UN General Assembly
2018

I am pleased to congratulate Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on her outstanding election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. I am convinced that her qualities and proven knowledge of the United Nations will serve as an asset for the effective conduct of our work. She can count on Gabon’s support throughout her mandate. Allow me also to applaud the remarkable work accomplished by her predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, during his term as President at the seventy-second session. I am also pleased to commend the tireless efforts of Secretary- General António Guterres in promoting the values and ideals of our Organization. One month after the death of Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General and winner of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, I would like to pay tribute to that illustrious man of conviction and unity, whose commitment to peace and development will remain forever etched in our collective memory.