UN General Assembly
2018

I convey very special congratulations to Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on her election to preside over the General Assembly. I congratulate her on her personality and career, on the priorities she has defined, on the progress she represents in gender equality at the United Nations and on the informal interactive dialogue, which is a sign of the increased transparency of the General Assembly. Portugal welcomes and reaffirms its full support for the priorities the Secretary-General has set and the actions he has pursued during his lucid, dynamic and exceptional mandate. Multilateralism, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the reform of the Organization, conflict prevention, peacekeeping and the maintenance of peace, concern for migration and refugees, combating terrorism and international crime, the oceans and maritime security, climate change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, gender equality and support for our young people are all aimed at the permanent upholding of human rights.