[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Mr Dennis Francis, <\/span><\/i><\/b><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Concert in Honour of PGA organized by UNITAR<\/strong><\/p>\n [Delivered by H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, Chef De Cabinet]<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your Excellencies,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Members of the Governing Board and Management of Carnegie Hall,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Distinguished guests,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to deliver this statement, on behalf of the President of the General Assembly \u2013 His Excellency Dennis Francis \u2013 who having come off a 14 hour flight only hours ago, very much regrets his inability to be here this evening, in manifestation of his deep appreciation\u00a0 for the long-standing and valued collaboration that exists between Carnegie Hall and the General Assembly of the United Nations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Statement reads as follows:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am honored and at the same time, humbled, that in this illustrious sanctuary devoted to the upliftment of the human spirit through the arts, the theme of my Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly \u2013 <\/span>peace<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>progress<\/span><\/b>, <\/span>prosperity<\/span><\/b>, and <\/span>sustainability<\/span><\/b> \u2013 is being recognized and indeed celebrated.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In that regard, allow me to extend my grateful thanks to the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Monaco, Singapore and Oman for generously supporting this event, as well as United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, a much valued partner of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, for organizing it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We all know that music \u2013 the universal language of humankind \u2013 transcends borders, overcomes divides and appeals to the human spirit. In doing so, it brings disparate people and communities together, all the while celebrating our world\u2019s rich diversity and heritage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, where our words fail, music speaks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Concerts like this one provide the welcome opportunity for the UN to reflect its key values and principles in seeking to build a better world, where all people live in harmony and respect for each other, while adhering to appropriate standards of human dignity. In sharing our dynamic world culture and artistry with the wider community, the UN hopes to build understanding for and appreciation of the rich and diverse tapestry that is world culture, which enriches our lives, even in difficult times, and helps to promote peaceful co-existence.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In that regard, I am also specially delighted that the featured artist for tonight\u2019s production is Dr. Slinger Francisco, world famously known by the sobriquet, \u201cthe Mighty Sparrow\u2019, an acknowledged icon and cultural Ambassador of one of Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s premier art forms, calypso music. \u201cSparrow\u201d as we warmly refer to him, is a national treasure and has practiced his art for over 50 years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I should like to thank him most sincerely for his unique contribution to making tonight\u2019s concert so very special, in a personal way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, I should like to express my deep appreciation to the dedicated management of Carnegie Hall for the enduring strength of their collaboration with the United Nations, and most especially, for making this production possible. Congratulations!! I shall certainly be there in spirit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr Dennis Francis, Concert in Honour of PGA organized by UNITAR [Delivered by H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, Chef De Cabinet] \u00a0\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" 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-274702","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