Presentation by the Secretary-General on his recommendations as mandated by the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations

– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

10 September 2021

Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues,

As you entered the General Assembly Hall this morning, you walked past the 75^th anniversary Charter of the United Nations mounted on the wall to the left. This was signed by you, Mr. Secretary-General, and every Permanent Representative of the 193 Member States of the United Nations earlier this session. It is a reminder of our purpose here in the General Assembly.

Of course, the landmark political declaration adopted at the highest political level last September marked a turning point for the United Nations. At a time of global crisis, Member States called for recommendations as to how we can best advance our common agenda and to respond to current and future challenges.

The General Assembly has been engaged throughout this process. I have convened regular morning dialogues, and we have engaged with the Secretary-General both at the outset and conclusion of the consultation process.

The global pandemic has taken far too many lives, upturned economies, and derailed our progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The climate emergency continues to threaten our very existence and protracted conflicts and human rights abuses undermine the fundamental freedoms of the people whom we have pledged to serve.

Indeed, right now, 235 million people around the world are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection – that’s 40% more than this time last year.

It is clear that we need to re-set.

To this end, it is expected that the Secretary-General’s report and the recommendations contained therein, should guide the member states in charting a pathway forward. A reset, that will bring this organization closer to the realities and challenges that it faces in the 21^st century.

I trust that as we listen to the Secretary-General today, we bear in mind that the best laid plans are but mere paper unless they are sufficiently resourced.

The United Nations must adequately re-equip itself in order to efficiently and effectively tackle the challenges we face today – and prepare for the challenges coming our way in the future.

Today is of course just the beginning. I am confident that the General Assembly will remain proactively engaged into the 76^th session and beyond to discuss what the Secretary General is presenting today. What I very much hope, is that by seeking to reset the course of this organization, we also take a leaf from this objective and apply it to the way we work within the General Assembly. Again, I trust that this Assembly will focus on the substance of what the Secretary-General is presenting and not the procedure alone.

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues,

The people of the world are relying on us now, more than ever before, to meet their needs. To reach the furthest behind first, and to uphold our collective pledge to leave no one behind.

I urge you to carefully evaluate the Secretary-General’s presentation today, and to harness the political wind needed to make our common agenda a reality. Together, we have a chance to create a better world for all.

I thank you.