New York, 26 September 2023
78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
General Debate (From 19 to 26 September 2023)
Theme: "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all"
STATEMENT BY H.E. PAUL BIYA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Delivered by the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon
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Mr President, Heads of State and Government, Heads of Delegation, Distinguished Delegates, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to represent the President of the Republic of Cameroon, H.E. Paul Biya, at the proceedings of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He has directed me to deliver the following address on his behalf and I quote:
Permit me, first of all, to extend Cameroon's warm congratulations to Mr Dennis Francis on his election as President of this session. We believe that by virtue of his rich experience in multilateral diplomacy and his sterling personal qualities, our proceedings will be efficiently and successfully conducted.
Therefore, I wish to reassure him of my country's support in the discharge of his lofty duties.
I avail myself of this opportunity to also congratulate his predecessor, Ambassador CSABA KOROSI, on his active part in preparing several high-level meetings, whose review during the 78th session is about our future. Cameroon here and now extends its profound gratitude to him.
I am also pleased to once again extend my deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, Antonio GUTERRES, for the outcomes achieved thus far in discharging his lofty and delicate duties. I reiterate Cameroon's full support for his efforts geared towards enabling our Organization to efficiently address today's multiple global challenges.
Lastly, from this rostrum, I would like to restate Cameroon's support for and solidarity with the respective Governments and peoples of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Libya following the natural disasters that recently hit them causing heavy loss of lives and property.
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Mr President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The general theme of this session’s debate is: "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all". The relevance of the theme is self-evident.
This 78th session is being held against a backdrop of heightening tensions and geopolitical rivalry that are threatening peace and economic, social and cultural development in multiple countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Such is the case in Ukraine, the Sahel and Great Lakes regions and the Horn of Africa.
These situations are undermining efforts being made to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, revive growth and development, and efficiently combat climate change.