PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR

United Nations Headquarters, New York

21 October 2020

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PRESIDENT WELCOMES ASEAN-UN PARTNERSHIP AT MINISTERIAL MEETING

  • This morning, the President virtually addressed the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United Nations Ministerial Meeting
  • The President welcomed the strengthening of the UN-ASEAN relationship, and the work between the two Secretariats to meet our partnership goals.
  • He said cooperation between multilateral bodies, such as ASEAN and the UN, is crucial to ensure knowledge- and experience-sharing – including in the areas of disaster management and climate change.
  • The President noted the remarkable efforts being taken being taken by ASEAN member States to control the spread of COVID-19 and coordinate response and recovery plans.?
  • He also welcomed ASEAN’s continued support to UN peacekeeping missions around the world, highlighting in particular the active participation of women peacekeepers from ASEAN countries.

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“THIS IS YOUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY,” PRESIDENT TELLS YOUTH DELEGATES

  • The President also spoke this morning at an informal debate for UN Youth Delegates.
  • This debate was organized by the European Union delegation in lieu of the annual Third Committee General Debate with youth, which was canceled due to COVID-19.
  • This was an opportunity for UN Youth Delegates to provide input to the work of the Third Committee.
  • The President said, “There is an audacity of youth – this is your superpower. Use it wisely. Do not wait to be presented with a mandate. If you see a gap: fill it.”
  • He told the young attendees: “This is your time. This is your General Assembly. Together, we can create the United Nations we need for the future we want.”

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ASSEMBLY USES NEW MECHANISM TO HEAR FROM CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS OFFICIAL

  • The General Assembly plenary will meet this afternoon on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
  • Judge Carmel Agius, President of the Mechanism, will deliver his presentation today by pre-recorded video. This is in line with – which was an initiative by the President of the General Assembly and adopted by consensus on 13 October.
  • By , the Assembly noted with concern the situation regarding COVID-19 and related quarantine requirements. It then decided, without setting a precedent, that, during the seventy-fifth session, where quarantine requirements are in place, those who are invited to introduce reports under six specific agenda items – including today’s – may each submit a pre-recorded statement, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall.
  • Today is the first time the General Assembly is using this new mechanism.