UN General Assembly
2017

First of all, I would like to express my solidarity to the Mexican people, who are dealing with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. At the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Lajčák, on assuming the post of President of the General Assembly at its current session. I am sure you will make our region proud. The United Nations is, and will be, the central forum for multilateralism and a rules-based global order. This is the place where all nations come together to carry out our shared responsibility to deliver peace and security, advance human rights and sustainable development and cooperate for a better future. As the truly global Organization, the United Nations must be able to effectively respond to the serious global issues that we face: regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, the threat of terrorism, insecurity related to migration, climate change and poverty. Individuals and their need for peace and a decent life are at the centre of all those challenges. We must be able to deliver on those needs as individual nations and as the United Nations.