World leaders to submit pre-recorded video statements for United Nations General Assembly
New York:
US President Donald Trump is likely to travel to New York to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, the only world leader to address this year’s high-level virtual week in person, a declared the American envoy to the UN.
“We hope that President Trump speaks in person at the General Assembly. He will be the only world leader to speak in person,” US Ambassador Kelly Craft said Thursday in a virtual briefing.
Ms Craft said that with the UN commemorating its 75th anniversary this year, “it makes it even more special that we are really taking the virtual and amplifying it to be able to celebrate the 75th and obviously we’re going to focus on issues of human rights., on transparency, accountability because any time during COVID when American taxpayers really stepped up on a personal level, it’s now. “
For the first time in the 75-year history of the UN, the annual session of the General Assembly will be held virtually and heads of state and government will not physically attend the annual gathering due to the pandemic of coronavirus.
World leaders will present pre-recorded video statements for the high-level week, the 193-member organization decided last week.
The United States is the host nation of the United Nations, and President Trump may travel to New York to speak during the General Debate of the 75th Session of the Assembly on September 22.
The United States has traditionally been the second speaker in the debate after Brazil. It would be President Trump’s last address to the General Assembly in his presidency’s first term before the United States heads to the November election and he could use the UN platform to highlight his achievements in foreign policy while also praising his campaign program.
In taking the decision of a virtual UNGA, the General Assembly had noted “with concern” the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the “recommended limitations on meetings at United Nations premises as precautionary measures to contain the spread. of COVID-19 “.
The new format will mean that it will be for the first time in the 75-year history of the world organization that heads of state and government and ministers will not gather here for the high-level week that brings together each year thousands of diplomats, officials, civilians, members of society and journalists from around the world in New York.
Speaking to a virtual press conference in June, General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande said world leaders could not come to New York for the annual session of the General Assembly of Nations United in September because of the COVID19 pandemic.
“World leaders cannot come to New York because they cannot come alone. A president does not travel alone. So we don’t expect to have presidents here,” Muhammad-Bande said.
Farhan Haq, deputy deputy spokesperson for the Secretary-General, responding to a question about President Trump addressing in person at the UNGA session, said the UN Secretariat will be in contact, via of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, with the Member States on their representation.
