Thank you, Mr. President,
I am honored by the trust the Assembly has placed in me through my election by acclamation to the position of President of the General Assembly at its 77th session. I feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to serve the community of the Member States and work with other stakeholders throughout the upcoming session.
I express my special gratitude to the Member States of the East European Group for supporting my nomination, to the President and the Government of Hungary for their valuable support to my candidature, my team and the Permanent Mission of Hungary who have worked with me persistently during the preparations for this endeavor. Yet, first and foremost, I am grateful to my family who patiently stood by me all along this journey.
I would also take this opportunity to commend His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid for his outstanding work as President of the General Assembly at its 76th session. I congratulate President Shahid on his tireless efforts in guiding our work throughout the current session. His valuable support was crucial for my team and myself to have an insight into conducting the business of the GA and to learn good practices of it.
I also thank the Secretary-General for his leadership and commitment to guiding the United Nations to be up to the tasks of the 21st century.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are living in global, multiple – and interlinked – crises of food, energy and debt, while water crises look like becoming the next imminent threats. With global supply shortages and soaring prices, 49 million people in 43 countries are already at emergency levels of hunger.
Due to the continuous climate emergency, oceans have never before been as acidic and warm as in 2022, with sea levels setting a record. Biodiversity loss is equally at an unprecedented intensity.
Global conflicts have never been this fierce since the end of the last century. 303 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid and protection in 69 countries across the world, a more than 10 per cent increase since last December.
The cruel war in Ukraine is adding new dimensions to these ominous challenges.
Excellencies,
The series of consultations with Member States has helped me to understand your priorities, concerns and desires. They were very useful for creating my vision statement.
By electing me, you have reconfirmed the assessment that the geopolitical risks and those stemming from the unsustainable way of our development have started to merge and reinforce each other. Together with the war on Ukraine and other armed conflicts elsewhere, they create a “perfect storm” and unprecedented instability for the years to come.
Therefore, we should seek integrated solutions to the systemic challenges. There is no way back to the old normal. The only way out of our current predicament is through continued reforms and transformation of this organization and strengthening our cooperation. We must do much better in delivering on our jointly agreed goals, commitments and pledges.
You have agreed that science must be invited to advise us on a regular basis.
Similarly, you have approved that the General Assembly must work in an impact-oriented manner. Communities throughout the world must feel that our actions are relevant and useful for them. The UN’s eight billion shareholders over the globe also need to understand the results of our decisions. The world out there counts on us, and rightly so.
As you have seen in my vision statement, I suggested “Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science“ for the motto of the 77th General Assembly.
In order to address the complex challenges, to take due responsibilities for the key missions of the United Nations, namely peace and security, human rights and sustainable development, I’ve proposed the following priorities:
- Stand firm on the basic principles of the UN Charter;
- Make significant and measurable progress in the sustainability transformation;
- Aim at integrated, systemic solutions;
- Enhance the role of science in decision shaping;
- Increase solidarity to better endure the new chapters of the crises we are to face.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Office of the 77th PGA will pursue an integrated agenda of peace, prosperity and sustainability, and will be an agent of multilateralism, multiculturalism and multilingualism.
My doors will be open to all of you. Impartiality, with the intention to build bridges among sides, will be our principle of operation.
I will coordinate actions with the Secretary General, the Security Council, the ECOSOC and all other relevant organs of the United Nations.
I will devote special attention to impact-oriented and regular consultations with civil society organizations, youth representations, scientific institutions, knowledge centers, faith based organizations, representatives of the business communities and key institutions of finance.
Excellencies,
We live in times that rock the foundation this Organization was built upon. With multiple crises looming, none less than the credibility of the UN is at stake. 77 years ago, Member States have shown that lasting peace can be built on the ashes of war. We need the same resolve today to stand up to the challenges that threaten international peace and security as well as our sustainable future on this planet.
During my rounds of consultations most of you expressed concern about declining trust and the loss of the spirit of cooperation. We all may have an interpretation of how we have got here, but we all concur on the point that it is only by joining forces that we can tackle the unprecedented global challenges of today and tomorrow.
Let me recall the words of the industrialist Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you all for your trust and cooperation.
