PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?
SPOKESPERSON FOR?GENERAL ASSEMBLY?
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
2 November 2023
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Good afternoon, everyone! We have three notes today and will start with a travel announcement.
PGA TO ATTEND PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM IN RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis,?will undertake an official visit to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 4-7 November to attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
He will join Heads of State and Government from the Pacific Islands to discuss challenges and opportunities for Small Island Developing States.
The PGA will take the opportunity to champion the plight of Small Island States (SIDS) and other vulnerable coastal regions impacted by sea-level rise.
Tomorrow, 3rd of November, the PGA will convene the informal plenary meeting of the GA on this issue, which will take place at the ECOSOC Chamber at 10 am.
The PGA¡¯s focus on sea-level rise and countries in vulnerable situations is one of the key priorities of his Presidency.
He has committed to work with world leaders to ensure that this issue is given priority attention in the global agenda.
The PGA and his delegation will return to New York on Wednesday, 8 November. Travel costs of the OPGA team are covered by the OPGA Trust Fund.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS DRAFT RESOLUTION ON CUBA
The General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution on the ¡°Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial embargo by the United States of America against Cuba.? The plenary meeting debated agenda item 38 containing the report of the Secretary-General and the draft resolution, which received 187 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 1 abstention.
This afternoon at 3pm, the GA will resume the 10th Emergency Special Session. On that list there are 25 inscribed speakers to deliver their remarks after the resolution entitled ¡°Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations¡±, ESS-10/21 was adopted on Friday.
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VIDEO MESSAGE ON DAY TO END IMPÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS
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President Francis issued a video message marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, which is for him an occasion of profound gravity and significance.
The PGA highlights that over the last 30 years, more than 1600 journalists have been killed while doing their job to keep us informed ¨C with 117 of the killings taking place between 2020 and 2021. Only 14 percent of cases of crimes against journalists are currently considered judicially resolved.
Mr. Francis says, and I quote: ¡°As we speak, many more are risking their lives in dangerous conflict zones in Africa, Ukraine, Gaza Strip and elsewhere. Journalists and media workers ¨C the eyes, ears, and voices of societies worldwide ¨C must not be harassed, threatened, or killed for supporting the truth.¡±
The PGA stresses that ¡°Online, one of the most targeted groups is sadly, but unsurprisingly, women.? A staggering 73 percent of the women journalists surveyed by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO courageously reported experiencing online threats, intimidation, and insults.¡±
You can watch the PGA¡¯s message on his YouTube channel which is
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