Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the Unveiling of the artwork “Consensus” by Singaporean Artist Tay Bak Chiang
15 July 2024
[As Delivered]
Your Excellency, Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations,
Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General, and Chair of the Art Committee,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am grateful to the Permanent Mission of Singapore, and you personally, Your Excellency Burhan Gafoor, for the kind invitation to witness the unveiling of this poignant and evocative painting – aptly titled “Consensus”, and coming at a time when we deeply need such reminders on precisely what this unique piece of art represents.
This artwork – comprising a varied assortment of rocks, big and small – clearly symbolizes a community striving for consensus as the bedrock for common understanding, harmony and unity among nations and their peoples.
In my view, this artwork reflects a key and core mission of the United Nations – to foster Peace.
A mission that is so crucial, especially in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions, and the myriad of conflicts and strife – which has ignited the unprecedented humanitarian crises we are witnessing in places like the Gaza Strip, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and elsewhere around the world.
And also, at a time when the United Nations itself, as an organization, and the principles underpinning our multilateral system face increased scrutiny and challenges, thus making the values depicted in this painting – unity, harmony, and consensus – befittingly more vital than ever.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we are pleasantly lifted by this unique artwork, in what appears as its perfect form, we must seize the opportunity to counter any doubts in and skepticism about our multilateral system – by reaffirming and demonstrating that collective international action anchored on mutual trust, remains the most effective means to tackle our era’s pressing issues.
Be it addressing climate change, resolving conflict, or other crises.
We must see in this artwork an indelible defining feature of our multilateral system’s core ethos of diversity and togetherness – exemplified by Singaporean multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society itself.
We, here at the UN, should emulate Singapore’s approach: learning from each other’s unique perspectives and focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us – much like the artwork before us today.
Importantly, we must use this as an occasion to honor and celebrate Singapore’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism – as also evidenced by the show of leadership in championing the role and collective voice of small states.
Coincidentally, for me personally, it is indeed fitting that this event sets the perfect stage for my imminent official visit to Singapore later this week.
I look forward to exploring further avenues of enhanced cooperation and shared solutions between Singapore and United Nations – embodying the spirit of consensus in our quest for peace, progress, prosperity and sustainability for all, everywhere.
I thank you.
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