Mr. President,
Let me join others in congratulating you on assuming this high office during the historic 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. I want to assure you of our fullest support and cooperation in effectively discharging your responsibilities.
We also take this opportunity to express our profound appreciation to your predecessor, Professor Tijjani-Muhammad Bande, who demonstrated able leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted the work of this Assembly.
Excellencies, Mr. President,
This session is indeed special not only because we are marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN, but also because we are doing so in the midst of an unprecedented crises. I believe it will allow us to chart the way forward in the post-COVID world. This, of course, can only be achieved if we work together and try to find a collective solution to the myriad of challenges and threats facing humanity and the planet.
We all agree that the immediate priority now is, of course, how to recover from the current crisis and rebuild a better tomorrow. We have no guarantee to prevent a similar crisis in the future without creating sustainable, resilient, and inclusive societies. In this connection, accelerating progress towards the SDGs is not a matter of option but an absolute imperative.
On our part, we are determined to get back on track and build the necessary momentum for its implementation. It is in this context that we are designing our next Ten Years Perspective Plan, which coincides with the launching of the UN Decade of Action for the SDGs.
Mr. President,
No doubt, the pandemic has overwhelmed health systems across the world and crippled the global economy. Many African countries, including Ethiopia, also find themselves facing the risk of becoming even more food insecure. The World Food Programme has already warned, for instance, that the number of acutely food insecure people in our region is likely to increase significantly due to the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic.
This coupled with the multiple crises affecting our region, including the massive outbreak of desert locusts and climate change induced extreme weather events, threatens to wipe out the livelihoods of millions of our people. Therefore, we fully support the call by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a large-scale, coordinated, and comprehensive multilateral response amounting to at least 10% of global GDP and a series of measures to give developing countries the financial firepower they need to weather this storm.
While we are grateful for the international response in support of the continent which provided some relief, we believe that much more still needs to be done to mitigate the medium and long-term impact of the pandemic on our continent.
Mr. President,
Our objective should not only be to recover and rebuild a better future, but to do so in a green and climate resilient way. There is no stark reminder of the need for urgent action than the devastating impact of climate change that we are witnessing in various parts of the world. Our region is indeed a case in point with climate induced disaster upending the lives of millions of our people.
We all must mobilize more than ever to cut global gas emissions over the next decade to meet our targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. On our part, we are fully committed to redoubling our efforts and fulfilling our obligation. Ethiopia is already responding to the call for climate action through the Green Legacy Initiative, which is part of our efforts to build a green and climate resilient economy.
I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that our largest infrastructural project today — the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — built with our own local resources, contributes to the conservation of water resources, which would otherwise have been lost to evaporation in downstream countries. I want to make it abundantly clear that we have no intention to harm these countries.
What we are essentially doing is to meet our electricity demands from one of the cleanest sources of energy. We cannot afford to continue keeping more than 65 million of our people in the dark. We have indeed been guided by the internationally accepted principle of equitable and reasonable utilization and not causing significant harm in building this Dam.
Our unwavering commitment to this important principle is clearly encapsulated in the Declaration of Principles, signed by Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Sudan in March 2015. I want to assure that we are steadfast in our commitment to addressing the concerns of downstream countries and reaching a mutually beneficial outcome in the context of the ongoing AU-led process.
Mr. President,
Our peace, stability and development is closely interlinked with the peace and security of our subregion.
It is in this relation that we are encouraged by the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan. We hope the South Sudanese political stakeholders will continue to work together in a spirit of collegiality to address outstanding issues and improve the plight of the South Sudanese people who have suffered for far too long.
We in the region together with the rest of the international community will continue to lend our support to accompany South Sudan on a path of sustainable peace.
We also follow the developments in the Sudan.
The transitional government needs all the support it can get from the international community in easing the serious socio-economic difficulties facing the country and fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people. On the other hand, we remain deeply concerned by the continued attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab in Somalia. That is why we all need to continue supporting Somalia in their security endeavor.
On our part, Ethiopia remains committed to the path of the reforms we began two and half years ago. Albeit the resistance that comes with any attempts to shift the status quo in favor of social justice, we will pursue Ethiopia’s inevitable track for democratization.
Finally, Mr. President, seventy-five years after the founding of the UN, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Therefore, we have a unique responsibility to mobilize our collective political will and commitment to overcome the unprecedented challenges we face.
In line with the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN, we hope the Secretary-General will provide us with far-reaching and appropriate recommendations in helping us achieve this objective and we look forward to receiving his report before the end of this session. I thank you.


Mr. President,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Mr. Secretary General,
Esteemed Delegates,
I greet you with respect on behalf of myself and my Nation.
I would like to thank Mr. Muhammed-Bande for his successful work at the United Nations during this difficult period.
I also wholeheartedly congratulate my former colleague, Ambassador Volkan Bozkir, who has taken over the Presidency of the General Assembly.
Ambassador Bozkir’s election to this post with the support of the overwhelming majority of countries is a sign of his personal qualities as an experienced diplomat and politician, as well as confidence in Turkey.
As the first Turkish citizen to undertake the highest-ranking position within the United Nations system, I believe that Ambassador Bozkir will be the voice and conscience of the international community.
I have no doubts that he will carry out his duty in a fair and transparent manner.
I wish Mr. Bozkir every success in his duty, which he assumes on such a meaningful date as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
I think holding the General Assembly under the theme of “Fight against COVID-19 and Multilateralism” is the right decision.
As Turkey, we stand by our commitments and we are determined to maintain our support in the fight against COVID-19.
The pandemic caught the world at a time when it was having difficulties in coping with various challenges.
Globalization, rules-based international system and multilateralism, which were already the subject of discussions, are now even more questioned under the impact of the pandemic.
When we look at the picture in front of us, we need to accurately and sincerely evaluate the full and empty parts of the glass.
In the empty part of the glass, there is the need of a reform for multilateral organizations, in particular the United Nations.
We have seen how ineffective the existing global mechanisms have been during this crisis.
This was so much true that it took weeks, even months, for the Security Council, the most fundamental decision-making body of the United Nations, to include the pandemic on its agenda.
At the beginning of the pandemic, a scene emerged where countries were left on their own.
Thus, we have once again seen the rightfulness of the “The World is bigger than Five” thesis, which I have been advocating for years from this rostrum.
The fate of humanity cannot be left at the mercy of a limited number of countries.
In order to prevent the loss of reputation of international organizations, we must first review our mentality, institutions and rules.
Effective multilateralism requires effective multilateral institutions.
We must rapidly implement comprehensive and meaningful reforms, starting with the restructuring of the Security Council.
We must provide the Council with a more effective, democratic, transparent and accountable structure and functioning.
Likewise, we should also strengthen the General Assembly, which reflects the common conscience of the international community.
Looking at the full part of the glass, the United Nations preserves its potential to be the turning point in humanity’s quest for peace, justice and prosperity.
Considering that we have not yet overcome the pandemic crisis, we should try to use the institutions and mechanisms we have for multilateral cooperation in the most effective way.
Where problems are global, local solutions can only save the day.
International solidarity is essential for long-term solutions.
In Turkey, since the early days of the outbreak of the crisis, we have called for cooperation in all international platforms.
We have been in the forefront of efforts to combat the pandemic in the G-20, the Turkic Council, MIKTA, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other platforms.
We reached out to 146 countries and 7 international organizations that requested medical equipment assistance, with the understanding that “A sure friend is known in unsure times”.
With the repatriation operations we carried out, we ensured the return of more than a hundred thousand of our citizens in 141 countries, to their homes.
With the same flights, we carried more than 5,500 foreigners from sixty-seven countries to their homes.
We did not do all these with the intention of carry in gouta “corona virus diplomacy”.
We did not expect and still do not hope for any compensation from anyone for our aid and repatriation efforts.
Standing with the victims and the oppressed is in the veins of our Nation and in the essence of our “Enterprising and Humanitarian Foreign Policy”.
I once again call for the supply of medical equipment and drugs and vaccine development efforts not to be made an issue of competition.
No matter which country they are produced in, vaccines to be made ready-for- use should be offered to the common benefit of humanity.
Dear Delegates,
With the pandemic, we have once again experienced together how vital elements such as State capacity, effective governance and resilience are.
Behind Turkey’s success story lies effective governance mechanisms that we have established with the Presidential Government System, a high capacity developed by our infrastructure investments in the area of health, and qualified human resources.
However, the pandemic adversely affected conflict dynamics around the world and increased vulnerabilities.
We regret that the United Nations Secretary General’s call for a global humanitarian ceasefire, which we also support, has not produced concrete results.
As Turkey, we are looking for ways to eliminate threats to our country and humanity, by taking any kind of initiative if required. The conflict in Syria, which entered its 10th year, continues to pose a threat to the security and stability of our region.
As the country that struck the first and most serious blow against DAESH in the region, we continue to fight against the PKK-YPG terrorist organization.
As the international community, we cannot find a permanent solution to the Syrian issue without adopting the same principled attitude and decisive stance against all terrorist organizations.
This approach is also essential for ensuring safe and voluntary returns to Syria.
The return of more than our 411,000 Syrian brothers and sisters to the regions we liberated from terrorist organizations in Syria is the most clear indicator of this.
Likewise, thanks to the regions we made secure, we succeeded in preventing that millions of Syrians living in different parts of the country, particularly Idlib, left their homeland.
Turkey hosts approximately 4 million Syrians on its own territory for years by addressing all their needs.
We also meet the needs of approximately the same number of Syrians on-site, in the regions that we keep under control, especially in areas close to our border.
Ultimately, we are building tens of thousands of briquette houses in Idlib and elsewhere for our brothers and sisters.
We carry out all these activities with our own means and with the support of our people, without a significant support from the international community or international organizations.
It should be a priority for all of us to resolve the conflict in Syria on the basis of the roadmap endorsed in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).
To this end, the political process initiated under the auspices of the United Nations, which is also Syrian-owned and Syrian-led, should be brought to a successful conclusion.
This is the only way that Syria can achieve a lasting peace, while preserving its territorial integrity and political unity.
Until this goal is achieved, we are determined to prevent terrorist organizations that intend to pose a threat to our national security, as well as to the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria.
Today, countries like Turkey, which are hosting the highest number of refugees, save the dignity of all humanity through their sacrifices.
However, some States, including some European countries, unfortunately violate the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers.
It is time for the United Nations to take a firm stand against these violations that corrode the Geneva Convention and the international human rights system.
The attacks launched by the coup plotters in Libya last year to overthrow the legitimate Government of National Accord have brought only pain and destruction to this country.
The international community couldn’t ensure that neither the coup plotters nor their supporters have been made to account for the massacres, human rights violations and especially for the mass graves in Tarhuna.
Turkey has been the only country to give a concrete response and provide support to the call for help of the legitimate Government of Libya.
We believe that a permanent political solution in Libya can be established through an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue conducted by the Libyans.
It is also under the responsibility of the international community to stop the bloodshed in Yemen, which has been continuing for more than five years, and stop the humanitarian crisis.
History will not forgive those who covet Yemen’s sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity with the intention of gaining influence in the region, and those who overlook the continued sufferings of Yemenis.
It is our sincere desire that Iraq does not turn into an area of conflict for external powers and reaches a position to produce stability and prosperity for our region.
While we support our neighbor Iraq in every field, we would like to cooperate more closely especially in the fight against terrorism.
We expect a genuine cooperation from the international community and Iraq concerning the uprooting of PKK terrorist organization, which has been nested in Iraq, just as it has been the case for DAESH.
13/01/2021
Clearing the region from terrorist organizations will contribute to the enlightenment of the future of Iraq, which hosts the most ancient geography of humanity.
We are in favor of resolving the issues about Iran’s nuclear program by taking into account international law, through diplomacy and dialogue.
I would like to reiterate our call for all Parties to abide by their obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which significantly contributes to regional and global security.
The order of occupation and oppression in Palestine, which is the bleeding wound of humanity, continues to hurt consciences.
The dirty hand that reaches the privacy of Jerusalem, where the sacred places of the three great religions coexist, is constantly increasing its audacity.
The Palestinian people have stood up against Israel’s policies of oppression, violence, and intimidation for more than half a century.
Upon rejection of the document of surrender, which was tried to be imposed on Palestine under the name of “Deal of the Century”, Israel this time accelerated its attempts to “have the inside track” with the help of its collaborators.
Turkey will not support any plan that the Palestinian people do not give consent to.
Participation of some countries of the region in this game does not mean anything beyond serving Israel’s efforts to erode basic international parameters.
Countries that have declared their intention to open Embassies in Jerusalem, in violation of the United Nations resolutions and international law, only serve to make the conflict more complicated with their actions.
The Palestinian conflict can only be resolved with the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Seeking solutions other than this are in vain, one-sided, and unjust.
Armenia, who attacked the Azerbaijani territories in July, has once again proved that it is the biggest obstacle to lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
We are in favor of resolving the conflicts in the region as soon as possible, especially the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in line with the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Georgia and resolutions of the United Nations and the OSCE.
The Kashmir conflict, which is also key to the stability and peace of South Asia, is still a burning issue.
Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of Jammu-Kashmir further complicated the problem.
We are in favour of solving this issue through dialogue, within the framework of the United Nations resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir.
Distinguished Delegates.
Behind the tension existing in the Eastern Mediterranean for a while, there are countries acting with the understanding of “the winner takes it all”.
The futile steps to exclude our country have no chance of success.
We do not have designs on anyone else’s right, remedy and legitimate interests, neither in the Eastern Mediterranean nor in any other region.
However, we cannot turn a blind eye on the violation of the rights of our country and the Turkish Cypriots and to the fact that our interests are being ignored.
The reason for the problems existing in the region today is the one-sided steps taken by Greece and the Greek Cypriots since 2003 with maximalist demands.
Turkey is a country that is compelled to shoulder the burden of any negative developments in the Eastern Mediterranean by itself.
On the other hand, ignoring our country when it comes to the natural resources in the region can be explained neither by wisdom and conscience nor by international law.
Our priority is to settle disputes in a sincere dialogue, based on international law and on an equitable basis.
However, I would like to clearly state that we will never tolerate any imposition, harassment, or attack in the opposite direction.
I would like to repeat here our call for establishing dialogue and cooperation between coastal countries of the Eastern Mediterranean.
For this purpose, we would like to propose the convening of a regional Conference, including Turkish Cypriots, in which the rights and interests of all the countries of the region are considered.
One of the reasons for the crisis in the region is the absence of a fair, comprehensive, and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue during the negotiations that have been continuing intermittently since 1968.
The only obstacle to a solution is the uncompromising, unjust and spoiled approach of the Greek Cypriot side.
Ignoring international agreements, the Greek Cypriot side aims to make the Turkish Cypriots a minority in their homeland, or even completely exclude them from the island.
As a guarantor country, we have never left the Turkish Cypriot people alone in their rightful cause, and we will not leave them in the future.
The solution to the Cyprus issue is possible only by accepting the fact that the Turkish Cypriot people are the co-owners of the island.
We will support any solution that will permanently guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people and their historical and political rights on the island.
Distinguished Delegates,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Disarmament is of vital importance for ensuring global peace and security.
In contrast, the architecture of arms control has suffered significant damage in recent years.
The international community must move forward on the basis of equality and justice in this regard, eliminating all weapons of mass destruction.
Another important issue where we have an obligation to act together is climate change.
We see how human interference in the balance of nature can lead to heavy costs.
We must stop and reverse this bad course.
As Turkey, we sincerely support the efforts in this struggle and fulfil our obligations, even though we have an almost negligible historical responsibility at this point.
In the recent past, we hosted the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
We have conducted fruitful cooperation with many regions and countries, especially in Africa.
We also undertook to host the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in 2022.
And now, I want to draw your attention to a problem that threatens humanity, but for some reason is considered invisible.
Racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and hate speech have reached an alarming level.
In the course of the pandemic, acts of violence against vulnerable people, especially migrants and asylum-seekers, accelerated while xenophobia and racism increased.
Muslims are the most exposed to these dangerous tendencies fueled by prejudice and ignorance.
Those who are primarily responsible for this dangerous course are politicians who turn to populist rhetoric for the sake of votes, and marginal segments who legitimize hate speech by abusing the freedom of expression.
I urgently call on all international organizations to take more concrete steps in the fight against this mentality.
I reiterate my call for March 15, the day of the terrorist attack perpetrated in New Zealand against Muslims, to be declared by the United Nations as “International Solidarity Day Against Islamophobia”.
As the second largest international organization after the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has officially recognized this day.
The pandemic and the escalating economic crisis associated with it also have negative effects on sustainable development, and on the 2030 goals.
Developing countries and low-income countries are more affected by this crisis.
In fact, what happened during the pandemic has shown us that Sustainable Development Goals can be an important guide in combating all kinds of global crises.
We should also use the transformative power of digitalization in preparing economic prescriptions to survive the crisis.
We support the United Nations Secretary General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.
We also set the theme of the first “Antalya Diplomacy Forum”, which we have designed to address global and regional issues, as “diplomacy in the digital age”.
We also host the United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries.
Being the easternmost European and the westernmost Asian increases Turkey’s specific weight in all areas.
With our “Asia Anew” initiative, we will give our relations a new dynamism, in our current time when the pendulum of history is shifting again towards Asia.
We have also gained significant momentum in our relations with Africa, with which we have humanitarian and historical ties connecting our close geographies.
We plan to implement projects aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity at the third Turkey-African Union Partnership Summit that we intend to hold in Turkey next year.
As I conclude my remarks, I would like to say that our strong support for multilateralism will continue during this sensitive period we are passing through.
We must of course keep our distance from the pandemic, but we must also close ranks in our joint struggle and cooperation against all challenges that threaten the international community.
We will continue our efforts to transform Istanbul, one of the most prominent cities in the world throughout history, into a regional hub of the United Nations.
I wish success to the 75th General Assembly’s work.
I greet you with respect on behalf of myself and my Nation.
I wish you the best of health.


Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I bring you warm greetings from our beautiful island nation. I am grateful for the privilege to appear before this historical 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly as President of the Federated States of Micronesia.
First, Mr. President, congratulations on your election to head this 75th Session of the General Assembly. Your experience and high standing have made you an ideal choice to provide the critical leadership needed for this position.
I also wish to express my appreciation and recognition to our distinguished Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. Every day the Secretary-General provides diligent service to this Organization. Despite today’s great challenges, the United Nations has emerged as a stronger and more dynamic Organization than at any time since its founding 75 years ago. Micronesia is grateful to the Secretary-General’s unstinting and selfless devotion to the work of this Organization and his unflinching pursuit of the principle of “leaving no one behind.”
Mr. President,
I begin by paying my respects to the memory of those who have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and other tragedies this year, from the explosion in Beirut and the fires in Australia, to the hurricanes in the United States and cyclones in India and Bangladesh. Micronesia extends peace, friendship, cooperation, and — most importantly — love in our common humanity to all peoples and Nations. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters across the World. All human life is priceless and valuable. Empathy is not weakness. Empathy is courage, and empathy is strength. Through empathy, our global community can overcome any challenge, from COVID-19 to Climate Change.
It is crucial, in both times of peace as well as times of calamity, that the international community stand together. An infringement on the rights of one is the same as an infringement on the rights of us all.
Whether we call it multilateralism, inclusivity, or simple human decency, we are much more alike than we are different. All human life matters, and our Nation calls upon the global community to embrace solidarity with one another.
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the UNGA, I note that Micronesia itself is a product of multilateralism. Micronesia emerged into nationhood after decades of being a part of the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which was created as a strategic trusteeship after the Second World War. We are soon to celebrate our 34th anniversary of Independence.
Our nation has an Enduring Partnership with the United States of America as codified through our Compact of Free Association, which sets forth important reciprocal agreements between our two nations and a framework for U.S. assistance in our country’s efforts to self-sufficiency. Micronesia has many other crucial friendships including with Japan, the People’s Republic of China, Australia, and many others, all of which have also helped our country, which is remote and in need of international assistance.
Micronesia is a peace-loving country, and we have demonstrated that peace is as possible as it is desirable.
Mr. President,
The Federated States of Micronesia is fortunate and grateful to have an Enduring Partnership with the United States of America, and a Great Friendship with the Peoples Republic of China. I continue to maintain, on behalf of my country, that consistent cooperation amongst ALL nations and peoples is critical to global solidarity. Whether it is the global fight against COVID-19 or Climate Change, or our international efforts to tackle human trafficking and illegal fishing, the Federated States of Micronesia asks our American and Chinese friends to reinforce their cooperation and friendship with each other, in order to achieve what is best for our global community.
ALL of us are acutely aware of the renewed, and increasing intensity of competition for access and influence in our Pacific Region. There is little doubt that these activities and efforts have resulted in varying levels of benefits for our Pacific communities; however, they also potentially threaten to fracture long standing alliances within our Pacific Family, and could become counterproductive to our collective desire for Regional solidarity, security, and stability. I call on my fellow Pacific Island Leaders, AND the leadership and citizens of our neighboring Developed and Industrialized Pacific Nations, to remain focused and true to the “collective goals” that UNITE us, and not unilateral interests that may surely DIVIDE us in the long term.
My country is committed to doing its part as a sovereign Nation of this organization, to advance the principles of liberty, equality, democracy, the rule of law, and RESPECT for our fellow global citizens.
It is my hope, as the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, that the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China JOINTLY champion global causes for global solidarity and cooperation, from Climate Change to COVID-19.
Mr. President,
The Federated States of Micronesia is keenly aware that, like all nations of the World, it is simultaneously facing the public health threat of COVID-19, and the longer-term existential threat of Climate Change. Solutions to these two crises require international collaboration.
For our vulnerable Nation, COVID-19 is an immediate security threat. While we remain one of very few COVID-19 free countries in the world, we have found through our infrastructure assessments and repatriation simulation exercises that we need to address gaps and weaknesses. Stopping the potential spread of COVID-19 into our country, with the widespread suffering that would result, is our highest priority.
Our Nation appreciates the assistance of the UN system, the World Health Organization, and so many generous countries in helping us combat the COVID-19 threat. This disease is of global consequence and can only be addressed through global cooperation, such as we have seen for polio and other diseases. Through global cooperation, COVID-19 can be defeated as well.
Micronesia passionately believes that Sustainable Development Goal #17 — Partnerships — is the bedrock upon which all other SDGs can be met. Because all human lives have value and because empathy is strength, once effective vaccines for COVID-19 are developed, Micronesia hopes that they will be shared widely and immediately — accessible and affordable — with all nations and peoples of the world to save human lives.
Mr. President,
For our Nation, Climate Change is our single greatest long-term security threat. Rising waters threaten to make life in remote atolls impossible. Higher temperatures threaten crops, livestock, and fish.
All countries and peoples are in a global war against Climate Change. We have witnessed deadly fires in the US, typhoons in the Caribbean and in the Pacific, and floods in Asia. It is a war that we can win, but we must be much more aggressive in combatting it.
The world must transition to sustainable and renewable energy. Coal and natural gas are unsustainable solutions for the environment and are harmful to both economic growth and equality of opportunity. If our World is to fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement, all nations must make a unified and global effort. We have seen, through the Montreal Protocol, that 98 per cent of Ozone Depleting Substances have been phased out by the global community. We can succeed if we work together. It is both possible and essential to improve our quality of life while also being responsible stewards of our Planet.
For our part in the Federated States of Micronesia, Vice President George and I have submitted proposed legislation to our National Congress that would make renewable energy part of our petroleum corporation’s mandate.
Mr. President,
To repeat myself: the solutions to both Climate Change and COVID-19 is global solidarity and cooperation. Just as we call upon the Security Council to take Climate Change seriously, we believe that the Security Council must view COVID-19 as a global security threat as well.
With respect to the Security Council, one way for the Security Council to succeed is to ensure that its mandates are comprehensive to address new and urgent crises. We believe that the UN Secretary-General ought to appoint a Special Representative for Climate and Security under the Security Council, and that UN efforts should become more inclusive. This belief is reinforced by the Leaders of the Pacific Island Forum, most recently in 2019’s Kainaki II Declaration.
In a global community where all lives have value and all voices are equal, it is crucial that the Security Council’s membership include a broader spectrum of greater UN membership, and that the number of permanent members be expanded. Japan, with whom we share a Kizuna or special bond, and Germany — both of whom at one point controlled our islands — are countries that know the importance of multilateralism. In the 75 years since the end of the Second World War, they have dedicated themselves to peace, friendship, cooperation, and love with all peoples and nations. It is Micronesia’s view that Japan, Germany, India, and Brazil ought to become permanent members of the Security Council.
Mr. President,
Micronesia is of course a Big Ocean State. The ocean is the main source of our sustenance and a major part of our economy. A large portion of our export revenues come from ocean and coastal-based activities such as in fisheries and related services.
Our exposure to the Pacific Ocean carries risks beyond climate change. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2050 there may be more plastics than fish in our oceans. This February I signed legislation into public law which bans the importation of Styrofoam and one-time-use plastics into Micronesia. Over the next five years, Micronesia is partnering with the Blue Prosperity Coalition to seek to protect 30% of our ocean’s Exclusive Economic Zone by 2030.
Micronesia is thus taking actions today for our ocean’s prosperity tomorrow. I urge all peoples and nations to join our efforts. We cannot allow COVID-19 to halt efforts such as the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework or the intergovernmental negotiations on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) instrumentation.
Micronesia welcomes the work being done by the International Law Commission on the topic of “Sealevel rise in relation to international law”, including the first issues paper released by two of the CoChairs of the Commission’s Study Group, in which they focus on the Law of the Sea elements of the topic. These include the legal implications of sea-level rise for maritime baselines, maritime zones, maritime delimitation, and the status of islands.
The Pacific Islands Forum has been instrumental in pushing the international community to address sealevel rise, building on the longstanding work in the Pacific region to delineate all of our maritime zones in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Micronesia strongly encourages the Commission to advance its work on this important topic in a comprehensive and expeditious manner.
Micronesia strongly believes that rising sea levels should not undermine our country’s maritime baselines and maritime zones. We recently deposited with the UN Secretary-General our maritime charts and lists of geographical coordinates of points identifying these baselines and zones, as required by the UNCLOS. We included with our deposit written observations that Micronesia is not obligated under international law to keep our maritime zones under review and would maintain those zones regardless of climate change-induced sea-level rise. To our knowledge, this is the first example of such observations to ever be included with such deposits. This recognizes that Micronesia’s legal entitlements to the richness of the resources and biodiversity of our maritime spaces must not be reduced under international law because of a phenomenon — i.e., climate change-induced sea-level rise — for which Micronesia has minimal responsibility. Any other result would be a gross legal and moral injustice.
Micronesia encourages other States to consider making similar observations with their deposits.
Mr. President,
Micronesia joins its immediate neighbors, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, and the Republic of Kiribati, in celebrating the actions of the ECOSOC and the General Assembly to establish a UN Multi-Country Office in the North Pacific.
It has taken over 15 years for us to achieve this result. With challenges of a global scale affecting island nations like ours in the Pacific, a UN presence on the ground will be extremely helpful. This important decision reflects the UN’s commitment to address the concerns of even the most vulnerable and smallest of its members. Micronesia is proud to become the host for this office, and extends its gratitude to both the United Nations at large as well as its brothers and sisters in the North Pacific for their support.
Mr. President,
The Federated States of Micronesia recognizes Secretary-General Guterres’ road map for digital cooperation and the gaps made clear by the COVID-19 Pandemic. A digital inter-dependent World has the potential to advance our social and economic aspirations or leave many of us behind.
Through assistance provided from partners such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, and the United States of America, Micronesia is hoping to build an inclusive digital economy, develop human and institutional capacity, protect human rights, promote digital trust, and foster global digital cooperation. I am hopeful that global digital cooperation can help us combat evils such as human trafficking, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and promote positive efforts such as online education and tele-health programming.
There is much work that needs to be done in this area, and the challenges are immense. While we are working hard to democratize knowledge through making internet and cellphone access more accessible and more affordable, there remain significant technical and capacity gaps. Micronesia wishes to strengthen existing partnerships, and develop new ones, in its effort to build a digital future.
Mr. President,
A better world is not something we ask for. A better world is something we build. We define a better world through consensus, with a foundation of empathy and love for other human beings. We construct a better world by acknowledging that we are who we choose to be, and then choosing to take responsibility for both ourselves and our communities.
For the small nations of the world, the United Nations today is more important than ever.
Thank you, Mr. President.


Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, alii from the Republic of Palau.
Please allow me to begin by congratulating His Excellency Volkan Bozkir on his election as President of this historic 75th session of the General Assembly. I also wish to express Palau’s thanks to His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande for his leadership of the Assembly over the past year, guiding us through these unprecedented challenges.
Mr. President,
Some nineteen years ago, I had the privilege of addressing this Assembly for the first time as President of the Republic of Palau. In January, I will complete my public service, having served as President for sixteen of those years, and I will return to being a fisherman in Palau’s pristine waters. In my final address to the General Assembly today, I want to reflect on the difference these last two decades have made, and on the many benefits Palau has enjoyed from its relationship with the United Nations.
When I addressed the 52nd session of the General Assembly, we were meeting two months after the horror of the 9/11 attacks. My message then was one of unity, of recognizing a new spirit of cooperation that globalization was fostering in response to 9/11.1 said then:
“While we remain shocked, saddened and deeply offended by the events giving rise to the new unity, we must acknowledge and nurture whatever good those events can be turned to. We now have the ability to see the clear advantages of close cooperation on matters which affect us all.”
In a way, this call remains apt today. We meet not in the shadow of terrorism, but in the shadow of global pandemic. We do not see human evil in this pandemic, in the way we did in the perpetrators of 9/11. But the challenge of our response is not so different: to craft closer cooperation between nations large and small, rich and poor; to unite in the face of a shared crisis in a way that might have seemed unlikely a year or two ago.
In 2001,1 emphasized that:
“There is only one system in which we exist, and the related understanding that any act or condition within that system affects each of us, although in varying ways and degrees. In such a system, problems are best addressed through coalition-building and a consensus driven approach, and process of give and take, involving the widest possible range of participants.”
This is no less true today than it was in 2001. We took up many opportunities for coalition-building after 9/11: on terrorism, on the Millennium Development Goals and on advancing the doctrine of the responsibility to protect. Other challenges remain and have intensified, especially those challenges to the health of our planet.
Our method in addressing this ecological crisis must also be to turn towards coalitionbuilding, a consensus-driven approach and to form new partnerships for enhancing ambition and effective implementation. We must act in solidarity with each other because it is a shared future that we face together, which we cannot address if we are divided.
Our immediate shared future is, of course, the pandemic, and I wish to extend our condolences at the loss of life suffered by so many around the world to this virus.
In Palau, we have been fortunate to remain free of COVID-19 cases. But we are certainly not free of the consequences of this pandemic. Sometimes we hear people say that health is more important than money, and that is certainly true. But a national economy is not “money,” it is the system that determines quality of life, and that delivers critical public services. It is the environment, healthcare, education. It is food on the table.
This pandemic has put Palau into a level of isolation we have not known for many, many years. We struggle with disruptions to supply chains for food and essential medicines. We struggle to connect patients with life-saving medical treatment, for which we previously relied on off-island providers in larger countries. We struggle to keep families united, to keep college students in school, and to keep family breadwinners working. Private sector unemployment is approaching 50%, and it will take years to recover what we have lost in months.
This pandemic highlights a feature of multilateral development we have been pointing out for many years now. The truth is, Palau’s high-income categorization is, in many ways, unrealistic. It does not match the facts on the ground or reflect our tremendous vulnerability as a small economy. This has to be addressed, because the current rules deny us help we desperately need. The unified response from the international community should extend to our small island circumstances. This means access to concessional finance and to innovative financial support, so that we too can prepare to recover from the economic crisis that the pandemic has brought. To rebuild the fiscal space for investing in sustainable development that the pandemic has wiped out.
We know that this pandemic is far from over. And small States cannot also be left out in the race to seek an effective vaccine. In a global community, parts of the world cannot be made safe in isolation. Vaccine hoarding will harm us all. Palau’s recovery from the economic crisis of COVID will not be possible without sharing in this process to develop a vaccine. As a result, Palau will be participating in the COVAX Facility being coordinated by GAVI and partners, as our best shot to pooling resources and supporting equitable access to a vaccine, if and when one becomes available. Meanwhile, we will also continue to work with our close friends in the United States, in close partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control.
We cannot let this individual threat distract us from the long-term threats we continue to face. Our long-term health, development and prosperity depend on repairing our relationship with nature. This is especially the case in responding to our ocean emergency. Marine pollution, overfishing and acidifying and warming seas are taking their toll on the health of our ocean. And our human prosperity depends on a healthy ocean.
At the beginning of this year, Palau reached a new milestone by implementing the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. We are protecting 80% of our Exclusive Economic Zone as a no take protected area, echoing our ancient tradition of a “bul”, a moratorium on fishing in order to sustain fisheries for the long-term. And we will be developing an artisanal domestic fishing sector in the other 20% of our EEZ, to diversify our economy, sustain jobs and improve access to healthy seafood.
Palau is a large ocean state, and we are acting in accordance with our responsibilities for stewardship over our EEZ. But the ocean covers the majority of our planet’s surface. We hope that Palau’s actions will inspire ambition elsewhere. We are all ocean people, even if we do not live near coasts. All of humanity depends on the ocean for food, for climate regulation, for trade, for security, and for so much more.
The High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which I co-chair, has been building a blueprint for this ocean ambition. While the Panel’s work has been underway long prior to the pandemic, its analysis highlights how investments in key ocean economy sectors provide a way to “build back bluer” from the pandemic, with benefits for jobs, the environment, and human health. These include protecting coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves; investing in sewage and wastewater infrastructure for coastal communities, and in zero emission marine transport.
At the end of this year, the Ocean Panel will launch our recommendations on transformative actions that we need to take to transition to a sustainable ocean economy. We cannot let this opportunity to rebalance production and ocean protection escape us.
To complement these actions, it is also vital that negotiations on a high seas treaty are completed next year. We need to close this governance gap on the high seas, so that we are able to effectively protect the ocean beyond national jurisdiction.
Additionally, at next year’s Convention on Biological Diversity COP15, the ocean must also not be neglected. The Global Biodiversity Outlook released last week starkly warns that we have not been successful in reaching the targets set forward a decade ago in Aichi. Significant implementation gaps remain. As we set a new framework for the conservation of nature over the next decade, we need to act with greater urgency, and with greater solidarity for implementation of these targets in developing countries.
At least 30% of the ocean needs to be protected by 2030. The role of coral reefs also needs to be appropriately recognized. But for this framework to be effective, it must learn the lessons of the past decade: that goals must be supported by adequate resources.
While the climate COP26 may also have been delayed by the pandemic, this cannot delay increased climate ambition, and support for the implementation of increased ambition. Responding to the climate emergency is of existential concern, and the momentary drop in emissions this year cannot be allowed to generate any complacency about global progress. The climate finance commitments made by developed countries cannot be shirked during this pandemic, because to do so is to undermine the ability of the most vulnerable to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. The Green Climate Fund needs to continue its work on simplified access for the most vulnerable, such as small island developing states.
In Palau, our preparations to reach our NDC target of 45% renewable energy generation are progressing. Solar power and a supporting microgrid will soon reduce our miniscule emissions, but also serve as a form of adaptation, increase our energy security and resilience, and reduce the volatilities of imported fossil fuels. With the right support in implementation, we can go further in bringing forward an enhanced NDC before COP26. We are ready for the energy transition in Palau. But we need the right partnerships to deliver on our ambition.
As the current impacts of the climate emergency worsen, they are generating more security threats to vulnerable countries, especially small island states. We welcome Germany’s initiative to convene a Security Council debate on the climate emergency this year. We reiterate the call of the Pacific island states for the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Climate and Security to integrate these concerns into the Council’s agenda.
Time and time again, Palau has emphasized the need for effective partnerships to support sustainable development. This is especially true as we begin the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs, and it is the unique role of the United Nations to facilitate these partnerships. Our guiding frameworks, such as the SAMOA Pathway have already been agreed. What is needed is the support for implementation.
In Palau, a tangible expression of this support is in the partnerships with multiple friends for infrastructure development in our “Global Village” conference facilities in Koror. These facilities have been progressively upgraded over the past year, in partnership with UNOPS, and which I will officially open next week. Durable, quality infrastructure is a cornerstone of sustainable development. While Palau is an island, the partnerships that have made this Global Village possible remind us about the solidarity shown by friends all over the world.
Since my first address to the General Assembly as President in 2001, I have reiterated Palau’s call for Taiwan to be allowed to participate in international organizations. We regret that this was denied again at this year’s World Health Assembly. At the very moment when the world needed to come together to respond to the pandemic, we failed to do so. And I do mean that we failed. Taiwan, a public health leader that has implemented one of world’s most effective pandemic responses, was left out of the global response to this pandemic, and that made the world less safe.
In this pandemic, Taiwan has generously shared its experience and expertise with Palau, including critical support for establishing on-island testing capabilities, and PPE procurement. The effectiveness of Taiwan’s control over the pandemic has been recognized by many others, and if included in international health coordination mechanisms, can also share these lessons with the rest of the world. As such, Taiwan is one of the only places on earth that is safe enough for quarantine-free travel with COVID-free nations like Palau. And we are currently working together to create the world’s first safe bubble economy.
On many other international issues and organizations, such as in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, Taiwan can also make meaningful contributions to strengthening collective action. Taiwanese residents and journalists have been unjustly barred from accessing UN premises, limiting their ability to engage with the UN’s agenda and work. We urge others in this Assembly to join us in recognizing that Taiwan Can Help in responding to so many of our shared challenges. This includes in implementing the 2030 Agenda, where we often underline the need to leave no-one behind. The 23.5 million people of Taiwan should not be left behind, and it is time for Taiwan’s exclusion to end.
Palau, of course, holds a special relationship with the United States. Palau’s bond with the United States is written in its Compact of Free Association, but it is written even more deeply in shared history, shared culture, and common values. We share the American priorities and values of freedom, democracy, individual rights, and a rules-based international order. In these turbulent times, we share its firm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, which we reaffirmed by hosting the US Secretary of Defense last month. We seek new opportunities to deepen this relationship for mutual benefit, including for the purposes of regional security and diversifying our economic activities.
The enduring friendship of Palau and the United States is an advertisement for the rules based-international order. In a rules-based international order, states of all sizes, all cultures, and all regions can thrive together.
This commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region is also shared with Japan, which has been a historic partner, and a historic development partner, of Palau. Japan’s technical assistance to Palau, especially in infrastructure development, reaches every corner of Palau, and we look forward to this continuing under their new government. I want to express a personal note of thanks to Prime Minister Abe, who has been a consistent friend of Palau and our region, and to wish him a healthy recovery. Japan’s ocean initiatives, especially on marine plastic litter, also show a commitment to transitioning towards a sustainable ocean economy.
We were delighted to welcome Australia’s first resident Ambassador to Palau earlier this year. Now, as I speak, Australia’s commitment to regional security is being demonstrated through the training and handover of the PSS Remeliik II, a new contribution to our coast guard as part of Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
In the past few years, South-South cooperation has also taken on increased importance for Palau. In particular, the Government of India, through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, and in partnership with the UN Office for South- South Cooperation and UNOPS, has provided invaluable support to improving our healthcare system, as well as a rapid response to pandemic preparations.
Our Global South partners continue to expand, with a new award to Palau from India, Brazil and South Africa’s Poverty Reduction Facility, to support the revitalization of education facilities. This solidarity between some of the world’s largest states, and Palau, one of the world’s smallest, is a powerful demonstration of a commitment towards the UN’s values and the vision of the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. President,
As one of the youngest members of this organization since we gained our independence in 1994, Palau’s lived experience tells us about the importance of multilateralism. In this 75th anniversary year of the United Nations, we know that this multilateralism is fragile, precious, and must be actively defended. All have a part to play in it, and no-one can opt-out if we are to all benefit from it.
As the leader of a small state, I am proud of Palau’s contribution to the United Nations and our multilateral agenda. To building consensus around shared norms, and to actively participating in our shared institutions. We were among the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement and the Nuclear Ban Treaty, after actively contributing to their negotiation. We were champions of a standalone goal on oceans in the 2030 Agenda, and of including tobacco control among the targets for Goal 4 on health. We have emphasized the critical value of partnerships for sustainable development and peace. The sovereign equality that each of us exercise in this Assembly is a responsibility that we take seriously. And I hope that you will agree that Palau has lived up to this responsibility.
This has been my final contribution to our annual General Debate. But be in no doubt that Palau’s contributions to the work of the UN is just beginning.
Thank you, and Kom kmal mesulang.


Your Excellency Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,
Your Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to congratulate Your Excellency Volkan Bozkir upon your election as the President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly. I am fully confident that under your experienced and able leadership, our session will be a success.
Let me also voice my appreciation for the important contributions that His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have made despite the tremendous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. President,
We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and entering the third decade of the 21st century in extraordinary circumstances.
For the first time in history, the Leaders of Member States are unable to gather at the UNGA General Debate . This, however, does not diminish our resolve and ability to deliberate and seek solutions for issues of common concern.
I echo the Secretary-General’s assessment that we are facing the most formidable challenges since the birth of the UN, in particular, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, society, politics and, most of all, human life.
Mr. President,
Against this backdrop, I welcome the theme of our Session: “The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism— confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”. Allow me to share some of my thoughts along that line.
First, global and regional multilateral mechanisms must be strengthened. We need a United Nations that is truly cohesive and inclusive, where every member, large or small, rich or poor, can have a voice in deciding matters of common concern. The UN must serve as the “incubator” for multilateral cooperation initiatives for peace, development and prosperity. Further reforms should be undertaken to transform the UN into a stronger and more effective organization that can fulfill its role of harmonizing the interests and behaviors of states in the face of the monumental changes of our time.
Second, the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law must be upheld and advanced as the norms of behavior for all countries in contemporary international relations. We must be resolute and perseverant in advancing cooperation and friendship to counter conflict and hostility. We must choose dialogue over confrontation, and peaceful settlement of disputes over unilateral acts of imposition. In this spirit, Viet Nam calls for the removal of unilateral sanctions that adversely affect countries’ socio-economic development and people’s livelihoods, especially the embargo imposed upon Cuba.
Third, the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stern warning to us all, requiring our stronger commitments and stronger actions to promote sustainable, inclusive and human-centered development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development should continue to be the framework for our cooperation to overcome this pandemic for sustainable recovery. Our policies and actions should have the interest of our people at the heart, so that no one, and no country, will be left behind. Developing countries should receive financial assistance, technological and commercial facilitation to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. President,
Seventy-five years ago, on 2 September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence that proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam). Since those early days, President Ho Chi Minh, on multiple occasions, sent letters to the founding members of the UN, expressing Viet Nam’s desire to become a member of the Organization. While it was not until 1977 that this aspiration became reality, the long and tenacious struggle of Viet Nam to win and defend national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity served as a concrete contribution to the worldwide movement for peace, democracy and social progress — ultimately the same noble goals to which the UN aspires. Let me take this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, to express our deepest gratitude to countries and international friends for your generous support towards our past righteous struggle for national independence and present national development.
Viet Nam was once a poor and backward country ravaged by war, strangled by embargo. After thirty-five years of Doi Moi reform, Viet Nam has emerged as a middle-income developing country and is aiming to be a high-income industrial country by 2045. In the fight against COVID-19, difficulties notwithstanding, Viet Nam has recorded positive and noteworthy outcomes. We have successfully contained the pandemic while promoting social and economic development. Out of international solidarity and with the understanding that the pandemic is only defeated when we all win, Viet Nam has engaged in cooperation and experience sharing with many countries, including support provided to those worst affected by the pandemic and to the common international efforts.
Viet Nam pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations. As a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community, Viet Nam attaches importance to the work of the UN and has been expanding our comprehensive cooperation with the Organization. Viet Nam will work with member states to make the UN more democratic, transparent and effective.
As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021, Viet Nam promotes dialogue, de-escalation of tension and confrontation, and fair and reasonable solutions to regional and global peace and security issues. We champion multilateralism and the respect for international law and the UN Charter, and strengthen relations between the UN and regional organizations, especially ASEAN.
As the 2020 ASEAN Chair, Viet Nam is working with fellow member states to build a region of peace, friendship and cooperation, in order to realize the vision of ASEAN as a politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible community. Together with countries within and outside the region, we are committed to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability, maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea (South China Sea), in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We call on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, avoid unilateral acts that would complicate the situation, and settle disputes and differences through peaceful means with due respect for diplomatic and legal processes.
Mr. President,
Over the last 75 years, member states have painstakingly built a United Nations for peace, cooperation and development. We are duty-bound to strengthen and reinvigorate the world’s largest multilateral organization, particularly in face of the immense challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Thank you for your kind attention.


Your Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the United Nations General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Majesties,
Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Dear colleagues, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed,
At the outset, I would like first and foremost to thank Almighty God, who has enabled us to come together to debate the issues that are dear to our hearts on behalf of humankind.
Of course, we would have liked this debate, which coincides with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the creation of our Organization, to take place in the General Assembly Hall as is customary, but alas — the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit all the nations of the world head-on, requires us to meet virtually.
We express our hope that the next sessions will be held under better circumstances, once we have overcome this health crisis that spares no one.
Allow me, then, to express my warm congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir of the Republic of Turkey on his brilliant election as President of the United Nations General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session.
His great qualities and talents are certainly a guarantee for the success of the work of this session. Indeed, the central theme of this year’s General Assembly has been well thought-out, namely “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism — confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”.
Naturally, you can count on Burundi’s full cooperation in the accomplishment of your noble and exhilarating mission.
At the same time, I would like to pay a well-deserved tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, not only for his admirable professional and personal qualities, but also for the exceptionally professional manner in which he presided over the seventy-fourth session, which we have just successfully concluded in a particularly difficult context marked by the COVID-19 crisis.
I take this opportunity to present, on behalf of the Burundian people, my deepest condolences and solidarity to the nations that have lost citizens as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This indiscriminate pandemic has highlighted the importance of multilateralism, international solidarity and cooperation in the management of global crises and paradoxes.
Furthermore, allow me to commend the remarkable work of the Secretary- General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and his ongoing courageous action to reform our common Organization in order to increase its efficiency and credibility and bring it closer to the citizens of the world, without any discrimination. Burundi reiterates its full support and cooperation in that regard.
Mr. President, in terms of domestic policy, Burundi is well advanced in its process of consolidating peace and democracy, despite the challenges facing my country.
Indeed, Burundi held general elections between May and August. All of those elections were fair, free, democratic, transparent, peaceful and financed entirely by Burundian taxpayers’ own resources.
The full financing of the electoral process from national resources is a testimony to the will of the Burundian people to definitively take ownership of the political, administrative and economic governance system of our country without external interference.
Now that all the foundations for a strengthened democracy are in place, all that remains is to get down to the work of development — the linchpin in the fight against poverty.
We are aware that this struggle will require wisdom, bravery, courage, perseverance and a high sense of patriotism and love of work. Together, in unity, we will succeed.
With regard to the security situation, I am pleased to inform you that the situation in Burundi is stable, calm and fully under control throughout the country.
With regard to the humanitarian situation, we welcome the massive and voluntary return of Burundian refugees who had fled the country following the events that plunged Burundi into deep mourning.
In addition to several thousands of Burundians who are returning on their own without UNHCR assistance, between 1 August 2017 and 31 August 2020, 92,285 refugees have been voluntarily repatriated to Burundi from Tanzania, but also from Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
This massive voluntary return movement is a clear manifestation of the return of peace, tranquillity, confidence and stability in the country.
At the diplomatic level, our ambition is to build friendly relations and strengthen cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect and the sovereign equality of States. The tendency of some States to use both subtle and illegal means to manipulate geopolitics in the countries of the South and their power to supplant the international community to oppress other countries by imposing unilateral coercive measures in violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations must stop. Burundi is an advocate for multilateralism whereby every country, regardless of its size and level of development, has a role to play in addressing humankind’s many shared challenges.
In that regard, Burundi remains open to cooperating with countries and international organizations that seek to further develop mutually beneficial and respectful cooperative relations.
We therefore firmly condemn the unjustified political and diplomatic aggression against Burundi and its people by foreign Governments, some of which were known to have attempted regime change in 2015 through unconstitutional means. Power diplomacy must give way to mutually beneficial and respectful cooperation.
While the nature of relations between Africa and countries with a colonial past should be redefined in order to transform the painful history of colonization into opportunities through mutually beneficial cooperation, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the conquests to enslave Africa and the strong resistance of the peoples of Africa to defend themselves against invasions and free themselves from the colonial yoke have claimed millions of lives in Africa and left deep wounds that remain unhealed.
With regard to Burundi’s presence on the Security Council’s agenda, we have always said that Burundi is unfairly included on the Security Council’s agenda for political reasons and the self-interests of certain Powers, which have nothing to do with the welfare of the Burundian people who in no way whatsoever pose a threat to international peace and security.
That acts as a destabilizing factor for our country instead of promoting peace and tranquillity.
We therefore reiterate our legitimate call for the immediate removal of Burundi from the Security Council’s agenda so that it can use its precious time to address socioeconomic development and support national efforts to implement its national development plan for the period from 2018 to 2027 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Concerning the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in addition to the integration and alignment of SDGs with the 2018-2027 national development plan, the Government of the Republic of Burundi has highlighted several priorities that require immediate and special attention. They are the fight against poverty, promoting good governance, public health, agriculture and animal husbandry, environmental protection, human capital development, countering youth unemployment and free health care for retirees. In the area of good governance, the Government is implementing a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, social injustice and the misappropriation and wasteful use of State assets, and a policy of best practices in managing State employees.
Like other countries committed to sustainable development, Burundi has taken every measure needed to produce a regular follow-up report on the implementation of the SDGs and the national development plan.
In order to share its experiences on the road it has travelled in implementing the SDGs, its successes, current and emerging challenges and lessons learned, Burundi has submitted to the voluntary national review mechanism in 2020. We remain convinced that, in order for the SDGs, which we all adopted in 2015 to become a reality, we require additional commitment, initiative, effort and, above all, resources.
Mr. President, with regard to global challenges, this session is an excellent opportunity for Member States to reflect on how the Organization must face new emerging challenges. More than ever, the world we live in today requires a consensus approach to addressing major challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, the peaceful settlement of conflicts, the reform of the Security-Council, migration and the management of health crises.
With regard to climate, it is necessary to recall that the planet, on which we live and will live for generations to come, is facing a crisis that is worsening by the day with the dramatic rise of climate sceptics. The climate crisis is putting decades of progress at risk and is jeopardizing all the projects we have undertaken to bring about inclusive and sustainable development, while, at the same time, the clock continues click without waiting for us to act.
Accordingly, in order to contribute to restoring the environment and the improving the country’s environmental, social and economic situation, in November 2017 the Government of the Republic of Burundi launched the Ewe Burundi Urambaye project to significantly reduce the effects of deforestation.
Concerning the fight against terrorism, while we strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms, my country, Burundi, believes that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnicity. It is a borderless threat that requires a global solution by unconditionally tackling the root causes of this evil of our time.
As it is aware of the magnitude of terrorism today, my country, Burundi, will continue to make substantial contributions to combating terrorism in Somalia, where my country has deployed more than 5,000 troops and United Nations peacekeeping operations, as well as in the Central African Republic, where Burundi has a military battalion, which is doing excellent work.
With regard to the process of regional integration, we welcome the commendable initiative to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which will allow for the free movement of goods and people on the Continent. There is no doubt that the African Continental Free Trade Area represents a genuine opportunity to stimulate growth, reduce poverty and broaden economic inclusion in Africa.
Concerning the subject of the reform of the Security Council, which has been under negotiations for more than a quarter of a century, my country, Burundi, remains firmly committed to the Common African Position, as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. The Common African Position aims to correct the flagrant injustice committed against Africa, which is the only continent not represented on the Security Council in the category of permanent membership, and which is also underrepresented in the non-permanent category.
With regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has led to an unprecedented global crisis, which has literally claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, affected millions of people and threatens to erode before our eyes all the progress already made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and those of Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
The pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of today’s world and highlighted the broad divides in national and global development efforts, such as high levels of poverty and inequality, raging climate change and the continued discrimination of the elderly, poor communities, women and girls, all of which erode social cohesion.
All these challenges can only be met through international solidarity, cooperation and the promotion of multilateralism, based on the rule of international law.
Mr. President, in conclusion, my country, Burundi, has never stopped believing in international solidarity, multilateralism and the rejection of power diplomacy. Blessed with that belief, my country Burundi reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in building a world order based on the rule of law, which is peaceful, equitable, prosperous and respectful of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
I thank everyone for their kind attention. May God bless everyone!