Transcript?of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the President of the General Assembly

7 January 2025

 

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today¡¯s briefing?

Good afternoon, everyone,?

Thanks for joining and Happy New Year to all. ?

 

Meetings?

The President of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang, will brief the Member States on his priorities on 14 January at 10 am in the General Assembly Hall.?

 

The next day, 15 January, the Secretary-General will brief Member States on his priorities, again in the GA Hall. There will also be a plenary meeting on the Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization. ?

 

On 16 January, there will be an informal meeting of the plenary in the Trusteeship Council to hear a briefing on the outcome of the 21st replenishment of the World Bank¡¯s International Development Association. ?

Next Friday, the 17th, there will be intergovernmental consultations on the declaration for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and intergovernmental consultations on the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and Global Dialogue on AI Governance. ?

 

Main Committees?

And then going to the wrap up of committee work during the main part of 79th session.?

 

First Committee?

In the First Committee, a total of 77 resolutions and decisions were adopted. A total of 5 new resolutions were adopted. ?These include nuclear war effects and scientific research, weapons of mass destruction in outer space, and artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security.?

 

Second Committee?

A?total of 38 resolutions were adopted in the Second Committee. Out of the 38 resolutions adopted, 10 contained mandates for the President of the General Assembly. ?These mandates include promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows, external debt sustainability and promotion of sustainable and resilient tourism.?

 

Third Committee?

In the Third Committee, Member States approved 49 resolutions addressing human rights and social issues that affect vulnerable groups. ?

 

Fourth Committee?

The Fourth Committee adopted a total of 33 resolutions and five decisions. Two new resolutions were adopted:?

  1. Eradicating colonialism in all its forms and manifestations and?
  2. ??

 

Fifth Committee?

The Fifth Committee, as you are aware, wrapped up the main part of its seventy-ninth session by sending the General Assembly a 2025 regular budget of $3.72?billion.?

 

Sixth Committee?

And then finally, the Sixth Committee adopted 17?resolutions. During the session, two new resolutions were adopted:?

  • Protection of persons in the event of disasters?
  • UN Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity.?

 

Nelson Mandela Prize?

And just a reminder regarding the Nelson Mandela Prize. You may have heard about this last week from Farhan. The UN is calling for nominations for the 2025 Â鶹APP Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.?

This prize is given out every five years to two individuals – a woman and a man – female and male – from different geographic regions, recognizing individuals who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity, by promoting the purposes and principles of the Â鶹APP.?

It also honours Nelson Mandela¡¯s legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation.?

Online nominations for the Prize will be accepted until 28?February 2025.??

The award ceremony will be in New York at the annual commemoration for Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July.

Media Contacts?

Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org?

 

More Information and Updates?: Website: ???: ??: Resolutions of the 79th Session – UN General Assembly