Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Hello, everyone!
PRESIDENT ESPINOSA SENDS CONDOLENCES TO IAEA ON THE PASSING OF DIRECTOR GENERAL, MR. YUKIYA AMANO
The President of the General Assembly has expressed her heartfelt condolences on the passing of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Yukiya Amano.
In a tweet, published this morning, Ms. Espinosa paid tribute to Mr. Amano and his tireless work to build a safer and denuclearized world, to foster diplomacy and multilateralism.
Mr. Amano also was a gender champion and diligently worked to achieve gender-parity at IAEA. Under his leadership the number of female staff members increased from 23% to over 30%.
The PGA said that his legacy will not be forgotten. She extended her deepest condolences to his family, IAEA staff and the Government of Japan, which Mr. Amano distinguishably served for several decades as a former diplomat.
MS. ESPINOSA EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY TO PORTUGAL AFTER FOREST FIRES
The PGA has expressed her solidarity to the people and the Government of Portugal after the forest fires, which affected the central region of Castelo Branco, over the weekend.
Hundreds of firefighters are helping to tackle the fire in the municipality of Vila de Rei, north of the capital Lisbon.
Ms. Espinosa wishes all people injured in the forest fires a speedy recovery.
PGA MEETS PRIME MINISTER OF JORDAN AND SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT DURING OFFICIAL TRIP
The President of the General Assembly met the Prime Minister of Jordan, H.E. Mr. Omar Razzaz, in the country’s capital, Amman, this morning.
Ms. Espinosa thanked the Government for its strong support for refugees.
In a tweet, the PGA highlighted Jordan’s example in following and solidifying the importance of international framework such as the Global Compact on Refugees and its commitment with collective action and burden sharing.
She also spoke to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament on the role of multilateralism and praised Jordan’s great contribution to building bridges, to promoting dialogue and understanding.
In her bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Atef Tarawaneh, the PGA commended his commitment to ensuring women’s participation in politics as well as his support for climate action.
Ms. Espinosa was also received by the Minister of Media Affairs and Spokesperson for the Government, H.E. Ms. Jumana Ghunaimat and will finish the day by meeting the Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Suleiman Aburman and the Minister of Social Development, H.E. Ms. Basma Mousa Ishaqat.
The PGA arrived in Amman yesterday to begin an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is expected to be concluded on Wednesday.
More information on our website: www.un.org/pga/73 and on the PGA’s Twitter account @UN_PGA
GA PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES PANAMA ON BANNING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS
The President of the General Assembly has congratulated the Government and the people of Panama on the country’s decision to ban the use of plastic bags.
On Saturday, Panama became the first country in Central America to out-phase single-use plastic bags.
According to UN Environment, every minute the world consumes about 2 million such bags.
On 1 June, the PGA, the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Norway, launched the St. Johns Declaration against single-use plastic. The initiative is part of the PGA’s global campaign against plastic pollution.
More information on our website www.un.org/pga/73
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