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Remarks by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n Blue Africa Summit <\/strong><\/p>\n (pre-recorded message)<\/strong><\/p>\n 17 November 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished Participants,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is my distinct honour to address the inaugural Blue Africa Summit.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My only regret is that I am not able to join you in person, despite my keen interest in strengthening Africa\u2019s maritime domain.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let me commend the Kingdom of Morocco\u2019s esteemed leadership in championing the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to make the African maritime space a zone of peace, stability and shared prosperity for all. Contriving to create, nurture and sustain peace must be at the centre-piece of work, in these times.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n His Majesty\u2019s vision aptly resonates with the theme I have chosen for the 78th Session of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n The maritime city of Tangier \u2013 at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, and spanning both Africa and Europe \u2013 is the ideal place to host this august gathering.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Indeed, Africa has emerged as a significant oceanic power, boasting 30,000 kilometres of coastline in 37 coastal States.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Its maritime routes \u2013 which once linked ancient empires \u2013 today increasingly transport people, energy, food and marine resources across three oceans.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On the continent, some 200 million people live within 50 kilometres of the coast \u2013 a figure set to double by 2030 \u2013 a reality that makes the maximization of its dynamic maritime potential vitally important to Africa\u2019s future development.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is especially true as sea-level rise continues to pose an existential threat to its low-lying coastal areas.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n This Summit\u2019s emphasis therefore on the blue economy \u2013 as an integral aspect of Africa\u2019s broader regional integration agenda \u2013 comes at an extremely opportune moment.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The blue economy can be a strong driver of sustainable and inclusive growth and development \u2013 providing crucial livelihoods and job opportunities for many and thus helping to boost the food security needs of millions, on the continent and potentially abroad.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To optimise the prospects, all potentially viable sustainable financing models should be explored, \u2013based on local needs, and priorities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ocean protection and management plans stand a better chance of success when scientific expertise is integrated with citizen and stakeholder engagement.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished Participants,<\/p>\n As I close, let me remind that Africa is a cradle of human civilization and a continent of great promise for peace, human rights, prosperity and development.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Realizing that promise requires that we urgently address the obstacles hindering its progress to achieve the 2030 and 2063 Agendas.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I therefore encourage all stakeholders \u2013 national and local authorities, civil society and the private sector \u2013 to forge strong partnerships that address the challenges in Africa\u2019s maritime domain, and aligning these efforts with those of the AU and other regional and international organizations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In this regard, I look forward to participating at the upcoming AU Summit to share further thought with the leaders.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And I urge development partners \u2013 to seize the opportunity offered by this critical Blue Africa Summit to scale up investment in the continent\u2019s sustainable development.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Together, let us ensure that no country on the continent is left behind \u2013 in our unrelenting quest for peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks of the President of the General Assembly<\/p>\r\n H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>\r\n GA plenary meeting on the Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>\r\n As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\nPresident of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i>\r\n\r\nExcellencies,<\/i>\r\n\r\nDistinguished Delegates,<\/i>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/i>\r\n\r\nToday we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.\r\n\r\nThe ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.\r\n\r\nIt serves as an emphatic reminder that\u00a0no one \u2013 I repeat, no one \u2013 should be exempt from accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,\u00a0and that regardless of their status, position or location, perpetrators of such crimes will invariably face the weight of justice.\r\n\r\nIndeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.\r\n\r\nIn those grave and heinous cases \u2013 when national legal systems prove unable or unwilling to bring perpetrators to justice \u2013 the ICC must step in.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, the ICC stands as a testament to our unshakeable resolve to end impunity, and moreover, to deter others from the commission of such crimes in the future.\r\n\r\nThe Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.\r\n\r\nI express my\u00a0 fulsome appreciation to the Court for its diligent efforts,\u00a0 as indeed to its judges and its prosecutor, as well as to the dedicated staff who have laudibly committed themselves to the pursuit of justice \u2013 and indeed, to what is\u00a0right<\/i>.\r\n\r\nThe report highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by the ICC this year, specifically as regards the prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.\r\n\r\nThese principles are fundamental to our global vision of peace and are integral to our mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights, and delivering justice to those who have suffered the gravest injustices.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen,<\/i>\r\n\r\nWe must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.\r\n\r\nIts jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.\r\n\r\nWhile it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.\r\n\r\nDespite these challenges, the hope for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, and the Kampala amendments, serve as a profound affirmation of the ICC's enduring commitment to justice.\r\n\r\nAs more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.\r\n\r\nAs we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.\r\n\r\nI underscore the\u00a0need for universal cooperation with the court among UN Member States in our common pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.\r\n\r\nI call upon States to support the ICC where it faces constraints in its pursuit of justice, including predictable funding to effectively undertake its investigations and prosecutions.\r\n\r\nIn line with the fundamental principle of complementarity, States should cooperate\u00a0with the ICC and with each other in investigations and prosecutions, including by sharing information and evidence to uphold the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.\r\n\r\nLet us remain committed to strengthening the international legal framework and ensuring that the ICC continues to fulfill its essential role in our global efforts to prevent impunity and injustice and to promote lasting peace.\r\n\r\nI thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>\r\n