WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Today is World Press Freedom Day.

General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid took part in a high-level dialogue on press freedom and the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. The event was organized by UNESCO and the Government of Uruguay.

In his remarks, President Shahid urged the international community to reaffirm its commitment to protecting journalists, valuing freedom of expression and combating harassment of journalists and media professionals.

He noted that journalists go to great lengths in the name of the public interest, risking their safety and even their lives. “They deserve to be recognized not only for the service they render, but also for their bravery,” the president said.

In his remarks, he also noted that women journalists often face additional harassment and spoke of the need to be aware of the additional challenges faced by women in the media.

This event resulted in a joint statement on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.

The joint statement is signed by President Shahid; the President of the General Conference of UNESCO Santiago Irazabal Mourão and the President of the Human Rights Council, Federico Villegas.

The statement refers to resolutions and declarations adopted in recent years to protect journalists, and also notes the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. The statement also makes reference to the SDGs and the importance of freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information in achieving the goals.

You have copies of the declaration in the six official languages ​​in your inboxes.

Tomorrow, President Shahid will participate in the celebration of the Day in New York. Tomorrow’s event is organized by UNESCO and the Department of Global Communications. It is called “Journalism Under Digital Siege”. The President will participate virtually.

TOURIST EVENT

Tomorrow is also the high-level thematic debate on tourism events.

The theme is Putting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery.”

The aim is to renew political commitment to support tourism as a driver of a sustainable, inclusive and resilient COVID recovery.

This high-level thematic debate is organized in close collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Conference of United Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The opening segment will include statements by President Shahid, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and WTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. Heads of State and Government and senior ministers should participate.

There will be a fireside chat about the prospects for a sustainable and resilient tourism recovery. It will be hosted by CNN International’s Richard Quest.

And ahead of the event, President Shahid is today recording his latest episode of the video podcast, “In Conversation with…”

He speaks to Travel + Leisure editor Jacqueline Gifford today about the magazine’s Global Vision Awards.

Linked to the high-level event, President Shahid today has a bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili.

President Shahid is also meeting today with the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania, Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, as well as the Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee of Tajikistan, Tojiddin Jurazoda.

BILATERAL

As for the other people the president is meeting today…

This morning, President Shahid had a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the European Union. The President met 28 ambassadors from the EU Political and Security Committee.

The President also meets with the co-chairs of the Special Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly. They are Ambassador Mitch Fifield, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, and Ambassador Egriselda Lopez, Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations.

The President also had a courtesy visit with Ambassador Jakub Kulhanek, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic.

QUESTIONS

The spokesperson was asked about plans for the 77th UNGA in September, whether it will be virtual or in person. The spokesperson responded by email that arrangements will be finalized in the coming months.