2026 United Nations General Assembly Day One

Ukraine begin as swiftly as possible. We must defend Ukrainians more than ever as winter is coming. We must defend them on the energy front. We must give them more interceptors. We must protect the civilian population. This is why we'd like to express our support. A double moratorium, a moratorium on strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure, that's first, and a Black Sea moratorium, which would allow us to...

Emmanual Macron (05:15:00):

That's first, and a Black Sea Moratorium, which would allow us to release grain shipments. Addressing food security concerns, food security being so important for many emerging economies, for many developing nations. This double moratorium is a necessity. Let's put it on the table and let's confront Russia with this reality. In the Middle East, we are also seeking peace and security for all. This is what we defend. Respect for sovereignty in Lebanon, displaced Lebanese people. Their villages are being razed in the south. Only a fully sovereign Lebanon will be able to disarm Hezbollah and restore security for all Lebanese and their neighbors. Sovereignty for Lebanon and its people. Sovereignty for Palestinians. They're very basic. Their most basic rights are once again being violated.

(05:16:10)
One year ago in this very chamber, several dozen states recognized Palestine. I understand that some are very cynical. You recognized it on paper. Look at the reality of the situation. But what is our credibility worth if we remain inactive on Gaza? Some claim that peace has been achieved, but this has not opened up humanitarian deliveries. The spectacle, the spectacle. It is shameful. Shame on all of us. Look, just look at what's happening in the West Bank where day in, day out, we are seeing violations. And in the name of what? Hamas was never very active in the West Bank. What we need is respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, their legitimate right to exist. This is a prerequisite for security today and tomorrow.

(05:17:16)
For the people of Israel, their security, their very existence to which we're very committed, but all those who claim that Israel's security requires the violation of the sovereignty of all of its neighboring states are making very fateful error. They are weakening Israel's security today and going forward. They are threatening Israel's security, in fact. Sovereignty for Syria as well. The revolution should not turn into a disappointment. A few months ago in Damascus, I lent France's support to building a free Syria, and we must continue these efforts, allowing Syria to fully reassert its sovereignty and unity. France is committed across all of these fronts, just like we're committed with Italy, with the help of Jordan and other friends of Lebanon. We've been committed for 50 years to [inaudible 05:18:20], to all Lebanese, so no double standards. Sovereignty for all peoples across the board.

(05:18:29)
My third conviction is that we must not yield to a divided world. Many describe this rift, many talk about this rift between the north and the south. We won't be able to tackle any of the challenges our planet faces if we give in to this rift. And it is fueled by double standards, this rift. However, we need the north and the south to reconcile so that they can tackle climate, health, development challenges. And that's why over the last few years we've launched many more initiatives. For instance, the COVAX initiative in response to COVID in partnership with the WHO and the African Union. When it came to shoring up economies together with the International Monetary Fund to reform special drawing rights and make progress for African economies, and we held our word, $100 billion in special drawing rights allocated to helping African countries.

(05:19:35)
We must stay the course ensuring that we remain united without pitting anyone against anyone else. That is why it's important that the global health infrastructure must remain intact. We will continue reforming that architecture, but we will never weaken the WHO. We must put the finishing touches on the pandemics treaty and CDC Africa and the WHO should be in a position to combat Ebola ever more effectively. We must be clear sighted as we reform our official development assistance, ODA. We must ensure that our investments exhibit greater solidarity, that they're more effective. This is what we did with the Paris Pact for People and Planet in 2023. Also at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, we also agreed to build a new consensus around investment that stands in solidarity with other states.

(05:20:36)
Countries are allocating funds and yet the needs of the countries of the global south are growing as well. We need to go faster and go further to help the IMF and the World Bank to be more effective. We must bolster the effectiveness of the instruments at their disposal so that we can mobilize the private sector better, creating guarantee mechanisms to ensure that in emerging economies, middle income countries and developing countries, a more effective response can be mounted to the problems they face. This is the kind of new partnership we must forge in order to ensure that there is no gap, no division between the north and the south. In a similar vein, this north-south partnership requires and will require us to wield our capacity to reopen a dialogue about our common history, our cultural relationships.

(05:21:27)
And remember, this is what France has tried to do over the last few years, working on the basis of joint scientific works. We've instituted a number of bills to ensure that we restitute cultural artifacts in a way forging a partnership in the name of culture, history and remembrance. And this with a number of countries of the south, for instance, with Ghana and together with all interested parties, all interested partners, we will work on restorative justice, reparations. This is a matter of respect and it is on this respect that the partnership between the north and the south will be built.

(05:22:19)
Moving on, global trade. It needs to be more effective and more equitable. This is what we sought to achieve at the G7 meeting France convened, bringing together countries of the south, ensuring that there is common ground, a dialogue going beyond the G7 with China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Kenya, the list goes on, so that we can improve our collective organization, ensure that we work on rare earth minerals, rare earth metals, critical minerals, as well as other areas. At the end of the day, we must shoulder this responsibility, ensuring that there is no rift between these two blocks. And in a similar fashion, we must not yield on the climate and biodiversity. We've done a great deal over the last few years ever since the Paris Agreement, 11 years ago.

(05:23:25)
The principles are still valid today and must be defended. We must stay the course. But I understand the doubts some harbor on this front, let us not seed. If we are to defend our planet, defend the climate, defend biodiversity, we need proactive multilateralism. And this is what we tried to achieve at the One Planet Summit. It's what we also tried to do acting together. And we did it. Just look at the oceans. A few years ago, everybody said it was impossible to craft agreements so as to protect marine areas, protect the oceans. Just look at what we've done over the last few years, protecting 20 years of our landmass and our seas. We've crafted this agreement and implementation is improving year in, year out.

(05:24:25)
Some also told us that we wouldn't be able to conserve two-thirds of our oceans, the High Seas. We undertook those negotiations working hand in hand with the great powers. That's the BBNJ Agreement. And in a matter of months, we achieved over 60 ratifications, which means that the treaty has now entered into force that agreement. The Nice Treaty, the United Nations Ocean Conference, the third oceans conference last year helped us to accelerate that work and the first oceans COP will be held in a few months' time in January. This is tremendous evidence of our ability to achieve concrete results when we mobilize, when we act in concert.

(05:25:25)
So let's not give in to fatalism. Let's defend what we've achieved, but also our principles, we must defend free and independent science. Let's protect the IPCC, IPBES. We need scientists who measure, who analyze, who assess. Let's uphold our commitment to the Paris Agreement, to our decarbonization pathways, to our 2050 carbon neutrality target. Let's shoulder our share of responsibility. We need to innovate, cooperate, restart work on biodiversity credits and achieve our objectives on forests and oceans. We have many decisions to take. We cannot give into fatalism. We are already the victims of climate change. We must do it for them and even more so for our children.

(05:26:17)
Last but not least, we must hold fast and not yield on artificial intelligence. There are some who wish to make us believe that only two powers, the U.S. And China, will be taking the decisions. They want us to believe that just a few economic actors will make all the decisions, the kinds of economic innovations that will be implemented, whether they want to take a break or not, the kinds of innovations that happen. Some of these technological developments might attack the security of our states, our hospitals, of banks. They say that just a few will decide what kind of society we live in. No, no. Starting in 2008 at the G7 with our Canadian friends, we launched the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of the OECD to kickstart discussions on the need for regulation.

(05:27:19)
At the AI Summit in 2025, the AI Governance Summit, the next edition will be held in Switzerland next year, there was also the Indian edition, we advocated for two very simple things, for everyone in the world to have their own LLM model capabilities, calculation capabilities, AI capabilities, so that we can craft a way of auditing these models instead of being reliant on just a few private actors. And in fact, Europe was the first with the AI Act to take forward these principles, to take forward these models, and we must continue down that path. Therefore, I wish to emphasize a particular point, our young people and our children. For far too long, we've spent far too long not protecting our young people and adolescents, and as a result, we're living with the consequence.

(05:28:19)
Their capacity to learn is in decline. We're seeing mental health problems. The facts are stuck and the correlation is clear cut. That's why we've kickstarted a large scale initiative aimed at protecting our young people, our adolescents, to stop them accessing social networks before the age of 15, underway in various countries. And I wish to commend our Australian colleagues, the first to take legislation on this front. We must continue down this path and see it through, but let's not wait for the consequences to come raining down on AI. We must act now to protect our children and our young people. Look at the impact chatbots have on our children. This is why together with Kenya, Spain, Australia, we've built a coalition on children's rights in the era of AI.

(05:29:19)
We are mobilizing already this afternoon and also at the Paris Peace Forum on the 10th and 11th of November of this year. Governments, organizations, public and private actors, academics, private companies, everyone will be rallying behind this agenda. So I hope to see you on the 10th and 11th of November in Paris. Going beyond that, we can clearly see the race that is underway in cutting edge models. We must all be investing and France is proud to have a competitive frontier model, and [inaudible 05:30:03], we will continue supporting them, so that we can have this kind of model, but we must also forge new kinds of cooperation. And I very much hope and wish for all sovereign states committed to their independence, Indian, Brazilian, African, Gulf States, Singapore, the list goes on.

(05:30:27)
This independent coalition, which I mentioned earlier, I don't want anyone to become the vessel of one of the great powers. Rather, we must come together to build an open source frontier model, a cutting edge model using all of the calculation capabilities you have, pooling them. Our investment capabilities must be pooled to build a cutting edge open source AI model, which we will share. We should not depend on somebody else. This is the agenda we must take forward and this through cooperation. Furthermore, there are other areas where we must set new rules, AI in outer space, AI and defense and cybersecurity. This has very serious consequences, which affect the very heart of our national security.

(05:31:25)
In Evian at the G7, many of us lent our support for the call launched by our Finnish and Norwegian friends, and we want to continue within the framework of the G7, but also working closely with our UK colleagues who will hold the chairmanship of the G20 next year. We want to set a cooperation agenda on AI so as to protect the most sensitive components thereof, which affect our national security. We are coming to an agreement to build a new international architecture. We did this on chemical weapons. We did this when it came to other risks, and we must do the same when it comes to outer space, defense, cybersecurity, issues on which we must take control and we need very specific kinds of cooperation, a specific framework for cooperation between member states in these areas so as to be able to take this corporation forward within a specific framework. We must not yield on this either.

(05:32:33)
These are the five key areas. I could have been more exhaustive in my comments, but I'll leave it there. This is what France will be defending across these five areas. My message is to stand firm. Do not yield to the situation which is developing. The world is slowly becoming more divided. The rhetoric of defeat that is giving way to empires abusing their powers, threatening the sovereignty of some nations, abuse of power by some who are monopolizing productive capacity, those who are monopolizing the ability to make calculations, abuses of power by those who wish to concentrate wealth in their own hands. In the face of such abuses of power, we must go back to the very spirit of this organization, which is multilateralism, the defense of common interests, of justice for all.

(05:33:45)
Something that through unity, justice and cooperation is the way to take effective action, the way to restore just and lasting peace in all of our nations, a way to once again achieve unity between the north and the south, a way of crafting an agenda for taking proactive measures on technology, on the climate. We will not yield today more than ever. We need the United Nations as we elect a new secretary general, and I'd like to pay tribute to the efforts of António Guterres over all these years under such testing conditions, he never gave in. We must address old crises, tackle new challenges against this backdrop. We must continue taking action today more than ever. We must be courageous in our optimism. We must mobilize to take useful steps, not to yield for the benefit of each and every one of us. Long live the United Nations. I thank you.

Speaker 3 (05:35:13):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish to thank the President of the French Republic. The assembly will hear an address by his excellency, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço (05:36:00):

Your excellency António Guterres, the UN Secretary General, your excellency Khalilur Rahman, the President of the 81st General Assembly, your excellencies, head of states and government, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to congratulate his excellency Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nation General Assembly in the hope that with his vast experience and profound knowledge of our organization, he will render a valuable service to the United Nations, which is facing complex challenges that must be overcome in order to retake its key role in addressing the major issues of contemporary international relations.

(05:37:02)
I also congratulate Ms. Annalena Baerbock, who preceded him in the discharge of these noble duties who did not spare efforts in her term that she carried out with undeniable competence to preserve the role of United Nations in addressing the issues that most concern the international community today. I would like also to congratulate his excellency Secretary General António Guterres who has been working tirelessly and devoted himself with persistent dedication to the great global causes building bridges for dialogue in the search for peaceful solutions to the problems facing humanity today. We highlight his exemplary contribution as a man of dialogue, an advocate of the United Nation Charter and the International Law, a tireless advocate of the need to protect the planet from harmful effects of climate change and a champion of the global debate on global governance of artificial intelligence.

(05:38:18)
Mr. President, your excellencies. The United Nations General Assembly is always held in the month of September. This year's session, however, takes place 25 years after the terrorist attack that destroyed the Twin Towers in New York and struck other targets on the American territory, causing thousands of civilian deaths, injuries, some of whom continue to bear physical and emotional scars to this day. I'd like to take this opportunity to once again to condemn terrorism in all its forms wherever it occurs. In addition to terrorism, which remains active in some countries, particularly in Africa, the situation of global peace and security has been worsening year after year, bringing us to the present moment in which we note with deep concern that the world has taken a course that brings it alarmingly close to a global conflict.

(05:39:36)
Over the years, Angola has sought to make its contribution to building and consolidation of peace in Africa and the world, but the current situation in no way reflects the aspirations of people for harmony and understanding amongst nations. Among these contributions to peace are several initiatives undertaken in Africa of which I highlight the 21st Extraordinary Summit of Head of State of the African Union on the strengthening of conflict prevention and resolution mechanism in Africa recently held in Luanda, which opened serious and sound prospect for resolving the problems affecting peace and stability on the African continent.

(05:40:29)
Also worthy of particular attention is the holding in July of this year in Luanda in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilization, the third edition of the initiative Call for Peace, the End of Wars, and Respect for International Law. In these same context, Angola will host next October the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, the so- called Luanda Biennale. My country takes seriously the issues relating to peace and resolution conflict through dialogue, respect for norms governing international relations and defense of international law sparing no efforts to bringing the conflicting parties closer and build consensus in Africa. We remain available to render our attention and contribution to resolving the conflicts that persist on the continent. Our paradigm for peace building initiatives is based on the search for realistic and sustainable solutions within the principle of African solutions to conflicts in Africa. We call for effective implementation of the Security Council Resolution 2719, which must ensure predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing for African Union-led peace support operation authorized by the United Nations Security Council because investing in Africa's capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts is also an investment in international peace and security.

(05:42:35)
Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this session of the General Assembly is of particular significance to my country as it takes place in the year in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Angola's admission as full member of the United Nations Organization, which took place in December 1976. At that time, it was a historical achievement for the Angolan people who waited more than 12 months from the date of proclamation of their national independence for the country to be accepted as a full-fledged member of the international community. That event of great significance for the history of my country took place in a global context in which Angola became a victim of confrontation between world powers in the struggle for control of sphere of influence within the spirit of Cold War.

(05:43:42)
Our entire journey towards the attainment of peace in 2002 was closely linked to dispute of that period, which hampered the fulfillment of the dreams of Angolans and their plans to building a prosperous nation committed to its own development. These facts belong to the past, but have left us with a wealth of experience and lessons that we have drawn upon to build peace, understanding and reconciliation among all Angolans and to chart the course of our foreign policy. Peace and national reconciliation is now a reality as shown through concrete gestures, including the holding of award ceremonies to owner the main political leaders of national liberation struggle and representatives of all segments of civil society within the framework of the 50th anniversary of national independence.

(05:44:53)
Still within this framework, a monument in memory of all victim of the political conflict that occurred in Angola from the proclamation of national independence until achievement of peace in April 2002 will be inaugurated in October this year. Mr. President, excellencies, nowadays, we are witnessing a downgrading and violation of the rules governing international relations with the logic of force, intimidation, and imposition of values stemming from unilateral vision by certain countries in defense of their exclusive interests. Instability being experienced in various region of our continent is a direct consequence of that stance, as it can be seen in the conflicts currently unfolding in Europe, in the Middle East, in the Persian Gulf, and in Africa, while tensions is mounting in the Asia Pacific region.

(05:46:05)
From what we have observed, we do not discern encouraging signs regarding the likelihood of reaching any peace agreement in the near future in the wars between Russia and Ukraine, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf. We condemned the genocide against defenseless population, the elderly, women, children, bedridden patients, health professionals, journalists, and workers of international humanitarian organizations who are often deprived of access to most basic human rights and to essential goods for life such as water, food, and medicines.

(05:46:53)
The expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and lands through expansion of Jewish settlements in West Bank must elicit the strongest international outrage and condemnation. Attempts to dominate entire countries and regions of the globe by force of arms are leading the world towards a catastrophe. The food security and energy and humanitarian situation of countries and the world in general has deteriorated considerably following the outbreak of wars against Ukraine and more recently against Iran. The toll of these wars is disastrous, judging by the consequences arising from the strangulation of freedom of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, a situation that has created serious risk of disruption to logistic supply chains in general and to food and energy supply chains in particular with devastating effects on the most vulnerable countries.

(05:48:07)
Today, we live in an environment of global anarchy in which the use of force prevails over the force of reason and law, in blatant opposition to the norms governing international relations. In view of these, there's every need for profound reflection within the United Nations, the only institutions on the planet which has legitimacy and which brings together all nations of the world in order to find the better solution for achieving global peace. Our appeal is for us to act with wisdom and courage to restore the central role of the United Nations in its responsibility and irreplaceable mission in maintaining global peace.

(05:49:03)
Ladies and gentlemen, we are concerned by the unjust manner and indicative of great human insensitivity in which Cuba has been treated over decades as a victim of an embargo that continues and worsens the living conditions of the Cuban people. Cuba is not a terrorist state. It neither produces nor possesses nuclear weapons, chemical or biological weapons that could constitute an imminent or real threat to the national security of other countries, including the neighboring countries. On the contrary, Cuba contributed to the fall of South Africa's racist and [inaudible 05:50:03]...

João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço (05:50:00):

To the fall of South Africa's racist and segregationist apartheid regime, a regime broadly and unanimously condemned by the international community, and consequently became one of the signatories to the quadripartite agreement of New York of 22 December 1988. As the embargo is chiefly responsible for the climatic situation in which Cuba and the Cuban people find themselves, and since it is inhumane, unfair, and violates all the principles and norms of international law, we once again call for the end to the embargo against Cuba.

(05:50:49)
Ladies and gentlemen, today we are witnessing to the direct involvement of certain permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in the bloodiest and most destructive conflicts in our time in Europe and the Persian Gulf, which constitutes a cause for concern and a bad example for the rest of the world. Those countries rendered a great service when they freed humanity from the horrors of Nazism, fascism and the Holocaust, and should therefore preserve that capital and legacy as liberators.

(05:51:35)
At a time when good governance of countries is widely advocated, the governance of the world likewise calls for a new, more democratic and just world order, one that is not only based on the power of the restrict club of victors of a war that took place eight decades ago. Since then, the world has come to know a different reality. New countries have emerged, which at that time were colonies and which today are stoned economies with significant advances in science and technology. It is therefore becoming increasingly pressing and urgent to undertake a profound reform of the United Nation Security Council in which Africa, Latin America and Asia should adequately be represented as permanent members with all the powers inherent therein.

(05:52:48)
In this context, the Republic of Angola reaffirms its full support to the common African position enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the certain declaration. The voice of Africans must be heard in all circumstances at all times in strategic decision making processes on issues of peace, global security, financing for development, as well as climate issues and global governance of artificial intelligence. Mr. President, Your Excellencies, peace and development are inseparable, which compels us to consider strategies that can help accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda.

(05:53:49)
The important decisions adopted under the pact for the future and the severe commitment can help advance development programs in Africa. However, in order to achieve concrete results in these areas, it is essential to ensure affordable financing, debt relief, technology transfer, capacity building and a greater participation of international financial institutions. African countries spend far more resources on the exorbitant cost of debt servicing than they are able to invest in health, education, infrastructure development programs. This situation obviously limits productive investment, deepens inequalities and economic disparities and threatens economic and social stability.

(05:54:54)
In view of this, it is imperative to correct these distortions and I therefore reiterate the call for the immediate reform of the international financial architecture in order to make it fairer, more equitable, democratic and geared towards the progress and wellbeing of humankind. These challenges are inherently complex and further exacerbated by climate change, which has a severe impact on Africa with severe and prolonged droughts, floods, desertification, food insecurity and population displacement. This situation clearly illustrates the need to establish predictable, affordable and additional climate financing without further aggravating the debt of developing countries.

(05:55:58)
Today, peoples and nations have an opportunity to make a qualitative leap in their overall living conditions through fair financing mechanism for development and tools provided by artificial intelligence in order to improve education, health, agriculture, public service, scientific research and economic productivity. In this regard, I consider that the Global Digital Compact opens new prospects for corporation to bridge the digital divide, expand digital public infrastructure, promote training and innovation, strengthen cybersecurity and build more inclusive, secure and human-centered governance of artificial intelligence. To that end, I believe there's a need to strengthen North South, South South and triangular cooperation in order to make the digital revolution an instrument of inclusion, sovereignty and development rather than a source of dependence and inequality.

(05:57:23)
Excellencies, we are drawing close to the end of the tenure of the current secretary general and the appointment of the next one, an act of greater importance given that the person chosen must possess the qualities of independence, integrity, competence and courage to build consensus, uphold the charter, promote conflict prevention, lead the necessary reforms and seek solutions to address the organization's financial crisis. The Republic of Angola reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations, convinced that only at the level of this institution will it be possible to safeguard the achievements of the recent decades in terms of respect for international law. Only within the framework of the United Nations can we make progress in seeking peaceful solutions to the conflicts ravaging the world within a framework in which multilateralism serves as the mechanism for bringing together ideas, political wills and initiatives conducive to global peace.

(05:58:51)
We, political leaders and rulers of today will be judged in the future by our ability to replace confrontation with dialogue, predatory competition with cooperation, exclusion with solidarity and the force of arms with the force of law. Only in this way will we build a more just, peaceful and inclusive international order capable of ensuring progress and wellbeing of humankind leaving no one behind. No weapon is more powerful than diplomacy since all others are used only to destroy lives, infrastructures, dreams and life plans, whereas diplomacy is the only weapon that exists to unite, repair, build and save lives, peoples, nations and humanity itself.

(06:00:02)
For this reason, the United Nations Organization must equip itself with the appropriate tools and means to fulfill the theme of this 81st session of its general assembly, namely restoring trust, managing transformation, empowering it to become an organization that delivers for all. Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Speaker 4 (06:00:47):

On behalf of this assembly, I wish to thank the president of Angola. We have heard the last speaker in the general debate for this meeting. The next plenary meeting to continue with the general debate will be held immediately following the adjournment of this meeting. The meeting is adjourned. The sixth plenary meeting of the general assembly is called to order. The assembly will hear an address by His Excellency, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, president of Mongolia. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa (06:02:02):

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. At the outset, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Khalilur Rahman on assuming the important role of the president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and to convey my best wishes for the successful session. This session of the General Assembly is convening on the eve of the 65th anniversary of Mongolia's full-fledged membership in the United Nations. In 1961, Mongolia made history by raising its national flag with the golden Soyombo at the United Nations and becoming the 101st member of the United Nations, the guarantor of global peace and security and the beacon of hope and trust for the world's nations.

(06:02:57)
Mongolia welcomes the convening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly under the theme, "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: a United Nations that Delivers For All", reaffirming its belief in the central role of the United Nations in fostering mutual trust, mutual respect and cooperation among the nations and peoples of the world. Mongols say, if you do your best, faith will do the rest. The United Nations is an organization based on the trust and commitment of each member state and the UN is strengthened by their dedication and sustained efforts. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us member states to uphold the mission of the United Nations with a sincere heart. Rather than simply expecting support and assistance, we must remain deeply conscious of our own responsibilities and duties and dedicate our wholehearted efforts to strengthening the United Nations.

(06:03:53)
It is through trust and hope, dedication and commitment and engagement and participation of every member state that we can strengthen the United Nations. A stronger United Nations in turn will deliver more efficiently towards global peace, security and sustainable development, thereby creating conditions for all member states to benefit. As the conflicts and confrontations flash across the world, the walls of distrust rise higher and the chasm of misunderstanding grows deeper. It is becoming crucial to shape and develop international relations, not through a form of multipolarity that risks driving the world toward division, but through a multi-pillared principle that respects the pluralism inherent in each nation's history, culture, civilization, core national interests and chosen path of development.

(06:04:44)
Eight centuries ago, our ancestors established the great Pax Mongolica, promoting for the first time the idea to the world that nations could mutually recognize one another's values and that peoples of diverse civilizations and faiths could coexist. This historic contribution of the Mongols to the advancement of humankind continues to be recognized by the international community. Let us strengthen multilateral cooperation through the multi-pillar principle inspired by the ideas of Pax Mongolica so that we may restore our trust and hope through shared responsibility, reform the United Nations with a common purpose and build a better, more peaceful world through the strength of our collective action.

(06:05:29)
Mr. President, despite the remarkable heights of development and progress humanity has reached, our planet is currently confronted with more than 90 armed conflicts, around 30 of which are international, demonstrating that global peace and security remain unstable and that geopolitical and just strategic competition continues to intensify. This results in the disruption of global economic supply chains arise in the prices of energy, fuel, raw materials and food as well as economic strains on nations around the world. All of this is weakening the international order established since the Second World War, changing the universally recognized norms of international law and undermining the stability of multilateral relations and cooperation.

(06:06:23)
Mongolia shares the view expressed by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his annual report on the work of the organization that in a world marked by turbulence, division and uncertainty, the United Nations is more necessary than ever. Hence, Mongolia underscores the tangible progress made under Secretary General's UN80 initiative to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations in response to the challenges of our time and reaffirms its active support for this initiative. The effectiveness of the United Nations, the decisiveness of its actions and the ability of nations to unite their efforts will ultimately depend upon us, the member states.

(06:07:22)
Mongolia is confident that the soon to be appointed Secretary General will steadfastly uphold the principles and purposes of the United Nations and international law, ensure that the voices and positions of all member states are equally heard and reflected and provides strong leadership in restoring trust and managing transformation within the UN. Believing that reform of the Security Council should be at the core of broader United Nations reform, Mongolia maintains its principle position in support of expanding the number of both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council, ensuring equitable representation of developing countries in the council and promoting greater openness and transparency in its work.

(06:08:05)
Mongolia is one of the 58 countries that have never served as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Therefore, Mongolia aspires to actively participate in the work of the Security Council and contribute to finding collective solutions to the problems and challenges facing the international community. In manifestation of this aspiration, I officially announce from this rostrum today that Mongolia is representing its candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the term 2048-2049. Mr. President, on behalf of the people of Mongolia, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the United Nations and its system organizations for their valuable contributions to our country's development and progress in their longstanding constructive cooperation over the 65 years since Mongolia's accession to the United Nations as a full-fledged member. Mongolia has been contributing with honor to the efforts on strengthening international peace and security, advancing social and economic development and protecting human rights, the core pillars of the United Nations. For instance, more than three decades ago, in pursuit of its foreign policy to ensure national security through political and diplomatic means, Mongolia declared its territory nuclear weapon free. Since then, Mongolia has consistently pursued policies and taken actions to verify the status legally. In this period, the United Nations General Assembly adopts on a biennial basis the resolution entitled Mongolia's International Security and Nuclear Weapon Free Status initiated by Mongolia in 1998.

(06:09:53)
Furthermore, Mongolia has made tangible contributions to global efforts to maintain international peace and security through its active participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations and other international missions having deployed more than 23,000 military and police personnel to hotspots around the world since 2002. Even today, our troops are serving in the gang suppression force, multinational police and military mission deployed to Haiti. Mongolia has been actively advancing the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 Women Peace and Security and has become one of the few countries to have reached 15% women's participation and representation among its military personnel serving in UNPKOs.

(06:10:47)
Since 2006, when Mongolia deployed its first female peacekeeper to the UN mission in Western Sahara, Mongolian women have made valuable contributions to global peace over the past two decades through their courage, resilience and ingenuity. In this connection, Mongolia plans to host the second international conference on women's participation in UN peacekeeping operations in Ulaanbaatar in 2027. I am pleased to highlight Mongolia's active leadership within the United Nations in advancing the interests of landlocked developing countries, drawing greater international attention to their special needs and unique circumstances and cooperating with these countries to ensure that their voices are heard on the global stage.

(06:11:43)
Mongolia has launched several important initiatives in this regard, including serving as one of the founding members of the group of landlocked developing countries at the United Nations and the establishment of the international think tank for landlocked developing countries in Ulaanbaatar. To translate the VASA program of action into tangible outcomes, it is essential for landlocked developing countries to align the program with their national development agendas and make full use of available resources and opportunities to accelerate regional integration and cooperation. We also call upon the international community, banks, financial institutions and development partners to provide credible assistance to landlocked developing countries through their support and collaboration.

(06:12:27)
Mr. President, as the deadline for the 2030 agenda for sustainable development approaches, the SDG report 2026 shows that only 36% of the sustainable development goals are on track or making moderate progress while 15% are regressing. It is deeply regrettable that according to the latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released at this critical time, global military expenditure has reached an all time high of $2.9 trillion. It is time for all of us to ponder and reflect with common sense on what progress could have been achieved in the development of human society if this huge budget and funds had been spent on tackling pressing issues such as combating global warming and climate change and improving education, health, food security, and advancement of women and children. According to the SDG report 2026, Mongolia has achieved 68.8% of the SDGs reflecting the tangible results of our efforts and the progress we have made in recent years. As a country experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change firsthand, Mongolia has remained steadfast in contributing to global collective efforts to protect and preserve our natural environment. In this regard, Mongolia is successfully implementing a series of national policies and initiatives, including the billion trees, food revolution, white gold, blue gold, and healthy Mongolian aimed at restoring degraded land, expanding forest resources, protecting soil, water and pasture land, ensuring food supply and security and supporting sustainable rural development.

(06:14:29)
Mongolia's Billion Trees National Movement goes far beyond tree planting and afforestation. It is a comprehensive nationwide initiative aimed at combating desertification and land degradation, scaling up land restoration, expanding forest resources, protecting soil fertility, water resources and biodiversity, mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change, improving food supply and creating employment opportunities. Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution initiated by Mongolia, proclaiming 2026 as the international year of rangelands and pastoralists provides new opportunity to raise global awareness of the importance of rangeland ecosystems, support the livelihoods of pastoralists, strengthen sustainable food systems, conserve biodiversity, and preserve the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples.

(06:15:20)
In this regard, Mongolia, with its millennia old tradition of nomadic pastoralism, took the initiative to convene the global pastoralist gathering and conference in Ulaanbaatar. The gathering brought together around 400 herders from 57 countries whose opinions and fruitful discussion of challenges and solutions culminated in the adoption of the Ulaanbaatar Declaration. Moreover, in August, Mongolia successfully hosted the 17th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar under the theme, "Restoring Land, Restoring Hope." Restoring Mother Nature to its pristine state and creating conditions for future generations to live in a healthy environment with confidence and contentment must be a noble duty of humanity.

(06:16:08)
Mother Nature and healthy soil are the guarantee of humanities existence and the foundation of food and water resources, livelihood and sustainable development. Healthy soil means healthy food and healthy food means healthy people. Therefore, desertification, land degradation and drought should not be viewed merely as environmental issues, but should be addressed holistically in connection with food supply and security, water resources, livelihood, sustainable development, and global peace and security.

(06:16:42)
In this period, as the presidency of UNCCD COP17, Mongolia has advanced the step action agenda built upon three interconnected flagship initiatives, the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, the Waterland Nexus Initiative, and the Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative. Particularly, we regard the Rangelands Flagship Initiative as a landmark global movement that opens a new chapter in the history of rangeland conservation. This initiative is special in raising global awareness that the protection, sustainable management and restoration of rangelands are of strategic importance for building resilience to climate change, ensuring food security and maintaining balanced ecosystems.

(06:17:33)
The nomadic way of life that we Mongols have inherited and carried forward over thousands of years embodies a comprehensive set of values and wisdom for living in harmony with nature and preserving it in its pristine state. Today, we Mongols aim to share with the world our cultural heritage and the traditional knowledge and experiences gained from living in harmony with nature, thereby contributing to enhanced adaptation and resilience to climate change.

(06:18:04)
Mr. President, Mongolia consistently adheres to the principle of resolving any conflicts through diplomacy and multilateral dialogue while maintaining longstanding friendly relations with the countries of the region. Building on this distinctive advantage, Mongolia held the 11th International Conference of the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security this year. The Ulaanbaatar Dialogue has evolved into a unique platform for strengthening trust and confidence building across Northeast Asia, facilitating multilateral discussions among government delegates and scholars, not only on traditional security challenges such as political and disarmament matters, but also on a broad range of issues including energy, infrastructure connectivity, green development, and humanitarian cooperation.

(06:18:59)
Furthermore, as an active member of the United Nations, Mongolia has contributed to international cooperation to advance gender equality, strengthen women's political participation and leadership, and increase their representation at decision-making levels. In recent years, Mongolia has established the tradition of hosting international events dedicated to women in our country, including the International Conference on Strengthening the Role of Women in Peacekeeping in 2022, the Female Foreign Ministers Meeting in 2023, and the World Women's Forum in 2024 in collaboration with the United Nations and the World Women Entrepreneurs Forum in 2025.

(06:19:48)
Hence, I am confident that the World Women Parliamentarians Forum to be held in Ulaanbaatar on October 12 to 13 this year will substantially contribute to strengthening women's political leadership and inter-parliamentary cooperation, thereby advancing gender equality and accelerating progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals. I cordially invite you to participate in this important event at a high level and with broad representation. Mongolia will continue to serve as a solid bridge for partnership, cooperation, and solidarity in advancing women's social and political leadership and participation at all levels.

(06:20:32)
Mr. President, Mongolia has consistently championed and supported numerous initiatives within the international community aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and the shared values of humanity. For instance, in 2025 at Mongolia's initiative, a United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaiming World Horse Day was adopted, which recognizes the invaluable contribution of horses to the history, civilization, and socioeconomic development of peoples around the world.

(06:21:04)
Moreover, last July, the cemetery complexes of the Xiongnu nobility, Mongolia's first statehood were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list reflecting international recognition of the historical and cultural significance. It is my pleasure to underline that Mongolia is serving for the first time as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the term 2026-2029. Moreover, this year marks the 820th anniversary of the great Mongol Empire founded by great Chinggis Khan, man of the millennium, king of kings.

(06:21:39)
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution adopted on the occasion of the 800 years of Mongolian statehood highly values and emphasizes the contribution of Mongols to the history of humankind by recognizing the richness of nomadic civilization and its important contribution to promoting dialogue and interconnection among all forms of civilization. And that nomadic civilization influenced, inter alia, societies across Asia and Europe, and in turn absorbed influences from both East and West and a true interchange of human values, the important role in the development of extensive trade networks and the creation of large administrative, cultural, religious, and commercial centers.

(06:22:20)
This demonstrates that these historical contributions embodied progressive ideas that could serve as a foundation for today's collective efforts to safeguard peace and stability. For example, the renowned Mongolist Vladislav Kotvich, in his work, Mongols are the promoters of the idea of global peace from the early 14th century, noted that [inaudible 06:22:43] of the Mongol Empire in his letter sent to King Phillip IV of France in 1305, eloquently underscored the value of harmonious relations among nations and peoples in the thoughtful words, "What could be better than true concord?" History is the foundation upon which we reflect on the past, shape the present and build the future and is the memory of our statehood. Scholars advised that studying the establishment of Pax Mongolica by great Chinggis Khan and his successors, as well as the history of its foreign policy and diplomacy offers good practices and enduring lessons. Hence, with the Mongol people who are guarding the sacred heart of the great Mongol Empire wish to call upon from this mighty rostrum of the United Nations that if the nations of the world can bring together their efforts, it is possible to establish a Pax Globalica, a global peace embodying the vision of the Pax Mongolica, which eight centuries ago laid the foundation for nations to coexist in peace and humanity to flourish.

(06:23:55)
The role and contribution of the United Nations in further strengthening mutual understanding, military trust and mutual respect among world nations and in fostering a peaceful world free from war and conflict where all can prosper together are becoming increasingly critical than ever. Therefore, let us work together to empower the United Nations, the guarantor of world peace and security and a source of hope and trust for the nations of the world into a strong and respected organization capable of bringing Pax Globalica. May the eternal blue sky bless humankind forever with peace across the world. Thank you for your attention.

Speaker 4 (06:24:48):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish to thank the president of Mongolia.

Speaker 4 (06:25:09):

Go ahead. The assembly will hear and address by his excellency, Lee Jae Myung, the president of the Republic of Korea. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

Lee Jae Myung (06:25:43):

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude and respect to all member states of the United Nations and the staff of the UN Secretariat for their dedication to our prosperous future for all of humanity. I extend my sincere congratulations to his excellency, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

(06:26:04)
I also express my gratitude and pay tribute to Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez, for his tireless service over the past decade. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, and distinguished delegates, the United Nations, which has a history of upholding human dignity and pioneering the way for future generations, now stands at a grave crossroads.

(06:26:27)
The glacial flooding in Nepal that claimed many lives and destroyed the foundations of people's livelihoods evidence that the climate crisis is a reality of today, not tomorrow. Persistent armed conflicts around the world, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East, continue to threaten the survival of humanity. Emerging technologies such as drones are rapidly transforming warfare and posing serious challenges to human rights and the international law-based order. Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are undermining the fundamental principles of free and safe navigation and heightening the vulnerability of energy supply chains.

(06:27:09)
"The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell." These words of the second Secretary General of the UN, Dag Hammarskjöld, compel us to ask ourselves. Is the United Nations today capable of saving humanity from war, poverty, and disaster? Is the United Nations living up to its promise of restoring peace and achieving sustainable development?

(06:27:45)
Ironically, the geopolitical crisis brought on by the turbulence in international order has reminded us of the cherished value of multilateral cooperation and international norms. In an era of fragmentation marked by fierce competition for immediate survival, values such as cooperation, mutual prosperity, and solidarity can sound like hollow outcries. However, like the founders who having witnessed the ravages of war conceived the United Nations, the deeper the crisis, the more we need to return to the basic principles of the UN.

(06:28:26)
Last year, I proudly announced from this podium that the Republic of Korea, which will be a beacon of life for global citizens, has returned to the international community. Today, I stand here to make clear the Republic of Korea's bold resolve to lead the effort to restore the spirit of the United Nations and reconnect the world as a nation that has risen through the solidarity of the international community.

(06:28:55)
The worldwide popularity of K-culture serves as an example, demonstrating that universal empathy is possible, showcasing the potential of global connection. The stories and content that grew out of Korea's unique experience have become a language of solidarity that crosses borders. Justice culture has connected people across borders, so to can nations reunite in the face of common problems.

(06:29:29)
The Republic of Korea will build on the power of empathy and solidarity that culture has brought to light. We will harness that power to address the common challenges facing all of humanity. To that end, allow me to set out the three visions of the K initiative toward fulfilling this commitment.

(06:29:48)
First, the Global AI Universal Basic Society. The artificial intelligence revolution is both a massive opportunity and a crisis for humanity. While it can be a core driver of new prosperity and sustainable development, it will only deepen inequality and imbalance unless we are properly prepared for it. Younger people around the world in particular are facing growing anxiety about their employment and their future as the pace of change becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with. This boils down to a clear direction for the new era we seek to build. It is the AI Universal Basic Society where everyone can benefit from technological progress.

(06:30:32)
The Republic of Korea is pursuing an AI transformation that will ensure stronger protection of human fundamental rights across fields, such as social security, labor, housing, and culture, beginning with our AI Universal Basic Health program. And I believe this resonates with the core principle of the UN sustainable development goals, which prioritizes the guiding principle of leaving no one behind.

(06:30:59)
It also harnesses the AI revolution as a new driver to accelerate the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights. The Republic of Korea will build the global AI hub platform to share this vision with the international community in collaboration with international organizations, multilateral development banks, the business sector and academia. The Republic of Korea envisions a global AI Universal Basic Society where no country or individual is left out from access to the basic benefits of AI development.

(06:31:35)
We will take the lead in shaping AI into a tool for solving the shared challenges we face, such as the climate crisis, public health, food insecurity and refugee issues.

(06:31:47)
Second, the Green Transformation. The climate crisis is often referred to as a global group project shared by all eight billion people on earth. A single country cannot tackle this challenge alone. At the same time, abandoning growth cannot bring everyone on board. The Republic of Korea announced its 2030 nationally determined contributions as part of its active participation in the Paris Agreement and UN-centered climate action.

(06:32:23)
The Korea Green Transformation strategy aims to convert our industrial structure, creating a virtual cycle in which carbon neutrality leads to new growth engines and decent jobs. We are ready to share our experience and best practices with the international community. Co-hosting the fourth UN Ocean Conference with Chile in 2028 reflects our commitment to leading discussions on the sustainable development of our oceans.

(06:32:56)
Third, the Coalition for Global Energy Supply Chains. Recently, there have been repeated blockades of sea roots in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. This has underscored the stark reality that the weaponization of key energy and logistics supply routes can send severe shock waves to the lives of ordinary people around the world. Freedom of navigation and safe passage through international streets is a right grounded in international law and serves as a bedrock of the global economy.

(06:33:28)
Attacks on merchant vessels and threats to the lives and safety of crew members cannot be justified under any circumstances. While making greater use of existing frameworks such as the International Energy Agency, the Republic of Korea will build a more robust framework of cooperation for energy supply chains to prevent the supply chain crisis from escalating into a broader threat to the global economy and people's livelihoods.

(06:33:57)
By nature, these problems cannot be resolved by any one of us alone. At the same time, we cannot afford to sit idly by and wait for all nations to arrive at a single solution. The most urgent and realistic path is for countries with the capacity and willingness to supply global public goods to join hands and broaden the scope of cooperation.

(06:34:24)
I would like to call this a partnership of constructive contributors. I am not seeking to propose a new organization nor an exclusive grouping. The idea is to respect the functions of the existing international order and the UN, work together in a flexible and open manner in areas where each country has particular strength and expand our ties of cooperation into new areas.

(06:34:53)
By continuing to build on the achievements of collaborating separately yet together, we can move beyond geopolitical rivalry, deadlock and fragmentation and rebuild trust in multilateralism.

(06:35:09)
The United Nations must evolve with the times. Agreements reached at the negotiating table must translate into real change on the ground so that people around the world can feel their impact in their daily lives. We must reduce duplication across organizations and programs, accelerate decision making and direct limited resources where they are needed most. In this spirit, the Republic of Korea supports the UN80 initiative, which will improve efficiency, prioritize field operations and deliver greater results.

(06:35:47)
We also support the reform of the UN Security Council so that it operates in a more effective democratic and accountable manner. The Republic of Korea will live up to its responsibility and position to deliver results that can be vividly felt by people around the world across the UN's three pillars of peace, development and human rights. Through the Busan Global Partnership Forum, we will continue to support inclusive growth, share Korea's development experiences such as the Saemaul Undong and continue to make sustainable and innovative investments.

(06:36:28)
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General and distinguished delegates. When it comes to peace on the Korean peninsula, the Republic of Korea knows firsthand the change that the United Nations has brought about. 35 years ago, the two Koreas were admitted to the UN as members on this very stage. It was a crucial turning point that laid the foundation for peaceful coexistence, freeing us from the relentless rivalry and confrontation that followed our division. One year ago, I stated from this stage that the Republic of Korea would begin a new journey toward peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula.

(06:37:13)
Today, as we set out on this new journey, I would like to present to the international community the three blueprints for the road to peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. First is inclusive peaceful coexistence built on mutual respect. Based on the respect for each other's systems and acknowledgement of our differences, we will explore ways for shared growth through cooperation. We will continue to respect the north on the international stage and seek cooperation wherever possible. We hope that opportunities will emerge for us to work together in the international community in areas such as public health, disaster response, and the climate crisis.

(06:37:57)
Second, a stable peaceful coexistence that renders conflict unnecessary. We will work to institute mechanisms for preventing crisis and managing conflicts. Reestablishing basic channels of communication and building trust will be the first step toward a stable, peaceful coexistence.

(06:38:21)
Third, is responsible peaceful coexistence contributing to world peace. We will go beyond building a Korean peninsula free from war and nuclear weapons to promoting stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia while actively contributing to global efforts to build the world free from war and conflict.

(06:38:42)
The most critical task is to bring an end to this decades old war on the Korean Peninsula and establish a lasting peace regime. For decades the two Koreas along with key countries such as the US and China have recognized the need for a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and discussed ways to achieve it.

(06:39:04)
Fortunately, President Trump's resolve has recently created a hard won opportunity for change. I hope the long suspended dialogue between North Korea and the US can resume without delay. We will lay the groundwork for this to develop into a dialogue among the parties aimed at ending the war on the Korean Peninsula and transitioning to a peace regime.

(06:39:28)
I am confident that the dialogue for establishing a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula can provide a valuable framework, not only for normalizing relations among the parties concerned, but also for fostering shared growth through multilateral cooperation and promoting stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia.

(06:39:46)
In this process, we will begin with a stop to further advances in North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities followed by their reductions in the medium term moving toward the Korean peninsula free from nuclear weapons over the long term. I hope that the United Nations, which created a pivotal moment for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula 35 years ago, and the Security Council which has safeguarded the peace and stability of the international community will once again play a responsible and constructive role.

(06:40:19)
As a direct party to peace on the Korean peninsula and as a pacemaker, my government will exert every effort to open and sustain the path toward dialogue. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General and distinguished delegates, the true performance of UN does not lie solely in the figures and charts of the reports or in the declarations made in conference rooms. The resonates of UN will be proven only when children's laughter replaces gunfire, when young people can enjoy the opportunity to learn, work and take on new challenges and when anyone anywhere can choose to live the life they want. In 2015, the international community adopted the sustainable development goals as our shared commitments for a bright future. As we approach the 2030 deadline, now is the time to chart a new path forward for the next generation. It is imperative for young people, our future generation to define problems together, formulate solutions and become co-designers who can lead the action. We need to bring more youth voices into international decision making by widening opportunities for participation and communication as well as making bold investments in the potential of the next generation.

(06:41:46)
The Republic of Korea can testify more vividly than anyone else to the noble power of solidarity embodied by the United Nations. Our own experience of achieving industrialization and democratization in the wake of war stands as proof of how the world can bring about miraculous changes with one mind and one heart of the international community. We are ready to repay that solidarity with greater responsibility and contribution.

(06:42:16)
We will reconnect the divided world, build a future that leaves no one behind and chart a course for the next generation to dream of a better tomorrow. The Republic of Korea stands ready to lead the way toward a peaceful coexistence on the Korean peninsula and toward the United Nations that delivers for all of us. Thank you for your attention.

Speaker 4 (06:42:49):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish to thank the president of the Republic of Korea.

(06:42:54)
The assembly will hear an address by her excellency, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of Suriname. I request the protocol to escort her excellency and invite her to address the assembly.

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (06:43:53):

Mr. President, Secretary General, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Mr. President, let me congratulate you on the assumption of the high office of president of the 81st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, expressing appreciation to your predecessor for her stewardship of the 80th session of the General Assembly, and I wish her every success in her future endeavors.

(06:44:35)
Secretary General, as you approach the conclusion of your tenure, the Republic of Suriname commends the dedicated service to humanity showcased while in office. We also remember with warmth your visit to Suriname expressing the importance of the United Nations engagement with our country and the Caribbean region. We wish you well in the path before you.

(06:45:05)
Mr. President, standing before this assembly, I am reminded that while some efforts have been made from this rostrum over the past year, these have not yet matched the scale of the challenges confronting our world. We will have to increase and strengthen efforts and commitment to the process of transformation and strengthening of the UN in order to restore trust that our organization will really be capable of delivering peace, inclusion and development in the world.

(06:45:47)
Suriname is firmly committed to the upholding of international law as we depend on a rule-based international order without which, like many other vulnerable nations, we simply cannot exist as sovereign countries. The consistent application of international law and the strengthening of its institutions is also essential to maintain international peace and security, protect human rights, and ensure sustainable development for all.

(06:46:24)
Mr. President, as mentioned before, the international community is experiencing profound uncertainty, including energy and food security crisis, leading to intensified displacement of many people globally. Armed conflict continues to claim innocent lives while geopolitical tensions escalate. Children are living through unimaginable horrors. The United Nations has not been able to prevent this or to end the continuation, and we have to ponder on that.

(06:47:05)
Other developments, for example, in the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrate how quickly wars can affect energy markets, suddenly and steeply increasing the cost of energy, adversely impacting economic and social development in our countries. Common people suffer when food and energy prices arise, so the quality of life of our people is directly threatened, even by wars in the regions far from their homes. And we as government, we have to make sure that we try to protect them.

(06:47:47)
Suriname therefore calls for a renewed commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN charter, namely the peaceful resolution of disputes. Dialogue is paramount for safeguarding a solid and proven UN system. The people of Cuba, a Caribbean country, are adversely affected by the current situation in their country. Suriname calls on the parties involved to remain committed to dialogue and negotiation to end the economic commercial and financial embargo. We plead for continuing of negotiations in order to prevent further escalation and to reach a resolution that will benefit the people of Cuba.

(06:48:42)
We also call for sustained international support for Haiti to restore security, constitutional order and democratic governance. Suriname supports solutions that place the Haitian people at the center. The UN80 process rightly emphasizes mandate rationalization, institutional coherence and efficiency. Reform must protect and improve the United Nations capacity to deliver and also make the system easier to navigate. It should not reduce support where it is most needed.

(06:49:21)
Equally important is the overdue reform of the Security Council, hence Suriname reiterates its call for making it more representative, more accountable, and more capable of acting. Africa, the Republic of Suriname supports your demand for just permanent representation. Likewise, we underscore the relevance of a dedicated representation for small island states and low-lying coastal developing states.

(06:49:55)
Mr. President, regional and international partnerships remain indispensable to achieve our economic and social objectives as Suriname continues to actively engage in various regional bodies and mechanisms, including CARICOM, CELAC, ACTO, and the Brasilia consensus.

(06:50:21)
As Suriname prepares to be the chair of the Caribbean community, CARICOM, in 2027, we are also committed to further strengthen our partnership globally in different areas of shared interest. Our regional priorities are practical, food and energy security, climate resilience, improved connectivity and movement of skilled people, transportation of goods and services. These are essential to economic integration and our ability to withstand external shocks.

(06:51:02)
Mr. President, the pursuit of restorative justice gained new momentum with the adoption of the resolution on slavery and transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans in this hall in March of this year. This development is relevant for Suriname and equally important for the countries of the Caribbean region. The discussion is no longer about whether slavery and colonialism have caused lasting consequences, negative consequences. We know we are living them. We increasingly must focus on how to overcome these effects and on the question of what form reparation should take to achieve that.

(06:51:55)
How countries that have benefited from slavery and colonialism will compensate the effect. That is the important issue now. It is therefore that the CARICOM 10 point plan for restorative justice is now of eminent importance. Mr. President, Suriname occupies a unique position. We are carbon negative and remain the world's most forested country with over 90% forest coverage. High forested and low deforestation countries like Suriname should not first have to lose forests before climate finance institution recognize the value of protecting them. Conservation costs cannot be born only by the country's protecting ecosystems whose benefits are shared globally.

(06:52:56)
So I will continue my plea for just and effective climate finance because our forests are under even more pressure than when I addressed this meeting last year. I stated that the forest faces competition of rich national resources like gold, diamonds and other precious minerals. We are now confronted, however, with a new threat of people who also want to clear parts of our rainforest for large scale agriculture. We will need to prevent that and we can use every assistance.

(06:53:39)
At this very moment, my government is introducing legal and institutional measures to better protect our forests and the immediate living environment of indigenous people and tribal communities. Their knowledge and participation are important at all stages of development. Last year at this rostrum, I noted that Suriname is diversity, and at the time when diversity is too often manipulated as a source of division, Suriname has chosen the path to recognize the distinct histories of its people while strengthening their unity and their shared responsibility for the future. Our experience affirms that diversity when grounded in equality, mutual respect and meaningful participation is not an adversity. It is a source of national resilience and prosperity.

(06:54:45)
Last month, the Republic of Suriname observed its first heritage month under the theme, [foreign language 06:54:58]. Meaning as much as however, we came here, united, we moved forward. This initiative was conceived not merely to celebrate our culture and the diversity in it, but as a deliberate national undertaking centered on growing inclusion, mutual respect, and unity. And this process is also relevant for the global community.

(06:55:28)
Mr. President, the development of Suriname's offshore natural resources, including oil and gas, will present significant opportunities to accelerate national development and improve the wellbeing of our people. Yet, we are equally conscious that oil and gas cannot and should not become the only foundation of our economy.

(06:55:57)
Our approach is therefore clear. We must transform temporary resource wealth into lasting national prosperity, using resource revenues strategically to strengthen our economy and make it more resilient through diversification. Additionally, we will need to improve our energy security. And although we are preparing for gas to shore and gas to energy, renewable energy will be part of our national energy mix. Mr. President, beside the expected economic and energy transition, we must also prepare for the transformation driven by artificial intelligence. But only if we can implement AI responsibly and controlled. Suriname will be able to benefit from the opportunities of this technology and mitigate its risks. So we are preparing for that.

(06:57:06)
Coming back to the United Nations, with only four years left to achieve the sustainable development goals, we may question whether we were too ambitious or if we should have done much more. Political will, international peace, and accelerated implementation are required, supported by financing, technology and partnerships that produce measurable results. Equally important is to have a mechanism in place for global commitments after 2030.

(06:57:51)
Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates. Finally, as the United Nations approaches change in its highest leadership, current realities and approved mandates require the next secretary general to portray strong commitment to multilateralism, dialogue, and the rule of law. Many capable candidates, including women leaders, who have taken up the challenge have been put forward.

(06:58:23)
And for the first time in history, we have a female candidate from the Caribbean. CARICOM endorses this candidate. We are at that time in history where trust in the United Nations must urgently be restored. We make efforts, Suriname is that, to protect our forest. We use our natural wealth responsibly. We want to strengthen the Caribbean community and promote dialogue. We, Suriname, will do what we can and we call on the more influential members of the United Nations to help maintain peace, to make sure that there is peace in the world because only a United Nations capable of safeguarding international peace and security will deliver for all.

(06:59:28)
I thank you. [foreign language 06:59:30]. May God bless you.

Speaker 4 (06:59:31):

On behalf of the assembly, I will thank the president of Republic of Suriname.

(06:59:46)
The assembly-

Speaker 4 (07:00:03):

The assembly will hear and address by his excellency, Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

Julius Maada Bio (07:00:39):

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary General, excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I congratulate his excellency Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the General Assembly. President Rahman assumes this responsibility at the moment that demand's principled and steady leadership. He has Sierra Leone's full support. I pay tribute to his excellency, Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is in the closing months of his mandate. He has served this organization with steadfastness, moral clarity, and the courage to speak difficult truths. I also commend her excellency, Amina J. Mohammed, the deputy secretary general, for her exemplary service and distinguished representation of Africa on the global stage.

(07:02:06)
Mr. President, nearly 25 years ago, Sierra Leone completed disarmament and formally declared its civil war over. The former declaration matters of course, but peace became real in more practical ways in the families that returned home, in the communities that learned to live together again, and the citizens who chose the ballot and in institutions that slowly returned back to confidence. The United Nations stood with us through disarmament, election, and the long walk of peace building. So we know what international corporation can make possible because we have lived it. The experience taught us that trust cannot be commanded by declaration. Trust grows when promises are honored, when the law protects everyone, when institutions serve their people, and when citizens can see a future for themselves.

(07:03:40)
Sierra Leone brings that lesson to this assembly at a moment when trust between nations, in institutions, and in multilateral corporation is under profound strain. In this year's theme, restoring trust, managing transformation, a united nation that delivers for all, the worlds for all carry its defining moral weight. The worlds for all ask not only whether United Nations can act, but also its actions where they reach, whose voices shape them and whose dignity they protect. An institution may act quickly and still fail those it was meant to serve. Delivery worthy of the UN charter must reach those fathers from power and recognize the equal wealth of every nation and every human life.

(07:04:59)
This is the standard by which the world will charge us all. Mr. President, that standard begins with trust. Trust is the currency of multilateralism. Trust is gained when the law protects the vulnerable as family, as it restrains the powerful. International law must not change with geography or bend according to the identity of the accused. In the Middle East, the UN charter and international law must guide us. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian access ensured, aggression and occupation ended and freedom of navigation safeguarded. The inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination must be realized through a viable State of Palestine living alongside the state of Israel in peace and insecurity. That same commitment to peace requires progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through diplomacy. In Sudan, civilians continue to endure atrocities and displacement, underscoring the cost of delayed action. Sierra Leone calls for their protection on hindered humanitarian access, accountability, and a Sudanese led political process that safeguards the country's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

(07:07:05)
In the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, agreements have not yet silenced the guns or allowed millions to return home. Across West Africa and the Sahel, terrorism feeds on poverty, exclusion, unemployment and weak institutions. These conflicts differ in origin and circumstance, but they carry a common warning. Military action may contain a threat, but it cannot by itself build lasting peace. When hunger, exclusion and despair deepen insecurity takes root. The connection between peace and development must therefore move from our resolutions into our budgets. In 2025, global military expenditure reached about 2.9 trillion United States dollars, the 11th consecutive annual increase.

(07:08:21)
Of course, nations have legitimate security needs, but the speed with which the world finds resources for war compared to prevention and development reveals a grave disorder in our priorities. The credibility of international law also depends on who has the voice in applying it. The credibility weakens when institutions entrusted with the law preserve an unequal distribution of power. The Security Council still reflects the world of 1945. Africa, home to more than 1.6 billion people and the subject of most of the council's work still has no permanent seat. That's not fair. Africa seeks its rightful place because the council cannot be fully legitimate or effective while an entire continent remains permanently absent from its highest level of decision making. No durable global solution on peace, climate, food, energy or technology can be built without African leadership.

(07:09:59)
The common African position espoused in Ezulwini Consensus and such declaration calls for no fewer than two permanent seats with all the rights and privileges of permanent membership, including the veto if it is retained and five non-permanent seats. As coordinator of the African Union Committee of 10, Sierra Leone will continue to advance that position. Years of intergovernmental negotiation without realizing the reform has tested the credibility of the process. Before this session concludes, member states should have a consolidated model which we committed to in the pact for the future. Sierra Leone speaks with the authority of service. During our time on the Security Council in 2024, 2025, we worked as a voice of reason and a bridge across division. We convened the Security Council's first high level debate on redressing historical injustice against Africa, placed conflict related food insecurity at the center of its agenda and with Guyana co-drafted unanimously adopted resolution 2807 on youth, peace and security, strengthening young people's role in conflict prevention and peace building.

(07:11:53)
Mr. President, representation becomes meaningful when it changes decisions and improves lives. The imbalance within the Security Council is also present in international financial institutions whose structures still bear the imprint of an earlier age. Developing countries need fairer voting power, stronger representation and increased capital within these institutions together with affordable finance, concessional resources and fairer debt treatment. They must also participate equally in shaping the rules of international taxation. Sierra Leone therefore supports a UN framework convention on international tax corporation. Through ECOSOC, Sierra Leone will champion a development system that responds more effectively to Africa's priorities. Mr. President, restoring trust and delivering for all must also embrace the unfinished cause of reparatory justice.

(07:13:20)
In March, this assembly adopted a resolution led by Ghana and supported by the African Union and Caribbean community, recognizing the trafficking and racialized charter enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. For Sierra Leone, this history is neither abstract nor distant. From Bunce Island in our own river estuary, thousands of Africans we are forcibly transported across the Atlantic into enslavement. Freetown, our capital, would later become a home for formerly enslaved and liberated Africans. This history is woven into our national identity. However, the consequences did not end with abolition. Their legacy continues to be reflected in enduring disparities in wealth, power, and opportunity across our world.

(07:14:42)
Reparatory justice is therefore not a plea for charity. It is a call for acknowledgement, former apology, the return of cultural heritage, fear redress and guarantee of non-repetition. Sierra Leone stands with Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider African diaspora in advancing this course, not to remain captive to the past, but to build a more just and equitable future. Mr. President, the same principle of fairness applies to Africa's critical minerals. Critical minerals are indispensable to the global energy transition, yet too much value is still added elsewhere. Processing at source, fair value chain, technology transfer and local industry would turn natural wealth into skilled work, stronger economies and hope for our young people. The green transition must not reproduce the extractive time of the past.

(07:16:06)
For the youth, this is immediate. A young person without work, opportunity or a stake in the future becomes vulnerable to the recruiter, the smuggler, and the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean. Jobs, skills and dignity are therefore part of any serious policy for peace and development. Mr. President, Sierra Leone does not ask the world what it does not demand of itself. We carry these same principles into our work at home. Through feeds alone, we are increasing domestic food production and threatening food security. Through free quality education, we are widening the path for the circumstances of a child's birth, from a child's birth to the future that awaits that child. In 2024, we enacted the prohibition of Child Marriage Act and subsequently championed the acclamation of 27 November as the international day for the elimination of child early and forced marriage. A girl in Sierra Leone is no more or less precious than a girl anywhere else in our beautiful world, protecting her childhood, education and freedom is part of what development is supposed to mean. A girl's future, like the future of every young person will be shaped by forces already remaking our world, climate change, artificial intelligence, and the energy transition. The meaning of for all becomes more urgent as we decide how these transformations will be governed. Artificial intelligence can improve, of course, education, health, agriculture and public administration. It can also widen the inequality if infrastructure, knowledge and rulemaking remains concentrated in a few countries. Developing nations must help shape the standards that will govern technologies affecting their people. Climate change presents the same moral question in harsher form.

(07:18:49)
Who benefits, who decides, and who pays? In Shenge, on Sierra Leone's southern coast, families watch the sea take their land, fishing grounds and the graze of their ancestors. For them, climate change is the disappearance of home in the present. Those who contributed least to the climate crisis are bearing some of its greatest, greatest cost. Accessible and predictable climate finance, support for adaptation, and effective arrangement for loss and damage are obligations of justice. There are also investment in global stability. Fiance in transformation depends on the institutions that govern it. Sierra Leone therefore supports the UNH initiative and wider reforms that make this organization more effective, accountable, and responsive. Efficiency matters and reform must preserve the capacity to act. Mr. President, the choice of the next secretary general offers another test of institutional effectiveness and equality. In 80 years, every secretary general has been a man. The women put forward for this office have placed their competence beyond dispute. What remains is the wheel of the organization to live by the quality, equality it acts of others and entrust a woman with its highest office. Mr. President, our insistence on a capable United Nations comes from experience. For Sierra Leone, this organization is part of our living history. It stood with us when our country was broken and helped us make peace durable. In this hall, a small state has the same vote as a great power. Imperfect as it is, that quality remains one of humanity's boldest promises. Sierra Leone will continue to contribute passionate to United Nations peace operations, uphold international law, support mediation and peace building, defend the right of women and girls, and serve as a bridge wherever member states seek one. We will also continue to support the institutions of international justice.

(07:21:58)
In this regard, Sierra Leone has nominated Professor Charles Jalloh, a distinguished international jurist, and has been endorsed by the African Union and ECHOAS for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice. We respectfully seek member state support on the 3rd of November. Mr. President, the United Nation was created in a world of unequal power, yet it rests on a radical idea. Nations differ in size and strength, but their people do not differ in human worth. A United Nation that delivers for all makes that quality felt beyond this whole. Nearly 25 years ago, Sierra Leone placed their trust in peace because they believed tomorrow could be different. People around the world are asking something similar of us now. They need reason to believe that corporation still works, that law still matters, and that promises made here will be honored in their lives. Let this session give them that reason. The words for all should not remain at the end of this year's theme. They must become the measure of our work. I thank you all.

Speaker 4 (07:23:54):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish to thank the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The assembly will hear and address by his excellency, Denis Bećirović, chairman of the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

Denis Bećirović (07:24:56):

Dear President of the United Nations General Assembly, respected Secretary General of the United Nations, excellencies. Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor and a pleasure to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are a symbol of a nation that has survived severe trials but has not lost its path towards a better future. In the period from 1992 to 1995, my country was subjected to aggression, joint criminal enterprises, genocide against Bosniaks, crimes against humanity and other war crimes. Following the end of the aggression in 1995, destructive forces have sought through blockades, obstruction and other means to hold the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(07:26:06)
They are slowing down our path towards a modern European state, but they cannot stop it. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at the doorstep of the European Union and the NATO. These are our strategic foreign policy objectives unanimously defined by the state authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, there are still those seeking to realize greater state projects at the expense of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the aggression, they attack our country by military means. Today, they do so by political, diplomatic and other means. It is very important that the UN courts have established the nature of the war waged against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Final judgments, including those concerning joint criminal enterprises, have established that this was an international armed conflict.

(07:27:20)
Judgements of the highest UN courts have established that genocide was committed against Bosniaks. They also stand as judgements on the greater state policies that through a joint criminal enterprise sought to divide and destroy Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent, sovereign, indivisible, and internationally recognized state. Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world of injustice, insecurity and intolerance. The strengthening of authoritarian populism, the aggression against Ukraine, the suffering in Gaza, the war in the Gulf region, the catastrophic situation in Sudan, and other flashpoints have brought humanity into a profound crisis marked by great uncertainty and fear. We must not remain silent in the face of injustice. The world did not respond adequately to the aggression against Ukraine and the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, just as it did not during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(07:28:42)
The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is a flagrant example of a violation of the UN charter and international law, while Gaza is humanity's greatest defeat in the 21st century. The greatest global crisis are directly interconnected and have the same root, the erosion of international law. Disrespect for international law cannot lead the world towards prosperity and a better future. Ladies and gentlemen, without identifying the causes of the crisis facing contemporary humanity, we cannot solve its problems. The politics of force cannot bring progress to humanity. Instead of force, we need respect and the strengthening of the existing international norms, rules and institutions that we have built over more than 80 years. The multilateral system today faces a serious challenge, a crisis of institutional trust. Trust is weakening because some actors in the international community Undermine the values enshrined in the UN charter.

(07:30:04)
The future of humanity does not lie in policies of violence and the human rights violations. Conflicts and wars are not the purpose of our civilization. Let us build a culture of dialogue, cooperation, and peace. In this context, I believe it is of utmost importance to reaffirm the importance of the UN charter. Revitalize the role of the UN as the global center for coordination and cooperation. Support the reform process and strengthen the credibility of the United Nations. Consistently implement the sustainable development goals. Build mutual trust, inclusiveness, and democratic vision of leadership and strengthen preventive diplomacy at the time of numerous tensions and conflicts. Let respect for international law, peace, solidarity, sustainable development and justice be the path that we follow together.

(07:31:14)
Ladies and gentlemen, we in Bosnia and Herzegovina call upon all UN member states to focus on reaffirming relations between states on the basis of international law, ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting peace and social progress, combating hate speech and all forms of discrimination, strengthening policies for the prevention of genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes. Advancing the rights of women and children and strengthening gender equality, better healthcare and education. The world must return to the fundamental principles upon which the UN is founded. Respect for human dignity, the sovereign equality of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for international law. These are not unrealistic propositions. They are the only possible foundations of a stable world. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a reliable and responsible member of the United Nations.

(07:32:32)
Among other things, I would like to remind that Bosnia and Herzegovina is aware of climate change and committed to contributing to global efforts, committed to the transition towards renewable energy sources and the reduction of harmful gas emissions and determined to combat all forms of terrorism. We in Bosnia and Herzegovina know that peace cannot be taken for granted. Peace must be safeguarded every day. It requires responsibility of political leaders, respect for the law and readiness for dialogue. There must not be one standard for large states and another for small states. If we want to preserve trust in the international order, the rules we establish together must be applied equally. Ladies and gentlemen, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in Europe where genocide was committed after the Second World War.

(07:33:42)
In May 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and commemoration of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. This resolution represents a profoundly moral and civilizational act by the UN General Assembly. The adopted resolution is equally important for the UN and for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is particularly dangerous that the leadership of the Republic of Serbia glorifies the convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. The monster Ratko Mladić is not a hero, but a convicted war criminal. The institutional glorification of this war criminal is an anti-civilizational and unacceptable act. It amounts to identifying Serbia state leadership with one of the worst butchers in European history. It is an indication that Serbia has not abandoned the ideology and policies that lead to aggression and genocide. It is a direct-

Denis Bećirović (07:35:00):

... To aggression and genocide, it is a direct assault on the values of the United Nations whose court delivered a final judgment against this war criminal. Let me remind you that Serbia is the only state in the world that has been found by a UN court to have violated the UN convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. I call on the United Nations and European Union and other international actors to clearly condemn this conduct and take concrete measures against those who institutionally glorify convicted war criminals.

(07:35:46)
Unfortunately, the ideology and policies that led to genocide against Bosniacs continue to threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina. From the podium of the UN General Assembly, I wish to publicly warn the international public that the current leadership of the Bosnian entity, Republika Srpska, continues to threaten the peace and security of Bosnia Herzegovina and the region. We must stop this destructive policy together.

(07:36:18)
The victims of the genocide and the employees of the Memorial Center Serbernitza are facing unacceptable pressures from the police of the Republika Srpska. We must not allow that the police and other institutions of Republika Srpska which committed the genocide against Bosniacs today threaten the survivors and those that are preserving the memory on the victims of the genocide. Those seeking to destroy the Dayton Peace Agreement are attempting to create the conditions for the succession of the Bosnian entity, Republika Srpska. In the period ahead, they will intensify their activities primarily with the aim of weakening and abolishing the mandate of the higher representative of the international community. Which is also envisaged by the Dayton Peace Agreement, weakening the institution of the constitutional court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And seizing the state property of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contrary to the national and international law. Ladies and gentlemen, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an unconquerable state. There is not a single map of Southeast Europe from the past 1000 years on which Bosnia or Bosnia and Herzegovina does not appear. Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to people who love freedom more than their own lives. Finally, as the chairman of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wish to emphasize that I'm proud of the brave people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(07:38:07)
These are people who have suffered injustice, yet they continue to fight for justice. These are people who have been victims of lies, yet they continue to fight for the truth. These are people who support the struggle for justice, freedom, and human dignity throughout the world. These are the honorable and proud people of my homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thank you for your attention.

Speaker 4 (07:38:46):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish thank the chairman of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assembly will hear in address by her excellency Sylvanie Burton, president of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I request protocol to escort her excellency and invite her to address the assembly.

Sylvanie Burton (07:39:43):

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates. Mabrika, good afternoon. I bring greetings to this assembly from the people and government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election on the theme and on the theme chosen for this 81st session of the General Assembly. Restoring trust, managing transformation, a United Nations that delivers for all.

(07:40:20)
This theme speaks directly to the defining challenges of our time. We are living through an age of profound transformation. Technology is changing how we work, communicate, and understand the world. Climate change is reshaping economies, communities, and the entire ecosystems. Conflicts are destroying lives and displacing families. Economic uncertainty is deepening inequality while progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals has stalled. These challenges are not unfolding in isolation. They are interconnected global in scale, and beyond the capacity of any one nation to address alone. They demand stronger cooperation and renewed confidence in multilateralism. Yet excellencies, at the very moment when collective action is most urgently needed, this organization stands at a crossroads. The question before us, therefore, is whether we possess the courage, solidarity and political will to shape that change and guide our world towards peace, justice, and shared prosperity.

(07:41:54)
I strongly believe that most right-thinking individuals would agree that the UN system has substantially delivered for all countries over the several decades of its existence. For more than 80 years, this organization has embodied humanity's highest collective aspiration. That countries, large and small, rich and poor, can work together to prevent conflict, protect human dignity, and improve the lives of their people.

(07:42:32)
The United Nations provides shelter and protection to people enduring conflict, displacement and natural disaster. It supports education, healthcare, peacekeeping, elections and development in communities that might otherwise be forgotten. These achievements matter and must never be dismissed or diminished. What the United Nation does not currently do enough is deliver at the transformative level. Too often, humanity and the institutions we have created to serve us have had to concentrate on managing one crisis after another. Without giving enough attention to the conditions that allow them to persist. Excellencies, there is no question that managing crisis is necessary. It brings relief, restores hope and saves lives. But we cannot stop there. Our responsibility must also be to address the root causes of these problems and build systems that are fairer, stronger and better able to serve our people. The true test of this organization therefore is not only how well we respond after people have suffered, it is also whether we can work together to prevent that suffering in the first place. This is not to dismiss what has already been achieved. It is a call for us to build on that progress, strengthen our cooperation and deliver the meaningful change that our people expect from us.

(07:44:34)
A fundamental question that one must ask is, can the international system still deliver? For Dominica, this is not an abstract question. When a hurricane destroys our infrastructure, when international energy prices rise, when access to capital becomes more expensive. When global markets change, or when climate finance remains beyond our reach, the consequences are felt immediately in our homes, in our businesses, in our schools and hospitals, and in the very lives of our people.

(07:45:20)
Yet, Mr. President, I do not come before this assembly to speak only of vulnerability. I wish to speak of transformation and resilience. Dominica has made a choice. We have chosen not only to rebuild after disaster, but to build differently, build better, build stronger. We have chosen not only to adapt to climate change, but to demonstrate what a climate resilient economy and country can look like. And we have chosen to move from dependence to greater resilience.

(07:46:07)
Mr. President, in 2017, category five Hurricane Maria demonstrated with devastating force the vulnerability of small island states like Dominica. The economic and human consequences were enormous. Hurricane Maria, however, also taught us an important lesson. Resilience should never begin after the disaster. Resilience must begin before disasters. The international community must therefore move from a model that primarily finances reconstruction after catastrophe, to one that invests systematically in resilience before disaster strikes.

(07:47:04)
For Dominica, this means resilient roads and bridges, resilient buildings, reliable communications, modern water systems, strengthened health infrastructure and disaster ready communities. But resilience is not only physical. A resilient country must have resilient institutions. It must have resilient public finances. It must have resilient energy systems and must have resilient food systems. Above all, a resilient nation must have people who possess the skills and confidence to withstand shocks and move forward. That is the Dominica that we are building.

(07:48:03)
Excellencies, Dominica has begun the transition from imported fossil fuels to renewable energy. Our geothermal power plant is now in commercial operation, and increasing the renewable share of our electricity generation to approximately 84%. We are well on our way to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.

(07:48:35)
This is more than an energy project. It is economic transformation. It demonstrates that small states can lead in the transition to clean energy. Every barrel of oil that we no longer need to import strengthens our resilience to international price shocks. Every unit of clean electricity we produce strengthens our energy security. Affordable, reliable, renewable energy can become a foundation for new industries, new investment, new employment and greater competitiveness.

(07:49:25)
The lesson is important beyond Dominica. We need international finance that recognizes the transformative nature of renewable energy investment in vulnerable countries. We need financing mechanisms that allow countries such as Dominica to move faster. And we need partnerships that allow the energy transition to become an engine of economic development and growth. Our ambition is not merely to generate clean electricity. Our ambition is to use clean energy to transform our economy.

(07:50:15)
Mr. President, the international community has become very good at recognizing vulnerability. We have become less successful at financing the transformation that vulnerability requires. Too often, the cycle is predictable. A disaster occurs, infrastructure is destroyed and economic activity collapses. We then mobilize resources to rebuild what was lost. Often through borrowing that substantially increases debt to rebuild what we could have made more resilient from the outset. This is not an efficient financial model.

(07:51:07)
The best time to build resilience is before disaster. The best time to finance transformation is before crisis. And the value of resilience should be measured not only by what we build, but by what we prevent from being destroyed. Mr. President, Dominica does not come to the United Nations asking to be treated as a victim of vulnerability. We come asking to be recognized as a partner in transformation. We must finance potential, not merely manage vulnerability.

(07:51:52)
And this is not only about Dominica. It is about whether the global financial system is capable of recognizing a different development model. A model in which resilience is an investment, nature is an asset, connectivity is productive infrastructure. Clean energy is economic opportunity. And prevention is financially smarter than reconstruction. That is the proposition we placed before this assembly. It is time that the international financial architecture evolves.

(07:52:36)
Dominica joins its voice with those countries that continue to advocate for the use of multidimensional vulnerability as a practical and fair basis in determining access to development finance. We call for greater and easier access to concessional financing and grants for adaptation. We call for stronger disaster clauses in sovereign debt instruments. We call for financing mechanisms that can be activated rapidly when disasters strike. And we call for a fundamental shift in the way the international community views investment in resilience.

(07:53:29)
Every dollar spent preventing the destruction of a road, a hospital, a school or a water system is an investment in future development. Dominica is prepared to serve as a demonstration country for this approach. We are prepared to work with international partners to show what happens when finance is designed around transformation rather than vulnerability.

(07:54:04)
Mr. President, Dominica has long spoken of becoming the world's first climate resilient nation. Today, I wish to take that ambition further. We invite the international community to partner with us in making Dominica a living laboratory for climate resilience and sustainable development. Bring us the technology, bring us the research, bring us the investment, bring us the innovation. And together, let us demonstrate what a resilient small island economy can look like. Resilient housing, smart and renewable energy systems, climate smart agriculture, modern water management, digital public services, resilient infrastructure, nature based adaptation and new industries powered by clean energy.

(07:55:16)
This should not be a relationship based simply on donor and recipient. It should be a relationship based on partnership, innovation and shared learning. Dominica has lessons to learn from the world, but we also have lessons to offer the world. Mr. President, transformation is ultimately about people. A resilient economy must create opportunity for young people. Young people want to inherit a country that is not merely protected from disasters. But one in which they can build businesses, work in new industries, participate in the global economy and build meaningful lives at home. That is why our investment in energy, connectivity, digital transformation, tourism, agriculture, and resilience must ultimately converge around one objective, creating opportunities.

(07:56:28)
Excellencies, the challenges before us extend beyond climate and finance. We meet at a time when war continues to devastate communities and ruin lives. When humanitarian crises are multiplying. When international law is under pressure. When trust between nations is strained. We cannot speak about development without speaking about peace. Without peace, development is tenuous.

(07:57:04)
We believe in the principles of the United Nations charter. We believe in respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. We believe in the peaceful settlement of international disputes. We believe in dialogue. And we believe that international law must apply equally to all nations and must be applied consistently.

(07:57:33)
Small states must never become collateral damage in the competition among larger powers. The security of a small nation is no less important than the security of a large one. The credibility of multilateralism depends on fairness, but it also depends on delivery. The true test of multilateralism is not whether we can agree in this room, it is whether our agreements can transform lives outside of this room.

(07:58:12)
That is why I welcome the central challenge of this 81st General Assembly, restoring trust. Excellencies, the world does not need another generation of promises that remain unfulfilled. It needs delivery. It needs institutions that respond faster. It needs financing that reaches vulnerable countries more efficiently. It needs partnerships that produce measurable results, and it needs a multilateral system that people can believe in again.

(07:58:56)
For Dominica, restoring trust means closing the gap between international commitments and the lived experience of our people. It means ensuring that when the world says it supports climate resilience, resources actually reach the communities that need them. It means ensuring that when we call for sustainable development, financing mechanisms do not make sustainability harder to achieve. And it means recognizing that the challenges confronting small island states are not marginal issues. They are an early warning of the challenges that the wider world will increasingly face.

(07:59:46)
The United Nations must remain a place where every country, large or small, can believe that its voice matters, but the United Nations must also remain a place where ambition can become action. Mr. President, we must also confront the serious challenges facing the sustainable development goals. The SDGs represented a promise that by 2030, we would make meaningful progress in ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, advancing equality, protecting our planet and building more peaceful and inclusive societies.

(08:00:33)
Today, that promise is at risk. Conflict, climate change, debt distress, inflation, and persistent inequality have pushed the goals further out of reach for many developing countries. But this is not the time to abandon the 2030 agenda. It is the time to renew our commitment and concentrate on delivering results that people can see and feel in their daily lives.

(08:01:08)
For Dominica, we have incorporated the SDGs as priorities in our national resilience development strategy 2030. Our climate resilience and recovery plan, and our wider development agenda. We see sustainability and sustainable development in the homes we have built for vulnerable families. In our investment in geothermal energy as cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy. We see it in our efforts to strengthen education, expand technical and vocational training, and better prepare our young people for the world of work. We see it in our support for farmers, entrepreneurs, agro-processors, and tourism operators who are creating jobs and building stronger local industries.

(08:02:07)
We also see it in our work to protect our forest, marine resources, and natural environment. For Dominica, these resources are part of our identity, but they are also essential to our food security, our tourism product and the livelihoods of our people.

(08:02:29)
Excellencies, the challenges before us cannot be overcome by any one country acting alone. They require a strong and effective United Nations, renewed international cooperation and a firm commitment to multilateralism. We need a United Nations that does more than respond to crisis after lives have been lost and communities destroyed. We need an organization that works with determination to prevent conflict, advance sustainable development, confront justice, and protect those who are most vulnerable.

(08:03:09)
We need a system in which every country, regardless of its size, wealth or influence, has a voice and a meaningful place at the table. We need multilateralism that is not selective in its concern, or even in its response. But fair, effective, and responsive to the needs of all people. Our development must include young people, women and girls, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and communities that have too often been left behind.

(08:03:53)
If the United Nations is to deliver for all, it must first see, hear and include all. Multilateralism is our best hope for addressing challenges that cross borders, threaten our shared future and demand collective action. We therefore remain committed to peace, climate action, sustainable development, and the dignity of every human being. We remain ready to work with all nations in a spirit of mutual respect and shared responsibility to build a fairer, safer and more resilient world.

(08:04:40)
Mr. President, let this 81st session be remembered as the moment when we collectively renewed our faith in cooperation and matched our words with action. Let this 81st session be remembered as the moment when vulnerability was met with solidarity, promises were honored, and trust was rebuilt through meaningful delivery.

(08:05:12)
Above all, let this 81st session be remembered as the moment when this family of nations found the courage to act together. And recommitted ourselves to ensuring that no country, no community, and no person was left behind. Ayahora, thank you. I thank you for the courtesy of your attention.

Speaker 5 (08:05:50):

On behalf of the assembly, I wish to thank the president of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The assembly will now hear an address by his excellency, Guy Parmelin, president of the Swiss Confederation. I request protocol to escort his excellency and invite him to address the assembly.

Guy Parmelin (08:06:19):

[French 08:06:34].

Translator (08:06:35):

President of the General Assembly, United Nations Secretary General, heads of state and government, your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Switzerland is a country of mountains, valleys, and different languages. Part of our history therefore meant learning to live with what divides us. We didn't make the mountains disappear. First we learned to climb them, then to cross them. To do so, we built roads, bridges, and tunnels. And we realized that a natural boundary is not necessarily a dividing line. It can also be a pathway that connects us.

(08:07:19)
This very simple experience seems to me to have something to teach us about the world in which we live, because we are going through a time of upheaval. The international order established in the aftermath of the Second World War is under severe constraints. Conflicts are multiplying and becoming deadlocked. The most fundamental principles of the United Nations charter, the prohibition of the use of force and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are being openly violated.

(08:07:51)
Added to this are transformations that are reshaping our societies. Climate change and the increase in the number of disasters, humanitarian crises, inequalities, and also technological upheaval...

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