– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 31st Special Session of the UN General Assembly
31 August 2020
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you today for this very important meeting.
I thank the Co-Facilitators of the modalities for the 31st special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Coronavirus disease, for their diligence in accelerating the consultations in this challenging task. I trust that they would lead the process toward a successful special session on COVID–19 by the General Assembly.
My thoughts remain with Member States battling the pandemic. I mourn with you the many lives lost and extend my best wishes for a swift recovery to those suffering from the disease.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
You recall that before the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, we at the General Assembly had already started consultations on how to respond to the evolving situation in a sustainable manner.
We recognised very early that the dire nature of the pandemic demanded the prompt reaction of the General Assembly.
On 27th of March, we passed GA resolution 74/544 authorising silence procedure in response to the pandemic’s threat to in-person meetings.
Since then, we have proceeded with our business and passed around 70 decisions and resolutions in continuation of the work of the General Assembly in these abnormal circumstances.
Through these initiatives, we have been able to cover a lot of grounds amidst all the uncertainties.
I believe that with more focus and commitment at the highest levels of governance, we would make significant progress in the race to defeat the pandemic.
The co-facilitators with your cooperation and support, have produced a solid draft as a good basis for negotiation. And I trust that the special session will ensure greater involvement of world leaders toward a result-oriented response to the pandemic. This will further strengthen the General Assembly as a critical global partner in the fight against the pandemic and its impact on lives and livelihood.
Excellencies,
The proposal to hold a special session on the pandemic by the General Assembly is a veritable platform to mobilise global commitment against the pandemic.
We thank Azerbaijan, as Chair of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) , for pushing for this very important session and the General Assembly for accepting to hold the special session.
The co-facilitators with your cooperation and support, have produced a solid draft as a good basis for negotiation. And I trust that the special session will ensure greater involvement of world leaders toward a result-oriented response to the pandemic. This will further strengthen the General Assembly as a critical global partner in the fight against the pandemic and its impact on lives and livelihood.
Indeed, I trust that this special session will be a vehicle for a coordinated response from the international community.
Excellencies,
I am already encouraged by the keen interest of many Member States in the success of the special session and as such; I commend those of you who have made important contributions leading to this point.
In the same vein, I call on all Member States to work closely with the Co-facilitators in the spirit of cooperation during the process. I enjoin you to avail yourself of today’s deliberations as a platform to share experiences on modalities to address the Pandemic.
Excellencies,
The current situation underscores the necessity to work together to defeat COVID-19, and to strengthen multilateral cooperation.
Indeed as you strive to ensure a better world for all, the Office of the President of the General Assembly will remain your partner, enhancing global partnerships for sustainable development.
I thank you and wish you very successful deliberations.
