The President of the 缅北禁地General Assembly on Tuesday opened the annual General Debate, this year held as a hybrid in-person and virtual event, reflecting on the darkest days of the pandemic, 鈥渨hen cities were shuttered and vaccines still a dream鈥� and how the world鈥檚 peoples 鈥渃ame together as never before鈥�.听听
Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives said that after a year and a half of suffering 鈥渋n silence and in anxiety鈥�, it was hope and a sense of shared humanity that enabled this coming together, adding: 鈥淟et us give them hope now鈥�.
He recalled that 鈥渋n record time鈥�, scientists globally collaborated to develop multiple听COVID-19听vaccines and 鈥渢he largest vaccine roll-out in the history of humankind鈥�, calling it a 鈥渕onumental鈥� undertaking to 鈥渂e proud鈥� of.
鈥楢wake at night鈥�
The Assembly President said that over the next 12-months, the world wants solutions to the collective challenges of 鈥渇ragility, conflict, COVID-19, [and] climate change鈥�.
鈥淭hese issues鈥eep our citizens awake at night, they fuel a collective anxiety and a worry that things are progressively getting worse鈥�, he explained.
鈥淭hey are not wrong. We can do more鈥�, Mr. Shahid said.
Breaking down the issues
On COVID-19, the 缅北禁地official outlined that the world has vaccines, know-how and distribution capacity, but 鈥渨e lack only the political support鈥�.
And despite incredible innovations in renewable energy, adaptive technologies, and transitioning away from fossil fuels, he noted, 鈥減olitical support and the related financing鈥� is in short supply on the changing climate.
While highlighting a near-universal desire for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the Assembly President said, 鈥測et we falter at the finish line, leaving treaties unratified鈥�.
Finally, on the humanitarian front, he pointed out that despite a more-than-sufficient supply of food and water in the world, famine and drought hang in the balance.
鈥�Hundreds of millions will require humanitarian assistance by year鈥檚 end鈥�, warned Mr. Shahid.
Time to forge a 鈥榥ew path鈥�
Pointing out that we are living through a 鈥渢urning point鈥� moment in time, he said: 鈥淲e can choose a path of isolationism鈥utual destruction鈥low retreat of the human experiment, or we can forge together a new path, a sustainable and resilient path that changes the future of our planet鈥�.
While describing the COVID-19 pandemic as 鈥渁 tragedy of the grandest scale鈥�, he also referred to it as a 鈥渃anary in the coal mine鈥�, warning of the perils that lie ahead if hard but necessary choices are not made.
Mr. Shahid cited in the power of humanity to overcome challenges and was hopeful 鈥渢hat we can bypass protocols and obstacles to transform our societies鈥�.
鈥楻ays of hope鈥�
The 缅北禁地official shared his intention to pursue five 鈥渞ays of hope鈥� to direct the Assembly鈥檚 76th听session, beginning with vaccine equity.
To this end, he will host a high-level meeting focusing on practical obstacles around supply, storage, and distribution.
And on longer-term COVID-19 recovery, he vowed to push to build back 鈥渂etter, stronger, greener, and bluer鈥�.
鈥淏y following the paths laid out by Agenda 2030 [on sustainable development for all] we can pivot away from destructive practices and embrace a better future鈥�, Mr. Shahid said.
Climate cliff
The Assembly President spelled out the importance of refocusing attention to the climate crisis, 鈥渨hich has taken a backseat to COVID-19鈥�.
Citing the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change听(), he said: 鈥�We are no longer on the wrong path鈥� we are on the edge of the cliff鈥�.
To address this, Mr. Shahid will host a series of climate action events, beginning with helping to bridge gaps to deliver on climate promises 鈥� in the lead-up to November鈥檚 缅北禁地climate conference (), and later, a 鈥渟uper session on the environment鈥� that encompasses the interlocking issues of the ocean, desertification and biodiversity.
Focus on efficiency
Finally, the Assembly President underscored the importance of continued 缅北禁地reform and revitalization, saying 鈥渢his is not about a balance of power, this is about efficiency鈥�.
鈥淲e have never been so technologically advanced鈥o connected鈥or] had the wealth, the resources, or the know-how that we have now.听There is nothing in our path to stop us but ourselves. Let us be the 缅北禁地that people want us to be鈥�, he said.
Full statement available听here.
