PRESS BRIEFING
BY MONICA GRAYLEY,?
SPOKESPERSON FOR?GENERAL ASSEMBLY?
PRESIDENT DENNIS FRANCIS
United Nations Headquarters, New York
8 April 2024
?
GA MEETS ON SECURITY COÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵCIL VETOES ON MIDDLE EAST
The President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, spoke this morning at the plenary meeting on agenda item 63 ¡°use of the veto.¡±
Members States heard remarks by the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on two vetoes cast during the vote of a draft resolution on 22 March at the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
In his speech at the opening of the plenary meeting, President Dennis Francis expressed ¡°deep regret¡± that the General Assembly is meeting again on the veto initiative due to ¡°the perennial inability of the Security Council to speak with one voice on matters of grave importance and sensitivity in relation to the maintenance of international peace and security.¡±
The PGA reiterated his appeal for an end of the conflict whilst recalling that the violence has killed over 32,500 Palestinians since 7 October, the majority of them women and children.
President Dennis Francis asked for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and that all parties comply with their obligations under international law. He also said that all
hostages must be, immediately, and unconditionally released, and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured, without conditions.
As of this morning, there were 62 speakers inscribed on the list to deliver remarks. The meeting will continue at 3 p.m. this afternoon until 6 p.m.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS SPEAKS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION ON THE GENOCIDE IN RWANDA
Over the weekend, the PGA issued a post on his social media accounts to mark the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Mr. Francis said, and I quote: ¡°This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. Let us join the people of Rwanda in remembering this dark chapter of history and ensuring that the victims are never forgotten. Let us also take hope from the post-genocide reconciliation in Rwanda and strengthen our resolve to never let the crime of genocide happen again.¡±
PGA DENNIS FRANCIS TO RING NASDAQ OPENING BELL FOR SUSTAINABILITY WEEK
Tomorrow morning, President Dennis Francis will be at Nasdaq MarketSite to ring the opening bell to promote the upcoming Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵGA Sustainability Week, which will take place from 15-19 April, next week.
President Francis will be received by Nasdaq¡¯s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Edward Knight, who manages global government relations, and will be accompanied by the members of this team.
After ringing the bell in Nasdaq to signal the start of the trading day, the PGA will return to his office and meet you for his press conference on Sustainability Week here at this Press Briefing Room at 11 am.
President Francis will deliver short opening remarks and answer your questions.
The press conference will be webcast live on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Web TV and on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ YouTube channel.
By the way, questions. Do you have any questions or anything else for today, before we meet tomorrow at 11 a.m. here?
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