General Assembly: 70th plenary meeting, 80th session

Good morning. The 70th plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. In keeping with established practice, I would like to invite the attention of the Assembly to document A/80/474, which contains a letter from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Assembly in which he informs the Assembly of Member States in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions to the United Nations within the terms of Article 19 of the Charter. I would like to remind delegations that under Article 19 of the Charter, a member of the United Nations which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. The General Assembly may, nevertheless, permit such a Member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member. May I therefore take it that the Assembly takes note of the information contained in this document? It is so decided. The Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item 110, entitled Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. The Secretary-General will make a statement to brief on his priorities for 2026, after which the formal meeting will be suspended for an informal meeting for interventions from the membership. Thereafter, the formal meeting will resume for delegations to deliver statements under agenda item 110. After his departure, the Secretary-General's seat at the podium may be occupied by his representative. If I hear no objection, we shall proceed accordingly. It is so decided. With regard to the resumed formal meeting later today, and as practiced already in informal meetings, and as an outcome of our reform debates, I stated in my letter dated January 6, 2026, to apply speaking time limits of five minutes for delegation speaking in the national capacity and seven minutes for statements made on behalf of a group for debates on agenda items on a trial basis. While a formal decision on enforcing the speaking time limits also for mandated meetings, formal meetings, It will be taken at a later stage. I strongly encourage Member States anyhow to comply with the proposed speaking time limits already in today's formal meeting, which will follow the informal meeting this afternoon. Before giving the floor to the Secretary-General to brief the Assembly on his priorities for 2026, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Secretary General, as we are starting a new year, for your steadfast guidance and principled leadership at the head of this organization. No matter which kind of headwinds this organization is facing, you have remained an unwavering champion of our Charter and its principles, its three pillars. while also ensuring that our United Nations is fit for the 21st century through the UNAD reform process you have initiated. As we look ahead to the remainder of the ADSS session, we do so strengthened by the strong example you have set. I look forward to working closely with you in the upcoming months to implement your priorities and the urgent tasks ahead. By this, I now give the floor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, to brief the Assembly on his priorities for 2026.

Madam President of the General Assembly, thank you very much for your very kind and generous words. Excellencies, happy New Year. I wish you and your families peace and health in 2026. It is tradition for the Secretary-General to come before the General Assembly and present priorities for the year ahead. Today, I do so for the final time. And let me assure you that I will make every day of 2026 count. I am fully committed and fully determined to keep working, to keep fighting, to keep pushing for the better world that we know is possible. We already have had the benefit of the President of the General Assembly briefing you yesterday on the agenda for this year. And there is no shortage of urgent tasks before us, especially as we build on the Pact for the Future and UN8 initiatives. So today, I want to use this traditional moment for something slightly non-traditional. I want to look not only to this year, but beyond, and to speak candidly about the larger forces and megatrends shaping our world and the deeper challenges we must confront. Rather than a checklist, I want to zero in on six principles that must guide our work. But let me begin with the context. Excellencies, let’s be clear: the context is chaos. We are in a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality, and unpredictability. A world marked by self-defeating geopolitical divides, brazen violations of international law, and wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid. These forces, and more, are shaking the foundations of global cooperation and testing the resilience of multilateralism itself. And that is the paradox of our era: at a time when we need international cooperation the most, we seem to be the least inclined to use it and invest in it. Some seek to put international cooperation on death watch. But I can assure you that we will not give up. And we are totally committed in the cause of peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and far beyond, and tireless in delivering life-saving aid to those so desperate for support. And let's recognize that even in this turbulence, we have succeeded in claiming space for the United Nations where it was not given. We have stepped forward to help shape the global conversation on artificial intelligence, insisting that these powerful forces serve humanity and uphold human dignity. We have been on the front lines of efforts to secure fair and sustainable financing for development, pushing for reforms and new mechanisms to leave no country behind. And we have been outspoken on the urgent need for climate action demanding ambition and working to rally governments, businesses, and civil society. Everywhere, we have sought to spotlight the needs of the most vulnerable people and countries. And we will keep pushing in all these areas and more this year. In the next few weeks alone, we will launch the independent scientific panel on artificial intelligence provide impartial, evidence-based assessment of AI opportunities, risks, and impacts; put forward recommendations to the High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP to offer new ways to measure progress and well-being and better reflect what truly matters for people and planet; begin a series of monthly meetings with you on the UN80 Initiative to foster our ongoing dialogue and cooperation to best equip the UN for the future; present initial assessments on the potential mergers of UNDP and UNOPS, as well as UN Women and UNFPA, to enhance efficiency and coherence in our development work; and advance on the peace operations review to make them more effective, responsible, and fit for today’s complex challenges. And this is just a small taste of some immediate next steps. Across the board, it is full steam ahead. Excellencies, we are working in a time of dramatic change, and we need to reflect the world as it is. Disruptions do not have to be destructive; they can also be a force of construction. The UN8 initiative is about building a UN system that delivers more effectively, more coherently, and with greater impact, amid the reality of shrinking resources and rising needs. Yes, reform is about resources and using those resources effectively and efficiently. Budgets matter, but only if every Member State pays its contributions in full and on time. Today's situation is totally unsustainable. Either all countries, without exception, honour their financial obligations under the Charter, which no longer seems to be the case, or Member States must overhaul our financial rules to prevent a budget breakdown. I will be writing to you in more detail on this matter. But reform must be far more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Reform must be about institutions that reflect today's world. 1945 problem-solving will not solve 2026 problems. If structures do not reflect our times, our world, our realities, they will lose legitimacy. Consider the facts. Every day, The share of global GDP held by developed countries shrinks bit by bit. Every day, emerging economies grow in size, in strength, in influence. Every day, South-South trade pulls further ahead of North-North trade. Our structures must reflect this changing world. That is why reforming international financial and trade institutions is not just important, it is essential. And the same goes for the Security Council. And I would add that it is manifestly in the interest of those who hold the most power to be on the front lines of reform. Those who try to cling to privilege today risk paying the price tomorrow. And so we must all be bold enough to change. The world is not waiting, neither should we. Excellencies, as we push forward on reforms, our larger mission must be finding our bearings in a disorienting world. Let me boil it down to three principles that must be at the foundation of all our actions, not just for this year, but for our times. First, we must adhere to the UN Charter, fully and faithfully. No ifs, no ands, no buts. The Charter is a compact which binds us all. It's not a la carte menu; it's pre-fix. The Charter is the foundation of international relations, the bedrock of peace, sustainable development, and human rights. I'm honoured to serve as Custodian of the Charter. But each one of you has signed up to be a custodian of the Charter, too. When leaders run roughshod over international law, when they pick and choose which rules to follow, they are not only undermining global order, they are setting a perilous precedent. And let's be clear: the erosion of international law is not happening in the shadows. It’s unfolding before the eyes of the world, on our screens, live in 4K. People everywhere are witnessing in real time the consequences of impunity, the illegal use and threat of force, attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers and UN personnel, unconstitutional changes of government, the trampling of human rights, the silencing of dissent, the plundering of resources, and the dangers do not stop with states or warring parties. They are being amplified by bottomless greed and inequality. The top 1% holds 43% of global financial assets. And last year alone, the richest 500 individuals added 2.2 trillion US dollars to their fortunes. Increasingly, we see a world where the ultra-wealthiest and the companies they control are calling the shots like never before, wielding outsized influence over economies, information, and even the rules that govern us all. When a handful of individuals can brand global narratives, sway elections, or dictate the terms of public debate, We are not just facing inequality, we are facing the corruption of institutions and our shared values. Look no further than artificial intelligence and the algorithms shaping our lives. These are too consequential to be controlled only by a few companies or optimised only to monetise attention and outrage. For instance, how do we protect our children from the tyranny of the algorithm. We must ensure humanity steers technology, not the other way around. And I thank you for your support for the Independent Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. We need to keep working to build guardrails, accountability, shared standards, and the capacity to bridge the AI divide. The concentration of power and wealth in so few hands is morally indefensible. And more than that, it is a clear and present danger to the Charter and the promise of equal rights and dignity for all. That leads to the second principle: we must be relentless in our work for peace and justice, peace between nations and peace with nature. Peace is at the heart of all we do. Yet, as we meet today, the snares of conflict have trapped millions of members of the human family in miserable, prolonged cycles of violence, hunger, and displacement. This suffering cannot go on. In Gaza, I welcome the start of phase two of the ceasefire announced by the US, and reiterate that humanitarian aid must flow unimpeded the ceasefire must be implemented in full, and the way must be cleared to an irreversible path to a two-state solution in accordance with international law; in Ukraine, where we must spare no effort to stop the fighting and achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, international law, and UN resolutions; in Sudan, where the parties must agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive, and Sudanese-owned political process. Civilians must be protected. From Yemen to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from Haiti to the Sahel, to Myanmar and around the world, we must never give up in the pursuit for peace. And throughout, we must recognize that silencing the guns is not enough. Peace is more than the absence of war. The root causes of conflict must be addressed. If not, any solution will be precarious. It's no coincidence that nine of the ten countries with the lowest human development indicators are currently in a state of conflict. Sustainable peace requires sustainable development. Yet, ten years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, two-thirds of the targets are lagging. The world is falling short by over US$4 trillion a year in the resources developing countries need to deliver on these promises by 2030. And developing countries are being battered and bruised by limited fiscal space crushing debt burdens, and skyrocketing prices. We must advance on last year's Seville Commitment, which set out an ambitious agenda to scale up finance, address the debt crisis, and reform the international financial architecture so developing countries can invest in the systems that support development and peace. And peace with justice means peace grounded in international law and on human rights, economic, social, cultural, civil, and political, which are inalienable, indivisible, and interdependent. We must safeguard freedom of speech and civic space. And on that note, I am deeply concerned about the violent repression in Iran. We must open the doors of opportunity for women and girls around the world. And I want to stress that we cannot and will not give in to the disturbing pushback on the rights of women, half of humanity, and the hard-won gains in equality, participation, and protection. I am proud that we achieved for the first time in UN history gender parity at senior levels. We are stronger for it, and we will keep going. And we will also build on progress to expand meaningful engagement with young people, full inclusion with persons with disabilities, and real opportunities for indigenous peoples. All of this is essential to build a more equitable, peaceful, just and sustainable future.

Excellencies, peace with justice also means peace with nature. A world in climate chaos cannot be a world at peace. Climate change is a threat multiplier, inflaming tensions over land, water, and food, forcing people from their homes, and tearing at the ecosystems we all depend on. It is also a profound injustice that those least responsible are paying first and worst. leaders have failed to keep temperatures below 1.5 degrees. A temporary overshoot is now inevitable, but it is not irreversible. Our mission is to keep that overshoot as small, as short, and as safe as possible, and bend the curve back towards 1.5 without delay. That means delivering beyond national climate plans to cut emissions now, and to keep cutting, accelerating a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels to renewables, doubling energy efficiency by 2030, building grids and storage to connect clean power to all, cutting methane, and halting deforestation, making good on promises for adaptation and for loss and damage, and ensuring affordable, predictable finance that reaches those who need it when they need it. Climate justice is an investment in peace and security. Because vulnerability anywhere becomes a risk everywhere, rippling through financial systems, supply chains, and global stability.

Third, and finally, our priority must be to build unity in an age of division. Around the world, we see the risk of societies breaking down under the weight of racism, nationalist xenophobia, and religious bigotry. These poisons are corroding the fabric of communities, fueling division and distrust. The dangers are not abstract. They are visible in the daily lives of millions, supercharged by rhetoric and disinformation that seeks to exclude rather than embrace. And it’s not enough to denounce these impulses ideologically, or to simply say, “This is wrong.” Many people feel left behind. They see wealth surrounding them, and yet they struggle to get by. They feel that rapid globalisation, together with technological progress, have undermined their prospects. They look at large movements of people and are told falsely that identity is a zero-sum game. Demographic trends heighten the urgency: the demographic dividend cannot materialise if young people don't see the dividends in their own lives. At the same time, ageing societies cannot afford to turn inwards, to build walls, literally or figuratively. Doing so is a recipe for stagnation and worse. Every country has the sovereign right, within the law, to manage its borders and ensure its security. But migrants and refugees also have rights. Rights that must be respected and protected wherever they are. Our challenge, and our priority, must be to build welcoming societies, not walled-off citadels. Societies that invest in the software of social cohesion, inclusion, education and skills, decent jobs, and social protection, with a new social contract. Societies that build communities, where everyone's identity is respected and all feel they belong and are bound by shared civic values. Harmony is never accidental. It requires deliberate policy, resources, and political courage. If we fail to put our common humanity first, we risk losing everything that makes us strong. The choice is clear: inclusion or isolation. renewal or decline. We must build united societies in a world of united nations. Excellencies, I have spoken plainly because the times demand it. We cannot afford complacency, denial, or delay. We cannot be bystanders to injustice, indifference, or impunity. And we have the power to chart a different course. The Charter gives us our compass. Our pursuit for peace with justice gives us our purpose, and our common humanity gives us the imperative to act. The world is changing, often in ways that are unsettling, but also in ways that are inspiring. The forces of division and inequality are powerful, but so too is our capacity for solidarity and justice. Even in the rough seas of today, we can anchor our action in peace, dignity and hope. That takes the best efforts of everyone. Let’s never forget who we are and what we represent. The United Nations is a living promise, a promise that despite our differences, we will solve problems together. Let’s keep that promise. Let’s never give up. The stakes could not be higher. And the time could not be shorter. And I thank you.

I thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations. As mentioned earlier, I will now suspend the meeting for an informal meeting. The formal meeting will resume thereafter for delegations to deliver statements under agenda item 110. The formal plenary meeting is now suspended. I call to order this informal meeting on the priorities of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for 2026. 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 stated in my letter dated January 6, 2026, speaking time during this informal meeting shall be limited to three minutes for delegations speaking in their national capacity and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens. Please be advised that these time limits will be strictly enforced, including through the use of automatic microphone cut-off when the allowed time has expired. I thank you for your cooperation. As mentioned earlier, 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 110. By this, I give the floor to His Excellency Mario Loubetkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, followed by the European Union and Palau.

Thanks, Ms. President.

It is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The Group of 77 expresses its gratitude to the Secretary General for the presentation of his priorities for 2026. We recognize that our world continues to face complex and interlinked challenges that demand immediate, coordinated action, including the escalating impacts of climate change, poverty, hunger, widening debt levels, limited financing for the Sustainable Development Goals, biodiversity loss, widening digital divide, and unilateral coercive measures, as well as persistent wars and conflicts that exacerbate humanitarian needs at a time of declining resources to respond to those needs. The Group reaffirms its support to the SG’s repeated calls to rebuild trust and restore hope through inclusive multilateralism. underlined the urgent need to address the root causes of conflicts, focusing on lasting peace and measures to build resilience, particularly in developing countries disproportionately affected by instability. On climate change, 2025 continued to witness unprecedented challenges, including escalating extreme weather events and increasing vulnerabilities in developing nations. The Group, therefore, calls for the full and timely implementation of all decisions adopted at the sessions of the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including those at the 30th Conference of the Parties held in Belem. We reaffirm that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the multilateral framework to address climate change. We strongly call for enhanced funding for the Loss and Damage Fund to help support the most vulnerable developing countries. The Group underscores the need for a global financial system that addresses in an equitable manner the needs of all nations, 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 promote sustainable development. In this sense, the group also calls for the full and timely implementation of the civil commitments adopted during the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in June of 2025. The 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. Hunger and food insecurity remain critical issues for many developing countries. That is why we stress the importance of concrete actions, including robust investments in agricultural resilience and food systems to eradicate poverty, eliminate hunger, and meet the 2020 agenda targets. The rapid evolution of technology, including artificial intelligence, presents opportunities for transformation, but also risks deepening existing divides. We see digital transformation as a vital enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing challenges such as quality education, health care, and climate action. The group would like to express its concern about the financial situation facing the United Nations, which is due to the failure by some Member States to pay their contributions on time. We urge 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. In 2026, we have significant opportunities to accelerate progress, such as the Forum on Financing for Development follow-up, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the special meeting on financial integrity, and the implementation of the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the first global dialogue on AI governance, among others. The group stands ready to engage constructively in the UN80 process in 2026 with a view to ensuring that mandates remain fit for purpose, that resources are used effectively, and that the priorities of no audio feed.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I now give the floor to the European Union. On behalf of the EU and its member states, the floor to the distinguished representative.

Mr. Secretary General, Madam President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union's member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino, align themselves with the statement. Mr. Secretary General, thank you for your briefing and for your steadfast leadership. As you enter the final year of your mandate, we wish to underscore your commitment to this Organization and to the values on which it was founded, values that today are under severe strain. At the outset, allow me to pay tribute to the women and men of the United Nations. They deserve our utmost respect and protection. Violence against them must stop. You have reminded us of a hard truth. We live in a world marked by deep fractures, multiplying crises, and growing mistrust. Yet, multilateralism remains indispensable. The UN Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, remain a shared foundation. When international law is upheld, lives and dignity are protected and peace can endure. When it is violated with impunity, suffering spreads. From Ukraine to Gaza and Iran, from Sudan to Afghanistan, from Haiti to Myanmar and beyond. Disinformation and polarization further erode trust and our capacity to act. Mr. Secretary General, the European Union remains a powerful and principled partner of the United Nations. Most recently, we used our convening power and diplomatic engagement to ensure the consensual adoption of the UN's 2026 budget, safeguarding the organization's ability to deliver. The adoption of the revised estimates reflects broad support for the UN80 reform agenda. We must maintain momentum. A United Nations that is effective, accountable, and transparent, and fit for purpose is a necessity. Dear colleagues, restoring trust. Strengthening partnerships and delivering results for people, especially those furthest behind, must be a collective priority. On peace and security, we support a renewed commitment to the UN Charter and decisive investment in prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. Prevention saves lives and resources, and offers hope before violence takes hold. We support your good offices, the implementation of the PBAR, and the adaptation of peace operations to today's realities. We must also protect and strengthen the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. The UN remains indispensable to prevent and end wars and to build peace. On sustainable development, we must move from ambition to delivery. With only four years left to achieve the SDGs, progress remains far too slow. This is a call to act differently and together. The Pact for the Future must accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In line with the Seville commitment, The EU will continue to invest in sustainable and inclusive development, including through Global Gateway, and to support efforts to improve the international financial architecture. On human rights in 2026, we must continue to stand firm. Human rights are not optional nor selective. They are central to human dignity, peace, and sustainable development. The UN's human rights pillar must be protected and empowered. Gender equality is essential across our work. Respect for international humanitarian law and principled humanitarian action is being tested as never before. Despite all challenges, the EU and its Member States remain the world's leading humanitarian donor, having mobilised 8.5 billion in 2025 alone. We will continue to uphold the humanitarian imperative to save lives and ensure that gender equality and climate considerations remain integral. Mr. Secretary General, for this to succeed, we need a financially stable United Nations. The UN and its Member States are the biggest collective contributors, consistently paying on time, in full, and without conditions. Others must do the same. As we enter a turbulent 2026, one message stands out: trust is our most precious currency. Trust in our institutions, in the rule of law, and in one another, most importantly, in one another. The European Union and its Member States will work with all partners across regions and with civil society to strengthen this organization and ensure it remains a source of hope, protection, and solutions for generations to come. And we will stand by you, Mr. Secretary General, during this all-important final year of yours in office. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, followed by Bahrain and Lesotho.

Madam President, I have the honour to deliver the statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS. At the outset, I wish to express EOSIS's appreciation to the Secretary General for this briefing and for outlining his priorities for 2026. As we consider these priorities, we do so against a backdrop of deepening global uncertainty, accelerating climate impacts, and a multilateral system under severe strain. For AOSIS, the United Nations remain indispensable for maintaining global peace, upholding international law, and ensuring the prosperity of small island developing states. The months ahead will either shape our collective failure or our collective success. AOSIS remains committed to ensuring the latter. To do this, the multilateral system must be strengthened, not hollowed out. At a time of geopolitical fragmentation and fiscal pressures, the UN's convening power, leadership, and development role are more essential than ever. Reform efforts, including those under UN80, must result in an organization that is more responsive, inclusive, and effective, particularly for SIDS. At the same time, the special circumstances of SIDS must be fully operationalized across the multilateral system. In this context, EOSIS underscores the importance of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS and calls for its full and timely implementation. Madam President, the protection of the global environment remains critical. In 2026, we require the continued leadership of the Secretary General to drive emissions down, keep 1.5 degrees within reach, and ensure all states fulfill their UNFCCC and Paris Agreement commitments. The recent ICJ advisory opinion affirms that states have legal obligations on climate action. It is not just a political commitment. The entry into force of the BBNJ agreement this year and the convening of its first conference of the parties also represents a landmark moment for ocean governance. For EOSIS, the ocean is not only an environmental priority, it is central to our identity, livelihoods, and survival. Madam President, the international financial architecture must be reformed. The global financial system remains misaligned with today's financial landscape, relying on narrow income-based classifications that obscure vulnerability and limits access to finance, constrains fiscal space, and undermines sustainable development in SIDS. The severe commitment reaffirmed the need to realign global financial rules and institutions with vulnerability and resilience. In 2026, this must translate into concrete reforms, including meaningful operationalization and use of the multidimensional vulnerability index to inform access to consensual finance, debt sustainability, and development cooperation. Madam President, as today's briefing remarks the Secretary-General's last presentation of his priorities for the year under his tenure, EOSIS wishes to place on record its deep appreciation for his astute leadership and steadfast commitment to small island developing states. Throughout his term, the Secretary-General has consistently advocated for a robust multilateral system, championed the 1.5 degree goal, and amplified the voices of the most vulnerable, including SIDS. Mr. Secretary-General, EOSIS thanks you for standing with small island developing states during moments of profound global challenge. We look forward to continuing this work with you over the next 12 months, guided by the principles of solidarity, equity, and justice that you have so clearly championed over the last nine years. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain? Somehow the microphone is not working. I see that you press it. Yeah, now.

Madam President, I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait, and my country, Bahrain, the Kingdom of Bahrain. We thank His Excellency the Secretary-General for his annual report and his priorities for 2026. We express our appreciation for his wise leadership, for the work of the Organization. In parallel with the 80th anniversary, in light of very complex global circumstances, we also appreciate the continued efforts for peace based on the UN Charter, international law, and the principles of dialogue and international cooperation, which is aimed to intensify global cooperation. Madam President, Just last year, the General Assembly adoption of a resolution on cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council was a measure to increase our cooperation and reflect our growing global role and our joint efforts to address the challenges and work for the maintenance of international peace and security. decision of the GCC summit last September has reflected the GCC's commitment to cooperation and economic security and development in our region and the world, and in cooperation with the United Nations. And out of our commitment for peace in the Middle East, we welcomed the outcomes of the Middle East, of the Sharm El-Sheikh summit and affirmed our commitment to the principles for the end of the war in Gaza and to provide humanitarian access as well as reconstruction in order to establish eventually an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative. And in this context, our countries welcome the General Assembly's adoption of the New York Declaration. Madam President, in light of the rapid digital development in the world, we emphasize the need to use technology, AI, and cybersecurity responsibly in the service of humanity. In this context, we welcome the establishment of an independent scientific expert group to address the needs of this field and to address AI governance next year. We share the global concern on climate change, and we welcome the Water Conference 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, in cooperation with the Republic of Senegal, as an important measure to support SDG 6. Madam President, UN reform, and in particular the UN80 initiative, our countries emphasize the need for comprehensive and inclusive reform that is transparent and member state driven in a manner that preserves the member state driven organization. And we emphasize the need that reforms focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness without prejudice to the main purposes. In conclusion, the GCC states emphasize the need to intensify global efforts within the context of the 2026 program of work to achieve the joint interest of humanity, and we reiterate our intention to work closely with the Secretary General and the UN system to address the current challenges. And thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain. On behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lesotho, on behalf of the African Group, followed by El Salvador and the Philippines.

Madam President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Africa Group. We thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting. The Africa Group expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his briefing on his priorities for 2026. We meet at a time of unprecedented challenges. Conflicts ravage multiple regions, including our continent. The climate emergency intensifies. Poverty and inequality persist. threatening decades of development gains. In this context, Africa remains firmly committed to the United Nations and the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter. On peace and security, the Africa Group notes with concern that the continent continues to bear a disproportionate burden of conflict and humanitarian crisis. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, millions of our citizens suffer the consequences of instability. The group calls upon the Secretary-General to intensify support for Africa-led peace initiatives and genuine partnership with the African Union and regional economic communities. It further reiterates the importance of the full operationalization of the Security Council resolution 2719 on financing for African Union-led peace support operations authorized by the Security Council. On sustainable development, the Africa Group is deeply concerned that, with less than five years to the 2030 deadline, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals remains inadequate in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate impacts, rising debt levels, and geographical tensions have reversed development gains. We therefore call upon the Secretary-General to ensure that the United Nations system prioritizes support for developing countries in accelerating progress towards the SDGs. The commitments made in the Seville Commitment must be translated into concrete actions, and the international financial architecture must be reformed to address unsustainable debt burdens and ensure adequate access to concessional financing for African countries. On climate change, Africa remains the most vulnerable continent to adverse climate impacts, despite contributing the least to global emissions. We call upon the Secretary-General to continue advocating for ambitions ambitious climate action and adequate climate finance. Madam President, on the UN8 initiative, the African Group supports efforts to make the United Nations more effective and fit for purpose. However, reform must be strengthened rather than weaken the Organization’s capacity to deliver, particularly for developing countries. The mandate implementation review must be conducted transparently, inclusively, and with full respect for intergovernmental processes. The African Group reiterates that Security Council reform remains essential. The Council's current composition does not reflect contemporary realities and perpetuates historical injustice.

We therefore reiterate our call,

as articulated in the Izuluni Consensus and the SIFTR Declaration, for Africa to be allowed no fewer than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership, including the right of veto, as well as five non-permanent seats. As we approach the selection of the Secretary-General, the Africa Group emphasizes the importance of a transparent, inclusive, and merit-based process. In conclusion, the Africa Group reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations. We stand ready to work constructively with the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, and all Member States. Through genuine partnership and shared commitment to the Charter, we can build a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Lesotho on behalf of the African Group. I now give the floor to El Salvador, also on behalf of Estonia.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary General, for briefing us and also for the clarity of your vision for 2026 that you have shared with us today. I take the floor on behalf of the co-chairs of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, El Salvador and Estonia. This dialogue will be an important issue of the organization's work in the year ahead. The establishment of the Global Dialogue reflects a shared recognition by Member States that artificial intelligence has become a defining question for development and international cooperation, and that it requires an inclusive platform within the United Nations. This platform brings countries together while also enabling the meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders whose perspectives, expertise, and experience can contribute to inform, balance, and forward-looking discussion on its international aspects. As co-chairs, we see the Global Dialogue as an opportunity to foster trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex global landscape. It is intended as a space that builds on existing efforts, promotes coherence, and benefits from the complementarity contributions of governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, the technical community, and civil society in a manner that is inclusive and respectful of different roles and mandates. We are particularly mindful that for many countries, discussions on AI are closely linked to broader development considerations, including access to technology, skills, infrastructure, and institutional capacity. In this context, contribution from a wide range of actors can help illuminate practical realities, identify capacity building needs, and support more effective international cooperation, while ensuring that member states remain fully engaged throughout the process. As the preparatory work advances, we remain fully committed to conduct it precisely a process that is balanced, transparent, and responsive to Member States, while drawing on the support of the Secretariat and relevant entities of the UN system. In this regard, Mr. Secretary General, your continued engagement will be essential to ensuring that the first global dialogue is

truly meaningful,

credible and widely owned, and that it contributes constructively to the organization's work in the year ahead, and obviously all Member States. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the Distinguished Representative of El Salvador on behalf of the co-chairs. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of the Philippines on behalf of the Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries, followed by Fiji and Nepal.

Thank you, Madam President. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries, composed of Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, and Uruguay. We thank the Secretary General for his briefing on priorities for 2026. I also extend our commendation of the Secretary General's exemplary leadership and commitment to the causes of peace, development, and the UN Charter. With multilateralism and the United Nations confronted by serious challenges, we must all continue to work together for sustainable development. As reflected in the latest report of the Secretary-General on development cooperation with middle-income countries, middle-income countries represent more than half of UN membership, are home to more than 70% of global population, contribute a third of global GDP, and our development is setting the pace of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, most of the world’s poor reside within middle-income countries. Hence, addressing the middle-income trap remains an imperative for the international community. The Makati Declaration strongly calls for paving the pathways of transition for middle-income countries. The LMG-MICS will pursue the following six priorities in engaging in the work of the UN this year. First, we look forward to consultations on the elaboration of a strategic plan of action for middle-income countries. as mandated in the recent resolution, development cooperation with middle-income countries. A plan of action designed and led by MICS will catalyze efforts towards addressing the specific challenges facing middle-income countries and galvanize further support from member states, UN agencies, and relevant stakeholders. Second, we also look forward to the elaboration of a comprehensive, system-wide response plan by the UN system aimed at delivering tailored support for middle-income countries. This was a mandate in the resolution on MICS at the 78th session of the UNGA, as well as in the Sevilla commitment. Third, we will actively participate in the process of advancing metrics beyond GDP. The LMGMCs have consistently championed this call, reflected in both the Pact for the Future and the Cevia commitment, as per capita income alone cannot capture the complexity of our development needs. Fourth, we will continue to support reform of the international financial architecture. In particular, debt challenges continue to profoundly affect middle-income countries.

Fifth, in line with the Sevilla commitment, we underscore

that South-South and triangular cooperation are essential for advancing the SDGs in middle-income countries, enhancing their impact through deeper partnerships, knowledge sharing, and innovative financing. We will strengthen regional mechanisms to ensure that these modalities remain demand-driven and fully aligned with mixed priorities. Sixth, we firmly believe that the UN80 process should not dilute agreed goals and aspirations, especially the 2030 agenda. The UN must continue to deliver in the development pillar, while striving for more efficiency. In this regard, discussions on reforms of the organization should take into full account the specificities of middle-income countries for greater effectiveness and impact. In conclusion, Madam President, we remain fully committed to supporting the Secretary-General’s priorities for this year and to promoting multilateralism and international cooperation with a strong United Nations at its heart. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines on behalf of the Like-Minded Group of Middle-Income Countries. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States.

Madam President, Excellencies and colleagues, Mr. Secretary General, it is an honor to be present today to listen to your priorities for 2026. Thank you very much. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Pacific Islands Small Developing States, PISDS, as the Secretary General presents his work plan for 2026, his eighth and final year leading this institution. We align our statement with the statement delivered by Palau on behalf of AOSIS. Mr. Secretary General, you assumed leadership at a time when the foundations of multilateralism were being tested through wars, pandemics, climate catastrophes, and eroding trust between nations. You have provided something both rare and essential: a virtuous and humble resolve. For the Pacific small island developing states, your leadership represents something unprecedented. You were the most actively committed Secretary-General in our region, one that gave direct, sustained, and personal attention to our people. In 2019, you traveled to Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu, addressing Pacific leaders at the forum in Suva. In 2024, you returned to Tonga and Samoa for the Pacific Islands Forum. Last year, you visited Papua New Guinea in early September before you joined our leaders virtually from New York when they gathered in Honiara. This was not symbolic. You understood that challenges facing SIDS are central to questions of international law, human security, climate justice, and the future of multilateralism itself. Mr. Secretary General, you have named climate change what it is. the defining security threat of our age. When you stood on Pacific soil and declared, "If we save the Pacific, we save the world," you transformed our fight for survival from a regional concern into a global priority. The Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target, which you have defended relentlessly, is not an abstract number for us. It is the difference between adaptation and extinction. You have navigated circumstances that would have broken lesser leaders: COVID-19, multiplying armed conflicts, sustained assault on the multilateral system itself. Through it all, you have maintained unwavering commitment to the UN Charter’s principles, even when it cost you political capital, even when powerful Member States objected, even when silence would have been easier. Your support for the NVI, your advocacy for climate finance that reaches those most in need, your championing of the Pacific Resilience Facility – this reflects a Secretary-General who understands that justice cannot be separated from development. You have spoken truth to power, all powers, when human rights were violated, when international law was breached, when the vulnerable were abandoned. You have refused to let the UN become merely an instrument of great power politics. As you enter your final year, we acknowledge the weight you have carried, the criticism you have endured from all sides, a sure sign you have remained faithful to the institution rather than to any faction. The challenges have not diminished, but you have given us proof that this institution remains essential, that multilateralism remains humanity's best hope, that moral leadership still matters. And you have given the PSC something we have never received before: recognition, demonstrated through your personal presence, not once, but twice, that our survival is not negotiable, that our voices matter, that our place in this Assembly is essential to the legitimacy and future of the United Nations itself. The Pacific small island developing states stand with you. We support your vision. We will advocate for resources you need. We will defend the principles you have upheld. The Pacific has a tradition of wayfinding, navigating vast oceans, using stars, currents, and ancestral knowledge when others see only chaos. You have been a wayfinder for this institution through some of the darkest waters since the Second World War. As you chart the course of your final year, know that you do not stand alone. We thank you for your service. We honour your integrity. We pledge your continued support. Vinaka vale e vu. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji. On behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States, I now give the floor to Nepal, on behalf of the Least Developed Countries, followed by Guyana and Romania.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, The group of the LDCs deeply appreciate the Secretary-General for his briefing on the priorities for 2026. We highly value these priorities at a time of profound global uncertainty and the imperative for a stronger and inclusive multilateralism to address global crises and challenges we are facing. We commend you, Mr. Secretary-General, for your steadfast leadership and the commitment to a more robust, responsive, and effective multilateral system with the UN at its core. Madam President, let me highlight a few priorities for the LDCs. First, as multiple global crises continue to disproportionately affect LDCs, we call for a systemic response to these intersecting challenges. This requires scale-up of concessional finance, comprehensive and timely debt treatments, decisive progress on the SDG stimulus, including SDR rechanneling and state-contingent instruments, and climate action that advances adaptation, loss and damage, and just transitions, reflecting the special circumstances of the LDCs. Global governance reforms must be designed and implemented with the full and effective participation of the LDCs. We underscore the urgency of timely, fully and effective implementation of the Sabia commitment on financing for development. Second, despite significant headwinds, LDCs continue to demonstrate resilience and make concrete progress on the graduations, with 14 more countries on the graduation pathway. The Secretary-General once said, I quote, "Graduations must be a reward, never a punishment," unquote. And this is reflected in the outcome of the high-level meeting and graduations held in Doha last month, predictable, adequate, and incentive-based international support for graduating and graduated countries. is a must for their smooth, resilient, and irreversible graduation. Third, we call for a renewed and recalibrated focus on LDCs across all three pillars of the UN’s work, so that the SDG and DPOA can be delivered. In fact, delivering for LDCs is a precondition for delivering on the SDG globally. We therefore urge a stronger, integrated, country-driven UN system that is aligned with nationally owned development plans and graduation strategies. Fourth, LDCs need a stronger, more effective, and responsive UN now more than ever. The UN80 must solve as an opportunity to renew and reinvigorate multilateralism while delivering better on the ground. Fifth, the DPOA mid-term review being held in Doha 2027 is critical to take stock, adjust course, and renew global commitments to LDCs through an evidence-based, inclusive, and action-oriented process. The Group counts the Secretary-General’s full support, including through analytical capacities and convening power, and coherent linkages with the Pact of the Future, financing for development, and climate processes, so that LDC priorities are consistently reflected and acted upon. Madam President, The Group reiterates its full support to the Secretary-General and stands ready to work constructively with the UN membership and international community. Together, we must ensure that at 80, the UN delivers on the promises of its Charter and the 2030 Agenda for 1.2 billion people living in LDCs and for future generations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal on behalf of the least developing countries. I now give the floor to Grenada on behalf of the Caribbean Community, followed by Romania and Indonesia.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14-member States of the Caribbean Community, and to align ourselves with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and the Alliance of Small Island States. We meet at a time of intensified challenges, geopolitical, environmental, and economic. Across almost every region, conflict and insecurity are growing. Defense spending is increasing, while resources for development are being reduced. At the same time, the selective application of international law is weakening confidence in the rule-based international order. For small island developing states, this is not an abstract concern. When multilateralism is weakened and international law is applied inconsistently, it is those with the least power and the greatest vulnerability who bear the heaviest cost. In this context, the United Nations has never been more important. The UN remains the only truly universal institution where all states can engage on equal footing, where dialogue can be sustained even in times of crisis, and where collective solutions can be built. Mr. Secretary General, your role in this moment is pivotal. You provide steady leadership. to a global institution operating under exceptional strain, and your role as both moral voice and institutional steward is essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations. As Member States, we too have an equal responsibility to uphold that credibility. CARICOM has given its full support to the UN AT initiative and to the creation of stronger, more fit for purpose organization. A more agile and financially sound United Nations must also be a more equitable and responsive one, especially for those who are most vulnerable. The continued impactful presence on the ground in our countries and region remains of paramount importance for the Caribbean. Madam President, CARICOM wishes therefore to highlight three priority areas where sustained UN engagement is essential. First, peace and security. This includes the illicit trafficking in arms and drugs, which continue to destabilize societies and weaken state institutions globally. We underscore the dire situation in Haiti, which is a test of international solidarity. The work of BINU and UNSOH, alongside The gang suppression force remains vital to supporting Haiti's return to democratic governance, restoring security, and addressing the profound injustices suffered by the most vulnerable, particularly women, girls, and children. Sustained political engagement and coordinated international support are imperative. Second, development and resilience. The full and effective implementation of Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS lies at the heart of our priorities. Climate shocks, external economic volatility, high debts, and constrained access to concessional finance are largely beyond our control, yet they shape our developmental prospects. We count on your leadership, Mr. Mr. Secretary General, to accelerate the implementation of ABAS, including tools such as the MVI. We are also convinced, like you, that the international financial architecture needs urgent reform so that the international system can better respond to the special circumstances of SIDS and other vulnerable countries. Environmental sustainability, the climate crisis, ocean degradation, and biodiversity loss are defining challenges of our time. None of these can be addressed by any country acting alone. They demand collective action, and the United Nations system remains the principal organ through which that cooperation must be mobilized. Finally, Mr. Secretary General, we commend your persistence and your courageous leadership at a time of extraordinary geopolitical tensions. CARICOM will continue to work with you to ensure that the United Nations remain a strong, credible, and effective pillar of the international system. We thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Grenada on behalf of CARICOM. By this, we end the statements by groups, on behalf of groups, and come to statements from individual Member States. Please be aware of the three-minute time limit, starting by the distinguished representative of Romania, followed by Indonesia and Cuba.

Thank you very much, Madam President. I would like to add a few points in addition to the statement delivered by the European Union. And I would like first and foremost to thank the Secretary General for a very candid outlook on the current state of play in the international community. We do hear and fully share your call, Mr. Secretary General, and the urgency to rise up to meet the multidimensional challenges threatening the very fabric of our multilateral architecture. The 80th UN anniversary coincides with a pivotal moment for the organization, and a predictable and stable environment where member states can enjoy security, prosperity, and the protection of fundamental freedoms, is dependent indeed on a solid international legal order. I do want to echo your call on member states respecting strictly the UN Charter and its principles, but also the purposes. They are non-negotiable, indeed, if we want to restore trust in the international community and achieve peace. We also acknowledge the need to have an honest assessment and prepare an adequate response to make the UN more fit for purpose, eight decades later on. Romania strongly supports your bold UN80 initiative reform agenda, and we believe that indeed it is the best vehicle to strengthen the multilateral system and equip the United Nations with the necessary means to respond to current challenges. It is in this period, Secretary General, that Romania undertook the responsibility of the co-chairmanship of the negotiations and the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly together with our colleagues from South Africa during the previous session, and we are pleased that resolution 79/327 is indeed a good baseline for ongoing discussions on the UN80, as well as on the process for the selection and appointment of the Secretary General. We expect the upcoming consultations to build on the commitments undertaken collectively in resolution 79/327, in compliance with our responsibility to implement mandates, and I look forward to continue working closely with my colleague from Saint Kitts and Nevis. You have mentioned the mergers of a number of entities in the UN system. As I have been appointed as President of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNOPS Board, I do look forward to turn every stone together with board members, but also with member states, and to identify the best option for advancing these proposed mergers, which I have to say it was a very courageous idea, which in time matured and morphed into a quite significant and dynamic debate between the bureaus of those boards and with the Secretariat, and we are indeed committed to pushing forward this reform agenda. and to make sure that the consultation process

I thank the distinguished representative of Romania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Madam President, and I also wish to thank the Secretary General for his important and insightful briefing. The Secretary General's report and briefing conveys stark assessment of the deepening challenges and chaos confronting humanity on all fronts. Yet he also conveys vision and determination. And in this regard, allow me to start by extending Indonesia's heartfelt appreciation to the Secretary General for his relentless work in defending multilateralism, in defending humanity. The road ahead will be even more challenging. Expectations are high that we will continue to have a Secretary General who safeguards multilateralism and defends international law. Having an inclusive, transparent, and accountable process is key. Madam President, this year begins with fundamental questions about the limits of multilateralism and the sanctity of international law. History tells us that a global order built on power alone is not sustainable. Indonesia's experience in our own region shows that an international order better delivers when it embraces, not dominates. In this regard, I wish to call for two urgent actions. First, rebuild trust and predictability. Upholding multilateralism and international law is the only path to peace. Multilateralism must be re-anchored in problem solving, not power rivalries. An a la carte approach to international law will only open a dangerous Pandora's box. Second, transform uncertainty into opportunity. We must seize the UN80 to reinforce the UN as an effective, inclusive platform for collective actions. We must continue to advance sustainable development as part and parcel of a peaceful world. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called for a more networked, inclusive, and effective multilateralism. It is timely to revive the call, working together in navigating complex challenges, including by accelerating the UN reform. Madam President, amid a global outlook that is increasingly more and more chaotic, Indonesia continues to advocate for dialogue, cooperation, partnership, and multilateral solutions. As my President Prabowo Subianto underlined in this very hall last September, we must stand for a multilateral order where the weak do not suffer what they must, but live with the justice they deserve. Let us not retreat from multilateralism; let us strengthen it together. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, Cuba subscribes to Uruguay and Palau's intervention on behalf of the G77 and AOSIS respectively. We would like to thank the Secretary General for his presentation. As the Secretary General has warned, the world is going through a series of crises, conflicts, growing inequalities, climate emergencies, a weakening of international law, and mistrust in institutions. International peace and security today are on a delicate balance due to growing threats, military aggressions under pretexts that aren't really valid, and the idea of fascist and supremacist ideologies that do not respect the principles of this organization. We've said it, and we will not tire of repeating it. strongly condemn the military aggression of the United States against Venezuela, and we ratify our support and solidarity with that brotherly country and its government. This cowardly aggression is a criminal act that violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as an area of peace, the Charter should not be preached without a firm condemnation from the international community, the UN, and its leadership. In this scenario, the United Nations should continue to be the forum par excellence to address global challenges and promote international cooperation and multilateralism. In this sense, we encourage everyone to concentrate on stopping the paradigm of war and coercion, as well as imposing peace through force. We need a world of peace, social justice, and respect for cultural plurality as well as our diversity in terms of religions and ethnicities. We need to uproot the causes of conflicts, address the structural causes of poverty and underdevelopment, and put an end to colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. We need to push forward a reform of the current international economic order and its financial architecture. Countries of the Global South should participate on equal footing in decision-making at the global level, we should renew our commitment to Agenda 2030 because in five years, we will reach the deadline. We should adopt urgent and ambitious actions to face climate change, which threatens the survival of us all, especially of small developing island states. We should address issues relating to human rights without any kind of double standards or politization, and respect the right of each country to choose their own political, economic, and social system without any kind of external interference. We should strengthen the United Nations and adapt it to current challenges without putting in to danger its intergovernmental character. We should defend a world without any kind of embargoes or cruel blockades that violate international law. We should respect the commitment that we made 80 years ago to save the following generations from the scourge of war, and we should build a world of peace. It is our collective responsibility and our historic responsibility. We need deeds, not words. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Secretary General, let me begin by expressing our sincere thanks to you for your leadership over these past nine years. You've steered the United Nations through an era of unprecedented global challenge with vision and resolve. Under your tenure and with our support, the UN has advanced major priorities, elevating climate action to the top of the global agenda, championing digital cooperation, and strengthening humanitarian response in times of crisis. The adoption of the Pact for the Future stands as a landmark achievement, charting a course for a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient world order. But as you've set out this morning, there's no shortage of challenges ahead for the organization, for multilateralism, and for our planet. Your New Year’s message set the tone for the months ahead. We must, as you said, get our priorities straight. We must choose people and planet over pain. And as you said so powerfully this morning, we must work full steam ahead, fully and faithfully in support of the Charter, as an important living promise to the people of the world. Alongside the three principles you highlighted, we welcome your UN80 reform initiative and your commitment to make this organisation more inclusive, more efficient, and better able to serve those who depend on it most. And we welcome your clear message today about taking that forward with continued high ambition. These efforts are essential to ensuring the UN can meet the defining challenges of our time, and the UK stands ready to work with you and all Member States to advance this important agenda. Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, this week we mark 80 years since the first General Assembly, Security Council, and ECOSOC meetings held in London in January 1946, and we look forward to welcoming you to London this weekend to celebrate this important anniversary. As we reflect on this organization's first eight decades, we recall the remarkable efforts and achievements of those first delegates who came together in the extraordinary circumstances of the aftermath of World War, and we renew their conviction that nations acting together can achieve far more than they can alone. Let us approach the year ahead in that spirit, determined to work together to deliver the progress that this world so urgently needs. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany, followed by the Russian Federation and Tajikistan.

Madam President, thank you very much. Germany fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. Mr. Secretary General, we thank you very much for your steadfast leadership, your continued commitment, your guidance, and your clarity throughout your tenure and this morning. Our multilateral system is facing unprecedented challenges, and violations of the UN Charter are on the rise, and we must fight this trend. Our history shows that we can tackle the most pressing global challenges best through international cooperation and within a functional international order with the United Nations as its core. The questions which should guide us are, how can we restore trust? How can we ensure that the rules we all agreed on are respected? And do we have the right structures to address the challenges of the present and the future? And three short points on this. First, we should implement the Pact of the Future and put a strong focus on UN reform. In the pact that Namibia and Germany had the honor to facilitate, our heads of state and governance Recognize that our deeply interconnected challenges can only be addressed collectively and pledge to uphold international law and the charter's principles. And therefore, within the UN80 process, we should place a strong focus on structural changes that make the UN fit for purpose and ensure these goals. Secondly, let us learn from the many successes of the United Nations and build on what has worked well. I would just like to mention two short things. In many, many countries, the UN has helped to provide accountability and made a lasting contribution to peace and stability. And some former recipients of UN stabilization efforts now share these experiences with others. Just by way of example, and I would like to commend these countries, we are delighted that Sierra Leone just concluded a successful non-permanent membership on the Security Council, and we are looking forward to Liberia's term on the Council. And as I chair the Peacebuilding Commission, and had the honor to chair it, I would like to underline that many countries are actively engaging with the PBC to support each other, share national prevention strategies, and showcase how they stabilize their own countries. We do have the instruments that we need. And thirdly, let us show solidarity with those in need, and the UN is at the forefront of this, in humanitarian assistance as well as in peace and security, and our efforts in Haiti underscore this. Where common will prevails, bold action can be taken, as the Security Council decision establishing the Gang Suppression Force shows, and Germany will support this very much. We have committed 46 million US dollars to the Trust Fund. Madam President, Secretary General, colleagues, this organization has been founded on country not to further individual causes, but a common interest. Let's work for that. Thank you very

I thank the distinguished representative of Germany. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.

Madam President, we thank the Secretary General for presenting his priorities. We agree with the fact that the UN is operating in ever more complicated conditions. Russia advocates for strengthening the central role of the United Nations in world affairs. Today, this was reaffirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his statement, in his meeting with Paslan, with the ambassadors rather. And he also set out his view of how to ensure security in the world. But today, I would like to comment some factors that have to do with the work of the Secretariat. First, it is important to eschew double standards and selectivity in the Secretariat's assessment of events that are happening. We regret the fact that we have seen such approaches occur last year with regard to the crises in Ukraine, in Gaza, in Iran, in the Middle East, in Venezuela, and in the Sudan. Second, we need to fight against arbitrary actions taken by major donors who are imposing functions and mandates that have not garnered consensus. This is because insufficient progress toward equitable geographical representation and the frequent overstepping by the Secretariat of its authority have happened, and it's losing impartiality as well, impartiality which is the main value of the UN and a guarantee of its legitimacy. Only with impartiality can one actively participate in settling conflicts, which is one of the key tasks of the Secretariat. Third, of course, the UN is unable to operate without resources. And, of course, contributions need to be paid on time. However, when forming budget proposals, we call for closer consultations with delegations so as to ensure a sound basis is established for consensus. Madam President, turning now to the limits, the time limits. Of course, It's good when they disrupt somebody being offensive and diplomats that are being inoffensive, but you yourself called for a dialogue to be engaged in. And without a dialogue, the UN can't be saved.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tajikistan, followed by China and Poland.

Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, let me thank Secretary General for his comprehensive briefing on his priorities and assure him of our support. Madam President, despite some progress, we cannot ignore the wider reality. With only five years left until 2030, the world is off track. Poverty and inequality are rising, conflicts are becoming more protracted, humanitarian systems are overstretched, and climate impacts are accelerating faster than our collective response. These are not failures of ambition, these are failures of implementation and solidarity. If we are serious about restoring trust in multilateralism, our priorities must be matched by our actions. Allow me to highlight four key points in this regard. First, financing for development. We must accelerate reform of the international financial architecture, advance debt relief, and scale up investment in SDGs. Without predictable and adequate financing, our commitment will remain unfulfilled. Second, prevention and resilience. We must place prevention at the center of our work, preventing conflict, climate catastrophes, and humanitarian crises through early action, risk reduction, and strengthened national capacities. Third, technology and digital transformation. We must ensure that innovation serves development and human dignity. We welcome efforts to implement the global digital compact and to harness technology, including AI, in ways that reduce rather than widen global divides. Fourth, water is a strategic priority. Water lies at the heart of climate resilience. food and energy security, health and sustainable development. The pathway to the 2026 UN Water Conference offers a concrete opportunity to move from commitments to delivery. Later this month, the high-level prep meeting in Dakar will launch this process. It will be followed by a high-level event in New York on 19 March 2026, marking World Water Day. And from 25 to 28 May 2026, Tajikistan will host in Dushanbe the fourth high-level international conference on Water Action Decade. This conference will be an important milestone of the Dushanbe Water Process in 2026 and a major substantive contribution to the UN 2026 Water Conference. From Dakar to New York, from Dushanbe to UAE, this sequence is designed not for statements, but for delivery and bringing forward solutions, mobilizing partnerships. Madam President, the Pact for the Future, the UN80 initiatives, our collective commitments will only matter if they change realities.

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

President, China thanks Secretary-General Guterres for the briefing. Now, the world is full of turmoil and change, and the UN faces severe challenges. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more imperative it is to uphold the authority and status of the UN and safeguard its central role in international affairs. China highly recommend or rather commends the achievement made under Secretary-General's leadership over the past nine years and supports him in continuing to discharge his responsibilities. I want to emphasize three points. First of all, we must resolutely uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The principles of sovereign equality, non-interference, internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, no use or threat of force in international relations are fundamental tenets of the Charter. They serve as essential guidelines for managing international relations and constitute the bedrock of international peace and security. The UN must resolutely defend the outcomes of World War II and uphold the post-war international order, firmly oppose unilateralism and hegemony, and reject any attempts to research militarism. And secondly, we have to advance the three pillars in a balanced manner. Peace and development, and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and neither should be neglected for the global south. Development issues are of paramount importance and must always be put at the center of the international agenda. The UN should have a heightened sense of urgency, push member states to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets and bridge the North-South digital divide and promote common development and a win-win cooperation. Third, we must reform and improve global governance. The value of the UN lies in safeguarding the common interests of all member states. Supporting the UN in keeping pace with the times, enhancing effectiveness and efficiency, promoting the establishment of a just and equitable global governance system is the shared aspiration of its membership, and this is also the intent behind China's initiative to establish the Group of Friends of Global Governance. China supports the Secretary-General's efforts to advance the UN80 Initiative. and looks forward to positive outcomes from the reform process, building solidarity and cooperation, thereby injecting confidence and momentum into the UN and multilateralism. Peace and development must be actively pursued and also be maintained. China is willing to work with all parties to firmly support multilateralism and the international system with the UN at its core, maintain peace, promote development, and push for the building of the community of a shared future for mankind. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of China. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland, followed by Portugal and Japan.

Thank you, Madam President, Mr. Secretary General. Aligning with the statement of the European Union, I would like to thank the Secretary General for presenting priorities for 2026. Let me express Poland's appreciation for your service and assurance of full support in the final year of your mandate. And Poland shows this support not in words, but in deeds. We have paid our contribution for 2026 in full and in advance. We fully agree with the SGA that at the core of our priorities must be the unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of the UN Charter and international law. In today's complex and volatile global environment, it is essential that the United Nations remains fit for purpose and capable of responding effectively to the emerging challenges. And the UN Charter is our anchor in the sea of chaos, as you describe the world of today. In that context, let me quote the last Friday's address by the Pope, Leo XIV, to the members of the diplomatic corps, and I quote: Efforts are needed to ensure that the United Nations not only reflects the situation of today's world rather than that of the post-war period, but it is also more focused and efficient in pursuing policies aimed at the unity of the human family instead of ideologies." And I agree with that quotation. We echo this call and support the UN reform to renew strong and effective multilateralism firmly rooted in the UN Charter: peace and security based on sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Member States; brutally attacked by ongoing wars like Russia's aggression against Ukraine, human rights based on universality, and sustainable development based on solidarity with people and planet. All three pillars must remain equally important. Fulfilling ambitious goals needs not only genuine leadership, but also renewed collective determination among the UN members. This determination will be needed, first and foremost, to undertake responsible actions to advance UN reform. Poland appreciates Secretary-General's Gutierrez UN18 initiative and the Pact for the Future. It is up to us, the Member States, to deliver a positive outcome that will streamline the activities of the UN. Poland strongly supports multilateralism and reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations and to the Secretary-General, particularly in the efforts to reform the organization so that it's fit for today's realities and challenges. But finally, this organization is what we, member States, make it of it. So less hypocrisy and more commitment. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Secretary General, we thank you for your briefing on priorities for 2026, and we fully support the three principles you have outlined. As you mentioned, this is a demanding moment for the United Nations. The world is marked by prolonged conflicts, by growing inequalities, by the climate emergency, and by rapidly evolving technological challenges. But it is also a moment of responsibility, a moment to translate bold commitments into action and to choose cooperation over fragmentation. Mr. Secretary-General, as you enter the final year of your mandate, Portugal wishes to express its deep appreciation for your principled, courageous, and steadfast leadership, a leadership grounded in the UN Charter, in international law, and in a strong commitment to multilateralism, even when it is under severe strain. The report on the work of the UN in 2025 reflects an organization under pressure, but also an organization that continues to deliver. delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance, supporting mediation and peacebuilding efforts, defending human rights, and advancing concrete reforms to strengthen the UN's effectiveness, including in the areas of digital governance and the responsible use of AI. Looking ahead to 2026, the priority should be implementation. turning agreed frameworks into results, strengthening prevention and peacebuilding, adapting peace operations to today’s realities, working towards Charter-based and sustainable peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and around the world. Mr. Secretary General, your drive for reforms reflected in the UNAT process is therefore particularly important. And we need to ensure that the UN is fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world. And this should also ensure that our institutions reflect today’s world and not the world of 1945. None of these priorities can be achieved without a UN that is adequately resourced to deliver on its mandates. In this regard, My country is proud to be on the honour roll of Member States that meet their financial obligations in full and on time. Portugal will continue to support the UN's efforts in a spirit of responsibility, of dialogue, and of service to the wider membership, including, if elected, to the Security Council next June. I thank you.

Thank you, distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan, followed by Liechtenstein and Kyrgyzstan.

Thank you, Madam President. I also thank Secretary-General Guterres for sharing his priorities for 2026. Japan fully supports the SG’s vision for a more effective and resilient United Nations during these complex times. The year 2026 is historically significant for Japan, marking 70 years since our admission to the United Nations in 1956. Over these decades, Japan has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the UN and adhered to the principles of the UN Charter, evolving into a proactive contributor to international peace, security, and prosperity. As we celebrate this milestone amidst global uncertainty, we reaffirm our consistent and robust determination to sustain the international order based on the rule of law and support the UN works. The UN faces unprecedented challenges. I commend Secretary-General Guterres for his endeavor, particularly through the UN80 initiative. UN reform cannot be realized without firmest commitment and concrete actions taken by the whole UN system. Japan will actively engage in further works to find a way forward. Madam President, for the UN to remain relevant in today's dire geopolitical reality, Japan continues to advocate for urgent reform of the Security Council. The Council must be transformed through expanding its permanent and non-permanent categories, And we must move forward text-based negotiations as soon as possible. Equally important is our progress toward the 2030 agenda. Japan will accelerate its efforts to achieve SDGs, including through the lens of human security. To ensure no one is left behind, stronger cooperation is necessary in traditional areas such as poverty and health. as well as new challenges, including AI and digital technologies, while tackling issues related to financing for development. Lastly, as we approach the selection of the next Secretary-General, this process must be conducted with the highest level of transparency, inclusivity, and predictability to ensure broad support to the next leader in this challenging time. Japan is ready to work with all Member States and the Secretary General to make 2026 a year of decisive action and renewed hope. Thank you, Madam President.

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

And we want to thank the SG for his briefing and wish him all the best. as he enters the final year of service to our organization. We're also grateful that he has found positive words on a few things, and I want to echo in particular his words that disruption can be a force of construction. I do believe, and I hope that we can look at the moment that we find ourselves as a moment of opportunity and of resilience. And that is necessary because, as you have said yesterday, Madam President, more than ever, this is a make it or break it moment for our organization. And I just want to offer comments on two topics discussed this morning. The first is UN80. We were certainly pleased to see that we were able to adopt the budget after much difficulty at the end of 2025 as a positive contribution on the discussions under Workstream 1. This, of course, is not a reason to congratulate ourselves. This is simply what we need to do to keep the organization going. And of course, it is not a decision that has solved the liquidity crisis. We are confident that work stream 2 is on a good track. We have a clear calendar and the time frame, and we look forward to concrete results that will have a direct impact on the future work of this organization, but it will also take time of the results of these outcomes to play out, which is why it's so important that we now turn to work stream 3 in more detail to examine the potential structural changes to the UN system, which is what will make a difference in the long term and which we need in order to convince our political leaderships that they continue to make the investment that we see in this organization. We share the concern that you have expressed, Secretary General, concerning the state of international law. The United Nations, more than anything else, stands for the rule of law, the importance of international law. and the fact that it is agreed rules that govern international relations. Violations of Article 2(4) in particular are proliferating, and no state should get a free pass in the violation of the UN Charter. We certainly look for your leadership in calling out such violations, but it is in fact our collective responsibility of Member States to continue referencing the importance of international law in order to keep this as the foundation of our organization. I thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kyrgyzstan, followed by Egypt and Morocco.

Madam President, we thank the Secretary General for his briefing and for outlining his priorities for 2026. Kyrgyzstan supports a strong, effective, and action-oriented United Nations, capable of responding for today's complex and interlinked global challenges.

As my President emphasized in his statement at the 18th session of the United Nations General Assembly,

the world is experiencing a profound crisis of trust in international relations, accompanied by growing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and fragmentation.

In this context, the role of the United Nations as the central platform for

dialogue and collective decision-making is more important than ever. Kyrgyzstan firmly believes that multilateralism based on the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs must remain the cornerstone of international relations. There can be no sustainable peace or development without strict adherence to international law and without equal respect for all states, large and small.

Peace and security remain at the top of our shared agenda.

Kyrgyzstan consistently advocates for the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

Kyrgyzstan, together with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, has jointly presented

a draft resolution on the peaceful settlement of border disputes.

We count on the support of the Member States. We thank all delegations for their attention to the remarkable progress achieved in Central Asian countries in peacefully resolving long-standing border disputes, which was also highlighted during the meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission last December. Mr. Secretary General, Kyrgyzstan also aligns itself with your emphasis on reforming and strengthening the UN system and the work under the UN80 initiative. Allow me gently recall the importance of fairness and inclusivity in the work of the Security Council. We all speak about justice, equality, and the importance of hearing the voices of all States, including small and developing. Yes, these principles must be reflected in practice, especially in the functioning of the Council. The credibility and effectiveness of the Council depend on its ability to reflect the diversity of UN members. Countries that have never had opportunity to serve on the Council should be given a fair chance to contribute to its work, and the voices of small and developing states must be heard. Madam President, the future of the United Nations depends on our collective political will to and unity, restore trust, and act responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kyrgyzstan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Secretary General, for the inspiring statement. Egypt appreciates your leadership. We align ourselves with the statements delivered by the G77 and China and the African Group. The UN system is predicated on the conviction that multilateralism provides a foundation for global stability and that the reliance on the protection provided by international law would prevail over that sought through the use of force. Violations of international law, including by permanent members of the Security Council, weaken the authority of the Charter, and threaten the very foundation of multilateralism. Yet, despite this bleak outlook, I want to offer a note of cautious optimism. This moment of crisis and uncertainty is an opportunity for middle powers and small states to assume leadership in defending international law and sustaining multilateral diplomacy. Through coalition building, norm setting, and principled engagement within the UN, these stakeholders can and should demonstrate that multilateralism does not depend solely on the will, whim, or restraint of the most powerful. In this connection, the UN is indeed empowered with a set of tools to mediate, manage, and resolve conflict. build and sustain peace, as well as advance economic and social development and protect human rights. The future of the UN will be shaped by the collective resolve of its broader membership to sharpen and modernize the existing tools and to introduce new ones that are capable of addressing the emerging challenges and opportunities. The successful adoption of the Pact for the Future in 2024 offered a glimpse of hope in this respect. On the outlook for the organization in 2026, I wish to underscore the following: 2025 has just concluded with adopting a regular budget that is significantly lower than last year's. This comes in response to the UN80 initiative to strengthen effectiveness, coordination, and accountability across the UN system. The majority of Member States have bought into this effort, with the understanding that a leaner UN will be more capable of delivering mandates and enhancing impact. We must be mindful not to practically reduce this process into a mere cost-cutting exercise. As we further engage on the three work streams of the UN80 initiative, we need to be more vigilant, responsible, and forward-looking.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco, followed by France and Saudi Arabia.

I have the honor

to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of ambassadors, and we regret that we weren't able to deliver the statement before because of a parallel event. The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its sincere congratulations on your briefing, which you delivered to us this morning. 2026 should be a year of consolidation of collective action and effective strengthening of multilateralism. Given the multiple challenges facing our world, it must mark the commitments being implemented, those taken in the major meetings in 2025. These must be translated into tangible results on the ground, and they must support the initiatives that bring us together and unite us. In this regard, Mr. Secretary General, your vision and leadership will be determinative in guiding our common efforts in 2026. With that in mind, I want to underscore several points. First, Morocco supports your efforts to strengthen the efficacy, coherence, and capacity of the action of our organization, especially those under your UN80 initiative. Second, given the new realities that peacekeeping operations face, Morocco, as a traditional major troop-contributing country, reaffirms the central role of peacekeeping operations of the United Nations, and we are eagerly anticipating the results of the current peacekeeping review underway. Third, in an environment of tensions and arms races, the NPT in 2026 will be a moment of truth. Morocco supports a balanced approach which bolsters all three pillars of the treaty, above all, trust among the States-Parties, because without trust, no collective security regime will hold forth. My delegation underscores the importance of responsible governance of artificial intelligence so as to address risks and bridge the digital divide. Finally, my country fully supports the driving force of young people, which actively contribute to sustainable development and bring together societies and strengthen peace as well. In closing, Mr. Secretary General, Morocco remains committed to a more credible, effective, and above all, organization that is above all capable of delivering on its mandates. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam President. First, I would like to thank the Secretary General for his presentation. France agrees with his aspirations, conclusions, and observations. What we aspire to is the durability of the Charter, taking into account the purposes for which it was adopted 80 years ago. And these purposes correspond to universal aspirations. We aspire to a world that is at peace, that respects the sovereignty of states, and that ensures everyone can enjoy their fundamental human rights and guarantees the economic and social conditions that are adequate for all. We aspire to a world where law prevails over force, where cooperation prevails over competition when it comes to solving the fundamental issues of our time. Your observations, we agree with, and Like you, we observe that the purposes of the Charter are compromised due to division and a spirit of mistrust. When nations ignore norms that have to do with the use of force, ignore fundamental human rights, or abandon our collective efforts, it's certainly an issue. Nations depend on the rules that we craft together. This is a responsibility that engages us in terms of our people. We have to respect the SDGs and the Pact for the Future. Finally, your conclusions and your forecasts are something that we support and we agree with. We want a United Nations that is strong and respected, as well as committed and efficient, committed to peace committed to humanitarian work, human rights, and sustainable development. We want adequate financing. Each country should pay in a timely fashion. We support the reforms that you have started to take into account our needs without betraying our ideals. UN80 has already begun through the adoption of our budget by consensus at the end of last year. This process should continue on a system-wide level. This system, which is the result of a long track record, needs to be rationalized. In a moment where a lack of resources forces us to establish a hierarchy among human suffering, In order to prioritize, quote unquote, our human needs, it is not acceptable that resources aren't optimized for utility. And this is a condition so that the United Nations may respond to current challenges such as regulating the digital space and AI, climate change, fighting against terrorism, or organized crime. Mr. Secretary General, you are beginning the last year of your mandate. The strength of your convictions The clarity of your observations and the determination of your actions continue to inspire on behalf of France, no audio.

I thank the distinguished representative of France. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia, followed by Singapore and Tunisia.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to first congratulate you for holding this meeting, and I would like to thank the Secretary General for his presentation about his priorities for the year 2026. We also congratulate you for all the efforts that you have carried out through these last years, and we congratulate you for your leadership, especially in this critical time for the United Nations. the United Nations, which are commemorating their 80th anniversary. Madam President, this meeting is especially important. We support UN80. It's an opportunity to evaluate the work of the organization and to strengthen its capacity to respond to current global challenges. Our world now is experiencing unprecedented challenges when it comes to international peace and security. This includes conflicts, geopolitical tensions, And all of this puts in danger regional and international stability. It's a reality that invites us to rethink the work of the United Nations so that our organization may honor its commitments. Therefore, UN 80 is an essential tool to strengthen our organization in order to allow it to more effectively address conflicts and carry out mediation efforts. Therefore, strengthening preventive diplomacy is a crucial element in order to address human suffering, consolidate peace and security on the global and regional levels. This initiative should be transparent, inclusive. based on consensus and carried out by Member States, which will allow us to strengthen our multilateral action and improve the efficiency of our Organization. To conclude, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, my country would like to reiterate its support to the Secretary General, and we welcome all his efforts so that our Organization may be more efficient and capable of ensuring international peace and security, as well as stability and sustainable development for the peoples of the world. Thank you.

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

Thank you very much, Madam President. I thank the Secretary-General for his remarks and for his steadfast leadership. We welcome the priorities that he has outlined for the year ahead, and we recognize and appreciate the Secretary-General's commitment to keep working and keep pushing with urgency and determination. Madam President, a large majority of members of this Assembly, members of the United Nations, are small states. And for small states like Singapore, the multilateral system anchored by the United Nations and founded on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, is indispensable for peace and security. In a world of chaos and conflict, every Member State has a responsibility to stand up for international law and defend the principles of the UN Charter. We cannot allow violations of international law to become normal or to be normalized. As member states, we all also have a collective responsibility to work together to build understanding, to bridge our differences based on mutual respect and mutual trust. Singapore stands ready to work with all member states to strengthen the role of the United Nations and to defend multilateralism. Madam President, please allow me to make a few points. First, we need to accelerate reform. and deliver results. We have made a good start with UN80, but we need to press on with this process. Just two weeks ago, we adopted a consensus budget for 2026 that led to significant reductions in the resource and staffing requirements, while also seeking to streamline and enhance our organization's efficiency. This is a concrete demonstration that the UN can adapt to challenges and deliver results. In this context, we underline our readiness to work with all Member States to continue the UNAD process in a way that is beneficial to all of us collectively. Second, we need to accelerate the implementation of what we have already agreed, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact of the Future. The Pact of the Future provides a very clear blueprint to make the UN future-ready and to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies and to harness its potential in order to reduce inequalities between nations. Thirdly, as an organization, we need to communicate better and communicate differently. We need to make a positive case for multilateralism to people, especially young people, around the world. There's far too much cynicism, and this needs to be changed. We look forward to working with you and your team and with all member states.

I thank you very much for

I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia, followed by Zimbabwe and Paraguay. Tunisia.

Secretary General, Your Excellencies, Tunisia welcomes this briefing and expresses its appreciation to the Secretary General for his continued leadership and for the clarity of the priorities he has outlined. We reaffirm our full support to his wishes and vision for a stronger, more responsive, and more effective United Nations. Tunisia attaches particular importance to the UN80 reform initiative. In this context, we stress the need to safeguard the development pillar of the United Nations. We also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. the respect by all, the members of international legitimacy and international law, and the importance of peacekeeping operations and preventive diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation. The principles of non-aggression, sovereignty, and territorial integrity must remain the cornerstone of international relations instead of colonialism, genocides, and unilateral actions. Tunisia further underlines the urgent need to ensure predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing for the United Nations, as well as enhanced international efforts to finance development in line with national priorities. We reiterate our long-standing call for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, including the correction of historical injustice through fair and permanent representation of Africa. Tunisia also values the role of the United Nations in supporting developing countries in stolen asset recovery and debt management. Finally, Tunisia expresses its hope that the forthcoming process for the election of a new Secretary-General will reflect the Organization's commitment to inclusivity and gender equality, and we encourage, in this regard, the selection of a woman Secretary-General. I thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the Secretary-General for his candid and comprehensive briefing, which was both timely and illuminating. As we approach 2030, the international community stands at a defining crossroads. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals remains slow and uneven. with reversals in key areas, while the financing gap continues to widen. Accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda is therefore urgent. In this regard, we stress the importance of honouring all existing commitments, including those proposed under the SDG Stimulus Plan. While Member States have committed to mobilizing financing for development through the Compromisso de Severe, Debt distress continues to constrain the policy space of many developing countries. This underscores the urgent need for meaningful reform of the global financial architecture so that it reflects current realities and responds more equitably to the needs of the Global South. We welcome progress under the UN80 initiative and commend the Secretary-General's commitment to transparency through regular reporting. We share the aspiration for a more efficient and responsive United Nations. At the same time, efficiency gains must not come at the expense of core mandates, particularly the development pillar. In this context, we reiterate our concern regarding proposals to phase out agencies that have been central to the development efforts in many countries, including UN aid. We also have a collective responsibility to safeguard our planet for present and future generations. The breach of the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold and accelerating sea level rise demand that we move decisively from pledges to action. For many countries, climate mitigation and adaptation are not abstract goals, but matters of food security, livelihoods, and survival. Developed countries must therefore fully honor their climate finance commitments. Finally, we support initiatives promoting universal and equitable access to technology, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and look forward to constructive engagement in the global dialogue on AI governance. As I conclude, Madam President, the challenges before us are interconnected. and demand renewed multilateral cooperation and collective resolve. In this context, the Pact for the Future is significant as it offers a pathway to restoring confidence in multilateralism. Working together despite our differences remains our most credible path to shared progress in sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay, followed by Mongolia and Pakistan.

Thank you, Madam President. Paraguay would like to thank the Secretary-General for presenting his annual report and his priorities for 2026, which will guide our work throughout this period. The countries of the global south, countries that are developing, countries without access to the sea, small economies, small island developing states, face and acutely feel the growing world challenges, limitations in terms of connectivity and asymmetries in terms of reaching markets, vulnerabilities facing external shocks, and the difficulties to mobilize resources are absolutely enormous. This is why we reiterate the need to continue moving toward an international system that is more inclusive, efficient, and representative. fits the needs of developing countries. Strengthening the presence and the voice of these countries in decision-making is not a mere issue of equity, it is indispensable for the legitimacy and effectiveness of our collective responses to these global challenges. Secretary-General Guterres, we count on your commitment to the Organization, and we hope that it will come out strengthened from this last year of your mandate. In an international context that is changing and complex, the world needs a United Nations that are robust and capable of defending the principles enshrined in the three pillars of the Charter without any kind of need to prioritize among them. This is something for which we will count on your leadership until the very last day. In this context, for us, it is absolutely crucial to underline the relevance of the process of selecting the next Secretary-General. This moment is a historic opportunity to concretely reflect the commitment of the United Nations to regional diversity. Paraguay staunchly supports that the next Secretary General, male or female, is the ideal person from the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, selected on the basis of merits, integrity, and leadership through a transparent process. On the other hand, Mr. Secretary General, Paraguay would like to congratulate you. Fourth, pushing forward UN80. And as we have mentioned on other occasions, we believe that the reform to improve the operational efficiency and restructure the United Nations system to respond in a more agile fashion to current challenges was extremely necessary and urgent, regardless of the financial situation of the Organization. Lastly, we would like to restate our commitment to the United Nations and the multilateral system. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Paraguay and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mongolia.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, I would like to thank the Secretary General for his steadfast leadership and for sharing his priorities for the year of 2026. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by Uruguay on the behalf of Group 77 and China. Excellencies, in 2025, during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we, Member States, have once more realized the importance of standing together and working together to support and strengthen the United Nations, our beacon of hope for global peace and security and development. In this connection, today I would like to make three brief points. First, we commend the achievements outlined in the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization. We see that the recent educational attainments, growth in digital connectivity, and bold climate actions, including support to renewable energy, need to be maintained for accelerating 2030 Agenda's implementation. Likewise, strides toward leaving no one behind, including measures on improving gender equality, youth involvement, development in Africa, and assistance to millions of refugees and displaced people through UN system have been remarkable in the last years. We truly appreciate the tangible results of SG's system-wide strategy on gender parity, which resulted in the achievement of gender parity among senior leadership, resident coordinators, as well as among professional and higher categories. Second, last year, important road maps were defined in several fields and sectors, including FfD4, UNOC3, LLDC3, and Second World Social Summit. Thus, we consider that it's important to integrate them well into implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Pact for the Future. Third, we welcome the key priorities and challenges that the Secretary General has identified today and particularly appreciate concerns about global unrest and appeal to reducing security threats and conflicts. It should be underlined that we wholeheartedly support the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative. We expect that 2026 will be a turning point for the realization of the UN80 initiative, which is aimed at making UN more agile, integrated, effective, and cost efficient for the 21st century by reforming its operation, streamlining mandates, restructuring programs to better tackle complex global challenges, including conflict, climate change, and inequality. In support of the SDG's priorities in 2026 and the overall future of the UN, Mongolia reaffirm our commitment to be engaged more constructively in the future discussions and collaboration.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mongolia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan, followed by the Republic of Korea and Panama.

Thank you, President. I would like to commend the Secretary-General for his leadership, clarity of vision, and strong commitment to the UN and multilateralism. SG, you have rightly mentioned chaos and complexity of the challenges that confront us, and we agree with you that mutual trust and cooperation are most needed today, and that no one country or a select group can do it alone. Pakistan has supported you throughout, and we will stand by you and continue to strengthen your hands during the last year of your mandate. We appreciate your friendship, dynamism, and availability, as we also saw in your leadership in mobilizing international response to the 2022 floods in Pakistan. SG, we appreciate the principles and priorities that you have outlined and the passion with which you have sought to advance the three pillars of the UN. You also referred to the obligations of Member States, from payment of contributions to respect for the Charter. And let me add that it is the duty of the Member States to support the Organization and to carry out its decisions and resolutions. to promote peaceful settlement of disputes and respect international obligations and treaties. You emphasize the need for reform, and we agree that it must strengthen and not weaken the organization. A reform away from status and privilege towards true sovereign equality, away from archaic concepts towards contemporary realities. of democracy, representation, and accountability that must underpin global governance. And I concur here with the views expressed by the distinguished representative of Egypt regarding the important role of medium and small states in this regard. And that's why, Secretary General, we have been saying we want reform for all and privileges for none. Cooperative multilateralism, through this organization, our United Nations, is the way forward. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you, Madam President. I thank Secretary-General Guterres for presenting his annual priorities. The Republic of Korea aligns itself with this direction. which is firmly grounded in UN Charter and in multilateralism. Today, multilateralism is under serious threat, yet we still believe that multilateralism remains irreplaceable in addressing global challenges. Under this backdrop, I'll make three points. First, 2026 must shift commitment to implementation. As the Secretary-General has emphasized, what the international community does lack is not the arrangement, but delivery. Thus, it is critical to translate our shared commitment into concrete action across the UN's core pillars. This is essential for restoring trust in the UN and multilateralism. We support the Secretary-General's emphasis on implementation, follow-up, and results. Second, UN reform is essential for enabling effective implementation. Across the UN nation, nation system, delivery supports reflect deeper challenges, fragmentation, inefficiencies, and coordination constraints. My delegation welcomes the Secretary General's UNAD initiative as a practical effort for the UN to adapt and perform more effectively. in a rapidly changing environment. The leadership of the Secretary-General is more critical than ever. Korea's experience on the Security Council reaffirmed that stability cannot endure without the consistent application of global norms and the rule of law. During this year of uncertainty, the Secretary-General's moral authority and judgment are indispensable. in defending the Charter and protecting multilateralism. In this context, we underscored the significance of preserving the legitimacy, continuity, and effectiveness of the leadership, including a transparent and inclusive process for the selection of the next Secretary-General. In closing, as my President stressed in this hall last September, Korea's experience over the past 80 years demonstrate that UN can deliver peace and prosperity, even as crisis proliferate. The Republic of Korea looks forward to working with all member state to ensure the UN's people purpose for all over its next 80 years and beyond. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Panama. followed by Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico.

Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Panama would like to thank the SG for presenting his annual report, and we would also like to thank him for speaking about his priorities for 2026. My delegation subscribes to the statements made by the G77 and by the like-minded group of middle-income countries, and we would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his management, which has always been accurate and responsible. We recognize the value of your report as an essential guide that reminds us that human dignity should be at the center of this organization's collective actions. In a moment where geopolitical tensions are on the rise, it is essential to strengthen multilateral mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation, and preventing conflicts. Panama would like to reiterate that peace and international stability can only be sustained through the full respect of the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Panama agrees with the Secretary-General Strengthening multilateralism is indispensable in order to respond to an international scenario that is characterized by growing tensions, persistent inequalities, and structural challenges that have still not been resolved. In this context, we would like to reaffirm the centrality of the United Nations as a legitimate forum to promote sustainable development, international cooperation, respect for human rights, and international law. As a maritime country surrounded by two seas that are joined by its canal, Panama considers that it is especially relevant what is pointed out in the report about the world water crisis, which affects over 4 billion people. For Panama, Water security goes beyond environmental concerns and is directly linked to health, the economy, logistics, the environment, and social cohesion. In that sense, the Panama Canal, which is neutral, safe, and operated by Panamanians, whose operation depends on the responsible use of freshwater, continues to provide essential services to international logistics and global trade. Madam President, the reform of the United Nations and its organs, as well as the international financial architecture, are fundamental in order to move to a system that is more equitable and inclusive. Panama reaffirms its firm support to the United Nations and as a regional hub of the system, we are completely available to contribute actively to the work of the Organization in order to benefit current and future generations. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Panama. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Trinidad and Tobago.

Thank you, Madam President. Trinidad and Tobago wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing and for outlining the Organization's priorities for 2026. It would also seem remiss of me not to also acknowledge you as President of this august body. the General Assembly for your insightful presentation yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago fully supports the priorities identified, particularly the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Progress remains far too slow, and the international community must redouble its efforts to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its strong support for reform of the global financial architecture to ensure a more equitable, responsive, and development-oriented system. My delegation also acknowledges the Pact for the Future and the UN80 process and commends the co-chairs, Jamaica and New Zealand, of the informal ad hoc working group for their stewardship. We remain ready to support reforms aimed at strengthening this organization. one of the most consequential multilateral institutions, to ensure that the United Nations is more agile and fit for purpose to respond effectively to the present and future global challenges. Within the United Nations system, Trinidad and Tobago will continue to advance the agendas related to citizen security, the empowerment of women and girls, AI governance, food and energy security, sustainable development, and environmental resilience, as these issues remain central to our national priorities. In taking this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his leadership and foresight as his term comes to a close, Trinidad and Tobago underscores the importance of a transparent, inclusive, and merit-based selection process that redounds in the appointment of the most suitable candidate for this critically important role of the next Secretary-General at this pivotal moment. As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, my delegation stands ready to work constructively with all Member States to advance our shared objectives and to strengthen this indispensable organization. We look forward to continued collaboration in shaping a more stable, fair, and sustainable world. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Trinidad and Tobago. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico, followed by Switzerland and Ukraine.

Excellencies, I would just like to thank and congratulate the Secretary-General. for having deviated a bit from the traditional format of these reports and the presentation of his plans for the current year to actually focus on some of the gravest problems that the world is currently facing. I do not think that we need conventional responses at this time, but rather unprecedented actions given the gravity of the situation on the world stage. I hope that the members of the United Nations, all of us here represented in this institution, will support and amplify his calls, given the seriousness of the problems that the Secretary-General summarized this morning. When it comes to Mexico, of course, we reaffirm our unshakable commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations. Thank you very much.

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

Thank you, Madam President. Allow me, first of all, to thank you, Mr. Secretary General, for your leadership, still always geared toward the principles of the Charter. And we thank you for presenting your priorities for 2026, above all for this next year, which will have many challenges. We wish you every success. You may count on the support of Switzerland until the last day of your mandate. On behalf of Switzerland, We thank all of the UN personnel. This was a difficult year, but their work gives cause for hope. It shows they showed resilience in difficult times. We pay tribute to your courage, professionalism, and commitment. President, in the current geopolitical context, which is deeply polarized and marked by an undermining of common rules, we heard that this morning. We have three priorities that will be at the heart of Switzerland's priorities. First, respect for international law and the rule of law. In an increasingly interconnected world, international law must remain the compass and foundation for interactions between states. and for air traffic, for trade, but above all for cooperation. The UN Charter is our common framework. It's not an option, but an obligation. It must be respected in its entirety. Picking and choosing is not acceptable. It's not sustainable, and it poses major risks to the credibility and stability of the international order. is not only for small and medium-sized countries like mine, but history shows us it will be dangerous for all powers. And we need a clear commitment to these principles, and we need clear consequences for those who violate them, too. Second, reforming and strengthening the United Nations, especially through UN80. Switzerland has always supported a strong, effective, and efficient UN system. We welcome your UN80 reform initiative, Mr. Secretary General, which offers an important opportunity to shape a forward-looking multilateralism. Indeed, reforms are necessary. They must reduce bureaucracy and complexity, improve coordination, and refocus entities so the UN can truly fulfill its mandates. And it must ensure shorter decision-making chains, better use of resources, and greater impact on the ground. You may count on our support in your reform. Third, the need for transparent, inclusive, and trust-based multilateral cooperation. We are facing challenges, and they can be resolved only collectively. Our people are expecting tangible results, and they expect us to live up to the promise encapsulated in the very first words of the Charter: you may count on us to support you in all of your efforts. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine, followed by Namibia and the observer of the International Organization of La Francophonie.

Madam President, aligning with the statement of the European Union, I would like to thank the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for your passionate speech and your priorities of the work that you have presented. I would also like to reject criticism of SG and the UN Secretariat that we just heard from the Russian delegation, including accusations of alleged bias. Such claims are absurd. There is only one truth, even if some do not like it. Secretary General, you have mentioned the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It still remains the biggest challenge to international peace and security. We commend your constant condemnation of the atrocities that Russia keeps committing against the civilian population in Ukraine, especially these days, when Russian missiles and drones have caused blackouts, leaving millions of Ukrainians without electricity, without water, without heat, under the freezing temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. As the Security Council remains blocked by Russia cynically abusing its veto right, the role of the Secretary-General becomes crucial in addressing the bloodiest war on the European continent since 1945. Words of condemnation matter, but they are not sufficient. We need new actions, we need new deeds, we need new initiatives, even if such engagement is unwelcome to one of the parties. The UN cannot be just an observer, especially now when the mediation efforts of the United States of America are advancing. Secretary-General Guterres has already demonstrated strong leadership, launching the Black Sea Grain Initiative to free Ukrainian ports from Russian navy blockade and allowing us to export Ukrainian wheat to the Global South to ensure food security and fight hunger. That was a truly courageous step. Now we would like to encourage you to continue this assertive approach and start new initiatives that would help us. put an end to this barbaric Russian war. We would hope and we would welcome your leading role in returning to Ukraine our children, forcefully abducted by Russia. The respective resolution was passed by this Assembly last month, and it has provided you with a strong mandate to act. It is in this spirit That we wish you that this final year of your office will be the most successful one and will leave a lasting mark on history. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine before giving the floor to Namibia. I've seen India. If there's any other Member State who wish to speak, please press the button now. Otherwise, we would come as a final speaker to the observer before I give the floor again to the Secretary General. So I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia, followed by India.

Thank you, Madam President. Namibia would like to thank the Secretary-General for his leadership and for his timely briefing on the work of the Organization, and commits to cooperate with him as he implements his priorities during his last year in office. Being the child of international solidarity midwifed by the United Nations, Namibia subscribes to the principles of multilateralism as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law. World grapples with interlocking global challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions and pressing social and environmental issues. We are witnessing the expansion of very serious forms of types of unilateral actions which threaten the very existence of the United Nations. These actions violate the principles of sovereignty, sovereign equality, non-intervention, non-interference, in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes. In order for the United Nations to remain fit for purpose, our focus should be on the UN80 initiative to strengthen the United Nations system and to make it more strategic and responsive to global challenges as stipulated in the Pact for the Future. This should call for more accountability and collaboration in an integrated manner. through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks in supporting developing countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda and address current and new emerging challenges to sustainable development through supporting national development priorities and policies. The UN reform should be geared towards addressing the needs of developing countries. including reforming the international financial architecture to make it more equitable, ensuring access to concessional funding and development, to climate financing, and supporting regional frameworks for peace and security, amongst others. Let us be reminded that the UN remains the only suitable platform with legitimate authority to collective action, and Namibia reiterates its unwavering commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and to the rules-based international order rooted in the principles of sovereign equality of States. Finally, Namibia aligns itself with the statements delivered by groups to which it belongs. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India, followed by the observer of the International Organization of La Francophonie, and by this, the speaking list is closed.

Madam President, Secretary General, and Excellencies, India thanks the Secretary General for outlining his priorities for the year. India particularly welcomes his commitment to make every day of 2026 count. As a member state that is firmly committed to multilateralism with United Nations at its core, India underscores that we stand fully ready to work alongside the Secretary-General and his team as he pursues the 2026 Vision. 2026 is a critical year for the United Nations. It faces several key challenges. The most significant one is the questions related to UN's efficacy, legitimacy, and credibility. These stem from the expectations of the world citizenry to deliver on each of the three key functions of the UN. The inability to purposefully intervene on UN's critical functions needs to be addressed on priority. Reformed multilateralism is essential to addressing the existing gaps. This is not a choice anymore. It is an imperative. The UN80 initiative is a welcome step in this regard. India has pledged its full support and cooperation to this initiative. Member states must make full use of this opportunity. The UN membership must be guided by an ambitious vision on this front. It must not be limited to budgetary and financial aspects alone. Security Council reform is central to such a vision. UNSC must reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Both permanent and non-permanent categories must be expanded. These timely changes are vital to making the UN fit for purpose and equip this Organization to respond meaningfully to present and future challenges. This calls for Member States coming together with a joint sense of purpose to work towards the larger good of humanity. Clearly, there is a need for Member States to rise beyond their narrow considerations in order to achieve this. India once again reiterates its full readiness to contribute to this endeavor. I thank you, Madam President.

Thank the distinguished representative of India. I now give the floor as the final speaker to the observer of the International Organization of La Francophonie.

Madame President, we thank the Secretary General for the presentation of his priorities. This took place at an unprecedented inflection point for the peoples of the world. 2025 was full of uncertainty, and the report of the Secretary General sketches out a clear but alarming picture. Dialogue and respect for international law have never been as under threat as they are now, or as undermined. In this context, there's a tipping point toward chaos, and it is urgent to retake ownership over the values that underpin the UN Charter. One thing is clear: there is no credible alternative to multilateralism. Together, we have all the assets we need to seize the opportunities and to tackle challenges facing humanity. Security threats. humanitarian problems or climate issues or the energy challenges and shared prosperity. We need to tackle these all in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity in order to renew multilateralism in the context of the United Nations, which has adequate resources and which is turned toward the peoples of the world. the United Nations may count on partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie in terms of implementing the priorities set out by the SG. Our updated framework, updated in September 2025, will be our lodestar in this regard at a time when our efforts require synergy. With that in mind, we will continue our accompaniment for the political processes in French-speaking countries. We’re providing technical assistance to transitional countries as well, and we will be assisting with peacekeeping operations as well. We’ll be mobilized in mounting an urgent climate and environmental response. Madam President, your commitment is is rests on the fact that dialogue is important, multilingualism is a vector for understanding, and in this regard, it is something that is important for all nations. It is a way to reduce misunderstandings which can fuel fragmentation. The OIF is a partner that provides solutions to challenges in terms of the implementation of the multilingual policies of the UN, the OIF is also committed to the operationalization of the contingent's task with establishing peace in Haiti.

Merci beaucoup.

Thank you very much.

The distinguished representative of the observer of the International Organization of La Francophonie. I now invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, to provide his observations on the interventions made by delegations.

Madam President, I will be very brief to respect also the time allocated until the end of the session, to say, first of all, that I enormously appreciate the importance and the richness of this debate. from which I hope I will be able to extract safe guidance for my future action. On the other hand, I wanted to sincerely thank several of the observations by different delegations in support of what I'm trying to do, and to say in full humility that My only objective is to fulfill my duty, my duty to the UN, my duty to its members and their peoples. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for these clear last words. By this, I resume the 70th Plenary Meeting. And we will, no, I'm sorry, by this, the informal meeting of the plenary is now concluded. I thank to all of you sticking to the time, and I thank for the understanding for the microphone cutoffs, but by this, we could ensure that really everybody could speak within these three hours who wished to speak in a full room. And by closing now the informal meeting, we will resume to the 70th plenary meeting, which will be held at 3 PM in this hall. The informal meeting is adjourned. Have a good lunch break.