NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York
PRIORITIES SPEECH
President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, today detailed his priorities for the resumed part of the 76th session.
He said the basic message that he will continue to convey during his Presidency of Hope is that through hope, we can make a lasting difference. If we follow cynicism, it is a path to inaction, and a false belief that our actions don¡¯t matter.
In his speech, President Shahid said that the first priority or ray of hope continues to be recovery from COVID. The only way to break the cycle is by vaccine equity ¨C timely access to vaccines for everyone, everywhere.
He said the global community must do their due diligence to speed up the production and distribution of vaccines, remove barriers to rollout, and commit to vaccine equity.
The high-level event on vaccines, called ¡°Galvanizing Momentum for Universal Vaccination¡±, will be held on 25th of February.
President Shahid used the speech as an opportunity to thank the permanent representatives who have joined his ¡°new year¡¯s resolution¡±, calling for vaccine equity.?? He also reached out to the well-wishers who had shown support during his own bout of COVID.
The second priority remains rebuilding better. The President spoke specifically about the communities most adversely impacted by the pandemic ¨Coften from the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states.
In May, the President will convene a high-level thematic debate on ¡°Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 through Tourism¡±.
President Shahid spoke about the needs of the planet. He urged the international community to push for economic strategies that align with global environmental priorities, and ones that preserve natural resources. He noted that there will be ¡°A Moment for Nature¡± in July to assess progress in protecting the planet and coming up with solutions.
Speaking from personal experience, the President noted that extreme weather has become more common across the world. President Shahid said that his own country – the Maldives ¨C is one of many low-lying SIDS faced with imminent extinction this century if sea-levels continue to rise.
He said, quote ¡°The impacts will not stop with SIDS. The dangers may not be as imminent, they may not be as apparent right now, but the path we are all on is the same. We must take heed.¡±
On the priority of human rights, the President spoke about his work on gender equality. He also raised some of the upcoming events in the General Assembly. These include the launch of the international decade of indigenous languages¡ the commemoration of the first International Day for Countering Hate Speech (June)¡ and the first migration review forum (May).
All this work requires multilateralism. The fifth and last priority being revitalization of the United Nations.
The President lauded the Fellowship of HOPE, and was happy to see the eight Fellows in the General Assembly Hall.
?President¡¯s speech is available at /pga/76/2022/01/19/briefing-by-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-on-priorities-for-the-resumed-part-of-the-76th-session/
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?TONGA
?I want to separately draw your attention to what President Shahid said about Tonga in his speech.
The recent volcanic explosion followed by tsunami is an example of the devastation that a SIDS country is often confronted with, he said. The damage caused by the tsunami was so severe that satellites could see it from space.
He urged the international community needs to come together to extend possible assistance that Tonga needs.
¡°Our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with the people and the Government of Tonga,¡± he said.
President¡¯s speech is available at /pga/76/2022/01/19/briefing-by-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-on-priorities-for-the-resumed-part-of-the-76th-session/
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UAE
Turning to the United Arab Emirates¡
President Shahid spoke yesterday to UAE¡¯s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan. This comes after the deadly explosion and fire near Abu Dhabi International Airport on Monday.
President Shahid conveyed his deepest condolences to the People and Government of the United Arab Emirates on quote ¡°the dastardly attack that resulted in the death of innocent civilians.¡±
He quote ¡°expressed solidarity with UAE in the face of such terror attacks which are against all civilized norms.¡±
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO AI EVENT ?
Moving to technology. President Shahid today spoke to a Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO event for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Member States on the ethics of artificial intelligence.
He noted that AI has the power to fundamentally alter our ways of life, but that we must ensure that these advances are ethical and in line with international human law.
The President said that by prioritizing principles such as accountability, transparency, and equitable access, we can positively harness the power of these technologies.
This has the potential to help fuel a better recovery, to enable us to meet our Sustainable Development Goals, to fulfill our human rights obligations, and to expand society¡¯s horizons.
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CALENDAR
Looking ahead to tomorrow in the General Assembly.
In the morning, Member States will focus on sport for development and peace. The President will issue his solemn appeal in connection with the 2022 Olympics.
Actions are expected on a draft resolution related to culture of peace; one on the Conference on the Least Developed Countries; separate one on communication technologies for criminal purposes; and decisions related to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Habitat. Details are in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Journal
In the afternoon, the Presidents of the General Assembly and of ECOSOC will hold a joint briefing.
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IN MEMORIAM
And on a sad note. I wanted to express condolences to friends and family of Gail Farngalo. She was a senior colleague in the Office of the President of the General Assembly, serving as Team Leader for Human Rights.
Gail leaves a deep legacy at the United Nations for the years she served both as a delegate of the Permanent Mission of Liberia, and a staff member of the OPGA.
She is being remembered today not just for her expertise, but for her laughter, enthusiasm, humor and positive energy.
President Shahid noted her passing in a statement he delivered this morning in the General Assembly Hall.
Our deepest condolences to her family and friends, and to her work family.
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Q&A
The Spokesperson was asked about a comment regarding ?the Deputy PR of Russia contacting President Shahid to discuss business continuity. The Spokesperson can confirm the request was received but no date yet has been set.