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Guest lecture by President General Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n H.E Dennis Francis,<\/strong><\/p>\n At the Diplomatic Academy Vienna,<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday, 14 March 2024,<\/strong><\/p>\n [As spoken]<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Emil Brix, Director of the Vienna School of International Studies,\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Members of the Faculty,<\/p>\n Distinguished representatives of the diplomatic community in Vienna,<\/p>\n Students,\u00a0<\/p>\n Members of Civil Society,\u00a0<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am truly honored to be here today, at the oldest diplomatic academy in the world \u2013 an institution whose remarkable history stretches three centuries and countless borders and cultures.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I extend my sincere gratitude to all of you gathered here today, as well as to those joining us remotely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This Academy\u2019s remarkable work has undoubtedly contributed to our collective efforts by offering practical and innovative tools to tackle humanity\u2019s greatest challenges \u2013 and this is indeed crucial for the work of the United Nations.<\/p>\n My purpose in being here today is not to deliver a theoretical lecture, but rather to foster a collaborative dialogue \u2013 aimed at reigniting tangible action by institutions such as this in alignment with the United Nations’ global goals and aspirations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I firmly believe that enhanced collaboration between the United Nations and all stakeholders, including academia, is needed now more than ever \u2013 as our world has never been more complex nor more dangerous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intensified geopolitical tensions and widening divisions make diplomatic compromises seem impossible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And yet, we must persevere and deepen our efforts to unite the Nations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the saying goes: United we stand, divided we fall.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We fail and fall, only when we give up, stop trying and choose inertia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We fail and fall, when we chose narrow self-interest over and above our collective interest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We fail and fall, when we place unilateralism above multilateralism.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Importantly, we undermine international cooperation when we abandon diplomacy and dialogue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And we ruin the rules-based order when we renege on our vows to adhere to and to promote the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is why \u2013 with strong devotion to our shared commitment to our multilateral system \u2013 I have chosen Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability<\/strong> for all as the four watchwords of my Presidency of the 78th<\/sup> Session of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is why I have committed to reigniting solidarity<\/strong> and unity<\/strong> among nations; and to ensure that we also remain focused on implementing our development blueprint \u2013 the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without these basic conditions, the world cannot flourish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Success will perpetually elude us unless we can re-learn the time-tested art of dialogue, diplomacy and building understanding and trust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is all too well known here in Vienna \u2013 a city that is no stranger to international diplomacy; a multilateral hub that hosts the UN and over 40 international organisations, as well as thousands of diplomats and international officials.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our success, as an international community, hinges on our ability to foster inclusive collaboration and empower all actors \u2013 be it academia, the private sector, youth, and civil society and others to contribute meaningfully to global governance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And I, as President of the General Assembly and the UN membership call upon you to make your insightful contributions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without a meaningful multistakeholder approach, it is inconceivable that even governments working in collaboration with each other can find effective solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting us at this time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we gather here today \u2013 against the backdrop of the greatest number of active conflicts since the founding of the UN \u2013 our international society feels like a keg of gunpowder on the verge of exploding.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russia\u2019s aggression against Ukraine<\/strong> has forcibly displaced millions \u2013 here in Europe and beyond \u2013 with political, economic, and social dynamics that will forever shape the geopolitical realities in the future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the Middle East<\/strong>, the decades-long unresolved Palestinian question<\/strong> has horrifically metastasized.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The atrocities committed by Hamas against Israelis on the 7th<\/sup> of October<\/strong> are grossly reprehensible \u2013 and I, once again, condemn them unabashedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the indiscriminate campaign by Israel on the Gaza Strip is certainly not the solution; it is disproportionate and inhumane and offends our sensibilities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is decidedly not \u2013 I repeat, not \u2013 <\/strong>a solution to this crisis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In fact, it compounds it, as it engenders the radicalization of the Palestinians, especially the young, who are potentially the future peacemakers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The consequences of both the 7th<\/sup> of October, and the 160 days since, are therefore planting deeper seeds of<\/strong> resentment <\/strong>that will haunt us for decades \u2013 making the prospect of peace only more remote.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But \u2013 with the UN Security Council incapacitated to effectively discharge its primary responsibility on the maintenance of international peace and security \u2013 the General Assembly has consistently filled the void, within the limits of its statutory capabilities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Ukraine<\/strong>, the Assembly has passed six resolutions since March 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Gaza, the Assembly has met on several occasions and has vocalized the will of the global community by adopting two strong resolutions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The General Assembly and I have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for the provision of vital humanitarian assistance to civilians and the unconditional and immediate release of the remaining hostages, who are also trapped in the chaos in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For both Ukraine and Gaza, as President of the General Assembly, I will continue to assert the demands of the Assembly until we see an end to the senseless suffering.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With all eyes on Ukraine and the Middle East, we cannot ignore other conflicts that require urgent attention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Haiti<\/strong>, displacement and gang violence have brought the country on its knees and on the brink of all-out civil war; with lawlessness forming a veil on accountability for the atrocious rape of women and girls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And in the Sudan<\/strong>, a violent struggle for power has led to harrowing atrocities and human rights violations being committed; amidst the massive displacement of over 10 million in the last year alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yet these and other tragic situations \u2013 from the denial of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan<\/strong>, to the cascade of military coups in Africa<\/strong> \u2013 seem to be forgotten, as humanitarian aid is overstretched, and political solutions seem out of reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I can only ask, as I am sure you would also: How can we make progress on sustainable development when the number of people killed in State-based wars essentially doubled between 2022 to 2023?\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unless we decisively tackle the drivers of conflict \u2013 poverty, injustice, inequality, human rights violations, economic dependence, discrimination and vulnerability \u2013 we will continue to fan the flames of social unrest and upheaval.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The prevailing geopolitical climate is also as pronounced as the folly and short-sightedness on our climate ambitions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We cannot say that we were not forewarned through scientific evidence over the past decades about the looming climate catastrophe \u2013 yet we have waited until very late, only to play catch up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, the sad reality and fact is that:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0According to UN estimates, almost 3 billion people \u2013 more than one third of the global population \u2013 could be displaced by the effects of\u00a0global warming by the end of the century.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The movement of people \u2013 at this unprecedented scale \u2013 would trigger further instability and turmoil.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simultaneously, climate-induced sea-level-rise is posing an increasingly existential threat to low-lying and Small Island Developing States.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the United Nations, we are mindful that we have an obligation to address the disproportionate impact of climate-change comprehensively and urgently \u2013 and to help countries chart a path towards action-oriented and equitable solutions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is a challenge we are taking to heart \u2013 and I am encouraged that, at my recommendation, the General Assembly adopted a decision in January to convene a High-Level meeting in September 2024 to address the threats posed by sea-level rise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I remain steadfast in my optimism, for I firmly believe that \u2013 even in the face of adversity \u2013 there is always hope.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is imperative that we stand together in unity and solidarity<\/strong> \u2013 unwavering in our commitment to the principles and purposes, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The offer, by Kenya, to support Haiti \u2013 half a world away \u2013 when conditions allow – is a sign that solidarity exists between and among nations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We need more of that, everywhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And there are upcoming moments in our calendar for the world to unite<\/strong> and build on this solidarity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In September, the UN will convene the Summit of the Future<\/strong> \u2013 a unique opportunity to supercharge SDG implementation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is also the chance for an honest relook at the state of the world today \u2013 and to try to fix it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To forge a path for a structured dialogue on peace and security, in order to avert environmental mayhem or nuclear catastrophe\/praxis. \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And I pause here and refer to the news today. The Russian President is threatening to use Nuclear Weapons. We live in a dangerous world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The General Assembly, of which I am privileged to be President, is ready to lead in all these processes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you may be aware, the Member States have started intergovernmental negotiations on the Pact of the Future<\/strong>, Declaration on Future Generations<\/strong>, as well as the Global Digital Compact<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let me pause here and emphasize that the Summit of the Future is a landmark initiative \u2013 aiming to bring together Governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, the youth and others, to work collaboratively on a set of shared principles and commitments for shaping an open and free world, including a secure digital future for all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With technology as an inherent component of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the massive global digital divide must be redressed if we hope to fulfil its central promise of leaving no one behind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As President of the General Assembly, I will continue to underscore that the outcomes of the Summit must be ambitious, action-oriented, and impactful enough to meet the challenges of our time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Furthermore, preparations are underway to convene the General Assembly\u2019s first ever Sustainability Week<\/strong> at UNHQ, from 15 – 19 April.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This Week of high-level events will address sustainability in infrastructure, tourism, energy, transport<\/strong>, as well as a special focus on debt sustainability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Sustainability Week is intended to galvanize momentum on critical sectors that cut across the entirety of the 2030 Agenda \u2013 and serve as a building block to the Summit of the Future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the run up to Sustainability Week and beyond, I would welcome your input and suggestions or questions \u2013 which can be freely submitted on the ASKPGA<\/strong> platform on my official website.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I also encourage you to showcase commitment to sustainability by engaging in our social media campaign by using #choosesustainability<\/strong> to be launched on 1 April 2024.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I cannot close without reemphasizing that the world is, indeed, replete with challenges \u2013 but it is also full of opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Opportunities we must effectively harness and leverage to counteract the myriad of challenges confronting us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I urge you all \u2013 as members of the academia, and as responsible global citizens and the guardians of our profession \u2013 to play a part in helping the international community to always make the right choices.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the UN Member States weather the stormy seas of their differences \u2013 and work to reignite solidarity<\/strong> and unity<\/strong> amongst them \u2013 the healing of wounds and bridging of the divides will also immensely benefit from your active involvement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We all stand to gain from a truly functional rules-based order \u2013 and a UN-led multilateral system that embraces diplomacy and dialogue as the pathway to effective international cooperation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And, a multilateral system that is anchored on the tenets of international law, including the principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Time is now, to come together as one international community \u2013 united in acknowledgement of our shared humanity; our embrace of diplomacy and of the pacific resolution of disputes; and our noble aspirations for a better future for people<\/strong> and planet <\/strong>in harmonious co-existence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guest lecture by President General Assembly H.E Dennis Francis, At the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, Thursday, 14 March 2024, [As spoken] \u00a0 Dr Emil Brix, Director of the Vienna School of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-276244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n\n