Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly

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Speech at Certificate Handover Ceremony for PGA Fellows

27 July 2023

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

The Fellows,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would first like to thank UNITAR for organizing this ceremony. I look forward to our close partnership until the end of the programme in mid-August.

Dear Fellows,

It is my great pleasure to celebrate your completion of the PGA Fellowship programme this session.

It seems only a short time ago when I was an intern, in the diplomatic service in my country.

I eagerly arrived for what I had hoped would be an intellectually stimulating experience.

I had just graduated from university and was pursuing my studies, and thought that people would be interested in what I could contribute.

I was expecting quite a lot from that internship and for quite a while, I was requested to do photo copying and arranging some papers, but not so much intellectual work.

I made a promise then, that if I was ever in a position to help someone at an early point in their careers, they would be thrown into the deep water to show their talents.

I am very proud to say that you were thrown into the deep water, and you have shown me – and I would say everyone in this room – your talents.

You are brilliant.

Syuzanna, among your achievements, you helped to put together the Morning Dialogue on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

Mmoloki, you helped to draft the summary of the General Assembly’s debate on the annual Security Council report, and contributed to my own summary from the UN Water Conference.

Aimé, you were instrumental in preparing the informal dialogue with PGA candidate and in orchestrating the Morning Dialogue on Sustainable Development.

Amr, you put words in my mouth. Working with the communications team, you drafted several speeches during the High-level Political Forum.

Nathalie, you made the entire Office proud when you moderated a panel with Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed during the International Day for Women in Diplomacy.

You and Gerard also put me in the hot seat during an interview for your podcast.

And Gerard, I want to also note your contribution to the High-level meeting for Zero Waste.

In addition to contributing in these ways and many others… all of you also contributed to multilateralism during your meetings with the international community in New York, and during your official visit to Washington, D.C.

I was able to follow many of your discussions from your social media posts, your blogs, and your podcast.

What I noticed in your communication, and I saw it daily in the office – was your ability to maintain neutrality.

You all come from various corners of the world.

In your regular working environment, cooperating or collaborating with some Member States might be difficult for your countries… but here, you all performed well.

That speaks highly not to your abilities, but your professionalism.

I – and all my colleagues – appreciate your hard work, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to learn and improve.

I have no doubt that we will see each other again. In different capacities in the future. And I look forward to that possibility.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank all the donors to the PGA Fellowship programme.

What we have accomplished here is thanks to your support and belief in this programme.

I will let President elect-Francis speak shortly, but I hope that Member States see the merit of this programme and the importance of its continuation.

With that, thank you, and congratulations.