Category: Pacific

In a pre-recorded video address to the Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Prime Minister Imran Khan, highlighted the importance of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.  “This is also a time for us to reflect whether as the United Nations, we have been able to realize the promise we made collectively to our peoples,” he said.  Amid multifaceted threats to… Read More

In a video pre-recorded for the event, Francisco Guterres also highlighted the need for global solidarity to defeat the crisis.  “I am deeply convinced that together in a genuine spirt of solidarity, humankind will overcome this challenge,” he said.  President Guterres reported on steps his administration has taken in the battle against COVID-19, including closing borders, establishing quarantine and isolation… Read More

Although the leaders of Member States have been unable to gather in person for the General Debate, President Nguyen Phu Trong said that “does not diminish our resolve and ability to deliberate and seek solutions for issues of common concern”. In a pre-recorded video address to the Assembly’s annual debate, being held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic,… Read More

Mr. Tokayev described a “critical collapse of global cooperation” in response to the crisis, as well as a lack of mutual confidence, a misunderstanding of international competition, trade wars, and sanctions which, he said, are undermining the prospects and hopes for a better world. In a pre-recorded address to the Assembly’s virtual gathering of leaders, the Kazakh premier put forward… Read More

In a pre-recorded address to the United Nations General Assembly’s annual debate, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa explained that his Government’s “inclusive, non-discriminatory and holistic” measures were key to saving lives and protecting people’s health.  These measures include, financially supporting low-income families, pensioners, persons with disabilities, day-wage earners, farmers, and disadvantaged groups, and managing the repatriation of Sri Lankans in a coordinated… Read More

“The United Nations is not a mere building in the city of New York, rather it represents an ideal and shared commitment of all nations, to realize world peace and prosperity for our future generations,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a pre-recorded video address to the General Assembly’s annual debate, being held virtually this year due to the coronavirus… Read More

“It is evident that the UN’s idea of inclusive multilateralism will first be tested by whether it can distribute COVID-19 vaccines to all nations or not,” said President Moon Jae-in in his speech on Tuesday to the UN General Assembly.   The Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, is among more than 170 countries participating in the COVAX… Read More

Thomas Andrews decried the mounting toll of child casualties: “Serious questions have been raised about whether these children, and growing numbers of others, are being caught in the crossfire of war, or are being deliberately targeted,” he said. “Two five-year-old children were killed and another was wounded by artillery fire in Myebon Township two weeks ago today.” Comply with UN courts “Impunity… Read More

In an address to world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly’s annual debate, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for access to a vaccine against the virus, once found, must not be denied nor withheld.  “It should be made available to all, rich and poor nations alike, as a matter of policy.”  President Duterte also called for a “global” health… Read More

“We should follow the guidance of science, give full play to the leading role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and launch an international response to beat this pandemic”, he said.  Prior to his pre-recorded video address in the General Assembly Hall, he was introduced by UN Ambassador Zhang Jun, who without citing the United States specifically, pushed back against… Read More