UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/es/briefing/pga/2025-06-11 Resumption of Emergency Special Session, Upcoming Briefing on UN80 Initiative & other topics – PGA Spokesperson's Briefing — 11 June 2025 Language: en Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record. --- PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [0:02]: Good afternoon everyone. The President of the UN General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Philemon Yang, has returned from his trip to the UN Ocean Conference, encouraged by the collective commitment to ocean action there. Now at the debate on the report of the Security Council taking place today, President Yang stressed early this morning that he will continue working to strengthen the Assembly's relationship with the Security Council, guided by the highest aspiration enshrined in the UN Charter. Now on the resumption of a 10th Emergency Special Session, in accordance with Resolution ES 1026 of 11 December 2024, President Yang will convene a plenary meeting of the 10th Emergency Special Session tomorrow at 3:00pm in the general Assembly Hall. Now on other matters this week, an informal meeting of the Plenary to hear a briefing by the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar, Ms. Julie Bishop, took place yesterday 10 June. Today there are also intergovernmental consultations on the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Artificial Intelligence and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance. These consultations would also take place on Friday. Following General Assembly Resolution 79185 adopted in December 2024, titled Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, there will be an informal meeting of the Plenary to hear a briefing by Ms. Carla Kitano, head of the Independent Institution and Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic tomorrow, 12th of June. Sorry. Also to mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, now called the Nelson Mandela Rules, the President will convene a high level debate of the assembly in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, titled A Second Chance Addressing the Global prison challenge on 13 June. This high level debate will be an opportunity to reiterate the importance of prison and penal reform, its impact on human rights and sustainable development and its contribution to building safer communities and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 16 on Peace, justice and strong institutions. Now with regard to next week, there will be a high level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two state solution on 17th to 20th June. The Co Chairs of this conference are France and Saudi Arabia. A debate on the elimination of unilateral extraterritorial cohesive economic measures as a means of political and economic compulsion takes place on the 16th June and there will be intergovernmental consultations on the Political Declaration on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in persons on the 20th of June and just with regard to announcements Following Member States interest in receiving regular updates on the Progress on the UN 80 initiative, President Yang will convene an informal meeting of the General assembly to hear an update from UN Undersecretary General for Policy, Mr. Guy Ryder on the 24th of June and that's it. Are there any questions on the floor? Journalist [3:58]: Yeah, I just want to confirm 3pm tomorrow. That's the the explanation of vote or it's it's emergency session. The emergency special session. There will be a resolution submitted and then there will be adoption in the afternoon. How many days are is this supposed to go? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [4:17]: It's just tomorrow. So it's just tomorrow in the afternoon? The 10th. It's the 10th emergency session. Yes. So there will be a resolution tomorrow to there should be one is expected. Emily. Journalist · Emily [4:31]: Thanks, Sharon. Just a follow up on that. Journalist [4:34]: Do you already know if the vote is going to be first or at the end of the session? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [4:39]: That one. That one I cannot say. But once I get more information, we plan to send out a note later today with more details. Once we get more details on that. Yes, please. Yes. You have a question? Journalist [4:54]: I think I know how to use this thing. Can you speak more about what impact the resolution will have? In particular, many people have criticized the General assembly since October 2023 for simply issuing proclamations, US vetoes General assembly calls for things. Nothing happens. Is there any reflection on the part of the General assembly to go back to past precedents, to do things with teeth? For example, in the case of apartheid South Africa, that regime was suspended from participation in General Assembly. And then in 1981, the General assembly called for mandatory sanctions and an arms embargo on that state. Of course, in 1956, which involved Gaza when France and Britain along with Israel invaded invaded both Gaza and Sinai, a peace force was almost immediately created by the General assembly because of the French and British veto. Is there any reflection on the part of the General assembly that it has not lived up to its responsibilities in this case? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [6:09]: Now, first let me stress that the General assembly has continued to play a more important role in terms of, you know, maintaining peace and security, especially when you have for example, a veto in the Security Council. The what happens in the General Assembly. It is a member state driven process. If there is a request, for example, there is a request for this tent emergency session, then it takes place. These sessions are important. There is impact because you have these resolutions that are adopted that reflect the consensus that sends a strong signal in terms of what the international community feels with regard to what is happening in Gaza and There are instances where you would see the resolution shaping thoughts and mobilizing efforts and raising awareness. Journalist [6:59]: I mean, the last one in December, I believe passed what, 150 to 10 or something like this, but it didn't have any teeth in it. Isn't it possible for the countries that are genuinely concerned to pass a resolution with teeth that still gets the 2/3 majority? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [7:16]: Well, again, it depends on the actions and the requests by Member states. But I will just reiterate the importance of these resolutions, that they do make a mark and they do shape the opinions of those on the ground. The resolution that I've seen the draft of, it calls for all measures necessary to be taken by Member states. Speaker 11 [7:39]: What is the thinking in terms of how much latitude that gives Member States in terms of doing things like sanctions and so on commensurate with their responsibilities under the UN Charter under the Genocide Convention? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [7:54]: I think, I think I can answer the question in terms of every resolution that is submitted just depends on Member States and the request by Member States with regard to this resolution that is being submitted tomorrow. It will be of course again calling for a ceasefire, again, you know, stressing the need for humanitarian aid and the release of hostages. But these, I cannot stress how important these resolutions are in terms of reflecting the need for change and the will of the international community. Are there any other questions? Gabrielle, please. Journalist · Gabrielle [8:26]: Thank you, Sharon. Just for planning purposes, you are. They are. The President is planning to cut it off at 6 o' clock tomorrow and if there's no, if there's still speakers, cut it off at 6 or I can't see. PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [8:37]: But again, you know, we will have more details hopefully by the end of the day which we will share with everyone in terms of what the procedure will be. Thanks. Yes, Speaker 15 [8:49]: thank you. I just wanted to see if there is what the latest in information was regarding the two state solution program for next week. PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [8:58]: So in terms of this high level conference taking place, I would like to encourage you to reach out to France and Saudi Arabia because they are the co chairs of the conference. If we do get any information ahead of time, we're happy to share any other questions online? Abdel Hamid. Journalist · Abdel Hamid [9:19]: Thank you, Sean. You know, last Wednesday the US cast a veto against a draft resolution calling for ceasefire and humanitarian aid. According to GA resolution, the country that cast a veto should come in front of the GA to explain that veto within 10 working days. So when is the US going to stand on the podium of the GA to explain why they use the V2? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [9:51]: This will happen in the emergency session taking place Tomorrow. But I will send more details on what is happening tomorrow later today. And is that it? Yes, please. Journalist [10:05]: When you say that you can't stress the level of how important these resolutions are from the General assembly. They've, you must admit, had no impact on Israel's conduct. They're killing 100 people a day, they're not letting aid in and so on and so forth. PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [10:23]: So in real world terms, how can you say that that's the case? This is what I would say. I would say that it's about Member States and Member States action here and the General assembly is only as relevant and the actions in the General assembly is only as relevant as the actions taken by all countries. I believe that Member States are doing the best that they can and we keep. There is this reiteration of the need to address what is happening in Gaza and that will continue to be the case if there is a request for sanctions. That will depend on the request by Member States. Journalist [11:01]: Hi, sorry, my thing is all caught up in a. But my question is just will you have a live feed as you sometimes do link of who's speaking when tomorrow? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [11:14]: Yes. So all this, you know, we would gather more information before the end of the day and send it to you all. Yes. Journalist [11:23]: About next week's high level conference on the two state solution at least can you tell us whether there will be an outcome document there? An outcome document? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [11:34]: An action oriented outcome document is expected that would, you know, outline the concrete steps ahead. Evelyn, you had before, did you have a question? Sorry, Journalist [11:46]: what time is that tomorrow? Yes, I just received this. According to Reuters, US urge all member states to not to participate in the international conference on the two state solution and said that any of the outcomes wouldn't have significant progress but hampering the security of Israel and it also oppose any country, any member states that recognize state of Palestine. Any comments from the pga? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [12:22]: It just happened now. I'm not going to. The PJ is not going to comment on the remarks made made by the US but what the PJ is going to say is that this international conference is very important. It's a crucial opportunity in terms of moving forward with the implementation of the two state solution. In his view, the conflict can only end when Israelis and Palestinians can live in their own sovereign independent states and peace and dignity. Journalist [12:48]: How would this be important in the absence of the United States, one of the strongest ally of Israel? PGA · Spokesperson · Sharon [12:57]: It is. The conference is going to raise awareness and it's going to shine spotlight on the need for this two state solution. Again I would like to encourage everyone here for questions on this high level international conference. Please also reach out to the missions of France and Saudi Arabia as they are the co chairs. Any other questions? Great. Everyone enjoy the rest of your afternoon. It.