Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,

Mr. Philémon Yang

Meeting with the Western European and Other States Group 

[As Prepared]

23 October 2024

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Thank you for joining me today.

I invited you to this meeting to say “thank you” for the warm welcome you have given me since I assumed the Presidency of the General Assembly, for the 79th Session.

As you know, the cornerstone of my Presidency will be built upon the principles of “unity in diversity,” with the aim of fostering an inclusive environment. One in which all voices are heard and valued.

In this spirit, I thank the Western European and Other States for your support, particularly during the final days of adopting the Pact for the Future.

The Pact’s adoption was a milestone achievement.

Now, we must take initiative and collectively implement its commitments.

I look forward to hearing from you today – and throughout the session – about how we can work together, with urgency, across the Pact’s five focus areas:

 

  • Sustainable development
  • International peace and security
  • Science and technology
  • Youth and future generations, and
  • Transforming global governance.

As I announced at the closing of the general debate, my team is looking closely at the elements of the Pact where my Office can provide support to Member States.

In this context, I would like to update you on where my actions have already started.

Firstly, I intend to re-establish the Advisory Board on Gender Equality, to provide good counsel on how to implement the gender-related actions in the Pact and mainstream gender equality throughout the work of the General Assembly.

In addition, I intend to advance the message that world leaders delivered loud and clear through the Pact on the urgent need to reform the Security Council.

This includes addressing Africa’s voice and ensuring equal representation in our collective drive to make the Council more inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive to 21st century realities.

I have appointed two co-chairs for the Intergovernmental Negotiations process who are well known to you:

 

  • His Excellency, Mr. Alexander Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria, and
  • His Excellency, Mr. Tareq M.A.M.Albanai, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait.

I am eager to advance this reform, and the outcome remains in the hands of you, the Member States.

I count on you to support the co-chairs, particularly in relation to the submission and review of models for reform, as called for by the Pact.

Along similar lines and trying to move the agenda of the Pact forward, I have recently appointed two co-chairs for the Ad-Hoc Working Group for the Revitalization of the General Assembly:

  • Her Excellency Ms. Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa; and
  • His Excellency Mr. Cornel Feruta, Permanent Representative of Romania.

And I have also appointed:

  • His Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium and
  • His Excellency, Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, to facilitate negotiations on the modalities of the World Social Summit.

As I continue to appoint co-facilitators for other processes, I will consider the importance of both geographical balance and gender parity, and I encourage you to come forward.

I am eager to see processes advance meaningfully during this session to achieve tangible results for the membership at large.

And in this same spirit of openness, I emphasize that my door will remain open throughout the session to hear your concerns and exchange views.

I would now like to open the floor to hear your ideas and priorities for the 79th session, particularly on how to advance the Pact for the Future.

I thank you.

 

Media Contacts

Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org

Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org

 

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