UN General Assembly
2017

At the outset, I would like to warmly congratulate Mr. Miroslav Lajčák on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session and to wish him success in fulfilling his important mandate. My thanks also go to his predecessor Mr. Peter Thomson, for his dedication and professionalism in conducting the work of the previous session. I take this opportunity to express words of encouragement and support to the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres. I am confident that with his competent leadership and the joint efforts of the Member States, we will succeed in redefining the role of the United Nations and adjusting it to the requirements of the modern world.