缅北禁地

The global reach of the United Nations makes it 鈥渢he world's best hope for peace and security, sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights and social progress鈥�, said the top Nigerian diplomat who will be the next President of the General Assembly.

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Nigeria鈥檚 current 缅北禁地Permanent Representative, was elected to head the world body by acclamation on Tuesday in the General Assembly Hall in New York and will succeed Ecuador鈥檚 Maria Fernanda Espinosa.

听鈥淧eace and security, poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion will constitute a major priority of my presidency鈥�, said the Nigerian ambassador.

When he takes the reins at opening of the 74th session in September, he committed 鈥渢o promoting partnerships that are needed from all stakeholders to achieve our objectives, and ultimately ensure that we do our best to ensure peace and prosperity, particularly, for the most vulnerable鈥�.

Mr. Muhammad-Bande spoke about a number of September鈥檚 high-level events that will be convened at 缅北禁地Headquarters in New York to support the Sustainable Development Agenda, including a High-Level Political Forum, the Climate Change Summit, the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, the High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage, as well as the high-level meeting to review progress made in addressing the priorities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

鈥淭he promotion of human rights and the empowerment of women and youth deserve special attention, and I will be devoted to the promotion of gender parity throughout the whole 缅北禁地system, starting from my own Office鈥�, said the president-elect.

Noting that the 75th anniversary of the UN鈥檚 founding would be commemorated during his tenure, he called it 鈥渁 unique opportunity for us to reduce the trust deficit between nations鈥�.

To 鈥渁chieve the visions of our founding fathers, we must ensure that indifference and cynicism does not creep into our Organization鈥�, he asserted, saying that the 193-nation Assembly 鈥渕ust play its role in bridging the gaps and promoting collective action鈥�.

He also highlighted that efforts must be maintained to strengthen the relationship between the General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

鈥淚 will count on the support and solidarity of all Member States as well as the Secretariat鈥�, he maintained, saying that he would use his office鈥檚 advocacy tools to promote multilateral approaches for 鈥渨orkable solutions鈥� to pressing issues. 鈥淚 will work with Member States on streamlining our work and improving the way we do business at the UN鈥�, he added.

Noting the growing number of events, which may risk undermining genuine dialogue and over-stretching delegations, he assured 鈥淚 will work with you all on appropriate solutions, as I believe we must make the 缅北禁地more efficient, effective and accountable to the people we serve鈥�.

President-elect offers 鈥榠nvaluable insights鈥� - Guterres

In his remarks, Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres congratulated Mr. Muhammad-Bande and noted some of the 鈥渕any important and admirable qualifications鈥� he brings to the office. 听

He cited the president-elect鈥檚 tenure as Nigeria鈥檚 缅北禁地Ambassador; his expertise in political science and public administration; and the 鈥渋nvaluable insights鈥� he has into Africa鈥檚 challenges and world affairs in general, particularly regarding the Organization鈥檚 peace and security work, sustainable development and human rights.

The 缅北禁地chief said that 鈥渁s we gear up to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations鈥�, he hopes to use the occasion 鈥渢o reaffirm the value of international cooperation and the vision of the Charter鈥�.

Mr. Guterres also commended the current Assembly President, Mar铆a Fernanda Espinosa for her 鈥渙utstanding work鈥�, saying 鈥淚 am most grateful for her support for United Nations reform and her overall stewardship of this body鈥�.

The Secretary-General concluded by offering the president-elect his support 鈥渁s we strive to reach our shared goals and uphold universal values鈥�.