General Assembly: 115th plenary meeting, 80th session

The 115th plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will begin its consideration of agenda item 125, entitled "Multilingualism," to take action on a proposal announced in the Journal of the United Nations. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Andorra to introduce draft resolution A/80/L.114.

Thank you, President. I was told there isn't a formal time limit for the presentation of a resolution, but we are nevertheless recommended not to speak for more than five minutes. Don't worry, my statement will be a lot shorter than that. Sometimes we have the impression that in this room we've been speaking rather a lot for 80 years, but we haven't made a lot of progress. Perhaps we could think about shortening our statements just to be a bit more effective and efficient. Today, Andorra has the honour to has the honor to co-facilitate the negotiations on the resolution on multilingualism, as we have done three times in the past. This year, we've had the pleasure to do so alongside the Dominican Republic. And I'd like here to express my gratitude to the ambassador of that country, as well as their delegation, for their excellent cooperation and hard work. Ultimately, only one of us was able to present the resolution before you today. This year is of particular importance for Andorra. It coincides with our launching, together with Kuwait, of the Group of Friends of Multilingualism. It is also coming at a time when Andorra has taken on, up until the end of the year, the chairmanship of the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, which also focuses on this fundamental value, that is to say, multilingualism. Resolution 79/232 on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly was our starting point for this exercise and it was a benchmark that allowed us considerably to reduce the number of paragraphs in this resolution. We went from 92 paragraphs two years ago to 41 now. That is to say we have reduced the text by more than 55%. Paragraph 21 of resolution 79/237 is crystal clear and I quote it, it strongly encourages member states to reduce the frequency extension and number of resolutions presented to the General Assembly and that is exactly what we've done. The main priority for the co-facilitators and I think for all the negotiators was to ensure that the resolution this year would have no budgetary implications and we have received confirmation from the secretariat in writing that there is no PBI. In addition to this, the resolution focuses on what we negotiators thought was the most important thing. It highlights that multilingualism is an essential value and a founding value of the organization. It focuses on the importance of the equality between the six official languages. It recognizes the efforts made by the United Nations to use non-official languages. It observes with deep concern that the current liquidity crisis is particularly affecting multilingualism. And lastly, it encourages the Secretary-General to use emerging technologies, including machine translation and AI-assisted drafting tools under appropriate human oversight and with appropriate quality control when that is necessary.

Because I would like now to focus on what truly matters. the human capital behind every word and every document. I think that all too often we forget about or overlook all those who have contributed and made it possible after arduous negotiations to reach consensus. I'm referring to Laura, Karina, Harold, Juan, Dimitri, Kalinka, Zaira, Georgia, Ash, Felipe, Masayuki, Carlos, Shinivas, Barduji, and Angela, and many others. You know who you are. But more importantly, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all members of the Secretariat who also participated in the discussion. Isabel, Anne, Hafan, Michal, Anna, Alexandra, Yvonne, Jennifer, Pascal, and Yasin. Thank you all. This is a resolution that, unlike many others, has a very tangible impact, an impact on the activities of the Secretariat and on the work of all relevant departments and offices. The insights and information shared by us, by the UN staff, were extremely valuable and indeed essential in the drafting of this resolution. One could say that throughout this process, we have learned from one another, and that consensus should be the rule, not the exception. And before I finish, I want to inform you that two years ago we were 102 co-sponsors. Please, I invite you, all of you that have not yet done so, to press the microphone button in front of you and embrace this resolution as yours, because multilingualism affects us all. Thank you very much for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Andorra We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/80/L.114. For your information, the draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

Thank you, Mr. President. I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, And in addition to the delegations listed on the L document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of L114: Albania, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uruguay. If any other countries wish to co-sponsor L114, please signify by pressing the microphone button now. I see Egypt, Suriname, Tunisia, Rwanda, Kenya, Djibouti, Ecuador, Syrian Arab Republic, Vanuatu, Guinea-Bissau, Paraguay, Poland, Georgia, Vietnam, Togo, Eswatini, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Burundi, Mexico, Ghana, Sudan, Pakistan, Colombia, Hungary, Zambia, Madagascar, North Macedonia, Tajikistan. Thank you, Mr. President. I think Central African Republic has just pressed a button. Central African Republic also. And Saint Kitts and Nevis also pressed a button. So did Guinea as additional co-sponsors, and Bahrain. I see no further. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Secretariat. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/80/L.114, entitled "Multilingualism". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/80/L/114? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 125? It is so decided. The Assembly will begin its consideration of agenda item 126, entitled cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations to take action on a proposal announced in the Journal of the United Nations. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines to introduce draft resolution A/80/L.103.

Mr. President, on behalf of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and my country, the Philippines, which serves as the chair of ASEAN this year, as well as the 86 co-sponsors, I have the honor to introduce draft resolution A/80/L.103 entitled "Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" under agenda item 126 entitled "Cooperation between the UN and regional and other organizations." Mr. President. This year marks 50 years since the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, or TAC, was signed in Bali on 24 February 1976. For five decades, TAC has provided an important foundation for peaceful relations and cooperation in Southeast Asia. Its fundamental principles are enduring. mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes, the renunciation of the threat or use of force, and effective cooperation. These principles are consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the ASEAN Charter. The continued relevance of the TAC is reflected in its evolution over the past 50 years. What began as a regional instrument among the founding members of ASEAN has developed into a framework for engagement extending well beyond Southeast Asia. Today, the treaty has 62 high contracting parties, including states from different regions and regional organizations whose members are sovereign states. This growing participation reflects the significant value of dialogue, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation in relations among all states, and not only those from within our region. Mr. President, the draft resolution before the General Assembly today commemorates this important milestone. It reaffirms the purposes and principles of the treaty, promotes greater understanding and appreciation of these principles, and recognizes TAC's enduring contributions to peace, stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia and beyond. It welcomes the growing interest of countries in acceding to the TAC and encourages more countries to become high contracting parties, and welcomes the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the treaty. ASEAN has always adopted an outward-looking approach, and while emphasizing ASEAN centrality, we are a region that cultivates and fosters substantive cooperation with other regions, external partners, and the United Nations. In this regard, we are a region united in our diversity and in upholding multilateralism and the rule of international law. At a time when the international community continues to face complex challenges to peace and security, the principles embodied in the Treaty remain as relevant today as they were 50 years ago. The experiences of the TAC demonstrates that differences among states need not hinder cooperation. and that sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and resorting to peaceful means in the settlement of disputes can help build and strengthen trust and stability. Hence, the resolution also promotes the theme of the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship this year of "navigating our future together." Mr. President, ASEAN engaged closely with all member states throughout the preparation of this resolution. and we are grateful to all delegations for their constructive participation, flexibility and support, which enabled us to arrive at the meaningful text before us today. We also thank the many Member States from all across all regions that have joined us as co-sponsors. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty, ASEAN members countries hope that this resolution will be adopted by consensus as it reaffirms our shared commitment to the principles that have sustained peace, stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia and which remain relevant to all members of the international community. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/80/L.103. For your information, the draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

Mr. President, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed on the L document, the following countries have also become co-sponsors of L.103. Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tonga, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vanuatu. If any other countries wish to co-sponsor L/103, please signify by pressing the microphone button now. I see Tunisia, Serbia, Equatorial Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Republic of Korea, although Republic of Korea is already on the L document, Tajikistan, United States, Syrian Arab Republic, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Yemen, Djibouti, Georgia, Angola, Rwanda, Togo. Thank you, Mr. President. And Turkey just pressed the button. Turkey is also an additional co-sponsor. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm sorry, and North Macedonia just pressed the button. And I see no more. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Secretariat. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/80/L.103, entitled "Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/80/L.103. It is so decided. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 126. As announced in the Journal, the Assembly will now address the closing of the agenda items that still remain open. We turn first to the sub-item B of agenda item 31, entitled Strengthening the Role of Mediation in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Conflict Prevention and Resolution. In connection with this item, the President has received a letter dated 26 August 2026 from the Permanent Representatives of Finland and Turkey to the United Nations, requesting the inclusion of this sub-item in the provisional agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this sub-item in the draft agenda of the 81st session? I see none. It's so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item B of agenda item 31st? It is so decided. We turn now to agenda item 33, entitled Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic. In connection with this item, the President received a letter dated 10 July 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, requesting the inclusion of this item in the provisional agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this item in the agenda of the 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 33? It is so decided. The Assembly will now turn to agenda item 37, entitled Question of the Comorian Island of Mayotte. In connection with the item, the President has received a note verbal, dated 21 April 2026, from the Permanent Mission of the Comoros to the United Nations, requesting the inclusion of the item in the draft agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this item in the agenda or draft agenda of 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 37? It is so decided. The Assembly will now turn to agenda item 88, entitled "Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965." In connection with the item, the President has received a letter dated 5 August 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations requesting the inclusion of the item in the draft agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this item in the draft agenda of the 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 88? It is so decided. We turn now to agenda item 120, entitled "Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations." It is my understanding that it would be desirable to include this item in the draft agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include it in the draft agenda of the 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 120? It is so decided. The Assembly will now turn to sub-item B of agenda item 126, entitled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific Island Forum". In connection with the item, the President has received a letter dated 1 September 2026 from the Permanent Representative of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations, requesting the inclusion of the item in the draft agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include this item in the draft agenda of the 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item B of agenda item 126? It is so decided. We turn now to agenda item 153, entitled "Financing of the United Nations Mission in East Timor". It's my understanding that It would be desirable to include this item in the draft agenda of the 81st session of the Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to include in the draft agenda of the 81st session? It is so decided. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 153? It is so decided. I should like to remind delegations that the following agenda items remain open for consideration during the current session of the Assembly: 9, 14, 18, 18A, 18B, 18D, and L, 23, 23B, 27, 29, 31, 31A, 34 to 36, 38 to 45, 58, 62B, 63 to 65, 71, 71B, 72, 72A to C, 108, 110, 113, 114, 114D, 115, 115G, 115L, 116, 117, 121, 124, 126, 126A, 127, 129, 130, 133, and 133A, 2R, 134 to 152, 154 to 159, and 177. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of the above-mentioned agenda items at the present session? It is so decided. The meeting is adjourned.