General Assembly: 56th Plenary meeting (resumed), 79th session
General Assembly
Date: 15 January 2025
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/79/56
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [0:01]:

I call to order this informal meeting on the priorities of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for 2025. This meeting will not have a pre-established list of speakers. In order to request the floor, delegations are kindly requested to press the microphone button. Those speaking on behalf of a group should inform the Secretariat in order to be given priority in the speaking order. As mentioned earlier, members are reminded that this segment will be followed by the resumption of the formal meeting in which delegations will have an opportunity to deliver statements Under Agenda Item 111. In order to hear as many speakers as possible within the limited time, may I request delegations to make their interventions concise and not longer than 2 minutes when speaking in their national capacity and 3 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group. I thank you for your cooperation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Iraq, who will speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.


Iraq · G77 + China [1:42]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Microphone for Iraq, please.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:30]:

Giving the floor to Iraq on behalf of the Okay.


Iraq · G77 + China [2:37]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, it is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, I extend our gratitude to the Secretary-General for outlining his priorities for 2025. The Group of 77 and China recognizes that our world continues to face complex and interlinked challenges. Including persisting conflicts, the escalating impacts of climate change, poverty, hunger, widening debt levels, limited Sustainable Development Goals financing, biodiversity loss, widening digital divide, unilateral coercive measures, and the aftermath of a global health crisis. These pressing issues demand immediate, We emphasize the urgent need to address the root causes of conflicts, focusing on lasting peace and resilience-building measures, particularly in developing countries disproportionately affected by instability. Additionally, we reiterate our call for urgent actions to address the financing needs of developing countries to support their efforts achieve sustainable development in the 3 dimensions. On climate change, 2024 witnessed unprecedented challenges, including escalating extreme weather events and increasing vulnerabilities in developing nations. The Group calls for full and timely implementation of all decisions adopted at the sessions of Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including those at the 29th Conference of the Parties, COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, in accordance with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. We urge the developed countries to urgently and fulfill their commitments to provide developing countries with climate finance. In this regard, the Group looks forward to COP30, to be held in Brazil in November 2025, to advance international actions to address climate change in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. We reaffirm that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the multilateral forum to address climate change. We strongly call for enhanced funding for the Loss and Damage Fund to help the most vulnerable developing countries who are at the front lines of the climate crisis. The Group underscores the needs For a global financial system that addressed the needs of all nations equitably, particularly developing countries, we call for urgent comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to address structural inequalities, ensure fair access to long-term finance, and to promote sustainable development as well as ensure the participation of developing countries in global economic decision-making. This includes debt restructuring and the adoption of concessional financing frameworks that go beyond GDP-centric metrics to reflect multidimensional vulnerabilities. Eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions remains critical in our efforts to achieve sustainable development. We reiterate our call for the international community to provide the required support to all developing countries to eradicate poverty. We therefore support all proposals by the Secretary-General to address the eradication of poverty, which remains the greatest global challenge and indispensable requirement for sustainable development. And we therefore call for the UN system-wide strategy for poverty eradication. Hunger and food insecurity remain critical issues for many developing countries. The Group echoes the Secretary-General's assertion that failing to address these crises fuels instability. We stress the importance of concrete actions, including robust investment in agricultural resilience and food systems, to meet the 2030 Agenda targets. the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and addressing challenges such as education, healthcare, and climate action. The group urged Member States to honor their financial commitments to the United Nations in full and on time, to avoid undermining critical processes and mandates. At the same time, we empathize with those unable to fulfill their obligations due to circumstances beyond their control. The year 2025 offers significant opportunity to accelerate progress.

Key platforms for action include the 4th Conference on Finance—

Financing for Development, High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, consultations to establish the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence , and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Additionally, the Declaration from the 2025 UN Conference on SDG 14, the High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases, and the 2nd World Summit for Social Development will provide crucial momentum for advancing sustainable development efforts. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its unwavering support for the Secretary-General's efforts to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and to ensure that the UN remains at the forefront of helping the achievement of sustainable development by 2030 and beyond. I thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [10:09]:

I thank the Distinguished representative of Iraq, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt, who will speak on behalf of the Arab Group.


Egypt · Arab Group [10:23]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Your Excellency, Secretary General, it gives me great pleasure to deliver this statement on behalf of the Arab Group. We wish to express our thanks for the Secretary General for his laudable leadership of the United Nations. In such a historic period where our organization faces major and unprecedented challenges, the Arab Group stresses its support to the Secretary-General, namely for the priorities he has chosen for the work of our organization for 2025. We always recall the warnings by the Secretary-General on the threats pertaining to current polarization. The Arab Group believes in the vital and primordial role of the United Nations and its commitment to enhancing multilateral frameworks that provide means to address current challenges. The Arab Group expresses its appreciation to the meticulous reading by the Secretary-General of the current situation and landscape in the Middle East, as well as its risks and possible positive horizons. We look forward to cooperating with the United Nations and all international stakeholders to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and to achieve prosperity for all peoples and countries of the region. Mr. President, the wanton Israeli aggression has continued unabated for more than 15 months. And we recall calls by the Secretary-General to put an end to to this war. It is a disgrace for the whole of humanity, and we hope that current efforts spearheaded by the State of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will culminate in a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian detainees and hostages in the coming days. We stress that reaching this agreement must pave the way for a comprehensive, just, and final resolution of the Palestinian question based on the two-state solution. The Palestinian people has suffered greatly under the brunt of this wanton and illegal aggression. This resilient and proud people continues to pursue its self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, like all other peoples. We look forward to the holding of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution spearheaded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France in the coming month of June. This is an opportunity to revive and relaunch a peaceful process to resolve the Palestinian question. The Arab Group looks forward for the United Nations to shoulder its vital role in the reconstruction and the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and the return to normalcy for the people of Gaza who have suffered greatly. The Arab Group lauds the role undertaken by the Secretary-General during the crisis, namely his repetitive calls for a ceasefire and respect for international law and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. Excellency Secretary-General, the Arab Group notes that your noble stances will go down in history. The history— or history will pay tribute to the sacrifices of relief staff, including the staff of the United Nations and the UNRWA, as well as that of other organizations, including the International Red Cross Committee. We pay tribute to the families of those who have lost their lives, and we express our condolences to them. According to the report of the Secretary-General, humanitarian crises are on the rise. However, humanitarian assistance only covers 40% of what is necessary to address these urgent crises. Therefore, we require more than $47 billion this year to support 305 million individuals requiring assistance. The Arab Group urges donor states to provide further humanitarian funding to support United Nations efforts, and we warn against any conflation between humanitarian funding and development and climate funding. We stress that international support must be provided to conflict-affected countries to allow them to address humanitarian and economic crises. As for sustainable development efforts, the Arab Group stresses its support to calls by the Secretary-General to provide further resources for the funding of development to achieve Agenda 2030. The road remains long. The challenges are still daunting due to the lack of real and genuine political will by developed States to honor their commitments. There is a dire need to work together to eradicate poverty and to provide access to technology. The Secretary-General has indeed highlighted the requirements for the work of the United Nations to be effective. The Arab Group stresses the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainable development, to eradicate poverty, namely economic growth, societal development, and the preservation of the environment based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. In this regard, we stress the need to include youth and leverage their capacities to ensure that they partake in global decision-making. We stress that the 2nd Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha will contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, and we look forward to it. We hope that it will address various issues, including inequality and poverty, as pointed out by the Secretary-General. We must all shoulder our responsibilities vis-à-vis future generations. We must all work to address various challenges, including the crisis that is climate change. The Arab Group commends the Secretary-General's statement today, namely the calls to undertake tangible actions to address climate change based on equity and common but differentiated responsibility. 2 conferences of the parties have been held, one in Sharm el-Sheikh, And the second in the UAE, the 27th and 28th Conference of the Parties. Let me stress in this regard the importance of AI at such an important historic turning point. This technology can be or is an instrument and a driver for growth and prosperity. However, if not controlled by the human hand, it will have dire consequences. Therefore, there is a dire need to ensure the ethical use of AI and the development of global governance mechanisms for AI, um, to which everyone must contribute, as pointed out by the Secretary-General.

You can count on full support of Egypt. Egypt is not only working for ceasefire in Gaza, but working to build trust between Sudan and the UN, working to restore stability in the whole region. You can count on Egypt's full dedication and support. We believe in the UN. We work hard in the UN for all the domains— FFD, new technologies. You can count always on Egypt's support, Mr. Secretary-General. Thank you very much.

Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [18:52]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. Before giving the floor to the next speaker, please, I have a few things to indicate to you. Ladies and gentlemen, due to time constraints, we will now close the list of speakers for this informal segment. We have 29 speakers on the list. We have closed the list. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union who will speak on behalf of the EU and its member states.


EU · EU [19:37]:

Mr. President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as San Marino, aligned themselves with this statement. Mr. Secretary-General, as always, we are grateful for your annual report, for sharing your priorities for 2025, and for your leadership. On the outset, we would like to praise the UN staff across the globe. who are instrumental in delivering the Organization's mandates while upholding its principles and values. Thank you. However, the task— and that of all of us— to uphold those binding values is becoming increasingly daunting in today's fractured world. The UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions should be our collective compass. Yet, International law, including international humanitarian law, is increasingly being violated with impunity. The devastating impacts of those violations is evident across multiple conflicts spread across regions and countries with increasing intensity. From Ukraine to the Middle East, from Sudan to Sahel, the Great Lakes to the Horn of Africa, from Haiti to Myanmar, where the suffering of the most vulnerable continues to escalate. Today, disinformation is increasingly weaponized to fuel division, escalate conflicts, and undermine peace efforts and social cohesion. This makes our work of upholding truth, justice, and human dignity even more difficult and even more pressing. February 24th, Mr. President, will mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia's war of aggression and brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This unilateral act of aggression openly violates the UN Charter and the international rules we rely on. It also has visible and global consequences for food and energy security, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable that are hit most devastatingly. The ongoing climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity and widespread pollution are ravaging the planet, affecting mostly those who are least able to cope and future generations. Progress for socio-economic development and human rights is also under threat, endangering core civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including women's rights and gender equality. Dear colleagues, We are facing a turning point in history, but by no means are we facing a point of no return. If we start joining forces to face the future, we can still embrace the multiple opportunities ahead of us in 2025. We can change course, as stressed by the Secretary-General himself. As it celebrates its 80th anniversary, The UN remains an unparalleled forum for dialogue and action. 2025 must be the year of the Pact for the Future implementation, as a key opportunity to strengthen multilateralism. It must be the year in which we translate those commitments into concrete action. The European Union is already taking concrete steps to implement all of them. Your guidance to all of us, Mr. Secretary-General, will be instrumental. Now, on peace and security, we fully support your call in the New Agenda for Peace to recommit to the UN Charter and your assertion that conflict prevention is a universal obligation of all Member States. In the Pact of the Future, we collectively urged you as UN Secretary-General to actively use your good offices for mediation and preventive diplomacy. We will support you and the whole UN system in this. In 2025, we will also engage in a Peacebuilding Architecture Review. This will be an opportunity to focus on nationally-driven, bottom-up approaches to conflict prevention, as expressed in national prevention strategies and approaches. On human rights and humanitarian issues, 2025 will require us to refocus on protecting and properly funding the UN's human rights pillar. And to stand by the side of human rights defenders and all those who are committed to promoting, defending and protecting all human rights. And it will be as well yet another year of increasing humanitarian needs and stretched resources. In 2024, the European Union and its Member States contributed with over $9 billion for life-saving humanitarian assistance worldwide. I assure you we will continue working with the UN to save lives in 2025. On sustainable development, as we work and we mark the 10th-year anniversary of the SDGs, we must now build on the Pact for the Future to turbocharge the 2030 Agenda. We are optimistic about key upcoming milestones in 2025. The EU commits to advance its positive contribution to achieving the SDGs, notably through its global leadership in official development assistance and climate financing, and through the Global Gateway infrastructure initiative. And the EU and its Member States also support the UN's reform agenda, including UN Security Council reform, General Assembly revitalization, and ECOSOC reform. Secretary-General, distinguished colleagues, let me conclude with a final appeal. The European Union Member States are the largest collective financial contributors to this Organization. Without this support, the Organization cannot function. We consistently honor our responsibility to pay in full, on time, and without conditions. All member states of the United Nations must do the same, especially the largest contributors. In 2025, greater trust will be essential to tackle all the challenges and opportunities we will face. The European Union and its Member States are committed to collaborating with all regions and all partners, including civil society, to build this trust, to bring success to our UN work, and to bring much-needed hope to our world. Let us, dear colleagues, especially during these dark hours, make every effort to join hands.

Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [26:49]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, here is a special appeal. Before proceeding to the next speaker, may I remind delegations I would like to remind all speakers that their interventions should be concise and limited to 2 minutes when speaking in their national capacity and 3 minutes only when speaking on behalf of a group so that all speakers could be heard. Thank you for your cooperation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative


Brazil · CPLP [27:40]:

Thank you, Mr.

President. I will deliver this statement in Portuguese with the correspondent interpretation.

Mr. President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the community of Portuguese-speaking countries consisting of Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau.

Timor-Leste.

Mr. Secretary-General, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the tireless work and dedication of the United Nations officials in fulfilling— under your leadership— in fulfilling their mandates in context of adversity. Your report highlights not only the challenges but also the concrete and transformative results that this organization has achieved especially in supporting the most vulnerable populations in times of crisis. The CPLP reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and the values of the UN Charter, recognizing that the Pact for the Future offers a promising path to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In a geopolitical context that is increasingly challenging, The CPLP stands ready to collaborate with Member States in promoting an agenda of peace, sustainable development, and respect for human rights. We also highlight the importance of adequate funding for the effective functioning of the UN and to ensure that the organization is equipped to face global crises. The CPLP supports the Secretary-General's call for sustainable solutions to the liquidity crisis and encourages all Member States to meet their financial obligations. We commend and encourage the work of the Secretariat in promoting multilingualism, a fundamental tool for promoting multilateral diplomacy, dialogue, tolerance, and for ensuring social inclusion. Transparent communication, and effective participation of all the peoples. As we move towards the World Social Summit and the 80th anniversary of the organization, we also recall that at a time of deep crisis of confidence in multilateralism, the United Nations convening power and the Secretary-General's fundamental leadership role are positive signs of hope for a fairer and more tolerant world. Finally, we reiterate our solidarity with the Secretary-General's mandate and our commitment to working together to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future that leaves no one behind.

I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [30:29]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait, who will speak on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council.


Kuwait · GCC [30:57]:

In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful, Your Excellency Mr. Filomen Yang, President of the General Assembly, Your Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellencies, may the peace and blessings of God be upon you. I have the honor at the outset to deliver this statement after expressing my thanks to you for convening this meeting. That's on behalf of the member states of the GCC, which are the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and my country, the State of Kuwait.

Thank you.

We express our sincere appreciation to your leadership and to your team for your wise leadership of the United Nations at this critical time when the international community is faced with unprecedented challenges. We reiterate our full and absolute support to you. We share your interests and priorities for the coming year. In this connection, we recall what you have mentioned, Your Excellency, and what you have alluded to in many of your statements in relation to the need to work together for peace and the foundations for dialogue and negotiations and to build bridges to tackle the challenges of the time. And your calls to reduce the risks, that's to support the noble objectives of the UN established in the 40th of the last century for the good of all. Through your relentless efforts, you have been the epitome of these efforts. We support you and we support the wider UN effort. In this connection, we reiterate our full belief in the UN system as a global forum, indispensable forum to forge multilateralism and promote common human values. Your Excellency the President in Gaza, where the wind carries the sighs of people who are suffering under the yoke of occupation, and where the land tells stories of untold suffering, we stand today believing in justice and full of hope that the efforts currently being spearheaded by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States would be culminated in a ceasefire agreement. The GCC reiterates that the comprehensive, just solution of the Palestinian cause based on the two-state solution is the only path to achieve peace. We call on the international community to intensify efforts in relation to initiatives of reconstruction of Gaza. We commend the role played by the UN its agencies and technical bodies in this connection. We also express our full appreciation to the staff of the UN and humanitarian agencies in relation to protecting civilians. Mr. President, on humanitarian work, The GCC follows closely the funding gap which obstructs the response to the increasing humanitarian needs. We urge donor countries to increase their contributions and ensure that aid reaches those in need. We reiterate that the GCC countries will spare no effort. They will continue their support to the UN humanitarian action. We also stress that humanitarian funding should have precedence over development and climate funding. In relation to climate change, we stress the importance of collective action. And the continued engagement of international community represented by the UN in all efforts based on principles of justice, common but differentiated responsibility. Foundations for mitigation and adaptation should be supported for developing and least developed countries. We commend all efforts made in COPs that have been held in our region, and we hope that we all would see a progress that enables us to tackle the challenges of the time. Mr. President, the artificial intelligence is a promising instrument for progress and development, yet if misused, it will aggravate the challenges we are faced today. Therefore, the GCC calls for having guidelines for the use of this technology while ensuring that developing— at least developed countries will be able to take advantage of it without widening the technology gap. The GCC, in conclusion, expresses its thanks and appreciation for convening this meeting and its readiness to cooperate with you in our 80th year to address the challenges we are faced— the political and non-political ones. We stress the need for redoubling all efforts in line with the major events to be held this year: the World Social Summit to be hosted by Qatar, the High-Level Political Forum, the 4th International Conference on Women, the High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases, and lastly, the High-Level International Conference to find political solution for the Palestinian cause and implementation of the two-state solution that's for the interest and good of humanity at large. Thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [38:04]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Kuwait. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Djibouti, who will speak on behalf of the African Group.


Djibouti · Africa Group [38:18]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Secretary-General, distinguished colleagues, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, the Group wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres, for outlining his priorities for 2025. The priorities as identified by the Secretary-General reflect not only the global challenges we face, but also the opportunities we must seize to strengthen multilateralism and ensure that no continent, no nation, and no person is left behind. Africa continues to face a number of daunting challenges. As highlighted in the report, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals has been slow, and the disproportionate impact of climate change, armed conflicts, and economic crisis continues to threaten the well-being of millions of Africans. Allow me, Mr. President, to emphasize the following priority areas that, in our view, require urgent and collective action. First, sustainable financing and debt relief. The debt crisis is a fundamental obstacle to development in many African countries. As we strive to reduce poverty, create jobs, and build resilient infrastructure, many of our governments are burdened by unsustainable debt. The African Group calls on the United Nations and international partners to strengthen mechanisms for debt-for-development swaps, allowing our financial resources to be invested in health, education, and sustainable infrastructure instead of servicing historic debt. Latest statistical data indicates that Africa owed $1.4 trillion in its external debt by 2023, which hindered funding for critical sectors of health and education. The African Union, through its strategy for domestic resource mobilization, seeks to reduce external borrowing. Addressing debt distress and debt sustainability, in addition to extending debt relief, debt suspension, and cancellation, are matters of great importance to the Africa Group and require comprehensive medium- and long-term solutions. Furthermore, we reiterate our support for the Secretary-General's proposals to reform the international financial architecture, ensuring that African countries have fair access to financing on equitable terms. The continent needs an annual financing stimulus of $500 billion, as recommended, to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Second, peace, security, and conflict resolutions. The Group remains concerned about the ongoing conflicts in the continent. The African Group calls on the need to redouble investment on prevention, diplomacy, Preventing war is cheaper and more effective than peacemaking and peace enforcement operations. Success of preventive diplomacy depends on predictable, adequate, and sustained financing. This is evidenced by the African Union's flagship initiative, Silencing the Guns by 2030, that seeks to promote peace and security on the continent. Peace in Africa is crucial for the development of the continent. I think we can all agree that, as the famous economist Paul Collier once said, conflict retards developments and development retards conflicts. Third is strengthening UN-AU cooperation. The UN-AU cooperation has evolved significantly over the last decade, including through the signing of strategic frameworks on peace and security and sustainable development, as well as strategic coordination between the UN Security Council and AU Peace and Security Council. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, adopted in December 2023 on the founding of AU-led peace support operations, was an important step in efforts to further strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. The African Union demands its full, speedy, and unconditional implementation. We expect the UN Security Council to fully and unreservedly support AU peace and security-led initiative. We expect the UN Security Council to rethink and have the courage to change the way we do business under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. Africa regional mechanisms need to take the lead when it comes to peace and security initiatives on the continent. The African Group looks forward to working with the wider membership on the PBC review And then on the resolution on United Nations and AU cooperation. Fourth, climate resilience and environmental action. Africa is one of the continents most affected by climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, only 3.8% of greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of droughts, floods, and desertification is devastating communities, threatening food security, and forcing millions of people to relocate. The African Group welcomes the launch of the African Carbon Markets Initiative and the global commitment to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund. We reiterate the importance of fair and predictable climate financing with a more equitable distribution of adaptation and mitigation funds. The African Group calls on developed countries to honor their promises to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate financing, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in the global green transition. To conclude, Mr. President, the Africa Group reaffirms its commitment to the principles of multilateralism, the UN Charter, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The African Group reiterates its support to the full and effective implementation of the Pact of the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. It is a historic agreement that bestows important responsibilities to the United Nations and seeks to address many of the pressing challenges that the Secretary-General outlined in his report this morning, including reform of the UN system, emerging threats, climate action, youth engagement, digital cooperation, and, of course, Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the challenges we face today can be and should be transformed into opportunities for a more prosperous and inclusive future. Together, we can build a resilient, sustainable, and peaceful Africa— an Africa that fully and meaningfully contributes to global progress and prosperity. I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [45:00]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Djibouti. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland.


Poland [45:10]:

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, at the outset I would like to thank you, Mr. Secretary-General, for presenting the annual report on the work of the Organization and outlining our priorities for 2025. The report shows that, and you encouraged us also today, that despite ongoing challenges and difficulties, progress is possible, and the work of the UN system and the UN staff around the world can deliver on their mandates. Excellencies, we continue to witness the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the numerous conflicts in various regions of the world, accompanied by the blatant violation and disregard for the UN Charter, international law and humanitarian law. Just to mention Russia's ongoing illegal aggression against Ukraine and its global consequences, and the conflict in the Middle East, with the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. As in 2025 we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the UN and the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is all the more important to focus our collective efforts on strengthening multilateralism and achieving progress across all 3 interconnected pillars of the UN: peace and security, sustainable development, and respect for human rights for all. In this regard, Poland welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future in September last year. The Pact recognizes that the multilateral system and its institutions, with the United Nations and its Charter at the center, should be strengthened to keep pace with a changing world, for the benefit of the present and future generations. Poland will stay committed to the implementation of the Pact and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for Future Generations, and we will be actively engaged in the follow-up process. Mr. President, Excellencies, in the first half of 2025, Poland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which we have taken over in difficult times of uncertainty and concern. We are all the more committed to working with partners from all regions and civil society, and we remain engaged in the most important UN processes, with particular focus on the following issues. First, increased activity in the socio-economic pillar of the UN, in recognition of the growing need to ensure economic and social stability, development and resilience of states and societies, as was also mentioned in the African Union speech. In 2025, our engagement in this area will be visible predominantly in the ECOSOC, of which we are currently Vice President, and ECOSOC-related processes. To name a few, Poland is chairing, me myself, the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development, the last one before the Second World Social Summit for Social Development. We also remain active in the preparation for the 4th Conference on Financing for Development as a member of the Bureau and are committed to tangible, ambitious and realistic outcomes. In these processes, we would like to emphasize the role of resilience in all its dimensions— economic, social and infrastructural— but also resilience of public institutions or resilience disasters. Building resilience is also a recurring theme of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union. Second, Poland will also remain committed in the promotion and protection of human rights. We will continue our advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities, as the Vice President of the 18th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Poland will advance gender equality, underscoring the content of the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations in 1985 of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Thirdly, as a committed member of the Peacebuilding Commission, we recognize peacebuilding as a cornerstone for a peaceful and prosperous future. This crucial role has been prioritized in the New Agenda for Peace and the Pact for the Future, underscoring the essential contribution of peacebuilding to sustainable development, global stability, conflict prevention, and promotion of inclusive society. Poland will continue to actively contribute to strengthening the international peacebuilding architecture through constructive engagement in the upcoming 2025 review, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose and addresses actively the complex challenges of the world today. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [49:16]:

Thank the distinguished representative of Poland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Croatia.


Croatia [49:28]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for presenting his report and highlighting his priorities for 2025. Croatia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union, and I would like to add some remarks in our national capacity. The world today is at a crossroads and demands our action. The report of the Secretary-General reflects this. On one hand, only 17% of Sustainable Development Goal targets are currently on track, and on the other hand, both at the 2023 SDG Summit and at the Summit of the Future last year, member states and all other stakeholders pledged their support to achieve SDGs. According to the 2024 SDG report, Croatia ranks 8th in the implementation of the SDGs. We are ready to share our experience and best practices with and assist other countries in their implementation, which is one of the reasons why Croatia decided to put forward its candidature for ECOSOC for the period of 2026-2028. In the area of peace and security, despite the largest number of conflicts since World War II, many encouraging outcomes still happened last year. In this respect, we commend the Secretary-General for his new Agenda for Peace that positively influenced the Pact for the Future, putting emphasis on prevention and multidimensional aspects of conflicts which demand different approaches. Croatia, as the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2023 and Vice Chair in 2024, continuously supported focus on prevention, including through national prevention strategies which PBC could periodically peer-review and for which the UN system can provide support. PBC could also engage in operational prevention through light-footprint missions to facilitate transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding or to prevent lapse or relapse into conflict, and PBC could oversee them in cooperation with the Security Council. The 2025 Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture is an opportunity to strengthen these aspects, and Croatia will actively participate, also in view of its candidature in the General Assembly for the PBC for the period of 2026-2027. We must also continue to strengthen the synergies between humanitarian, development, and peace efforts to ensure long-term stability and development through addressing root causes and building resilience. At last year's Vice As last year's Vice President of ECOSOC in charge of the Humanitarian Affairs Segment, we made it a priority to showcase how these synergies can benefit people on the ground. This leads me to my next point, which concerns the protection of civilians. Despite the international community's continued commitment to protect civilians from human rights violations and atrocity crimes, today we bear witness to a continuing and pervasive degradation of respect for civilian lives. And an appalling disregard for the norms and laws that the international community established to alleviate the effects of armed conflict. Croatia has continuously supported the concept of Responsibility to Protect, including in our previous role as co-chair of the Group of Friends of R2P, as it continues to be the most effective principle around which the international community can coalesce. In the year when we are marking the 20th anniversary of the initiative, We should strive to utilize the concept of R2P in a better way and in a much more effective way. In this regard, we hope that peacebuilding and sustaining peace, prevention and protection of civilians will continue to be at the center of the peace and security agenda and one of the SG's priorities. We also encourage the entire UN system to implement actions from the Pact for the Future as the latest and most encompassing multilateral agreement to safeguard our future and that of the coming generations. Thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [53:34]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Croatia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [53:45]:

Thank you, President. Let me start by thanking the Secretary-General for your report and your continued leadership, and that the work of UN staff around the world. Effective multilateralism remains the key to effective global leadership, to peace and development. But around the world, we see conflict exacting a terrible toll in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Sudan and beyond. We see rights being rolled back climate changing and development stalling. But as my Prime Minister said in this Hall in September, we should not accept this slide into greater conflict, instability and injustice. And we will do all we can to work together for peace, human rights and development. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the UN, with the world in turmoil, we must come together and deliver. For the UK, there are 3 core elements to this. First, we recognize the opportunity this year presents to turbocharge practical and tangible action as we mark other significant milestones, including the UN Ocean Conference, the 30th Climate COP, a decade since the Paris Agreement, and the Social Development Summit. At the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, We want to work in genuine partnership to unlock the finance, reforms, and impact needed to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. 2025 is also a critical year for advancing women's rights, as we mark Beijing+30 and the 25th anniversary of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, we reaffirm the need for women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in peace processes and decision-making. Second, We take our responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council seriously. We will continue to work hard to ensure that the Council delivers on this crucial mandate. This includes efforts to secure lasting peace for the people of the Middle East, towards an inclusive political transition in Syria, An enduring ceasefire and political stability in Lebanon, and of course, bringing to an end the awful conflict in Gaza, returning the hostages home, injecting aid, and delivering a two-state solution. Finally, we must also turn our attention to the UN's potential. For the decades ahead and ensure the organization is fit for the future. We need to make the system more representative and more responsive to those who need it most. When we come together and when there is political will for change, we can make a difference. Adopting the Pact for the Future by consensus at the Summit of the Future last year was a prime example of this. Now we must implement the commitments we made in the Pact and its annexes. We renew our commitment to General Assembly revitalization and to Security Council reform to ensure that these bodies can continue to deliver on their mandates as outlined in the UN Charter. Mr. President, 2025 should be a year of progress and reform. It is in this spirit that we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to work with all UN members in the service of the rule of law, cooperation, and peace.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [58:40]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam.


Viet Nam [58:56]:

Mr. President, Mr.

Secretary-General, I thank the Secretary-General for sharing your priorities for 2025. My delegation shares many of your assessments on the state of the world.

This year marks a significant milestone for the UN, celebrating 80 years as the world's most important and largest international organization. This is an opportunity to take stock of its achievements and, more importantly, to empower the UN to tackle the challenges of the future. Vietnam welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future and is strongly committed to the Pact, and we will continue to participate actively in all processes that promote its effective implementation. We believe that the realization of the Pact is crucial to ensuring a better sustainable future for all. Maintenance of peace and security remains a top priority for the UN and its members. It is a fundamental prerequisite for addressing other global challenges. Member States must uphold and adhere to international law and the UN Charter, especially refrain from the use of force, and settle disputes by peaceful means. We continue to support the Secretary-General's initiatives and good offices in this regard. On SDGs, we commend the SG's leadership and initiatives to turbocharge the SDG implementation and climate finance, especially the SDG stimulus package, and look forward to its operationalization. For Vietnam, 2025 will also mark the 80th anniversary of our independence, As a responsible and reliable partner of the UN, you can rest assured that Vietnam has and will continue to make positive contributions to strengthening the UN to meet emerging challenges.

I thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:01:08]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Vietnam. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.


South Africa [1:01:19]:

Thank you, Mr. President. We express our appreciation for the convening of the meetings to consider both the report of the SG on the work of the organization and his priorities for the resumed session of the 79th session of the GA. We fully identify with the priorities the SG outlined this morning and assure him of our support. Mr. President, South Africa remains deeply concerned by the challenging context of delivery of this briefing. The credibility of the UN and the system of international law, including humanitarian law, is being tested. As member states of the United Nations, we have pledged an oath in expressing our determination to save succeeding generations from the edge of war. Now more than ever, we need to hold to that determination as we watch a possible genocide unfold in Gaza, conflicts in Sudan, in Ukraine, an ongoing crisis in Africa, as well as potential regional conflagration in the Middle East persist. Despite these challenges, we wish to commend the work of the Secretary- General, as well as all the UN staff, for continuing their tireless work, which has sadly come at a painful cost. We also wish to thank you, SG, for shouldering the burden and absorbing the blows unfairly meted out to you and the organization, for remaining resolute and principled in your approach to protecting civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly, as well as ending conflict and violence. We assure you of our full support in the use of your good offices to assist in addressing broad challenges such as climate change, getting Sustainable Development Goals back on track, implementing the Pact for the Future, and reversing the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose at an existential level. From the SG's report, we recognize the progress made in 2023 regarding the partnerships with UN and coordination of the humanitarian response plans and delivery of life-saving assistance and protection to nearly 160 million people who needed it urgently. We also welcome the efforts to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the SDGs and welcome the convening of several key environmental initiatives highlighted in the report. The UN's work on advancing fundamental human rights as well as gender equality remains a bulwark in defending the humanity of people across the globe. Mr. President, for the resumed session of UNGA 79, we encourage the to strengthen efforts towards implementing the Pact of the Future. The Pact, as a product of a successful Summit of the Future in September 2024, is a testament that in spite of the forces that drive us apart, the multilateral system with the UN at its core can still deliver for the betterment of humanity. We must also bear in mind the urgency of reforming the UN system to make it more effective. At the core of this is the reform of the UN Security Council and the strengthening of the role and authority and effectiveness of the General Assembly through the GA revitalization process. The Pact has recognized the historical injustice done to the African continent by its exclusion from permanent representation on the Council, and South Africa sees it as imperative that we move towards— forward to reform the Council based on text-based negotiations as a matter of utmost urgency. Mr. President, we have seen how the General Assembly has had to play a more crucial role in addressing peace and security concerns, and while South Africa supports the stronger role of this principal organ of the UN, we must not let this strengthened role of the GA detract from the need for the Security Council to fulfill its mandate on the maintenance of international peace and security. In fact, we have seen how the Council can appear more of a hindrance to peace and security when it denies all attempts at calling for ceasefires, especially when the people of Gaza face an existential threat. As co-chair of the ad hoc committee on GA revitalization, South Africa, working with Romania, is committed to delivering an ambitious resolution this year, including on key matters related to the role of the GA on peace and security, as well as the selection and appointment of the, of the SG and executive heads. Mr. President, we remain hopeful that the multilateral system will deliver through the centrality of the UN as multilateralism remains the only effective path towards addressing the myriad challenges posed at a global level. We look forward to working with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, his team, and all Member States in our ongoing efforts to create a peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous life for all in this resumed session. and moving forward. I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:07:03]:

I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal.


Portugal [1:07:14]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Secretary-General, Portugal aligns itself with every point of the statements delivered by the European Union and the Community of Portuguese speaking countries, and congratulate you on presenting your priorities for 2025. We fully recognize the importance of the UN's work under your leadership in addressing world turmoil and the interconnected crises and conflicts of our time, which demand more than ever strong and coordinated multilateral responses. Mr. Secretary-General, you can count with Portugal's support. We would like to highlight 5 essential points to advance the priorities that you have outlined. First, the preparatory process for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, co-chaired by Portugal and Burundi, represents a critical opportunity to mobilize financial resources and advance the reform of the international financial architecture. It is crucial to address indebtedness, promote fair taxation, and channel resources towards the SDGs. We reiterate the need to resolve the UN's liquidity crisis by ensuring adequate and predictable funding, with all Member States fulfilling their financial obligations in full and on time. Second, the review of the peacebuilding architecture and of UN peace operations presents an opportunity to adapt our tools to emerging challenges. We support strengthening collaboration with regional and sub-regional organizations and diversifying peace operation models as proposed in the New Agenda for Peace. We encourage adherence to international law, respect for Article 27 of the Charter and full implementation of the veto initiative in the General Assembly, to enhance accountability and transparency in the use of the veto in the Security Council. Third, human rights must remain central to the UN's activities. The global rollback in gender equality indicators and the protection of human rights is alarming. Of women's rights is alarming. We support commitments to reverse these trends and preserve civic space, ensuring that human, economic, social, and cultural rights are treated equally. Fourth, the SDGs remain the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development. We welcome the World Social Summit in 2025 with its focus on social cohesion, gender equality, education, decent work, and human rights in general. Additionally, the UN should play a role on digital and AI. Full implementation of the Global Digital Compact is essential. The technological transition and artificial intelligence must respect human rights, promote equality, and bridge the digital divide, ensuring affordable and inclusive connectivity for all. Fifth, the Third Ocean Conference in Nice will reaffirm our commitment to ocean protection and combating climate change. It offers an opportunity to propose concrete actions that build on the conclusions of previous conferences, including the 2nd conference held in Portugal. We also underscore the importance of cooperation to address sea level rise, which disproportionately affects SIDS, LDC, and coastal communities. We highlight the role of the International Law Commission in understanding this phenomenon and the need for collective action to strengthen the adaptation and resilience capacities of the most affected countries. While mitigating climate change. Mr. Secretary-General, the UN's 80th anniversary will be an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the founding values of the Charter. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Portugal's accession to the Organization, we will continue working to implement the Pact of the Future that represents a roadmap for the UN system. Promoting multilateralism, solidarity, and a more just and sustainable future. May the coming hours bring a much-needed ceasefire in Gaza and inspire steps towards a sustainable peace in the region. Portugal remains committed to seeking global solutions and promoting a more effective, transparent, and representative multilateral system. I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:12:12]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland.


Switzerland [1:12:23]:

Mr. President, President, we thank the Secretary-General for presenting his priorities for 2025. First and foremost, we pay tribute to the United Nations staff Whose dedication and courage, often exercised under extremely difficult conditions and at the risk of their lives, embody the core values of peace, justice, and solidarity. Switzerland supports and shares their commitment to providing vital assistance to millions, defending human rights, and working towards a sustainable future. Any violence against them is unacceptable, as underscored by the adoption of Resolution 2730 last year, which we introduced. The risk we face this year is clear. We cannot afford a world where the strongest, be they states, corporations, or individuals, do as they please, while the weakest are condemned to endure. The year ahead will test the multilateral system. States like Switzerland, which depend on its proper functioning, must defend it. Over the past 2 years, Switzerland has served on the Security Council, where it has been firmly committed to upholding international law and international humanitarian law. However, the unprecedented scale and intensity of conflicts raging at the start of this year remind us that we must and we can make progress in the spirit of the New Agenda for Peace. First, the review of the peace architecture planned for 2025 will be a decisive step, and it offers a unique opportunity to strengthen conflict prevention and improve the cooperation of UN bodies such as the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council, and the Human Rights Council. The essential factor for lasting peace is its inclusivity. During its term on the Council, Switzerland strengthened the Women, Peace and Security agenda through concrete initiatives, amplifying their voices through meetings both in New York and on the ground, for example in Colombia. We remain committed to maintaining this momentum and driving this critical agenda forward into the future. Secondly, the UN must keep pace with scientific and technological advances. As highlighted in a presidential statement, the Security Council will need to take better account of these advances, and we will continue to promote their responsible and ethical use, as affirmed in the Pact for the Future. Finally, the Pact for the Future has set out the lines of action for all member states. We need to strengthen the coherence and effectiveness of the whole system. including operational development activities. In a world facing increasing challenges, we express our support for an active and committed Secretary-General capable of turning this vision into reality. You can count on our full support, both for the Pact for the Future and for the future of the Pact. Thank you very much.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:15:37]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.


Singapore [1:15:47]:

Thank you very much, Mr. President, for convening this very important meeting. I'd like to start by thanking the Secretary-General for his steadfast leadership and for his remarks this morning outlining his priorities. I welcome very much both the tone and substance of the Secretary-General's remarks. I endorse and welcome the key priorities and challenges that the Secretary-General has identified. I also welcome his message of hope, a message of hope that I believe is very well founded on realism, activism, and pragmatism. Mr. President, It is fashionable to be critical of the United Nations and also fashionable to be skeptical about the future of multilateralism. However, we should not allow a narrative of negativity to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In a context of turmoil and turbulence, the role of the United Nations has become even more critical. Multilateralism is indispensable to resolving the many global challenges we face today. And as the Secretary-General said earlier this morning, global problems require global solutions, and these solutions must be based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, we as Member States have a responsibility to work together to strengthen the United Nations and to make it future-proof. Indeed, I believe there is a window of opportunity for all of us to make concrete progress And the glimmers of hope for peace in different parts of the world in recent days gives us further hope. I'd like to make 3 points. First, it is important that we return to the foundational purposes and principles of the UN, and in this regard, it is particularly important to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and in peacebuilding. For many small states, a multilateral rules-based system founded on the Charter and on international law is the very foundation for our existence and survival. In this regard, all the organs of the United Nations must play their rightful role, and that means the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and also, of course, the Secretary-General himself. Secondly, the Pact of the Future was one of the most significant and seminal decisions adopted by the United Nations. The Pact and its annexes offer a clear pathway for progress To make the United Nations relevant and resilient for all our nations and our people, we should move full steam ahead in the implementation of the Pact of the Future. In this regard, we should keep in mind that as we implement the Pact of the Future, we are in essence implementing all the Sustainable Development Goals. And at the same time making the United Nations ready and relevant for the future. My third point relates to the series of conferences that will take place this year, including the Financing for Development Conference, the UN Oceans Conference, the World Social Summit, and a few other very important conferences. And these conferences offer an opportunity to make concrete progress and rebuild trust. We must seize the opportunity to make progress offered by these various conferences, and we need to take a pragmatic approach and avoid an all-or-nothing approach. We are confident that we can make progress with the requisite political will and a spirit of flexibility and partnership. Mr. President, let me conclude by saying that as a small state, Singapore is deeply committed to the success of the United Nations and the continued success and strengthening of the multilateral system. We stand ready to work closely with all Member States, and we also take this opportunity to express our full support to the Secretary-General and his team. We thank him for his dedicated leadership. Mr. Secretary-General, we know that you carry the burden of all our hopes and expectations, but we do want you to know that you do not stand alone. You have our full support. I thank you very much for your attention.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:21:18]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.


Morocco [1:21:30]:

Thank you, President. Secretary-General, on behalf of the Kingdom of Morocco, I am pleased to express to you our warmest congratulations on the exhaustive, substantive, and programmatic presentation that you made to us this morning. I would also like to express how much we welcome your vision Which was very brave, lucid, and realistic regarding 2025, particularly following 2024, which was a very difficult year both for our organization and for the world. The Kingdom of Morocco would like to express its gratitude for your tireless efforts and courage that you've shown since the first day of the conflict in Gaza. You were an unshakable and strong voice of the international community towards a ceasefire, protecting civilians, freeing hostages and those detained, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza. And you encouraged constructive dialogue towards a two-state solution to establish lasting peace in the Middle East. Allow me, in the time that I have, to share some priorities for Morocco. Firstly, the Kingdom of Morocco would like to reiterate its commitment to strengthened multilateralism with the UN at its heart. We support your efforts for reform of the organization to make it more effective, more inclusive, more representative, representative of the current realities of the 21st century. 2, the implementation of the Pact for the Future and its annexes. This is an essential priority for the entire international community. This ambitious framework must guide our common actions to address global challenges and to build a sustainable, equitable future for all. Its implementation is a collective responsibility, a collective responsibility of member states, but also of the entire UN ecosystem, so that we don't let anyone down, particularly future generations. Thirdly, the Second World Social Development Summit is a key event of 2025, 30 years after the Copenhagen Summit. This will be a historic event, which will provide structure to renew our commitments to social development in all its dimensions. Morocco has the honor to co-facilitate the intergovernmental process to prepare for the Social Summit. It is determined to hold the upcoming intergovernmental consultations transparently and inclusively to achieve a consensus-based political declaration at the summit. Morocco hopes that the optimism that you shared with us, Secretary-General, this morning on the ceasefire in Gaza and your hopes for peace in the Middle East, we hope that these will come to life from the 6th session of the UN Conference of the Creation of a Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone in the Middle East, which Morocco also has the honour to chair this year. There's no doubt that this conference will also inevitably benefit from all prospects of peace in this region, to strengthen security and stability in the region as a cornerstone for the prevention of nuclear proliferation, for promoting peaceful coexistence between states too. 5, 2025 will be the 20th anniversary of the GA's adoption of its commitment to the responsibility to protect. Here I wish to quote you, Mr. Secretary-General, in your 2024 report, and I quote, an opportunity to take stock of what's been done so far and to identify lessons learned, good practices, and to recommend paths to be taken to produce tangible results in prevention of atrocities and the protection of people in the ground, end of quote. In this connection, Morocco, as co-chair of the Group of Friends, will work with Madame Mablika, your special advisor on the Responsibility to Protect, to include this commemoration in the spirit that you've just shared with us this morning. Particularly during the regional meeting on— for Africa on R2P that Morocco will be hosting to prepare for this commemoration. 6th, Morocco insists on the importance of promoting a culture of peace and to fight against hate speech. These efforts are crucial to prevent conflicts, strengthen social cohesion, and also to promote coexistence with inclusive societies. As my 7th point, I'd like to reiterate Morocco's appeal as a middle-income country and our appeal to the UN development system to establish a UN strategy, interagency strategy, to strengthen targeted support for middle-income countries following the mapping exercise that you kindly carried out online with the commitments from the Rabat Declaration from middle-income countries and with a view to the upcoming conference in April on middle-income countries. In conclusion, rest assured you have our constant support to ensure that your recommendations are successful. Thank you very much.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:27:27]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.


Senegal [1:27:38]:

Thank you, President. President, my delegation first wishes to align itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group and the G77+China, respectively. My delegation takes note of the priorities of the Secretary-General for 2025. Senegal also wishes to express its gratitude for its commitment to multilateralism and thanks him for his vision and dynamism. We also renew our availability to accompany him in the full implementation of his objectives— the end of injustice and the eradication of poverty. My country also hails the effective contributions of Ms. Amina Mohammed, USG. In a context where multilateralism is questioned and where violations of international law are flagrant, Senegal wishes to highlight the need to progress on the following points. Firstly, strengthening the role of the United Nations and the multilateral system in the area of peace and security. Security, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights. Effective and renewed multilateralism with a human face is urgent. Secondly, continuing the reform of global economic financial governance with a view to strengthening the current system. Inclusiveness, representedness, and solidarity are the cardinal values that we must promote. Thirdly, respect for commitments under climate financing, financing for development, and the fight against inequality. Fourth, kind attention to Africa by support for African initiatives conducted regionally in order to overcome security and political challenges and to achieve our development goals. In addition, my delegation wishes to reaffirm here our tireless support for the Palestinian cause and formulate our hope that the tragedy in Gaza be addressed in its 3 dimensions— military, humanitarian, and political. Finally, my country reaffirms its conviction that without Without true solidarity, without reinvigorated multilateralism and solidarity, and without a real commitment, achievement of the 2030 Agenda will continue to be difficult. The Pact for the Future invites us to be positive, and this is why we urgently must implement its recommendations. I thank you, President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:30:38]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guyana.


Guyana [1:30:48]:

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank you, Secretary-General, for your comprehensive report, which provides a sobering reminder of the global challenges, but also what is possible. Guyana recognizes the pivotal role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges, including the promotion of sustainable development, the maintenance of international peace and security, and the protection of human rights. Regrettably, on all these fronts, there are tremendous setbacks and in some cases regression. Hunger and poverty have deepened. Conflicts continue to proliferate. International law and international humanitarian law violations continue with impunity. With women and children bearing the brunt, and climate change continues unabated with devastating impacts. Guyana therefore applauds the achievements of the Organization and pays tribute, tribute to you, Secretary-General, and the staff who continue to serve in these challenging circumstances, including in Gaza, where a historic number of them were killed while serving.

humanity.

Mr. President, Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, and we continue to intensify our efforts to achieve the goals. However, to make real global progress and reverse the downward spiral, we, all the member states of the United Nations, must uphold the UN Charter, including the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. We must increase our efforts to end conflicts and address the ballooning humanitarian crises. There must be more investment in development and a recognition that development is directly linked to conflict prevention, peace, and security. The report rightly emphasizes the urgent need for strengthened multilateralism and international cooperation. The truth is multilateralism has not failed with respect to commitments, especially to developing countries. The deficit is in implementation. It is time for those commitments to be fulfilled, including development finance and climate finance. The Pact for the Future was intended to turbocharge SDG implementation, and to secure the future we want, we must ensure that it does. In closing, Guyana supports the Secretary-General's belief that we can achieve much if hope is matched with action. We therefore stand ready to work with all member states to advance the noble objectives of the United Nations for a better world. And Mr. Secretary-General, you have our full support.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:33:44]:

I thank the Distinguished Representative of Guyana. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.


Malaysia [1:33:55]:

President, Malaysia would like to thank the Secretary-General for presenting his priorities for 2025. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and would like to add the following statement in our national capacity. Malaysia commends the Secretary-General's pivotal role in leading the United Nations by coordinating its efforts to address global challenges ranging from peace and security issues to those of Sustainable Development Goals and human rights. The Secretary-General's leadership is instrumental in fostering global cooperation and propelling multilateral collaborations, enabling the international community to respond to crises and work towards peace, justice, and prosperity for all. President, the Secretary-General's presentation outlines the United Nations' priorities in the face of global challenges. As he highlighted, the world is facing unprecedented challenges, including escalating conflicts, climate emergencies, and growing inequalities. Generally, the United Nations has responded well despite a severe funding shortfall. However, we observe with great concern how cherished multilateral principles, including those enshrined in the UN Charter and international human rights laws, are being disregarded. In Gaza, civilians, including women and children, humanitarian workers, and aid convoys as well as civilian infrastructure, are being deliberately targeted. These actions undermine and challenge multilateralism and the United Nations, and are detrimental to the rules-based international order. President, multilateralism, especially the UN-led processes, has achieved much by bringing countries together to discuss and solve many global challenges. Yet the system is repeatedly being undermined by certain member states. As a result, certain questions almost as old as the United Nations itself tragically remain unresolved. One of the most glaring examples is the question of Palestine, which the Secretary-General has also raised. The continued occupation of Palestine sadly continues to be symbolic of a longstanding and stark failure of the United Nations. President, Malaysia continues to hold the view that the United Nations and its agencies, under the leadership of the Secretary-General, have a crucial role in the maintenance of global peace and security, as well as safeguarding the well-being of people worldwide. Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering support for the United Nations. And the Security General, in line with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. As the Chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia aims to work closely with the international community, the Secretary-General, and the United Nations to address global challenges, promote peace and stability, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind in our collective pursuit of a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:37:21]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tajikistan.


Tajikistan [1:37:32]:

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General. Thank you for your comprehensive briefing highlighting the organization's priorities. We also thank you for your leadership and vision during these challenging times. In the interest of time, I will go straight to my question, Mr. President. The first: as the UN embarks on implementing the Pact for the Future, what specific challenges do you foresee, Mr. Secretary-General, in translating its commitments into actionable outcomes, particularly in fostering trust among Member States and ensuring equitable participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes. Second, with just 5 years to go until the end of the 2030 Agenda, the world is not on track to achieve water-related goals and targets at the current pace. Swift and purposeful action is needed to change course and accelerate progress on SDG 6. With the appointment of the Special Envoy on Water and the UN system-wide strategy for water and sanitation, how will these 2 significant steps alongside the upcoming UN Water Conferences in 2026 and 2028, in your view, help the member states to elevate the role of water and place it at the center of all our actions? Third, per Resolution 77/158, We will celebrate and launch World Glaciers Day in New York on March 21st, 2025, by organizing a high-level event. From May 29th to 31st, Tajikistan will host the International Glaciers Preservation Conference. Mr. Secretary-General, how do you, as a champion for climate action, envision leveraging these events including COP30, to catalyze global momentum and concrete commitments for glaciers' preservation and broader climate resilience efforts. I thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:39:44]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Tajikistan. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Ecuador.


Ecuador [1:39:56]:

Thank you, President. I thank Secretary-General Guterres for his very full presentation of his priorities for this year, a year that is full of symbolism as it is the 80th year which we will be commemorating the creation of this United Nations organization, as a number of colleagues have pointed out. So at the beginning of 2023, in a session analogous to the one that we are holding now, Secretary-General Guterres reminded us of the Doomsday Clock and our increasing proximity to midnight and the destruction that this brings as a result of the confluence of multifaceted and multidimensional crises that we have not been able to overcome as humanity as a whole. I agree with the Secretary-General in his diagnosis today and over the course of these years, explicitly or implicitly, has reminded us that this clock that was thought up by scientists including Einstein is— should sound as an alert of the possibility of humanity's risk of self-destruction, it should also serve as an alarm bell to help us set in motion the wheels that are necessary to fully and immediately address the crises of security, the environment, development, economy, and many others so we can address the issues of global governance and reform of the systems as well. I'd also like to agree that this 80th year of the United Nations should be an opportunity to go back to the principles and purposes of the Charter and recall that our organization has provided great benefits to humanity and that if we are able to bring it in line with the reality of the world today, it continues to be a beacon of hope for multilateralism, which is the only legitimate way to counter the lawlessness and chaos that produce geopolitical divisions all over the world and open this Pandora's box if we do not take the necessary corrective action. And this is why I would like to maintain the spirit of hope of the Secretary-General and strengthen this link with peace, human rights, and development, recognizing that as you presented the priorities, we also have tools that can help us bring— come back to the path to Agenda 2030 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals based on the Pact for the Future and associated instruments, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. We all have a responsibility to build global solutions for global problems and to restore trust and solidarity. Ecuador will continue to support your role at the helm, Secretary-General, and will continue to live up to our responsibility. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:43:14]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Ecuador. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Japan.


Japan [1:43:24]:

Mr. President, let me first express our appreciation to you for organizing, organizing this meeting, and Mr. Secretary-General for sharing his priorities in 2025. I would like to join the Secretary-General in wishing for peace for all, and moreover, to join his commitment in acting for peace.

Thank you.

2 weeks ago, Japan completed its 2-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, and we renewed our strong determination to contribute to international peace and security even as we see crises in the conflicts in Northeast Asia, the Middle East, Ukraine, Africa, and elsewhere where the United Nations take a critical role, particularly in this year of the 80th anniversary of its founding. We must find ways to address these crises through strengthening the functions of the UN and protecting the fundamental principles of multilateralism, including respect for human dignity and rule of law. Mr. President, the Pact for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations are very meaningful leaders' level achievements on the goals that the United Nations should pursue towards a better future. This includes commitments on sustainable development, financing, science, technology, and innovation, as well as recommendations for reforming global governance, in particular referring to a need for urgent reform of the Security Council. Building on this significant momentum, we are determined to work even harder to realize a Security Council that better reflects the current global situation. The same is true for our commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030. Japan will work to accelerate its efforts through the human security approach. This year, the 80th anniversary of founding of the UN coincides with the 80th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan has a historic mission to lead international efforts to realize a world without nuclear weapons. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering resolve to promote nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, and to make realistic and practical efforts to this end, especially through maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime. Mr. President, it entirely hinges on each member state whether the U.N. can regain is trusted or not, and each of us should thoroughly think how to rebuild our own UN in a more effective and meaningful manner. Japan will spare no effort to engage ourselves constructively to contribute to furthering these discussions. I thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:46:43]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Kenya.


Kenya [1:46:55]:

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Kenya aligns itself with the statements delivered by the representatives of Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Djibouti on behalf of the African Group. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive outline of his priorities. Kenya supports his steadfast leadership and vision. I will now underscore 6 points. First, Kenya recognizes the urgency of reforming the international financial architecture. We reiterate our strong support for changes in the global economic governance and financial safety nets. We will continue to advocate for debt relief, a fairer international tax cooperation and innovative financing mechanisms. Second, as a member of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, Kenya will support the Secretary-General's efforts for a reform of the multilateral development banks and addressing sovereign debt distress. Kenya will continue to actively engage in the work of the open-ended Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee towards a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. Third, the call for a fairer fight against climate change must be sustained. The Africa Climate Summit, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2023, resulted in the operationalization of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, an initiative that represents a unique pathway to mitigate climate change, enhance energy access, and create green jobs. Fourth, as a leading country in regional peace efforts, Kenya strongly supports the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace. We urge and support a stronger use We are grateful for the good offices of the Secretary-General and will continue to engage actively in the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission, especially as we prepare for the forthcoming Peacebuilding Architecture Review. Fifth, the urgency of enhanced collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union cannot be gainsaid, especially because African countries continue to face structural and economic challenges that impede development. We welcome your efforts to deepen this collaboration. Finally, Mr. President, Kenya supports the vision of fostering people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies. We look forward to the World Summit on the Information Society WSIS+20 review later this year. We also support the Secretary-General's emphasis on the strengthening of the UN Resident Coordinator System. Kenya has benefited immensely from the integration and coherence provided by the UN country teams in mobilizing resources, strengthening disaster preparedness and building resilience. In conclusion, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Secretary-General's priorities and working collaboratively with all partners to achieve our shared objectives for a more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable world. I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:50:45]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Kenya. Please, before giving the floor to the next speaker, I appeal to you, reduce your time of speaking to 1 minute only because we must stop, we must come to an end. Please respect the speakers after you, 1 minute, not more, so that we can hear everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lesotho.


Lesotho [1:51:18]:

Mr. President, the Kingdom of Lesotho joins others in welcoming the Secretary-General's trenchant report on the work of the organization and his priorities for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. My delegation further commends the SG for his sterling work in the past year despite the unending geopolitical tensions and conflicts which continuously divert the United Nations' attention from the sustainable development trajectory to humanitarian and conflict interventions. With regard to the report, we hail and support the SG's efforts of continuously advocating for the reform of the international financial architecture to address the financial needs of developing countries, in particular the need to address the conditions of borrowing which are not favorable to undeveloped countries, as well as the need for representation at decision-making levels of these institutions. We regret to note from the report that progress on the implementation of SDGs and fight against climate change has been stalled by lack of sufficient financial support. In this regard, we wish to emphasize the importance of the forthcoming FFD4 Summit in June. Our hope is that Member States will take full advantage of this conference to agree on a set of actions needed to address financing challenges to accelerate actions to implement the 2030 Agenda. While we appreciate commitments made on the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs, we remain concerned that 2 years since its adoption, the report notes little progress in implementation commitments on the— of the commitments made. On the same token, as we begin the implementation phase of the new Programme of Action for LLDCs, we call on the SG's Office to ensure that the Resident Coordinators and Country Teams work together with National Focal Points in ensuring that these blueprint programmes of action are implemented at country levels. Mr. President, since the UN Charter places the responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security security solely in the hands of the Security Council, this body must discharge its functions with utmost firmness. In this regard, we advocate for greater attention to be on peacemaking and preventive diplomacy, as the cost of war is insurmountable. Lesotho recognizes that the UN has seen significant progress in promoting justice and international law in recent years, which is foundational to the UN Charter. However, ongoing efforts and a call for continued cooperation are still pivotal in upholding these important principles on the global stage. Thus, we firmly support the priorities with respect to strengthening accountability mechanisms, promoting peaceful dispute resolutions, environmental justice and sustainability, consolidating legal norms and global governance, and of course implementing the Pact for the Future and its annexes. I will stop here because of the time, Chairperson. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:54:15]:

Thank you very much, Lesotho, for being sensitive. I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia.


Tunisia [1:54:29]:

Thank you, President. First of all, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to the and his wide leadership of the work of the UN. Rest assured, you have our full support for your priorities for 2025. This new year is a new opportunity to achieve the conclusions of the Summit of the Future and the SDGs. We hope this new year will allow us to promote the goals of our organization and do everything we can to implement the conclusions of the Summit of the Future and address different challenges. We wish to underscore the following. Firstly, international law must be respected as well as resolutions from the UN. The root causes of marginalization and vulnerability around the world must be eradicated, and the gender dimension must be promoted in national policies as well as promoting and empowering women. Also, the commitment— collective commitments to solidarity and universal values must be promoted too, and the new agenda for peace must be supported. To conclude, we support the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the inalienable and the imprescriptible right of the Palestinian peoples to create a state with Jerusalem, Quds Sharif, as its capital. Thank you very much.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:56:03]:

I thank distinguished representative of Tunisia. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Ukraine.


Ukraine [1:56:12]:

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Secretary-General, we welcome briefing on your priorities for 2025. Delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union And will make few remarks on national capacity. The effectiveness of the multilateral system hinges on our collective action to ensure that the United Nations, that is reaching its 80th anniversary, remains a strong and effective institution that upholds the principles of the UN Charter and international law in the first hand. This year will remain overburdened with global challenges and security threats, ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as the gravest violation of the principles of the UN Charter is one of them. It continues to undermine international peace and security, global food and energy systems. It is crucial to continue to make full use of Secretary-General's mandate to address the threats and challenges stemming from this flagrant violation of the UN Charter, as well as to promote the vision of comprehensive, just, and lasting peace on the basis of the UN Charter principles. In February, we approached the 3rd anniversary of Russia's full invasion of Ukraine and 11th year of its ongoing aggression against our country. Due to the Russian Federation's expansion of the war against Ukraine, security in Europe and Indo-Pacific are now directly linked. The Russian Federation is fueling its aggression by acquiring weapons, including missiles, from other states, in particular the DPRK and Iran. In addition to acquiring arms from Pyongyang in violation of multiple Security Council resolution, it has taken a step towards a serious escalation and expansion of this war by enrollment of DPRK soldiers in its war against Ukraine. This dangerous development significantly escalates the risk and consequences of the aggression, destabilizing the region and undermining global security. Accountability for all violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, has to be ensured, and it is crucial to uphold comprehensive ongoing monitoring and reporting by all UN mechanisms and mandates. In this context, the role of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is particularly important. We also count on impartial and credible monitoring and reporting of the human rights situation in Ukraine, encompassing all its temporarily occupied territories, as well as within the mandates of the UN Security Council regarding children and armed conflict and conflict-related sexual violence. To conclude, Ukraine is dedicated to work closely with you and will further support your efforts to contribute in building just peace and prosperity across the globe and to implement the Pact for the Future and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also as the candidate to the ECOSOC for 2026-2028. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [1:58:58]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Italy.


Italy [1:59:08]:

Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. President, Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union on behalf of its member states and would like to add some additional remarks in its national capacity. First of all, let me, Mr. Secretary-General, express my gratitude for your presentation of the report and for outlining your priorities for 2025. As we look towards 2025, Secretary-General, you can count on Italy's steadfast support in advancing the United Nations' work worldwide, beginning with the concrete implementation of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. At the same time, it remains crucial to uphold the UN Charter amidst ongoing conflict and instability. As Russia's illegal, unjustified aggression of Ukraine continues to impact on global security, Italy calls for a ceasefire and peace talks for a just and lasting peace. In July this year, Italy will host the International Conference for Ukraine's Reconstruction, reaffirming our shared commitment for the country's future. The multifaceted tensions in the Middle East require a greater UN role and commitment— from Gaza to Lebanon to Syria— in order to advance inclusive and sustainable solutions. Human rights shall also continue being at the core of the UN agenda. 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of the WPS Resolution and the 10th anniversary of the YPS Resolution. 2025 shall be the year of delivery for the 2030 Agenda. The forthcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville presents a unique opportunity to shape a renewed and more effective framework for financing sustainable development. Financing SDGs will eventually hinge on mobilizing and pooling together funds from all sources— domestic, international, public, and private. Italy is scaling up this approach, devoting key additional resources from different channels notably with a stronger focus on Africa. And finally, another key moment will be the UN Food Systems Summit+4, which aims to further assess global advancement in food systems transformation, reinforce political commitment, and accelerate action towards achieving SDG 2. Mr. Secretary-General, count on Italy's engagement to support you and your team in this endeavor. And I thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:01:37]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Italy. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana.


Ghana [2:01:45]:

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, allow me to express gratitude to the Secretary-General for this— for his briefing today on his priorities for 2025 and for his able leadership of the Secretariat of the United Nations. The Secretary-General's priorities for 2025 remind us of our collective responsibility ability to reform, innovate, and unite in pursuit of a better world. The challenges before us are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. Ghana firmly believes that solidarity and cooperation are the cornerstones of meaningful progress. It is only through multilateralism that we can tackle systemic issues like global inequality and climate change. Ghana stands ready to work with all member states to constructively consider the Secretary-General's vision for 2025. Together, let us seize this moment to reshape our world, create a global financial system that is just, combat climate change with urgency and fairness, and ensure that no nation or individual is left behind. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:02:45]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Ghana. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.


Cameroon [2:03:05]:

Thank you, President. I'd also like to thank the Secretary General for this morning's presentation. We are in an untenable situation because of the very nature, which is angry, and shows its anger through flooding, fires, and all sorts of disasters that we are no longer able to contain. Secondly, also because of the centrifugal forces that, thanks to human activity, we are developing, and they are creating hotspots of tension where there's war and open warfare. However, 2 things, President. We reached an agreement with a certain number of instruments which gave a source of hope. We were able to define together the future that we wanted. We also have defined the elements that this future needs in order to achieve the 17 SDGs. Together we have the will in the Paris Agreement, etc., shown this. So what's wrong then? Thank you, Mr. President. What's wrong is that for the time being there is not enough action. The implementation is not there. The political will is not there. So, we are sliding towards extremes. What we need to do now is to act together to reaffirm this political will that we need. Then we need to use the mechanisms that the UN has to be able to act in a tangible way, in a coordinated way, to implement what we've decided to do. We must particularly, above all, give the Secretary-General the means to overcome some of these obstacles and provide him with the financial means that he needs so that he isn't permanently facing a liquidity crisis. So what we need to do is to bring together all of the elements that we have identified as a springboard. Otherwise, as the Secretary-General said, we're on a one-way path to hell. Thank you very much. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:05:31]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.


Algeria [2:05:46]:

Mr. President, at the outset, I would like— at the outset, to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to you for wisely leading the work of the General Assembly. I would also like to thank His Excellency the Secretary-General for his comprehensive presentation of his priorities for 2025. In this regard, the delegation of Algeria commends the efforts by the UN to promote the objectives and purposes contained in its Charter to maintain international peace and security, achieve international cooperation and development, and make the organization the center of the work of all nations. As we are discussing the priorities of the new year, I would like to highlight the following. In relation to international peace and security, the geopolitical divisions have exacerbated conflicts, poverty, and food security, as well as insecurity and inequality. Yet we are full of hope that with your efforts we will achieve the most— more just and stable world. And here we would like to highlight the following. First, we commend the efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and put an end to the immense suffering of the Palestinian people and to put an end to the occupation consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. To establish an independent sovereign state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. In this connection, Algeria remains fully convinced in relation to the full membership of Palestine in our organization. Given the importance of the subject, Algeria being the president of the Security Council for this month, it has scheduled a high-level debate to discuss the situation in in Palestine on the 20th of the month. Second, more efforts should be made to enhance cooperation at the regional and international level to counter terrorism, in particular in Africa, to eliminate this threat and stem sources of its funding. Terrorism in Africa is the subject of an event organized by Algeria On the 21st of this month. We hope this meeting will produce outcomes and recommendations that will enable the organization to move ahead with countering terrorism. Third, the review of the peacebuilding architecture provides an opportunity to enhance the link between addressing the root causes of conflicts in relation to the lack of progress on the one hand and peace and security on the other. Fourth, coordination and action between the UN and the African Union should be promoted to ensure more strengthened cooperation to address the issues and support the African priorities in the implementation of 2030 Agenda and 2063 Agenda. And ensure the complementarity between the 2 agendas. Fifth, Security Council reform should be a priority to ensure the fair representation of the African continent and address the historic injustice it has suffered, as well as put the Iswilini Consensus and Sirte Declaration in the heart of the reform process. As to the socioeconomic and environmental aspect, we would like to highlight the following. The 4th Finance for Development Conference should produce outcomes that would help achieve the SDGs. Second, the Pact for the Future is a pillar to forge ahead with the programs and policies of sustainable development. And the Global Digital Compact should be used as a bridge to transfer the modern technology to the developing countries to develop their economies and narrow the gap between the North and South. Third, the gap between the North and South continues to be an impediment before the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in an equal manner between all states. And while the South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation are important aspects in international cooperation, they are not a substitute of the North-South cooperation, but they— it complements it. In conclusion, Mr. President, Algeria reiterates its support to actions for SDGs by cooperating with its partners to achieve the aspirations and hopes of our nations. Thank you.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:11:14]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. I will now give the floor to the last speaker. That will be the distinguished representative from Angola. You have the floor, Angola.


Angola [2:11:27]:

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, we thank the UN Secretary-General for presenting a comprehensive briefing on his priority for 2025. Angola aligns with the statement delivered by Iraq, Djibouti, and Brazil on behalf of G77, African Group, and CPLP respectively. The Secretary-General's priorities reflect the complex global scenario in which we live and reinforce the essential role of the United Nations in promoting peace, justice, human rights, and sustainable development. Angola acknowledges the progress achieved by the organization under the SEG's leadership. However, we also share the concern regarding the challenges outlined by the SEG in its priorities. It is crucial that multilateral efforts are intensified to address the challenges effectively and to ensure that no one is left behind. Mr. President, my delegation Commission also commends the Secretary-General's leadership for achieving gender balance in the senior management team. However, we encourage the same level of commitment to achieve balance in geographical representation in senior appointments at all levels of the Secretariat and in the field, including the appointment of the UN Resident Coordinators.


Speaker 63 [2:12:56]:

Thank you.


Angola [2:12:56]:

Mr. President, the Sustainable Development Goals are off track. More than 80% of the SDGs targets are at risk of not being met by 2030. With 5 years to go, we must accelerate action to fully implement the SDGs, especially in areas such as food security, health, education, and gender equality. Angola fully supports the Secretary-General's call for reforming the global financial architecture. It will allow developing countries to have fair and sustainable access to financial resources. This reform will also be essential to alleviate the debt burden of the most vulnerable countries and promoting the investment that ensures inclusive growth. Mr. President, the Security Council reform must remain a paramount priority. It should be more inclusive and more representative and address the historical injustice against Africa. In line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the SADC Declaration, the African continent still demands for 2 permanent seats and 3 additional non-permanent seat in the reformed Security Council. In addition, there is a growing consensus among member states that Africa's claims for the 2 permanent seats in the reformed Security Council should be treated as a special case. Africa cannot wait any longer. In the field of peace and security, Angola has positioned itself as an active mediator of regional conflicts. We will continue to support the UN in finding peaceful and sustainable solutions to existing conflicts, with special attention in the African continent. To conclude, as we prepare to assume the chairmanship of the African Union in February, Angola stands ready to work closely with the UN in our collective endeavor to build a fair, more inclusive, and sustainable future for all. We look forward to the PBC review and the upcoming resolution on UN-AU cooperation. We reaffirm the need to strengthen multilateralism. Only through the international cooperation and dialogue between nations, we will be able to tackle the global challenges affecting us all today. Thank you, Mr. President.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:15:31]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Angola. I now invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, to provide his observations on the interventions made by delegations.


UN · SG · Antonio Guterres [2:15:50]:

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Let me first say that I am extremely grateful because we had today very important contributions to the perspective of solution of our problems and to the most important challenges that we are facing and the way to address them. And there was a very high level of consensus in this room today and this to a certain extent represents a paradox. and I believe that we need to face this paradox. On one hand, we have geopolitical divisions that have been deepening and that are the main reason why we see a multiplication of conflicts, creating the space— as the superpowers neutralize each other— creating the space for a number of spoilers to interfere with the different conflicts around the world, making them more difficult to be addressed and to be solved. But at the same time that we have these divisions, the truth is that the UN was able, in relation to some of the crucial challenges that we face— some of them existential the UN was able to come together in, I would say, a roadmap to solve many of the dramatic problems we face with the combination of the Agenda 2030 and the Pact of the Future and the 2 documents associated with the Pact of the Future. The Agenda 2030 defining a number of very clear objectives. It is the what is needed. Of course, we all witnessed that the agenda was not being implemented with the rhythm that was necessary, and that is the link with the Pact of the Future. The Pact of the Future is related to the how, to the mechanisms that are needed to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 2030, and so we need to see these 2 documents together. And in relation to these 2 documents, there was a clear consensus that was again expressed in this session. And we will now have the opportunity to deal with the implementation of what was agreed. And I know that sometimes the implementation is the problem in the solution of many of our questions. We have that opportunity through a number of key moments where we will be discussing financing for development, the social dimension of development, where we will be discussing the rights of women and girls, where we will be discussing the oceans and their— the risks they are facing and their contribution to the global economy and the global society; when we will be discussing again climate, climate change and the way to address it effectively; when we will be discussing peacebuilding and a number of other aspects that will be the centre of a series of conferences that will take place in 2025. And what is absolutely essential is, on one hand, to make sure that we limit the impact of the geopolitical divisions in our peace and security situation. And fortunately, we are seeing beyond the spoilers that complicate problems a number of— a growing number of peacemakers, of countries that come to support the mediation efforts in order to solve conflicts, and we are seeing the first results of that mediation— what happened in Lebanon, what I hope will happen in Gaza. So we need to limit the impact of the geopolitical divisions on our peace and security dimension, and we need to avoid that these geopolitical divisions undermine the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and of the Pact of the Future and undermine the success of the different summits that we will be having in this year. And I truly believe that the consensus that was expressed in this meeting will help us bring everybody together to make sure that with all the dramatic challenges that we face when we open the Pandora's box, there are reasons to believe that the hope that stayed inside can materialize in the solution of many of the dramatic challenges that we face. Thank you very much for all of you for the excellent contribution that this meeting has represented.


GA · PGA · Filomen Yang [2:21:14]:

I thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The informal meeting of the Plenary is now concluded. The resumed 56th Plenary Meeting will be held at 3 PM in this hall. The informal meeting is adjourned.

The meeting is resumed.