UN General Assembly
2011

As this is the first time I have stood at this rostrum as Prime Minister of Tuvalu and participated in the general debate of the General Assembly, I am delighted to convey the warmest greetings and best wishes of my people and my Government, and I am honoured to speak today on their behalf. Let me first extend my special thanks and sincere appreciation to the Government of the United States of America, as the host country, for the warm hospitality and special protocols accorded to my delegation since our arrival. Ten years ago, Tuvalu established and opened its Permanent Mission to the United Nations here in New York, with a mandate to engage more closely with nations of the global family. Despite our limited resources as one of the smallest Member States, our presence is a simple testimony of our hope and trust in collaboration with Member States in the pursuit of our destiny. This further reflects our continued commitment to uphold the maintenance of international peace and security, development and human rights as