Statement on election of His Excellency Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann as President of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly

Mr. President-elect,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Let me warmly congratulate His Excellency Mr. Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann on his election as President of the 63nd session of the General Assembly.

Mr. D'Escoto brings to the job decades of experience not only on the international scene but in the humanitarian arena as well.

His long and varied career will serve him well here at the United Nations, where momentum is already building toward the next session of the General Assembly.

Indeed preparations are underway for the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly to jointly convene a high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals. The aim is to push for accelerated progress in reaching these critical targets to improve living conditions for the world's poorest people.

That's just one of many major milestones planned for the next session. But, as always, there will also be a great deal of steady, painstaking work to address the broad-ranging issues on the UN's agenda and to help this Organization keep pace with emerging developments and demands.

The world is increasingly turning to the United Nations to solve global problems, and the work of the General Assembly is critical to meeting these high expectations. By joining forces under the leadership of the President, we can forge effective responses that will make a difference in the lives of millions of people across the world.

Mr. D'Escoto, on behalf of the Secretary-General, I want to assure you of our full support as you prepare to take office and during your tenure as President.

We look forward to working closely with you to rise to the many challenges we face by strengthening the United Nations so that it can better serve the peoples in whose name our Charter was adopted.

Thank you very much.