HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESS BRIEFING BY REEM ABAZA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TIJJANI MUHAMMAD-BANDE
People’s Forum
The President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande participated, this morning, in a 蘑菇视频75 People’s Forum organized by two Civil society organizations: (蘑菇视频2020 and Together First).
The PGA thanked the organizers for e-handing him the 蘑菇视频 75 People’s Declaration & Plan for Global Action “Humanity at a crossroads: global solutions for global challenges”.
He said that the United Nations is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of significant disruption for the world as we are facing an unprecedented threat from COVID-19 with its severe economic and social impacts.
He added that civil society has become an integral part of the United Nations to ensuring good governance, promoting human rights, and also for advancing the implementation of the priorities of the 蘑菇视频.
GA Resolutions/Decisions
Right now, we have six draft decisions under silence procedure including for extending decision 74/544 that is allowing the General Assembly to take decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new draft proposes the extension of the decision which ends on May 31 until the end of June and that the subsidiary organs of the Assembly may apply the procedure set out in the decision.
All other draft decisions are available on the PGA’s website, under documents/letters.
Role of Religious Leaders
On Tuesday the PGA delivered a speech at a high-level video conference on the role of religious leaders in addressing the challenges of COVID-19, organized by the Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations.
The PGA said that faith-based organisations and religious leaders play an important role in times of crisis. They provide services for the poor and give hope to the hopeless.
He added “with the unprecedented threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on communities and nations across the globe, religious leaders and faith-based organisations will play even a greater role in saving lives and mitigating the spread of the disease. During this time, we look up to them to share credible information and stand up against rumours, violence, and the incitement of hate and advocate for the needs of vulnerable populations.”
You can find the full remarks on the PGA’s website.
PGA75 Candidate/UHC
Tomorrow, Friday, the PGA will be participating in a meeting organized by the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health. He is expected to express appreciation to the healthcare professionals and frontline workers who are working tirelessly to protect us all. He will also talk about how COVID-19 is reinforcing the importance of universal health coverage.
Also, tomorrow from 11:00 to 1:00 the PGA will convene an informal interactive dialogue with the candidate for the position of President of the 75th session of the Assembly, Volkan Bozkir.
The dialogue will be held virtually due to the continued limitations on holding large in-person meetings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The informal interactive dialogue will be streamed live on