I extend sincere condolences to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on the passing of H.E. Ambassador John William Ashe. 

Ambassador Ashe was based in New York for more than 25 years.

During that time, he served in many important positions.

He was chairman of negotiations during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and chair of the 2004 session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

Along with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, he was co-chairman of the Bureau for the Preparatory Process of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

He was also the consensus candidate of all 33 Member States of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries to serve as President of the 68th session of the General Assembly, from September 2013 to September 2014.

His service during that very challenging year coincided with notable gains towards a future development agenda and set of development goals, as well as important new steps in the fight against climate change.  Those efforts reached fruition a year later with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

At this time of sorrow, my thoughts are with Ambassador Ashe’s family, particularly his wife, Anilla Cherian, and two children, and all others touched by this loss.

Thank you.