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

United Nations Headquarters, New York

3 December 2020

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PRESIDENT SAYS WORLD LOOKING TO U.N. FOR LEADERSHIP AS HE OPENS HISTORIC SPECIAL SESSION ON COVID-19

  • The General Assembly¡¯s landmark special session on COVID-19 started this morning.
  • In his opening remarks, the President said the world is looking to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ for leadership, to step up and take demonstrable action to address the greatest challenge our world is facing today.
  • He said the special session is a historic moment for Member States, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, the scientific community, civil society and others, to hear from each other, engage in dialogue on the consequences of the pandemic and ways to recover better and stronger.
  • He said that what we need to do is clear. First, we must start with ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines.
  • Second, we must work together to protect the most vulnerable countries that are lagging behind.
  • Finally, we must ensure that the policies we implement to combat the pandemic do not undermine the democratic institutions that underpin the long-term health of our economies and societies.
  • As per the latest speakers list today, that includes 37 Presidents, 1 Vice-President, 40 Heads of Government, 5 Deputy Prime Ministers, 50 Ministers, 1 Acting Minister and 3 Vice Ministers; as well as the Prime Minister of Palestine and the State Secretary of the Holy See.
  • °Õ´Ç»å²¹²â¡¯²õ programme will run until 9:00 p.m.

PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS COVID-19 WITH U.S. OFFICIALS

  • This afternoon, the President will be meeting with a delegation from the United States, including the US ambassador to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ; Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator; and Dr. Irum Zaidi, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator and Chief Epidemiologist.
  • Expected topics of discussion include: the General Assembly¡¯s special session on COVID-19; Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ business continuity during the pandemic; and vaccines.
  • In response to questions, the Spokesperson confirmed that the United States had requested the meeting, that it would be held at 3:00 p.m. in person, and that the President would tweet information about the meeting from his after it ended.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES MUST BE SUPPORTED AS THEY NAVIGATE COVID-19 LANDSCAPE

  • Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
  • In a , the President noted that not all disabilities are visible. In that regard, sufficient efforts to ensure inclusion may not always be taken.
  • He said it is essential that Persons with Disabilities are equipped with the appropriate tools and assistance to navigate the unprecedented landscape imposed by COVID-19.

SPOKESPERSON ASKED TO COMPARE HISTORICAL VOTING RECORDS, DEFERS TO ANALYSTS

  • The Spokesperson was asked whether the number of Member States voting for yesterday¡¯s General Assembly resolutions on the Middle East and Palestine had increased or decreased when compared to past years.
  • The Spokesperson said he would leave it to historians and analysts to determine such trends. He offered to send the journalist yesterday¡¯s voting records, which the journalist could then compare to past sessions.

PRESIDENT¡¯S PRESS CONFERENCE POSTPONED, NEW DATE TO BE ANNOÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵCED WHEN READY

  • Asked when the President would hold his next press conference, the Spokesperson said that, unfortunately, the President¡¯s 2 December press conference had had to be postponed.
  • The Spokesperson added that he would announce a new date as soon as that press conference was able to be rescheduled.