Our world is suffering from a bad case of trust deficit disorder. People are feeling troubled and insecure, and trust is at a breaking point — trust in national institutions, trust among States and trust in the rules-based global order.
Within countries, people are losing faith in political establi…
We are deeply honoured and graced by the presence of Mrs. Nane Annan and members of the Annan family.
The United Nations and Kofi Annan were inseparable. It is impossible to say where one ended and the other began. And so we say to the dear Annan family today not only “welcome”, but “welcome home”.…
Let me start by again congratulating Her Excellency Ms. María
Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador on her election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy- third session.
(spoke in English)
Ms. Espinosa Garcés brings wide-ranging diplomatic and intergovernmental experience to the role,…
I congratulate my very dear friend, His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, and all representatives on the successful completion of a very productive session. The general debate in September was the first in more than a decade at which all Member States spoke. That was a sign of welcome engagement by po…
I thank the United States presidency of the Security Council for organizing this briefing, which reflects a recognition of the importance of tackling corruption as part of our efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Corruption is present in all countries, rich and poor, North and Sout…
I am very pleased to be here for this important observance. Last month, I visited Japan and met with survivors of the atomic- bomb attack on Nagasaki. Through the testimony of the survivors, the hibakusha, we are reminded of the need to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again. On the annual…
War is becoming increasingly complex, and so is mediating peace. Today, internal conflicts frequently take on regional and transnational dimensions. Many feature a deadly mix of fragmented armed groups and political interests funded by criminal activities. Conflicts around the world drag on for year…
I join representatives today with a heavy heart. The massive refugee emergency that began one year ago in Rakhine state, Myanmar, has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian and human rights crises. Last month, I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and heard stories of horrendous persecution and …
I thank the Russian Federation presidency for convening this debate at a crucial juncture for the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
The region faces profound divisions, troubling currents and a tragic shredding of its diverse religious, ethnic and cultural fabric. Decades-old conflicts, t…
I welcome this formal debate of the General Assembly on the responsibility to protect — the first, as the President said, since 2009. This discussion is more critical today than ever as we strive together to protect people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Glo…
We are at the halfway point to the 2020 fast-track commitments agreed by the General Assembly in 2016. The world is making good progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. More people have access to HIV testing and treatment. Access to antiretroviral therapy has expanded by more than 20 milli…
Let me start by expressing my deep appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák for his dedicated service and exceptional leadership as President of the General Assembly. This has been a productive session, underscored by last week’s milestone resolution 72/279 on the reform and repositioning …
I have just arrived from Mali, but I wanted to be here personally to thank everyone here for their leadership, engagement and constructive spirit as representatives of all the States Members of the United Nations. I would like to pay a special tribute to the co-facilitators, Ambassador Sabri Boukado…
I thank the Government of Poland for convening this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
The most effective way to protect civilians is to prevent and end conflicts. That is why conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding are, and will remain, the highest priorities f…
I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s briefing on peacebuilding and sustaining peace — key aspects of the work of the Security Council and the entire United Nations system.
(spoke in English)
Peacebuilding and sustaining peace are first and foremost about enhancing our strategic cohere…
I thank the General Assembly for this opportunity to renew our joint commitment to building and sustaining peace. I welcome Members’ high-level attention accorded to this issue at a key moment for our collective efforts and at a time when peace is fragile and at risk in many places around the world.…
I have been following closely the reports of air strikes in Syria conducted by the United States, France and United Kingdom. Last night at 10 p.m. New York time, the United States President announced the beginning of air strikes with the participation of France and the United Kingdom, indicating the…
The situation in the Middle East is in chaos to such an extent it has become a threat to international peace and security. The region is facing a true Gordian knot — different fault lines crossing each other and creating a highly volatile situation with risks of escalation, fragmentation and divisio…
I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for organizing this important debate and I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for presiding over it.
In the past year I have addressed the Council several times on peacekeeping reform. It is now time to take action together. At its best, United Nations peacekeepin…
I am pleased to join the General Assembly today to remember and commemorate the victims and survivors of the transatlantic slave trade. Lasting for more than 400 years, the abominable buying and selling of human beings was the largest forced movement of people in history. It was inhumane and shamefu…
