Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Distinguished Representatives,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
INTRODUCTION
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President on your election as the President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I would also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande for his commitment, dedication and leadership and to congratulate him on successfully completing the work of the 74th Session of the General Assembly, in spite of the extraordinary circumstances the world is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia welcomes the theme of this year’s General Assembly — “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism — confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”. I believe the theme resonates well with each one of us, appropriately framing what the world needs during a time of much uncertainty. You can be assured of Malaysia’s support and cooperation in achieving the goals of this session of the General Assembly.
Before the onset of man’s newest lethal enemy in the form of the Novel Coronavirus, the world had already been reeling from numerous challenges. As war continued to ravage many parts of the world, the global economic ecosystem faced unsustainable pressure as a result of trade wars and populist political posturing. Amidst all this, the state of the planet continued to suffer neglect while nations continued to bicker over who should take more responsibility to reverse the effects of climate change. All this took place against the backdrop of impoverished immigrants fleeing their homes, risking their lives by taking an arduous journey to a distant land in pursuit of a better life.
COVID-19 RESPONSE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VACCINE
Little did we know then that the COVID -19 pandemic has caused great disruption to the world. Worse still, this pandemic has affected the most vulnerable populations - women and children; people with disabilities; as well as the marginalised and the displaced. We must remember that COVID-19 does not discriminate and because of that, our response should not too.
No country has been spared. The pandemic has levelled the playing field for all nations and the race is on to obtain a vaccine. Until or unless we obtain the antiviral medication required to treat and a vaccine to prevent this novel coronavirus, we can never fully declare victory against it. This is why the manufacturing of a vaccine must promote international collaboration rather than nationalistic competition. Saving lives should be our priority.
THREAT OF TERRORISM DUE TO COVID-19
On top of the socio-economic impact COVID-19 has had on all of us, we need to also be mindful of the possibility of terrorism rearing its ugly head in this time of uncertainty. We must never discount the fact that terrorist groups could be ramping up their efforts to take advantage of the present uncertain times to further enhance their agenda.
Transparent communication, good networking, and greater intelligence cooperation at the national and international levels are imperative to counter terrorism and radicalisation during this pandemic. This is a psychological war waged on the vulnerable and we must win over “hearts and minds” to succeed. Effective communication strategies at all available channels must be prioritised to ensure that misinformation and disinformation is countered, without infringing respective domestic laws.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
REFORM OF THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE IN TIMES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As a measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are implementing lockdowns and rolling out initiatives to ensure that people do not lose their jobs and businesses do not shut down.
The economic and financial impact of the pandemic has brought big and small corporations to their knees. We have witnessed how decades of hard work and dedication have been reduced to bankruptcy or even the downsizing of companies on an unimaginable scale. This has resulted in thousands of jobs lost. This is precisely the reason why the economic devastation of this magnitude needs the collective action of the international community. There is a need to soften the impact to the livelihoods of all those affected.
For Malaysia, the Government has put in place mitigating strategies to address the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 has had on our country. We hope Malaysia not only recovers but emerges stronger from the pandemic. The balancing act that Malaysia strives to achieve - between kickstarting our economy and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent further waves of infection has been nothing short of challenging.
Malaysia has put in place structural economic reforms in facing the new global landscape post COVID-19. We have begun the implementation of economic recovery strategies, followed by an all-inclusive economic revitalization programme. Even though it will take some time before we see the results, we will continue to try our level best to return to some semblance of normalcy. And we know we can only do better with the help of the international community.
REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unfortunately, the United Nations has been rather slow in aiding the response of Member States to COVID-19. For instance, in the first few months of the pandemic, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to discuss the issue even though the pandemic clearly poses a grave threat to the security of the world. Only on 1st July 2020 did the United Nations Security Council adopt a resolution to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, which would allow nations to refocus resources on combatting the pandemic. This is a positive step. However, we can only imagine the benefits of such action if it had been undertaken much sooner.
Differences in the Security Council left the body, as it has so many times, indecisive and ineffective. We must be brutally honest with ourselves and admit that after more than seven decades, surely the fate of the world’s peace and security should not continue to be left in the hands of a few. It is about time that the composition of the Security Council better reflects the United Nations’ current membership. The five permanent seats in the Security Council, reserved for the veto-wielding five victors of a World War, has proven that the organization needs to be reformed. There would not be an alliance to pursue a common goal if one party thinks it has more right to decide than the others.
Since 1946, the veto has been wielded more than 200 times. There is nothing democratic in the way the veto is used. The veto is open to abuse, be it sanctimoniously, hypocritically or to uphold wrongdoings. This is why we need to move the reform process forward. Only with an improved Security Council and United Nations can the world hope to see problems being addressed effectively.
THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE AND THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
One of the most glaring failures of the United Nations is the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Despite the countless calls by the international community since the founding of the United Nations, the will of the majority continues to be negated by the few. They hide their true intentions under the guise of national security and the notion of justice. Wars took place and millions lost their lives have portrayed that the very same actors caught in some of the worst tragedies, have chosen to remain oblivious.
For there to be lasting peace in the Middle East, the prescribed international consensus, in conjunction with international law; United Nations resolutions; and the UN Charter, Israel must do several things. First, it must cease all of its illegal settlement activities. Second, it must withdraw its troops from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and surrounding Arab states. Third, it must allow Palestinian refugees their right to return to their land and property. Fourth, it must restore the original status of Jerusalem. And last but certainly not least, it must restore its credibility and revert to the negotiating table with Palestine.
These are not new preconditions. These are merely a reflection of years of diplomatic work and the consensus reached over decades of negotiations. Israel can no longer be in denial. Israel continues to threaten Palestinian statehood with further annexation of Palestinian land, further denying Palestine any semblance of human security or peace. Malaysia’s position on this matter remains clear and consistent. Annexation is unlawful. It violates the Charter of the United Nations, Geneva Conventions and relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The acquisition of any territory by war or force is inadmissible and illegal. As such, there will never be nor can there ever be any legitimacy in Israel’s actions against Palestine.
Together with the rest of the international community, Malaysia will continue to reaffirm its support to the realization of the State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The only viable way forward is a negotiated two-state solution. In this context, Malaysia supports the call of the international community including by the UN Secretary General, for the Middle East Quartet to find a mutually agreeable path for the parties to re-engage towards a negotiated, peaceful settlement. We continue to call upon the international community to uphold Palestine’s legitimate right to self determination, which constitutes one of the very core principles of the United Nations when it was created 75 years ago.
SITUATION SURROUNDING THE ROHINGYA
Another glaring example is the plight of the Rohingya. When atrocities were committed en-masse against the Rohingya in the State of Rakhine, thousands fled their homes fearing for their lives. Many died while crossing oceans and land in search of safety, whilst many others fell victim to opportunistic human trafficking rings promising the Rohingya a life they could only dream of. Yet they still choose to make that life threatening decision to leave home out of sheer desperation.
The spill-over effects of the crisis in the Rakhine State, which includes the mass migration of people from Myanmar have significantly impacted not only Malaysia, but also other neighbouring countries. Malaysia currently hosts the largest number of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. As a developing nation coping with the cost of managing and providing protection to nearly 180,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers in the country, with 86% of them from Myanmar, our resources are stretched thin. Yet, Malaysia is expected to do more to accommodate these incoming refugees. Is that fair?
Although Malaysia is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, Malaysia has taken up the social and financial responsibility in providing humanitarian assistance and protection to Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds. The time has come for State Parties to the Convention to shoulder a proportionate burden and responsibility in addressing the problem by opening their doors for more refugees for resettlement and relocation.
Addressing the influx of these refugees into our borders is one side of the story. The bigger question is how can the international community play a more meaningful role to end the atrocities in the Rakhine State?
These are just two glaring examples why a stronger and better United Nations is necessary. The credibility of the United Nations can and must be restored, in order to build “the future we want, the United Nations we need”. This can only be done if we find the moral courage and political will to do what is right.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS/CLIMATE CRISIS
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Malaysia has and will continue to support the accelerated action and transformative pathways of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Our development plans have always been geared towards sustainability both for the environment and for the living, and have been embedded into the five-yearly national development plans. It has also been included into Malaysia’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, which aims to develop a fair and equitable distribution of economic development at all levels by 2030, as envisaged by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since Malaysia implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March, we found that air quality readings in Malaysia has improved two folds, from 28% to 57%. The fear is that this could only be a temporary reprieve as global carbon emissions may rise again if we continue to be complacent and do a ‘business as usual’ approach in our post economic recovery plan. The pandemic must therefore be treated as a turning point. It is important for the entire international community to respect the planet’s limits and value our natural resources.
Just like everybody else, Malaysia is also concerned about the environment. At the same time, Malaysia is one of the biggest producers of palm oil. Many farmers and smallholders are dependent on this crucial commodity to sustain their livelihoods. However, critics have linked palm oil to the destruction of the world’s precious rainforests and the extinction of wildlife. They also claim that it is dangerous to health. These claims are way far from the truth. Malaysia has over 60 national laws and regulations covering the protection of wildlife and the environment; health; the safety and welfare of workers; and control of pollutants. We are pleased and honoured to inform that we have managed to retain 55% of our rainforests, exceeding 5% of our earlier commitment.
MULTILATERALISM AND UN75
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. For the past 75 years, the United Nations has been the centre of international relations. In the eyes of some, it can be considered as a failure, while others see it as a success. Call it what you want, but it is difficult to deny that the United Nations has managed to allow human society to progress in so many aspects — from education to the environment, to the health and social security of millions.
Unfortunately, in recent times multilateral commitments are becoming less persuasive because states are less willing to uphold shared values and solve challenges together. Governments are turning inwards, pushing a national perspective that wins more immediate public support. The United Nations should not be a platform to do this. It should be a capable institution that can hear and collectively address the concerns of its members and the problems that beset the world.
In preserving stability, tranquillity and peace, Malaysia has long held the belief that our world demands for collaborative engagement by all. It is, therefore, in our interest that the international community works together to uphold a system based on our shared universal values through dialogues and cooperation.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Turning 75 is indeed a significant achievement. As such, let us not see the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the United Nations go by without a resolve to fulfil our collective responsibilities. We need to build back better for our peoples not just for now but also for generations to come. Rest assured that the United Nations has Malaysia’s fullest commitment to multilateralism, based on the purposes and principles as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Thank you.


President of the United Nations General Assembly,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Although at a virtual event, I am again honoured to address our august Assembly, on behalf of the Central African Republic, on the occasion of the seventy- fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
I would like to extend to you, President Volkan Bozkir, my warm and heartfelt congratulations on your election as President of the seventy-fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Your election is a well-deserved honour and tribute paid to all continents and, in particular, to your country, the Republic of Turkey.
We believe that your perfect knowledge of the international landscape, as well as your outstanding personal attributes are an asset and will ensure the success of our work.
I would also like to acknowledge the excellent work and the results achieved by Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande during the seventy-fourth session. We acknowledge his efforts and convey our recognition and satisfaction.
Mr. President,
From this rostrum, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Central African Republic, I would also like to take this opportunity to convey our gratitude for the kind attention that my country, the Central African Republic, receives from the international community, despite your many commitments and requests.
Allow me to reiterate all our gratitude to and confidence in Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his sustained commitment to global peace and development, and, in particular, for his constant and multifaceted support to the Central African Republic.
Mr. President,
This year’s Assembly is being held amid special circumstances, as humankind, as a whole, faces the regrettable COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed several lives throughout the world.
We pay tribute to the memory of all those across the world who succumbed to this pandemic, which humankind combats daily and collectively.
Since the start of this health crisis, the Central African Republic, as other countries in the world, has not been spared. Our assessment of the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 indicates that my country’s economy is expected to contract between 0.8 per cent and 1.2 per cent.
I therefore call on the entire international community to make a greater investment in the quest for common measures and solutions to eradicate this health crisis.
Mr. President,
In light of the many challenges facing humankind related to security, the environment, climate change, human mobility, human rights, terrorism, denuclearization, the dismantling of weapons of mass destruction and the COVID-19 pandemic, the choice of this year’s theme — “The future we want, the UN we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism” — reaffirms that multilateralism has always been and remains the instrument to effectively combat certain scourges and the means to minimize certain antagonisms at the international level.
On the occasion of this seventy-fifth anniversary, it is essential to recall the purposes and principles that govern our great Organization through our commitments contained in the Charter of the United Nations, namely to prevent and remove threats to peace; to develop friendly relations among nations; to fight against inequality and all forms of discrimination; and to protect human rights.
The present session is also an opportunity to reflect on how our common Organization will be able to face the new challenges affecting the world and our societies.
Today, more than ever, we must, in spite of our differences, advocate for international cooperation and dialogue, joining our efforts for a better future for humankind.
The United Nations remains, and will continue to be, the multilateral framework par excellence.
Mr. President,
No human endeavour is perfect, and therefore we must bear in mind the weaknesses identified over the past 75 years and find effective and lasting solutions to them.
In that regard, the Central African Republic wishes to add its voice to the call of some States and the African Union for Security Council reform.
It is a matter of looking beyond narrow self-interests and giving priority to common interests, while avoiding confrontation, in favour of a joint strategy for our world, which is facing unprecedented changes and upheavals.
It is also a matter of African representation in the organs of our shared Organization, in particular the Security Council, which is the central decisionmaking body.
Through multilateralism, we can ensure a more secure and stable future for humankind, which aspires only to peace, justice and sustainable development for all.
Mr. President,
I would also like to take this opportunity to share developments in the situation in my country. Thanks to the combined efforts of the international community and under the auspices of the African Union, the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic was signed between the Central African Government and 14 armed groups on 6 February 2019.
Since the signing of the Agreement, the Central African Government and the guarantors and facilitators of the Agreement have spared no effort to implement and respect the commitments contained therein.
In addition, the Government has made a great deal of progress in the area of security sector reform, which will facilitate the gradual redeployment of the defence and security forces and the continuation of the national DDRR programme, which has already been launched in preparation for the upcoming elections scheduled for the 2020-2021 period.
Despite the Government’s willingness to respect the commitments contained in the Political Agreement, massive violations of international humanitarian law and human rights continue to be perpetrated against the civilian population by certain armed groups that are signatories to the Agreement. Those groups are also continuing to rearm through illegal means, thereby undermining the peace and national reconciliation process, which is a guarantee of social cohesion.
Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the considerable progress made in the implementation of security sector reforms in the Central African Republic, many challenges are yet to be addressed, including the genuine commitment of armed groups to DDRR and the special joint security units; the sustained support of the international community in the implementation of the APPR-RCA; the conduct of operations and the means for operational engagement; and the mobilization of resources at the national level and from development partners.
Mr. President,
In order to adhere to the constitutional deadline, the National Electoral Authority is working, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that the elections are held according to the established timeline.
To date, the census and dismemberment operations are continuing outside the country and will be immediately followed by the publication of the electoral roll — a condition for the convocation of the electorate for the first round of elections.
The Government is working closely with the organizational structure of the Electoral Assistance Project (PAPEC) 2019-2022, which is built around key coordination mechanisms.
Mr. President,
The Government, with the support of MINUSCA, continues to make progress in the restoration of State authority throughout the national territory, the redeployment of defence and security forces and State services and the restoration of basic social services.
The Central African army is now steadily regaining its operational capacities and I can assure you of my determination to create the necessary conditions for the reconstruction of the Central African Republic in order to restore confidence and joie de vivre among Central Africans.
To that end, I reiterate the appeal of the Central African people to the Security Council to fully lift the arms embargo, the burden of which limits our national army in its role as a republican army, in order to ensure the true authority of the State and guarantee the integrity of our national territory.
Mr. President,
Before concluding my remarks, I would like to recall that my country continues to make efforts in the implementation of the National Plan for Recovery and Peacebuilding (RCPCA), which is evaluated regularly with our partners.
While tangible progress has been made, much remains to be done. To that end, we are committed to preserving and consolidating the gains made, improving on our weaknesses and continuing to make progress in the search for peace and economic recovery.
The task at hand is immense and, as the saying goes, “The bird can only take flight when it is supported by the air”.
I therefore hope that the international community will remain mobilized in that spirit of international solidarity alongside the Government and people of the Central African Republic in order to achieve my country’s recovery.
I hope for great success in our work.
Long live multilateralism!
Long live international cooperation and solidarity!
I thank you.


Hon’ble Prime Minister
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful
Mr. President,
Assamu Alaikum.
I congratulate you on your election as the President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
We are passing through an unprecedented crisis in the history of humankind due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the first time in the UN’s history that the General Assembly is taking place on digital platform without the presence in person of the Heads of States and the Heads of Governments at the UN Headquarters in New York.
This General Assembly Hall evokes deep emotions in me. From this very hall in 1974, my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a speech for the first time in Bangla as the Head of Government of a newly independent country. I also had the privilege of attending the General Assembly Sessions in-person for 16 times. I emphasized world peace and solidarity in all my speeches. As a Head of Government, this year I am delivering my 17th speech in the Assembly.
I take this opportunity to pay my tribute to all frontline fighters including health workers and public servants who are working tirelessly to ensure safety of the affected countries and population. I also commend the United Nations Secretary- General for his bold leadership and multilateral efforts during this crisis. Bangladesh was among the first rank of countries to endorse the Secretary-General’s various initiatives, including his global ceasefire appeal.
Just as the Second World War created opportunities for countries to come together in their efforts to cooperate, through the establishment of the United Nations, similarly this pandemic has emphasized the need for collective action under the guidance of right leadership.
With profound gratitude, I remember the undisputed leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time. He taught the Bangalee nation to stand firm in the world by ending exploitation, deprivation, and oppression. Following his footsteps, we have been able to secure a respectable position for Bangladesh in the comity of nation. From this august Assembly he declared, “The noble ideals enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are the very ideals for which millions of our people have made the supreme sacrifice”.
The Bangalee nation fully commits itself to the building of a world order, in which the aspiration of all men for peace and justice will be realized.” His statement was indeed a bold expression for multilateralism. The reflection that Bangabandhu made in 1974 continues to remain equally relevant even today, as we grapple with the current crisis.
This year is particularly significant for the Bangalee nation, as we are celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of our Nation. Our reflection on his life, struggle, and sacrifice and celebration of his achievements, is a source of our encouragement for brighter future and give us the hope to cope with the challenge of COVID-19. On the birth centenary, we, on behalf of all deprived people and nations pay rich tribute to Bangabandhu.
I remember, with deep pain, the brutal assassination of my father, Father of the Bangalee Nation and the then President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975 along with 18 members of my family including my mother, three brothers, two sisters-in law. The lives of myself and my younger sister were fortunately spared as we were out of the country at that time. We had to stay abroad as refugees for six long years. I mention this to this Assembly so that the world does not see the repetition of such heinous, brutal and unjust killings ever.
Mr. President,
The pandemic is a stark reminder that our fates are interconnected and that no one is secured until everyone is secured. This pandemic to a large extent kept us restricted to our homes. Consequently, our economic activities were greatly hampered along with our health systems. Bangladesh achieved a GDP growth rate of 8.2 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-2019. But the COVID 19 pandemic has impeded our economic progress.
However, in Bangladesh from the beginning we took initiatives putting equal emphasize on the lives and livelihoods of our people. We have announced stimulus packages aiming to minimize the impact of the pandemic on our business and productivity. We have greatly expanded social safety nets coverage.
Every year, we allocate around 39 billion taka for our freedom fighters. Our allowances for the elderly, widows, destitute women, disabled and other backward sections of the society are benefitting approx 9.1 million families.
We have readily arranged food and other assistance for people who are rendered jobless due to COVID-19. This arrangement has benefitted nearly 10 million families. We have provided scholarships to 4 million students. We have also given cash incentives to five million people including farmers, workers and laborers affected by the pandemic. To ensure healthcare of the common people, we are providing 30 types of medicines free of cost through 18,000 community clinics and union health centres.
Alongwith government assistance, I myself have collected funds and distributed more than an amount of 2.5 billion taka among the orphans, poor students, Madrasas, Mosques, Temples, school teachers, artists, journalists who are otherwise not included in government’s assistance programmes. As a result, the impact of the pandemic among our people has been minimal.
We announced 31-point directives soon after the detection of COVID-19 cases in the country. We launched vigorous awareness raising campaigns as well as distributed personal protective kits aiming to contain the spread of the Corona virus. These resulted in containment of seasonal diseases which are otherwise common in our country.
We quickly identified the impending challenges of our financial sector and announced 21 stimulus packages. These packages include sectors such as exportintensive industries, safety and security of the workers, working capital for Small and Medium Enterprises, loan facilities for export growth, assistance to farmers and agriculture, loan for employment generation, interest relief for the affected business enterprises, refinancing schemes and insurance for the health workers. So far, we have announced stimulus package worth $13.25 billion, which is equivalent to 4.03 per cent of our total GDP.
During the pandemic, highest emphasis has been placed on food production. At the same time, we have taken all measures to ensure adequate supply of nutrition for our people. Special arrangements have been made for keeping the industries running and for proper marketing of agricultural products and industrial outputs in full compliance with health guidelines. Consequently, our health sector and economy are still comparatively at a better shape. Despite the COVID-19-induced stagnation in global industrial outputs, our GDP has registered a growth rate of 5.24 per cent, which is expected to be 7 per centin the next fiscal year.
Mr. President,
We hope that the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available in the world. It is imperative to treat the vaccine as a ‘global public good.’ We need to ensure the timely availability of this vaccine to all countries at the same time. If we are provided with the technical know-how and patents, the pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh has the capacity to go for vaccine production in mass-scale.
Efforts to contain the pandemic and achieve Agenda 2030 have to go hand- in-hand. Bangladesh’s second voluntary national review (VNR) presented this year shows that we are well on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
We are working hard to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021, attain the SDGs by 2030, a developed country by 2041 and a prosperous Delta by 2100.
We cannot but emphasize more on the importance of leveraging science, technology, and innovation for closing the digital divide and mobilizing resources and technology transfer. It is also crucial that graduating LDCs and recently graduated ones are accorded scaled-up international support and incentive packages in the transition and post-transition phases to minimize the pandemic-triggered impediments.
The migrant workers are the frontline contributors to the economies of their host and home countries alike. Many of them have lost their jobs during the pandemic while many have been sent back home. We have allocated $361 million for the returnee migrant workers. It is critical to help them regain employment in the post-COVID-19 job market. I urge the international community and migrant receiving countries to treat migrant workers fairly and with empathy.
Mr. President,
The pandemic is worsening the pre-existing vulnerabilities of climate- vulnerable countries. In Bangladesh, we are dealing with the dual impact of recent floods and the cyclone Amphan even during the pandemic. As the current President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the V-20 Group of Ministers of Finance, Bangladesh would lead the Forum to map out a sustainable and climate-resilient pathway out of the crisis. We also stand ready to contribute to securing a constructive and productive outcome in the Glasgow COP.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action has helped the international community come a long way to ensure gender equality. As we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration, we need to strengthen our resolve and mutual cooperation to address all the critical areas of concern. In Bangladesh, we have closed 72.6 per cent of our overall gender gap. Women’s contribution remains at the core of our national development. They are also at the forefront of pandemic response and recovery efforts.
In Bangladesh we are implementing special programmes for the development of children. As the current President of the UNICEF Executive Board, we are leading efforts to address the existing disparity. At the same time, we remain vigilant to ensure that this health crisis does not turn into a children’s crisis.
Mr. President,
“Friendship to all and malice to none” is the fundamental principle of our Foreign policy. Inspired by this foreign policy dictum, Bangladesh has been consistently contributing to international peace and security and the establishment of a Culture of Peace.
During the pandemic, we see the rise of hate speech, xenophobia, and intolerance. Embracing the spirit of a Culture of Peace can help address these worrying trends. Currently, we are the largest troops and police contributing country in the world to the peacekeeping missions. Our peacekeepers are putting their lives on the line to secure and sustain peace in conflict-ravaged countries. International community must ensure their safety and security.
This year we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. As one of its original proponents, we call for due recognition of women’s role in peace and security. We have already formulated a national action plan in this regard.
Our unflinching commitment to peace has resulted in the adoption of a zero- tolerance policy towards terrorism and violent extremism. National efforts have to be complemented by international cooperation to curb this menace.
We consistently and strongly support the global quest for a nuclear weapons free world. To that end we support the aspirations of developing countries to benefit from the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Mr. President,
Our painful experience and the worst form of genocide and crimes against humanity that our nation had to endure during our struggle for independence motivated us to support the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people.
Bangladesh provided temporary shelter to over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals. More than three years have elapsed. Regrettably, not a single Rohingya could be repatriated. The problem was created by Myanmar and its solution must be found in Myanmar. I request the international community to play a more effective role for a solution to the crisis.
Mr. President,
The pandemic has indeed aggravated existing global challenges. It has also reinforced the indispensability of multilateralism. On this 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, our commitment to multilateralism as embodied in the UN Charter remains unflinching. At the national level, despite numerous challenges, we are committed to upholding the values of multilateralism and working towards building a “Shonar Bangla” free of poverty and exploitation based on democratic principles with full enjoyment of human rights, as envisioned by the Father of our Nation. On the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation, this is our pledge to our nation and to the world.
I thank you all again.
Khoda Hafez.
Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu
May Bangladesh live forever.


Your Excellency, Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly,
Your Excellency, Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for chairing this historic seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly. I would have loved to congratulate you in person rather than through the video-teleconference technique that was imposed on us by the current global health situation. I would also like to extend my acknowledgment to H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande my recognition of his efforts in directing the last session of the General Assembly, especially with the disruption of the organization’s work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
I wish to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his continuous efforts as head of this international organization, and for his endeavors to support Lebanon after the Beirut Port explosion on August 4. He organized the Beirut Support Conference on 9 August, to mobilize donor pledges and provide basic relief assistance, at the commendable initiative of French President and friend Emmanuel Macron. Moreover, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Lebanese people, I wish to extend our thanks to all Heads of State who participated in the conference and offered support, as well as to all brotherly and friendly countries, governmental and non-governmental organizations, which rushed to provide aid and assistance.
In particular, I wish to thank His Holiness Pope Francis, who dedicated a universal day of prayer for Lebanon. All of his assistance has had a huge positive impact on our country and our people. Practically, it provided urgent medical and food relief, along with reconstruction materials. Morally, his great solidarity made our people feel that they are not alone, but rather have in this world brothers and sisters in humanity who did not hesitate to support it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Beirut is trying today to rise from its ruins. Indeed, with the solidarity of all the Lebanese people and your support, it will heal its wounds and rise as it has done over and over again throughout history. The earthquake-like explosion that hit our capital left a deep scar on the Lebanese conscience. Indeed, the pictures of the victims, the pain of the injured, and the tears of those who lost a beloved one, will never be wiped away.
Material damages are unprecedented. The Port of Beirut, the vital crossing for economic activity in Lebanon, was not only destroyed, but around 200,000 residential units were also damaged. Many of them are uninhabitable. Almost 300,000 people lost their homes, with winter approaching. In addition, the infrastructure, the power grid and the water network have been tremendously devastated.
The fallout will not only affect economic activity, but will also cause a sharp increase in poverty rates — already at 45 per cent before the blast. The World Bank estimated economic losses from the explosion at around $3.5 billion, material losses at around $4.5 billion, and urgent reconstruction needs at around $2 billion.
Beirut was declared a disaster-stricken city. The Lebanese Army has undertaken the management of emergency relief in collaboration with other UN agencies, the Red Cross, licensed NGOs, and volunteers.
It has conducted survey operations to determine the damages and assess needs and priorities. The Army received local and international aid, sorted it, and distributed it. It has been very keen on adopting the strictest criteria of probity and transparency.
As for the next phase, the Army is dedicated to reconstruction. Its advanced emergency cell oversees the reconstruction of the partially affected residential and commercial units. However, the greatest problem is the totally demolished neighborhoods and facilities. There is a tremendous need for support from the international community to rebuild them. The soundest solution may be to divide the devastated area into geographical zones and let every country that wishes to help commit to a specific zone and undertake its reconstruction directly.
In the course of the investigation, all Lebanese want to know the truth and see justice done. We have forwarded the blast file to the Judicial Council, the highest penal judicial body in Lebanon. A judicial investigator has been appointed and is carrying out his probes and procedures. Immediately after the blast, we asked for international technical assistance to help provide us with satellite pictures at the moment of explosion, discover the itinerary and history of the ammonium, nitrate- loaded vessel from its departure to its arrival at the Beirut Port, and analyze the soil, materials, and anything else that might unveil what happened. Indeed, teams came from several countries and conducted the necessary research. We are still waiting for information about the mystery of the ship and for satellite pictures to clear the ambiguities in this part of the investigation. The results will end up in the Judicial Council under Lebanese sovereign jurisdiction.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Lebanon is in the middle of an unprecedented crisis. Calamities have erupted all at once — a severe recession due to the economic and financial situation, the COVID-19 crisis and its repercussions, and finally the Beirut Port disaster. Lebanon’s very core has been stricken from both a humanitarian and economic point of view. The situation is extremely critical.
In addition, the Syrian displacement crisis has been lingering for ten years. Although Lebanon is not an asylum country, and its Constitution does not accept final settlement, it has dealt with the displacement problem based on humanitarian principles and international law, in particular the principle of non-refoulement.
Nevertheless, today, amidst Lebanon’s successive crises, the number of displaced amounts to one-third of its population. The displacement has exacerbated the economic, social, health and humanitarian problems of the host community. Lebanon demands intensified endeavors for the safe and dignified return of the displaced, without linking it to a political solution in Syria, especially since most of the Syrian territories have become safe. The Lebanese Government seeks help to implement the plan it had adopted for the return of the displaced Syrians now that circumstances for their return are more favorable.
Pending the desired return, and confirming the principle of common responsibility and burden sharing among States, Lebanon repeats its call on donor countries to honor their pledges and find a mechanism to follow-up on their commitments. The latter need to double their financial contributions, and provide direct assistance to Lebanese governmental institutions and host communities, in line with Lebanon’s response plan adopted in collaboration with the United Nations.
Lebanon has made a commitment to the international community to carry out a package of administrative, financial and economic reforms aimed at facilitating the economic recovery to which we all aspire.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Lebanon welcomes the Security Council resolution extending the UNIFIL mandate, interpreting it as a strong and unifying message of support to preserve stability therein. It lauds UNIFIL’s sacrifices and grants priority to preserving the safety of its personnel and ensuring their protection. Lebanon highly appreciates the close and continuous cooperation between the Force and the Lebanese Army.
In this context, Lebanon reiterates its commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), because we believe that it will consolidate the foundations of stability and security in South Lebanon and benefits the entire region’s stability. Any violation thereof will further complicate the situation. Therefore, Lebanon again calls on the international community to bind Israel to its full obligations in this respect. Israel must cease its land, sea and air violations of Lebanese sovereignty and stop trespassing in Lebanon’s airspace, using it to strike Syrian territories. The international community must also urge Israel to cooperate fully with UNIFIL, demarcate what remains of the Blue Line, and immediately withdraw from Northern Ghajar, the Shebaa Farms and the Kfarshouba Hills.
Lebanon emphasizes its absolute and full rights in its territorial waters, its natural oil and gas resources, and all of its maritime borders according to international law. It looks forward to the role of the United Nations and the friendly countries to help ascertain its rights. It specifically requests US mediation for the necessary negotiations to define and delineate its maritime borders according to international law and in a manner which preserves Lebanon’s sovereignty and rights to its resources.
Today, seventy-five years after the inception of the United Nations Organization, and in light of increased dialogue about solutions in the Middle East, we reiterate our attachment to the principles on which this organization was founded. Most notably, we commit to the inviolability of internationally recognized borders. We underscore that any negotiations, regardless of their formula or the party conducting them, must take into account sustainable solutions sponsored by concerned parties and in various UN resolutions, notably in Resolution 194, which guarantees Palestinian refugees the right of return. In this context, we would also like to recall the 2002 Beirut Peace Initiative.
On the first centenary of the proclamation of Greater Lebanon, we can only affirm that the Lebanese people, in all their diversities, continue to keep Lebanon great and unified, without division or partition.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is the first time in the history of the United Nations that the General Assembly session is held virtually because an invisible virus has prevented us from meeting together and has compelled us to communicate through the video-conference technique. There is no doubt. The world after Covid-19 will not be the same as before. We hope that it will be a more humane world. We all stand united in helplessness from the loss of loved ones and the lack of oxygen.
Lebanon and its people experienced great sympathy after disaster struck Beirut. Many countries and people rushed to express their solidarity and extend a helping hand. Perhaps our world has reclaimed its morality out of Lebanon’s suffering, and that humanity has regained some of its stature in a materialistic world, which venerates the right of force and injustice.
The theme for this year’s meeting is: “Reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism through multilateral action.” This is an encouraging signal for the future we want and for the United Nations we need. It can be summarized with one expression: “Solidarity for good”.
Thank you.


Address by Mr. Sooronbai Zheenbekov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Delivered on Wednesday, 23 September 2020, at the 6th meeting of the General Assembly
[Original: Russian]
Secretary-General, Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Kyrgyz Republic, I would like to congratulate you on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. It is impossible to imagine the world without the UN today. The Organization has become the most important tool for resolving social, economic, financial and cultural issues. UN agencies, funds and programmes are vital and effective partners for developing States. On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic, I thank the United Nations for supporting all our reforms.
Mr. President,
The theme of today’s debate accurately reflects the current alarming situation in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us how closely interconnected we are. I express my full support to the UN Secretary-General for calling for a global ceasefire and mobilization of international efforts against the pandemic. To date, more than 44,000 cases of the disease have been reported in Kyrgyzstan and, unfortunately, we lost 1,063 citizens. We declared 30 July this year a day of mourning in our country. Thanks to the unity of the people of Kyrgyzstan and the heroic work of our doctors and volunteers we were able to significantly reduce the spread of the virus. The assistance provided to us by the WHO, the United Nations and its swiftly established Fund, as well as international donors, was essential. The support of our allies and strategic partners was important. Ongoing assistance is crucial for us. And universal access to the vaccine is key.
Distinguished participants,
The pandemic has impeded the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and significantly exacerbated the external debt crisis. We welcome the decision of the G20 and the international financial institutions to suspend debt payments. In May this year, at the UN high-level event, we proposed that a mechanism be used for deep debt restructuring in exchange for sustainable development projects. We hope to receive strong support for our initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Kyrgyz Republic supports the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres to reform the Organization. Enhancing the effectiveness of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council is of particular importance. We attach great importance to security and economic development, the protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Kyrgyzstan has put forward its candidacy for the Human Rights Council and the elected membership of the Security Council for the coming periods. I hope for broad support for our candidacy.
Mr. President,
The Kyrgyz Republic, as a depositary of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon- Free Zone Treaty, supports the strengthening of approaches to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Terrorism and extremism are also a serious threat to our peace. The UN should play a central role in coordinating the efforts of the international community’s in combating the terrorist threat. We are committed to the effective implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We welcome the appointment of a Regional Coordinator for the UN Office of Counter- Terrorism in Bishkek. We stand ready to support him.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Kyrgyzstan has made commitments to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. In November last year, we ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Kyrgyzstan sees the development of a green economy as the most important step in the implementation of these commitments. We strive to be a country with environmentally-friendly products and clean energy. Kyrgyzstan is focused on gradually reducing its consumption of traditional energy sources. We consider it important to use our water and energy potential through the construction of hydroelectric power plants and our participation in the CASA-1000 international project. This will contribute to the accumulation of water resources for the irrigation needs of our neighbours and the sustainable development of the entire region. The Kyrgyz Republic needs the support of the international community to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change.
Mr. President,
Climate change reduces the volume of glaciers and water resources of Kyrgyzstan. This will lead to a shortage of clean water and pose a threat to public health. It could lead to land degradation and economic risks. In this regard, we advocate the implementation of projects aimed at studying the problem of melting glaciers and their protection. We also believe that it is extremely important to preserve mountain ecosystems in areas where glaciers form. Kyrgyzstan has launched a number of global initiatives in this area. We hosted two global forums on protecting the snow leopard and its mountain ecosystems. A resolution on the role of the international community in preventing the radiation threat in Central Asia was adopted. In August last year, the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries was created. Today it includes 23 States. It was also important to preserve biological diversity. That is why Kyrgyzstan proposed at this year’s session of the General Assembly a new draft resolution entitled “Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation is a key factor in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”. We are counting on support for our initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Kyrgyz Republic attaches special importance to regional cooperation in Central Asia. Cooperation among our countries is developing dynamically. We actively participate in the regional dialogue platforms at the highest level to resolve existing issues. One of the main tasks is to remove barriers to economic cooperation in order to improve the well-being of our peoples. The development of a system of transport and communications corridors, logistics centres and terminals is vital. We must recreate the main routes of the ancient Great Silk Road. The construction and launch of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad will be a meaningful contribution to connecting Asia with Europe.
Kyrgyzstan is committed to strengthening the rule of law and human rights. The strategic document that defines Kyrgyzstan’s development path is its National Sustainable Development Strategy, covering the period until 2040. Its main thrust is the formation of a State governed by the rule of law and ensuring the rule of law in the interests of every citizen. With international support, we in Kyrgyzstan are conducting large-scale judicial reform.
Projects on regional development, the provision of clean water and digitalization of public services are being successfully implemented. On 4 October this year, Kyrgyzstan will hold the next parliamentary elections. International observers, including those from the OSCE, the SCO and the CIS, have been invited to attend. We intend to make every effort to ensure that the elections are transparent and competitive and that we use modern technology.
Thank you for your attention.


Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the responsibility to steer the work of the Seventy-Fifth Session of the General Assembly and assure you of Sierra Leone’s full support during your tenure.
I commend His Excellency, Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, for his effective and efficient leadership of the 74th UNGA session — a period that was very challenging.
I commend Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his astute leadership and profound commitment to the work of the Organization. In particular, I acknowledge, with appreciation, his call for a global ceasefire during the current pandemic, the setting up of the COVID-19 response fund, advancing the urgent need to address Climate Change, and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
From the outset, let me also, on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone, express heartfelt and deep condolences to all Member States of the United Nations for the loss of lives due to the COVID-19 pandemics. We salute the selflessness of all frontline responders to this global emergency.
I also applaud the adoption, by this Assembly and the Security Council, of various COVID-19-focused resolutions as well as initiatives by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres aimed at promoting global solidarity and cooperation to fight COVID-19 and address its impact on lives and livelihoods now and in the long term.
Sierra Leone, therefore, supports the call for global solidarity and cooperation for the prevention, curtailment, and treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as all associated recovery programmes.
To that effect, I would like to encourage the Secretary General to work with this Assembly and all other stakeholders to expedite the implementation of all COVID- 19-related resolutions. I would also like to encourage Member States of this august Assembly to share relevant information, scientific knowledge, and best practices about the disease, as well as enhance equitable and fair access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to all nations.
Mr. President,
Given the global health pandemic, the theme for this session, “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism — confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action” is therefore appropriate, relevant, and very timely.
As a global family, it is only through our collective commitment to Multilateralism that we can effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and meaningfully address the prevailing universal challenges of poverty, hunger, diseases, natural disasters, climate change, terrorism, human rights violations, cybersecurity, and transnational organized crime.
Mr. President,
At a time when isolationist sentiments, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainties are escalating, the multilateral rules-based system is severely being tested. The UN Charter remains the foundation for that multilateral system, international cooperation, and global peace and security. It provides the framework for maintaining peace and security, upholding human rights and dignity, promoting sustainable development and international cooperation to tackle both longstanding and emerging challenges.
In view of this, Sierra Leone reaffirms its firm commitment to multilateralism as embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.
We are, in this regard, committed to promoting international cooperation to address present and emerging challenges that confront our world, including our collective engagement in the prevention of conflict as well as advancing durable peaceful settlement of conflicts and disputes.
We must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, continue to heighten collaboration, and utilise experiences that have helped the United Nations to achieve relative international peace and security over the last 75 years.
Mr President,
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt and destroy lives and livelihoods and also pose substantive risks to international peace and security. This is especially so in countries that are in conflict or emerging from conflict, those experiencing humanitarian crises, and those with weak and fragile economies where peacebuilding and post-war state-building could be undermined or reversed.
This brings me to the current political crisis in Mali and related insurgencies in the Sahel that are of grave concern and to which we should respond urgently by providing unambiguous support to ongoing efforts initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mr. President,
Our collective multilateral aspiration and hope for a safer and more secure world is embodied in our adoption of the 2030 agenda and its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
As the COVID-19 pandemic makes our timely attainment of the objectives of the 2030 agenda unlikely, it is imperative that we respond cooperatively to the pandemic in a way that will put nations back on track to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDG. Reduced economic activity, revenue losses, budget constraints and the huge cost of managing the pandemic are adversely affecting our efforts to achieve sustainable development, strengthen resilience, and walk out of fragility.
The implementation of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), that is aligned to both the SDGs and the AU’s Agenda 2063, is faced with challenges of generating required domestic revenue to fund projects and other sundry capacity and management constraints. We must also strengthen our public health institutions, and where we rebuild, build back better.
In this regard, Sierra Leone fully supports current efforts by this Organization and International Financial Institutions, and continues to call for emergency debt relief and standstill mechanisms from International Financial Institutions.
Given the magnitude and impact of COVID-19 and other persistent disease burdens, we aim to invest in our health and other service delivery systems, and in a sustained and robust post COVID-19 recovery process. We therefore seek additional grants, access to finance and technical assistance from our development partners, and more budget support, to deliver that much-needed fiscal space.
But beyond short-term, quick-fix-and-exit-strategies that characterise this general global pandemic response, Africa needs a global commitment to Debt Cancellation for the least developed countries that are working hard to address longterm structural problems with their economies.
Mr. President,
In Sierra Leone, we believe that it will be impossible to make the necessary progress on global agendas such as education, health, gender equality, and climate change if we do not reduce inequality,violence, injustice, and corruption. Our Medium- Term NationalDevelopment Plan (2019-2023) prioritises Human DevelopmentCapital. We are therefore working to implement all critical drivers of sustainable development.
The empowerment of women and Girls is central to myGovernment’s Medium-Term National Development Plan. We have established a standalone Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, developed a national Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy, supporting entrepreneurship and economic inclusion,implementing affirmative policies for women and girls in all sectorsfrom education to agriculture, promoting women’s health and reducing maternal and child mortality, toughening sexual offences laws, and introducing one stop centres for rape and sexual offences models courts.
Since the launch of our country’s free quality education flagship,we have increased allocations to 21 per cent of budget, increased enrolment at all educational institutions nationwide in spite of,and prioritised innovation and science in all aspects of governance and national development through the establishment of a Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation that works closely with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education.
We have increased investments in purposeful infrastructure that will generate economic productivity and improve standards of living. We are constructing and resurfacing more roads, expanding access to carbon-neutral energy in off-grid and other locations, extending ICT penetration, and improving access to potable water and sanitation facilities.
We have launched mitigation and protection strategies to forestall the adverse effects of climate change especially on our vulnerable populations. We urge more international cooperation and the urgent implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Mr. President,
As Chair of the g7+ group of countries that brings together countries affected by conflict and fragility, Sierra Leone remains committed to fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Among local action Sierra Leone has taken to foster these goals are ramping up the fight against corruption and preparing to establish a permanent Commission on Peace and National Cohesion. Following a pledge I made at the 74th Session of this august body, we have now expunged a 55-year old law that criminalises seditious libel. We are working closely with journalists, civil society, women’s groups, and other stakeholder groups to nurture and strengthen our democracy.
With the support of the Peacebuilding Commission, we have made great progress in fostering and sustaining peace in Sierra Leone over the years. Although Sierra Leone will withdraw from its formal agenda, we will continue to engage the Commission as and when the need arises.
Mr. President
At the World Summit held in 2005, we made a commitment to an early reform of the Security Council in order to make it “more broadly representative, efficient and transparent and thus to further enhance its effectiveness and the legitimacy and implementation of its decisions”.
As Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten on the reform of the United Nations, I should underscore that the people of Africa are convinced now more than ever before that the present geopolitical realities and the current global health pandemic are compelling for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council to make way for the representation of Africa in the Permanent category and address its under-representation in the Non-Permanent category of the Council.
The growing and broad support for the Common African Position is evident in the recent intergovernmental negotiations as more Member States expressed and affirmed the call to correct the historical injustice done to Africa. In this vein, we would like to encourage this Assembly to address this long-standing injustice by adopting Africa’s demand outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. We look forward to constructive engagement that will build on progress made in the past in order to achieve the comprehensive reform of the Security Council during this session.
Mr. President,
Sierra Leone reiterates its commitment to multilateral efforts geared toward the total elimination of colonialism in all its forms and manifestation, and supports the adopted decade plan of action. If we are to remain true to the fundamental principles of the United Nations that is fit for purpose, then it becomes absolutely necessary to relegate the chapter of colonialism to history within the period 2021- 2030. The global paradigm of engagement, partnership, multilateralism, and mutual respect for the aspirations and views of all peoples must prevail.
Let me conclude, Mr. President, by reiterating Sierra Leone’s call for the establishment of resilient healthcare infrastructure and services to both curtail and protect people against the risk of COVID-19. Only in that way can the international community reestablish confidence and stability in the financial markets and create the right environment that supports global business and trade, investment, and job creation. We must put back on track progress toward achieving our sustainable development goals.
I thank you!


Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending my warm congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir on his election as President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
As we speak today, the entire world is waging war against our common enemy, the COVID-19 global pandemic. This global pandemic has forced all of us to reassess our way of life as individuals and as communities and to reconsider our standard modes of operation. This 75th General Assembly is being held virtually. It is indeed humbling that an invisible virus has taken nearly one million lives, disrupted economies, livelihoods, and torn asunder the social fabric of peoples all over the world.
This global pandemic also lends itself as a test of the state of multilateralism. To overcome this pandemic an unprecedented scale of global cooperation is required. Therefore, it is only apt that this year’s theme is “The Future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism — Confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”.
Role of Multilateralism and the United Nations we want
Mr. President,
In a time of the greatest need for global cooperation, multilateralism has been placed itself under strain by the rise of unilateralism and protectionism. This has in some respects been worsened in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak by rising geopolitical rivalry and competition. This creates uncertainty. It is now, more than ever, that we need to strengthen rules-based multilateralism, to collectively overcome the exceptional challenges we face, and to mitigate their impact on weaker nations and vulnerable peoples. Failure to do so would impact the social stability of countries and place added burdens on the United Nations.
Despite the worrisome trend of statements that undermine multilateralism, we fail to see an alternative to the United Nations. Indeed, we are not looking for one. The UN represents our joint efforts to improve the situation of hundreds of millions of human beings around the world through the promotion of peace and stability, sustainable development, a culture of justice, legality, and rule of law. Through effective multilateral actions, lives can be saved, health improved, and security experienced by many more.
This said, we need to work together to develop the United Nations into an organization that we all want. It must be an organization that nations can turn to in times of need. It must remain a true beacon of hope for developing countries.
In the area of human rights promotion and protection, the United Nations should ensure that its mandate holders adhere strictly to the principles of independence, impartiality and integrity in the exercise of their duties. It must avoid double standards scrupulously, in particular towards Member States that have to bear troublesome legacies, very often as a result of a colonial past. Equality of states must be respected, regardless of the extent of their material wealth and political influence.
Myanmar and COVID-19
Mr. President,
The COVID-19 global pandemic has overwhelmed even resource-rich countries. It represents a formidable task for a developing country like Myanmar. Myanmar has taken a Whole-of-Nation approach in mobilizing the strength of its people through volunteerism and sharing spirit in the fight against the pandemic.
These measures proved successful in coping with the first wave of the virus but at present we are facing the challenge of a second wave. The Government has been making parallel efforts both in protecting public health and mitigating the economic impact by implementing its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan (CERP). Despite the risk of virus import, we are bringing back all our citizens and migrant workers who are facing difficulties in foreign countries where they have no access to social protection.
Pursuing the principle of “Leaving no one behind”, Myanmar’s response to the pandemic covers all vulnerable segments, especially IDPs, persons with disabilities, and low-income workers. To that end, the Government adopted an Action Plan for the control of COVID-19 at IDP camps that includes measures to raise awareness of the guidelines for pandemic prevention and to establish necessary measures to prevent and control the pandemic among internally displaced persons. To date those have been no serious outbreaks in any camp.
Pandemic and Conflict
Mr. President,
Terrorism remains a global and transnational threat. In the interest of sustainable peace and stability, we need to continue to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. This is an absolute need that must not be allowed to be obfuscated by spurious issues. Conflict and insecurity negatively affect peace. Paving the road for sustainable development often requires a deep understanding of root causes and unconventional threats.We welcome the Secretary General’s global ceasefire appeal which will contribute to peace and stability in conflict areas and encourage solidarity to overcome our common enemy, COVID-19. In response to this appeal, Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s Armed Forces declared a ceasefire from 10 May to 31 August 2020. It also announced that the ceasefire will be applied in all areas except where terrorist groups have taken position. This ceasefire has been extended to 30 September 2020.
The Government has also invited all ethnic armed organizations to work together for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in those areas which are not yet under total Government control. This kind of cooperation contributes to confidence building between state institutions and the ethnic armed organizations. Despite the temporary disruption of commercial flights to Rakhine State, the Government continues to ensure health and humanitarian assistance to all affected communities without discrimination.
Mr. President
It has been a little over four years since the peaceful transfer of State responsibilities to the first elected civilian Government. This has ended over five decades of absolute military rule but it is only the beginning of our people’s long journey towards a fully democratic Myanmar. We are treading carefully towards a different direction than known the past half a century. In just over a month from now, the people of Myanmar will go to the polls again. We have successfully put in place a political system that relies on ballots instead of bullets.
Every country undergoing democratic transition passes through difficult times. Myanmar is no exception. We are still struggling with numerous challenges including continued ethnic armed conflicts, old and new complex issues in Rakhine State, and, on top of it all, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past four years, our Government has made an all-out effort within the space permitted by the 2008 Constitution to fulfill our people’s dream of their inherent right to live in peace and security, with fundamental freedoms, and assured fruits of development. The people of Myanmar have started to enjoy the freedom of democratic rights but it is only when the existing 2008 Constitution can be revised, that we will be able to ensure the full democratic rights of our people. Although it is not possible to meet all the high expectations of all the people in such a short time, there are visible improvements in many areas including health, education, infrastructure, socioeconomic development, and good governance.
Peace Process
Mr. President,
In a multi-ethnic country like Myanmar, making unity out of diversity is a great challenge. The Government is striving for sustainable peace, genuine national reconciliation and all-round development.
It is the aim of the NLD Government to hold political negotiations with all ethnic nationalities that we might bring the seven-decade history of internal strife to a conclusion and achieve durable peace. To that end, the Government has successfully convened four sessions of the Union Peace Conference, also known as the 21st Century Panlong Conference. As a result, the third part of the Union Accord, which includes basic guiding federal principles for the future of the Union, has been signed by the participating delegations. These principles will define the path that will be followed, regardless of which Government might be at the helm, towards the building of a Democratic Federal Union.
Rakhine State
Mr. President,
When the NLD civilian Government took office in March 2016, it identified key priorities to be addressed. These included the complex situation of Rakhine State. Colonial cross-border migration and cycles of inter-communal violence have sowed deep-rooted mutual mistrust and fear between the different communities in Rakhine State.
Acknowledging that a holistic and comprehensive approach was needed to ensure sustainable peace, in Rakhine State, the Central Committee for the Implementation of Peace, Stability, and Development in Rakhine State was established in May 2016. This effort was supplemented by the creation of the Advisory Commission under the late Dr. Kofi Annan, one time Secretary General of the UN, who has left us a legacy of 88 recommendations towards finding sustainable solutions to the demanding issues in Rakhine State.
Despite the multiple challenges, the Government is committed to lay down a sustainable foundation for peace, stability, and development for all persons in Rakhine State. A ministerial level committee was set up to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission. This committee has selected five priority areas: issues of citizenship, freedom of movement, closure of IDP camps, education, and health care services. Its activities continue to the present day within the limitations of the COVID pandemic and the on-going internal armed conflict ignited by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State.
Developments in Rakhine State
Mr. President,
The Government shares the concern of the international community over the situation in Rakhine, in particular the suffering of all communities affected by armed conflicts. To resolve the issue, our Government focused on the following areas: humanitarian situation, repatriation, resettlement, reconciliation, and development.
Humanitarian Situation
Despite the challenges posed by the internal armed conflicts in Rakhine State, the Government has scaled up its efforts to grant humanitarian access to International Organizations including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to provide food and emergency items to affected persons in Rakhine and Chin States. The Government and the ICRC drew up an action plan to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in Rakhine State, including in new and old Internally Displaced People’s camps. The WFP has resumed regular distribution of food supplies and other activities such as nutrition interventions for vulnerable communities in Rakhine State. The people have benefitted from the generous support of the UN Country Team and other development partners in these efforts.
Bilateral Repatriation Process
Our commitment to receive verified returnees in a voluntary, safe, and dignified manner under the bilateral agreement reached with Bangladesh in November 2017, remains steadfast. We invite the Government of Bangladesh to show its genuine political will to cooperate, by strictly adhering to the terms of the signed agreements. Bilateral cooperation is the only way that can effectively resolve the repatriation issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh. May I say this — Should Bangladesh commit itself to the bilateral process it will find Myanmar a willing partner. Pressure tactics will be futile. Myanmar does not react well to pressure. Myanmar’s policy is to maintain friendly relations with all its five neighbours. We want to be good neighbours with Bangladesh, bound in a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, not merely in words but in deeds. By so doing we will be upholding the national interests not just of our two countries but the region as a whole. Both the terrorist group ARSA and the terrorist insurgent group AA have used Bangladeshi territory as a sanctuary. Efforts to prevent ARSA and its supporters in the camps of Cox’s Bazar from hampering the bilateral repatriation process, through threats, violence or other illegal conduct also need to be strengthened as such activities pose a risk to both Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Although bilateral repatriation has not yet started, more than 350 displaced persons from Cox’s Bazar camps have returned to Rakhine State on their own volition through unofficial channels.
Resettlement
Myanmar is engaging with different actors in its efforts to create a conducive environment in Rakhine State for the prospective returnees from Bangladesh. In this regard, we have extended our trilateral agreement with the UNDP and UNHCR till June 2021 to facilitate the implementation of our bilateral agreements with Bangladesh.
UNDP and UNHCR teams have worked independently to assess immediate needs in over 120 villages. The Government has approved 75 ‘Quick Impact Projects’ (QIPs), as termed by the UN, relating to community infrastructure, skills training, and income-generation. With the advent of the pandemic, their efforts are now naturally focussed on raising awareness of COVID-19 prevention within the communities.
The Government is also working with ASEAN’s Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). At the time of repatriation, the ASEAN assessment team will be in the field to assess the process. This should enhance the trust and confidence of the returnees. In July this year, Myanmar and ASEAN identified and endorsed four joint projects: 1) improving access to information to facilitate the repatriation process; 2) capacity-building for the verification process at the reception centers; 3) provision of agriculture equipment; and 4) livelihood-recovery programme.
Accountability and Reconciliation
Mr. President,
We share the concern over the allegations of human rights violations in Rakhine State and take them seriously. During the public hearing before the International Court of Justice in December 2019, the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reaffirmed that if war crimes or human rights violations have been committed, they will be investigated and prosecuted by Myanmar’s criminal justice system. This is our right, our obligation and our commitment, and it is important for vital domestic processes linked to constitutional reform and peace in Myanmar.
In pursuit of accountability, the Government established the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICoE) in July 2018, which submitted its final report to the President in January 2020. Based on these findings, the Union Attorney General is conducting ongoing investigations of allegations against civilian perpetrators.
Furthermore, the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) announced on 15 September 2020 that a third court-martial concerning alleged human rights violations in Rakhine in 2017 will start before the end of 2020. It concerns the villages of Chut Pyin and Maung Nu. The State Counsellor mentioned in her statement before the International Court of Justice in December 2019 that events in these two villages were among the 12 most serious incidents in Rakhine in 2016-2017. The ICoE final report identified them as the gravest on its list of 12-13 incidents. This is also alleged by United Nations and civil society reports. It is therefore significant that there will be a court-martial for these incidents as it confirms Myanmar has the will to ensure accountability for the most serious allegations.
Earlier, the two court-martials concerning Inn Din and Gutarpyin saw the conviction of 13 officers and soldiers, for crimes in two villages on the list of 12 serious incidents mentioned by the State Counsellor. Let me repeat her statement of regret at the early release of those convicted in the Inn Din case. I am confident that in subsequent cases there will be no such premature release of convicted persons. With a third court-martial, we could see within the next several months an increase in the total number of officers and soldiers convicted for Rakhine 2017 crimes. In this century, there are very few countries that hold their own officers and soldiers accountable for international crimes even in conflict which has seen a much higher number of deaths than the internal armed conflict in Rakhine.
It is noteworthy that the Judge Advocate General of Myanmar will not stop with the third case. In his announcement on 15 September 2020, he also stated that an investigation of possible wider patterns of violations in the region of northern Rakhine in 2016-2017 has started. Such alleged regional patterns of conduct could include, for example,
“inadequate distinction between civilians and ARSA fighters, disproportionate use of force, [...] failure to prevent plundering or property destruction, or acts of forcible displacement of civilians”.
These possible patterns of conduct across northern Rakhine in 2016-2017 are now subject to the new, regional investigation, based on the three above-mentioned cases, the ICoE final report, and other information. This represents highly significant progress in the domestic accountability process.
A country should be given time, space and respect for its domestic accountability processes. Independent experts have pointed out to the risks of “demonization and one-sidedness” in the way some international actors swiftly reject any step Myanmar takes towards domestic accountability. One international lawyer politely asked whether such automatic rejection of domestic justice steps is “indicative of objectivity, lack of bias, and concern to nourish domestic justice efforts”, or is it perhaps exactly the opposite? Demonization not only undermines our investigators and prosecutors. As the State Counsellor observed before the International Court of Justice last December:
“Feeding the flames of an extreme polarisation in the context of Rakhine [...] can harm the values of peace and harmony in Myanmar. Aggravating the wounds of conflict can undermine unity in Rakhine. Hate narratives are not simply confined to hate speech — language that contributes to extreme polarisation also amounts to hate narratives”.
Issuance of three Presidential Directives
Mr. President,
In April this year, the Presidential Office issued a directive to Government officials to act in compliance of its treaty obligations under the Genocide Convention. Another directive was also issued to prohibit officials from destroying or removing any evidence of possible crimes relating to the above-mentioned criminal investigations. A third directive was issued to all Government officials to denounce and prevent all forms of hate speech and to participate in and support anti-hate speech activities. Anti-hate speech awareness campaigns are being implemented nationwide. In May this year, anti-hate speech activities led by civil society organisations, women and youth were carried out simultaneously in all townships in Rakhine State. More activities will take place in the coming months. The Election Commission and the Ministry of Information are working together with UNDP and UNESCO in an antihate speech programme.
Social Cohesion
Mr. President,
Myanmar has expended sustained efforts to foster social cohesion among the communities residing in Rakhine State to bring about reconciliation. It is our sincere hope that these social cohesion activities will bring the communities together and rebuild trust and confidence. Despite persistent opposition to the Government’s effort to achieve social harmony and reconciliation in Rakhine State from some actors both outside and inside the country, we are determined to persevere.
Together with our civil society partners, various activities have taken place to promote mutual understanding and respect among the communities. So far, 203 community dialogues have been conducted, while respecting social distancing rules and other necessary precautions linked to the COVID pandemic. The success of these community dialogues and activities augurs well for reconciliation and peace in Rakhine State.
Four youth camps have been held. Over 265 campaign activities to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures have taken place in Rakhine State. Other activities in Rakhine include 17 anti-hate speech events, 3 gender-based violence awareness events, 5 community environmental campaigns, and 10 anti-drug campaigns. In addition, 28 training sessions on social cohesion, civic education, social mobilization, conflict analysis, managing rumours and hate messages, have been organized. Furthermore, 155 vocational training programmes have been conducted whereby the communities were involved in producing facemasks and hand sanitizers. These activities created jobs for more than 5,000 people in Rakhine State. It has been said, “Nothing brings people together more than a World Cup”. In that spirit, we are pleased that 3 sports tournaments have taken place.
All communities in Rakhine State have participated in vocational training programmes offered by the UN such as tailoring, mechanics and livestock breeding. All communities also participated in “cash for work” infrastructure development projects, such as improvement of village roads, water ponds and school renovation.
Addressing sexual violence
Myanmar has signed a Joint Communique with the UN on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence in December 2018. A National Committee was established and has developed an Action Plan to identify priority implementation areas such as the issuance of clear directives by the military, investigation of alleged violations, prosecution of perpetrators, capacity-building of law enforcement officers, legal reform measures, and strengthening of service delivery for survivors. Furthermore, the Government is drafting a law on the “Prevention and Protection of Violence against Women” to reinforce the protection of women from all forms of violence including domestic and sexual violence.
Prevention of Grave Violations against Children
The Government has established the National Committee on the Prevention of Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflict and formulated the National Action Plan for protecting children in armed conflicts from injury, death, and sexual violence. This Action Plan was approved by the President’s Office in August this year, and in line with the work plan, the military will issue necessary directives, and set up a complaints mechanism, and a monitoring and evaluation committee. Myanmar is cooperating with UNICEF to conduct awareness-raising activities. In June this year, the UN delisted Myanmar’s army from the list of countries that recruit child soldiers for combat purposes.
Development
To tackle poverty in Rakhine State, a Rakhine State Investment Fair was held in February 2019. This event is expected to generate job opportunities, income, and long-term development. Other development projects are being considered but these initiatives have been put on hold due to the armed conflicts and the pandemic.
Conclusion
Mr. President,
Myanmar reaffirms its commitment to continue to work constructively with the United Nations in line with our national priorities and needs, particularly in our endeavors to achieve the goals set out in the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan.
In our democratic journey, we have achieved much progress but it is far from over. Our progress is due to the resilience of our people and their strong will to build prosperity and well being for all in Myanmar. We are nurturing and building a new nation together. We would like to thank our friends far and near who have offered us their understanding and support during difficult times. We sincerely value their friendship.
This brings me to my conclusion. In May 2019, the UN released its strategy and plan of action against hate speech. This must be lauded as there is a dire need to address hate speech domestically. But we should also be aware of the international dimension, as referred to earlier. Demonization may be the oldest propaganda technique. It seeks to inspire ill-feeling towards the designated enemy, the ‘other’, to rally allies to impose an arbitrary agenda that is removed from basic norms of justice.. It is of the utmost importance that those entrusted with UN human rights mandates observe the highest standards of quality control and integrity, and that they do not cut corners to please any constituency. Grave accusations have been made against Myanmar. Such accusations have not been subjected to due process, including judicial probing of real evidence, yet the verdict of ‘guilty’ seems to have been passed by some in the international community. Demonizing fellow Member States of the United Nations, by using inadequately quality-controlled information, fosters ill-feeling between countries and peoples, which is the harbinger of hatred and conflict. This would weaken the principal objectives of peace on which the United Nations Charter is based.
We ask only for fair treatment from the international community. It is our appeal to the Member States to examine the negative narratives on Myanmar carefully and impartially, before drawing their independent conclusions. We would appreciate it if the international community continues to extend its support and understanding to our efforts towards the achievement of sustainable peace and national reconciliation, genuine democracy, and inclusive development for all peoples in Myanmar.
I thank you, Mr. President.