General Assembly: Situation in the Middle East
Format
GA/12325
Note: Owing to the liquidity crisis and the current COVID-19 pandemic impacting our Organization, only a partial summary of statements made in today’s meetings of the General Assembly is available at this time. The complete summary will be issued later as Press Release GA/12325.
Opening Remarks
VOLKAN BOZKIR (Turkey), President of the General Assembly, condemning the attacks against civilians and religious sites, called it heart‑breaking that the escalation of violence began at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Urging respect for all places of worship, including the Aqsa Mosque compound, he noted that the fatalities in Gaza include 63 children and 35 women. The situation in the occupied West Bank is also dire, he said, noting that civilians in Israel are likewise impacted, with fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Sending thoughts and prayers to the families of those who died, he echoed the call for a ceasefi
What is behind the new tripartite platform for Syria?
Russia s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Yury Borisov (3rd L) meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad (Rear R) in Damascus, Syria on 7 September 2020. [Russian Foreign Ministry / Handout - Anadolu Agency] March 16, 2021 at 12:04 pm
It may seem natural for Russian diplomats to try to promote a new platform for Syria alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has, after all, heard comforting words from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on the necessity of political openness to the regime in Damascus and the need for Syria to return to the Arab League after a ten-year absence. However, what is strange is that the Russians want a platform for Syria with Qatar and Turkey, two countries with a political position that contradicts Moscow s.
Increase global resilience Having leaders articulate the importance of working with one another - at a moment that so clearly calls for greater unity but lacks it - can serve as a vital step in rechannelling momentum in the right direction, said
Børge
Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. The direction we need to head is toward greater dialogue, coordination and collective action. Only in this way can we shape a more equitable and sustainable recovery and increase our future resilience.
Members of the Global Action Group
Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman, Investcorp Holding
John R. Allen, President, The Brookings Institution
The World Economic Forum today released a set of seven principles to serve as a new compass for global relations The Principles for Strengthening Global.
Turkey: Open letter: Concerns regarding the judicial harassment of physician and human rights defender Dr Serdar Küni / January 15, 2021 / Urgent Interventions / Human rights defenders / OMCT omct.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from omct.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.