UN General Assembly
2021

It is a privilege to speak before the General Assembly for the first time. I bring warm greetings from the people of the Republic of Palau. I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Abdulla Shahid on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session, and I commend Mr. Volkan Bozkir on his leadership during the previous session. Our seventy-sixth session convenes at a unique time in the history of the United Nations. Member States are still confronted with the monumental task of solving the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. On behalf of the people of Palau, we applaud and salute the first responders, doctors, nurses, public health professionals and all those who have worked on, and continue to diligently respond to, the pandemic, including scientists, pharmaceutical companies, civil society, Governments and others that have taken the lead in creating life-saving vaccines and innovative treatments in swift response. Palau would also like to thank all our international allies and friends that came to our aid during this