NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS BY PAULINA KUBIAK GREER,
SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ABDULLA SHAHID
United Nations Headquarters, New York
PGA TRAVELS
I would like to start with a travel announcement¡
The President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, heads to the Pacific tomorrow.
The President will attend the Our Ocean Conference in Koror, Palau on 13 and 14 April.
While in the region, President Shahid will meet with Heads of State and Government of SIDS.
He will meet with women leaders and with civil society.
The trip is paid for by the OPGA Trust Fund.
You will have a press release coming soon.
ECOSOC
Today, the President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, is meeting with the President of ECOSOC, Collen Vixen Kelapile. These talks take place on a regular basis, in line with President Shahid¡¯s effort to revitalize the work of the General Assembly.
COLUMBIA
This afternoon, President Shahid will meet with Columbia University¡¯s School of International and Public Affairs or SIPA.? He will speak on the topic of ¡°youth and multilateralism.¡± Engagement with young people is a priority for the Presidency of Hope.
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QUESTIONS
The Spokesperson was asked if there has been a request for a General Assembly meeting, in the context of the United States reportedly making efforts to remove Russia from the Human Rights Council. The Spokesperson said there has not been a request for a General Assembly meeting.
The Spokesperson was asked for a time frame when the United Nations will open up to all outside visitors. The Spokesperson said she does not have a date to announce.
The Spokesperson was asked if a resolution is put forth, would it go through the usual timeline. The Spokesperson read part of paragraph 8 from A/RES/60/251: ¡°the General Assembly, by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, may suspend the rights of membership in the Council.¡± On the timeframe, a resolution would require time for translations and would need to be made public at least the night before a vote.
The Spokesperson was asked if President Shahid has an opinion on possible war crimes in Ukraine. The Spokesperson said it is up to Member States to make that decision.
The Spokesperson was asked if President Shahid has spoken with the Russian Mission about the events in Ukraine. The Spokesperson said that President Shahid¡¯s door is always open and that he is in regular contact with all Member States of the United Nations.