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Japan, Girls in Science & other topics – PGA Spokesperson's Briefing
JAPAN
I wanted to start with a trip announcement.
The President of the General Assembly, Csaba Korosi will make an official visit to Japan from 15 to 19 February, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visit will focus on strengthening the relationship between the UN General Assembly and Japan, as well as ensuring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, especially on water disaster resilience and sustainability.
While in Japan, the President will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and hold a meeting with Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa
He will also have field visits. Including to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s Tsukuba Space Centre, and the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM).
There will also be opportunities for him to interact with students studying in the STEM fields.
GIRLS IN SCIENCE
Which is a nice transition to the President's remarks today to the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly.
President Korosi said that he was happy to take part in the event, which bring together two key priorities of his Presidency – the systemic inclusion of science into the decision-shaping processes of the General Assembly and providing gender justice.
He began his speech with a quote from Nichelle Nichols, African-American former NASA Ambassador and Star Trek actress: "Science is not a boy's game. It is not a girl's game. It is everybody's game."
He noted that stereotypes and gender bias often discourage women and girls from pursuing STEM careers. And there is also a lack of female role models in those fields.
As a result, women are still in a minority in digital information technology, computing, physics, mathematics and engineering. They are awarded less research funding than men, earn 33 percent less than their male counterparts – and are less likely to be promoted.
This has to change. Because given the challenges that we are facing, we cannot afford the luxury of not tapping into a larger pool of talent.
You have his full remarks online.
MEETING WITH BLIND SCIENTISTS
Related, this afternoon, the President will have a conversation with a group of six blind scientists on matters of accessibility of science for persons with disabilities, and a wider conversation on the contribution of science to the SDGs.
The participants are all involved in the Science in Braille program. Which is an international consortium of Blind STEAM professionals, engaged in academia, and the public and private sectors, who are advocating for the equitable inclusion of blind individuals in education and socio-economic sustainable development programs as agents of change, not only as beneficiaries.
NEXT WEEK
Turning to next week…
Monday and Tuesday will be annual Parliamentary Hearing organized by the President of the General Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This year's theme is "Water for People and Planet: Stop the waste, change the game, invest in the future." You have a press release.
Monday afternoon, at 3PM, will be the informal plenary meeting to hear a briefing by the Secretary-General on the "Our Common Agenda" report.
Throughout the week, there will also be informal discussions on some of the 16 mandates processes underway – including Security Council reform, the Summit of the Future, and the Report of the Midtern review of the Sendai Framework.
TURKISH MISSION
And I wanted to close out with an ask.
The Turkish Mission across the street is collecting supplies daily until 9PM.
That includes new and unused materials, including medical supplies such as aspirin, winter clothing, blankets and pillows.
President Kőrösi invites the international community here at the UN Headquarters to help in any way.
I will include a list of some needed items with today's notes (ATTACHED).
For further details please see SOURCE below.
Office of the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President