong><\/p>\n This morning, the General Assembly has elected H.E. Ambassador Tijjani Muhammad-Bande the next President of the GA.<\/p>\n Mr. Muhammad-Bande, the current Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Nations, was elected by acclamation.\u00a0 He will preside over the 74th<\/sup>\u00a0Session of the General Assembly, which starts in September and lasts\u00a0for a year until 2020.<\/p>\n Following his election as the PGA for the 74th<\/sup>\u00a0Session, Member States also chose the 21 Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly for the next period and the chairpersons for five main committees and the bureau members for the next session.<\/p>\n The Republic of Ghana won the drawing of lots by the Secretary-General, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, to determine the Member State which will occupy the first seat in the GA at the next session.<\/p>\n In her remarks, after the election of Ambassador Muhammad-Bande, the President of the General Assembly, Ms. Mar\u00eda Fernanda Espinosa, congratulated the PGA-elect and said that he is \u201cwell-seasoned to provide the strong and creative leadership\u201d which the Assembly requires\u00a0for\u00a0a world in rapid change.<\/p>\n Ms. Espinosa also said that his presidency comes at a\u00a0very critical moment for the United Nations and multilateralism.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PGA-ELECT TIJJANI MUHAMMAD-BANDE WILL SPEAK TO THE PRESS AT 3 PM. TODAY<\/strong><\/p>\n As announced yesterday, the PGA-elect, Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, will speak to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ correspondents at 3 pm. today during a stakeout in front of the General Assembly Hall at the East Foyer.<\/p>\n Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Web TV will broadcast it live and all Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-accredited correspondents are invited to be there. \u00a0<\/p>\n The President-elect will deliver short opening remarks and take your questions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n AS Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHQ STARTS TO PHASE-OUT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, PGA THANKS SG AND STAFF FOR SUPPORT TO GLOBAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n President Espinosa has thanked the Secretary-General, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, his Management Team and all Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Staff for the strong support given to her global campaign against single-use plastics.<\/p>\n This week, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Headquarters is starting to phase-out all single-use plastics from its premises as part of its strong commitment to tackle plastic pollution.<\/p>\n Ms. Espinosa said she is grateful to all those who made the extra mile to turn the tide on plastic pollution and save our oceans including Member States, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ agencies, civil society, the creative community, representatives of the media and individuals across the globe who are signing up and taking action.<\/p>\n \u00a0On Saturday, the PGA joined the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Norway, in Antigua for the PlayitOut concert to beat plastic pollution.<\/p>\n More information on our website\u00a0www.un.org\/pga\/73<\/a>\/playitout<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n PGA AND OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS\u00a0<\/strong>WHOOPI GOLDBERG TO Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵVEIL NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL PHOTO EXHIBITION ON PLASTIC POLLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Later today a 6 pm. the PGA will join Oscar-winner actress Whoopi Goldberg to unveil a photo exhibition by National Geographic at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Visitors Centre Hall.<\/p>\n The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ will be\u00a0the first stop on a global tour for the \u2018Planet or Plastic?\u2019 photo exhibition.<\/em><\/p>\n Ms. Espinosa and Ms. 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 \u00a0<\/p>\n As you know, we will be back here on Thursday. Tomorrow is a holiday in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. Happy Eid to all of those who are celebrating it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is all from us. Do you have any questions?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/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