Feb 29, 2020
Many of you may be aware of the advice given by the SG in regard to CSW. And the advisory note on the UN Women CSW website.
The decision about CSW will be made on Monday 2 March.
This is a summary of the information we have to date.
1. SG has requested the CSW Bureau ask member states to reduce CSW or to
postpone it.
2. The Chair of the Bureau has written to member states sharing the request of the SG.
3. An existing CSW prep meeting will be used to make the final decision (on Monday).
4. States Parties have been requested not to send any delegations from capital.
5. CSW will continue in its formal UN process with only USA based diplomats involved.
6. There will be no side events in the UN
7. Governments are making their own decisions as to advice to civil society. Some countries have shared the letter from the Chair of CSW to
Ambassadors, with their delegations including civil society representatives. It seems that all countries are awaiting the decision on Monday before making definitive suggestions.
8. The information is on twitter, Bloomberg and Reuters (and no doubt other news networks)
9. There will be no formal communication from UN agencies including UN Women until after the meeting in the UN on Monday.
10. It is unlikely that States Parties they will go against the SG advice – but that might happen.
11. The SG has stated that the UN schedule is full. It is as yet unclear when CSW might take place if postponed.
The core group wrote directly to WHO and UN Women and has asked States Parties for information, in order to be able to advise you.
We have not received any formal response.
We feel that we must share with you the information we have to date – as above.
Please be aware that the formal confirmation will not be made either way until Monday.
As soon as there is any other information, it will be shared.
It is therefore probably wise not to take any action until the decision from Monday is communicated to us."
The NGO CSW Geneva Secretariat will relay any new information shared,
Dr. Catherine Bosshart-Pfluger
BPW International Vicepresident UN
CSW64 - Advisory by UN Women
Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020
In light of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the UN Secretary-General has suggested to the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) that Member States consider amending the format and conduct of the session. Options could include holding a scaled-down, shortened session with the participation of New York-based delegations only, or postponing the session to a later date.
Member States will meet on Monday 2 March to discuss the matter and take a final decision. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Reuters
Feb 29, 2020
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended that ministers and diplomats skip traveling to a meeting in New York of the Commission on the Status of Women due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Friday.
