Remarks by the H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly

at the Plenary meeting on Joint debate on Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations and the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Our focus today is the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly.

We undertake this charge at a historic juncture.

At a time when questions about the relevance of the United Nations itself and therefore, about its very existence are echoing louder. If we are honest, we must accept that there is a certain legitimacy to these questions.

Daily, the images of the human dimensions and costs of war and humanitarian crises are being etched indelibly into the public consciousness. Obviously, they find it unbearable, unacceptable and cruel and want it to stop; they no doubt feel intense frustration and disillusionment when the Organization charged with stopping it seems incapable of doing so. And while the war rages on, development, climate crisis, human rights and disarmament concerns forcefully grind on, showing very little progress with the march of time.

Last month, at the annual gathering of the Council of former Presidents of the General Assembly in Seoul, I heard strong calls to optimise the Assembly’s efficiency and effectiveness – and, an impassioned call, to forge a common vision to guide the UN’s most democratic body in today’s challenging era.

I was both encouraged and gratified to learn beforehand that the former Presidents are especially keen to offer their collective wisdom and capacity to ensure the strengthening of the role of the General Assembly and its President, as the elected leader of this, the largest and most democratic organ of the United Nations.

While some may regard revitalization as a technical process – it is, on the contrary, essentially a political undertaking; one that mandates us to ask: How can we make the General Assembly stronger, more relevant, and more impactful vis a vis those it is intended to serve?

Today, we must have both the commitment and the courage to consider and agree solutions that transcend the “business as usual ” approach, considering that the challenges before us hardly qualify to be considered either routine or normal.

As we set our sights on commencing, in earnest, the preparations for the Summit of the Future next September, what can the General Assembly do to revitalize itself now and for the future?

Excellencies,

 

In these pursuits, we have firm ground on which to build.

During the previous session, the Ad Hoc Working Group adopted the first ever biennialized resolution on General Assembly revitalization.

For their tireless efforts and consequential pioneering achievements as co-facilitators of this process, I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to Her Excellency Egriselda López, Permanent Representative of El Salvador, and His Excellency Mitchell Fifield, former Permanent Representative of Australia. We honour their work and leadership today.

As you recall, one result of this resolution was a voluntary pledge to limit side events during the General Debate – a pledge that, I am pleased to announce, has already garnered the support of 24 Member States.

This information is now available on the OPGA website.

I encourage more Member States and UN entities to join in support of this much-needed initiative.

Another practical outcome was the strengthening of the Office of the PGA through financing and staffing initiatives. For the effective functioning of the OPGA, it is critical that additional regular budget resources be provided – and I appeal to the Chairs of both the Fifth Committee and the ACABQ to ensure that the relevant proposals, in that regard, are given favourable consideration.

Going forward, we have much more to accomplish.

In this session, it will be crucial that the Ad Hoc Working Group advances its work – and I am happy to re-confirm that I have appointed new co-chairs to further build on the solid foundation laid down by their predecessors.

In this connection, I should like to thank Her Excellency Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, and His Excellency Cornel Feruţă, Permanent Representative of Romania, for accepting this weighty responsibility.

I trust that Member States will extend their full support to the co-chairs as they steer deliberations on the role and authority of the General Assembly, and its working methods, in this session.

In this connection, consistent with the practice of my predecessors, it is my intention to utilize the General Committee to coordinate and streamline our work.

As well, I will continue the tradition of convening informal morning dialogues to stimulate creative insights and productive exchanges between and among Member States, UN entities and other invited stakeholders – as we continue to ponder solutions, real solutions, to today’s complex global challenges.

For the 78th Session, I have “dubbed” these informal encounters Gayap Dialogues – the word gayap being drawn from the Indigenous Carib expression in Trinidad and Tobago meaning “many hands make light work.”

Just this morning, I engaged with Member States in the first Gayap Dialogue of this session on “Strengthening Media Engagement with the UN General Assembly”. I heard strong interest in making the Assembly’s work more accessible, understandable, and meaningful to the general public – including by utilizing traditional media channels.

 

Excellencies,

Like any well-run institution with an eye to longevity, the General Assembly must adapt itself to the times in order to stay relevant, credible and authoritative.

Let us therefore use this session to generate fresh, innovative ideas and strategies to better position and empower the General Assembly to deliver for peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability, and to implement what has already been agreed.

By revitalizing the General Assembly, we are acting to strengthen our multilateral system as a whole by:

  • ensuring that it is more inclusive and representative of all stakeholders,
  • working with respect and collegiality towards meaningful outcomes for the people we serve,
  • and ultimately, returning our politics to the “domain for dignity” that Martinique philosopher Édouard Glissant once envisioned.

Let us all exhibit a high level of motivation and engagement in this vital endeavour.

I thank you.