– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

6 December 2019

Honourable Ministers,

Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu (Fakita-moela   katoa ‘Utoi-kama-nu), High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you all for your participation in the deliberations this week. I thank delegations from landlocked developing countries for sharing their experience with us.

I welcome the solidarity demonstrated by delegations from transit countries, developed states, as well as stakeholders from Observer delegations, the United Nations system, and members of civil society.

The Political Declaration we adopted yesterday set the foundation for discussions which enhanced our understanding of both the challenges of, and opportunities for, landlocked developing countries.

I firmly believe that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn and on those two days so many of us learned from your interventions. We must ensure continued dialogue into 2020 and beyond, to live up to our promise to leave no one behind.

We must seize the momentum further generated around this Midterm Review to redouble our efforts to the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action. By doing so we will at the same time work towards meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is critical as we enter the Decade of Action and Delivery.

We must ensure that Landlocked Developing Countries are supported in the fulfilment of the objectives set out in the roadmap of the Vienna Programme for Action.

I call on Member States to support our brothers and sisters in landlocked developing countries and this involves collaborating with all partners including the private sector and civil society.

I firmly believe that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn and on those two days so many of us learned from your interventions. We must ensure continued dialogue into 2020 and beyond, to live up to our promise to leave no one behind

Tijjani Muhammad Bande

President of the UN General Assembly

I thank participants for their commitment to a better future for all. In particular I thank the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States and her team for the excellent work they have done.

As always, I thank the Secretariat, the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM), the interpreters, technicians, conference services staff and security officers for their outstanding support to our work.

In conclusion, I call on you to take action to ensure a better world for the people we serve in the landlocked developing countries.

I call on you to take every measure to implement the Vienna Programme of Action and assure you that In me you have a partner in this endeavour throughout the seventy-fourth session.       

I thank you.