– As prepared –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
6 July 2020
His Excellency, Ambassador Walton Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations,
His Excellency, Dr. the Honorable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
His Excellency, Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
His Excellency, Mr. Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
Permanent Representatives of CARICOM countries,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
I thank you for inviting me to speak with you today, and for the privilege of sharing in this rich celebration of Caribbean culture.
The 75th anniversary of the United Nations give us with an opportunity to reflect on our history and look forward with confidence to the future. Caribbean countries have been instrumental in providing clear guidance in shaping many critical and prevailing agendas across the three pillars of the work of the United Nations. Your leadership throughout the history of the United Nations has demonstrated that your impact is disproportionate to your size. Put simply small states have big ideas and impact.
It has been a privilege to work with you on several initiatives during the 74th session: namely climate action, disaster risk reduction, poverty eradication, quality education, and financing for development.
Multilateralism is the great equalizer, and Small States like CARICOM countries play an integral role in upholding multilateralism. The General Assembly is based upon equality: equality of voice and vote. The fabric of multilateralism is greatly enhanced by the rich diversity, international cooperation and harmonious relations. CARICOM nations rang the alarm on the existential threat of climate change, sending the right message to the General Assembly. You have acted as bridge-builders in intergovernmental fora, working together for common and shared causes and building coalitions to address pressing challenges.
Caribbean countries have been instrumental in providing clear guidance in shaping many critical and prevailing agendas across the three pillars of the work of the United Nations. Your leadership throughout the history of the United Nations has demonstrated that your impact is disproportionate to your size. Put simply small states have big ideas and impact.
Excellencies,
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the principles of the Treaty of Chaguaramas remain pertinent. Combating COVID-19 is a shared responsibility which requires collective efforts. Gearing up for a post-COVID reality requires us to re-shape what will be the new “normal”. Everyone is experiencing the consequential socio-economic impact of COVID-19. UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2020 notes that developing countries could face the steepest GDP loses in tourism, which severely dims the prospects for development for many small island developing states. We will need to work together in order to build back better and I am heartened by the Caribbean’s response to the crisis and the leadership in tackling the social, economic and environmental challenges.
Our world is changing fast. We must continue to develop innovative solutions and find ways to manage these challenges. We all have a duty to promote and support a reformed, reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system. I commend the openness, flexibility and agility of the CARICOM Representatives at the UN in the collective efforts to build inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies.
It is imperative that all Member States adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, strengthen the international legal order and maintain binding international cooperation and I am confident that the CARICOM Caucus will be a firm and clear voice of reason in this 75th anniversary of the United Nations and beyond.
On this CARICOM Day, I salute the resilience, strength and pride of the Caribbean people, and the bonds that unite you. I trust that in these difficult times, we can all draw strength from the CARICOM song,
“… Today as people united, Determined and steadfast we stand, We look to a brand new horizon, The future now firmly in our hands…”
I thank you.
