Making the United Nations Relevant to all People– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
4 June 2019
H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Dear colleagues,
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations on his election as the President of the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly.
Ambassador Tijjani’s career and experience, both as Scholar and Diplomat, should serve him and the General Assembly well in a session that promises to be pivotal. From the many positions he occupied as Vice Chancellor at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University of Nigeria, Director General of Le Centre Africain de Formation et de Recherche Administrative pour le Développement and Director General of Nigeria’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Study to his current stint as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tijani Bande is well-seasoned to provide the strong and creative leadership our august Assembly requires, as it positions itself to be relevant in a world in rapid change.
Your presidency, Ambassador, comes at a very critical moment for the United Nations and multilateralism. I am confident, however, that under your able leadership, we will make meaningful progress to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; in sustaining peace and conflict prevention as well as the promotion of human rights and the empowerment of women and girls.
As we have already demonstrated, I am at your disposal, together with my cabinet, as you move forward with your preparations for the 74th session.
Your presidency, Ambassador, comes at a very critical moment for the United Nations and multilateralism. I am confident, however, that under your able leadership, we will make meaningful progress to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; in sustaining peace and conflict prevention as well as the promotion of human rights and the empowerment of women and girls.
I am committed to providing you with the needed support and advice, to ensure the smoothest transition possible. I am certain all delegations are equally ready to give you all the support necessary for maintaining an effective Presidency, which is key to the authority and effectiveness of the most representative and democratic organ of our United Nations.
I thank you.
