PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?
SPOKESPERSON FOR?GENERAL ASSEMBLY?
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
10 October 2023
? ? ? ?
Video:
?
Good afternoon, everyone. We will start today with the Human Rights Council.
?
GA ELECTS 15 NEW MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵCIL
The General Assembly has elected 15 new members to the Human Rights Council.
In the African region, which had four vacant seats, Burundi was elected with 168 votes, C?te d¡¯Ivoire (181), Ghana (179) and Malawi (182).
Following the vote today, the Asia-Pacific States will designate four seats in the Human Rights Council to: China, which received 154 votes, Indonesia (186), Japan (175) and Kuwait (183).
In the Group of Eastern European States, Albania secured a seat with 123 votes and Bulgaria was elected with 160 votes. The Russian Federation received 83 votes and was not elected.
In the Group of the Latin American and Caribbean States, the three vacant seats were filled by Brazil with 144 votes, Cuba (146) and Dominican Republic (137). Peru obtained 108 votes and was not elected.
The two seats of Western European and Other States will be occupied by France, which received 153 votes, and The Netherlands, which was elected with 169 votes.
The 15 elected members will serve for a period of three years starting on 1 January 2024 until December 2026.
For more information, please see our website: /en/ga/78/meetings/elections/hrc.shtml
?
PRESIDENT FRANCIS CALLS FOR HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS IN GAZA
?
The President of the General Assembly has joined the Secretary-General and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ agencies in asking for strong support to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza. President Francis is deeply concerned over the serious situation of civilians in the area.
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Palestinian Refugee Agency, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, has informed that it is nearing its maximum capacity to help internally displaced people whilst other Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ agencies have called for the creation of humanitarian corridors.
The PGA has urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, and all stakeholders to engage in diplomatic discussions to de-escalate the situation leading to a path for lasting peace in the region.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
?
Today is World Mental Health Day. In a post on his social media account X, the President of the General Assembly highlights that mental health is a human right, yet 1 in 8 people globally are living with mental health conditions.
President Francis has called for greater efforts to provide adequate mental health support and to create an inclusive, respectful society for all.
PGA FRANCIS TO MEET YOÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵG DELEGATES ON THE GA WORK
Tomorrow, 11 October, the President of the General Assembly will hold an informal dialogue with Youth Delegates from Permanent Missions to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ to?discuss the work of the General Assembly.
In a letter to Member States, President Francis recognized the important role of youth in addressing the current complex crises faced by our world. The meeting is also in line with the PGA¡¯s commitment to seek the input and contributions of youth delegates. For the GA leader, the meeting will also be an opportunity to further discuss ways to ensure the effective participation of youth in the work of the United Nations.
?
PGA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS
?
The PGA has written a letter to Member States announcing a call for applications for the President of the General Assembly Fellowship Programme during this session. The initiative, which was launched two sessions ago, grants an opportunity to young diplomats to spend several months working in the Office of the President of the GA, helping to find solutions to today¡¯s complex and interlinked global challenges and move towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability.
The PGA Fellowship Programme is fully in line with the growing recognition of the potential of youth to contribute to multilateralism. Candidates will come from developing countries, particularly from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to New York for training, mentorship and immersion in the?work of the United Nations.
Mr. Francis has asked Member States to contribute to the Trust Fund to support the PGA Fellowship financing the initiative.
Website:
Twitter:
Instagram:
YouTube: