NEW YORK, CMC – On the eve of the tip of his tenure as President of the 78th Session of the United Nations Common Meeting, Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to the UN Dennis Francis mentioned he remained “bullish on the UN” regardless of mounting crises.
“We could not at all times win in the way in which we wish to win, however the values and rules that the UN abides by, that of decision of disputes by peaceable means by means of negotiation and conciliation, means and permits everybody to return right here and categorical their views freely and brazenly on the necessary problems with our instances,” Francis instructed reporters on Monday, the day earlier than his one-year reign ends as President of the 78th Session, underscoring the UN’s energy to convene 193 international locations to debate their issues and considerations “in a rational, civil method” within the seek for options.
“And so, I stay bullish – to make use of a time period used within the monetary markets – I’m bullish on the UN,” added Francis, who was a Grand Marshal throughout the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade on Jap Parkway in Brooklyn, New York on Labor Day.
He mentioned a milestone declaration to speed up funding within the UN’s Sustainable Improvement Objectives (SDGs) and three resolutions on the Gaza battle had been among the many achievements of the 78th Session of the UN Common Meeting, describing his 12 months on the helm of the UN’s essential policy-making physique as “an honor of lifetime.”
“This has been a really eventful session,” mentioned the veteran diplomat, who made “Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability” the watchwords for his presidency.
The UN mentioned Francis’s tenure started with adopting a landmark political declaration on the SDG Summit final September, which the Common Meeting endorsed in its first official motion of the 78th Session.
Francis mentioned adoption introduced “urgency to our efforts to satisfy the SDGs.”
The UN famous that separate Excessive-Degree Conferences on three health-related points – pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, boosting common well being protection, and stamping out tuberculosis – additionally ended with political declarations.
“The Excessive-Degree Dialogue on Financing for Improvement led to a convincing consensus on the necessity to reform the worldwide monetary structure – to match our Sustainable Improvement ambitions for 2030 with the mandatory assets for implementation,” Francis mentioned.
The UN mentioned the Common Meeting commemorated the seventy fifth anniversary of the Common Declaration of Human Rights in December with a casual plenary assembly and award ceremony for UN Human Rights Prize recipients.
In April, Francis convened the Meeting’s first-ever Sustainability Week, which centered on points akin to tourism, transport, infrastructure, and vitality. A flagship occasion on debt sustainability highlighted the considerations of nations in particular conditions.
The UN mentioned the week was dedicated to constructing momentum for the Fourth Worldwide Convention on Small Island Growing States, held in Might in Antigua and Barbuda, and the Summit of the Future, which begins subsequent week in New York, catapulting world efforts to realize sustainable growth.
“All through, we had been reminded of the central duty to construct sustainable peace, the lynchpin of success on another pillar of the UN’s work,” Francis mentioned.
He added that, following the horrifying escalation of violence within the Center East, the Common Meeting took daring motion to renew its tenth Emergency Session.
In keeping with the “Uniting for Peace” decision, which the Meeting adopted in 1950, the veteran diplomat mentioned the physique might convene an “emergency particular session” inside 24 hours ought to the Safety Council “fail to train its main duty” for sustaining worldwide peace and safety.
Francis mentioned the Meeting adopted three necessary resolutions on this regard: The primary referred to as for the safety of civilians and upholding authorized and humanitarian obligations, whereas the second demanded a direct ceasefire and that every one events adjust to their worldwide organizations, in addition to the discharge of all hostages and guaranteeing humanitarian entry.
The third decision decided that the State of Palestine is certified for UN membership and beneficial that the Safety Council contemplate the matter favorably.
“These calls for by the Meeting signify the desire of the worldwide group, and – as I’ve routinely mentioned on a number of events – I reiterate these calls for, forthrightly, right here at the moment. It’s time for the violence in Gaza to cease,” Francis mentioned.
He additionally expressed satisfaction in his administration’s work on gender and youth, together with re-establishing the Advisory Board on Gender Equality and frequent engagement with younger folks at UN Headquarters in New York or elsewhere.
The UN mentioned the outgoing Meeting president additionally pointed to a different important achievement throughout his administration: elevating higher consciousness of the menace posed by sea-level rise.
He mentioned Heads of State and Authorities will focus on the problem later this month “with a view to giving particular instructions for future work.”
When requested his views on the UN’s skill to be a key participant, given challenges such because the Center East disaster, the conflict in Ukraine, and the local weather emergency, Francis responded: “I’m optimistic about the way forward for the UN for a number of causes as a result of there isn’t a different group on this planet just like the UN that has the capability or the dedication to do what the UN does.
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