Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,

Mr. Dennis Francis,

at the launch of the Digital Handbook on the role of the General Assembly in matters of international peace and security

5 September 2024

[As Delivered]

 

 

 

Your Excellency, Philémon Yang, PGA-elect for the 79th Session,

 

Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, representing the Secretary-General,

 

Dr. David Passarelli, Director of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research,

 

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

 

I am delighted to welcome you all to the launch of the Digital Handbook on the Role of the General Assembly in matters of International Peace and Security.

 

Let me begin by thanking our dear colleagues, Menissa Rambally and Cornel Feruță – Permanent Representatives of Saint Lucia and Romania, respectively – for their invaluable role as Co-Chairs of the General Assembly revitalization process, effectively building on the robust groundwork already achieved by their predecessors.

 

I should also like to welcome here today Dr. David Passarelli, Director of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, who – together with his dedicated team at the University – brought this initiative to life, within a rather tight timeline, enabling my Office to deliver the Handbook over the course of this 78th session.

 

As you may recall, when I assumed the Presidency of the General Assembly, I chose peace as one of my four priorities to guide our work during the 78th session, reflecting its foundational importance to the 2030 aims of prosperity, progress and sustainability – and its central place at the very heart of the United Nations, itself.

 

Indeed – merely weeks into my tenure – it became clear that peace would be the defining pillar of the General Assembly’s 78th session; with the events and aftermath of 7 October, adding wattage to the global spotlight already turned on the Assembly’s role and functions under the UN Charter.

 

Clearly, at present, the international community faces challenges to peace and security to an extent not seen in decades.

 

As conflicts continue to spread – with devastating impacts, particularly on innocent civilians – the global citizens who we are here to serve look, with expectation, to the United Nations to provide answers, timely action, and indeed, to bring hope for those in dire need.

 

In effect, they look to the United Nations to show not just leadership, but effective leadership.

 

Given that peace and security is the brand of the UN, they are right to do so.

 

And, as the research in the Handbook before you would reveal, there is ample evidence that the General Assembly – since the founding of the United Nations – has previously acted boldly and decisively by taking consequential action to address peace and security challenges.

 

In this regard, I invite you to recall that it was, after all, the General Assembly that mandated the first peace operation – the United Nations Emergency Force – in 1956.

 

It was also the General Assembly that established Fact Finding Missions in South Viet Nam, Afghanistan, and Cambodia.

 

Furthermore, it has been the General Assembly to have appointed mediators, established Commissions of Inquiry – and initiated robust action in response to acts of aggression, through to the present moment.

 

During the 78th session alone, the General Assembly has addressed issues related to international peace and security on numerous occasions – from the resumption of the 10th Emergency Special Session to the many plenary debates convened under the veto initiative.

 

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

The Digital Handbook we are launching today brings together a catalogue of some past practices – and more – in a concise, user friendly format.

 

I hope that all users will learn something new and illuminating from this resource – from delegates and Secretariat staff, to students and members of the public.

 

I certainly already did – in the process of reviewing the Handbook’s content.

 

It sheds light on the vast, varied – and sometimes ambitious – previous actions of the General Assembly on matters of peace and security over the course of nearly eight decades.

 

Rather than guide Member States towards specific actions or conclusions, it aims to be descriptive, rather than prescriptive – seeking to provide accessible information and context.

 

The Handbook covers practice through to the 78th session – and importantly, includes links to all relevant referenced General Assembly resolutions, which readers can review for specific language and precedence.

 

While today’s launch is the culmination of great efforts by many actors – let it not be the end of the conversation.

 

The digital nature of the Handbook allows Member States to maintain, update and expand its scope – and I therefore encourage all Member States to consider doing so, as it is clear that, as anticipated in the Charter, General Assembly action on international peace and security matters is likely to continue, at least, for the foreseeable future.

 

I invite you all to scan the QR code on your desk – which will lead you to the Handbook’s digital home on the OPGA website.

 

 

 

Excellencies,

 

While the creation of the Handbook was mandated by all Member States through the consensus adoption of resolution 77/335, its production would not have been possible without the generous financial support from several Member States, namely – Austria, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Singapore. On behalf of the entire house, I extend my grateful thanks to them for underwriting this important and timely project.

 

Once again, I also extend my sincere gratitude to the researchers at United Nations University, whose dedication, professionalism – and strong cooperation with the OPGA over the last year – have been invaluable in condensing seven decades of practice into a concise readable resource.

 

And to the entire OPGA team – in particular Shane Dowling, who oversaw this important initiative with inspiring commitment and professionalism – I express my deepest appreciation for the high level of discipline evident in bringing this innovative effort from its nascent stages, across the finish line and onto our screens.

 

I sincerely hope that this resource enhances Member States’ understanding of the General Assembly’s pivotal role in advancing international peace and security over the decades.

 

Moving forward, I trust it will also spark reflection – and purposeful discussion – on how the General Assembly can continue to fulfill this mandate and further deepen its cooperation with the Security Council on these crucial matters.

 

 

 

I thank you.

 

 

 

* *** *

 

 

 

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