– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
16 October 2019
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
On behalf of the General Assembly, I extend my deepest condolences to the do Amaral family, the Government and people of Portugal on the passing of Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral, President of the Fiftieth Session of the General Assembly.
Professor Freitas do Amaral is renowned in the United Nations for his leadership from this seat in the General Assembly. However, in his home country of Portugal, he is often referred to as one of the ‘Founding Fathers of Modern Portuguese Democracy’.
He played a key role in his nation’s democratic process, having contributed to balancing the political spectrum following the Carnation Revolution in 1974. Thereafter, he founded the Portuguese Christian Democratic Party, serving two terms as its President.
Professor Freitas do Amaral demonstrated leadership at various capacities: as a Member of the Portuguese Parliament; a Member of the Council of State; as Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Defence; Minister for Foreign Affairs, and as President of the United Nations General Assembly.
As President of the Fiftieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, from 1995 to 1996, he was dedicated to ensuring that the United Nations was better equipped, financed, and structured to more effectively serve the people in whose name it was established.
As President of the Fiftieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, from 1995 to 1996, he was dedicated to ensuring that the United Nations was better equipped, financed, and structured to more effectively serve the people in whose name it was established
Excellencies,
Portugal has lost a great legal mind. He had a career spanning almost three decades as a professor of law at the Lisbon School of Law and was a founding member of the prestigious Nova University Law School. His passion for “Administrative Law” was legendary.
Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral lived a life of probity and public service. He was also a notable playwright and author. Indeed, he left a positive legacy on this earth.
We as a global community are the better for his efforts towards serving all of humanity.
In this moment of our more than occasional self-doubt, it is pertinent to remind ourselves of the words of the President of the Fiftieth Session of the General Assembly, Prof. Diogo Freitas do Amaral:
I quote:
“[The] United Nations is worth our praise.”
May he rest in peace.
