Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have just taken my oath as the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly.
I would like to thank my home country, Hungary, the regional Group of Eastern European States, and the entire General Assembly membership for supporting my candidacy.
Member States entrusted me to assist them. To be their servant. So that we can collectively deliver for the 8 billion people around the world.
This is already a tall order on its own, yet complicated more so by the most complex and interlinked crises in our post-World War history.
We must continue to reform and transform the United Nations, and strengthen our cooperation through trust.
The motto for my presidency will be “Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science.”
This is why I have decided that the central theme for this general debate will be “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”
My role will be to build bridges and make the work of the General Assembly more impact-oriented.
I plan to purse an integrated agenda of peace and security, human rights and sustainability. Three mutually reinforcing goals. We must support each, or they will all fall.
My priorities will be:
1. To stand firm on the basic principles of the United Nations Charter;
2. To make significant and measurable progress on the sustainability transformation;
3. To aim at integrated, systemic solutions;
4. To enhance the role of science in decision-shaping;
5. To increase solidarity to face the new chapters of crisis ahead of us.
I invite all stakeholders to work together and enlarge common ground among Member States and stakeholders.
I hope that you will help to spread this message.
I will continue to coordinate efforts with Secretary-General, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and other relevant UN bodies. And conduct impact-oriented and regular consultations with civil society, youth, scientific institutions, knowledge centres, faith-based organizations, private sector and key financial institutions.
I will conduct my work in a manner that is inclusive, transparent and open. Holding myself and my team accountable to the highest standards.
Tomorrow, I will convene the first plenary of the 77th session.
The work will officially begin.
But the work has actually already begun.
Since my election in June, I have worked with the President of the 76th session. I want to again thank President Abdulla Shahid and his team for their support and cooperation during the transition process.
There is much work to be done, and not a moment to lose.
I look forward to speaking with you on many occasions.
Let’s start now with a few question
