Draft decision on UNGA session put under silence procedure

United Nations, July 18 (IANS) UN General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has placed a draft decision on the high-level week of the 75th session of the General Assembly in September under silence procedure.

The draft will be adopted as a formal decision by 5 p.m. on July 22 unless a member state breaks the silence, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the draft decision, dignitaries of member states will not be in New York for the high-level week of this year’s General Assembly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, each member state, observer state and the European Union can submit a pre-recorded statement of its leaders, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall during the general debate, the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UnN and other high-level meetings.

The arrangements do not set a precedent for future general debates and mandated high-level meetings planned for future high-level weeks, according to the draft decision.

In a letter to member states circulated on Friday along with the draft decision, Muhammad-Bande mentioned a 15-minute time limit for the pre-recorded messages.

Physical presence in the UN building during the high-level week will be limited to one or, if the situation allows, two delegates per delegation.

Member states are encouraged to move all side events to virtual platforms to limit the footprint and number of people in the UN building, said Muhammad-Bande.

–IANS

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