Remarks by Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the General Assembly

13 September 2023

[As delivered]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres,

Excellency Ishikane Kimihiro and your dear spouse,

Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming,

Deputy Secretary-General

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

It is an honour to join you in commemorating the International Day of Peace.

Let me begin by congratulating His Excellency Kimihiro and the Permanent Mission of Japan for maintaining the observance of this esteemed tradition – and in so doing, underlining the significance of this Day.

This year, we gather under the theme of “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.”

It is one that is as timely as it is solemn.

I have chosen “peace” as one of the four priorities of my Presidency of the General Assembly, reflecting its bedrock importance to the 2030 Agenda and the aims of prosperity, progress and sustainability.

With the SDG Summit only days, alarm bells are sounding off across the world – alerting us that we are off track in meeting nearly every Sustainable Development Goal.

In some cases, we are moving in reverse.

Symbolically, these ringing bells also constitute a call to urgent action – bold action to save, and indeed to deliver, the SDGs

We know that sustainable development – and sustainable peace – are two sides of the same coin.

One cannot be realised without the other.

It is therefore no surprise that many countries in fragile situations – or in post-conflict settings – have fallen furthest behind on achieving the SDGs.

We know that when poverty persists,

– when education is denied,

– when women and girls face abuse, violence, and discrimination or

– when climate shocks rip through nations in the blink of an eye,

the potential for conflict and instability only rise.

In turn, when investments are made in sustainable development, climate action, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and evidence-based youth policies – they provide our most powerful tools to prevent – and to preempt – conflict, and to build peace.

Dear friends,

The SDGs are often called “our shared blueprint for humanity.”

Now is our moment for action.

At next week’s SDG Summit, let us take an honest look at where we stand.

Let us stop sugarcoating our successes and instead confront our setbacks with bold, ambitious commitments.

The Summit is our best opportunity to boost SDG implementation at all levels – and spark accelerated action for peace.

The wish of the Peace Bell founder was simple and clear: “No more wars.”

Sadly, our generation has not met this aspiration.

But it is not too late to start turning the tide.

Let us use this International Day as our clarion call to action.

And as we ring the Bell today, let us heed the call of the founder.

Let us recommit to the SDGs.

Let us recommit to a world where peace and security are a reality for all.

I thank you.