Opening Remarks of the President of the General Assembly

H.E. Dennis Francis

at the round table on

“Small States as catalysts for change and champions of international law”

Tuesday, 24 October 2023, 9:00 am, International Peace Institute

(777 United Nations Plaza 12th Floor)

As Delivered

 

 

Your Royal Highness, Mary Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Denmark,

Your Excellency, Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore, and Chair of the Forum of Small States,

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is a pleasure to join you this morning.

My sincere appreciation to you – Your Excellency Burhan Gafoor – and the Forum of Small States for the kind invitation.

As a national of a small island myself, it is indeed gratifying to help ring in UN Day with my brothers and sisters from the FOSS, particularly in a realm of foundational importance that of International Law.

Today is a day to recognize and celebrate everything that the United Nations, and the UN Charter, represent and symbolize.

It is a day to remember that this institution is built on a plethora of voices – big and small, North, and South, East and West, developing and developed, rich and poor.

The extraordinary power of our United Nations lies, to a significant degree, in its rich diversity; a diversity that is strengthened by the small states here today.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

While we celebrate UN Day, we also meet at a time of profound global challenges.

Conflict and violence rages in the Middle East; aggression continues against the Ukraine people; inequalities are rife; and our strategic responses to environmental degradation and climate change remain feeble and ineffectual.

These challenges apply tremendous pressure on the UN and its Member States; it begs the question: what can, what WILL, the UN do to address these challenges?

This is a question that each one of us must reflect on and reconcile each and every day.

Because the short answer is that this organization will be meaningless and irrelevant if it cannot translate its efforts into meaningful outcomes for those who need them most: women, children, indigenous peoples, older persons, and persons with disabilities, among them, not forgetting future generations.

As President of the General Assembly, I am acutely aware of this reality, and I approach my role with an immense sense of duty and responsibility.

A responsibility to help avoid inertia and stagnation, and to push the General Assembly to step up and deliver on what the world so desperately needs – on peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability for all.

 

Excellencies,

I know that I can count on your support to bolster our global multilateral system and to strengthen the role and authority of the General Assembly.

And I want to congratulate the leaders of small Member States gathered here today. Your daily work is a testament to the enduring spirit of multilateralism and the strength that derives from our diversity.

I firmly believe that each one of you, have a critical voice in building a more inclusive and equitable world.

Your resilience in the face of challenges serves as a source of inspiration for all of us. Whether it is in the field of sustainable development, peacekeeping, human rights or climate action, your contributions are felt and appreciated.

Small states may lack the power and resources of larger nations, but they have uniquely promoted international law, by acting as mediators, and have contributed to the development of global norms and standards – making them indispensable in the pursuit of a more just and orderly world.

Allow me to commend Her Excellency Rena Lee, Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs’ contribution in successful conclusion of negotiations on a New United Nations Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

The success of the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference process is a victory of international law, a victory for global commons, and a proud victory for multilateralism.

I would like to invite you to use this opportunity today to take stock of the role played by small states as champions of multilateralism and look at how we can reinforce global peace and security, advance human rights, and pursue sustainable development.

By working together, small states can strategically enhance their collective influence, and ensure that global decision-making is fair, just, and inclusive.

In a world of complex challenges, this collaboration is essential.

It’s a testament to the fact that the multilateral system is at its strongest when it reflects and encapsulates the voices of all, especially the smaller nations.

On UN Day, let’s deliberate,

To make small states, truly great,

In unity, so they stand so tall,

Working for peace, for one and all.

 

Thank you, and Happy United Nations Day!