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PRESS BRIEFING <\/strong><\/p>\n BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS<\/strong><\/p>\n United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 August 2024<\/p>\n Video link<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Good afternoon, everyone! We will start with a trip announcement for the PGA.<\/p>\n PGA DENNIS FRANCIS TO Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDERTAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO<\/strong><\/p>\n The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), Mr. Dennis Francis will undertake official travel to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from 4-7 August.<\/p>\n The PGA will hold separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Nigel de Freitas, Acting President of Trinidad and Tobago; the country\u2019s Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, H.E. Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs among other officials.<\/p>\n President Francis will brief the Government on ongoing efforts to prepare for the Summit of the Future, in September 2024, as well as encourage participation in the High-Level Meeting on sea-level rise, on 25 September 2024.\u00a0 Whilst in Port of Spain, he will meet the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Country Team as well as the Network of Rural Women Producers.<\/p>\n The PGA will engage with students of the Institute of International Relations of the University of the West Indies to discuss global sustainability efforts, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where he will speak about the World Steelpan Day, which is marked on 11 of August. The steelpan is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago which grew out of the country in the early 20th-century Carnival percussion groups.<\/p>\n The PGA\u2019s delegation includes his Chef de Cabinet, a Special Adviser, a Senior Advisor, and a Communications Adviser.<\/p>\n Travel costs for the visit are jointly covered by the OPGA\u2019s Trust Fund and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n HIGH-LEVEL FORUM COMMEMORATES CULTURE OF PEACE<\/strong><\/p>\n The PGA is convening today a High-Level Forum to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.<\/p>\n This year, the event coincides with preparations for the Summit of Future, which will bring together world leaders to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.<\/p>\n In his remarks, Mr. Francis highlighted that: \u201cSadly, we have all borne witness to the escalating conflicts unfolding in Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti and Sudan \u2013 among others, elsewhere around the world.\u201d The GA President recalled that these challenges serve as a stark reminder that we should never take peace for granted.<\/p>\n Mr. Francis urged all to \u201crecommit to work together to instill the values of diplomacy and dialogue, reconciliation, mediation, justice, inclusion, and equality in resolving any conflict or dispute.\u201d<\/p>\n The High-Level Forum will finish at 5 p.m. today, the opening and plenary segments are being followed by an interactive panel discussion, which will be chaired and moderated by the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Ms. Melissa Fleming.<\/p>\n The interactive discussion will focus on the theme: \u201cCultivating and Nurturing the Culture of Peace for Present and Future Generations.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WEEK AHEAD:<\/strong><\/p>\n Next week, Member States will continue to hold informal consultations on the Summit of the Future which are scheduled for the morning and afternoon slots from Tuesday to Thursday, 8 August.<\/p>\n On the week commencing on 12 August: The GA will hold a plenary meeting on sustainable development in the GA Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n On that same day, the membership will take action on the draft resolution.<\/p>\n \u201cElimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance – Item 69: Draft resolution (A\/78\/L.96) and the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent (A\/78\/L.96<\/a>)\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We will be back here on 14 of August with another press briefing. This is everything we have for today. Do you have anything else?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n * *** *<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n YouTube:<\/strong><\/p>\n www.youtube.com\/@Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵPGA78<\/p>\n Twitter (X):<\/strong><\/p>\n @Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ_PGA<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/unpga<\/p>\n LinkedIn:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/lnkd.in\/eBPsvcsU<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0 SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0 PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS United Nations Headquarters, New York 2 August 2024 Video link \u00a0 Good afternoon, everyone! We will start with a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":372,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.23.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_margin=\"-5px|||||\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" min_height=\"2803.6px\" custom_margin=\"-22px|auto||auto||\" custom_padding=\"11px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_video src=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dQPBHQiYQpE\" _builder_version=\"4.25.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" vertical_offset_tablet=\"0\" horizontal_offset_tablet=\"0\" custom_margin=\"1px|||||\" hover_enabled=\"0\" z_index_tablet=\"0\" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_vertical_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_blur_tablet=\"40px\" box_shadow_spread_tablet=\"0px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.25.1\" _module_preset=\"default\" vertical_offset_tablet=\"0\" horizontal_offset_tablet=\"0\" custom_margin=\"-22px|||||\" custom_padding=\"||41px|||\" link_option_url=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dQPBHQiYQpE\" link_option_url_new_window=\"on\" hover_enabled=\"0\" z_index_tablet=\"0\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\"0px\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\"1px\" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_vertical_tablet=\"0px\" box_shadow_blur_tablet=\"40px\" box_shadow_spread_tablet=\"0px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> PRESS BRIEFING <\/strong><\/p> BY MONICA GRAYLEY,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> SPOKESPERSON FOR\u00a0GENERAL ASSEMBLY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS<\/strong><\/p> United Nations Headquarters, New York<\/strong><\/p> 11 July 2024<\/p> Video link<\/a><\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p> Good afternoon, everyone!<\/p> RHETORIC ROOTED IN HATE LEADS TO Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵSPEAKABLE EVIL, PGA SAYS<\/strong><\/p> The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, spoke this morning at the High-level Commemorative Event on the first International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.<\/p> The PGA paid tribute to over eight thousand three hundred people killed 29 years ago in this \u201chorrific chapter of History\u201d.<\/p> President Francis warned against rhetoric \u201calways rooted in hate\u201d that, if left unchecked, will \u201calways lead to unspeakable evil.\u201d<\/p> He highlighted the need for \u201cremaining vigilant and guarding\u201d against narratives that dehumanize, degrade, and discriminate against a particular group of people.<\/p> In May, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 78\/282 designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.<\/p> The event in the General Assembly Hall was organized by the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> GA PRESIDENT TAKES PART IN EVENT ON TRANSFORMING EDUCATION<\/strong><\/p> This morning, President Francis joined the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), H.E. Ms. Paula Narvaez, at the High-level opening of the Special Event on Transforming Education.<\/p> The event focused on the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.<\/p> In his remarks, the PGA said that \u201cby mobilizing real action, ambition and innovative solutions, we can transform education to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world \u2013 for everyone, everywhere\u201d.<\/p> He highlighted the need for urgent action as 250 million children and youth are out of school and basic reading skills are lacking in 40 per cent of primary school children in the world. Some 25 per cent of young people are not in education, employment, or training.<\/p> President Francis spoke about the relation between education investments and debt increase in developing countries, where those investments are most needed to change the future of millions of children.<\/p> The Special Event on Transforming Education was convened by the Secretary-General with the Presidents of the General Assembly and of ECOSOC.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> GA HOLDS PLENARY MEETING ON UKRAINE, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ SYSTEM AND OTHER TOPICS<\/strong><\/p> This afternoon, at 3 p.m., the General Assembly will hold its 99th<\/sup> plenary meeting on several agenda times including a report by the Secretary-General on the responsibility to protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (Item 129: (A\/78\/901<\/a>). This will be followed by the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - Item 62: draft resolution (A\/78\/L.90<\/a>)\u00a0 on \u201cSafety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant\u201d, which will be acted upon by Member States. The last topic on the agenda is Item 122 entitled \u201cStrengthening of the United Nations system - \u201cParticipation of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector in the high-level Summit of the Future\u201d.<\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p> PGA CONVENES MEETING ON Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA PLEDGING CONFERENCE ON 12 JULY<\/strong><\/p> Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the PGA will convene a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA).<\/p> The event is in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.<\/p> So far, there are 61 speakers inscribed on the list. The first remarks will be delivered by the European Union and the last will be the Holy See.<\/p> After this briefing, you will receive the list of speakers in the transcript via your mailbox.<\/p> The PGA is looking forward to a strong event and encouraging Member States, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and the public to donate to the work of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA. Today, the PGA published an opinion article for the newspaper The National from the United Arab Emirates on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA funding being needed now more than ever.<\/p> The event will be opened by Mr. Dennis Francis. The Secretary-General, Mr. Ant\u9ac7io Guterres, and the Commissioner-General Mr. Philippe Lazzarini will also address the Conference with opening remarks.<\/p> We have a dedicated website<\/a> produced by the Office of the PGA with more information.<\/p> Access the live webcast here<\/a>.<\/p>