Remarks by the President of the General Assembly
Mr. Philémon Yang
Closing of the High-Level General Debate
(Bilingual- English and French)
30 September 2024
[As Delivered]
Excellences,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Alors que nous concluons le débat général, j’exprime ma profonde gratitude à tous les États membres pour leur participation active aux débats.
Les discussions que nous avons eues cette semaine illustrent le type de coopération multilatérale dont nous avons besoin pour relever les défis auxquels notre monde est confronté.
En ce mois de septembre, nous nous sommes réunis pour le débat général dans une période particulièrement agitée. Les délégations ont souligné les défis pressants auxquels nous sommes confrontés : l’accélération de l’histoire, l’accélération de la crise climatique, la lenteur dans la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable, l’extrême pauvreté qui ne faiblit pas, une architecture financière internationale inefficace, des inégalités persistantes entre les hommes et les femmes, un chômage des jeunes sidérant, ainsi que les effets néfastes de la transformation technologique et numérique.
Tels sont les principaux défis qui ont émergé au cours de nos débats. Nous devons poursuivre sur la lancée du Sommet de l’avenir qui vient de s’achever. Ce sommet a été marqué par l’adoption du Pacte pour l’avenir et de ses annexes, qui visent à revitaliser notre système multilatéral et la coopération internationale.
Le Pacte pour l’avenir, le Pacte numérique mondial et la Déclaration sur les générations futures apparaissent comme une promesse solide afin de propulser nos efforts vers la réalisation de l’Agenda 2030 pour le Développement Durable.
Notre Pacte pour l’avenir s’attaque essentiellement à certains des défis qui entravent la coopération internationale depuis de nombreuses années. Certains de ces défis trouveront probablement des solutions grâce à l’application effective du Pacte et de ses annexes.
J’exhorte les États Membres et toutes les parties prenantes à agir dans le sens d’une mise en œuvre effective du Pacte pour l’avenir et de ses annexes.
Mon Bureau prévoit de mener un programme intensif de sensibilisation dans ce sens tout au long de la 79e session de l’Assemblée générale. Nous restons ouverts à tout conseil et à tout soutien pour faciliter nos actions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
While we are meeting in New York, violent conflicts are raging in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Ukraine. This is unfortunately not an exhaustive list of the conflicts and crises affecting Member States of the United Nations.
In the last few days, the world has seen an extremely dramatic escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. That escalation risks causing war in the entire Middle East Region.
As we speak, peace in the Middle East is hanging delicately on a shoestring! There is pervasive tension and uncertainty in the region. Thousands of people have lost their lives. Many others have been displaced. Infrastructure has been destroyed.
This must stop. And it must stop now.
The world must not allow an all-out war to happen in this volatile region.
We call on all parties – Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah to urgently conclude a ceasefire. And for all remaining hostages to be freed immediately and unharmed.
I also call on all those with influence on the parties to demand an immediate ceasefire and dialogue. I further call on all states supplying weapons to the region to desist from such actions and give peace a chance. For no sustainable peace will be achieved militarily.
Negotiations and diplomatic solutions must take precedence over brutal force. The Charter of the United Nations instructs that Member States settle their disputes peacefully, so as not to endanger international peace and security.
As you heard me saying at the opening of the General Debate, only a two-state solution, based on relevant UN resolutions, can guarantee lasting peace and security for both the people of Israel and Palestine, and indeed for the rest of the Region.
Excellencies,
During the General Debate, we heard from 190 Member States, including contributions from 71 Heads of State, 42 Heads of Government, 6 Vice Presidents and Crown Princes, 8 Deputy Prime Ministers, 53 Ministers, 3 Vice Ministers and 7 Chairs of Delegations. Moreover, we heard from 3 Observers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the General Debate this September, it was disappointing—and frankly unacceptable that only about 10% of the speakers were women.
This glaring disparity speaks to a deeper issue that we cannot ignore. We must do far better on gender equality, and this cannot simply be a talking point.
It must remain a priority on our agenda, demanding action, not just acknowledgment, as we move forward.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In my opening remarks of the General Debate, I emphasized that only by working together, despite our differences, can we confront and overcome the complex and discouraging challenges before us.
Only through dialogue, listening, and collective action, can we find solutions that benefit all of us.
The theme I chose for the 79th Session “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for everyone, everywhere”—is not just a guiding principle. It is a call to action.
The theme reminds us that our strength lies in our diversity, and our ability to unite stakeholders around our common goals.
Let us all move forward together with this spirit of unity and shared responsibility. Let us continue our work, with the clear aim of building a peaceful, just, and dignified future for all.
Thank you.
Media Contacts:
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 646-342-5873, email: birchs@un.org
Mariam Shaikh, Dr. Advisor, Media and Communications, Office of the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 9173614990, email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
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