PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?
SPOKESPERSON FOR?GENERAL ASSEMBLY?
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
15 July 2024
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Good afternoon, everyone!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, DENNIS FRANCIS, TO TRAVEL TO SINGAPORE
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, will undertake official visit to the Republic of Singapore from 18 to 19 July.
During his stay, the PGA is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with key leaders of Singapore, including President H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.
His itinerary also includes site visits to Marina Barrage, Punggol Regional Library, Singapore Council of Women’s Organizations, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
Additionally, the PGA will participate in a roundtable dialogue at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies with members of the academic community in Singapore.
As acknowledgement to Singapore¡¯s leadership of the Forum of Small States (FOSS), the visit highlights the critical role that small states play in the multilateral system, and their contributions to the work programme of the United Nations, including in addressing global challenges such as climate change and sea-level rise.
Throughout his engagements, the PGA will also discuss the importance of digital inclusivity and access, and how rapid digital transformations can be leveraged to achieve our collective goals of peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability, ensuring no one is left behind.
The PGA¡¯s delegation includes his Chef de Cabinet, an Adviser to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Team, a Communications Adviser, and a Security Officer.
Travel costs for the visit are jointly covered by the OPGA¡¯s Trust Fund and the Government of the Republic of Singapore.
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PGA CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN THE GAZA STRIP WHICH KILLED OVER 90 PEOPLE
President Francis condemns the attack against the Al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis in southwest Gaza on Saturday, which killed over 90 people and left hundreds injured.
The PGA reiterated his call for the immediate end of violence in the region and for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
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VIOLENCE AND HOSTILITY HAVE NO PLACE IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS, PRESIDENT FRANCIS SAYS
The President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly is shocked and distressed at the attempted assassination of the former President Donald Trump during a campaign speech over the weekend in the city of Butler, in the state of Pennsylvania.
The PGA says that: ¡°Whether in domestic or international politics, violence and hostility have no place in the conduct of political affairs. It is in the nature of life, and of politics, that we have differing views and opinions about fundamental issues affecting people. Such differences however ought never to make us enemies of our neighbours and interlocutors.¡±
On behalf of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Mr. Francis wishes President Trump a full and speedy recovery and equally speedy return to the former President¡¯s activities on the hustings.
The GA President also would like to express his deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Corey Comperatore, who lost his life on Saturday.?
The PGA wishes a speedy recovery to the people who were injured during that tragic event.
¡°DELIVER WE MUST¡±, PGA SPEAKS AT HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
This morning, President Francis addressed the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the opening of the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum, in the General Assembly Hall.
This year, the theme is “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions¡±.
The PGA stressed the need for accelerated action to implement the Sustainable Development Goals for people and planet.
He said that the theme leads to the urgency of finding ¡°sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions that would enable us to effectively deliver on our 2030 commitments. Because deliver we must.¡±
Only 17 per cent of the 17 Global Goals are on track, six years away from the 2030 deadline.
President Francis stressed that ¡°We literally have no more time to lose.¡±
More on the PGA¡¯s speech, visit our website
PGA DENNIS FRANCIS MARKS NELSON MANDELA DAY
President Francis chaired an informal meeting of the GA to celebrate the Nelson Mandela International Day, which is marked every year on 18 July.
In his opening remarks, the PGA stated that Mandela¡¯s ¡°visionary leadership not only brought an end to apartheid but also continues to resonate and inspire us today ¨C constantly reminding us that what he stood for then, still stands despite his demise.¡±
Mr. Francis highlighted that Madiba¡¯s ¡°enduring legacy left an indelible mark around the world ¨C and is a testament to the profound positive impact of humanity¡¯s good deeds, when we opt to be our best of being.¡±
The event under the theme ¡°It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality¡± took place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and also heard from the Deputy Secretary-General of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, Ms. Amina J Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
The editor and author, Richard Allen Stengel, also delivered opening remarks.
The philanthropist and IFAD Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs. Sabrina Elba, delivered a video message followed by interventions of all five regional groups to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.
Still on the Nelson Mandela Day, the PGA wrote a letter to Member States inviting the diplomatic community to participate in the traditional Nelson Mandela International Day Public Service Activity, which will take place on 18 July from 1:30 to 4:00, Randall¡¯s Island in New York City.
The event is co-organized by NYC Mayor¡¯s Office for International Affairs, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Department for Global Communications, Office of the President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and in partnership with the Randall¡¯s Park Alliance. More information on the PGA¡¯s website.
WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY 2024
President Dennis Francis recorded a video on the World Youth Skills Day, which is marked today. According to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, the world has around 1.2 billion young people or 16 per cent of the population aged between 15 and 24 years.?
Mr. Francis believes that their engagement is vital for driving innovation and sustainable solutions.
The PGA says that: ¡°Empowering youth is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic investment in our shared future.¡±
On this World Youth Skills Day, he is urging Member States, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system, and all stakeholders ¨C private sector, civil society, among others ¨C to strengthen efforts in supporting youth.¡±
More on the PGA¡¯s Message on his YouTube channel .
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