(Day 1) General Debate – General Assembly, 79th session: afternoon session
24 Sep 2024 15:00h - 21:00h
(Day 1) General Debate – General Assembly, 79th session: afternoon session
Session at a Glance
Summary
This transcript captures speeches from world leaders at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The central theme focused on global challenges and the need for international cooperation to address them. Many speakers emphasized the importance of reforming the UN, particularly the Security Council, to better reflect current geopolitical realities and ensure more equitable representation.
Several key issues were highlighted across multiple speeches. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza were frequently mentioned, with calls for ceasefires and peaceful resolutions. Climate change was identified as a critical global threat requiring urgent action and support for vulnerable nations. Leaders also stressed the need to address economic inequality, reform the international financial system, and provide debt relief for developing countries.
The rise of artificial intelligence and its potential impacts on society and labor markets was noted as an emerging challenge requiring global governance. Many speakers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter principles, while acknowledging the organization’s shortcomings in addressing current global issues.
There were calls for a more inclusive and cooperative approach to international relations, with several leaders emphasizing the interconnectedness of global challenges and the need for collective action. The importance of sustainable development, human rights, and democratic values was reiterated by multiple speakers.
Overall, the discussion reflected a shared recognition of the complex challenges facing the international community and the need for reform and renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation to address them effectively.
Keypoints
Major discussion points:
– Ongoing conflicts and crises, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza/Israel, and Africa
– Climate change and environmental challenges
– UN reform, especially of the Security Council
– Global economic issues like debt, development financing, and inequality
– Human rights, democracy, and rule of law
Overall purpose:
The purpose of this General Assembly debate was for world leaders to address the most pressing global challenges, propose solutions, and reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and the UN system. Many speakers called for reforms to make the UN more effective and representative.
Tone:
The overall tone was one of concern and urgency regarding global crises, but also determination to work together through the UN to address challenges. Many speakers expressed frustration with the current state of affairs but remained cautiously optimistic about the potential for positive change if nations cooperate. The tone became more impassioned when discussing specific conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza.
Speakers
– Vice President
– Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani – President of Mauritania
– Sadyr Zhaparov – President of Kyrgyzstan
– Javier Gerardo Milei – President of Argentina
– Nayib Armando Bukele – President of El Salvador
– Masoud Pezeshkian – President of Iran
– Alar Karis – President of Estonia
– Gabriel Boric Font – President of Chile
– Edgars RinkÄviÄs – President of Latvia
– Santiago Peña Palacios – President of Paraguay
– Lam To – State President of Vietnam
– Andrzej Duda – President of Poland
– Albert II – Sovereign Prince of Monaco
– David Ranibok Adeang – President and Head of State of Nauru
– Kashim Shettima – Vice President of Nigeria
– Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain
– Giorgia Meloni – President of the Council of Ministers of Italy
– Aziz Akhannouch – Head of Government of Morocco
– Alexander de Croo – Prime Minister of Belgium
Additional speakers:
– Antonio Guterres – Secretary General of the United Nations
– Philemon Yang – President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly
– Dennis Francis – President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
Full session report
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly brought together world leaders to address pressing global challenges and reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism. The discussions centered on several key themes, including international peace and security, sustainable development and climate change, human rights and democracy, global economic cooperation, and the impact of emerging technologies.
International Peace and Security
A significant focus of the debate was on ongoing conflicts and crises, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza/Israel, and Africa. Many speakers condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda emphasizing the need to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent the conflict from becoming a “frozen conflict”. Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander de Croo also stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine and called for accountability for war crimes.
The Israel-Palestine conflict received considerable attention, with multiple leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch both reiterated support for a two-state solution. Akhannouch also discussed the Moroccan Sahara issue, emphasizing Morocco’s autonomy initiative.
UN Reform and Multilateralism
There was widespread agreement on the need to reform the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to better reflect current geopolitical realities and ensure more equitable representation. Estonia’s President Alar Karis, Poland’s Andrzej Duda, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni all emphasized this point, highlighting the importance of making the UN more effective and credible in addressing global challenges. Estonia’s Karis also suggested reforming the UN Human Rights Council.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font highlighted the disconnect between the changed world and the unchanged UN Security Council structure, calling for pragmatic and realistic multilateralism to serve the needs of the African continent. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation in international relations.
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Climate change was identified as a critical global threat requiring urgent action and support for vulnerable nations. David Ranibok Adeang, President of Nauru, highlighted the specific impacts of climate change on small island developing states, while Vietnam’s State President Lam To called for a transition to renewable energy and a green economy. Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander de Croo emphasized the need to provide climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries.
Several speakers, including Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, stressed the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. Ghazouani also emphasized the role of education and health services in achieving sustainable development. Monaco’s Sovereign Prince Albert II highlighted the need to protect biodiversity and oceans through international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of the blue economy.
Human Rights and Democracy
The promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law emerged as key priorities for many nations. Latvia’s President Edgars RinkÄviÄs emphasized the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni stressed the importance of protecting religious freedoms and combating persecution.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Armando Bukele focused on his country’s transformation from a violent nation to a safe one, while criticizing the erosion of freedoms in other countries. Argentina’s President Javier Gerardo Milei criticized collectivist policies and expressed support for free-market principles.
Global Economic Cooperation and Financial Reform
Economic issues featured prominently in the discussions, with several leaders calling for reforms to the international financial system. Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña Palacios both advocated for reforming international financial institutions to better support developing countries. Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the need to address the debt burdens of developing countries.
Other economic priorities included promoting fair trade and economic integration (Paraguay), supporting least developed and landlocked developing countries (Vietnam), and combating tax evasion and illicit financial flows (Iran).
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
The impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies was a significant topic of discussion. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni offered a nuanced perspective on AI, questioning common assumptions about its nature and implications. Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasized the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence and new technologies responsibly.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly reflected a shared recognition of the complex challenges facing the international community and the need for reform and renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation. Key action items emerging from the discussions included implementing the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future, working towards reforming the UN Security Council, providing increased climate finance to developing countries, and advancing efforts to reform international financial institutions.
While areas of disagreement persist, particularly regarding approaches to global security and economic development, the discussions provided a foundation for future dialogue and action on critical global issues. The Assembly highlighted the need for a reimagined form of international cooperation, as articulated by Italy’s Meloni, who called for a “firm paradigm shift” in relations among nations and the functioning of multilateral organisms.
Session Transcript
Vice President: The eighth plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani – Mauritania: In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful, may the peace and blessings of God be upon the most noble of prophets. Mr. President, Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to His Excellency, Mr. Philemon Yang, on his presidency of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, wishing him every success at the head of the General Assembly. I would also like to congratulate His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis, on his great wisdom in managing the work of the 78th session of the General Assembly. Allow me also to express my great appreciation for the efforts made by Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to develop our organization and to enhance its role as an effective institutional expression of our collective will to address the various challenges facing our world. on the path of comprehensive sustainable development. Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, the theme of this session, Leaving No One Behind, Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations, powerfully and clearly encapsulates the goals and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and at the same time translates the depth of our collective awareness of the need to enhance our cooperation and coordinate our efforts to address the existing challenges. What the world has been through and what it is currently going through in terms of violent crises and unprecedented shocks at every level has greatly weakened our individual and collective ability to fulfil our common commitments in the context of the 2030 Agenda. The current international situation is having a very negative impact on efforts to achieve sustainable development, especially on the African continent, which already suffers from structural and circumstantial imbalances and obstacles that hinder its development efforts and slow down its progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations and the 2063 Agenda of the African Union. Our continent continues to suffer from poverty, vulnerability, unemployment, weak health and education systems in terms of quality and inclusiveness, not to mention the spread of terrorism, armed conflicts and the devastating effects of climate change. This bleak outlook in Africa very strongly confirms the urgent need to alleviate the enormous debt burden of African countries and correct the obvious imbalances in the development assistance system and in international governance, both political and financial, and to strengthen multilateral cooperation in general. This could bring the continent towards economic growth in a way that doubles the effectiveness or to redouble efforts to fulfil the commitments made by countries vis-Ã -vis the 2030 Agenda and the international community. In the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and in accordance with its commitments, we have made achieving the Sustainable Development Goals a central objective towards which all of our public policies converge. We have been able to improve many of the Sustainable Development Goal indicators, and that is reflected in our improved ranking among countries in the United Nations Report on Sustainable Development 2024. This improvement is the result of intensive efforts aimed at enshrining the rule of law, strong institutions promoting democracy and individual and collective freedoms, the use of dialogue and consultation as a permanent method for managing public affairs, support for the independence of the judiciary, transparency, combating corruption and bribery in administrative or financial terms. Our continuous efforts to protect and promote human rights as well take the form of our a fight against the remnants of modern slavery, human trafficking, protecting the rights of women and children, combating irregular migration and cross-border crime. In addition, we have been able to achieve security and stability despite the prevailing situation in our region and internationally. Indeed, violence and terrorism are reigning as well as political and social crises, but through the help of God and with our national integrated security strategy, we have been able to achieve this. Likewise, we have given great attention to the role of young people in the advancement of countries and advancing growth. We are focusing on developing plans and strategies that guarantee that young people have education qualifications, are integrated into active life, and strengthening their presence in various areas of public life. All of the above has played a positive role in consolidating our national unity and strengthening our social cohesion. To do this, we have made intense efforts to eliminate various forms of exclusion, injustice, and vulnerability. To do this, we have built a social safety, a vast and varied social safety net that aims to alleviate the burden of the constraints and hazards of daily life on the poorest and to enhance their ability to withstand these vicissitudes and to access all public services. We have also launched a promising reform process for our education system in the aim of establishing a republican school that embodies the values of equality and fairness and that guarantees that everyone in the same conditions can have high quality education that will be a lever for social advancement. In parallel, we have redoubled our efforts to expand and improve the scope of health services that we offer to our population and to ensure access to medicines. We have created a health insurance system for citizens not covered by traditional insurance. In addition, we are providing some basic medical services free of charge, especially for mothers, older people and people with disabilities. We are aware of the negative repercussions of climate change and environmental challenges in general on our planet, the economy, society, political and security implications, particularly in the African continent and the Sahel in particular. We have worked to reduce our carbon emissions by 11% and to raise the share of renewable energy in our total energy mix to 50% by 2030. We intend to redouble our efforts in this area to adopt a green hydrogen development program. In addition to our efforts to promote clean energy, which today covers 48% of our energy use, we are continuing our fight against desertification in the context of the Great Green Wall and the Joint Committee to Combat the Effects of Desertification in the Sahel. In this context, I would like to applaud the outcomes of COP28, which was hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the end of last year. I would like to hope that these environmental gains will be strengthened during the upcoming session which will be hosted by Azerbaijan this year. We hope that industrialized countries will respect their commitment to reduce their emissions and fulfill their pledges from the Paris Summit. Your Majesties, Excellencies, Your Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, We are deeply convinced in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania that the effectiveness of cooperation between states depends on relationships based on friendship, trust and mutual respect. Therefore, our foreign policy is based on non-interference in the internal affairs of states, strengthening cooperation and friendship, the maintenance of international peace and security, and supporting just causes based on international law. The Charter of the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. For this reason, we would like to reiterate the following. Our strong condemnation of the war of genocide practiced by Israel against the defenseless Palestinian people in flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. We demand the immediate end of this war and we reiterate our commitment to the right of the Palestinian people to dignity and sovereignty within the framework of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, as provided for in the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions. Our condemnation of the current Israeli attacks. on Lebanon and our demand that they end immediately, our call to find a solution that preserves the unity and sovereignty of the Libyan state and our commitment to supporting African efforts and international efforts in this regard, our support for the security and stability of Brotherly Sudan and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as our call to ensure that dialogue and reason prevail to resolve the outstanding issues leading to an immediate end to the war, ending the humanitarian suffering of the Brotherly Sudanese people and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law, our commitment to serious efforts to achieve a political solution that preserves the unity of the Syrian Arab Republic, its independence, the dignity of its people and their right to live in peace and security, our support for the Brotherly Yemeni people and our call for peaceful solutions in accordance with Arab initiatives and the relevant international resolutions, our firm position on the conflict in Western Sahara and our support for the efforts of the United Nations and all relevant Security Council resolutions aimed at finding a lasting solution that is acceptable for everyone, our concern about the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian war and our demand that a solution be found that ends the war and takes into account the concerns of both parties in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, thus sparing the region and the world for the tragedy and destruction. Your Majesties, Highnesses and Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the Summit of the Future, which concluded its work yesterday, revealed how aware we are of our collective responsibility towards our common future. Through what was adopted in terms of measures and plans, the Summit confirmed that we are still able to make this future one of security, peace, prosperity, comprehensive sustainable development that will not exclude any people or country. Let us therefore strengthen mutual trust, intensify our multilateral cooperation and accelerate the reform of international political and financial governance rules so that they are more just, more balanced and more equitable. And then, God willing, we will be able to save our planet from perdition and secure a bright future for current and future generations. Thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Sadyr Zhaparov – Kyrgyzstan: Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, distinguished heads of delegations, ladies and gentlemen, I extend my congratulations to the African nations and the esteemed Mr. Philemon Yang on being elected as the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. I wish you success in the important and assure you that Kyrgyzstan will provide full support to your presidency in the interests of peace and sustainable development. I also express my gratitude to the esteemed Mr. Dennis Francis for his active work. as president of the 78th session. On behalf of the Kyrgyz Republic, I reaffirm our commitment to international law, the principles and provisions of the UN Charter, and express our full support for the organization’s efforts to ensure international security, address global social, economic, and climate challenges, and protect human rights and freedoms. The modern global challenges, such as the climate crisis, food security threats, and growing inequality require the united efforts of the international community. In this turbulent period, I urge all states to continue supporting the UN in its core mission â ensuring peace and preventing contemporary risks and threats. Now more than ever, this support is crucial. I hope that under the leadership of Secretary General Mr. António Guterres and with the active backing of member states, our organization will be able to effectively fulfill its functions and assist nations in addressing pressing global issues. Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable and complex with each passing year. We are facing unprecedented challenges â global climate catastrophe, economic inequality that divides nations and continents, and of course, conflicts that shatter hopes for a peaceful future. At this time, we are witnessing global military expenditures increasing each year, while poor and vulnerable states lack the resources needed for their development and survival. I would like to draw your attention to two conflicting realities of our time. The first reality is the limitless spending on military spending. needs. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military expenditures increased by 6.8 percent in 2023, reaching a record 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars, or 2.3 of global GDP. This is the highest figures in decades. Building powers are allocating vast resources to building and developing armed forces, expanding arsenals, and creating new, more destructive weapons. Unfortunately, this is happening in a world where many countries and people still lack access to basic services such as water, health care, and education. It would be far better if the money spent on war, destruction, and death were redirected towards creation or addressing global challenges for the benefit of all humanity, helping countries combat climate change and prevent mass migration. Military expenditures and armed conflicts are having devastating impact on many countries, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Conflicts and armed clashes have led to the destruction of infrastructure, a decline in living standards, and mass migration, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and instability. While some countries are increasing their military budgets, many of those in need of assistance are losing the opportunity for a normal life. The second reality is the lack of progress in providing aid to poor and vulnerable states. We all know the economic inequality is on the rise. World leaders have been speaking for decades about the need of eradicating poverty, but they lack the will to follow through. Countries in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America continue to face chronic underfunding, a lack of support from the international community, and systemic economic crises that cannot be solved by individual states alone. The countries at the lowest economic levels are in dire need of investments in health care, education, infrastructure, and the fight against climate change. Yet amidst the rapid increase in military spending, assistance to these nations remains insufficient. Humanitarian aid and development assistance programs often face financial shortages, while these resources are being used for the purchase of weapons and the conduct of military operations. Instead of decreasing, inequality between the nations is deepening. The world is now faced with â faced a critical choice. We can either choose to increase security through the expansion of armed forces, or we can pursue sustainable development aimed at eradicating poverty and supporting the most vulnerable. If the resources spent on military expenditures were instead invested in providing access to clean water, educating children in developing countries, combating hunger, or addressing climate change, it would make a significant difference. To achieve progress, a joint effort between the wealthy and needy countries is essential. Firstly, developed nations must not only increase financial aid to those in need, but also focus on targeted infrastructure and social development projects. Secondly, the countries in need must actively participate in international sustainable development. development initiatives, and commit to using resources effectively rather than scattering them without direction. Thirdly, it is crucial to transfer modern technologies from wealthy countries to those in need. This would enable struggling nations to develop their economies independently and reduce dependence on external aid. Today we observe that geopolitical conflicts require not only increase in defense spending, but more importantly, the necessity of international cooperation for their resolution. If the global community can unite its efforts to fairly distribute resources, assist vulnerable countries, and address the root causes of our conflicts, we can build a safer and more prosperous world. If we begin to invest in people instead of war, in education, health care, and sustainable development instead of weaponry, we can undoubtedly create a flourishing world. The time has come to rethink global security priorities. Security is not merely about powerful armies and weapons of mass destruction. True security is achieved through trust, equality, and the prosperity of nations. By investing in the future of poor countries, helping them to combat poverty, and providing opportunities for sustainable growth, we can create a more stable and secure world. In this context, I believe it is important and fair for the global community to pay greater attention to the issues of sustainable development in the global south, and to advocate for themselves interests of first and foremost least developed countries, landlocked developed countries, and small island developing countries. Dear colleagues, One of the most dangerous challenges threatening the very existence of our planet is climate change, which is worsening daily and affecting virtually all countries and people around the world. The rapid melting of glaciers, an increase in natural disasters, and the reduction of water resources in mountainous ecosystems raise deep concerns. These negative consequences threaten the lives of local communities, contribute to rising poverty levels, deteriorate infrastructure, and cause significant harm to the economies of nations. Kyrgyzstan faces a triple challenge â the need for investment in development, the reduction of poverty, and adaptation to climate change in order to achieve carbon neutrality. Each of these areas requires specialized funding, particularly in the context of ensuring climate resilience for our country and vulnerable communities. We are determined to work together with our partners to achieve success. Kyrgyzstan proposes to strengthen and widely promote the Debt-for-Green Economy exchange mechanism. We believe this will help developing and less developed countries collectively combat climate change. Kyrgyzstan supports the view of the UN Secretary General on the need to reform the international financial architecture and reduce the debt burden of developing countries. We also propose a mechanism to replace external debt with projects aimed at climate and sustainable development, and we are working to establish a climate trust fund to finance environmental projects in mountainous regions. The Kyrgyz Republic pays special attention to climate issues in implementing its national policy, and based on the principles of green development, has set an ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Over 90 percent of our energy is produced primarily by hydropower plants, which are the main drivers towards achieving net-zero emissions. Our country has extensive opportunities to integrate renewable energy sources into various sectors of the economy, develop electric transport infrastructure, promote sustainable agriculture and enhance ecotourism. We are actively taking measures to encourage the use of electric vehicles and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. I would like to provide just one example of our commitment to building a green future. Projects such as NEO, Masdar City, Western Harbor, and Solar Valley that are focused on sustainable development are being implemented and successfully developed. The dreams of the people in these countries have come true and serve as an example for us as well. We have begun constructing the modern and innovative city of Asman on the shores of Lake Essekul. Next year, we will start building the city of Kamin. We are striving to create green cities that will serve as a model for other regions of our country, helping to preserve the natural environment for future generations. I firmly believe that this city will become an economic trade, cultural tourist hub, as well as center for innovation and new technologies. Central Asia is becoming an important region in terms of global security and the world economy. Kyrgyzstan, together with its neighboring states, continues to work on the sustainable development of the region. Together with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, we are building the Khambarata-1 hydropower station station, which will meet the region’s energy and water needs. We are also participating in the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, which will enhance trade and transport cooperation and connect the east and west of the continent. Ladies and gentlemen, the future of our world depends on the path we choose. We should not increase military spending, leading to further escalation of conflicts and disasters. Instead, we must direct our efforts towards building a just, safe, and prosperous world for all. Our choice today will determine what tomorrow will be like for our future generations. We all need to ease international tensions. The Kyrgyz Republic is ready to support the efforts of UN General Assembly and Security Council aimed at establishing a stable world order and achieving sustainable development goals, as well as to contribute to the international community’s joint efforts to address global challenges and threats. At the same time, we propose our candidacy for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the years 2027-2028. As a country that has never been elected to this country, Kyrgyz Republic hopes for your support in the elections scheduled to take place in New York City in June 2026. If elected, Kyrgyzstan will continue work towards enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of the council’s operations, as well as expanding its composition with consideration for balanced regional representation. The time has come to rectify the under-representation of African countries in Security Council and to eliminate historical injustice, such as the fact that Kyrgyzstan, including Kyrgyzstan’s 60 member states, have never been elected to the Security Council. At the future summit, UN member states reaffirmed the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the need for their full implementation. Kyrgyzstan remains committed to the Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and our achievements confirm our firm intention to achieve the goals, taking into consideration national priorities and financial capabilities. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are integrated into National Development Strategy of Kyrgyzstan until 2040, which creates opportunities for sustainable economic and social development, digitalization, entrepreneurship, as well as the introduction of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies for current and future generations. On July 22nd of this year, we adopted the Law on Protection of Rights and Funds of Private Entrepreneurs and Foreign Investors. This law defines the necessary measures for protecting investors in business activities. It also provides punitive measures against the relevant state officials for illegally and unjustly refusing state registration, illegally and unjustly denying the insurance of a license, unjustly and unlawfully restricting business activities, unjustly and unlawfully interfering with the activities of investors and private entrepreneurs. Severe penalties are imposed for the aforementioned violations. This includes imprisonment for two to five years, confiscation of property, or large fines. Next year, our country will present its National Voluntary Review on the implementation of the SDGs. We are ready to share our experience, discuss the results achieved, and continue striving to be among the 30 countries countries in the world in implementing SDGs by 2030. As a mountainous country, Kyrgyzstan has drawn global attention to the challenges of sustainable development in mountainous regions since the 2000s. Through our initiative and with broad support from mountainous countries, the Five-Year Action for Development of Mountain Regions program is being implemented for 2023 until 2027. I invite all nations to actively participate in this program. I also invite you to take part in the second Global Mountain Summit, Bishkek Plus 25, in 2027, where the results of the Five Years of Mountain Regions initiative will be summarized. In addition, we are promoting the initiative to include a global dialogue on mountains and climate in the UN Annual Climate Change Conference Agenda. Kyrgyzstan is actively working to protect the Snow Leopard, a symbol of long-term sustainable development in the region. In December 2023, the Snow Leopard was recognized as a national symbol of Kyrgyzstan. Together with 11 other countries within its habitat, we are working to protect this unique animal. In this regard, I am proud to announce that a resolution to declare International Snow Leopard Day will be introduced to the UN General Assembly, and I urge all nations to support this initiative. The inhabitants of mountainous regions face daily challenges such as water shortages, food insecurity, poverty, and lack of access to basic services. These countries should not be left alone with their problems. We call on the global community to take active steps to address these issues. Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for the international community to build a new consensus based on trust and solidarity. the interests of all nations. In conclusion, I would like to share the following words from Manas epic, which embodies the profound depth of friendship, unity, and solidarity among people. Let us unite our strength as one head from one shoulder and one hand from one sleeve. Where there is unity, there is prosperity. Thank you very much for your attention.
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina: To the authorities of the United Nations, representatives of the various member countries, and all of the citizens of the world that are watching us, good afternoon. For those of you who are not aware, I’m not a politician. I’m an economist. I’m a liberal libertarian economist, who never aimed to be a politician, but who was honored to become the President of the Republic of Argentina following the resounding failure of more than a century of collectivist policies that destroyed our country. This is my first speech to the United Nations General Assembly, and I’d like to take this opportunity to humbly alert the different nations of the world about the path that we are moving down. been for decades and about the danger of this organization failing, as it has been doing in its original mission. I haven’t come here to tell the world what it should be doing. I’ve come here to tell the world, on the one hand, what will happen if the United Nations continues to promote collectivist policies that it’s been promoting under the mantle of the 2030 Agenda, and on the other hand, the values of the new Argentina. I want to begin by giving credit where credit’s due. The United Nations was born out of the horror of the cruelest war in global history, and the main aim of it was to ensure that it never happened again. To do so, the organization engraved its fundamental principles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. From that was born a basic agreement around one maxim, that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Under the watch of this organization, the adoption of this and the adoption of these ideas, over the last 70 years, humanity has experienced the longest period of global peace in history, which has coincided with the greatest period of economic growth in history. It established an international forum in which nations can resolve their conflicts through cooperation, rather than resorting instantaneously to weapons, and it achieved something previously unthinkable, to sit the five great powers of the world around one same table, with the same veto power, despite having completely counterposed interests. All of this didn’t mean that the scourge of war disappeared, but it did, at least for now, ensure that no conflict has escalated to global proportions. The result was that we moved from having two world wars in less than 40 years, which together claimed more than 120 million lives, to having 70 consecutive years of relative global peace and stability under the mantle of an order which allowed the entire world to be integrated commercially to compete. and to prosper. Because where trade enters, we don’t have bullets, said Bastia, because trade guarantees peace, peace guarantees and freedom guarantees trade. And equality before the law guarantees freedom. It managed to ensure what Prophet Isaiah said, that he will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into prowning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. This is what’s happened mainly under the watch of the United Nations in its first few decades. That’s why we’re talking about an outstanding success in the history of nations that has been achieved by the United Nations that cannot be overlooked. Now, at some time, and as often happens with the majority of bureaucratic structures that are created by men, this organization stopped looking after its main aims set out in its founding declaration and started to change. This was an organization that had essentially been thought up as a shield to protect the reign of men, and it became a leviathan with various tentacles purporting to decide not only what each nation state should do, but also how all the citizens in the world should live. That’s how we move from being an organization that pursued peace to an organization that imposes an ideology on its members about an endless list of topics in society. The model of the United Nations that had been successful, the origin of which we can see in the ideas of President Wilson, who talked about the need for peace without victory, and that was founded out of cooperation from nation states, has been abandoned. It’s been replaced by a model of supranational government, of international bureaucrats that attempt to impose on citizens of the world a specific way of living. in New York this week at the Summit of the Future is nothing more than going further down this tragic path, the tragic path that this institution has adopted. Furthering down, going further down this path, which in the very words of the Secretary General, calls on us to define a new social contract, redoubling our commitments in the 2030 agenda. On this, I’d like to be clear about Argentina’s position. The 2030 agenda, although it’s well-intentioned in its goals, is nothing but a supranational government program that is socialist in shape. It purports to resolve the problems of modernity with solutions that afflict the sovereignty of nation states and violate the right to life, right to freedom and property of persons. It’s an agenda that purports to resolve poverty, inequality, discrimination with legislation that simply furthers these issues. Because the history of the world has shown that the only way of guaranteeing prosperity is by limiting the power of the monarch, by guaranteeing equality before the law, defending the right to life, to freedom and to the ownership and property of individuals. The adoption of this agenda is fully in line with these privileged interests and looks beyond the principles that were set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has therefore twisted the role of this organization and set it on the wrong course. We’ve seen how an organization that was born to defend the rights of man has become one of the main proponents of systematic violations of freedom, such as, for instance, the lockdowns imposed in 2020, which should be seen as a crime against humanity. In this same house that purports to defend human rights, we have also included bloody dictatorships in the Human Rights Council, including Cuba and Venezuela, without reproach. In this same house, which purports to defend the rights of women, we’ve allowed on CEDAW, the CEDAW committee, countries that punish their women just for showing their skin. In this same house that have voted against the state of Israel, which is the only country in the Middle East to defend a liberal democracy, we have simultaneously shown a total inability to respond to the scourge of terrorism. On the economic level, we have promoted collectivist policies that undermine economic growth, violate property rights and disrupt a natural economic process, preventing the most left behind countries to freely enjoy their own resources. They have imposed regulations and prohibitions specifically because of countries that wish to develop themselves. We have further established a toxic relationship between global governance and international credit bodies, demanding that those countries that are most left behind commit resources that they don’t have to programmes that they don’t need, making them perpetual debtors. We have also seen ridiculous policies with Malthusian stances, such as zero emissions policies that harm all poor countries, policies related to sexual and reproductive rights, when birth rates in Western countries are plummeting, announcing a somber future for all of us. The organisation has met its mission of upholding territorial sovereignty of its members. As we know, the Argentines have first-hand experience of this with the Malvinas Islands. We have also seen that the veto of the permanent members of the Security Council has begun to be used in the defence of the specific interests of a certain few. That’s where we are today, with a powerless organisation, powerless to provide solutions to the true global conflicts, for instance the aberrant Russian invasion of Ukraine which has costed the lives of more than 300,000 people and left behind more than 1 million wounded. This is an organisation that rather than tackling these conflicts invests time and effort in imposing on poor countries how they should and how much they should produce, who they should do relations with, what they should eat, what they should believe in, as the pact for the future purports to dictate. This long list of errors and contradictions has led to a loss of credibility for the United Nations before the citizens of the free world. I’d like to issue a warning here. We are coming to the end of a cycle. Collectivism and the moral posturing and the woke agenda is coming up against reality. There are no further credible solutions to the real problems of the world. If the 2030 agenda fails, as recognised by its own promoters, the response should be to wonder whether or not this was an ill-conceived programme from the outset. We should accept this reality and change what we’re doing. The same thing always happens with ideas that come from the left. They’re designing a model in line with what human beings should do and when individuals freely decide to act otherwise, they have no better solution than to restrict, repress or cut off their freedom. In Argentina we’ve seen with our own eyes what they have done at the end of this path of envy and sad passion, poverty, anarchy and a total lack of liberty. We still have time to choose another direction. I want to be clear so that there’s no poor misunderstanding here. Argentina is living a… going through a profound process of change currently has decided to embrace the ideas of freedom. These are ideas that say that all citizens are born free and equal before the law, that we have inalienable rights granted by our Creator to life, to freedom, and to property. These principles that are setting the framework of the process of change that we’re undertaking in Argentina are also the principles that will guide our international conduct from now on. We believe in the defence of life for all. We believe in the defence of property for all. We believe in freedom of expression for all. We believe in freedom of worship for all. We believe in freedom of trade for all. And we believe in limited government, all. And in these times, what happens in one country has a swift impact on others. And we believe that peoples should be able to live free of tyranny and oppression, be it political oppression, economic slavery, or religious fanaticism. This fundamental idea shouldn’t be mere words. It should be supported by our acts diplomatically, economically, and materially through the joint force of all of the countries that stand up for freedom. This doctrine of the new Argentina is no more and no less than the true essence of the United Nations, that is, the cooperation of nations united in the defence of freedom. If the United Nations wants to resume the principles that led to its birth and adopt the role for which it was designed, it can count on the full support of Argentina in its struggle for freedom. You should be aware, though, that Argentina will not support any policy that implies restricting individual or trade freedoms, nor the violation of the natural rights of individuals, regardless of who promotes these or how big the consensus is in this institution. reason, I’d like to officially express our dissent on the pact for the future that was signed on Sunday, and I invite all nations of the free world to support us, not only in relation to this pact, but also in the establishment of a new agenda for this noble institution, that is, the agenda for freedom. From this day on, you should know that Argentina, the Republic of Argentina, will abandon its policy of historic neutrality and will be on the vanguard in the struggle for the defence of freedom, because, as Thomas Paine said, those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Long live freedom, God damn it. Thank you very much.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Argentine Republic. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Nayib Armando Bukele, President of the Republic of El Salvador. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Nayib Armando Bukele – El Salvador: President of the General Assembly, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, distinguished members of the delegations with us here today, ladies and gentlemen, when I came to this General Assembly for the first time in 2019, I know that many of you didn’t know El Salvador, or hadn’t even heard of El Salvador. And if you had heard of it, you only had heard of it because you had been there. had bad references, either the most violent country in the world or the country of gangs. Others didn’t even know where to put us on the map. But thanks to God, this has significantly changed and in a very short time. Five years after my â since my first speech, I come here as the president of a country that now has a voice in the world. In my previous statements to this General Assembly, I talked about the quest for our true independence. For decades, we were in chains due to an imported civil war and then a false peace that left behind more dead than war itself. I also talked about the importance of remembering that the main responsibility of a government is towards its own people and the crucial importance of taking our own fate into our own hands. We believe â we shouldn’t believe that other countries would save us or that other nations would give us our own freedom. We had to understand this to then have the courage to break these chains ourselves and to reclaim our own legitimate right to be free. Over the last five years, El Salvador has been born again. You can see this in the countries and in the people. We have a flourishing tourist industry. We are a country of sports, surf and entertainment. Thousands of Salvadorians fled war and poverty. We’ve now made this a country to return to. Our nation was once the global capital of homicides. We’ve now made this the safest country in our region. This was a great challenge that our nation overcame. But we still have a lot to do and many things to achieve. But we are now on the cusp of true independence and the path towards true freedom. The transformation of El Salvador is without comparison, and our success is undeniable. Anyone can visit El Salvador and see this for yourself. El Salvadorans, regardless of for whom they voted, where they were born, will at least say whether or not they are within or outside of borders, have come to support all of our decisions, each of the decisions that allow El Salvador to be the country in which people can live calmly and in peace, in which spiritual aspirations beyond material aspirations transcend everything. Today the world is looking at the example of El Salvador and they wonder how can a country lift itself up so quickly? But perhaps this isn’t the right question to ask. Perhaps they should be asking a different question. How is the rest of the world falling down so quickly? They say that El Salvador is swimming against the tide because El Salvador has become safer and at the same time the world has become less safe. While the Salvadoran people have become more optimistic, the majority of the people in the modern world have become increasingly pessimistic. And they’re right. The world has become divided, depressed, concerned and hopeless. And it’s done so at an unprecedented pace. The free world is no longer free. This is not an exaggeration. Tragically we have undeniable truth of this every day. New threats of war continue. world became free, it was due to freedom of expression, freedom before the law, but once a nation abandons the principles that make it free, it’s only a question of time before it completely loses its freedom. The consequences of this are seeing, we can see before our eyes, we can see them in some of the most advanced countries in the world. There are simple things, for instance, that cannot be obtained in other cities. Streets no longer belong to the people, they’ve fallen into the wrong hands, the hands of drug traffickers and gangs. They can’t call themselves a free country when people can’t freely walk in the street without fear of being attacked. We’re also seeing the erosion of freedom of expression. Just one decade ago, the biggest platform of social media in the world has had to use its citizens. Western countries have been arrested for their postings on social media. Governments have had to impose restrictions. This isn’t a conspiracy theory, these are fully documented, proven facts. You can’t win the favour of people without respecting people. This didn’t start just a while ago, we’ve only just noticed it now because it’s accelerating and this means that we are moving towards a scary inflection point. a new dark period for humanity. As a Salvadorian, I recognize these symptoms because we have experienced all of them. We saw the collapse of our nation step by step, and we are seeing these same steps, but this time on a global scale. We cannot, nor do we want to tell other countries what they should do. Every country needs to take its own decisions and do what’s best for its people. We can only offer a word of warning to a friend who’s gone through a dark period and who has gone through a battle in their own lives. We can’t change the direction of the world. El Salvador is too small a country for that. We are indeed the smallest country in the whole of the American continent. This is much bigger than us, and in fact, it’s much bigger than any nation. We can’t prevent the obscure times that are ahead, but what we can do is become a small refuge in light of the approaching storm and try to have hope. In El Salvador, we will not renounce our position. We don’t confiscate the goods of people, property of people who don’t agree with us. We don’t arrest people for their own ideas. In El Salvador, we have freedom of expression, and that will always be protected. In El Salvador, we prioritize public safety over the comfort of criminals. Some people say that we are the country that has imprisoned thousands, but actually, we’ve freed millions. Now, the good people are living free, without fear, with freedoms and human rights fully respected. We want our people to prosper. That’s why we foster innovation and new ideas. we need to have a safe space for ideas to flourish so that we can have research and experiments. We shouldn’t be focused through antiquated regulations or something that is opposed to change. In El Salvador, you will find a space to explore your ambitions, be that in technology, energy, medicine, arts, culture, music or architecture. Just a few years ago, El Salvador was one of the darkest places on the entire planet. But in a short time, our country was born again because we remembered that freedom is something that you take. It isn’t given to us. It isn’t gifted to us. And that like anything that is worth taking in life, it should be looked after and maintained. Today, El Salvador is a safe country for progress and innovation, but also for families and also as we seek to pursue our own aims. In El Salvador, we welcome you all, mainly for our people, but also for anybody who wishes to contribute to our vision. It won’t be easy to do this. The next step, in fact, is perhaps harder than the previous steps that we’ve had to take. We have freed our country, but we need to maintain this freedom and do so in a world that is increasingly less free. El Salvador has left its past behind that we never wish to return to again. Perhaps it will be too late to avoid the obscure times ahead for our world, but it’s not too late to build a bridge and to escape the storm. May God bless humanity. Thank you very much.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of El Salvador. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Masoud Pezeshkian. President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Masoud Pezeshkian – Iran: In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful. Mr. President, Excellencies, I extend my sincere congratulations both on the opening of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and to you, Mr. President, on your well-deserved election. I trust that the crucial themes of this session â peace, sustainable development, and human dignity â will illuminate a bright path for both present and future generations. Last year, the devoted President of my country, Ibrahim Raisi, addressed you from this very podium. He was martyred in the service of the Iranian people. May his soul rest in peace. This is my first time addressing you as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a position I assumed after the Iranian people voted for my central campaign platform of national empathy. This guiding principle is rooted in the command of the Almighty God as set forth in the Holy Qur’an. According to the teachings of the Qur’an, mankind was once a nation, so God dispatched prophets as heralds and warners. He sent the books down along with them to bring the truth so as to decide among mankind concerning whatever they had been disagreeing about. However, only those to whom it was given disagreed about it, out of envy towards one another. Their explanations had been brought to them. Imam Ali, peace be upon him, instructed one of his governors to embrace the people with all your heart, show them kindness, and extend your compassion towards them. Never treat those under your command with harshness or violence, for people fall into two categories. They’re either your brothers in religion or equals in creation. The mission of all prophets has been to establish and promote truth and justice in society among all people, regardless of color, race, gender, or language. Peace and security in the world will not be achieved unless the rights of all individuals, communities, and nations are upheld with justice and fairness. Let’s ask ourselves, are the roots of war and bloodshed we see in today’s world anything other than the fact that aggressors have violated the rights of others, overlooked the rights of nations, enforced discrimination and inequality, kept certain groups weak, and underdeveloped and disregarded the rights of individuals? As long as injustice, oppression, greed, poverty, and ignorance prevail in any region, violence and conflict will continue. Unless we confront the root causes of such disorders, we cannot rescue the future of our children from darkness and destruction. Mr. President, I embarked on my electoral campaign with a platform focused on reform, national empathy, constructive engagement with the world, and economic development, and was honored to gain the trust of my fellow citizens at the ballot box. I aim to lay a strong foundation for my country’s entire â for my country’s entry into a new era, positioning it to play an effective and constructive role in the evolving global order. My objective is to address existing obstacles and challenges while â and structuring my country’s foreign relations in cognizance of the necessities and realities of the contemporary world. Mr. President, over the past year, the world has witnessed the true nature of the Israeli regime. It has witnessed how the regime carries out atrocities in Gaza and in 11 months has murdered in cold blood over 41,000 innocent people, mostly women and children. Its leaders label this genocide, the killing of children, war crimes, and state terrorism as legitimate self-defense. They label hospitals, kindergartens, and schools as legitimate military targets. They label the freedom-loving and brave people around the world who protest against their genocide as anti-Semitic. They label and oppress people who have stood up against seven decades of occupation and humiliation as terrorists. It is Israel that has assassinated our scientists, diplomats, and even guests on our soil and supported both covertly and overtly terrorist groups like ISIS. Iran in contrast has supported popular liberation movements of people that have been victims of four generations of the crimes and colonialism of the Israeli regime. We have been siding with the people across the world who have flooded the streets in outrage against Israeli atrocities. We condemn Israeli crimes against humanity. It is imperative that the international community should immediately stop the violence and bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the desperate barbarism of Israel in Lebanon before it engulfs the region and the world. Israel has been defeated in Gaza and no amount of barbaric violence can restore its myth of invincibility. Naturally, blind Israeli state terrorism over the past few days in Lebanon, followed by a massive aggression with thousands of victims, cannot go unanswered. The responsibility for all consequences will be borne by those governments who have thwarted all global efforts to end this horrific catastrophe and have the audacity to call themselves champions of human rights. The only path to end this 70-year-old nightmare in West Asia and the world is to restore the right of all Palestinians to self-determination. We propose that all people of Palestine, both those who live in their motherland as well as those who have been forced into its diaspora, determine their future in a referendum. We are confident that through this mechanism we can achieve a lasting peace with Muslims, Christians, and Jews living alongside one another in one land in tranquility and peace and away from racism and apartheid. Excellencies, examine the contemporary history of the region. Iran has never initiated a war. It has only defended itself heroically against external aggression, causing the aggressors to regret their actions. Iran has never occupied the territory of any nation. It has not sought the resources of any country. It has repeatedly offered various proposals to its neighbors and international fora aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability. We have emphasized the importance of unity in the region and establishing a strong region. A strong region rests on several fundamental principles. First, we must recognize that we are neighbors and because of this bond we will always remain together. The presence of foreign powers in our region is temporary and leads to instability. Our development and progress are interconnected, and outsourcing security to extra-regional powers will not benefit any of us. Second, the new regional order must be inclusive and beneficial for all neighbors. An order that fails to safeguard the interests of each neighboring country cannot be sustained. Third, neighboring and brotherly countries should not waste their valuable resources on attritional rivalries and arms races. Our region suffers from war, sectarian tensions, terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking, water scarcity, refugee crises, environmental degradation, and foreign interventions. We can collectively address these common challenges for a better future for coming generations. I am the president of a country that has endured threats, war occupation, and sanctions throughout its modern history. Others have neither come to our assistance nor respected our declared neutrality. Global powers have even sided with aggressors. We have learned that we can only rely on our own people and our own indigenous capabilities. The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to safeguard its own security, not to create insecurity for others. We want peace for all and seek no war or quarrel with anyone. We seek lasting peace and security for the people of Ukraine and Russia. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and emphasizes the urgent need to end military hostilities in Ukraine. We support all peaceful solutions and believe that dialogue is the only way to resolve the resolve this crisis. Mr. President, in the current globalized world, the security and interest of no country can be attained through undermining the security and interest of others. We need a new paradigm to address global challenges. Such a paradigm must focus on opportunities rather than being obsessed with perceived threats. Through such an agreement engagement approach, we can find fresh opportunities for cooperation. Iran and global powers achieved a historic nuclear deal in 2015. Through that fresh outlook, based on shared opportunities, Iran agreed to the highest unprecedented level of nuclear oversight in return for recognition of our rights and the lifting of sanctions within the framework of the JCPOA. Iran’s unilateral withdrawal from the agreement manifested a threat-ridden approach in politics and a coercion-driven strategy in the economic domain. Unilateral sanctions targeted innocent people and seek to undermine the foundations of the Iranian economy. The goal is to securitize Iran, which instead leads to insecurity for all. The policy of the U.S. so-called maximum pressure was in fact implemented against the Iranian people when Iran was fulfilling all its obligations under the JCPOA, as was verified repeatedly by the IAEA. We are ready to engage with JCPOA participants if JCPOA commitments are implemented fully and in good faith. Dialogue on other issues can follow. Here I want to address the American people. It is not Iran that has established military bases along your borders. It is not Iran that has imposed sanctions on your country and obstructed your trade relations with the world. It is not Iran that prevents you from accessing medicine. It is not Iran that has restricted access to the global banking and financial sector. system. It is not we who have targeted your military leaders, rather it is the United States that assassinated Iran’s most revered military commander at the Baghdad airport. My message to all states pursuing a counterproductive strategy towards Iran is to learn from history. We have the opportunity to transcend these limitations and enter into a new era. This era will commence with the acknowledgement of Iran’s security concerns and cooperation on mutual challenges. Sanctions are destructive and inhumane weapons designed to cripple a nation’s economy. The deprivation of access to essential medications is one of the most painful consequences of the sanctions, endangering the lives of thousands of innocent people. This measure is not only a blatant violation of human rights, but also constitutes a crime against humanity. Our nation has demonstrated resilience in the face of numerous hardships throughout the past few years caused by sanctions. Although the wounds inflicted by the sanctions are deep within our society, confronting this bitter experience has transformed us into a stronger nation with unwavering resolve and self-confidence. In order to build a better future world, Iran stands prepared to foster meaningful economic, social, political, and security partnerships with global powers and its neighbors based on equal footing. The appropriate response to this message from Iran is not to impose more sanctions, but to fulfill existing obligations to remove sanctions benefiting the Iranian people, hence laying the foundations for more constructive agreements. I hope that this message from Iran It is carefully heard today. Thank you, Mr. President.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Alar Karis – Estonia: Madam President, Excellencies, dear ladies and gentlemen, I want to live in a world that is in peace. In a world that is not destroying itself. Where proud, sovereign nations, big or small, old or young, modern or traditional, are not conquered and colonized. In a world where everybody can feel free, where AI serves and not hinders humanity, and where nobody has to fear oppression based on gender, race, nation, beliefs, or one’s thoughts. I want to live in a world that is fit for freedom. Because freedom paves the way for lasting solution and prosperity. Because freedom is the core of humanity. Don’t we all want the same? Regrettably, peace and freedom are under threat. The latest survey by Freedom House proved that global freedom declined for the 18th consecutive year in 2023. The number of those countries were political rights and civil liberties are diminishing is more than the twofold in comparison to those whose rights, liberties, and freedom are improving. Peace and freedom are words that are unfortunately blatantly misused. Too often we see how the one promising peace and freedom brings instead suppression and suffering. The weaker the mechanisms that protect international law, the bigger is the threat to undermine the way most of us want to live. We may keep condemning the brutal acts of violence. We may even strongly condemn the atrocities. But without efficient acts against violence, the history will condemn us. And it will condemn us strongly. But it’s not our place in history that we have to worry about. Something else keeps us awake at night. It’s children who are lost to conflicts, who will never be old enough to see their high school diploma, who will never have a chance to learn how to ride a bike, who will never dance in the desert, who will not be free, who will not be smiling. But dear ladies and gentlemen, the happiness of a child is priceless. This image should set our moral compass right, personal and global, strategic and tactical. This image will be a reality on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, the Azoz Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Dead Sea, the Caspian Sea, Lake Tanganyika, the Yellow Sea, or elsewhere in the world, when the universally shared rules prevail. National law is respected when UN Charter is applied. Therefore, we have no other option than to act and adjust the UN system so that it could live up to the demands and necessities of the 21st century. It means reinforcing the UN Charter. Restoring the credibility and reforming the UN should grant better and more efficient application of the Charter so that peace and security is maintained in everyone’s interest and everywhere in the world. The need to reform the UN and its Security Council has been discussed for decades. I am convinced that now more than ever the renewal and strengthening of a multilateral world order with UN Charter at its core is in the interest of all of us. Pact for Future that we adopted at the Summit of the Future just a few days ago is a good start. It is guidelines showing us the way forward. Now we must implement all we have pledged. We should have been even more ambitious. The Future Security Council has to be fit for purpose, efficient, transparent, open and accountable with a strengthened decision-making capacity. The Council’s composition must adequately reflect the current world. It must also be inclusive in conducting business to better respond to the current global threats. But there is no easy formula how to grant it. Otherwise, we would have a balanced, agile and effective Security Council already in place. One thing is certain, and it is acknowledged also by the pact for the future, that the scope and use of a veto right has to be limited. Estonia supports all efforts to limit the use of a veto, especially on actions aimed at ending or preventing mass atrocities. Currently, the veto right in the Security Council hands its holder a great power, a power also to put finding a solution of a standstill, as sometimes that solution might sharply be against the interests of the members of the Security Council itself. The deadlocks of the Security Council can be measured directly in lost and crippled human lives. This is not right, and this is unacceptable. We believe that all states collectively should have bigger say in maintaining peace and security than one member of the Security Council, especially in the case of a deadlock in the Security Council. We cannot restore credibility of a multilateral system and the UN when a permanent member of the Security Council acts against the principles of a charter. Therefore, let us wisely use the powers of the General Assembly. We in the General Assembly should be able to collectively overcome the veto in the Security Council if a situation requires. Let us analyze the options how the General Assembly would gain more prominence. In addition, I recommend taking this analysis to our capitals, to different conferences around the world, collecting new ideas from the inclusive global debate. Act for the Future acknowledges the need for revitalizing the work of the General Assembly, also in connection of strengthening the coordination cooperation with Security Council. Among other things, it means that the future peace operation would be better respond to existing challenges and emerging realities. The preciseness and sharpness of a pact for future allows us to believe that the United Nations 2.0 is an idea that is also capable of meeting the current challenges on the ground. Ladies and gentlemen, the pain of losing a close one is great. It hurts us no matter what happens. The life will never be the same after such a tragedy. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine causes inhumane suffering. As does the war in Gaza, the worsening fighting in Sudan, or the tensions, instability, human rights violations in Sahel, the war in Syria, the unresolved Rohingya crisis, the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, or the suppression and torture of girls and women in Afghanistan. Since the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel almost a year ago, there has been too much suffering in Gaza and the region. The destruction, loss of life, and trauma is unimaginable. It only leads to a vicious cycle of violence and deepening hatred. We believe it is high time for an agreement that would establish a ceasefire and allow for the release of hostages. Without being naive or blind to regional complexity, Estonia is deeply convinced that the two-state solution is the only way to just and lasting peace. The Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live in a free and democratic country. sovereign country with secure and recognized borders. We must step up efforts to achieve this goal. Ladies and gentlemen, in this very room, the global community has condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Russia has attacked international peace and security and the UN Charter. That is a fact, confirmed also by the General Assembly. We must also firmly condemn the actions of those who arm Russia in this aggression, Iran and North Korea. It has been becoming increasingly important not to lose the sight. We cannot and will not accept blurring the realities of the ground. Russia’s war against Ukraine is a clear black and white situation. Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim. Russian violations against international law are brutal and widely documented. Russia has systematically killed civilians. Ukrainian children are deported to camps far away from their homes and parents in order to teach how to think correctly. Unfortunately, sending people in the so-called correction camps where they are taught right behavioral patterns are not precedent in today’s world. It makes me wonder in which century do we actually live in. What will any of us do if the aggressor, the murderer of our parents, will stand in front of us? Will we demand justice, accountability, and the end of aggressive behavior or will we call the aggressor for a chat, for a settled misunderstanding between us? Probably the smooth talk about dialogue and importance for Ukraine and Russia lingers. Against indirect peace talks are only supporting Russian cause. Especially when Russia’s so-called peace proposals fail to recognize who is one who has launched the aggression, and who is the one suffering. We are not going to call Russia for profit. Instead, we call them to accept President Zelensky’s 10-point peace formula, which has wide international support. Russia has to end the aggression, withdraw the troops and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine. Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be restored. We demand Russia to stop cynically and shamelessly exploiting various conflicts to its own advantage, by fueling contradictions in Africa, Europe, America, or elsewhere. Russia lacks the coherence of our societies and generates instability. Misinformation is a widely used weapon for this purpose. We have to act decisively against systematic spread of lies. To succeed in this, we must develop critical thinking and knowledge. Therefore, granting education globally for everybody is so strategically important. While drafting the UN resolutions, we must consider the new mechanisms that are weaponized and used to undermine international peace and security. The world has changed. Information is rushing in various cities and we tend to live in fragmented bubbles. This can, in turn, be fertile ground for extremist terrorist groups or for neo-imperial expansionist ambitions. Similarly, refugees are sometimes used for these deadly acts. actions. Changing world poses new challenges. Let’s make sure that UN methods, agencies, and resolutions meet the requirements of the 21st century. Dear ladies and gentlemen, last year, Estonia proposed the Fit for Freedom agenda that calls for global discussion, first, on how to reinforce multilateralism and international rule of base systems with the UN Charter at its core, second, how to foster inclusive decision-making of all states and societies, and third, how to ensure human rights and freedoms for all. The central idea of Fit for Freedom is simple. International law must be upheld, the rules must apply, only then we are all better off. We do not need global cataclysm to build something instead of the UN. We have learned from the past and we are able to build on the structures of the UN already in place. Most of all, it takes political will to succeed. The possibilities to engage with the work of the Security Council and its subsidiary organs should be improved to all the members of the General Assembly. With a distinct help from technology, the accountability of the Security Council has to be enhanced. If a working culture would be more open, diversity and lives would have, indeed, shorter legs. Promoting new, open, and swift models to work and administer is the second pillar how we can make the world freer. This year Estonia chairs the Media Freedom Coalition and next year Freedom Online Coalition. We will build our conviction that fundamental freedoms and human rights should be the mainstream of international policies, even more forcefully and consciously than until today. If human fundamental rights are protected, then we may conclude that international law and UN Charter are not only maintained, but they are strengthened. When international rules apply to everyone, the world is fit for freedom. Dear ladies and gentlemen, positive change is possible. Estonia’s own story is a perfect illustration of that. We have built a digital, cyber-secure society where citizens feel that they themselves are the state, as it should be. We know from our own experience that freedom combined with a proper technology and innovation-oriented mindset are the best tools for finding long-term solutions. Yes, also free societies might need some updates from time to time and the latest plug-ins from optimised user-friendly performance. But if maintained properly, they are not crashing and freezing like autocracies tend to do. Estonians have a vivid memory of the times when human rights were denied to us. This makes Estonia vigorous in standing up for those fighting for their rights today. We partner with those who have reached out for helping hands to enhance children’s access to education and medicine. We unite with those who work tirelessly to grant women and girls equal rights with men and boys. And we are aligned with all who follow the principle of universal and indivisible human rights. Germany stands for these principles as a candidate for the UN Human Rights Council for 2026 till 2028. Dear ladies and gentlemen, what kind of change are we going to see? We know the answer. It is up to us to fix the UN so that it could safeguard international peace and security and build a world fit for freedom. Let’s get to work. Let’s do something about it. Thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Estonia. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Gabriel Boric Font – Chile: Mr. President, members of the General Assembly, and members of the House of Representatives, and to all inhabitants of the world listening to us, 2025 will mark 80 years since the day on which 51 countries took the momentous step of creating the United Nations. Our country, Chile, has always been a proud member of this collective effort. We were, at that time, one of the founding countries, and now, almost 80 years later, we continue to defend democracy, peace, multilateralism, and integral respect. for human rights. Since 1945 the world has changed a great deal, indeed it would have been very complex at the time, full of hope due to the end of the war that had been torn apart by poverty, destruction and death which was left in its wake and already marked by the infamy of colonialism. We saw simmering emancipation, inexorable emancipation of peoples from their executioners. Much time has passed since then and the world has changed radically. Just imagine if a 20 year old from that time were to magically wake up in 2024, I’m sure they wouldn’t be able to believe what they see. The world has changed but some things remain the same. One example of this that has been repeated since this rostrum is the UN Security Council. 2024’s world is not the same as 1945’s. This morning I listened to the UN Secretary-General, I listened to President Lula from Brazil and President Biden from the United States. They all explicitly expressed their agreement to reforming the Security Council to adjust it to today. What or who is holding this up? Is anybody in this Assembly opposed to this? Chile proposes that we set a deadline for this reform and when the UN celebrates its 80th birthday we’ll do so with a Security Council that includes, it is in line with current times, that includes Brazil from Latin America, India and at least one country from Africa among others. Nothing is stopping this except the lack of our own will. Human institutions depend on the will of their leaders, us. And those that are not able to adapt to their era run the risk of failing. It’s worth remembering the swift collapse of the League of Nations. There are times at which change is the best way of ensuring the continuity of our history, and this is exactly one of those. The same goes for financial governance. We welcome the efforts that have been made by global financial institutions to modernize. But above all, Chile supports the proposal of Africa, led by Nigeria, to address tax evasion, illicit financial flows, and inequalities in tax collection through the establishment of a Convention on International Tax Cooperation. This would ensure that we have a more transparent and inclusive system, a global taxation system that supports the financing of the fight against climate change, in which countries but also large companies are held accountable for their movements and contribute what is due to those countries from which or whom they have obtained their wealth. I’m also in no doubt that it is the possible leadership of a woman, as is noted in the agreement of the Pact for the Future that we signed this morning, that might come from our Latin America on the basis of territorial rotation. This is the person who might be able to lead this process down the reformist path already set by Antonio Guterres, President, leaders of the world. The international community is occasionally accused of double standards in the face of violations of human rights that happen around the world. We condemn what our adversaries do. But when an alleged friend is the one violating the UN’s charter, we look aside or we express ambiguity. Chile rebels against double standards and human rights. As a young Latin American and left-wing president, I would clearly strongly like to say that human rights must always be respected everywhere. We must demand this respect regardless of the political color of the dictator or the government that violates them. Because the Palestinian teenager murdered in Gaza, the Venezuelan worker who’s forced to leave their homeland, the Ukrainian child abducted by Russia, the silenced opposition in Nicaragua or the woman expelled from school in Afghanistan just for being a woman are all, above all, human beings. And the voice of all nations, regardless of their political position, should be raised in their defense. This is a principles-based position beyond any geopolitical interest that we defend in Chile. For this reason, I refuse to choose between the terrorism of Hamas or the genocide carried out by Netanyahu’s Israel. We have no reason to choose between barbarity. I choose humanity. We denounce the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and the de facto denial of the existence of an independent Palestinian state by the occupying country. From Chile, we call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would bring an end to the suffering and the massacre of the Palestinian population, which has already claimed more than 40,000 lives. just the number of wounded. We also clearly and unambiguously demand the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas. We also note that Israel must respect international law, must halt the establishment and expansion of illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, and bring an end to the massacre in Gaza and the indiscriminate attacks that it has been carrying out on the civilian population. And in line with our consistent state policy, we insist on the need to reach a sustainable two-state solution behind defined, secure, legally recognised borders in line with 1967 borders. Furthermore, Russia’s aggression on Ukraine must stop. The United Nations is the right body to bring an end to this flagrant transgression of international law. We can’t accept the normalisation of one country invading another and taking away part of its territory. For medium-sized countries such as ours, demanding respect for international law is the main safeguard that we have for the respect of our own sovereignty, respect for our own territorial integrity. And today from this Rostam, I particularly wish to stress the situation of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and taken onto Russian territory. They must be returned to their families. Before this assembly, Chile reaffirms its commitment to democracy, which remains always the only system able of maintaining peace, reaching sustainable development and protecting dignity, rights and fundamental freedoms. For this reason, we are concerned to see increasing disaffection among citizens at this form of government all around the world. We also are concerned to see the emergence of authoritarian leaders who persecute or insult those with ideas different to their own. It’s our duty to speak up and fight against those who erode democracy, be it through authoritarianism or by disseminating fake news unashamedly. At the same time, we must respond to the needs and anxieties of our people to ensure that they can once again trust in democratic institutions and mechanisms. We are concerned to see how these threats are closing in on our region. Chile will continue to take steps to build bridges between diverse societies, seeking the integration of the voices from Latin America to promote peace and stability, as we’ve been doing recently in the meeting with the President of Spain and President of Brazil at the Summit of Progressive Leaders. This doesn’t stop us from firmly condemning any violation of human rights or international law or violation to democracy in neighbouring countries. We are particularly alert to the critical situation in Venezuela. Here we have a dictatorship which is trying to steal an election, which persecutes its opposition and is indifferent to the exile not only of thousands but rather millions of its citizens. We need a political outcome to this crisis. crisis, which recognizes the triumph of the opposition in the latest elections and undertakes peaceful transition towards a democracy. I also must say that unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States, as I personally said to President Biden, do not assist in resolving the conflict. Rather, on the contrary, they worsen it. That’s because economic sanctions, they affect the Venezuelan people. They affect the Venezuelan people more than their government. They affect the most humble, the workers. The political crisis combines with the economic crisis and together these crises have pushed more than 7 million Venezuelans into exile. They’ve been forced to leave their country. Of these, around 800,000 are in Chile. And I’d like to be clear on this point and be responsible here. Chile is not in a position to receive more Venezuelan migrants. United States authorities, I called on them to lift economic sanctions in the south because we know that they only cause more poverty for peoples and not for dictatorships. None of us, not even the most powerful, can face phenomena such as the climate crisis, pandemics, digital revolution, transnational organized crime, et cetera, alone. We need each other. We also need the United Nations and a stronger, active international community. This is the vision that we’ve promoted through our involvement in various United Nations bodies. I’d particularly like to highlight Chile’s recent presidency of the of the Economic and Social Council under Paula Nervéz. I’m also speaking on behalf of all of my fellow Chileans in noting our concern at the rising transnational organized crime and the devastating effects of such crime on the security and development of countries as well as on democracy and on people’s lives. It’s fundamental for our governments to act together and to coordinate public policies, strategies and operational capacities to curb financial crime, drugs trafficking, trafficking in persons and in weapons, which all affect our countries. Security is currently the main concern of the majority of people in Chile but also in the whole of Latin America. And states cannot surrender to nor normalize violence and organized crime. Standing steadfast against crime, steadfast against corruption, tireless in building communities and social cohesion in our societies. Chile is also committed to developing regulations to channel the progress of artificial intelligence ethically, transparently and responsibly. Such a development should respect human rights but protect personal data and promote the integrity of information and its use in the digital era. Today, and I’m sure that many of you already have, AI apps on your smartphones. Today, artificial intelligence reproduces prejudices and stereotypes as a result of reinforced existing biases from the databases that they use. Should we trust the artificial intelligence? Should we trust the artificial intelligence? Should we trust the artificial intelligence? Should we trust the artificial intelligence? that these large companies simply regulate themselves. History has taught us that this doesn’t work. The international community must look after the weakest who are being excluded from this new world and ensure that they can be involved in it. If we don’t act now, for instance, by demanding traceability and algorithms, data audits and corrective human interventions, we might in a few years see a new form of extermination, digital extermination of non-hegemonic cultures. This would lead to the loss of the valuable diversity of humanity. Let’s not allow this to happen. Artificial intelligence and new technologies can represent a tremendous contribution to the world. Today, it’s worth remembering the zeroth law of Asimov’s laws of robotics, which in literature the last century already forced us to establish that a robot cannot harm humanity or through inaction allow humanity to come to harm. And finally, I’m obliged to call your attention to the greatest challenge that we face as a generation, the climate emergency. Protecting and sustaining life on earth is something that we need to do now. And I’m saying this from Chile, a country that has been affected by drought, floods and fires that are increasingly frequent. But here, borders are irrelevant, as you’re well aware, because we’re all affected equally by, for instance, Cyclone Idai, which just a couple of years ago flattened Malawi and Mozambique, and we also see fires in Australia, floods in Bangladesh, the dry corridors. or in Central America, rising sea levels affecting the Maldives and fires that are currently raging in Cordoba, Argentina. Let’s not deny science. Let’s not deny our responsibility as humanity over this crisis. In Chile, we are playing our part. We are changing our energy matrix. We are leaving aside fossil fuels, moving towards carbon neutrality, protecting our seas and our woodland. We are also preserving the Antarctic. Chile is an Antarctic country and will continue to be so. We have ratified the Oceanic Governance Treaty, the BBNJ Treaty, and I invite all countries to join it. And further, to support Chile’s position in particular of ValparaÃso as the headquarters for the treaty that I just mentioned. In light of the scale of the challenges that we face, isolated efforts are not enough. We need all of us, particularly the big powers and those that benefit from the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources around the planet and have done for decades, to shoulder their responsibility and to support with resources, not just good intentions, those who are left behind today. We can’t forget that many of the countries that are developed today are so developed specifically because they plundered the wealth of other peoples for all too long and did so facing impunity. We face many challenges, but our fate is not set in stone. I therefore hope and I’m optimistic when I look towards our shared future. It falls to us to build a fairer and more dignified world for all of us and for future generations. generations. A few weeks ago Elvira Hernández became the second female Chilean poet to obtain the National Literature Prize since Gabriela Mistral who has a Nobel Prize for literature and here I would like to paraphrase a warning contained in one of her poems. We are migratory birds but we’ve become used to behaving as monuments. Let’s not turn multilateralism and the United Nations into a monument, a sterile static monument. Let us turn this great historic achievement born out of the Second World War into a renewed bright light for 2024 to be able to improve the quality of life of whole of humanity. Thank you very much.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Chile. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Edgars RinkÄviÄs, President of the Republic of Latvia. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Edgars RinkÄviÄs – Latvia: Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. First of all I wish to congratulate His Excellency Philemon Yang of Cameroon on assuming the post of President of the General Assembly. I assure you of Latvia’s full cooperation. along the way. This year’s debate is of utmost importance. It focuses on today’s interlinked global challenges. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that is firmly rooted in the United Nations Charter. Allow me to highlight a few points. The future of the multilateral system and rules-based order is in all our hands. We shall not allow selective application or disregard of global norms. The alternative is a terrifying world where force prevails and law perishes. It is already the third year of Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia is still testing the global community’s resilience and commitment to the rules-based order. This war gravely affects the stability of the region and beyond. It has far-reaching consequences for the principles that uphold sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. We must ensure that the global order remains resilient in the face of aggression, especially when the aggressor is a nuclear weapon state and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Russia tries to tear down what has been built by all of us. Russia tries to rearrange the international system that only benefits aggressors. Having endured 50 years of Soviet occupation, Latvia deeply understands the value of freedom and independence, as do many other countries represented in this room. Latvia stands by Ukraine. We continue to call for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine. There can be no compromise regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia’s unprovoked attack has widespread consequences beyond Ukraine’s borders. It impacts global food security, nuclear safety, and humanitarian situation. Ladies and gentlemen, access to food is a human right. Hunger must never be used as a political tool. Latvia stands in solidarity with countries most affected by food crisis. Latvia has supported grain initiatives and released fertilizer cargos. We implement partnerships for safe and responsible food production in Africa and Central Asia. Children’s rights are human rights. Forcible deportations and illegal adoptions of Ukrainian children to Russia are of serious concern. We call on the United Nations to take a more active stand on this. We will contribute to the return of Ukrainian children and their recovery to the best of our ability. Right to life, liberty, and security is also a human right. Russia continues to deliberately target civilian and critical infrastructure. Its brutal attacks are supported by Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. In response, we are determined to help Ukraine in its fight and to rebuild what has been brutally destroyed. I call on all members of the United Nations to support and join the communique adopted at the peace summit in Switzerland. To start building a peace process based on the United Nations Charter principles, Russia must bear full legal and financial responsibility for its aggression. We must spare no effort to ensure comprehensive accountability for all crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. It is crucial to support and strengthen institutions that investigate and prosecute these crimes, provide justice for victims, and uphold the rule of law. Establishment of a special tribunal that would be able to prosecute the main perpetrators of the crime of aggression would ensure full accountability. I encourage other countries to support this proposal. Distinguished delegates, our attention remains focused on the crisis in the Middle East. Tragically, innocent civilians, including countless children, bear the brunt of this crisis. It is imperative for the international community, the United Nations, to support efforts that ensure the protection of all civilians and work towards a durable resolution. Latvia, together with other European Union member states, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian access at scale. It is crucial to prevent the deepening of the crisis and avoid regional spillover. We remain hopeful that progress towards ending hostilities can soon be achieved. We condemn all terrorist attacks against Israel. We recognize Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense. And it must be exercised in line with international law, and particularly international humanitarian law, the law that has been put in place to protect all civilians. We must also focus on revitalizing the political process, to break the cycle of violence, to strive for a just and lasting peace, peace that addresses the legitimate aspirations and security concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians. The ongoing escalation reinforces the necessity of pursuing a two-state solution in accordance with international parameters. Mr. President, The United Nations is a place where no country’s voice can be dimmed by more resourceful powers. The United Nations’ commitment to principles of peace and security, justice and human rights empowers us to address challenges that otherwise cannot be tackled alone. Standing in solidarity for sustainable and inclusive development is more acute than ever before. The summit of the future has demonstrated our renewed commitment to sustainable development goals. It accelerates the efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and ensure environmental sustainability. The right path towards progress and achieving sustainable development goals is to advance an innovation, science-based, and environmentally friendly economy, to enhance the quality of education, and strengthen governance, to engage with women, youth, and non-governmental sector on these matters. Latvia has already progressed towards achieving 63% of the set targets. We are also helping those most in need. Latvia’s development cooperation policy has become more global and more tangible, increasing year by year. There can be no sustainable development without peace and consistent global action on climate change. The ongoing conflicts and crises around the world aggravate the effects of climate change. We strongly believe that the United Nations Security Council must address climate change as an existing risk for global peace and security. All island developing states are at the forefront of global environmental crisis. Latvia welcomes the recent advisory opinion of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. We closely follow the International Law Commission’s deliberations aimed at clarifying the impact of sea-level rise on statehood. Latvia has meaningful experience in building resilience against disinformation and promoting media literacy. We support an online environment that is free and open, but also safe and secure. The rising capabilities of artificial intelligence provide a lot of opportunities for growth and development. However, misuse of these capabilities is a concern. Latvia also remains increasingly engaged in peacebuilding and prevention, but in words and in deeds. It includes continuous voluntary financial support and participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, as well as support to women, peace, and security agenda. Distinguished delegates, the United Nations is not without its flaws. Its potential to prevent aggression or resolve conflicts has frequently been questioned. We must acknowledge the shortcomings and effectively address them. Latvia strongly supports revitalization of the United Nations system and reform of the United Nations Security Council. The number of permanent members of the Security Council must be expanded. It must be expanded to make it more effective, inclusive, and accountable. It must be expanded to elevate the voice of underrepresented regions. It is high time for Africa to have permanent presence at the Security Council table. Africa has been neglected for far too long, and that has to be changed. Also, the small island developing states deserve a non-permanent seat. Their voices must be heard, especially given the existential threats they are facing. The decision-making process should be revisited as well. No single state should have veto power in the United Nations Security Council, especially when it comes to conflicts the permanent members are involved themselves. This is the way to ensure that the permanent members of the Security Council uphold their responsibility to protect peace and security. security. Dear friends, the United Nations once used to be a beacon of hope for the people. Not anymore. We must change that. We must rebuild trust and common values. And we can do that only by working together. Latvia is fully prepared to shoulder its part of the responsibility. For the first time, Latvia is running for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council at the 2025 elections. We stand ready to re-energize this international body. Thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Latvia. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay: President of the General Assembly, distinguished heads of state and government, distinguished ministers of foreign affairs, ladies and gentlemen. We live in a troubled, volatile world which is experiencing extremely difficult, unprecedented days and tremendous challenges, armed conflicts, tensions in every corner of the globe, crises of multilateral institutions and of the international system, attacks on the values of democracy by the twin threats of populism and authoritarianism. authoritarianism, the risks of cyber security and the misuse of artificial intelligence, brutal inequity in the distribution of wealth, climate change, which is jeopardizing our very existence. These are just some of the immense problems that we face. I’m therefore afraid that I’m not here today to give a heartwarming speech, rather one that might generate discomfort and concern in light of what is happening. I think that we need to be sincere and admit that we are all failing to build a better world. Because if there is a right time and place to debate and propose crucial decisions that will change the direction of mankind, it’s here, the United Nations General Assembly. And due to the delicate juncture in which we are living, we are forced to do that. The good news is that not all is lost. Because as a great military hero, and then a statistician of my country said, his name was Bernardino Caballero, he said, the future is the child of the president. This means that we can here have a better future if we act today and here. Even with disappointments, we can beat down many spirits, we can contemplate the bright horizons of the future. But always and when, as Caballero added, when we are worthy of respect and the estimation of future generations. This is only if we are worthy of taking up the lofty roles that we have. Rather than hiding problems under the carpet, we attack them clearly, firmly, and bravely. Despite the hard reality that we face, I continue to be optimistic. I don’t fear the future, because I trust in the capacity of mankind to overcome challenges. But it is imperative, I think even obligatory. to abolish the issues in multilateralism and push through changes such as abolishing the veto in the UN Security Council. We need to build frameworks that promote equitable and sustainable development in which all countries, regardless of their size or their power, can benefit equally from global progress. Only in this way we will be able to meet the promises represented by this forum and make us worthy of the respect and esteem of future generations. Ladies and gentlemen, the maintenance of peace should be the fundamental pillar of multilateralism. However, today’s reality shows a sad outlook. Around 20 international armed conflict and more than 110 domestic armed conflicts are active around the world. This shows us that the institutions that were established to preserve peace have not been able to meet their aims. War continues to be a scourge that is scattered across humanity. This scourge tears the social fabric, annihilating communities and leaving a legacy of suffering that is incalculable in scale. Every lost life is a testimony to our collective failure to meet the most basic of our responsibilities, which is to preserve peace and protect human dignity. My nation’s history is a living testimony to the cruelty and immense suffering of wars. With the War of the Triple Alliance, Paraguay experienced this extermination, which sadly caused three of the genocides of the 20th century. As another great Paraguayan, Manuel Gondra, said, Paraguay is a small but proud country. And that’s the only reason we were able to survive this cruel war. However, it is also a country that knows the price to pay due to a conflict, knows that the price that can be paid through a conflict is very large. For this reason, Paraguay best understands that not only the calamity of war, but also what it means for a small country to be invaded or attacked by more powerful powers. That’s why we express our most sincere solidarity with the victims of all armed conflicts, be they domestic or international in nature. We reaffirm our steadfast, decisive commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes. And we advocate, without exception, for the non-use of force as a means of resolving disagreements between nations and peoples. In this context, we reiterate our firm support for Ukraine, respecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity. We underscore the urgent need to find diplomatic solutions that lead to fair, comprehensive, lasting peace with the aim of bringing an end to this conflict and ensuring stability in the region. Just as in the case of Ukraine, we believe that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, always through a quest for solutions that respect the fundamental rights of all involved parties. This belief also guides our position on the increasing crisis in the Middle East. Our relations with the State of Israel are underpinned by solid pillars such as faith and hope. This is why Paraguay was one of the countries which has stood most firm alongside Israel since the gross, heinous terrorist attacks of Hamas on the 7th of October, 2023. Paraguay today reaffirms its recognition of the legitimate right of Israel to defend itself. We also reject any attempt to assign, in a biased manner, responsibility between the democratically elected authorities of Israel and the leaders of the terrorist group Hamas. At the same time, we issue an urgent appeal for the implementation of a solution that alleviates the humanitarian situation brings an end to the violence and guarantees the immediate release of the hostages, promoting constructive dialogue which would lead to lasting peace. We must continue to speak up about our deep-rooted concern at the situation in Africa. Here UNHCR estimates that there are currently around 25 active conflicts, some longstanding and others emerging, but all with devastating consequences for the lives and the futures of the inhabitants of that continent. We aspire to see a return to peace and stability in that region. Enough violence, enough wars, but also enough mere words. As actors on the international stage, we must take firm and effective action. Today I would also like to, as an aside, mention the hard situation in Haiti. This is a clear example of the shortcomings of multilateralism. Despite international efforts and interventions, attempts for global cooperation haven’t led to peace, governance and sustainable security that the Haitian people so need and warrant. Today, gangs control a large part of Port-au-Prince, submerging the country into a spiral of violence that multilateral mechanisms have not been able to de-escalate effectively. Added to this situation, we see a catastrophic humanitarian reality. More than 5 million Haitians are suffering from food insecurity and we see the re-emergence of illnesses such as cholera. Although multiple promises of aid have been made, the lack of financial resources and logistical difficulties have stopped humanitarian assistance arriving in a timely and opportune manner. There is a worrisome dissonance between what the international community promises and what really happens on the ground. We will stand alongside the Haitian people in every step towards… towards helping this brother country. My country, as many other countries have done here, have passed through authoritarianism and dictatorships. For this reason, today, Paraguayans value the ideals of democracy and the rule of law more than ever. Paraguayans can talk with their own experience. Our country lived through the shadow of dictatorship, banishment, and exile for a long time. Today, however, our reality is different. Paraguay is reaffirming its democratic vocation through free elections, transparent elections, and it has done for more than three decades. Never before have we had so many years of democracy, and I’m pleased to be able to say against the doomsayers and pessimists that we have seen the happiest lives in my homeland. Perhaps Paraguayans don’t agree on everything, but we can agree that there are no better ways to live together than through democracy and the rule of law. Democracy is simply innegotiable. For this reason, I must condemn today, loudly and strongly, what is happening to our Venezuelan brothers. I would like to reiterate Paraguay’s position as to the electoral process in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which culminated on the 28th of July this year. This process overlooked the will of the Venezuelan people and was characterized by serious acts by the regime, which led to persecution of the main opposition actors and to arbitrary detentions. The deterioration of democracy in Venezuela is clear to see, as are the systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Added to that, we see action contrary to international law, particularly in diplomatic relations and the right to asylum. We reiterate our support for the democratic forces in Venezuela that are fighting authoritarianism for the return to a truly democratic system that is not merely… nearly a facade. One of the most important ideas behind multilateralism is the idea that all are treated on an equal footing. The concept of a vote for each nation often becomes a vacuous concept if nations are obliged to transact their self-determination in order to not be left out of great international markets. However, we recognise that regional cooperation continues to be a crucial path towards physical and economic integration. The fight against the challenges that we face is impossible without convergence of wills from neighbouring countries. Regional cooperation is the only way that we are able to work together to design national policies together with other nations. And it is through this spirit of cooperation and strengthening regional institutions that Paraguay decided to put forward the candidacy of our Foreign Minister, Rubén RamÃrez-Lezcano, as Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. We are convinced that his leadership will contribute significantly to revitalising the OAS, promoting more inclusive and efficient multilateralism that meets the challenges of the present and focuses on the well-being of all peoples in our hemisphere. In the context of our commitment to the most inclusive form of multilateralism that leaves no nation behind, Paraguay reiterates its unwavering commitment towards those â support towards those countries that, despite their outstanding contribution, are excluded from important international fora such as these. Paraguay not only recognises but also profoundly values international cooperation with the Republic of China, Taiwan. This is a kindred nation with which we have, for now more than 70 years, forged robust and meaningful friendship. This friendship is based on on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and free trade. It’s a genuine friendship forged through the adversity of two geographically small countries living alongside great powers. Our spirit, our combative spirit, however, is everything but small. In this assembly, we renew our firm support for Taiwan to be a full part of the United Nations. We believe that their exclusion is an injustice that we can’t overlook because the values that we share and their contribution to the international community should be recognized. If there is a country that today should be a part of the United Nations and is not yet so, that is Taiwan. Today, we’ve not only come to speak up about this injustice, but also to speak up firmly to alert the international community as to the threat to their integrity and the legitimate rights of self-determination of their peoples. I underscore the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits in a world full of tensions in which conflicts constantly threaten to boil over. Positive interactions in this region are not only vital for the Asian security, but also for global stability. For the same reasons, we uphold the principles of peace, justice, and international cooperation in all corners of the world. And it’s important that we reaffirm our commitment to these values within our borders. In my country, as I was saying earlier, we have a vibrant and full democracy. We have a Republican system of a balance of powers. And while we have a political majority in the Congress, we continue to have dialogue with our opposition to carry out the great reforms that our country needs. We’re convinced that democracy cannot be a vacuum. It should have content and, above all, results. Here, economic development is crucial to ensure the future strength of democracy. Prosperity, indeed, is the biggest enemy of crime, of division, of a lack of hope. Social policy, the most effective official policy, I always say, is economic prosperity. But to ensure that this prosperity reaches everyone, we need to invest in human capital and generate the right conditions for families to be able to work. And here, I’d like to cite two of the programs of my government. Firstly, Zero Hunger in Schools. This aims to completely eradicate hunger in school-aged children, because we believe that children who are hungry cannot learn. And we also have the Che Roca Pura program, which is the first policy giving access to housing focused on the working class. It will allow thousands of Paraguayan families to transform a monthly payment into a family asset. If we don’t have development, we have no security. This is a national level view and an international one. And we understand the cooperation with different national and international agencies. This is our vision as the President of the Republic. Finally, we will continue to support institutions and transparency as fundamental preconditions for development. The recent attention of investment grade by Paraguay is a clear reflection of our constant efforts to strengthen our institutions. Added to that, we have a longstanding economic stability that has been consolidated over the years. Dear friends, Paraguay wants to, can, and will be a true protagonist on the global stage. We are determined to play our role. Paraguay is a country that has abundant natural resources, valuable human capital, and plays, has a clear approach in creating value chains that provide. green economy based on the development of sustainable technology. Our country is a beacon in the production of clean and renewable energy. Hydroelectric energy generation is not only a national project, but rather a joint initiative with our neighbours, which seeks to ensure a more developed, sustainable and emissions-free world. I firmly believe that Paraguay is an example of how economic development is entirely compatible with environmental sustainability. Paraguay shares common challenges with other landlocked countries, which will be addressed in the new programme of action for landlocked developing countries, which will be adopted in Botswana this December. Far from giving up hope, we see in these challenges great opportunity. We are transforming our difficulties into strength, harnessing our geographic location as a strategic asset. Our position in the heart of South America means that we can be the motor of South American integration. We have a clear vision and we are becoming a logistics centre through the hydro corridor Paraguay-Paraná and the bio-oceanic corridor in South America. These are key to revitalising and boosting MERCOSUR and the Pacific Alliance. As we consolidate our geographic position, it is crucial that this vision of growth is supported by strong investment in education. Paraguay’s success will depend on our ability to prepare future generations for the globalised and competitive world. Together with education, technology is a key tool to ensure development and social inclusion. Our nations face many challenges, but without doubt, one of the greatest is the issue of the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the progress in technology in general. Morsley posits exponential growth. growth in the development of new technologies. This calls for the creation of new regulatory schemes that protect people able to face challenges that are approaching at all too fast a pace. These new techniques, such as sandboxes or co-regulation, should ultimately aim at ensuring responsible use of emerging technologies and equity in how they are applied. In Paraguay, we are profoundly committed to preserving our cultural heritage. At the end of this year, we will be hosting the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, and we hope that Guarania will be recognized as immaterial cultural heritage. Further, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection of fundamental rights of all citizens, the family, and human life from conception. We defend the traditional values that have made our nation so great. Despite having looked at things critically, I would like to confess that I am an incurable optimist. I believe that our future is brilliant and full of opportunities, hence why I see bright horizons on the future. But if we fight for a better present, we will have future days full of light and possibilities. The defense of democratic values and respect for human rights must continue to be our guide. Of course, we will have differences and legitimate policy differences, but there are some principles that cannot be negotiated, that is democracy, the rule of law, unfettered respect for human rights. These are all fundamental pillars. Although our political or ideological views might be different, this shouldn’t divide us or stop us from advancing towards building cooperation based on solid foundations. If we continue to forge ahead towards cooperation, mutual respect, integration. and fraternity among our peoples, I’m convinced that we will have better days. In conclusion, and despite the tremendous challenges that we face, I’m convinced that, as William Faulkner once said, humanity will not simply endure, it will prevail. Thank you very much.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Paraguay. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Lam To, State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Lam To – Viet Nam: Excellency President of the UNGA, Excellency Secretary General of the United Nations, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Let me first congratulate you, Excellency Philemon Yang, on your election as the President of the 79th Session of the UNGA. I trust that this session will be a great success. I also commend Excellency Denis Francis, President of the 78th Session, and Excellency Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, for their contributions and efforts in coordinating UN endeavors to prevent wars, maintain peace, and promote global development cooperation. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the world is undergoing transformative changes of historic significance. Although peace, cooperation, and development remain the dominant trends, they’re facing new and more serious challenges. Strategic competition among major powers is becoming broader, fiercer, and more confrontational. Political disputes, conflicts, and security environment intensify. Global and development space narrows. Risk of conflict, new hotspots, arm race, tension, confrontation, and direct clashes increase. The rise of power politics, egoistic nationalism, a challenging international law, eroding multilateral institutions, and diminishing faith in global cooperation. The vicious cycle of conflict and violence escalates in various regions, causing immense sufferings to millions of innocent civilians. The risk of a limited nuclear war, or even a third world war, has not been ruled out. Non-traditional security challenges, such as climate change, extreme weather events, natural disasters, diseases, resource depletion, and aging population, are becoming increasingly severe and hindering our efforts for development. Poor countries are being left further behind with a widening development gap. Super Typhoon Yagi, which ravaged Vietnam and other countries in the region, serves as a stark warning of the severe impacts that natural disasters and climate change can have on sustainable development for all. Global food production is sufficient to feed 1.5 times the world’s population, yet famine is threatening over 780 million people and 2.4 billion people. We must also prioritize reforming multilateral mechanisms, especially the UN system, international financial and monetary institutions, to ensure better representation, equity, and transparency, enhancing the capacity, effectiveness, and future readiness is essential for remaining relevant in our changing world. And fifth, we must place human at the center in delivering on our visions. People should be the center, the goal, and driver of policies and actions at all levels. Investments should focus on the holistic development of the youth, enriching their knowledge and culture, grounded in shared values and a sense of responsibility and contribution. Vietnam welcomes the UNGA’s official decision to grant additional rights and privilege participation to the State of Palestine from this session onwards. Vietnam reaffirms its solidarity with the state and people of Cuba and calls on the United States to lift embargoes and sanctions against Cuba and to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. We need to vigorously promote such actions, since they are practical ways to foster equitable development and happiness for all. President Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese hero of national liberation and a man of culture, once stressed, unity, unity, great unity, success, success, grand success. Only through unity and cooperation with trust and by thinking and acting as one can we build a world of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for the present and future generations, ensuring no one is left behind. In today’s rapidly changing world, each state plays a vital role in the grand orchestration of our era. Vietnam is making every effort to move forward toward a future of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainability. Not only for all our people, but also for all nations worldwide. This is Vietnam’s vision, goal, and strong commitment to the international community today and tomorrow. Thank you for your kind attention.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I would like to thank the State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Assembly will hear and address by His Excellency Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland. I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Andrzej Duda – Poland: Distinguished Mr. President, Your Excellencies, honorable delegates, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to His Excellency, Mr. Philemon Yang, on his election to the honorable position of President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Poland fully supports your mission, sir, and wishes you every success. I also extend my thanks to His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis, for his effective presidency during the previous 78th Session. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to address the United Nations General Assembly for the 10th time as the President of Poland. because today we are facing huge global challenges that require our solidarity, cooperation, and determination. Our presence here reminds us of the mission for the fulfillment of which the United Nations was established after the terrible tragedy of World War II, to prevent further conflicts and ensure world peace. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the beginning of that massive conflict, the conflict which claimed millions of lives. It was Poland which became its first victim. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany attacked my homeland, starting World War II. Two weeks later, on September 17, the Soviet Union also invited my country. As the ally of Nazi Germany fulfilling the agreement between Hitler and Stalin, so-called Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, both aggressors deprived us of our independence. Poland found itself in the midst of the brutal occupation of two totalitarianisms, becoming a witness and victim of war crimes that forever left a mark on our nation’s and world’s history. In my country, we know very well what war is, and we know what drama and suffering it brings. That is why Poland has always been a strong advocate of measures which aim at preventing conflicts and ensuring peace in the world. Our history and experiences incline us to constantly recall the need to respect international law and protect the sovereignty of states. Ladies and gentlemen, today we are facing, yet again, an extremely serious threat to global security. For the past two and a half years, we have seen Russia’s brutal aggression against neighboring Ukraine. This is a flagrant violation of fundamental norms of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force in international relations. This unprovoked aggression is destabilizing the region and posing a direct threat to the global order and security. We cannot allow this war to turn into another frozen conflict. This is the most important task for the future. That is why it’s so important today to stop the Russian war in Ukraine, not only to end the suffering of the people and punish the aggressor, but also to prevent such heinous actions from becoming a model for others to follow. Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be restored within its internationally recognized borders. The logic of conquest and disregard for international law must be stopped unless we agree to live in a world where any country can become a victim of aggression, regardless of its size and geographic location. Poland is following with equal concern the situation in the Middle East, where due to the brutal Hamas attacks of October the 7th, 2023, the conflict has escalated. Israel, like any other state, has the right to self-defense, however, these actions must follow international humanitarian law. Poland has consistently supported a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict that will guarantee both Palestinians and Israelis the right to live in peace and security in correct relations with all their neighbors. As proponents of the principles of equality and the right of nations to self-determination, we believe that the emergence of an independent Palestine will not contradict Israel’s interests, whereas the right of Israel to exist cannot be questioned. The two nations are united by space and time, which will remain their common destiny. The current situation in Yemen is also of deep concern to us. The ongoing humanitarian crisis affects millions of people, and the struggle for control in a country possesses a threat to regional security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The international community must do everything possible to ease the suffering of Yemeni people and restore stability in their country. And we all see how the ongoing wars, conflicts, and terrorist actions in Africa undermine people’s efforts to live and develop in safe and fair conditions. The world must stand with all those affected by insecurity and help them to restore peace through reconciliation and social cohesion. Ladies and gentlemen, peace and security in a world will not be possible to achieve without respects for the law. As President of Poland, I consistently repeat the phrase, peace through law, always emphasizing the fundamental rule of international law in maintaining global order. Our history, our experiences teach us that only adherence to international norms and the protection of the rights of every human being can ensure stability and development. Poland, as a country of freedom and solidarity, will always demand respect for human rights, regardless of geographic location. Therefore, Poland has decided to apply for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for 2029-2031. Our candidacy is an expression of our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. We believe that human rights are the foundation of peace and security. Their violation leads to conflicts, while their protection results in stability and development. Ladies and gentlemen, Poles perfectly understand the perspective of countries that experienced colonialism. Our history, from losing our statehood in the 18th century to World War II to the fall of communism, has taught us how precious freedom, sovereignty, and human dignity are. It is a part of our DNA, and therefore we stand together with the developing countries in their quest for prosperity, equal treatment. and self-reliance. That is why Poland will not stop supporting African societies, as I had the opportunity to personally assure my friends during this year’s visit to Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as in recent years during my earlier visits to the continent, which is so important for Poland, Europe, and the whole world in building a common, safer, and more prosperous future. We believe that Africa has the potential to develop its own solution to its challenges. However, we recognize that global development in many parts of the world currently is facing serious obstacles. We note with concern that halfway through the deadline set by Agenda 2030 for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, progress made in realization of its ambitions is still insufficient. During this session, Poland will serve as Vice President of the UN Economic and Social Council. The motto of our mandate in the ECOSOC is Developing in Solidarity, which summarizes well our vision of progress we need. With its presidency of the Council of the European Union starting on January 1, 2025, Poland will seek to give new impetus to relations with developing partners. There is a need for better cooperation, real partnership, more solidarity. Ladies and gentlemen, next year we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Despite its imperfections, the UN remains the foundation of the world order, allowing us to work together for peace, development, and human dignity. We believe that the Summit for the Future has given us an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of our work and the possibility of improving the UN structures to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges. Poland is ready to discuss reforms to the Security Council, other key UN bodies, as well as international financial institutions. The world is changing, and our system must change as well in order to better serve the global community. Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Delegates, Our common commitment, enshrined in the UN Charter Sands, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Poland will remain faithful to this mission and will support efforts for peace, human rights, and sustainable development. Thank you for your attention, and I wish us all fruitful deliberations.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Poland. The Assembly will hear an address by His Serenity Highness Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. I request protocol to escort His Serenity Highness and invite him to address the Assembly.
Albert II Sovereign Prince – Monaco: Mr. Secretary General, Heads of State and Government, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Almost 80 years ago, the United Nations Charter was born and laid the foundations of our organization to preserve future generations from the scourge of war. The founders then had a firm conviction that there was no power more legitimate than that we vested collectively in this new international organization. Over the last two days, I have participated alongside many of you on the initiative of the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, in the Summit to the Future. Between hope and concern, this summit allowed us to grasp just how much work we still need to do to leave a harmonious and peaceful future to our children. While we are facing an increasing number of challenges, we’re currently seeing a multiplication of regional conflicts, an uptick in the arms race, and nuclear proliferation, as well as an ebbing of our collective security. Extreme violence and conflicts that are currently raging and the thousands of victims that they’re claiming in the four corners of the world are intolerable. Targeted attacks against civilian infrastructure that don’t even spare schools or hospitals are flagrant violations of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Similarly, the use of famine as a weapon of war is an odious crime. These acts must not go unpunished. Whatever the conflict or the continent that it is taking place on, international justice must establish the crimes and prosecute those responsible. This is absolutely essential to build a just and lasting peace. The partition of the world that we’re seeing currently is very concerning. Now should not be the time for war or division, but rather for building coalitions, for concrete actions, ramping up cooperation, solidarity, helping each other, and engaging in dialogue. My country’s conviction has always been that the way of multilateralism is the only way possible. The UN is a. at the heart of multilateralism. And it’s incumbent upon us to do everything we can to implement the roadmap that we adopted collectively. As we committed last year at the summit on the SDGs and yesterday at the summit of the future, we must move away from the way of destruction and focus on the way that leads to prosperity. The new agenda for peace is blazing a trail for us to show more solidarity and to establish trust. The milestones that have already been put down and they are showing us the way to go. The fourth UN conference on financing for development that will take place next year compels us to rethink the international financial architecture and to help countries to undertake more sustainable and inclusive development. The world social summit that will also take place next year should give us the necessary driving force for more social justice and to contribute to fighting poverty, which is number one of the sustainable development goals. Sustainable development as a whole will not be achieved and it will not achieve the desired results if we do not include women and girls. While we’re celebrating in 2025 on the 125th anniversary of resolution 1325 of the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security. And on the other hand, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action. It must be recalled that gender equality has still not been reached in so far as rights, responsibilities and opportunities. It is only by guaranteeing their rights in all of the SDGs and in the actions of the Pact for the Future that we will be able to achieve more justice and inclusion step by step. And whatever the cost, we must hold true to our efforts to promote the rights of women and to ensure gender equality. Mr. President. Let us make no mistake the most threatening challenges of humanity on the long term are without a doubt the multi-dimensional environmental crisis that we’re going through and must I recall we’re responsible for that climate change the erosion of biodiversity and ecosystems as well as the huge amount of pollution that is affecting both the land and the ocean the cradles of life are turning upside down the daily lives of millions of people and causing considerable economic loss we in The face of the this tragedy of the Commons. We cannot show any doubt or dejection We must be clear-headed when it comes to all of the things we must do and we must be optimistic When it comes to the future indeed, we now have several international instruments major ones that must Guide us. We’re navigating this storm. We have the Paris agreement the global framework for biodiversity of coming, Montreal And the BBNJ agreement and I hope that a new international agreement will come about as well on plastic pollution in the world these crisis require coordinated response and When we participate in the different international for over the next few months Let us bear this in mind and engage in unified and concerted action in Colombia first of all, we have the COP 16 of the UN conference on biodiversity where we have high hopes to deal with new the challenges to Implement the plan for biodiversity and to deliver our 2050 vision living in harmony with nature Finally at the end of the year at the COP 29 We have the UNFCCC conference in Baku and we will establish a new goal new collective goal for climate financing for developing countries that should be up to the needs and be realistic and operational creating the conditions for guaranteeing the rights to a future and A healthy environment requires us to put an end to the upheaval of our ecosystems and also to show wisdom and knowledge and draw on the wisdom and knowledge of men and women present on the ground already suffering the consequences. For example, small island developing states that are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of rising sea levels and they could potentially disappear. We could see a disappearance of habitable and productive lands and that’s a real threat for their existence. The Principality of Monaco and its institutions committed to the preservation of the oceans is supporting the creation of an international panel of experts for ocean sustainability that would be headed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. In this regard, we call upon all states to ramp up the process to ratify the BBNJ agreement coming into force in 2025, which is an important year for the planet with France hosting the third UN conference on the oceans in Nice. This conference should enable us to ramp up our actions and to mobilize all stakeholders to provide lasting solutions that we need for the ocean to overcome the challenges we face. The blue economy is also playing a key role and the Principality intends to collaborate actively by hosting in June 2025 the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Finally, beyond the framework provided by the BBNJ, I reaffirm the commitment of my country to the implementation of solid regulation grounded in the best scientific data ensuring effective protection of the marine environment before we see any mineral exploitation of the seabeds. Ultimately, these interconnected crises compel us to completely rethink our relationship with nature, which is essential for our survival and well-being. Mr. President, when it comes to the challenges and changes that humanity is facing, the development of artificial… intelligence is unavoidable. The emergence and the rise of this new technology is accompanied by so many opportunities for our daily lives. But it also comes with dangers, and we must deal with these. The Principality of Monaco is committed to seizing the possibilities provided by safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development. Indeed, the staggering technological progress that we’re seeing can help to increase development, as well as it could provide fertile ground for organized crime and terrorism. So it’s incumbent upon the international community now to establish the right regulations imposing ethical use of this technology that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms and ensure that it is not used or diverted for military or terrorist purposes. Further, disinformation today is one of the most insidious dangers for our societies. It is spreading rapidly, fed by social networks and digital platforms, sowing confusion and eroding trust in institutions and media. The consequences of this manipulation of information are grave, and they can include the destabilization of our states and the exacerbation of international tensions. It is therefore essential to bolster verification mechanisms, FAT verification mechanisms, to protect the truth and to preserve the health of our democracies. Mr. President, we have the tools we need, whether they be legal, technological, or scientific, to bring lasting and effective solutions to our contemporary challenges. The Path for the Future and the 80th anniversary of the UN in 2025 offer us up an historic and unique opportunity to make progress in the intergovernmental process, rather, to reform the Security Council, to make our organization stronger. more inclusive and representative of current realities in order to resolve the crises that we face. While the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris were a resounding success, the athletes showed us that efforts and perseverance, including in adversity, lead to victory. They gave us a lesson of humility by teaching us that while victory is the ultimate goal, the journey and good competition are equally as important accomplishments. Let us therefore commit together with a sense of determination to the process that we have defined step by step. Let us overcome the obstacles without ever losing sight of our goal, which is to preserve peace between nations and to guarantee the well-being of the peoples of the United Nations. Thank you for your attention.
Vice President: The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency David Ranibok Adeang, President and Head of State of the Republic of Nauru. I request the protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates, as the President of the Republic of Nauru, a small island nation with a vision for a more equitable and sustainable future, I bring you warm greetings from the government and the people of Nauru. In this 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, we gather at a time of unprecedented global challenge and opportunity. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, Nauru remains committed to the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and international cooperation that have guided our collective progress since the UN’s founding. Mr. President, as a nation surrounded by the ocean, Nauru has a vested interest in the responsible stewardship of the ocean’s marine resources. We have been at the forefront of international efforts to protect and sustainably use the ocean’s resources, including developing and adopting the BBNJ Agreement and exploring the wealth of the deep sea beds, mineral resources in line with our objectives under the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy. The greatest risk we face is not the potential environmental impacts of mineral recovery, but the risk of inaction. There is a risk of failing to seize the opportunity to transform to renewable energy and to decarbonize our planet. We cannot let fear and misinformation hold us back. Instead, we must use the knowledge we have gathered wisely to ensure that deep sea mineral recovery, under the principle of the common heritage of mankind, does not compromise the integrity of our marine environment. This is not just an economic opportunity, it is an environmental imperative. We therefore call on the international community not to ignore the science and progress we have made. Instead, we urge you and the International Seabed Authority Council to work with us to establish and adopt robust regulations necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. We have the science, we have the technology, and we have the imperative. Let us rise to the challenge and opportunity before us, employing our investments for the good of all, and let the time for action be now. Mr. President, Nauru’s story is not one of despair, but of resilience. Our people have thrived for centuries, living in harmony with the land and the sea. Today we adapt, we innovate, and we persevere. We are exploring new frontiers because even as we fight against the effects of climate change, we must also adapt to the reality that is upon us. Through initiatives like the Higher Ground Project, we are reclaiming land, strengthening our infrastructure, and securing our future. Adaptation initiatives to address modern challenges and concerns demand more than technical expertise. They require substantial financial resources, which is an ongoing struggle. When it comes to climate finance, we are too often relegated to the back of the queue. We must also address the critical issue of access to basic financial services. For nations like Nauru, equitable access to banking is not merely a convenience, it is a lifeline. Yet we face the growing threat of de-risking and the loss of correspondent banking relationships. This challenge transcends financial concerns. It strikes at the heart of our sovereignty and our dignity. Our nation’s struggles cannot be measured by income alone. We are vulnerable in myriad ways, and the global financial system must evolve to reflect this complex reality. We are encouraged by the recent adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, or the MVI. And we further call upon the World Bank, IMF, IFI, and MDBs to integrate the MVI into their frameworks. It is not just another statistic, it is a tool that provides a more accurate picture of our national circumstances, our strengths, our challenges, our potential. Mr. President, one of the most pressing issues of our time is the rising tensions between global powers. Nauru has long believed in the importance of maintaining good relations with all nations, great and small. We are friends to all and enemies to none, guided by a national motto, God’s will first. Our restored diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China are a testament that even the largest and the smallest of countries can find common ground and work towards mutual benefit. Nauru is proud of our strong and growing relationship with China, and I take this opportunity to further commend their recent agreement with Japan on the ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. This historic accord represents a significant step towards addressing a pressing issue of global concern. Mr. President, as a staunch friend, we continue to call for an immediate and unconditional end to the decades-long embargo imposed on Cuba. As we know, conflicts and tensions persist across many regions of the world. In our shared pursuit of progress and prosperity, it is crucial to acknowledge that conflict impedes growth and undermines community stability. Therefore, we must intensify our efforts to foster peace and development free from the shadow of conflict. Let us reaffirm our commitment to building bridges of understanding, nurturing empathy, and promoting reconciliation. We must understand that peace and development are not separate entities, but intertwined pillars of human progress. Peace creates an environment where individuals can thrive, communities flourish, and nations prosper. In the absence of conflict, societies can better allocate resources to education, health care, infrastructure, and sustainable economic growth, fostering the investments of all people. Let’s work together towards a future where everyone can live with dignity, harmony, and opportunity. leaving behind a legacy of peace for generations. By prioritizing conflict resolution, we pave the way for resilience, progress, and shared prosperity. We must focus on building bridges, not walls, and work towards a more integrated, connected world. Inclusivity and engagement are vital as we strive for full economic and financial participation, ensuring that no country, large or small, regardless of its development status, is left behind. This is a call for collective action, a call we must all heed for the sake of our shared future. The UN Security Council reform, long overdue, must reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. It is evident that the current structure of the UN Security Council has been a subject of debate, with legitimate concerns about representation, effectiveness, and the ability to address contemporary security issues. The imperative for peaceful resolutions and pursuing lasting peace in conflict-affected regions further underscores the critical need for a reformed and strengthened UN Security Council. Let us be the leaders who bring about a new era of peace and reconciliation. In our pursuit against climate change, we continue to call on the UNSG to appoint a special representative on climate and security. We are pleased to endorse the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, and we urge countries to back this initiative for a sustainable and equitable future. And we also eagerly await the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Climate Change and will closely follow and support the implementation of the Court’s guidance in the pursuit of climate justice. Nauru is pleased to welcome the Pact of the Future’s ambition, yet we are disappointed in the removal of Action 21. of friends on climate and security, advocated for its inclusion to address the security threats posed by the climate crisis. Removal of Action 21 was a non-negotiable issue. And despite our flexibility to compromise, it is vital to stress the gravity of our decision. Mr. President, before I conclude, I call on the following. To the developed nations, we say, recognize your historical responsibility for emissions and honor your obligations under the Paris Agreement. Provide the climate finance and technology transfer you have promised. Support our efforts to transition to renewable energy, to enhance our climate resilience, and to protect our biodiversity. And to those who seek to block our efforts in sourcing renewable energy resources, do not dismiss the potential of deep sea minerals outright. Do not ignore the science and the progress we have made. Instead, work with us to establish the robust regulations necessary for responsible mining. In line with this year’s theme, we must accelerate our efforts without delay, because the climate crisis will not wait for us to get our acts together. To our fellow developing nations, we extend our hand in solidarity. Let us share knowledge, resources, and solutions. Let us amplify our collective voice, for in unity there is strength. And to the United Nations, we call upon you to fulfill your founding promise. Be a bastion of multilateralism, the resolute champion of the vulnerable, and the bold catalyst for the transformative change our world so desperately needs. Mr. President, I conclude my remarks by reminding us that leaving no one behind is not a mere platitude. It is a moral imperative. It is a call to action. A reminder that our fates are intertwined, and the advancement of all hinges on the advancement of the least among us. This is the vision enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and this is the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals. Nauru may be small in size, but our resolve is immense. We will continue to fight for our homeland and our future generations. Let us act together with urgency, with ambition, and with the conviction that a better world is possible. May God bless the Republic of Nauru. May God bless the United Nations. Mata bakar. I thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President and Head of State of the Republic of Nauru. We shall now continue for general debate. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I request the protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Kashim Shettima – Nigeria: Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegations, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. President, As you assume the leadership of this august Assembly, our world is confronted by profound moral questions that will require more than the habitual remarks from this elevated podium to resolve. These are questions about the ultimate purpose of our organization, the United Nations itself, and how it can remain relevant and resilient. It is with this sentiment that I convey to you the warm and personal greetings of my countrymen and women, and to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of this Assembly. Let me assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation in discharging your honorary responsibilities during your tenure. In the same vein, I wish to extend my appreciation to your predecessor, His Excellency Dennis Francis, for the many remarkable achievements recorded during his stewardship. It gives me particular pleasure to commend His Excellency Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his commitment to the cause of peace and development and the democratization of the United Nations to reflect the need to correct the historic injustices that have been done to Africa. I am also delighted to note the steadfast support given to the Secretary-General by our own sister and compatriot, Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, while sharing the burden of leadership and responsibility in leading a complex organization like the United Nations. Mr. President, the theme of this year’s General Assembly leaves us in no doubt that there is still work to be done to bridge the gap between the aspirations and the realities confronting our world today. It also underscores the need to remind ourselves that the United Nations stands for inclusiveness, anchored on the tripod of peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Today, these pillars of our organization are threatened. They risk being broken by the relentless pursuit of individual national priorities. rather than the collectiveness of the nations that are assembled here today. Wild commitment to multilateralism offers us the surest guarantee of global action to address the existential challenges we face, singularity and nationalism, undermining the aspirations towards the peaceful and collective resolution of such challenges. From last year’s summit, and indeed from previous years, we have carried over the numerous challenges of terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racial discrimination, human rights abuses, food crisis, hunger, irregular migration, piracy, global pandemics, hyperinflation, nuclear proliferation, grinding debt burden, climate change, and a host of other vexations. The continued manifestations of these challenges testify to our failings rather than to any lofty achievements on our part. Billions of dollars have been committed to the prosecution of wars and the panning of the embers of conflict. Yet we always recoil from bringing out the resources we need to build peace and to deliver life’s necessities to people. The question of governance is at the heart of our problems and also the solution to them. We recognize this in Nigeria when on 12 June this year we celebrated a quarter of a century of unbroken democratic rule. We are no less proud of this achievement than the fact that during the last two decades a sustained process of democratization has swept over Africa. However, the return of unconstitutional changes of government and forceful military takeovers in some countries of the Sahel underscore the fragility of democracy when it is not backed by economic development. and sustain peace and security. It is this fragility, rather than the milestone that democratic governance has achieved in Africa, that should matter most in our deliberations at this and other high-level segments of the 79th session of the General Assembly. While we abhor all possible changes of government, we can also recognize the impatience in cities and villages as the sometimes slow and grinding turn of the wheel of democracy. Our people need employment. They need decent livelihoods. They desire good and affordable education and health care for their children and families. They need to live in healthy, safe, and secure environments. They need hope, and they need opportunity. They desire to live in peace and tranquility, to pursue whatever gives them happiness and contentment. When governments fail to deliver, the people are bound to question the utility of democracy and other ideals like rule of law. The global debt burden undermines the capacity of countries and governments to meet the needs of their citizens. Creeping trade barriers and protectionist policies are destroying the hopes for prosperity of peoples and nations. Unbridled competition, rather than cooperation, is discouraging incentives, driving our investment. Above all, insecurity is driving people into unprecedented hardship and misery that in turn affect the people’s confidence in democracy. It is the duty of the international community to bring back confidence in democratic rule and constitutional order by paying more attention to the needs and aspirations of the people, rather than paying lip service to human rights, sustainable development, and peace. We need the sustenance of democracy, not just the poem. We cannot build durable societies with the trace of the past. terrorism, banditry, and insurgency growing in our countries and regions. Indeed, violent extremism remains an existential threat to both national and international peace, security, and development. We are making concerted efforts to contain and roll back this threat. The High-Level African Counterterrorism Meeting hosted by Nigeria in April 2024 and its outcome, the Abuja Declaration, promises to provide solutions to the challenges presented by terrorists and insurgents. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Climate change is a driver of insecurity, which also poses a veritable challenge to sustainable development. A few weeks ago, large areas of my country were inundated by seasonal floodwaters, including one of our largest cities, Maiduguri, in the northeast. Other parts of Nigeria also experienced similar tragedies, occasioning the loss of lives and property. We need not remind ourselves to remain faithful to the implementation of the commitments that we all gave voluntarily at the various COP meetings. Failure to do so is merely to postpone the inevitable. No country is immune from the effects of climate change. It is better that we cooperate and collaborate to meet this ever-increasing challenge rather than remaining in our shells, waiting for the inevitable to happen. A common challenge requires a common solution. Nigeria stands ready to meet our obligations in terms of mitigation and adaptation measures nationally and regionally, with the active participation of other countries and international partners. Mr. President, conflict resolution is the main reason why the UN exists, but the task of prevention becomes all the more difficult when conflict begins. becomes normalized, when even the condemnation of violence and civilian casualties and calls for a ceasefire are somehow regarded as controversial. As we emphasize, as the Abuja high-level ministerial meeting, we must renew our focus on conflict prevention. Indeed, addressing the root causes of conflicts is often the first step towards providing long-term solutions. Clearly, some of the root causes of conflicts are social in nature, including poverty, hunger, ignorance, inequality, and exclusion, as well as other forms of injustice. In the Sudan, other parts of our continent have further appealed. Foreign actors are exacerbating these tensions to prolong conflict and deepen the suffering of innocent people. Today, we are all witnesses to the heart-wrenching situation in Gaza and other Palestinian territories. We cannot discuss war and peace, conflicts and resolution, or humanitarian imperatives today without reflecting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been raging since 7 August last year. Of course, the conflict prevails this period and has been simmering for a better part of half a century. What this tells us is that the international community has failed to live up to the spirit and aspirations of the United Nations to rid the world of inequality, violence, and domination of one people by another. Justice is antithetical to revenge. Freedom is an inalienable right and a natural entitlement that cannot be denied to any people. The Palestinian people deserve their independence. They deserve to have a home of their own in territories already recognized by this very assembly and by international law, which is being routinely ignored. Nigeria continues to urge efforts to bring back on track the two-state solution. that offers the prospect for a new beginning for the region. Nigeria reaffirms to support the United Nations peacekeeping operations. We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies to meet the multiple challenges we face. Consequently, we reiterate the call for international support to operationalize the African standby post in addition to the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take-up, and effectiveness of a center of excellence on issues of counterterrorism in Africa. Mr. President, reform of the Security Council is critical if the UN is to strengthen its relevance and credibility in our rapidly changing world. Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging and tentative indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge an acceleration in momentum to the process. The Security Council should be expanded in the permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary General Guterres in this regard. Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council. Our continent deserves a place in the permanent member category of the Security Council with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members. Mr. President, your assumption of the stewardship of the General Assembly presupposes that it will be seized with the progress of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We note that most developing countries are significantly lagging behind in the achievement of these goals, largely due to a lack of resources available to finance their implementation and the burden of unsustainable access. It is our expectation that the adoption of the pact of the future, for the future, will change the narrative, reposition economies, and translate into concrete measures that provide solutions to the challenges faced by developing and least-developed countries. This is particularly significant in our region and the Sahel, where human development indices are low and decreasing. It is for this reason that we reiterate the call by countries, especially of the Global South, for reform of the international financial architecture and promotion of a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, and transparent multilateral trading system. We are aware of the debilitating impacts of corruption on global prosperity and national progress. Processes of corruption and illicit financial flows constitute a huge chunk of resources needed for sustainable development. The recovery and return of such funds to states of origin is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Therefore, the international community must promote practical measures to strengthen international cooperation, to recover and return stolen assets, and to eradicate safe havens that facilitate illicit flows of funds from developing countries to developed economies. There is also the urgent need to promote fair and inclusive tax regimes in the world. Nigeria helped introduce the Resolution on Promotion of Inclusive and Effective International Tax Cooperation at the UN. We acknowledge the progress made in the adoption of the Terms of Reference of the UN Primal Convention on Tax Cooperation. We should deepen this initiative and work towards a UN Primal Convention on Tax Cooperation. Similarly, we must ensure that any reform the international financial system includes comprehensive debt relief measures to enable sustainable financing for development. Countries of the global south cannot make meaningful economic progress without special concessions and a review of their current debt burden. The present administration pays due regard to the imperatives of creating a conducive national environment for investment and the ease of doing business. Last year, President Bola Ahmetinebu signed four executive orders to curb double taxation. The government also established the Presidential Task Force on Review of Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform. These measures are geared towards not only boosting investor confidence in Nigeria, but also to ensure investors make reasonable profit from their investments. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while the world is transitioning into the fourth industrial revolution, Africa remains energy deficient. The push for the accelerated implementation of SDG 7, affordable and clean energy, therefore, must take into account Africa’s precarious situation. Nigeria believes that natural gas remains central to the search for solutions to the energy challenges that Africa and the international community face. Access to affordable, reliable, cleaner sources of energy is more than an environmental or developmental issue. It is a key factor in social peace and international security. Mr. President, Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to SDG 13, climate action, including the net zero ambition and transition from fossil fuel energy to clean energy. As a demonstration of this commitment, the government established the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economy Solutions and appointed a special presidential envoy on climate action. We will redouble our efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, including the urgent need to transition from fossil fuel energy. Yet such commitments must be juxtaposed with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the relevant provisions of the Paris Climate Agreement back in 2015. The Paris Agreement provided for developed countries to take the lead in the quest to achieve net zero and to offer support, including finance, to developing countries for the actualization of the climate change goal. Worthy of note is the loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries secured at COP 27 in Egypt and expanded in COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates. It is our expectation that this year’s 79th session of the UN General Assembly and the upcoming COP 29 in Azerbaijan this November will go a step further by providing developing countries, especially African countries, with access to the loss and damage funds, including the $100 billion pledged by developed countries to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. In this age of digital innovation, we must address the emerging divide between the global south and the global north, which, with the evolution of artificial intelligence, risks becoming wider still. The UN should work towards eliminating barriers to digital economy in Africa, such as high costs of Internet services and intellectual property rights. More so, there is a need to work towards common goal global standards to regulate cryptocurrency trading platforms. This is the most effective way to provide confidence in these markets and limit the potential for instability. Our own experience in Nigeria. as in other countries, shows that new technologies, when not properly regulated, can facilitate organized crime, violent extremism, and human trafficking. In our own case, the trading of cryptocurrency helped fuel speculation and undermined macroeconomic reforms. Separately, we have also witnessed, in rich and poor countries alike, the corrosive impact of unfiltered hate speech and fake news across social media. There is much more that we could and should do, together, to strengthen those guardrails that will help release the most progressive elements of the new technologies shaping our world and curb those more destructive tendencies. Mr. President, we are particularly mindful of the imperatives of achieving the advancement of youth and women as a factor in national development, peace, and security. Nigeria has developed its own national action plan on women and security, as well as a national action plan on youth, peace, and security, to ensure the participation of both women and youth in the peace and security sector. The Summit of the Future cannot be deemed successful without setting clear, ambitious, and achievable developmental goals to address the various challenges facing our youth. In line with this aspiration, the Nigerian government will continue to invest in Nigerian youth through initiatives like the revitalization of the National Youth Investment Fund for 2024, focused on youth employment and entrepreneurship. Mr. President, as much as the global family still grapples with the crippling consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greatest lesson that we have learned is never again to take any health situation with liberty. In line with SDG 3, we must continue to work together to ensure good health and and well-being of all. There is no disease that should be relegated to the background due to some perceived classification of their seriousness or importance. Mr. President, migration is a complex and polarizing issue that impacts on rich and poor countries alike. Nigeria is a country of origin, transit, and destination. We are a major stakeholder in the global migration dynamic and understand the challenges and benefits it brings. Accordingly, I wish to reiterate our support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, GCM. The GCM, which all of us shall continue to support, represents our collective efforts at providing major safeguards for the treatment of migrants. Mr. President, I will conclude by reaffirming Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the deepening of multilateralism. Just as we did 65 years ago on this podium when we joined the United Nations as the 99th member state, we remain committed to that desire to remain friendly with all nations and participate actively in the works of the United Nations, as expressed by our Pounding Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tapau Beliwa. It is my hope that our deliberations this year will result in solutions that will address our collective challenges and accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the advancement of peace and human dignity for the sake of present and future generations. I thank you all.
Vice President: will hear an address by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. I request protocol to escort His Royal Highness and invite him to address the Assembly.
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Bahrain: In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Your Excellency, Mr. President of the General Assembly, Your Excellency, Secretary General Guterres, It is my honor to be here today and to convey to you the greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. And I would like to begin by offering my congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your election as President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly. I wish you every success in guiding this important work. I also extend my deep appreciation to His Excellency the Secretary General for his tireless efforts in advancing the noble objectives of this organization across the globe. Mr. President, eight decades ago, at the dawn of the nuclear age, humanity found itself engulfed in a devastating war, fraught with peril and uncertainty. The world was in desperate need of order and a system of accountability and governance. The United Nations was created to become a pillar of stability, a vital institution the world relied on to prevent unspeakable atrocities. priorities from ever happening again. Whether through the formation and application of international law, the promotion of diplomatic consensus, the investment in development programs, or the deployment of peacekeeping missions, the United Nations and its specialized agencies have together stood firm to reflect the spirit of global civic responsibility. The number of world leaders participating in this year’s General Assembly is a testament to that enduring spirit. Nineteen years ago, I had the honor of standing here and addressing this historic hall, where I touched on the pressing challenges confronting our world at the time â poverty, famine, deadly infectious diseases, civil wars, and weapons of mass destruction. These global challenges not only persist, but have intensified. We find ourselves in a far more dangerous and unpredictable time due to major tectonic shifts in the global geopolitical order. In addition, revolutionary new technologies have emerged that will fundamentally reshape the world as we know it. Environmental and health challenges that know no borders have also multiplied and grown in complexity, requiring us all to work together, regardless of our differences. Mr. President, the very systems designed to uphold the international order are under strain. Eighty years after its formation, as the threats and challenges we collectively face evolve, this important institution, which our global community relies on to safeguard the international rules-based order, must evolve as well. Today, we support the calls for reform of the United Nations to ensure that it reflects current geopolitical realities, so that it is equipped to continue carrying out its important global mandate for decades to come. This reform should be holistic, consensus-driven, and encompass all the decision-making bodies of the United Nations, including the UN Security Council. The peace dividend that followed the end of the Cold War is now a distant memory. Today, we stand on the precipice of a new era, with new challenges. And we must recommit to peace as the bedrock on which we build collective prosperity and enduring hope for all. For as we all know, it is far easier to destroy than it is to build. Today, we see governments disregarding the established rules-based order, as they pursue policies rooted exclusively in self-interest. We see a preference for brinksmanship and the use of questionably legal force to resolve disputes. We see the rise of radicalism, extremism, and rogue non-state actors sowing chaos and discord. In Gaza, we see Palestinians living through an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, with over 40,000 people killed. Many of them women and children. The protection of innocent life is enshrined in international law and a moral and religious responsibility. It is clear what is required is the implementation of an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the adoption of an irrevocable path to the creation of a viable, independent Palestinian state. And it must happen now. This will achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace, deliver the security and prosperity to all nations in our region. region and prevent the spread of a wider regional conflict. In the West, we witness widespread suffering as the intractable conflict in Ukraine persists. In the East, we see tensions continuing to rise in the South China Sea, raising grave concerns of wider military escalation and the further erosion of the integrity of the international rules-based order. The tolls of these conflicts are borne by humanity, by families, by communities, and by our future generations. These conflicts undermine growth, stifle opportunity, and endanger the hopes we hold for our children. Mr. President, the Kingdom of Bahrain has long been a vocal advocate of pluralism and multiculturalism. It’s who we are. In August of this year, and in line with His Majesty King Hamad’s vision that mutual respect for our shared humanity is essential for sustaining global harmony, Bahrain launched the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence. His Majesty the King has also called on the international community to convene an international peace conference on the Middle East. As current holder of the Arab League presidency, the Kingdom of Bahrain urges all nations to join us in this vital initiative, which seeks to strengthen efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail. Indiscriminate violence, conflict, and fragmentation will only drive us further from this noble goal. Mr. President, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, we have committed ourselves to ensuring that our citizens are at the core of all our national development programs. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that they are equipped with the skills necessary to deliver prosperity and growth. to themselves and their community. As we look to the future, we will spare no effort to provide our citizens with opportunities to connect with the wider world, to compete, innovate, and succeed. We prioritized the issues that unite us all â housing, health care, education, and delivering jobs and prosperity. We focused our government ministries and agencies on a set of priorities, reached out to the private sector, civil society, and wove together a spirit of one team focused on delivering those programs. Mr. President, today’s world is, in many ways, more fragile than the one that had emerged from World War II. This is because the global challenges today go beyond geopolitical conflict. We are seeing the devastating impacts of unsustainable development on the world’s environment. As a result of conflicts and fragmentation, we have seen a rise and return of global hunger. We have also witnessed firsthand the alarming effects of diseases such as COVID-19, which showed how quickly the global order can be disrupted. These crises must not be treated in isolation. They are interconnected, and they represent a systemic threat to humanity. It is imperative that like-minded countries come together with the objective of revitalizing, adapting, and renewing our institutions to effectively address today’s significant challenges and to effectively deliver on the ambitious commitments set by the United Nations SDGs and the recently adopted Pact for the Future. This can only be achieved through a system-wide reform that encompasses pivotal multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Health Organization, as well as the United Nations. The International Rules-Based Order is not sustained by hopes or dreams. It is the product of robust international institutions and security constructs that are fit for purpose. Mr. President, as a member state of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Kingdom of Bahrain has always been committed to the path of multilateralism. We hold firmly to the belief that working alongside allies and in accordance with the rules of international law is the surest way of guaranteeing our long-term prosperity. This is also why, in 2023, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America concluded a historic agreement to forge a new model for security and shared prosperity. The Comprehensive Security and Integration and Prosperity Agreement is designed not as a bilateral arrangement, but as the beginning of a multilateral framework that aims to bring together countries with an equal interest in delivering stability and prosperity. It is a model for how nations can promote an inclusive vision grounded in mutual respect and shared goals. Partnerships such as these can go beyond the geopolitical dimension and enter the world of emerging technologies as well. Through meaningful international collaboration, we can harness the transformative potential of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to advance shared goals of global development, peace, prosperity. Doing so will require a united global front, though, and today we call for an international treaty governing the development of artificial intelligence to ensure that these technologies contribute to peace rather than exacerbate existing conflicts and that they become forces for creation and innovation, not destruction and division. The Kingdom of Bahrain believes that engaging in wide-ranging partnerships such as these will be crucial to advancing the cause of multilateralism and ensuring that cooperation becomes a cornerstone of our collective security frameworks. Through such agreements, we are confident that the Middle East and the global community can build a future rooted in peace, economic growth, and a rules-based international order that benefits all people. Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates, The challenges we face today are not insurmountable if we act with a collective will and the determination to define a revitalized international architecture built on shared values and a renewed commitment to multilateralism that prioritizes the well-being of all nations. Some issues are just too important not to rise above our differences. Let us together reaffirm our shared responsibility to uphold and protect human dignity and ensure that the international order remains a force for good. We owe this to future generations, to the values we cherish, and to the world we seek to protect. Learning to live together is indeed the noblest of endeavors. Thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Assembly will hear and address by Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy. I request Protocol to escort Her Excellency and invite her to address the Assembly.
Giorgia Meloni – Italy: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen. The times we are living are very complex, and the common characteristics of the challenges of these times force us to think about things in a completely different way. The wound caused to the international framework founded on rules from the war of aggression of Russia on Ukraine is indeed having destabilizing effects well beyond the borders within which it is unfolding. And like a domino, it is contributing to reigniting or causing to explode other flashpoints of crisis. Geoeconomic political systems are facing unprecedented dangers. Geoeconomic fragmentation is growing, bearing down consequences we must all deal with, especially the more fragile nations. The path toward a reduction in environmental emissions is at a crossroad in between ideological approaches and scarce solidarity, especially from the major emitters of greenhouse gases. The scarcity of water and energy have an ever deeper impact on development, on food security and the social stability of entire communities. The instrumental use of religious faith has become a source of tensions or worse, of persecution. There are hundreds of millions of people throughout the world that suffer due to their profession of faith. And at the top, as victims, there are Christians. We are witnessing the groundbreaking advent of generative artificial intelligence, a revolution that brings us to ask questions we could never imagine, although I’m not certain. It is correct to call it intelligence, because the intelligent being is the one who asks the questions, not the one to give answers through data processing. Either way, it’s a technology that, unlike all the innovations we’ve seen through the course of history, sets a blueprint for a world in which progress is no longer meant to optimize human capacities, but to replace them with consequences that risk being dramatic, especially in the labor market, verticalizing and concentrating wealth even more. It is not by chance that Italy wanted this to be at the top of its agenda of its G7 presidency, because we want to do our part in defining a global governance for artificial intelligence capable of reconciling innovation, rights, labor, intellectual property, freedom of expression, democracy. This complexity, compounded by profoundly interconnected challenges, tells us first and foremost one thing â the problems of the global south are also the problems of the global north, and vice versa. There are no longer homogeneous blocks, and the interdependence of our destinies is a fact. For this reason, we are called to think differently from the past. The challenge is to make a firm paradigm shift in our relations among nations and in the functioning of multilateral organisms. The goal is to build a model of cooperation that is completely new. I personally believe that this new model can and must be based on a few, unfortunately not granted, principles â that is, mutual respect, fellowship, and concreteness. It means to have a report with one another on an equal footing, to recover that ability to listen to others, to understand their thinking, which is the basis for any form of mutual trust. Precisely because we believe in this approach, Italy set all of its events for its year holding the G7 Presidency in an open format, with a very broad outreach involving all continents â the G20, the African Union, the financial and economic institutions, and the multilateral development banks. We have shown that the G7 is not an armored fortress that wants to fend off anyone, rather an offering of values open to the world. I think of the turning point Italy has reached in its relations with Africa. We have made operative at the bilateral level our Investment Plan for Africa, the MATE plan, with pilot projects in nine African countries, creating strategic partnerships with each. We structured operative synergies with the European Union’s Global Gateway and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment of the G7. We built new financial instruments with the African Bank for Development and the World Bank to allow for flow of public and private resources. We devised innovative solutions such as the Apulia Food Security Initiative to strengthen food production and food security, and the Energy for Growth in Africa to support the production and distribution of clean energy. We have decided to support strategic projects for Africa, such as the Lobito Corridor. We have done all of this without ever ceasing to involve and exchange inputs with our African interlocutors. We intend not to impose, but to share. And together, choose priorities, sectors of intervention, areas of action where we could be an added value. We offered our perspective and our cooperation with projects that are already giving results. In Algeria, we will render fertile 36,000 hectares of desert land. land for crop cultivation and build a local facility for processing and production. In Kenya, with the development of a biofuel plant that will be completed by the end of 2025 and will sustain up to 200,000 small farming enterprises. In Ethiopia, with a large environmental recovery plan on the area of the Boy Lake in the west of the country. And I want to reiterate this once again, our objective before tens of thousands of people who face desperate journeys to enter Europe illegally is to first guarantee their right to not have to emigrate and to not have to cut their ties with their homeland simply because they have no other choice. It’s a desperation on which reckless criminal organizations that are more and more powerful and ramified profit. I proposed a year ago from this podium to declare a global war against human traffickers, and I am happy to see that that appeal did not fall on deaf ears. First, in the G7, we found an agreement that gave life to an agreement coordination to dismantle criminal networks. The United Nations must do more, however, because these criminal organizations are reproposing themselves under other forms. For example, slavery, understood as the commercialization of the human being, that this assembly in other times had a fundamental role in ridding the world of this definitively. We are not turning back to the past. Defeating the slave trade of the third millennium is possible, and we can do so if we join forces with greater cooperation and joint initiatives among our police forces, intelligence services, judicial authorities, and adopting the formula, follow the money. This was an intuition of great Italian judges, Giovanni⦠Falcone, and Paolo Borsellino, that became a model even at the international level to combat criminal organizations. It is a method that Italy intends to use to strengthen its cooperation with Latin America, because there’s a common denominator that ties organizations that profit on human trafficking in Africa and those who manage narco-trafficking in Latin America, or the abominable act of abducting children to render them sex slaves of rich men, depriving them of their present and their future. In America Latina, where unfortunately, as it happens in other regions of the world, it’s legitimate aspirations of freedom and democracy that of tens of millions of people continue to be unfulfilled. Thinking in particular of the Venezuelan people, to which we give our full solidarity and support. The international community cannot just stand there and watch. Already after two months since the elections on the 28th of July, the election results have not been recognized. And at the same time, there’s been a brutal repression, the death of tens of protesters, the arbitrary arrest of thousands of political opponents, the incrimination and banishing of the presidential candidate of the opposition. It is our duty to raise our voices. Dear friends, in 2025, we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, the charter that enshrines the principles and values that at this time have been put into question by none other than a permanent member of the Security Council, but whose defense we will not back down. Because these are principles and values that are made for all as a guarantee, especially countries that are less equipped to defend themselves. No one is above the law, but this is needed even more to defend the more vulnerable. And for this reason, we cannot turn our backs. in front of the right of Ukraine to defend its borders, its sovereignty, its freedom. As we affirm the right of the State of Israel to defend itself from external attacks like the attack of the 7th of October, at the same time we ask Israel to respect international law protecting civilian populations, it too a victim of Hamas and of its destructive choices. And following the same reasoning, we believe obviously in the right of the Palestinian people to their own state. But for this to happen, we need Palestinians to entrust it to a leadership that is inspired by dialogue, by stabilizing the Middle East, and autonomy. The Abraham Accords have shown the possibility of an advantageous coexistence and cooperation on the basis of mutual recognition. If this is the basis on which we all have to work, and it is, today the imperative is to reach without further delay a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of Israeli hostages. We cannot witness any longer tragedies like we’ve seen in these days in the south and east of Lebanon with the involvement of helpless civilians, many of which children. That said, the anniversary next year gives us a historic opportunity to be finally aware, whether we like it or not, that the problems that we have involve all of us. And we must be able to question ourselves with humility and awareness. And this imposes also a serious reflection about multilateralism on the capacity of international organizations to be up to task in this era to the challenges that we are facing. I’m talking about the United Nations and its capacity to reform, starting with what is useful and necessary, and not from what is easier. Italy firmly believes that whatever reform of the architecture and the functioning of the United Nations, starting with the Security Council, cannot go without considering the principles of equality, democracy, and representativeness. It would be a mistake to create new hierarchies with new permanent seats. We are open to discuss the reform without prejudice, but we want a reform that serves to represent everyone better, not to represent better only a few. Colleagues, delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a difficult time, the one we have been called in to govern our nations. Around this, we see all changes, everything is put into question, the very few certainties we thought we had are no longer the same. Destiny is challenging us, but in the end, it is doing that to put us to the test. In the storm, we can show to be up to task in the work that we have to do. We can show citizens that we govern and show our children. We can show ourselves, probably ourselves even more importantly, as a great Italian patriot Carlo Pisacano, the protagonist of the Risorgimento, said, compensation, every compensation will be found at the bottom of my conscience. We have to face problems instead of push them and kicking the can down, to look at what is important, what is useful. This is our duty. It’s hard. It’s a hard task, but it’s necessary, and Italy, as always, is ready to do its part. Thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Aziz Akhannouchj, head of government of the Kingdom of Morocco. I request protocol. called to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly.
Aziz Akhannouch – Morocco: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, President of the Assembly, General, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to begin by congratulating Mr. Philemon Yang upon his election to the helm of the 79th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. I wish him every success in his mandate. I also wish to thank your predecessor, Mr. Dennis Francis, for his efforts at the head of the previous session. I should like to take this opportunity to affirm the total support of the Kingdom of Morocco to the initiatives and the efforts of Mr. Guterres to allow our organization to tackle global challenges and, in particular, his initiatives on the summit of the future. Mr. President, every year we come together here and we face rapid, complex developments in the international context which we discuss. This transformation is fast. We have seen technological advances which have been very significant, especially in artificial intelligence. Of course, this aligns with the… needs of our societies and the challenges that we face. The sense of collective security with regard to the very creation of the United Nations has given way to uncertainty now in many areas. These include the challenges that have to do with consumption, production, governance, and the very structure of our societies. This is what King Mohammed VI said, may God assist him, in the meeting of the World Bank and the IMF in Marrakesh. He said that the United Nations should be the center of the world. I have quoted the gist of what he said. Our planet faces climate change, which has imposed a new reality. In this context, data has shown that the problems that we are confronting should be overcome by a new reality. And through multilateral organizations, those organizations that were created in the wake of World War II. What we’re asking ourselves today is, has multilateralism run up against its limits today? Do we need to choose between multilateral action and the values and the principles that bring us together? The ideals? Our ideals? Mr. President, the diplomatic doctrine of the Kingdom of Morocco is multilateral at its core. in its core. We focus on the ambition, clarity, and realism. We do this in order to achieve cooperation with our historic partners, a partnership that allows us to set up the necessary framework on the basis of effective solidarity and the sharing of experience. The goal of this being to tackle security and development challenges at the same time. The Kingdom of Morocco does not look for any short-term political opportunism. However, given our sense of realism, we need to travel the same path in order to confront the same challenges and the same threats. Now, it is not possible today to focus only on the failures of Morocco, but it is possible to focus only on the successes of Morocco, and to focus only on the failures of multilateral action. Now, it is not possible today to focus only on the failures of multilateral action. We also cannot content ourselves with merely declaring good intentions. We need new momentum. We need new reform to which all segments, all strata of society, including women and young people, can contribute. In the wake of the summit of the future, we need to bring on board all of these groups in order to implement a comprehensive multilateral program. This is what developing countries need, including what they need for us to bring our experience to bear in the future. for their benefit. Climate change, Mr. President, is among the greatest challenges that our planet faces. This is why there is a need to support the states of Africa. These states are most affected by the results and the consequences of climate change, while these states are very minor contributors to pollution, which causes climate change. We also need to be aware of the problem of debt. We need to take into consideration the constraints imposed on African states when it comes to climate change adaptation. This is why we call for the creation of financing mechanisms that are important for the development of climate change. We need to create financing mechanisms that are innovative in order to allow for a resolution of debt crises. We also need to reform the international financial architecture in order to help developing countries achieve financing that allows for their economies to recover. These countries should also contribute to multilateral development banks, and these institutions must become more democratic in order to address debt crises more effectively. Indeed, such crises have a major impact on African countries’ economies. This is why the Kingdom of Morocco, which chairs the group of middle-income countries, reiterates its call for multilateral actions to be taken, actions aiming to preserve the economic momentum that has been accumulated by these countries. Mr. President, in keeping with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, Morocco calls for pragmatic, realistic multilateralism to serve the needs of the African continent. effective mechanisms as regards decision-making. This is the approach of the Kingdom of Morocco, and this is why the government of Morocco has applied this approach in various areas. These areas include climate change and combating terrorism, inter alia. We work to implement social justice through structural workshops, which we have provided major resources to. Millions of people can benefit from direct social aid through this push. Mr. President, Morocco has turned toward the Atlantic. This is why we want to make the Sahel region an economically integrated area, a truly continental region. This is why King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, has worked to bolster collaboration between African countries through the Atlantic initiative for the Sahel. This initiative is in keeping with the cooperation between countries of the South and aims to show solidarity to make the Atlantic and African area an area of peace and prosperity. peace, stability, and development. Furthermore, His Majesty launched an ambitious initiative, an initiative that aims to facilitate the access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic, buoyed by the conviction that these countries have the right to participate in the global economy. This initiative is a pillar for development, peace, and prosperity in this part of the African continent. Furthermore, building on this same solidarity, we have created, we have worked to create, an agreement linking Nigeria and Morocco in order to ensure regional economic integration to promote the development of the Atlantic coast with 13 African states. The wisdom of our leaders and innovation that has been shown by our young people has allowed us to move forward, and we need further international solidarity in order to tackle all the challenges that we face. The Kingdom of Morocco is staunchly committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We have thus been working in order to achieve a peaceful solution to the issue of Moroccan Sahara, and this on the basis of the Morocco Autonomy Initiative in the context of Moroccan sovereignty, which will allow for the development of this region. Indeed, we are committed to the support from many countries to this Autonomy Plan. That sends a clear message to the states and to the United Nations. Indeed, it is time to act. It is time to take action. It is time to put in place a political solution on this basis through the various roundtables that have been organized, and in keeping with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council as well. We support the efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations and those of his special envoy to relaunch the political roundtables with the participation of the four parties concerned in order to achieve a realistic, sustainable political solution based on consensus and based on the relevant Security Council resolution. His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, has told the Secretary General that there can be no political process outside of these roundtables. The parameters of these roundtables have been set out by the United Nations, with comprehensive participation by Algeria as well. No solution other than this Morocco autonomy plan can happen, and no political process without a ceasefire of the armed militias is possible. This was recalled by the members of the Security Council as well. Thus the lived reality in Moroccan Sahara is reflected in unprecedented development in Morocco through the projects we put in place through our new development plan for the provinces of the south. This region has benefited from comprehensive assistance through people that are democratically elected through local councils at all levels. levels and at all areas of decision, of political decision-making. So this has contributed to the political, social, and economic life of Morocco. This shows the territory integrity of Moroccan Sahara and the fact that it belongs to Morocco. Mr. President, His Majesty King Mohammed VI may God assist him during his statement at the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne recalled the tragedy lived by the Palestinian people, which is a brotherly people. So we join various other Muslim and Arab countries in expressing our extreme concern at the serious situation that is affecting the occupied Palestinian territory. Since the end of 2023, millions of civilians, millions of victims, mainly civilians, women and children, have fallen victim to this aggression against Gaza, which is a blatant violation of international law and of all human values. His Majesty King Mohammed VI called for setting aside the logic of crisis management to arrange for a sustainable solution that can put an end to the war in Gaza. This is an absolute priority. At the same time, we need a new political horizon, a horizon that allows us to reach a fair, lasting peace in the region. Second, the negotiation of a peace process between the Palestinian parties and the Israeli parties requires combating the extremist tendencies on both sides. Thirdly, the stability of the region is linked with the two-state solution. In the context of this solution, Gaza must be an integral part of Palestinian territory, a Palestinian state that must have East Jerusalem as its capital. In this regard, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as a chair of the Al-Quds Committee in the Islamic Organization for Cooperation, called for the delivery of food and medical aid to our brothers in Gaza. The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its profound concern as regards the recent developments in the Middle East. Indeed, this situation is unprecedented, and it is leading toward an extension of the regime, which could lead to consequences that are difficult to anticipate. His Majesty King Mohammed VI clarified that the lack of a political horizon in the context of the Palestinian question is one of the major, most major factors in the resolution of this conflict in the Middle East. His Majesty has repeatedly warned that there could be serious consequences due to this lack of a political horizon, and he said that this could bring about a genuine tragedy, which could have serious consequences for peace and stability in the Middle East. This could also impact international peace and security. here to express the total solidarity of the Kingdom of Morocco with the brotherly country of Lebanon, which is experiencing genuine aggression. We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. President, there are numerous global challenges that face us today. This is why we need to appeal to our collective conscience. We need to rethink our working methods. We need to rethink our fundamental values. We need to return to our fundamental values. Indeed, the United Nations has collective responsibility, which should encourage us to return to our values of humanity, the humanity that underpinned the very inception of this organization. Thus, reform is needed as we approach the 80th anniversary of the creation of our organization. The Social Summit to be held in 2025, the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda, these are all a vision and a roadmap for the work and for collective action to be done in order to avoid further delays in development. I thank you. May the peace of God be upon you.
Vice President: I wish to thank the head of government of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Alexander de Croo, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Alexander de Croo – Belgium: I request protocol to escort His Excellency and invite him to address the Assembly. As leaders from around the world flock to the UN this week, they should only have one ambition. Find a way out of the conflicts in Sudan, the Middle East, Ukraine, and all too many other places. These conflicts are close to our homes and cities, bringing war and famine and terrible tragedies to families and societies. When we take a brief look back in time, history teaches us a lesson. Just after Andrei Sakharov had developed the first Soviet hydrogen bomb in 1955, the nuclear arms race and Soviet doctrine seriously troubled him. Because he saw that human rights and human dignity were an absolute necessity, a precondition, not just for nuclear security, but for prevention of war. The fight for human rights defined him and turned him into an international advocate, culminating in the Nobel Peace Prize 20 years later. In his remarks, the Nobel Committee noted that Sakharov fought against the abuse of power and all forms of violation of human dignity. Looking at the world today, it is crucial to remember Sakharov’s legacy. Across the globe, human dignity and the rule of law are receding, and in many cases they are absent. And where the respect for human life and the promise of rule of law fades, armed conflict loom large. History might not repeat itself, but it surely rhymes. In the Middle East, decades of dehumanizing enemy has led to a vicious cycle of violence, resulting in the killing of over 40,000 people in less than a year. This man-made conflict has proven one. of the deadliest in decades. And this conflict didn’t start with the horrific terrorist attack against Israel, killing over 1,400 Israeli citizens almost a year ago. But on the 7th of October, Belgium immediately acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself, and we called for the unconditional release of all hostages. Early on in the Gaza War, my government warned against the lack of respect for international humanitarian law on both sides, and the disproportionate attack with blatant disregard for Palestinian civilian life. Almost one year later, we must suddenly acknowledge that the extremes on both sides still set the tone of this conflict. Fanatics believe that military power can end this conflict. This is a delusion. To achieve peace, we need a proper roadmap, political courage, not mere tactics to remain in power another day. We have been calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire for many months, but today it seems more distant than ever. Hostilities need to stop before the whole region becomes engulfed in violence. Action speaks louder than words. Belgium has imposed a weapons embargo. We never ceased our support to UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations. Together with the EU, we have imposed sanctions on Hamas, but also on extremist settlers and settler organizations. For every innocent life lost in Gaza, and every discovery of a dead hostage, the prospect of future peace may seem more distant than ever. Today, Gaza lies in rubble. Over 15,000 people need prosthetics because of lost limbs, 10,000 of these victims. our children. Where is human dignity in all of this? However, there is a way out. I am convinced that it starts with the recognition of the right to exist of both Israel and Palestine, based on the 1967 borders. We should all engage with Palestinian and Israeli leaders who recognize these rights, and who oppose both anti-Semitism and anti-Palestinian feelings. Only then can we start articulating a viable pathway for a two-state solution. Mr. President, dear colleagues, Vladimir Putin has been waging war in Europe for more than two years now. And there is one simple truth. He can stop the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine right now. His madness continues to have devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people. One man alone can stop the killing of thousands of civilians, can end the continuous violence against Ukrainians whose future has been put on hold. Only he can end the shelling and the bombing, the indiscriminate attacks on bridges, on roads, on energy infrastructure, on hospitals, on schools, and on people’s houses. Widespread and disturbing brutality has been established by various independent international inquiries. None of us can and should look away. Over the past year, the Belgian Ukraine Fund spent 1.7 billion euros on military equipment, humanitarian aid, and on the reconstruction of Ukraine’s hardest-hit regions. Belgium’s Development Agency is helping Ukraine’s recovery and is preparing for joining the European Union. will be battling against another cold winter soon. That is why we are winterizing energy provision in hundreds of hospitals. Over the past two years, we have often pronounced the words for as long as it takes. We do not take this promise lightly. As the Russians continue to bomb cities, Ukraine’s call for more air defense is pure self-protection. How else can they keep their citizens safe? The buildup of a strong Ukraine F-16 force is an integral part of our support. We will transfer all of our fighter jets when they leave the Belgian Air Force. The total amounts to at least 30 over the coming years. We want to help protect the people of Ukraine. The aggressor shall not win. And it is why our support for Ukraine stands strong. To all of you who aspire for peace, it will only come about when we force President Putin to stop his aggression against Ukraine. Mesdames et messieurs, ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that we are living in a polarized and deeply divided world. This observation could lead us to believe that multilateralism has failed on all fronts. That would be a mistake. A year ago, a treaty that protects biodiversity on the high seas was adopted. This collective initiative proves that it is still possible to unite to tackle the climate and environmental emergency. The global response to M-Pox and the reaction of the African CDC to the epidemic are yet another example of progress. The European Union and Belgium have have invested significantly in vaccine manufacturing and access in Africa. We require more solidarity and cooperation. And these words may seem idealistic and naive, however, we can only overcome common challenges by working together. The world over, extreme weather events are increasing. Just last week, heavy rainfall caused flooding across vast swathes of Central and Eastern Europe. Our planet, and all forms of life that live on it, face colossal challenges. Now however is not the time to despair and to scale back our ambitions. On the contrary, human ingenuity, sustainable competition and changing of deeply entrenched behaviour can mitigate the effects of climate change and help us to adapt. We have ramped up our efforts to further scale up our ambitions for the climate and for the oceans. We stand ready to work with our partners, in particular in the most vulnerable African countries by providing them with financing and by providing them capacity building. This autumn, the COP on biodiversity in Cali and the COP on the climate in Baco will be yet more key movements for the future of the populations and the planet. In all those years, talk about conflict prevention, peace building and peacekeeping has multiplied. Unfortunately, this has not stopped conflicts from becoming more numerous, deadly and enduring. The number of aid workers killed has reached record highs. Number of refugees… crises continue to rise year after year. Our common humanity seems to be in a deep crisis. Which brings me back to the lessons of Andrei Sakharov, which he taught us. Where human rights and human dignity are absent, conflicts loom large, and the most vulnerable bear the brunt. A new beginning, what the Pact for the Future calls for, and must therefore start with our recommitment to the UN Charter, to the rule of law, and to the respect for human dignity. I thank you.
Vice President: On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium. We have heard the last speaker in the General Debate for this meeting. We will continue the General Debate tomorrow at 9 o’clock a.m. in the hall. The meeting is adjourned.
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Speech speed
103 words per minute
Speech length
1325 words
Speech time
765 seconds
Condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and support Ukraine’s sovereignty
Explanation
Poland strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calls for support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The speaker emphasizes the need to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Evidence
Poland has been providing military equipment, humanitarian aid, and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Reform UN Human Rights Council
Explanation
Poland calls for reform of the UN Human Rights Council to enhance its effectiveness and credibility. The speaker emphasizes the need to ensure that the Council upholds human rights principles consistently.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Poland’s candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for 2026-2028.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Speech speed
140 words per minute
Speech length
1913 words
Speech time
815 seconds
Call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
Explanation
Italy urges for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. The speaker emphasizes the need to end the suffering of civilians and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Protect religious freedoms and combat persecution
Explanation
Italy emphasizes the importance of protecting religious freedoms and combating persecution worldwide. The speaker highlights the need to address the instrumental use of religious faith as a source of tension and persecution.
Evidence
The speaker mentions that Christians are among the top victims of religious persecution globally.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Aziz Akhannouch – Morocco
Speech speed
119 words per minute
Speech length
2039 words
Speech time
1021 seconds
Support two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
Explanation
Morocco advocates for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The speaker emphasizes the need for a fair and lasting peace in the region based on the 1967 borders.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Morocco’s role as chair of the Al-Quds Committee in the Islamic Organization for Cooperation.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Alar Karis – Estonia
Speech speed
118 words per minute
Speech length
2145 words
Speech time
1089 seconds
Reform UN Security Council to be more representative
Explanation
Estonia calls for reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative and effective. The speaker argues for expanding the Council’s composition to reflect current global realities.
Evidence
The speaker mentions the need to limit the use of veto power, especially on actions aimed at ending or preventing mass atrocities.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Agreed with
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Agreed on
Reform of the UN Security Council
Kashim Shettima – Nigeria
Speech speed
127 words per minute
Speech length
2934 words
Speech time
1377 seconds
Address root causes of conflicts through poverty reduction and development
Explanation
Nigeria emphasizes the need to address the root causes of conflicts through poverty reduction and development efforts. The speaker argues that social issues like poverty, hunger, and inequality contribute to conflicts and instability.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Nigeria’s efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and improve various social indicators.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Address debt burdens of developing countries
Explanation
Nigeria calls for addressing the debt burdens of developing countries to support their economic growth and development. The speaker emphasizes the need for debt relief measures and reform of the international financial system.
Evidence
The speaker mentions the negative impact of debt burdens on countries’ ability to meet the needs of their citizens.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Bahrain
Speech speed
130 words per minute
Speech length
1652 words
Speech time
759 seconds
Strengthen multilateralism to address global security challenges
Explanation
Bahrain calls for strengthening multilateralism to address global security challenges effectively. The speaker emphasizes the need for international cooperation and coordination to tackle complex issues.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Bahrain’s commitment to multilateralism through its membership in various international organizations.
Major Discussion Point
International Peace and Security
Disagreed with
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Disagreed on
Approach to addressing global security challenges
Harness artificial intelligence and new technologies responsibly
Explanation
Bahrain emphasizes the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence and new technologies responsibly. The speaker calls for international cooperation to develop governance frameworks for AI that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Bahrain’s focus on AI governance during its G7 presidency.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani – Mauritania
Speech speed
123 words per minute
Speech length
1656 words
Speech time
804 seconds
Implement 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals
Explanation
Mauritania emphasizes the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. The speaker highlights Mauritania’s efforts to improve various SDG indicators and integrate them into national policies.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Mauritania’s improved ranking in the UN Report on Sustainable Development 2024.
Major Discussion Point
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Speech speed
137 words per minute
Speech length
1558 words
Speech time
681 seconds
Address climate change impacts on small island developing states
Explanation
Nauru calls for addressing the impacts of climate change on small island developing states. The speaker emphasizes the vulnerability of these nations to rising sea levels and other climate-related threats.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Nauru’s Higher Ground Project as an adaptation initiative to reclaim land and strengthen infrastructure.
Major Discussion Point
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Agreed with
Lam To – Viet Nam
Alexander de Croo – Belgium
Agreed on
Addressing climate change and supporting developing countries
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Speech speed
138 words per minute
Speech length
2915 words
Speech time
1258 seconds
Reform international financial architecture to support developing countries
Explanation
Paraguay calls for reforming the international financial architecture to better support developing countries. The speaker emphasizes the need for more equitable and inclusive global financial systems.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Paraguay’s role as chair of the group of middle-income countries in advocating for these reforms.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Disagreed with
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Disagreed on
Economic development and international financial systems
Promote fair trade and economic integration
Explanation
Paraguay emphasizes the importance of promoting fair trade and economic integration. The speaker calls for removing barriers to trade and fostering regional cooperation.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Paraguay’s involvement in MERCOSUR and efforts to strengthen regional integration in South America.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Lam To – Viet Nam
Speech speed
125 words per minute
Speech length
612 words
Speech time
291 seconds
Transition to renewable energy and green economy
Explanation
Vietnam emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable energy and a green economy. The speaker highlights Vietnam’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the share of renewable energy.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Vietnam’s target to reduce carbon emissions by 11% and increase renewable energy share to 50% by 2030.
Major Discussion Point
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Agreed with
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Alexander de Croo – Belgium
Agreed on
Addressing climate change and supporting developing countries
Support least developed countries and landlocked developing countries
Explanation
Vietnam calls for supporting least developed countries and landlocked developing countries. The speaker emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address the unique challenges faced by these nations.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Albert II Sovereign Prince – Monaco
Speech speed
152 words per minute
Speech length
1629 words
Speech time
642 seconds
Protect biodiversity and oceans through international cooperation
Explanation
Monaco emphasizes the importance of protecting biodiversity and oceans through international cooperation. The speaker calls for collective action to address environmental challenges and preserve marine ecosystems.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Monaco’s support for the creation of an international panel of experts for ocean sustainability and efforts to ratify the BBNJ agreement.
Major Discussion Point
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Alexander de Croo – Belgium
Speech speed
117 words per minute
Speech length
1325 words
Speech time
679 seconds
Provide climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries
Explanation
Belgium emphasizes the importance of providing climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries. The speaker calls for increased support to help vulnerable nations adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Belgium’s investments in vaccine manufacturing and access in Africa as an example of technology transfer and cooperation.
Major Discussion Point
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Agreed with
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Lam To – Viet Nam
Agreed on
Addressing climate change and supporting developing countries
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Speech speed
147 words per minute
Speech length
2047 words
Speech time
834 seconds
Defend democracy and combat authoritarianism globally
Explanation
Argentina emphasizes the importance of defending democracy and combating authoritarianism globally. The speaker argues that collectivist policies and authoritarian tendencies threaten individual freedoms and economic prosperity.
Evidence
The speaker cites Argentina’s recent transition to democracy and economic reforms as examples of embracing freedom-oriented policies.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Disagreed with
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Disagreed on
Economic development and international financial systems
Edgars Rinkēvičs – Latvia
Speech speed
0 words per minute
Speech length
0 words
Speech time
1 seconds
Promote women’s rights and gender equality
Explanation
Latvia emphasizes the importance of promoting women’s rights and gender equality. The speaker calls for increased efforts to ensure equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for women and girls globally.
Evidence
The speaker mentions upcoming anniversaries related to women’s rights, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Gabriel Boric Font – Chile
Speech speed
121 words per minute
Speech length
2377 words
Speech time
1178 seconds
Support democratic transitions and oppose military coups
Explanation
Chile emphasizes the importance of supporting democratic transitions and opposing military coups. The speaker expresses concern about the rise of authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic institutions in some countries.
Evidence
The speaker mentions Chile’s own experience with democratic transition and its commitment to promoting democracy in the region.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Nayib Armando Bukele – El Salvador
Speech speed
131 words per minute
Speech length
1360 words
Speech time
620 seconds
Uphold human rights universally without double standards
Explanation
El Salvador calls for upholding human rights universally without double standards. The speaker argues that human rights must be respected regardless of political affiliations or geopolitical interests.
Evidence
The speaker cites El Salvador’s efforts to improve public safety and reduce crime rates while respecting human rights.
Major Discussion Point
Human Rights and Democracy
Sadyr Zhaparov – Kyrgyzstan
Speech speed
119 words per minute
Speech length
2357 words
Speech time
1180 seconds
Reform international financial institutions
Explanation
Kyrgyzstan calls for reforming international financial institutions to better serve the needs of developing countries. The speaker emphasizes the need for more equitable and inclusive global financial systems.
Evidence
The speaker mentions the need to address tax evasion, illicit financial flows, and inequalities in tax collection through international cooperation.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Masoud Pezeshkian – Iran
Speech speed
128 words per minute
Speech length
1794 words
Speech time
839 seconds
Combat tax evasion and illicit financial flows
Explanation
Iran emphasizes the importance of combating tax evasion and illicit financial flows. The speaker calls for international cooperation to address these issues and ensure fair taxation practices.
Major Discussion Point
Global Economic Cooperation
Agreements
Agreement Points
Reform of the UN Security Council
Speakers
Alar Karis – Estonia
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Arguments
Reform UN Security Council to be more representative
Reform of the Security Council is critical if the UN is to strengthen its relevance and credibility in our rapidly changing world
Poland strongly supports revitalization of the United Nations system and reform of the United Nations Security Council
Summary
Multiple speakers emphasized the need for reforming the UN Security Council to make it more representative, effective, and aligned with current global realities.
Addressing climate change and supporting developing countries
Speakers
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Lam To – Viet Nam
Alexander de Croo – Belgium
Arguments
Address climate change impacts on small island developing states
Transition to renewable energy and green economy
Provide climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries
Summary
Several speakers highlighted the importance of addressing climate change, particularly its impact on vulnerable nations, and called for support to developing countries in transitioning to sustainable practices.
Similar Viewpoints
Both speakers emphasized the importance of addressing ongoing conflicts and supporting affected populations, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.
Speakers
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Arguments
Condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and support Ukraine’s sovereignty
Call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
Both speakers called for reforms in the international financial system to better support developing countries and address global economic inequalities.
Speakers
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Sadyr Zhaparov – Kyrgyzstan
Arguments
Reform international financial architecture to support developing countries
Reform international financial institutions
Unexpected Consensus
Importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges
Speakers
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Bahrain
Aziz Akhannouch – Morocco
Arguments
Strengthen multilateralism to address global security challenges
Support two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
Explanation
Despite representing different regions and political systems, both speakers emphasized the importance of multilateral approaches to addressing complex global issues, particularly in the context of regional conflicts and security challenges.
Overall Assessment
Summary
The main areas of agreement among speakers included the need for UN Security Council reform, addressing climate change and supporting developing countries, reforming international financial institutions, and emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges.
Consensus level
There was a moderate level of consensus on broad issues such as UN reform and climate change action. However, specific approaches and priorities varied among speakers. This level of consensus suggests potential for cooperation on these issues, but also highlights the need for further dialogue and negotiation to address differing perspectives and national interests.
Disagreements
Disagreement Points
Approach to addressing global security challenges
Speakers
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Bahrain
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Arguments
Strengthen multilateralism to address global security challenges
Defend democracy and combat authoritarianism globally
Summary
While Bahrain emphasizes strengthening multilateralism to address global security challenges, Argentina focuses on defending democracy and combating authoritarianism as the primary approach to global security.
Economic development and international financial systems
Speakers
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Arguments
Reform international financial architecture to support developing countries
Defend democracy and combat authoritarianism globally
Summary
Paraguay calls for reforming the international financial architecture to support developing countries, while Argentina emphasizes free-market principles and combating collectivist policies.
Unexpected Disagreements
Role of international organizations in economic development
Speakers
Javier Gerardo Milei – Argentina
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Arguments
Defend democracy and combat authoritarianism globally
Reform international financial architecture to support developing countries
Explanation
Despite both being South American countries, Argentina and Paraguay have significantly different views on the role of international organizations in economic development. Argentina’s focus on combating collectivist policies contrasts with Paraguay’s call for reforming international financial institutions to support developing countries.
Overall Assessment
Summary
The main areas of disagreement revolve around approaches to global security challenges, economic development strategies, and the role of international organizations in addressing these issues.
Disagreement level
The level of disagreement among speakers is moderate. While there is general consensus on the need to address global challenges such as climate change, economic development, and security, there are significant differences in the proposed approaches and priorities. These disagreements reflect the diverse perspectives and national interests of the speakers, which could potentially hinder the development of unified global strategies to address these challenges.
Partial Agreements
Partial Agreements
Both speakers agree on the need to address ongoing conflicts, but focus on different regions (Ukraine and Gaza) and propose different approaches to resolving these conflicts.
Speakers
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Arguments
Condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and support Ukraine’s sovereignty
Call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
Both speakers agree on the need to address climate change, but Nauru focuses on the specific impacts on small island developing states, while Vietnam emphasizes broader energy transition and green economy initiatives.
Speakers
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Lam To – Viet Nam
Arguments
Address climate change impacts on small island developing states
Transition to renewable energy and green economy
Similar Viewpoints
Both speakers emphasized the importance of addressing ongoing conflicts and supporting affected populations, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.
Speakers
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Arguments
Condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and support Ukraine’s sovereignty
Call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
Both speakers called for reforms in the international financial system to better support developing countries and address global economic inequalities.
Speakers
Santiago Peña Palacios – Paraguay
Sadyr Zhaparov – Kyrgyzstan
Arguments
Reform international financial architecture to support developing countries
Reform international financial institutions
Takeaways
Key Takeaways
There are widespread calls for UN Security Council reform to make it more representative and effective
Many countries emphasized the need to address climate change, especially its impacts on developing nations
Support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict was expressed by multiple speakers
Several leaders called for reforming the international financial system to better support developing countries
Promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law globally remains a key priority for many nations
There is broad support for implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda
Resolutions and Action Items
Implement the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future
Work towards reforming the UN Security Council, including expanding membership
Provide increased climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries
Support efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages
Continue supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
Advance efforts to reform international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF
Unresolved Issues
Specific details on how to reform the UN Security Council
How to achieve a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine
Resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine
Addressing the debt burdens of developing countries
Regulating the development and use of artificial intelligence globally
Balancing climate action with economic development needs of poorer nations
Suggested Compromises
Expanding UN Security Council membership to be more representative, while maintaining some level of veto power
Pursuing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on 1967 borders
Combining climate action with economic development support for developing countries
Reforming international financial institutions to give developing countries more voice while maintaining stability
Thought Provoking Comments
The world has changed but some things remain the same. One example of this that has been repeated since this rostrum is the UN Security Council. 2024’s world is not the same as 1945’s.
Speaker
Gabriel Boric Font – Chile
Reason
This comment insightfully points out that while the world has changed dramatically since the UN’s founding, key structures like the Security Council have not adapted, highlighting a critical issue in global governance.
Impact
It set the stage for subsequent speakers to address UN reform, particularly of the Security Council, as a key theme.
We cannot allow this war to turn into another frozen conflict. This is the most important task for the future.
Speaker
Andrzej Duda – Poland
Reason
This comment provides an important framing of the urgency around resolving the Ukraine conflict, rather than allowing it to become a long-term stalemate.
Impact
It reinforced the focus on the Ukraine conflict as a critical global issue and emphasized the need for decisive action rather than acceptance of the status quo.
The greatest risk we face is not the potential environmental impacts of mineral recovery, but the risk of inaction. There is a risk of failing to seize the opportunity to transform to renewable energy and to decarbonize our planet.
Speaker
David Ranibok Adeang – Nauru
Reason
This comment offers a provocative perspective on deep sea mining, framing it as potentially necessary for the clean energy transition rather than solely as an environmental threat.
Impact
It introduced nuance to the discussion of environmental issues, highlighting potential tensions between different environmental priorities.
We are witnessing the groundbreaking advent of generative artificial intelligence, a revolution that brings us to ask questions we could never imagine, although I’m not certain it is correct to call it intelligence, because the intelligent being is the one who asks the questions, not the one to give answers through data processing.
Speaker
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Reason
This comment offers a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on AI, questioning common assumptions about its nature and implications.
Impact
It elevated the discussion of AI beyond simplistic narratives of progress or threat, encouraging a more philosophical examination of its nature and impacts.
The challenge is to make a firm paradigm shift in our relations among nations and in the functioning of multilateral organisms. The goal is to build a model of cooperation that is completely new.
Speaker
Giorgia Meloni – Italy
Reason
This comment articulates a bold vision for reimagining international cooperation in light of current global challenges.
Impact
It set an ambitious tone for discussions of global governance reform, encouraging other speakers to think beyond incremental changes.
Overall Assessment
These key comments shaped the discussion by highlighting the need for fundamental reforms in global governance structures, particularly the UN Security Council, to address contemporary challenges. They also introduced nuanced perspectives on complex issues like the Ukraine conflict, deep sea mining, and artificial intelligence. The overall tone emphasized the need for bold, innovative thinking to address global challenges, rather than incremental approaches or maintenance of the status quo.
Disclaimer: This is not an official record of the session. The DiploAI system automatically generates these resources from the audiovisual recording. Resources are presented in their original format, as provided by the AI (e.g. including any spelling mistakes). The accuracy of these resources cannot be guaranteed.