His Excellency, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

In a year dominated by health and climate crises, 2021 witnessed the invincibility of the human spirit, incredible acts of kindness, and inspiring collaborative action on many fronts.

We now look ahead to 2022.

I had the honor to brief you on Wednesday on my priorities and the many mandated meetings ahead of us for the resumed part of the 76th session.

Today, we will hear from the Secretary-General on his priorities for the year.

You will note that the Secretary-General’s Report clearly outlines concrete results delivered by our Organization across all eight priority areas: Sustainable Development; Peace and Security; Development in Africa; Human Rights; Humanitarian Assistance; Justice and International Law; Disarmament; and Drugs, Crime and Terrorism.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections on the Report in this debate, which for the third time is being held at the start of the resumed session.

Before we do so, however, please allow me some remarks on the Report and how it aligns with the Five Rays of Hope of my Presidency.

• On Recovering from COVID-19, we, as Member States, helped create COVAX, the vaccine arm of the ACT-Accelerator, which has delivered 989 million doses to 144 participant countries as of 12 January 2022.

• On Rebuilding Sustainably, the United Nations helped 5 million people obtain a job or better their livelihood in 28 crisis-affected countries; and engaged with 30 Governments to build multidimensional poverty indices to improve social inclusion.

• On Responding to the Needs of Our Planet, the United Nations provided access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy for 800,000 households headed by women in 16 countries; and protected or restored 344 million hectares of landscapes and marine habitats.

• On Respecting the Rights of All, the United Nations supported over 8,000 victims of contemporary forms of slavery in 23 countries; and maintained 12,000 peacekeeping operations with 90,000 personnel, including over 4,000 women peacekeepers.

• And on Revitalizing the United Nations, the new UN reform structures in development, peace and security, and management, facilitated a coherent and agile response to the pandemic, saving time and money. The first statement of internal control was also signed, providing assurance to Member States that Secretariat-wide mandated activities are being implemented effectively and efficiently.

Excellencies, as these results demonstrate – even in spite of the pandemic, hope perseveres, communities thrive, and societies continue to aspire for a better world.

Progress and results are possible due to the political will of Member States, and the leadership of our Secretary-General, our bridge-builder who is consistently focused on ensuring, and I quote, “human dignity at the core of our work and the core of our common good.”

Rest assured that cooperation between my Office and the Secretariat is of the utmost importance, especially as we continue discussions on the Secretary-General’s report, Our Common Agenda. In this regard, I look forward to the first of our five informal thematic debates, scheduled on 10 and 11 February.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

Under a Presidency of Hope, I am committed, now more than ever, to delivering for people, for planet and for prosperity.

Together, we can and will overcome the many complex challenges we face, and further strengthen the United Nations as the pinnacle of multilateralism.

I thank you.