Remarks by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis,  

President of the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session

Ambassadorial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of NAM

Friday, 8 September 2023

******** 

Thank you, Ambassador Yashar Aliyev, 

Excellencies, Dear Friends,

It is truly an honor for me to be here today and to see so many familiar faces — as NAM is my home, my umbilical home, my family… given my previous responsibilities and calling as the Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago.

But today, I am speaking to you from a slightly different vantage point… and that is as the President of the General Assembly.   

Nevertheless, despite my new role as President of the General Assembly, we are all intertwined in this situation — where we need to find feasible answers to global challenges that affect every nation and all people across the world. 

Since its founding more than 6 decades ago, NAM has persevered in its quest to preserve the movement’s core principles.  

And beyond its contribution to the work of the UN itself in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, NAM is credited for championing the right to development of its members — as embodied in the Declaration on the Right to Development.

I will therefore continue to count on your support and that of the Coordinating Bureau of the NAM, as we seek solutions to varied issues that preoccupy us; including, most importantly, on how to restore our multilateral system. 

As we enter the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and its High-Level Week coming soon, it must be a matter of concern… deep concern to all of us: 

 

  • that the geopolitical situation has hampered the trust of multilateralism, 
  • that conflicts and instability abound, 
  • that the achievement of sustainable development goals is lagging far behind
  • and impacts of the pandemic and climate change has pushed many societies to the corner. 

 

 One might believe that these situations may divide us and perhaps alienate some of us — but I believe deeply, that through collaboration and cooperation, we can all face it and overcome it — the challenges that are there.

What we need to do is to rebuild trust and solidarity — which NAM has been persistently doing over the years.

For this 78th Session of the General Assembly, I trust that NAM in particular …. will pay particular attention to my four watchwords of Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability. 

— the priorities that I have set for the year of my presidency.

My plea would be… and I think NAM is particularly well positioned to undertake this — is that NAM should be at the very forefront of the much-needed transformative outcomes that we need. 

As a force for global solidarity, NAM could be a beacon of hope — joining hands as a problem solver of the many challenges we face, with renewed commitment and flexibility for solutions that everyone can live with. 

I am particularly encouraged that many NAM Member States are taking up roles as Bureau Members of the Main Committees during this session … as well as being part of many main and subsidiary organs of the United Nations.  

And equally important, I can trust the integrity and steadfastness of NAM Member States who stepped up as co-facilitators in the various processes that have taken place… have been used during the past session… and for that I am immensely grateful.

Some of you have seconded staff to my team, and countries like Viet Nam has done so for the first time. I wish to thank you for your continuing commitment to the office of the PGA and to the United Nations in general.

Allow me to convey my readiness… not only that of myself, but also that of my team to assist you with any means necessary, within our mandate and resources. 

I look forward to working closely and collaboratively with you. In order to address the many confounding challenges that are out there.  Which I believe we could all do together in good faith for the betterment of all of humankind.

Thank you very much.

*****