PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR

United Nations Headquarters, New York

10 November 2020

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PRESIDENT SADDENED BY PASSING OF CHIEF PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR

  • In a?, the President said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Saeb Erekat, one of the most prominent champions of the Palestinian cause.
  • Mr. Erakat dedicated his life to peace, diplomacy and the independence of the Palestinians.
  • The President extended his deepest condolences to Mr. Erakat¡¯s family and the Palestinian people.

PRESIDENT DISCUSSES FAIR & EQUITABLE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION WITH W.H.O. HEAD

  • The President held separate virtual meetings today with a number of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ officials, including the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Executive Director of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAIDS.
  • With WHO¡¯s Dr. Tedros, the President discuss preparations for the General Assembly¡¯s special session on COVID-19, which will be held on 3-4 December. They also spoke about the need for the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines.
  • The President also met virtually today with the Executive Secretary of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Convention to Combat Desertification and the Executive Director of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Office for Project Services (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOPS).
  • Asked whether a vaccine-related proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin had been discussed in the President¡¯s call with Dr. Tedros, the Spokesperson said that had not been raised. Rather, the discussion had focused on promoting the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines in general and what the President of the General Assembly could do in that regard.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH NEEDS SUPPORT, PRESIDENT SAYS ON WORLD SCIENCE DAY

  • Today is World Science Day for Peace and Development. It was proclaimed by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO in 2001.
  • In a?, the President said that, if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we need to increase financing and support for scientific research and collaboration.
  • He urged all Member States to strengthen their commitment to science for the benefit of societies.

LEGAL COMMITTEE TAKES UP PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATS & EXPULSION OF ALIENS AS DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE WRAPS UP WORK

  • Yesterday the First Committee, which covers disarmament, took action on Cluster 5: Other Disarmament Measures and International Security. All 15 draft resolutions and decisions were adopted, including 9 draft resolutions that were adopted without a vote.
  • The First Committee then wrapped up its work today after taking action on its remaining two clusters, which deal with regional disarmament and security; and disarmament machinery.
  • Meanwhile the Sixth Committee, which handles legal affairs, is holding a debate this morning on the report of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Commission on International Trade Law, a subsidiary body of the General Assembly that helps facilitate international trade and investment. This afternoon, the Sixth Committee will take up the topics of “protection of diplomats” and “expulsion of aliens.”

WORLD COURT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD TOMORROW

  • The General Assembly and the Security Council are?scheduled to simultaneously?hold??of the International Court of Justice tomorrow afternoon.
  • There are eight candidates running for five vacant seats. They are nationals of: China; Croatia; Germany; Japan; Nigeria; Rwanda; Slovakia; and Uganda.