Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
The international community – and by default the General Assembly – continues to face complex and ever-evolving global challenges, from climate change, to COVID-19, to the dire consequences of war.
Let me therefore reiterate my key message in last November’s Plenary Debate:
As the chief policy and deliberative organ of the United Nations, it is incumbent upon the General Assembly to discuss both issues and solutions that impact on humanity; on our daily lives.
The call for revitalization of the work of the General Assembly has never been more urgent; it would allow us to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the United Nations at a critical juncture in time.
Revitalization is also key to the ongoing thematic consultations on Our Common Agenda, the United Nations’ bold and compelling vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Excellencies,
Today’s debate marks a fresh opportunity for the General Assembly to build on past reforms and improve the functioning of the preeminent organ of the United Nations.
I strongly encourage Member States to make every effort to identify creative and constructive ways to further strengthen and revitalize the General Assembly as we strive to fully implement Resolution 75/325.
With the broadest mandate of any UN body, the GA must be at the center of our collective push to improve the United Nations in its entirety.
A revitalized and refreshed General Assembly will undoubtedly bring about a more effective, more responsive, United Nations.
Excellencies,
The aim of today’s General Debate is to discuss how to best implement the agreed mandates under the revitalization agenda.
Our discourse on the agenda, in turn, will shape the Ad Hoc Working Group’s thematic sessions that take full advantage of the new biennial format.
The focus this session on the Role and authority of the General Assembly, and on working methods, will provide opportunities for open discussion and a candid exchange of ideas. This in turn will help develop concrete proposals for the effective implementation of the revitalization mandates.
Excellencies,
I am grateful to both Ambassador Egriselda Aracely González López of El Salvador and Ambassador Mitch Fifield of Australia for accepting the responsibility of serving as Co-Chairs of the Ad-Hoc Working Group, as well as for convening the thematic discussions. I urge you to keep building on the significant achievements of recent GA revitalization processes.
Please count on the full support of me and my office as we work together on this important agenda.
I wish you every success in your discussions this session.
I thank you
