General Assembly: 17th plenary meeting, 81st session

Good morning to all of you. The 17th plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will begin its consideration in a joint debate of agenda item 1, 2.3, entitled "Implementation of the Resolutions of the United Nations", and agenda item 1.2.4, entitled "Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly". I will now make a statement as President of the General Assembly. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, At the opening of the General Debate, I recall that in 1949, barely four years into the life of our Organization, the General Assembly adopted resolution 310 on the proliferation and overlapping of programmes. What it did was to warn that multiplying activities, projects, meetings and subsidiary bodies could weaken effectiveness overburden member states and divert limited resources from agreed priorities. Instead, it called for greater focus, clearer priorities, simpler structures, and more disciplined use of resources. In a sense, this was one of the Assembly's earliest acts of revitalization. a young institution pausing to examine not only what it decided, but how it worked, and resolving to do better. 77 years later, now, that lesson remains highly relevant. Today's joint debate concerns two closely related questions: whether the United Nations implements the resolutions adopted by Member States, and whether the General Assembly is organized to fulfill its responsibilities effectively. In simple terms, do we keep our word and are we equipped to do so? Every resolution we adopt is a promise made in the name of the people we collectively serve. They do not measure us by meetings, resolutions or pages of documents. They measure us by whether our decisions improve their lives. Every mandate left unimplemented weakens trust in this Organization. Restoring that trust cannot wait. Revitalization must therefore remain central to our efforts to strengthen the General Assembly and enable it to fulfill its responsibilities effectively. It must be a continuous process building on progress achieved in previous sessions while responding urgently to today's challenges. That is why I have decided to act early in this session. By beginning the revitalization process at the outset of the 81st session, we can give Member States the time and space to engage meaningfully, identify convergence, identify convergence, and translate established commitments into practical measures. Our objective must be to move beyond familiar positions and deliver concrete results by the end of this session. Excellencies, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Her Excellency Ms. Victoria Louise Hallam, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. Enrique Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, as Co-Chairs of the Working Group on the Strengthening and Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the Eighty-first Session. I thank Ambassador Hallum and Ambassador Manalo for accepting this important responsibility, and I trust that they will receive your full support and cooperation throughout the session. I also commend Ambassador Corneliu Feruta of Romania and Ambassador Mutrice Agatha Williams of Saint Kitts and Nevis for their stewardship of the revitalization process during the previous session. You have done a wonderful job, and you deserve our collective appreciation. I likewise thank Ambassador Brian Wallace of Jamaica and Ambassador Merete Fjeldstad of Norway for their leadership of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review and for their readiness to continue this work. Together, these processes must help us move from promises to implementation and from repetition to results. Allow me to highlight three priorities: First, We must close the implementation gap. The adoption of a resolution is not the end of our responsibility. It is just the beginning. Every mandate should have a clear purpose, a credible pathway for implementation, adequate resources, and a means of assessing results. If we create mandates, we must justify and resource them. If resources are constrained, we must prioritize. Ambition without capacity becomes an empty promise, and every empty promise diminishes trust. We must therefore review, consolidate, and where appropriate, retire mandates that are outdated, duplicative, or have fulfilled their purpose. We should redirect resources from repetition to implementation. Second, we must improve our working methods. Resolution 79/327 provides a practical framework. It calls on us to strengthen the role and authority of the General Assembly, improve its efficiency and effectiveness, and reinforce the accountability, transparency, and institutional memory of the Office of the President of the Assembly. It also encourages shorter and more focused text, fewer recurring resolutions containing substantially unchanged language, Greater use of biennial and triennial cycles, concrete proposals from the main committees to create synergies and avoid duplication, and a more streamlined agenda. We have already made progress through the one gavel approach, the use of digital tools such as iGov, and measures to contain the proliferation of commemorative observances and high-level meetings. Revitalization also requires greater coherence across the work of the committees. I have met with all committee chairs, the co-chairs of the mandate review process, and the former co-chairs of the revitalization process to identify practical ways to reduce duplication, strengthen coordination, and to ensure that the committees don't work in silos. We will meet twice a month to ensure that our efforts are aligned, efficient, and results-oriented. But revitalization must go deeper than rearranging structures. Renaming units, relocating functions, or redrawing organograms is not transformation if the underlying logic remains unchanged. As I said in the second committee yesterday, we cannot make digital age decisions through an analog reporting system. Statistical tables, which often occupy a very large part of a report, should increasingly be maintained on secure, multilingual and regularly updated digital platforms, while reports should become shorter, more analytical and more focused on the decisions required from the Member States. Reform is also a matter of fairness. When reports arrive late, meetings overlap and agendas proliferate, and smaller delegations bear the heaviest burden of all this. Third, revitalization must begin at home, including in the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The President's responsibilities have expanded substantially over time. I testify to this because 40 years ago, I was in the President of the General Assembly, and I have up close seen how the work has become more complex and more varied. The office is expected to facilitate complex negotiations, convene high-level processes, coordinate across principal organs, preserve institutional memory, and respond to emerging challenges. Yet, its regular budget base remains extremely limited, woefully limited, leaving it heavily dependent on voluntary contributions and secondments from Member States. Expectations and capacity must be aligned. I therefore call for renewed consideration of the Office's support structure including its regular budget staffing, non-post resources, institutional continuity, and timely access to the professional expertise required to fulfill its mandates. Such support must go hand in hand with accountability. I will continue to strengthen transparency and effectiveness of the Office, ensure that resources are used responsibly, document lessons from this session, and provide my successor with a strong institutional handover. I will also maintain close coordination with the Presidents of the Security Council and the President of the Economic and Social Council to improve coherence, avoid duplication, and reinforce the complementary roles of the principal organs. Revitalization is not change for its own sake. It is the discipline of preserving and improving on what works, reforming what does not, and directing our time and resources towards the results. The world is not asking whether the United Nations exists. It is asking whether it works. Our answer must be found in mandates implemented, resources used responsibly, and commitments honored. Let the 81st session be remembered as the session in which this Assembly strengthened its working methods, equipped its institutions to deliver, and kept its word. I thank you. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, before proceeding further, it has been proposed that the time limits for statements in this debate be five minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity, and seven minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States. The delegation of Ecuador has informed the President of its objection to the proposal. Accordingly, no speaking time limit will be applied to the debate on this item. I now give the floor to the distinguished speaker of Australia, who will be speaking on behalf of the Cairns Group.

Thank you, President. I have the honor to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

We look.

Forward to working with the President of the General Assembly to continue to advance the revitalization of the General Assembly. The case for revitalization has never been stronger. The United Nations faces growing geopolitical division, continuing financial pressures, and increasing demand on its limited resources. Yet we, Member States, continue to add new mandates, meetings and reports to an already overstretched system. Revitalization is not simply about reforming and improving our working methods. It is about strengthening the UN's ability to deliver, ensuring its effectiveness, credibility and sustainability.

In this regard, CAHNS offers four reflections.

First, we must implement reform and revitalization commitments already agreed. In line with resolution 80/251, CANS calls on all member states to exercise greater discipline in creating and renewing mandates, avoid duplication, move towards biennial and triennial resolutions and reporting cycles where appropriate, include clear review mechanisms in all new and renewing mandates, and ensure that any new requirements deliver clear and demonstrable value. Second, this session also marks the commencement of the moratorium on new international days, weeks, months and years, agreed in resolution 79/327. We call on all Member States to respect both the letter and spirit of this measure. Its implementation will be an important test of our commitment to a more focused and effective General Assembly.

Third, General Assembly revitalization and UN80 reform must be mutually reinforcing to foster a system-wide approach.

CAHNS encourages the Assembly's main committees, subsidiary bodies and other principal organs to apply these principles and recommendations to their own work where appropriate. Australia, as chair of the Third Committee, Canada as vice chair of Second Committee, and New Zealand.

As co-chair of the Working Group on Revitalization of the GA, look forward to working with fellow member states.

To put many of the commitments into practice. Finally, Cairns recalls the important role of the General Assembly in the appointment of the next Secretary-General following the recommendation of the UN Security Council. We look forward to fulfilling this mandate in the last quarter of 2026, in line with resolution 79/327, to allow the Secretary-General-designate sufficient time to prepare for their term in office, which comes at a critical time for the Organization.

President, while important progress has been made, our work is far from complete.

We must continue to pursue.

Practical reforms, including harnessing new technologies where appropriate, to sharpen our focus on outcomes and impact. Our goal needs to be a culture of continuous improvement, a consistent.

Practice of translating our commitments into action, and a focus on the real-world impact in everything we do.

The General Assembly has no shortage of reform commitments.

The task now is to implement them. CAN stands ready to play its part. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia. Now I call upon the distinguished representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the non-aligned movement, the largest and most representative cross-regional group within the United Nations. The non-aligned movement took note of the letter dated 3 September 2026 from the co-chairs of the working group on the strengthening and revitalizing of the work of the General Assembly and commends them for their tireless effort. At the outset, our movement welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm its steadfast commitment to strengthening and revitalizing the central role of the General Assembly as the most representative, democratic, and universal organ of the United Nations. We further reiterate that the revitalization of the General Assembly as an integral part, as an integral component of the broader process of the reform of the United Nations should aim at enhancing the authority, the effectiveness, and the efficiency of the Assembly, while fully preserving its intergovernmental nature and the prerogatives of its member states. The Movement welcomes the progress achieved after the adoption of General Assembly resolution 79/327, which reflect the collective commitment of Member States to a more efficient, effective, strengthened, and revitalized General Assembly, in particular, in the following areas. First, President, on the role and on the authority of the General Assembly. The Non-Aligned Movement welcomes the coordination among the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council, as reflected in the regular meetings convened among the Presidents of these bodies. Such engagement represents a positive practice that contribute to enhanced coordination, avoiding duplication, and fostering greater alignment among their respective agendas. Second, on the selection and the appointment of the Secretary-General, the Non-Aligned Movement acknowledges the efforts made in the implementation of the guidelines established by resolution 79/327, including the circulation of the joint letter and the organization of informal dialogues with the candidates for the position of Secretary-General, all of which is aimed at enhancing the transparency, the inclusivity of the selection process of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Third, President, on strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The Movement welcomes the issuance of the updated digital handbook on past practices, concerning the functioning and power of the General Assembly, as well as the handover report prepared by the President of the 80th session. Such initiatives contribute to preserving and strengthening the institutional memory of the Organization and supporting continuity of best practices for future President of the General Assembly. The Non-Aligned Movement further stresses the need to strengthen the office of the President of the General Assembly, including through enhanced transparency, institutional continuity, and adequate resources from the regular budget in order to ensure its efficiency and capacity to fully implement its mandate. Fourth and finally, on multilingualism as a fundamental principle of the organization. Cohesion that multilingualism constitutes a fundamental principle of the organization. The Non-Aligned Movement underscores the importance of ensuring that all, all official languages are treated equally across all areas of the work of the United Nations, thereby promoting inclusivity and effective participation in the work of the Organization. Mr. President, the revitalization of the General Assembly is ultimately about strengthening multilateralism and ensuring that the United Nations remains responsive to the needs and priorities of its entire membership. That the United Nations fully upholds the principle of sovereignty, equality, universality, inclusivity, and multilateralism. And importantly, to reaffirm the central role of the General Assembly as the most representative, democratic, and universal organ of the UN. All reform processes, including the UN80 initiative, should not impede, undermine, or negatively affect the implementation of the mandates entrusted by member states or the ability of the organization to discharge its responsibilities effectively. Rather, such processes should seek to strengthen the organization capacity to fulfill its mandate, avoid duplication, enhance coherence and coordination. Finally, Finally, President, the Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms its strong commitment to engaging constructively with all Member States in pursuit of our shared objective of strengthening and revitalizing the work of the General Assembly. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria, who spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of European Union on behalf of EU and its member states. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Excellencies, colleagues, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries, Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. The European Union supports a General Assembly that fully exercises the role entrusted to it by the Charter and remains an effective forum for deliberation, policy making and representation of the international community. Resolution 79/327 provides the framework for this work and establishes a new three-year cycle for the revitalization process. The implementation of the present and previous revitalization resolutions remains a continuous part of this work. The mandate agreed in resolution 80/251 on mandate creation, implementation and review should also be fully implemented. On the role and authority of the General Assembly, The European Union supports a stronger and more effective exercise of the functions entrusted to the Assembly by the Charter. This includes strengthening the Assembly's interaction with the other principal organs, especially the enhanced coordination with the Security Council and ECOSOC. Regular exchanges between their presidents and substantive consideration of their respective reports should contribute to greater coherence. The Assembly should also make full use of interactive and thematic debates to facilitate focused political exchanges on issues of international concern. We stress the importance of continued engagement between the General Assembly and the Peacebuilding Commission, as well as the need for enhanced PBC's interaction with the Security Council and ECOSOC. in the context of strengthening its role in linking peacebuilding work to conflict prevention and the SDGs. We also support the continued implementation of resolution on uniting for peace and resolution 76/262 on the veto initiative, as well as effective engagement with civil society and other relevant stakeholders where these can bring additional expertise and perspectives to the Assembly's deliberations. On working methods, the European Union supports practical measures to make the Assembly's work more focused, coherent and effective. The review of main committee working methods should lead to concrete proposals, taking account of the respective mandates and experience. Where issues or agendas overlap, we should seek greater coherence and avoid unnecessary repetition. Mr. President, we look forward to receiving during this session those concrete proposals on how to pursue synergies and foster harmonization across committee practices pursuant to OP.26 of Resolution 79/327. We should also build on measures already agreed to improve the organization of the Assembly's work, including the scheduling of meetings, timely documentation, effective use of digital tools, and agreed time management practices. On the Office of the President of the General Assembly, the European Union supports concrete measures to strengthen its efficiency, accountability, transparency, and institutional memory. The experience accumulated by successive presidencies should be preserved and made accessible. Structured records of established practices, precedents and lessons learned, together with effective handover arrangements, will allow incoming presidencies to build on previous experience and strengthen continuity. And we look forward to their recommendations and to their consideration during this session. Mr. President, implementation of revitalization resolutions must remain an active part of this process. Resolution 79/327 provides for the working group to review implementation of present and previous resolutions. We should use this opportunity to take stock of progress, preserve useful practices, and ensure ambition across successive revitalization cycles. The European Union will engage constructively in this work and support meaningful outcomes. A revitalized General Assembly should be better equipped to fulfill the role entrusted to it by the Charter and respond effectively to the complex challenges facing the international community. And I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union And now I give floor to the distinguished representative of Estonia on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group. You have the floor, sir.

President, I am honored to take the floor on behalf of 27 members of Accountability, Coherence and Transparency, or ACT Group. In a period of rising geopolitical tensions and conflicts, Repeated calls were made during the recent high-level week of the General Assembly for a more effective multilateral system capable of addressing today's multitude of crises and challenges, and which remains firmly underpinned by international law, including the rules and principles of the UN Charter. As the most representative and chief deliberative organ of the United Nations, the role of the General Assembly is critical in this endeavor. That group has always maintained that, in line with Chapter IV of the UN Charter, the General Assembly has a clear and active role to play in matters pertaining to international peace and security, a role we have seen becoming increasingly potent, especially when the Security Council is unable to act. Allow me to emphasize the following points. First, Emergency special sessions and the veto initiative have proven vital in ensuring accountability within the United Nations system and strengthening the role of the Assembly. Yet, further opportunities exist to enhance this role, including by making concrete recommendations to Member States or to the Security Council as foreseen under Articles 10, 11, 12 and 35 of the Charter and in paragraph 6 of resolution 79/327. Our Group encourages the Assembly to draw more systematically on its past practice in following up on debates held under the veto initiative, including through recommendations calling for a ceasefire and for humanitarian access, or requesting reports by the Secretary-General. Second, in line with the Pact for the Future and the GA revitalization resolution, our Group reiterates the call for Security Council members to refrain from voting against resolutions aimed at preventing or ending the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, including by the misuse of the veto. We encourage the current 130 signatories to the Act Code of Conduct to consistently adhere to their responsibilities. And we urge all member states that have not yet done so to join the Code of Conduct and reaffirm their commitment to its principles. We especially encourage signatories on the Council to work together to initiate relevant discussions and products. Third, the Act Group highlights the importance of ensuring the application of Article 27 of the UN Charter, which includes the obligation that members of the Security Council abstain from voting on decisions under Chapter VI and under paragraph 3 of Article 52 if they are party to a dispute. Past years in particular have seen clear cases of non-observance of this obligatory Charter provision. We believe that the General Assembly has a role in ensuring observance of the Charter and look forward to working with all those who are interested in taking action to this end. Fourth, a valuable resource for equipping the Assembly to take on its role is the Assembly for Peace Digital Handbook. We welcome the launch of a digital web platform developed by the UN University Centre for Policy Research, which turned the 2024 Handbook into a fully interactive web tool. We hope, President, that your office will continue with its annual update and wider dissemination among Member States, as encouraged in resolution 79/327. Fifth. ACT supports efforts towards a more analytical, substantive and responsive annual report from the Security Council to the Assembly. In particular, the Group finds that the report should provide greater transparency on situations where the Council could not act, including vetoes, failed draft resolutions and amendments, and the causes of deadlock. Also, more focus should be placed on how the Council decisions are implemented in practice, their effectiveness on the ground, and the lessons they generate. President, finally, this year the General Assembly will appoint the next Secretary-General for this organization upon the recommendation of the Security Council. ACT Group has consistently advocated for a selection process that is transparent, inclusive, and structured. The role of a President of a General Assembly has been and continues to be critical in this, including in organizing the interactive dialogue with all the candidates presented and before being considered by the Security Council. The Group also notes the possibility for the General Assembly to hold an additional interactive session with any candidate recommended by the Security Council, ensuring continued engagement with membership prior to its formal appointment decision. Given that the next Secretary-General will be the Secretary-General of the entire United Nations membership, it is important that all Member States have a meaningful opportunity to engage with the candidates and contribute to a process that inspires confidence. We continue also to encourage the PGA to assess the level of GA support for the candidates. Given the multitude of issues and challenges facing the Organization, not least the ongoing UN80 reform process, the next Secretary-General needs to have sufficient time to prepare for the office. With less than three months to go, To build a team and set priorities, time for preparations is getting tight. We therefore hope that the selection process in the Council will be finalised without delay, noting the 1 October timeline, long advocated for by the ACT Group, is now overdue. A timely appointment is also important for giving the Assembly sufficient time to consider the Council's recommendation made by the Council before making the appointment decision. The ACT Group continues to encourage the Security Council to present two or more candidates for the consideration of the General Assembly. The General Assembly revitalization resolution rightly notes with regret that no woman has ever held the position of UN Secretary-General. ACT is pleased to note the strong representation of women candidates a visible demonstration of member states commitment to inclusivity and gender equality at the highest level I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Estonia who spoke on behalf of accountability coherence and transparency group I now have the distinguished representative of Malaysia on the list, will be speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. You have the floor.

Thank you, President. Malaysia has the honor to speak on behalf of the 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. ASEAN welcomes the adoption by consensus of the resolution on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly at the previous session. We believe this provides a good basis to make the General Assembly more effective, inclusive, and representative. ASEAN also supports the UN80 initiative and believes it should complement efforts to strengthen the General Assembly and the wider UN system. ASEAN took part actively in the thematic debates during the 80th session, calling for greater representation of women in senior UN positions. We also stressed the need to preserve the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly with adequate support from the UN regular budget. Mr. President, allow me to highlight four points. First, ASEAN reaffirms the central role of the General Assembly as the main deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the UN. Its work should be aligned with the UN80 initiative to support and strengthen the effectiveness of the organization, specifically through better follow-up on decisions. Second, ASEAN believes that effective working methods are essential to delivering meaningful and inclusive outcomes. We support practical measures to enhance coordination, reduce duplication, and facilitate the effective participation of all delegations. ASEAN stands ready to work constructively towards a balanced, transparent, and effective implementation of the agreed reforms. Third, ASEAN believes that the UN must reflect the diversity of its membership. Equitable geographical representation should be considered in senior UN appointments, together with merit, competence, and integrity. This will strengthen trust and member states' confidence in the organization. Fourth, ASEAN reaffirms the importance of advancing women's leadership across the United Nations system. While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in senior positions. Recalling that no woman has served as UN Secretary-General, we are encouraged by the number of women candidates nominated by Member States for the position of the 10th UN Secretary-General. ASEAN stresses that selection and appointment processes must remain transparent, inclusive, and merit-based, providing equal opportunities for women to serve in leadership positions. Mr. President, In conclusion, ASEAN remains firmly committed to advancing the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly and supporting the UN80 initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen the UN. Guided by the principles of inclusivity and sustainability, ASEAN looks forward to working closely with the Co-Chairs and all Member States to pursue practical and meaningful reforms of the General Assembly. This will reinforce its central role and ensure that it remains an effective, inclusive, representative and accountable institution. Thank you.

Thank you, distinguished representative of Malaysia who spoke on behalf of ASEAN. I would now like to invite The distinguished representative of Romania will also be speaking on behalf of Saint Kitts and Nevis. I would like to take a second from your time. I would like to once again express my sincere thanks to Ambassador Cornel Furtu, who was co-chair of the working group on the strengthening and revitalization of the work of the UNGA, together with Ambassador Muthris Agatha Williams of Saint Kitts and Nevis, on whose behalf he will be speaking today. Let us give a clap to our co-chair for the excellent work done. And distinguished representatives, I'm very happy to inform you that Ambassador Feruta will continue to work on me on this matter. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I take this appreciation very humbly, and I want to thank you for the kind words and the support that you have shown. I'm also very pleased to address the General Assembly also on behalf of Ambassador Williams of Saint Kitts and Nevis, as previous co-chairs of the Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly. And I myself have been involved in this process for the past three sessions. I want to indeed welcome the appointment, the announcement that you have just made, Mr. President, on appointing our colleagues from the Philippines, Ambassador Manalo and Ambassador from New Zealand, and of course we assure them of our full support in taking forward this important mission that we have to continue here. As we have commenced the 81st session, Mr. President, you rightly said it as well, we start a new three-year cycle of the working group, and we are guided now by the provisions of resolution 79327 and previous revitalization resolutions. I think important progress has been achieved throughout the 21st sessions since the UN institutionalized the process of GA revitalization. Crucial work still lies ahead to achieve the outcomes of a stronger, more efficient, and fit-for-purpose General Assembly that responds to its core mission. Mr. President, you have very ably identified the theme for the 81st General Assembly session to be centered around the objective of restoring trust and managing transformation in the UN. A key component of restoring trust is abiding by our commitments and putting words into action. And this is why the implementation process of resolution 79/327 is central to our efforts during this session and also convergent with your resolute objective for this main body of the Organization. We strongly appeal to Member States to double down on their efforts to closely monitor and ensure the full implementation of the provisions set out in resolution 79/327. Efforts to revitalize the General Assembly are consistent and an integral part of the wider reform of the United Nations. Particularly, they go hand in hand with the UN80 initiative process. Their complementarity should be further advanced, ensuring each track reinforces one another and turbocharges the comprehensive reform process of the United Nations. One of the most visible areas in which this complementary works best is the working methods pillar of the revitalization process. We have a big opportunity this session to consolidate the important work carried out during the 80th session on improving our working methods, making the main committees and the GA plenary more effective and efficient, attuned to the present-day needs. And there are positive examples of change. such as the shortening of speaking times to allow for more delegations to contribute to the debates, or reducing the number of resolutions through the biannualization or triannualization. These are already happening. Mr. President, I also want to note that we are not able to use in this particular session here time limitations. I have always said that time limitations and time limits on our statements are very much important to allow to all the member states wishing to take the floor to express their views, and probably we need to revisit that with more vigor. There are also outstanding and long overdue areas for reform, such as the need to abide by the decision to convene formal consultations on the revitalization item in each of the main committees. I would say this is one of the major flaws that we have to face directly, being able to create a similar practice in all of the committees, because I think there is no explanation to maintain a separate performance or procedures in those committees of the General Assembly, of course. Guided by the operative paragraph 26 of the resolution 79/327, we look forward to reflecting the session on further ways to improve our day-to-day activity on the base of concrete measures put forward by the General Committee on how to seek synergies and avoid duplication across the main committees. Dear colleagues, the working group is operating since the 80th session under a renewed framework. which not only makes it a leading example for rationalizing the agenda through the triennial cycle, but also reflects the Assembly's strengthened role and authority over the decades. One pillar where the General Assembly has organically consolidated its role and authority is the maintenance of international peace and security. And I have to be clear, this increased role is not to the detriment or in competition with any other body, especially the Security Council. On the contrary, it works towards ensuring complementarity and pursuing a harmonized approach regarding this crucial pillar across the United Nations. Coordination and closer engagement among the UN's main and subsidiary bodies is both an integral part of UN reform and an objective in itself. And cutting back on duplication and working in silos are concrete steps for achieving more impact by working together more closely, smarter, and in a more meaningful way. Mr. President, the process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary General is well underway, approaching its final stages in this 81st session. Resolution 179/327 set out, in strict adherence to the UN Charter, the contours of this consequential process for the future and the direction of the UN. And also the operative paragraph 42 lays down the steps and sequence for successfully completing it. We trust you to continue to work closely with the presidency of the Security Council to chart our way to the finish line. We also trust the Security Council to continue to work in complementarity with the General Assembly to appoint the best candidate for the position of Secretary-General. Once more, we emphasize that trust is the foundation of this process and an imperative condition for the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. Mr. President, to conclude, just a few points in my national capacity. I want to reaffirm, indeed, Romania's strong commitment advancing UN reform efforts. We stand ready to contribute and support you in driving forward the implementation of commitments we collectively agreed upon in this important resolution 79/327 and other decisions aimed at cutting inefficiencies and building a more coherent and resilient United Nations. And you can trust and count on Romania to be a reliable and responsible partner in delivering on our collective promises during the 81st session of the General Assembly. And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your trust them for your support. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Romania and his kind words and his assurance to continue to work with me on this matter. I now invite the distinguished representative of Finland to speak. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Thailand aligns itself with the statements delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN and by Algeria on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement. We wish to offer the following remarks in our national capacity. Thailand expresses appreciation to the co-chairs of the Working Group on Strengthening and Reorganization of the Work of the General Assembly for their leadership and valuable contribution in guiding the process over the past three years, which led to the successful adoption of resolution 79/327. The tangible outcome of this cycle introduced important measures to make our work more focused and efficient, including by reducing the frequency, length, and number of resolutions, streamlining the considerations of recurring resolutions, and simplifying the adoption process. Mr. President, as we begin a new cycle, our work focus should therefore be on implementation. Thailand firmly believes that revitalizing the General Assembly is an integral part of the broader reform of the United Nations. As the chief deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ, the Assembly must remain capable of responding effectively to a rapidly evolving global landscape. In this regard, Thailand strongly supports the UN80 initiative as an important opportunity to advance broader UN reform by enhancing efficiency and strengthening mandate delivery. Against this backdrop, Thailand wishes to highlight four priorities. First, a revitalized and streamlined General Assembly is essential to addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of our time. Thailand therefore supports ongoing efforts to reform and modernize the Assembly's working methods to make them more efficient and effective, while ensuring that such efforts strengthen rather than constrain the Assembly's ability to fulfill its mandate. Second, revitalization must remain inclusive and Member State-driven. Every Member State, regardless of size or level of development, must have a meaningful opportunity to shape the work of the Assembly. Thailand underscored the importance of equitable geographical representation throughout the UN system, particularly from the developing country and the global South, as well as the promotions of gender balance at all levels. Third, we need greater coherence in the work of the General Assembly. Today's challenges cut across peace and security, development, and human rights, and cannot be effectively addressed in silos. Thailand supports stronger linkages and complementarity among the General Assembly, the Security Council and ECOSOC, as well as with other relevant UN organs and bodies, in accordance with their respective mandates under the Charter. Fourth, Thailand reiterates that the process for the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads must remain transparent, inclusive and guided by the principles of equality and merit. Mr. President, ultimately, revitalization must strengthen the General Assembly's ability to translate our collective commitment into meaningful results for the people we serve. Thailand stands ready to work constructively with all Member States towards a stronger, more effective, and responsive General Assembly at the heart of an effective multilateral system. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand. I now invite the distinguished representative of Singapore to speak. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I thank the working group co-chairs, Ambassador Williams of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Ambassador Feruta of Romania, for their excellent stewardship during the 80th session. And I take this opportunity to congratulate the permanent representatives of New Zealand and the Philippines on their appointment as co-chairs. My delegation also aligns itself with the statements delivered earlier by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN and by Algeria on behalf of NAM. Mr. President, if we want the UN to remain relevant and fit for purpose, reform and revitalization are not optional. But reform must be purposeful, pragmatic, and make a difference. Not more of the same, not less of the same, but change that makes the UN more efficient, effective, and inclusive for all countries, large and small. The General Assembly is the UN's chief deliberative and representative organ. Strengthening it is therefore critical to UN reform. The 80th session showed that reform is possible. We made improvements to our working methods, speaking arrangements, as well as the way meetings were conducted. But we can and must do more. I'll make three points. First, We must prioritize implementation of resolution 79/327. The working group has itself led by example. It moved to a triennial cycle while maintaining its focus on implementation. Now the main committees must do their part. We can and must shift to biennial and triennial cycles for a range of resolutions. We must shorten resolutions and exercise restraint in creating new agenda items, and we must reduce speaking times. The different main committees have different approaches, but they have all made some progress, and this is satisfying. I commend the chairs of all the main committees for pushing the dossier of revitalization. For small delegations, it is impossible to follow every debate in every committee. The Second Committee, for example, has shown that revitalization is possible by merging resolutions and reducing the frequency of others. The Third Committee is also developing a roadmap to streamline its work, and we hope that all the other committees will do likewise. To monitor implementation, one idea we have is to digitize the existing inventory of revitalization outcomes into a simple online tracker. showing what has been implemented, what is outstanding, and the responsible parties and timelines. This would create no reporting requirements, but can improve accountability for delivering agreed reforms. Second, GA revitalization and UNAT must be mutually reinforcing. Resolution 80/251 on mandates complements resolution 79/327 in proposing concrete ways to strengthen how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed, including the use of concept note templates and review clauses. Both processes work in tandem to improve the way we work. Thirdly, we must build on progress we have made so far in the selection and appointment process of the Secretary-General. This is the most consequential process for our organization this year, perhaps for the next decade. We have made progress towards a more predictable, transparent, and inclusive process, including through clearer timelines and interactive dialogues. We must continue. All candidates, existing or new, should be subject to the same process and same treatment. They should engage the General Assembly before the Security Council considers their candidacy. We also need greater transparency in the Council's deliberations, including the outcomes of straw polls. Relying on leaks does no good for the credibility of the process. Mr. President, multilateralism is not an abstract ideal, and revitalization is not an impossible goal. All countries, regardless of size, depend on the rules-based multilateral system grounded in international law. Revitalising the General Assembly is more than a question of improving procedures. It is about strengthening the UN and the multilateral system. Singapore remains committed to working with all Member States to advance this effort. And I have kept within the time limit, which shows that speaking limits are possible as well. Thank you.

I thank you, distinguished representative of Singapore, for your statement and for adhering to time limits that are not being imposed. But I urge all delegations to be mindful of the fact that we need everybody to air their views. That's the right of all delegations. I now invite the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Mr. President, I thank you for convening this timely joint debate on the implementation of United Nations resolutions and the revitalization of General Assembly's work. It is imperative that every institution must continuously renew itself to remain relevant and effective. Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. The General Assembly occupies a unique and indispensable place in the architecture of the United Nations. As it is the only principal organ with universal membership, it embodies the principles of sovereign equality and inclusivity that lie at the heart of the United Nations Charter. Mr. President, Pakistan supports efforts to make the Assembly's work more efficient through rationalizing the agenda, streamlining resolutions, improving report qualities, and promoting action-oriented outcomes. The Assembly's limitations do not arise from procedure, but from the reluctance of some Member States to allow it to fully exercise its Charter-based authority. The Working Group on the Strengthening and Revitalizing Work of the General Assembly, established pursuant to resolution 79/327, must therefore address these political constraints and reaffirm the Assembly's central role within the United Nations. We appreciate the co-chairs, PR of Romania and Saint Kitts and Nevis, for their sterling leadership of the Working Group. Mr. President, for the Assembly, To remain credible, its resolutions must be implemented in both letter and spirit. They carry out not only moral authority, but also legal and political weight, reflecting the collective will of the international community. All organs and Member States must therefore respect and implement these decisions. Pakistan reiterates its proposal to establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor the implementation of General Assembly resolutions, supported by regular, detailed secretariat reporting. Such a mechanism would strengthen the Assembly's effectiveness, accountability, and relevance. We also reaffirm that resolutions remain valid until their mandates have been fully implemented, a principle that underscores the enduring authority and continuing relevance of Assembly's decisions. Mr. President, Pakistan attaches great importance to strengthening the institutional relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Council must report to the Assembly more frequently and substantively, especially when acting under Chapter VII of the Charter. In this regard, we welcome the continued implementation of resolution 76/262, which provides for convening the Assembly within 10 days of following the use of a veto in the Council. Such mechanisms are vital to promoting transparency, accountability, and the democratization of United Nations system. While Pakistan supports efforts to streamline the Assembly's work to enhance efficiency and avoid duplication, such measures must not result in privileging one UN pillar over another. The three pillars, peace and security, development, and human rights, are interdependent and merit balanced attention in Assembly's agenda. It is therefore essential to ensure coherence between UN80 initiative and the revitalization of the General Assembly. We further emphasize the need for transparency in the relationship between General Assembly and Security Council and for predictable, adequate resources for the office of the President of General Assembly. A well-resourced presidency is essential for an inclusive and effective Assembly. On the appointment of the Secretary-General and Executive Heads, Pakistan reaffirms the principles of transparency, inclusivity, gender parity, and equitable regional representation. We hope that the process of selection of the Secretary-General will be concluded expeditiously to allow for a smooth transition. In revitalizing the General Assembly, we must also look to the future. The world confronts emerging challenges, from governance of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to the sustainable use of outer space and the global commons. The Assembly must remain at the center of these discussions to ensure that global governance remains inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the priorities of all Member States. Mr. President, a revitalized General Assembly is essential to a revitalized United Nations. It must embody the collective will of Member States and ensure that no organ acts beyond the limits of the Charter. Pakistan remains firmly committed to constructive engagement in this process to restore the Assembly's rightful place as the principal deliberative policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. Now I invite the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic to speak. You have the floor, sir.

Mr. President, our delegation is grateful for the holding of this meeting. It offers us a valuable opportunity to continue our dialogue on the important process of revitalization of the General Assembly. The Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to this process, strengthened this year by the honor of holding one of the vice-presidencies of the General Assembly, representing GRULAC. We would first and foremost like to acknowledge the work of the co-facilitators during the 80th session of the General Assembly. The results of that work are reflected in the letter circulated on 3rd of September. We'd like to also congratulate Philippines and New Zealand for being elected to this post. I would like to In this session, we will continue consideration of the implementation of resolution 79/327 and the pillars related to the function, authority, and methods of work of the General Assembly and strengthening the Office of the Presidency. And we encourage member states to participate actively and constructively in this process. We'd like to highlight three points. First of all, we value the work carried out by the bureaus of the main committees during the previous session. We trust that during this session we can make progress in considering concrete proposals that make it possible to avoid duplication, enhance efficiency, and strengthen synergies between the committees. These efforts must be fully complementary to the UNAD process, and in particular to the work of the Working Group on Revision of Mandates. We encourage the main committees to continue promoting a culture of work that is in line with the shared aspiration of an organization that is more agile and efficient, without losing sight of the need to preserve the prerogatives of member states in granting mandates. Secondly, and in this very same spirit of strengthening coordination among the organs of the system, we support the holding of joint meetings, not only among the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, but also with the participation of the members of the General Committee and the Bureau of ECOSOC. Thirdly, We'd like to refer to the provisions of the resolution pertaining to the office of the presidency of the General Assembly. We would like to extend our congratulations to the respective teams for the smooth and efficient transition. In line with our commitment, the Dominican Republic this year has made a financial contribution to the trust fund and has provided staff as well, which reflects our conviction that the office must count with the necessary resources to ensure that the General Assembly meets the expectations of Member States and the challenges facing it. To conclude, Mr. President, we'd like to reiterate our readiness to contribute constructively to the work during this process. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic for a statement and for his support to the office of the President of the General Assembly. I now invite the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia. You have the floor, sir.

In the name of God, Mr. President, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the statement delivered by the representative of Estonia on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency, ACT Group. We would also like to thank Mrs. Motrice Agtha Williams, the Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and His Excellency Mr. Corneliu Ferruta, the Permanent Representative of Romania, for their efforts as co-chairs the ad hoc working group on the revitalization of the General Assembly during the 80th session. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, the role of the United Nations is becoming increasingly important in light of the challenges facing the international system. The General Assembly is one of the principal organs of the organization, serving as the main deliberative and policy-making body. the most representative of the Member States and, therefore, the most embodiment of multilateralism. In this regard, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a founding Member of the United Nations, attaches great importance to the revitalization of the work of the GA, whose mandate under the Charter extends to political, security, socio-economic matters, as well as administrative and financial issues. Mr. President, we welcome the progress achieved during the previous session in implementing the provisions of resolution 79/327, along with the practical steps taken to simplify procedures. We stress the need to continue efforts to achieve the objectives and purposes of this resolution. We look forward to participating actively in the matters under consideration during this session relating to the role, authority and working methods of the General Assembly. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, turning to the selection of this My delegation appreciates the provisions of the resolution aimed at strengthening the role of the GA in this process. While Article 97 of the UN Charter stipulates that the SG shall be appointed by the GA upon the recommendation of the Security Council, the resolution, building on previous resolutions, has further enhanced transparency and inclusiveness in the process by making available to all member states the names of candidates and their vision statements, and by convening interactive with them. This strengthens confidence in the integrity of the selection process. We welcome the implementation of these provisions during the 80th session. These practices, while not altering the legal framework established by the Charter, has strengthened the representative dimension of the GA and reaffirmed its moral responsibility in ensuring a selection process characterized by transparency and accountability. We also emphasize the importance of complementarity among the organs of the UN and the strengthening of coordination between the GA and the Security Council as a fundamental pillar for synergy in the UN decision-making. My country supports efforts aimed at consolidating the principle of institutional complementarity and avoiding duplication. In this context, we view the UN80 initiative, as well as Resolution 80/251 on mandate creation, implementation, and review, as an opportunity to unify efforts towards a more coordinated and effective organization. We affirm that these reform tracks should not impede the implementation of mandates entrusted by Member States. Decisions concerning such mandates and any structural changes thereof remain the prerogative of Member States. The latter should complement the revitalization of the work of the GA, as affirmed by the Pact for the Future in the same context. Mr. President, multilingualism is a fundamental value of the Organization. The Arabic language is one of its six official languages. In this regard, we stress the need to treat all official languages on an equal footing in all areas of the Organization's work, and to ensure the availability of meetings and documentation in all official languages and in a timely manner. In conclusion, we affirm that the revitalization of the GA is part and parcel of the broader effort aimed at strengthening the UN system system as a whole. We look forward to continuing to work with Member States to preserve and build upon the momentum that has been achieved with a view to attaining greater progress and broader consensus. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia. And I now invite the distinguished representative of Kuwait to make a statement.

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, Mr. President, at the outset, we align ourselves with the statement of the NAM delivered by Algeria. and my delegation is pleased to deliver a statement under the agenda item implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations, drawing on our firm belief in the importance of enhancing the effectiveness of our organization, safeguarding its credibility, and ensuring that its organs carry out the responsibilities and functions entrusted to them by the UN Charter. The State of Kuwait affirms that the strength of the United Nations is not measured solely by the number of resolutions adopted by its organs, but also by the extent to which those resolutions are respected and implemented, and by the organization's ability to translate the consensus of member states into tangible results. The purpose of adopting resolutions is not fulfilled merely through the adoption of their texts, but through the realization of the purposes for which they were adopted. Mr. President, discussing the implementation of the UN resolutions carries a special significance for the state of Kuwait. This topic is linked to a pivotal moment in our national history that also represented a prominent example of the effectiveness of multilateral international action. When the state of Kuwait was subjected to the brutal Iraqi invasion in 1990, the international community stood united in defense of the principles of the UN Charter, and its responsibility did not stop at merely condemning the aggression. Beginning with Security Council Resolution 660, which demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, followed by a series of related resolutions, culminating in Resolution 687. The resolutions of the international legitimacy were backed by a genuine international will to implement them. The result was the restoration of Kuwait's freedom, independence, and territorial integrity. As we recall that experience today, we do not merely recall it as an event from the past, but as an evidence of the UN's ability to fulfill the purposes of its charter whenever its resolutions are coupled by the political will necessary for their implementation. Kuwait's experience demonstrated that The international legitimacy, when respected and implemented, is capable of protecting state sovereignty, deterring aggression, restoring rights, and genuinely contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security. This is a model that should remain the rule for international action and not an exception. Mr. President, while addressing the importance of respecting and implementing UN resolutions, we must also renew in the strongest possible terms Kuwait's condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Iranian attacks against my country since last February with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. This occurred despite the fact that Kuwait was not a party to the conflict in the region and did not permit the use of its territory, airspace, or territorial waters for any military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These attacks systematically and repeatedly targeted civilian objects and civilian infrastructure, including Kuwait International Airport, power and water facilities, and oil installations. They resulted in the death of a number of martyrs and innocent civilians, injured many others, and caused significant material and economic damage whose effects were felt globally. In response to these attacks, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2817, reaffirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait, the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Yet, the attacks against my country did not cease following its adoption. Rather, they continued at the hands of Iran and its affiliated factions and militias in Iraq. Kuwait has diligently documented these violations and informed the Security Council through successive official letters. Therefore, for us, the issue goes beyond a single resolution and relates directly to the credibility and effectiveness of the collective security system. The adoption of a resolution should not mark the end of the efforts of the international community, rather the beginning of its responsibility to ensure respect and implementation of that resolution. Resolutions adopted by the Security Council in the exercise of its primary responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security cannot achieve their intended purpose unless they are accompanied by serious implementation follow-up and by a clear position toward cases of noncompliance. While Kuwait remains committed to the full implementation of Resolution 2817, it is not seeking a special standard for itself. Rather, it emphasizes the necessity of a single, consistent standard for respecting and implementing UN resolutions, principles of sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity enshrined in the Charter do not change according to the states concerned, nor should the authority and standing of resolutions embodying international legitimacy vary according to issues and surrounding political circumstances. Mr. President, Current developments in the sisterly Republic of Yemen once again underscore the importance of the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions in light of the continued attacks by the Houthi militia against the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and targeting its civilians, civilian infrastructure, and maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait. We renew our support for the legitimate Yemeni government and Yemen's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We also reaffirm our full solidarity the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we support all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty and security on the basis that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the GCC states. Kuwait further calls upon the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and fully implement its resolutions, particularly resolutions 2216 and 2722, in order to put an end to these attacks and preserve the security and stability of the region. Mr. President, in this context, the Palestinian cause is a stark example of the gap between the adoption and implementation of resolutions. Despite decades of resolutions grounded in international legitimacy, the Palestinian people continues to await the realization of the rights guaranteed to them, particularly the right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state along the borders of the 4th of June, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, which called for the immediate and complete cessation of all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, also still await full implementation. Accordingly, we emphasize that the credibility of international legitimacy requires the consistent and non-selective implementation of its resolutions, using the same standard for all issues and all states. Mr. President, Respect for and implementation of UN resolutions is a shared responsibility. It begins with the member states' adherence to the Charter and extends to the responsibility of the organization's organs to follow up on the resolutions they adopt, assess the extent of their implementation, and prevent accepting or normalizing their non-implementation with the passing of time. From this perspective, There is a need to strengthen systematic follow-up mechanisms for the implementation of resolutions adopted by UN organs, particularly Security Council resolutions and Article 25 of the UN Charter, in a way that enables a periodic and objective assessment of implementation levels, identification of cases of noncompliance, and consideration of ways to address them. In the same vein, Concern with an issue should not end with the adoption of a resolution. Implementation should remain an essential component of their follow-up until the objective for which the resolution was adopted has been achieved. Resolutions that are not implemented gradually lose their ability to produce the intended effect, while continued noncompliance without effective follow-up can undermine confidence in the organization's ability to enforce the decisions adopted by its organs. Mr. President, the history of the United Nations has demonstrated that this organization is capable of making a real difference when international will unites behind the principles of the charter and when resolutions are coupled with action and implementation. The state of Kuwait stands as a living proof of that. Our duty today is to preserve that model, to ensure a consistent and uniform approach to all UN resolutions. The challenge facing the organization today lies not in its ability to adopt more resolution, but rather in its ability to bridge the gap between adoption and implementation. The more successful we are in narrowing this gap, the more we strengthen confidence in the United Nations and the multilateral international system and in the ability of international law to protect rights and maintain international peace and security. In conclusion, Mr. President, the State of Kuwait reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and the international order based on the rule of law. It calls for renewing our collective commitment to respecting and implementing the resolutions adopted by the organization fully, consistently, and without selectivity. The credibility of the UN rests not only on the resolutions we adopt, but on what we achieve through their implementation. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of Kuwait. I now invite the distinguished representative of Japan to speak. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished co-chairs. At this critical juncture for the United Nations, Japan reaffirms its strong support for the General Assembly. as the most inclusive and representative organ of the Organization and as a central forum for global deliberation. We must build on the momentum of the GA resolution 79/327 and translate its commitment into concrete action to further strengthen the GA's role and impact. First, Japan underscores the importance of closer coordination between the GA, Security Council, ECOSOC, and the Peacebuilding Commission. We particularly welcome the renewed emphasis in the GA resolution 80/293A on coordination and complementarity between the GA and ECOSOC. Such coherence is essential to strengthening the humanitarian development peace nexus, given the importance of ensuring that our efforts across these three spheres are mutually reinforcing. Japan also supports the dissemination of the digital handbook on the GIs role in peace and security, including through its support for the development of the dedicated website. We believe these efforts can serve as practical use, practical tools to enhance the GIs contribution to peace and security and complement the work of the Security Council. Second, Japan attaches great importance to streamlining the working methods of the GEA to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN system. Building on the progress achieved during the 80th session, including the adoption of the GEA resolution 80/555/Ad.1 on the working methods of the Second Committee, We encourage Member States to maintain this momentum in the 81st session. This effort should also be pursued in close connection with the UN80 initiative, including through mandate discipline and the effective use of retirement clauses. Japan will continue to support these efforts. Third, while bearing in mind that the selection process for the next Secretary-General is underway, Japan would like to reiterate the importance of further enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and predictability in this process, as outlined in the letter submitted by former Japanese Ambassador Bishop, A/71/74/S/2017/93. Japan would also like to remind the recommendation of the Security Council to the General Assembly should be made in a timely manner so that appointment by the General Assembly allows the newly appointed Secretary-General sufficient time to prepare for a smooth transition and an effective start to the mandate. Mr. President, Japan recognizes the vital role of the OPGA in facilitating dialogue building consensus and advancing our collective work. Japan has supported the OPGA in various ways, including through its engagement with the new office of the 81st PGA, and will continue to extend its support to successive offices. In closing, Japan remains committed to working with all member states to strengthen the General Assembly and advance effective multilateralism at a time when a strong, effective and representative General Assembly is more important than ever. I thank you.

I thank you, distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Portugal aligns itself with the statements delivered by the European Union and the ACT Group. I thank and congratulate the co-chairs of the Working Group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, Ambassador Ferruta, Romania, and Ambassador Williams, Saint Kitts and Nevis, for their leadership and tireless efforts throughout the 80th session. Like many others, Portugal would have liked to have gone further, but we supported resolution 79237 with conviction. One year after the adoption, we can see positive steps being taken. We particularly welcome measures to reduce and streamline meeting procedures and decision-making, such as the one-gavel approach, making better use of both time and financial resources. We are also encouraged by improvements on the engagement between the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the ECOSOC, namely the increase of frequency of meetings between the presidents of these organs. Mr. President, we do look forward to further developments on the role, authority, and working methods of this General Assembly and the Office of the PGA, this session's focus topic. We particularly value the recognition in Resolution 179/327 of the GA's powers in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, and a role that has proven its worth for constructive scrutiny and the engagement by the wider international community. Recognizing the value of this relationship between the GA and the Security Council to strengthen the legitimacy and transparency of the UN, Portugal annually co-organizes with Ecuador and UNITAR a workshop on the relationship between these two bodies. Likewise, we strongly welcome the launch of the new digital web platform Assembly for Peace, developed by the United Nations University Center for Policy Research, to which Portugal proudly contributed. This new tool converted the 2024 handbook into a fully interactive platform with accessible information on the General Assembly's powers on peace and security. We hope that the digital handbook will be updated on an annual basis, as recommended by resolution 79/327. Mr. President, it is also for Member States to build on progress achieved. The 81st session will test our resolve. We, the Member States, started this process to build a more effective, coherent, responsive United Nations, fit for purpose, while strengthening its credibility and regaining the trust of the peoples we serve, in alignment with UN80 initiative. Revitalization will only succeed if we are prepared to change the way we conduct our work. We must be more selective in the initiatives we bring forward, more disciplined in the renewal of mandates, more attentive to avoid duplication, more willing to assess whether our established practices serve their intended purpose. Portugal stands ready to work constructively with all delegations and the co-chairs to ensure that the commitments undertaken under resolution 79/327 translate into lasting improvements. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. The next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Lithuania. I invite you to make your statement.

Mr. President, Lithuania aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union, and I would like to highlight three additional points in my national capacity. First, we welcome the progress under resolution 79/327 and UN 80 workstream 2, including on mandate review, working methods, and the mandate life cycle. The priority now is to apply these improvements consistently, assess what works, and address remaining gaps. Progress should be carried forward across the main committees while respecting their distinct mandates and practices. Useful measures, including better type management and scheduling, streamlined adoption procedures, and multi-annual approaches where appropriate, should become established practice, allowing us to build on what works rather than revisit the same working methods questions repeatedly. The objective is not to do less, but to work better. with less duplication, greater predictability, and better delivery. Second, the credibility of the General Assembly depends not only on the decisions we take, but also on what happens afterwards. Member States should be able to see more clearly what has been implemented, what remains outstanding, and where obstacles persist. Digital tools can help. The evolving mandate registry and related platforms should make it easier to connect mandates with relevant reports and implementation and review information. For smaller missions in particular, digitalization could reduce administrative burdens and make participation more effective. The current reforms offer a timely opportunity to manage implementation better. identify gaps earlier, focus attention where it is needed, and ensure that decisions translate into results. Third, as the universal and representative body of the United Nations, the General Assembly has a unique capacity to bring the wider membership together around issues requiring collective attention. This convening role should be used purposefully and, when circumstances require, promptly. The Assembly has a range of mechanisms at its disposal. This includes, for instance, emerging special sessions and debates following the use of the veto when the Security Council is unable to act. In such circumstances, the General Assembly should make full and effective use of the role entrusted to it under the Charter. What matters is not how often the Assembly convenes, but whether it is able to bring the membership together when collective engagement can make a difference. Mr. President, for Libya, revitalization and implementation should go hand in hand, build on progress, make results more visible, and ensure that the Assembly remains capable of acting when the wider membership needs to come together. And in the spirit of better time management, I will stop here. Thank you.

Thank you so much, and thank you for maintaining the time limit, although we are not imposing it today. I now invite the distinguished representative of Philippines to take the floor. Once again, I thank Ambassador Manalo for accepting to be the co-chair of working group on the strengthening and revitalization of work of the General Assembly. I offer you full support from my side and we'll be working together in the coming days. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, for calling me to speak. First of all, may I warmly thank you for the trust in appointing me as one of the co-chairs of the working group with the distinguished permanent representative of New Zealand. I look forward to working closely with you, my co-chair, and all member states in advancing the revitalization of the General Assembly. Mr. Chair, I also wish at this point to thank our previous co-chairs, co-chair of of from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Permanent Representative Williams, also Permanent Representative Ruta of Romania for their excellent work in steering us through the past couple of years and also coming up more importantly with our very important resolution. Mr. Chair, if I could just go very quickly into perhaps the next phase of our work, which I believe should place greater emphasis on implementation. Better access to information and more systematic follow-up of agreed outcomes, as well as greater coherence among existing mandates and across main committees, can help ensure that the Assembly's decisions are being translated into meaningful action. In pursuing greater efficiency, we should not lose sight of the broader purpose of revitalization. that is strengthening the role and authority of the General Assembly as the United Nations' chief deliberative policy-making and representative body, taking into account the General Assembly's role as specified in Chapter IV of the UN Charter, especially Articles 10 to 14. We also welcome more interaction between the General Assembly, the Security Council and ECOSOC. as well as continued engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission, consistent with their respective mandates. We also welcome improvements in the preparation of the Security Council's annual report to the General Assembly, including through greater consultation in its preparation, more periodical and analytical reporting by the Council, as well as other improvements which could make it more relevant and useful to the Assembly. We must remember that an ex post report is essentially a historical record of events, making it difficult for the General Assembly to react effectively to issues cited in the report in real time. Mr. President, revitalization must also be reflected in the day-to-day work of the main committees. Hence, we believe working methods remain of vital importance. We welcome the progress achieved during the 80th session, including measures to reduce meeting time and improve agenda and time management, transparency, documentation, and inclusivity. Nevertheless, more improvements are still possible. And with the Chair's permission, I would just like to cite one issue which I would like to put forth for consideration. This would be regarding the management of the speakers list. in general and also in particular in the general and thematic debates of the main committees. We have noted that in some cases the present manner of managing the speakers list or what we call the rolling speakers list may not necessarily promote predictability and effective time management. They may in fact invite less predictability. Perhaps this practice of having a differently shaded speakers list of countries could be changed to having only a single color. Hence, in principle, a country inscribed on the speakers list should be moved down the list should that country miss its turn. Likewise, we note that the issue of time limits should be further refined, with a view to ideally obtaining an understanding on their length prior to the start of the general or thematic debates in the main committees. Uniformity across committees would also be ideal. At the same time, a coordinated approach or working methods across the main committees, perhaps through discussion in the General Committee and in the Working Group on Revitalization, should continuously be encouraged. So, in conclusion, the Philippines will continue to work constructively for a General Assembly that is more efficient, effective, and responsible to the evolving needs of Member States. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank you for your statement. I note in particular your point on time management and we need to resolve it. You and I will work with interested delegations to resolve this matter as soon as possible. It's very important that we Observe the amount of time that is given to a meeting. At the same time, make sure that those who want to speak can speak. So you have to strike a balance there. So I need everybody's support to help me in coming up with the formula. Thank you. The next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Maldives. You have the floor.

Mr. President, A resolution that is adopted but not implemented is not an outcome. It is unfinished work. The credibility of this Assembly rests not only on the decisions we take, but on whether those decisions produce results. The Maldives thanks the co-chairs of the Working Group on Strengthening Revitalization of the General Assembly during the 88th session. And I would like to congratulate the appointment of the Permanent Representatives of the Philippines and the New Zealand to steer the work of the Working Group in the 81st session. For the Maldives, revitalization must strengthen practical capacity. Practical capacity of every Member State to participate meaningfully, shape decisions, and see those decisions implemented. Reform should widen the space to that end, and we propose five priorities. First, the MoD is proposing a revitalization implementation tracker for greater revitalization measures. It should show in one place who is responsible for each measure. its implementation status and the obstacles to progress and the next steps required. Where implementation is delayed, the responsible entity should provide a clear explanation. Where a measure has become obsolete, we should say so openly. Second, we must apply a small delegation participation test for reforms to the General Assembly's working methods. This means that every reform should be tested against a simple question: does it widen the practical ability of all Member States, especially the small delegations, to participate meaningfully? Late documentation, overlapping meetings, compressed negotiations and an expanding calendar do not affect all delegations equally. Agreed time limits on high-level meetings should be respected. Meeting schedules and documentation should be issued early. Speaking arrangements should be predictable and applied fairly. At the end of the day, efficiency should be widened participation. Third, the same principles should apply, guide, review the main committee working methods. The MOLDI supports efforts to reduce duplication, improve coordination, and make better use of time. There should be no one-size-fits-all for all the committees. Each committee has a distinct mandate. Working method reforms should make it easier for Member States to participate and should facilitate implementation of those mandates. They must not become an indirect route to weaken them. Fourth, revitalization must remain coherent with the wider UN80 process. Reform should strengthen the capacity of Member States to act not reduce the UN support available for them. Mandates should be clear, implementable and properly resourced. Reviews should be evidence-based and Member State-driven. Fifth, and finally, stronger institutional continuity is needed so that decisions can be carried forward from presidency to the next. The Office of the President of the General Assembly needs predictable support. stronger handover practices and systematic preservation of records and lessons learned so that the best practices between presidencies can be maintained. Better institutional memory will reduce duplication and help successive presidencies implement decisions already taken and facilitate a shorter learning period. The General Assembly does not need to prove its relevance by doing more. It must prove its relevance by doing what it has already decided, and doing it well. For the Maldives, meaningful revitalization means an Assembly that delivers its decisions, widens participation, and gives every Member State, including the smallest, greater space to shape its own sovereign future. That is how we strengthen this institution. And that is how we ensure that multilateralism serves every member state equally.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Maldives. And I now invite the distinguished representative of Ecuador. You have the floor, sir.

Mr. President, I will read an extract of my intervention with the request that the minutes of the meeting have the full version of the meeting, which will be submitted in due time. Mr. President, 10 days ago, the general debate concluded of the 81st regular session of the General Assembly. This offers us an additional opportunity to reflect on the implementation of resolution A/RES/79/327. Most importantly, it offers another opportunity to draw lessons and continue contributing to the process of reforms that will make this organization more effective and efficient. In your words, Mr. President, let us make this organization function and fulfill the promises of the Charter. In fact, already various delegations have referred to some of these topics. This is why, in my intervention, I will address only three points. first one refers to the shared interest in making sure that the general debate is afforded sufficient time and space so that heads of delegations convey their messages to the international community gathered in this forum. Ecuador was present for all the interventions from the inaugural session until the closing of the general debate because we understand that that is the main purpose of that week. At the same time, Ecuador recognizes the value of high-level meetings pursuant to the mandates of the General Assembly. We also recognize the value of parallel events that take into account the priorities of countries that could assign to a specific topic. How can we not take advantage of the presence of the highest authorities of the world to highlight these priorities? My delegation understands that this same logic guides the various entities and agencies of the UN what is concerning however in this latter case is that information about many of these events with growing frequency that are less known by the permanent mentions or They are provided, the information is provided in an untimely way or presented as a fait accompli. This is not a result of lack of coordination of missions with the competent national entities in their capitals. Rather, it is because for the organization of these events, official channels of information are not taken into account. complicates coordination and informed participation of delegations and invited authorities. There's a tendency to normalize the use of the names or logos of UN agencies, which could create the perception that these events have the institutional endorsement of a specific agency when there are cases when their participation or support is almost non-existent. This is not a merely administrative matter or an issue of negligence or an innocuous one, because it involves an inexcusable disregard of paragraph 24 of the age-old resolution aforementioned that decides to limit to a maximum of three high-level events, precisely so that delegations have sufficient time and space to focus on the general debate of the General Assembly. The various UN agencies perhaps should take note of this very clear mandate and not contribute to the proliferation of agendas, as you today reminded us at the beginning of the session. My second point has to do with multilingualism. As stipulated in resolution A/RES/79/327, this constitutes an intrinsic value that contributes to achieving the purposes of the organization. My delegation understands that significant efforts are made to advance toward that goal. At the same time, we are aware of the limits for its full implementation. This is seen on a day-to-day basis when, for example, At this very moment, interpreters are seeking to ensure the interpretation of the highest quality that is faithful and accurately conveys the message of their delegations in the six official languages. But in spite of their professionalism and efforts, sometimes they don't manage to do it for practical reasons. Allow me to give you a couple of concrete examples to illustrate what I mean. When in the Committee on Economic and Financial Matters, the annual financing deficit for development is discussed in trillions of dollars and the interpretation says billions instead of trillions in English. the main thrust of the message is altered. Or when in the International Security and Disarmament Committee it is said that there are no safe hands to hold nuclear weapons and the interpreter says that there are no good uses for these weapons, once again the thrust of the original message is not rendered. This perhaps is due to the speed in which messages are read. What is the practical result? Well, the practical result is that Spanish-speaking delegations are forced to cut our statements by 150 words in five minutes so that these can be properly interpreted. The alternative for a Spanish-speaking delegation is to prepare what is known as a site translation to deliver the statement in full with all the nuances of the original Spanish, which requires an additional effort for the smaller delegations. My delegation and the Ambassador of Romania, who I want to congratulate for the excellent conclusion of its work, my delegation, as I said, has been promoted to impose limits on statements. However, there are times when there should be some flexibility. Also, I think on a day-to-day basis, we should work as the Ambassador of the Philippines, the new chairman mentioned, on a day-to-day basis, it's important that we take into account the reference of a trains that arrive late. And that perhaps would be an improvement that would help us in revitalizing the work of the Assembly. Mr. President, Resolution 79/327 establishes that multilingualism is one of the basic values and pillars of the Organization that contributes to achieving the purposes of the United Nations as they are established in the first article of the Charter. Therefore, it cannot be diminished in any way in the work of the revitalization of the General Assembly. The topic should continue to be addressed very seriously. On my third point, given the time limit, I'll be very brief. I simply want to recall that my full statement will be submitted to be included in the minutes. And the resolution on revitalization has a section on the selection of the Secretary-General that was extensively debated at the time. Transparency and access to information and timely provision of that information to the in certain states should be ensured from the beginning of the process, that is, starting from the nomination of candidates and until its conclusion. This would contribute to strengthening the seriousness and the integrity of the process. Ecuador. fully respects her prerogative of nominating candidates and understands what is established in the charter on this topic. But at the same time, we want to recall that diplomatic courtesy is a notion that it was recognized in international law. It's not merely a matter of protocol. A process of selection that is structured, predictable, transparent, and inclusive, in which all states have timely information through appropriate channels does not contravene what is established in Article 97 of the Charter. Thank you very much.

Excellency, thank you very much, and also thank you for raising the question of time limits. The new co-chairs of the Revitalization Working Group will be working with all relevant delegations to find a practical and reasonable solution to this. We have to remember that we have limited time allotted to our meetings, and it's our responsibility to make sure that all delegations have the opportunity to speak. Within those parameters, we'll try to find a reasonable and practical resolution of this matter. The next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Mexico. Madam, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. At a time as today, where multilateralism is going through a test of credibility, the revitalization of the General Assembly is not only a technical exercise, but is an imperative to strengthen the main deliberative organ of the United Nations and reestablish a strong link to people. Mexico participated actively and with proposals in negotiation on Resolution 79/327. Play from the Khan Ride Destination Weekend Dhamaka. and shares the determination of Member States to provide this General Assembly with greater efficiency and authority. Its full implementation must ensure greater opportunity, coherence, and legitimacy, given the challenges confronting the international community. This is why we value that, for the very first time in May of this year, the Presidency elaborated a summary with recommendations for the General Assembly to adopt measures when the Security Council is paralyzed, thus improving the usefulness of our discussions after the use of the veto, and at the same time, strengthen the capacity of this organ to contribute to maintaining international peace and security. We consider that this mechanism is a valuable instrument to strengthen the implementation of resolution 76/262 which contributes to accountability and international action in the face of the paralysis of the council also Mexico observes with concern that the your current use of the veto prevents the Security Council to act in situations of mass atrocities such as genocide crimes against humanity and war crimes we reaffirm the importance of the initiative that together with France we have promoted since 2015 for the voluntary restriction the veto in case of mass atrocities. This initiative has the support of 128 States, including the United Kingdom, who we thank for their decision to join us. We urge Member States that have not done so to join this initiative. In the context of the UN80 reform with extremely limited resources, the challenges to streamline our work and the mandates of this organization and make them more meaningful. This is why we emphasize the appeals to comply effectively with a moratorium on new proposals of international decades, years, months, weeks during the current session. Also, Mexico shares the purpose of having an agenda that is more focused and efficient to simplify the work of the Assembly. As far as the election of the future Secretary General, the fact that this process has shown progress in terms of transparency, first of all, with the interactive dialogues with candidates, and secondly, with the publications of their candidates. However, this process requires establishing deadlines for the presentation of nominations and ensure greater transparency in the deliberations of the Security Council, with the goal of ensuring that the Assembly actively participates in appointing the highest authority of this organization on the basis of merit, pluralism, and gender equality. Equality in Mexico believes that after 81 years of existence, it's time for a woman to lead this organization. Mr. President, Mexico reiterates its commitment to contribute to the deliberations of the ad hoc working group for the revitalization of the General Assembly and support the efforts that favor strengthening the most deliberative and representative organ that member states have in this organization. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Peru welcomes the holding of this debate on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. It's a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on how we can strengthen its role as the main deliberative, normative, and representative organ of the United Nations. In the current complicated international context, marked by prolonged conflicts, growing geopolitical tensions, polarization, and challenges that transcend borders, it is essential to have a General Assembly that is capable of expressing in coordination with the other organs of the United Nations the collective will of the international community and to contribute effectively to the search for common responses, ones that are effective. Peru supports efforts geared towards improving the efficiency and the effectiveness of the work of the General Assembly in line with the UN80 initiative, the streamlining of Our methods of work must contribute to reducing duplication and to create more opportunities to address the urgent challenges confronting the international community. However, any reform must be based on clearly defined objectives and with an approach based on evidence. while preserving the prerogatives of Member States and their sovereign rights to establish mandates. The search for greater efficiency must go hand in hand, therefore, with efforts to preserve the universal and inclusive character of the Organization and its three pillars. Peru reiterates its firm support for multilingualism as a fundamental value of the United Nations. An organization that is truly universal must ensure the effective participation of all Member States. Mr. President, the process to select the next Secretary-General is crucial for the implementation of these and other elements of the process of revitalization. The UN requires leadership that is capable of building bridges, strengthening preventive diplomacy, and anticipating and responding in a timely fashion to the risks and new threats to international peace and security, as well as to be able to act with independence of judgment and commitment to the organization in the face of the deep financial crisis that the system is going through. We hail the implementation of resolution 79/327 on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. Peru participated actively and constructively in negotiating that resolution. We value that this document incorporates elements of transparency, participation, and accountability regarding the selection of the highest authority of the UN. We consider particularly relevant that due attention is paid to geographical balance. This will make it possible to reflect the contributions of all regions of the world, especially of developing countries. With this in mind, Peru is convinced that the time has come for Latin America and the Caribbean to take on, once again, this responsibility. Mr. President, our region is a zone of peace with a historic commitment to international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, democracy, and disarmament, as demonstrated in the Tlatelolco Treaty and the successful work of the UN Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Peru. Its work is also contributing to the fight against transnational organized crime in the region. We have had and continue to have individuals capable of offering a balanced, inclusive, and constructive vision of the multilateral system. This is demonstrated by the legacy of the only Secretary-General coming from our region, Ambassador Javier Perez de Cuellar. He was a beacon of independence, balance, and constant commitment to peace. To conclude, Mr. President, Peru reiterates its conviction that a leader coming from Latin America and the Caribbean will strengthen the legitimacy, representivity and effectiveness of the UN at a decisive moment for the future of multilateralism and of humankind. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Peru. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malta. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. President. Malta aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and adds the following in its national capacity. President, 35 years ago, a Maltese President of this very Assembly, Professor Guido de Marco, proposed that the revitalization of our work be placed on the agenda as a dedicated item. Malta's conviction remains unchanged. Restoring trust in the UN begins with a General Assembly that is effective, inclusive, and which delivers for all. We thank Ambassadors Ferruta and Williams for their sterling work as co-chairs of the Working Group on the Strengthening and Revitalizing of the Work of the General Assembly. Resolution 79/327 will ultimately be judged by its implementation, and that responsibility rests with each and every one of us. President, I will focus on three points. The selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General shows what implementation and inclusivity can achieve. This year's process has been guided by Resolution 79327. The joint letter was issued early, information on candidates was shared with the membership in a timely manner, and rounds of interactive dialogues gave all Member States the opportunity to hear candidates. We thank the President of the 80th session for her work and support the current President of the General Assembly in carrying the continuation of this work forward. These gains should be a foundation, not a ceiling. In that spirit, we encourage the Security Council to ensure a transparent process with timely information to the wider membership as it moves towards its recommendation to this Assembly. President, we welcome reviews of working methods undertaken by the main committees. Our shared aim is a more focused agenda, better use of our time and resources, and greater attention to implementing what we have already agreed. As Vice Chair of the Fourth Committee, Malta looks forward to contributing to these efforts. Revitalization and the UN80 initiative are mutually reinforcing. Malta supported resolution 8251 on mandate creation, implementation and review. We thank the co-chairs of the ad hoc working group on mandate implementation review for their work. The tools developed under that process can support the committees in their own efforts, and coherence between the two tracks will be essential. President, revitalization is a continuous effort. It is measured not only by the resolutions we adopt, but how we work together in this hall and in our committee rooms. Time management is an important element. Malta is centrally to play its part, starting from the length of the statement. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malta. And I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco. The floor is yours.

Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to thank you for convening this joint debate on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. It is a timely opportunity to renew our collective commitment to the Assembly as the chief deliberative policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations. For the Kingdom of Morocco, revitalization is a matter of paramount importance for the entire membership and a shared responsibility. A stronger United Nations requires a stronger General Assembly, more effective, more inclusive, and more transparent. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of GA Resolution 79/327, which provides a clear roadmap for this endeavor. Its first results are already tangible. The one-gavel approach has significantly reduced the time devoted to adopting the reports of the main committees, and the consolidation of reports considerably reduced documentation. We commend the co-chairs of the working group, Ambassador Ferruta of Romania and Ambassador Williams of Saint Kitts and Nevis, for their able leadership and stewardship during the last three-year cycle. Yet, commitments are only as good as their implementation, and the upcoming cycle will be a real test. We must exercise greater discipline in creating new mandates, meetings and resolutions. We must respect the decisions we have taken together, including the limit on the number of high-level meetings during the High-Level Week. Mr. President, the revitalization of the Assembly is part of the broader reform underway across the United Nations system. We thank the Secretary-General for his leadership and commitment to the UN80 initiative. Morocco stresses that these two processes must be mutually reinforcing and that any reform must remain Member State-driven, transparent, and anchored in the intergovernmental nature of our Organization. Mr. President, the Office of the President of the General Assembly plays a central role in steering our revitalization efforts. Its responsibilities have grown considerably, and its resources must keep pace. We therefore stress the importance of allocating sufficient, predictable, and sustainable human and financial resources to the office. We also attach great importance to women's equal opportunities and meaningful participation. In this regard, we welcome the fact that women make up 60% of the staff of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. Mr. President, we also welcome the efforts to enhance the transparency and inclusivity of the process to select the next Secretary-General including the interactive dialogues with candidates. This process must be conducted in full conformity with Article 97 of the Charter, with due respect for the respective roles of the General Assembly and the Security Council. We also underscore that multilingualism is a core value of the United Nations and that equal treatment of the six official languages is essential to the inclusivity of our work. We therefore welcome the recent adoption of resolution 80/310 and call for ensuring that the liquidity situation does not come at the expense of multilingualism. To conclude, Mr. President, Morocco reiterates its support for our collective effort to make the working methods of this Assembly more transparent, inclusive, effective and efficient. This is not an end in itself, but a means to strengthen the Assembly's authority and credibility at a time when multilateralism is under strain. And I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. The floor is yours, sir.

President. The United Nations General Assembly is the most representative organ established under the UN Charter and an important platform for practicing multilateralism and promoting global governance. In today's world, transformation and turbulence are intertwined, and multiple challenges are overlapping. The GA should further build consensus, strengthen unity, effectively fulfill the duties entrusted by the UN Charter, and promote greater quality and efficiency of the UN. On strengthening and revitalizing the work of the UN, China has three proposals. First, we should take the UN Charter as the fundamental guide in actively steering the cause of the UN in the right direction. The Charter established the UN-centered international system, laid the foundation for the international rule of law, and represents the greatest post-war consensus of the international community. The GA should take the lead in renewing the commitment to the purposes of the Charter, promote the Charter's spirit, and abide by the mandate of the Charter. It should work with other Charter organs, such as the Security Council and ECOSOC, to form synergy while fulfilling their respective mandates, and revitalize the authority and vitality of the GA through concrete measures and concrete results. Second, we should take the key path of unity and cooperation to advance the cause of the UN with concerted efforts. The GA symbolizes multilateralism and embodies international solidarity. Under the current circumstances, the GA should follow the vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, fully leverage its functions as the policy-making and deliberative organ, encourage communication and dialogue, strive to build consensus, advocate decision-making by consensus, and constantly foster a cooperative atmosphere of unity and mutual trust. Third, we should take pragmatic reform as the driving force and forge ahead with resolve for the cause of the UN to be implemented and deliver results. Reform is both an effective solution to existing problems and an engine driving the UN to keep pace with the times. The GA should seize the opportunity of the UN80 initiative, state membership-led and driven in advancing reform, continue advancing the three pillars in a balanced manner, and strengthen the UN through concrete reform outcomes. President, the selection of the next Secretary-General of the UN will be one of the top priorities for the Security Council and the GA this year, which bears not only on the future direction of the UN, but more importantly, on the vital interests of the wide membership. GA resolutions and Security Council documents contain clear provisions on the selection procedure, and on that basis, Member States have developed effective practices which should be upheld. As a permanent member of the Security Council and the largest developing country, China will continue to participate in the selection in a responsible and constructive manner and work with all parties to select a Secretary-General who observes the UN Charter, shows outstanding competence, is impartial and upright and fulfills responsibilities with dedication. I thank you, President.

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

Thank you very much. As a member of my delegation, I would like to associate myself with the statement made by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We would like to add the following comments in our national capacity. The General Assembly is the most representative and democratic organ of the United Nations, in which all Member States participate on an equal footing. In an international context marked by the proliferation of conflicts and an increase in tensions, the weakening of multilateralism and growing challenges to international law the role of the General Assembly is more important than ever the assembly has broad responsibilities for debating issues related to international peace and security promote cooperation disarmament human rights and progressive development of international law as well as formulate recommendations to member states into the Security Council Cuba considers that the General Assembly must fully exercise these prerogatives as the voice of the international community and contribute to closing the gaps between the principles enshrined in the Charter and their full implementation. In the face of those who seek to substitute multilateralism with the law of the strongest, the peaceful solution of disputes and a more democratic representative international order for the benefit of all peoples must be reaffirmed. Cuba reaffirms its commitment to the strengthening and revitalization of the General Assembly as the most representative, democratic, and universal organ of the United Nations. The revitalization must contribute to strengthening its authority, effectiveness, and efficiency while preserving fully its intergovernmental character and the prerogatives of its Member States on the basis of sovereign equality. The measures of efficiency should not lead to restrictions to the rights that the Charter and the rules of the United Nations grant to member states. With this in mind, the identification of duplication should be done on a case-by-case basis. They should not be used as a foundation to limit the rights of Member States to present draft resolutions, restrict their format or contents, or establish criteria that weed out certain proposals without the consent of their authors. We also recall that the resolutions of the General Assembly maintain their validity until they are fully implemented. Cuba also expresses its concern in the face of proposals that seeks to standardize in a generalized way limits, time limits on interventions. The search for greater efficiency should not be at the expense of transparency or effective participation of all member states. Likewise, we believe that the automatic cutting off of microphones lacks a foundation or justification in the General Assembly. Mr. President, the process of selection and appointment of the Secretary-General must unfold in strict adherence to the UN Charter, ensuring inclusive and effective interaction between the Security Council and the General Assembly and allowing the membership of the organization to participate in a meaningful way in examining the various candidates. In this context, Cuba considers it particularly valuable that the interactive dialogues were held for candidates. At the same time, we encourage that all relevant information on the various phases of this process continues to be communicated in a timely and accessible way to all member states. We reiterate the importance of ensuring equitable geographical representation and gender equality in the process of selection and appointment of the senior officials of this organization. Mr. President, Cuba also underscores the importance of strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly by ensuring the sufficient resources so that he or she can effectively fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them. This should be accompanied by greater transparency institutional continuity and preservation of institutional memory. At the same time, we reaffirm that multilingualism is a fundamental principle of the United Nations and that all official languages must receive equitable treatment in all areas of work of the organization as an essential precondition to ensure inclusion and the effective participation of all Member States. In conclusion, The revitalization of the General Assembly cannot be reduced to an administrative exercise geared exclusively towards achieving greater efficiency. All initiatives of reform, including the UN80 initiative, must preserve the mandates agreed by Member States and contribute to strengthening the capacity of the Organization to fulfill them, without undermining the rights and prerogatives of its members. Cuba will continue to participate constructively in this process. with the conviction that an organization that is more efficient will only be truly strengthened if, at the same time, it is more democratic, inclusive, transparent, and representative. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Switzerland welcomes this discussion of ours on strengthening the work of the General Assembly. It is its universal character that gives the Assembly its legitimacy, which also depends on the quality of our debates and the time we devote to them. We congratulate to the co-chairs of New Zealand and the Philippines on their appointment and would like to express our thanks to their predecessors, France and Romania. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Estonia on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency, ACT Group. Allow me now to address four points. First, Switzerland supports the clear time limits proposed by the President of the 80th session and continued by the President of the 81st session for the formal and informal meetings. We recommend to continue with this practice beyond the 81st session of the GA. For its part, Switzerland endeavors to limit its national statements to three minutes. Second point, we recommend the strict and consistent application of all time limits. We welcome the rigorous observance of speaking times, for example, by switching off the microphone once the time has expired. Third, we stress the importance of implementing resolution 80/251, which emerged from work stream two of the UN80 initiative. It contains key elements to make the work of the General Assembly more efficient. It has concept notes, review clauses for mandates, clearer and more concise mandates, and an appropriate periodicity of agenda items, resolutions and decisions. We call on Member States to implement this resolution accordingly. And finally, we stress the urgency of advancing the process for the selection and appointment of the future Secretary-General, which is of central importance to all Member States and to the Organization as a whole. Given the role of the General Assembly in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, it is important that it should ensure that the process is concluded sufficiently early so that the person selected has the time needed to prepare for the position and put their team together. By way of comparison, the non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected as early as June. They therefore have six months to prepare before beginning their two-year term. In conclusion, Switzerland will continue to engage constructively so that our work becomes more efficient and relevant. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Federation. The floor is yours.

Mr. President, we welcome the convening of the General Assembly plenary meeting on the issues of implementation of UN resolutions and the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. The Russian Federation takes an active part in advancing the General Assembly's traditional agenda, revitalization agenda, which is aimed at enhancing the authority and effectiveness of this body. And this task takes on particular importance in light of increasing geopolitical contradictions and new global challenges and threats. And under the conditions of the UN liquidity crisis, many shortcomings in the functioning of its system are becoming clearly visible, and they include inflated mandates, overloading of field presidents with non-core tasks, and the donors' maniacal wish to promote their own priorities, which remain alien and irrelevant to the needs of host countries. We have always been of the view that the objective of optimizing the work of the General Assembly remains unchanged, and its key components are the further refinement of the body's working methods and the streamlining of its agenda, which is still overloaded. The transfer of some General Assembly agenda items to a biennial or triennial basis, as well as the removal of obsolete items, remains relevant, but this process must be carried out thoughtfully, not chaotically. During the previous session, work was conducted on the implementation of resolution 79/327, revitalization, which became the result of a fragile compromise achieved during the 79th session of the General Assembly. A number of initiatives introduced into the body's practice have already led to a reduction in expenditure for servicing plenary meetings. At the same time, further innovations should be approached thoughtfully. An indispensable condition here must remain their compliance with the rules of procedure, the principle of multilingualism and the sovereign equality of member states, including the prerogative to participate fully in discussions. The revitalization process must not mean a redistribution in favor of the General Assembly of the powers of other principal bodies of the organization, including the Security Council. Therefore, we have been consistently insisting on the strict compliance with the relevant provision of the Charter concerning the Security Council's primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. We are convinced that the shortage of cash should not be used as grounds for the unilateral reduction of conference services or the cancellation of meetings of principal organs, or for the Secretary to, on their own, determine the meeting's priority. Measures to overcome the liquidity crisis should continue to be considered by Member States within the established procedures of intergovernmental decision-making. A key role in resolving the funding shortfall is played by the timely, full and unconditional payment of assessed contributions by Member States. During the current session, the process of appointing a new UN Secretary-General is to be completed. We expect that the President of the General Assembly will approach his responsibility in this area in a responsible manner on the basis of Article 97 of the Charter and will facilitate the constructive advancement of the process, taking into account its special importance and sensitivity. It must not be forgotten that the principal objective here is selecting the most worthy candidate. The issue of implementation of General Assembly resolutions remains of utmost importance to us. We regret the fact that some states seek to apply double standards when considering resolutions on various issues. And whenever the content of resolutions does not correspond to their interests, they attempt to obstruct them using various pretexts. It is our understanding that the majority of decisions in this hall aimed at improving the most diverse aspects of the life of humankind unquestionably should and will be implemented because this is in our common interest. And we stand ready to work constructively in this area under the leadership of the co-chairs of the working group on the strengthening and revitalizing of the General Assembly. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa. The floor is yours, sir.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, remains important in preserving the centrality of the UNGA as the main representative and principal deliberative organ of the United Nations, and ensuring that it executes its mandate in an efficient and effective manner. In this regard, we reaffirm the role of the GA in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, as provided for in the Charter and reaffirmed in Resolution 79/327 on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, which was adopted by consensus. The persistent inability of the Security Council to act in response to ongoing conflicts owing to divisions amongst its members, particularly permanent members, continues to undermine the Council's ability to fulfill its primary mandate of the maintenance of international peace and security. The role of the GA in this regard is important. South Africa therefore considers the continued implementation of resolution 76/262, which mandates a General Assembly debate whenever a veto is cast in the Security Council, to be essential. We therefore welcome the convening of two meetings on the situation in the Middle East, including Gaza, during the 80th session of the GA, pursuant to this resolution. South Africa further reaffirms its support for operative paragraph 7 of resolution 79/327, which calls on Member States to refrain from measures that impede efforts to prevent or halt the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This resolution also calls for credible, timely and decisive action by the Security Council in the discharge of its primary responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security. Mr. President, concerning the ongoing process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General, I would like to stress the importance of the process to continue to be guided by the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, To this effect, we welcome the efforts by the President of the General Assembly of the 80th session, including the joint letter initiating the process, the convening of the interactive dialogue with all candidates for the position of the Secretary-General, and the convening of the town hall in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 42 of resolution 69/321. We would also like to encourage the Security Council to consider recommending a female candidate for the appointment by the General Assembly. As was the case previously, distinguished women with proven high standards of competence have availed themselves as candidates for the position of UN Secretary-General. For the first time in the history of the UN, we have the best opportunity to select and appoint a woman to lead this primary international organization. This will be the strongest ever statement by the UN of its conviction to gender equality. Mr. President, South Africa reiterated support for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN and its organs, including through the UN80 initiative, and underscores the continued importance for a more balanced approach that will ensure that the organization continues to fulfill its mandates in accordance with the Charter. We appreciate efforts made during the start of the current session to limit the number of high-level meetings mandated by the GA convened during the high-level week to a maximum of three. However, the fact that the session had five high-level meetings mandated by the various committees of the General Assembly demonstrates the need for improved coordination and better alignment with the resolution on mandates provided by the main committee. of Africa continues to be of the view that the office of the President of the GA should be provided with adequate support to effectively carry out its mandate. We further maintain that the submission of the handover report by the Presidents of the General Assembly and other tools such as the digital handbook can contribute meaningfully to institutional capacity, thus ensuring a smooth transition. I thank you.

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

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, peace and blessings of God be upon you. The state of Libya believes that the strength of the United Nations does not lie in the large number of resolutions adopted. Instead, it lies in our collective ability to respect such resolutions and implement them, and in the confidence that the principles of the Charter are applied to all without exception. Thus, my country believes that the full implementation of UN resolutions is a fundamental pillar to ensure the credibility of our organization. The selectivity in implementation or subjecting resolutions to other considerations does not only weaken the impact of such resolutions, but also undermines confidence in the multilateral system at large. Therefore, we call for strengthening follow-up, transparency and accountability for addressing the gap between the decisions we make in this hall and what is actually achieved on the ground. Mr. President, The revitalization of the work of the General Assembly must not become a mere procedural matter. Instead, it should be a genuine pathway towards promoting its role, effectiveness, and authority, since it is the forum where States' voices are all treated equal, regardless of their size, power, or capabilities. The State of Libya believes that the reform of the multilateral system must be underpinned on justice, equality and equitable representation. It must ensure more effective participation of African states and developing ones in decision-making on matters that affect their present and future. The United Nations that we want is one that delivers on its decisions and implements its principles justly. It's the one that provides all states a meaningful voice and an equal stance in shaping our common future. To conclude, the State of Libya will remain an active and constructive partner in all effort aimed at strengthening the General Assembly while upholding the principles of Charter. This will also revitalize multilateralism that we need more than ever. It will bring it trust, credibility, and justice. Thank you, Mr. President.

The distinguished representative of Libya. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. President. El Salvador is grateful for the holding of this debate on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the permanent representatives of Romania and Saint Kitts and Nevis for their leadership at the head of the working group on strengthening and revitalizing the work of the General Assembly. We also applaud the appointment of the permanent representative of New Zealand and the permanent representative of Philippines. I mean, sure, we can assure them our full support. For El Salvador, this is a working group continues to be an essential forum where Member States can collectively reflect on how to strengthen the authority, effectiveness and functioning of the General Assembly, one that is capable of responding effectively to its mandate. Its relevance acquires even greater importance at a time when we are seeking to adapt the Organization to new challenges, while at the same time preserving the intergovernmental character of its processes and the sovereign equality of all its Members. Mr. President, For decades, Member States have discussed how to make this Assembly a more effective representative organ capable of responding to the challenges of our time. These efforts have resulted in significant progress. However, today the challenge is different. We don't only need to continue deliberating and agreeing on how to revitalize and strengthen the General Assembly. What we need is to demonstrate that we are fully capable of implementing what already been decided on in particular in the course of the various resolutions that have been the result of the work of the working group that we're discussing the resolution 79 slash 327 is an important step in this direction it reaffirms the central role of the General Assembly as the main deliberative normative and representative organ of the United Nations this is why the 81st session of the General Assembly must be first and foremost a period of implementation, responsibility, and results. Mr. President, strengthening the Assembly means first and foremost exercising fully its role and authority. This takes on particular relevance in the area of international peace and security. This Assembly, as the most representative and universal organ of the United Nations, possesses functions and authorities that are specific to it in this area and must be capable of fully exercising them in line with the Charter. At a time when the challenges to peace and security are increasing and where collective action is confronting growing difficulties, the Assembly cannot limit itself to being a forum which reacts. It must fully take advantage of its capacities to contribute to prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and the search for collective responses, at the same time strengthening its interaction with the other main organs of the organization. In this context, El Salvador acknowledges the launching and making available the digital manual Assembly for Peace, which brings together practices, mechanisms, and precedents related to the functions and authorities of the General Assembly in the area of international peace and security. We encourage its periodic updating its broad dissemination, and most importantly, its effective use by member states. We also consider it necessary to deepen the interaction between the General Assembly and the Peacebuilding Commission. The outcome of the recent review of the peacebuilding architecture offers a concrete opportunity to strengthen this relationship and ensure greater coherence between prevention, peacebuilding and sustaining peace. However, an assembly with greater authority also requires that it uses responsibly its agenda. We must avoid the proliferation of processes that duplicate discussions that already exist and exercise greater discipline as we consider new initiatives, especially when these could be addressed appropriately in other forums or mainly respond to circumstances that are national in The same principles should guide our methods of work. We support the efforts to continue streamlining the agenda, reducing duplications, and reviewing the recurrence of resolutions, while always preserving the sovereign right of Member States to present initiatives. Along these lines, and in the context of the UNAD process, my delegation takes note of model clauses for the examination of the implementation of mandates and their possible deletion. In the same spirit, we reaffirm the importance of multilingualism as an essential condition for the full and equitable participation of all States and to preserve a truly universal character of this General Assembly. This approach should also be applied to the high-level week. The decision to limit the number of high-level meetings mandated during this period must be fully implemented. We welcome the modification of the rules of procedure to appropriately reflect the six official languages and the participation role of women in the work of the General Assembly. Mr. President, El Salvador reiterates the central role of the General Assembly in the process of selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. progress achieved of the past cycles, the statements of vision, interactive dialogues, and dissemination of information, and a greater participation in the membership are the direct results of decisions adopted by this Assembly. We reiterate our position that there is a solid foundation for the future leader of this organization, the next Secretary-General, come from Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that is fully committed to multilateralism and to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Mr. President, we value the initiative of building a platform of free women of the General Assembly, and we encourage its continuity. For El Salvador, revitalizing the General Assembly must lead to an organization more capable of responding to the challenges of our peoples and to work more to generate results, concrete results in favor of persons. Strengthening this Assembly is strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to serve those it represents. My country will continue actively contributing and constructively to this goal. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia. The floor is yours, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. Indonesia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN and by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We wish to add the following remarks in our national capacity. Indonesia wishes to begin by extending our appreciation to the previous co-chairs of the working group on the strengthening and revitalizing the work of the General Assembly for their tireless and instrumental leadership as well as to take note of the summary of the work. We also wish to congratulate the permanent representative of the Philippines and the permanent representative of New Zealand for their appointment as the co-chairs of the working group. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we wish to highlight the two following points.

First.

As we navigate amidst unprecedented multidimensional crisis, the role of the General Assembly is more crucial than ever to strengthen multilateralism. Representing 193 member states, this Assembly stands as the world's most representative and inclusive decision-making body. Yet, to maintain our relevance, impact, and effectiveness, we must shift our paradigm. Aligning and harnessing the reformative momentum of the UN80 Initiative, the General Assembly must continue to deliver measurable, targeted outcomes. Actions must speak louder than mandates. To that end, we must address our bloated agenda, avoid duplication, and reduce the automated recurrence of mandates.

To foster a culture of efficiency.

The effective practice of the One Gavel approach and the use of digital tools also prove that streamlining our procedures generates concrete outcomes in both time and resources. Second, the effective implementation of resolution 79/327 across its four pillars of action helps translating our commitments to the strengthening and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. Central to this revitalization and echoing the core ambitions of the UN80 Initiative agenda to reform our institution is the enhancement of coherence among principal UN organs. In this regard, we welcome enhanced engagement between the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council. Furthermore, our institutional integrity relies on accountable and continuous leadership. We continue to support a transparent, inclusive, and credible systematic selection process for top positions, particularly the Secretary-General and executive heads. Further, this commitment to accountability must also be reflected in a smooth, measurable transition. between incoming and outgoing presidents of the General Assembly. By sharing best practices and enhancing coordination between the two offices, we can effectively safeguard our institutional memory. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, to conclude, Indonesia remains committed to work together to the strengthening and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly including to implementing resolution 179/327 that will help ensuring this assembly not only convinces the world, but decisively delivers for it. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of India. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. President. India aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the non-aligned movement. India appreciates the work of the co-chairs of the ad hoc working group, the PRs of Romania and Saint Kitts and Nevis, and wishes the new co-chairs the very best in their work ahead. I reiterate my country's commitment to strengthening and revitalizing the central role of the General Assembly, which is the most representative, democratic and universal organ of the UN. In addition, I would like to make the following brief points in my national capacity. As resolution 79/327 underscored, no other organ matches the General Assembly in universality or representativeness. in the Assembly's intergovernmental character that gives it this centrality. This position must be respected in letter as well as spirit. On working methods, we see scope for three things. First, a more manageable agenda with consolidation of overlapping items and biennialization or triennialization where appropriate so that deliberations are more informed and focused. Second, greater coherence and complementarity among the main committees and between the committees and the plenary. Third, the Human Rights Council was established two decades ago as the GA's subsidiary intergovernmental body with a specific mandate. Repeating its work in New York is unnecessary duplication which must be streamlined. On the Office of the President of the General Assembly, India values the central pillar of the General Assembly and fully supports its functioning and reaffirms our commitment to work with the priorities of the President. India will continue its efforts to strengthening the efficiency, transparency, accountability and institutional memory of the office. The election of the next Secretary-General comes at a critical juncture. The UN faces serious challenges and the need to reform has never been greater. Geopolitical fragmentation is also undermining its ability to deliver on its core functions, especially the maintenance of international peace and security. It is therefore essential that the best candidate is appointed. As with all senior UN leadership appointments, geographic balance must be a guiding principle. India supports a greater role for the General Assembly in the process and stands ready to work with other Member States to that end. We welcome the progress achieved by adoption of resolution 79/327. Its recognition of UNAT as a useful tool for having an efficient, effective, agile, and responsive UN, including the UN General Assembly, is noteworthy. Ensuring effective and efficient mandate delivery across peace and security, development, and human rights pillars of the UN is important, and we continue to remain ambitious about the scope of UNAT. Revitalization must be pursued as part of a broader and more comprehensive reform of the UN in order to make it more representative, effective, and fit for purpose. Revitalization of principal organs of the UN cannot be limited to the General Assembly. The Security Council's inability to effectively execute its mandate for maintenance of international peace and security casts a shadow on the UN as a whole. Effective reform of the UN Security Council, including expansion in both the permanent and elected categories to reflect today's reality and enables the UN to face today's challenges, can no longer be ignored. In closing, I reiterate that India will continue to engage constructively and in good faith with all Member States to strengthen the functioning of the General Assembly. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of India. We have heard the last speaker. in the debate on these items for this meeting. We shall hear the remaining speakers at a later date to be announced. The exercise of right to reply has been requested. The purpose that the time limits for statements in the exercise of the right of reply under this item is limited to five minutes for the first intervention and three minutes for second intervention. Is there any objection to this proposal? I hear none, so it is decided. Accordingly, pursuant to rule 72 of the rules of procedure of the Assembly, when a representative exceeds his or her allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay. which will be done by means of automatic microphone cut-off. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens. Members are also reminded that statements in the exercise of the right of reply should be made by delegation from their seats. I call the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mr. President, in response to the allegations made by the representative of the Kuwait, I wish to make the following points. On 28 February 2026, the United States and the Israeli regime have launched a large-scale aggression against Iran. This unlawful and criminal war in blatant violation of Article 2, Para 4 of the United Nations Charter has exposed regional stability as well as the safety and security of international navigation to an unprecedented threat. The United States and genocidal Israeli regime must bear full responsibility for harm and suffering inflicted upon Iranian civilians, civilian objects, and critical infrastructure and must be held fully accountable. individual criminal responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law including war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Iran must be pursued without exception in accordance with international law regarding Iran's lawful defensive acts against the US military facilities in the region I must refer to this assembly's resolution on the definition of aggression it declares that the action of a state in allowing its territory, which it has placed at the disposal of another state to be used by the state for perpetrating of an act of aggression against a third state constitutes an act of aggression, period. Under international law, any state that knowingly makes its territory available for the commission of an act of aggression must bear all the consequences and legal responsibilities for its internationally wrongful act. Our defensive acts against U.S. military infrastructure were carried out in exercising our inherent right to self-defense. Yet to date, Iran has exercised the utmost restraint. In conducting such lawful acts, our response was confined to U.S. military installation and assets. Any further aggression against Iran from regional countries will be met with the most devastating response. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and strengthening friendly relations with the countries of the region based on mutual respect, the principle of good neighborliness, and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran emphasizes that its defensive operation against United States military bases and facilities in the region should in no way be interpreted as hostility or enmity toward the countries of the region. I thank you, Mr. President.

I call the representative of Israel.

Israel, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for giving me the floor. I would like to exercise my right of reply. I would want to say it is a truly disgrace to hear the representative of Iran, the world-famous state sponsor of terrorism, accuses Israel of harming civilians and infrastructure. Iran arms, funds, and directs the very terrorist organization that deliberately embedded their weapons, tunnels, and command centers in schools, hospitals, mosques, and homes, turning civilians into human shields. Let us be clear. about who targets civilians. It is Iran and its proxies that fire rockets, missiles, and drones at Israeli cities. Thank you, President, for giving the floor.

And I'll give the floor to Iran for a second intervention.

Thank you, Mr. President. The regime in Tel Aviv is the core source of instability in the region and continues to threaten regional and international peace and security. It is too soon to forget the genocidal atrocities it committed in Gaza, resulting in the killing of more than 75,000 innocent people, in particular women and children, and wounding of over more than 170,000 civilians. The Israeli regime acting in concert with and with the direct support participation of the United States, launched two unprovoked, unlawful, and large-scale military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran in June 2025 and February 2026, in flagrant violation of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations and the most fundamental principle of international law. The Islamic Republic of Iran warns that any further act of aggression, provocation, or reckless adventurism by the Israeli regime against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interest will be met with a firm, decisive response. Iran remains fully prepared to exercise its inherent right of self-defense against any armed attack in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the.

Thank you, Iran. And I'll give the floor to Israel for a second intervention.

Thank you, Chair, for giving the floor. I want to stress that Israel acts in self-defense, in accordance to international humanitarian law, taking precautions no other army takes. We categorically reject these baseless accusations. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.