Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
21 April 2022
Colleagues,
Friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for graciously inviting me to speak at this important conference, which I believe will effectively contribute to the work of the 2022 High-Level Political Forum.
I was invited to discuss the Secretary-General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ report, and specifically the processes geared towards advancing the report’s proposals in the General Assembly.
As many of you are aware, the Secretary-General’s report, requested by Member States, was borne from the recommendations and findings collected during the UN’s 75th anniversary and commemoration.
Beginning with the publication of the report in September 2021, and followed by the adoption of resolution 76/6, in November, the Membership of the General Assembly has been focused on the many proposals contained within the SG’s report.
Specifically, Member States mandated me, as President of the General Assembly, to initiate a follow up process to the OCA report; a process by which Member States and relevant partners could consider the various proposals and options.
Accordingly, my office has convened five rounds of thematic consultations. This consisted of plenary discussions, with more than 350 statements from Member States and observers, and 10 panel discussions.
Over these five thematic consultations, we have heard not only from Member States and observers of the General Assembly, but also from senior representatives of the UN system and other relevant partners, including the private sector, academia, civil society, and youth.
We are now in the process of finalizing summaries of proceedings from these consultations. These will reflect the views expressed by Member States and may also include recommendations about steps forward, outlining pathways to proceed further with the OCA report.
Ladies and gentlemen,
With regard to the specific theme of this conference, on ‘people-centered governance in a post-pandemic world’, I mention that, during those OCA thematic consultations, delegations echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a new global deal that redresses inequalities and rebalances resources. Accordingly, they emphasized the global dimensions of the social contract.
They were particularly enthusiastic for more details on the proposal around a social contract anchored in human rights. This makes me optimistic that Member States will draw upon a spirit of justice and compassion as they consider the path forward.
My friends,
Our recent history has been a tumultuous period. A pandemic, and an armed conflict have shaken our global norms and institutions.
The armed conflict in Ukraine dealt successive blows to a global economy already damaged by COVID-19. And the world continues to be appalled by the scale of human tragedy wrought by this and other conflicts.
In the wake of such shock and economic anxiety, our societies are becoming more polarized, as divisions grow and differences deepen, increasing the potential for future strife.
Rarely has the need to promote peace, justice, and inclusive societies been more apparent. Without them we cannot achieve any of our sustainable development goals.
We must take concerted action now to reorient ourselves away from this unsustainable and destructive path.
We must put aside our differences and act for the common good.
We must strengthen the institutions necessary for our societies to prosper and live in peace, in the spirit of SDG 16.
I believe that the membership and the UN system is up to the task.
Working alongside each other, and other stakeholders, we can undertake a global recovery that strengthens SDG 16 and makes progress across the entirety of the 2030 Agenda.
My Office will continue the work of taking forward the proposals and options related to Our Common Agenda in an inclusive and transparent manner.
With those sentiments, I wish you a very productive conference.
I thank you.
