People of African Descent & other topics - PGA Spokesperson Briefing

NOON BRIEFING

Spokesperson for General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi
United Nations Headquarters, New York

Tuesday, 30 May 2023

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PERMANENT FORUM FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

Today is the start of the second session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

In his opening remarks, President Csaba Kőrösi noted that people of African descent have endured more than 500 years of systematic discrimination and hardship.

He said that racism and xenophobia continue to spoil our communities.

The hatred and violence that people of African descent experience persists, demanding our collective efforts to eradicate racial violence in all its forms.

He pointed to oppressive and racially violent incarceration systems, inequalities in access to healthcare and exclusion from the workforce.

Quote “we must do away with these inhumane and shameful inheritances, and we must do it now.”

The President pointed to the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, which will be in session through Friday, serves a critical purpose.

The session opened this morning with a musical, dance and folklore performance by the non-profit Batoto Yetu – which was created in Harlem in 1990.

Batoto Yetu takes its name from the Swahili works for “our children”.

You have the President’s full remarks online and in your inboxes: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/05/30/opening-of-the-second-session-of-the-permanent-forum-for-people-of-african-descent/


MINORITIES

This afternoon, the President will take part in a side event organized by OHCHR, OSCE and the Permanent Missions of North Macedonia and Poland, on preventive diplomacy in the changing landscape of modern conflicts, the role of the UN and regional organizations.

The President is expected to focus his remarks on minority issues.

You will recall that during UNGA last year, he convened the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities

The shared conclusion from that meeting was that after 30 years, we are off track of the implementation of the commitments ensuring minority rights.

The President is expected to reiterate his call today urgently address those shortcomings.


BILATERALS

Also today, the President will meet with Ambassador Lana Zaki Nussaibeh, the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates, which will serve as the President of the Security Council for the month of June.

The President will also meet with European Commissioner Jutta Urpilanen. This meeting is expected to touch on upcoming General Assembly events, as well as peace and security issues.


WEDNESDAY

Looking to tomorrow…

At 10AM ET … The General Assembly will hold a plenary looking at reports of the Fifth Committee related to financing of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei; UN Disengagement Observer Force; and financing of the UN Mission in South South.

That will be followed by continuation of statements from the High-level meetings on the Sendai Framework.

Starting at 3PM ET… The President will address the 21st High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation.


QUESTIONS

The Spokesperson was asked if the PGA planned to meet with the IAEA Chief. The Spokesperson said that no, not today. They met just a few days ago in Vienna.
For further details please see SOURCE below.

Office of the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President