UN General Assembly
2011

At the outset, I would like to cordially congratulate Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of the State of Qatar on his election to the post of President of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. I assure him of our full support for his endeavours in that capacity. I am honoured to speak on behalf of my country at this session of the General Assembly and to be able to address in this historic place representatives of all the countries of the world. Our participation at this session is also an opportunity for dialogue, a chance to get acquainted with the problems of nations from different regions of the world and to learn about their achievements and aspirations — and also their concerns and fears. It is an opportunity for reflection on how to deal with the challenges faced by humankind — by all of us. I speak here on behalf of a country that over the past two decades has become a symbol of positive change — change that required courage and hard work.