UN General Assembly
2017

I would like to begin my statement by conveying my condolences to the people of Mexico in the wake of the 19 September earthquake. Let me welcome the theme of the seventy-second session of the General Assembly, “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”. Those are very important objectives that will require all of our determination as responsible leaders in order to achieve them, especially when we see obstacles before us. Indeed, people across the globe still suffer from the brutal effects of war, poverty, inequality and injustice. Tensions over cultural identity and faith are rising, even within traditionally open and tolerant societies. Natural disasters cause increasing damage every season. Terrorist attacks deepen the sense of insecurity.