Palestinian Authority ‘Ready to Work’ with All Partners to Implement Peace Plan, President Tells General Assembly, amid Calls for Reset of United Nations Agenda

Amid warnings that the United Nations risks becoming "the next League of Nations", world leaders gathering for day three of the General Assembly’s general debate called for the Organization’s "reset" and voiced hope for peace and reconciliation.

"We want a modern and democratic State that abides by international law, the rule of law and multilateralism and the peaceful transition of power," Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, said, addressing leaders via video-link. The Palestinian Authority is willing to take responsibility for Gaza, he said, insisting that Hamas would not have a role for governance and security there.

With more than 220,000 Palestinians killed or injured over nearly two years of fighting, he accused Israel of committing genocide, marking "one of the most horrific chapters of humanitarian tragedy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries". Mr. Abbas condemned the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, saying those actions "do not represent the Palestinian people, nor their just struggle for freedom and independence".

He said Palestine is ready to work with the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Nations and all partners to implement the peace plan. "No matter how much our wounds bleed, and no matter how long this suffering lasts, it will not break our will to live and survive," he stressed.

Amid Crisis, Aspirations for Peace, Reform

In solidarity, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, President of Yemen, voiced full support for the Palestinian Authority and urged all Member States to recognize Palestine as a State.

Spotlighting the plight in his own country, he warned that the Houthis, "armed to the teeth with an advanced Iranian arsenal", are transforming Yemen into "a laboratory to experiment with the weapons of its supporters". Yemen is ready to embrace peace, even with painful concessions, he said, and called "to move collectively and firmly to impose peace".

Touching on a crisis in another part of the world, Anthony Franck Laurent Saint Cyr, President of the Presidential Council of the Transition of Haiti, described the human tragedy unfolding in his country, calling it "one of the most devastating of our hemisphere".

Entire neighbourhoods are disappearing, he said, with more than a million people "forced into internal exile". Underscoring Haiti’s aspirations for peace, he called for the formation of an international coalition to restore the security and liberate Haitians from the "clutches" of terrorist groups.

"The United Nations today faces a geopolitical and geo-economic earthquake that is shaking the foundations of the post-World War II order," Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia, warned. "We wonder if the United Nations is turning into the League of Nations. The signs are all around us," she added.

Africa: Torchbearer for Renewal

In contrast, John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, pointed to Africa as a driver of renewal. Highlighting his country’s resilience and "reset agenda", which has strengthened the economy, he urged the UN to establish "its own reset agenda", underscoring that the world has changed since the Organization’s founding. With Africa projected to account for one quarter of the global population by 2050, he said "the future is African" and demanded "at least one permanent seat on the Security Council" for the African continent.

In the same vein, Allah-Maye Halina, Prime Minister of Chad, said that it is totally unacceptable that Africa — "cradle of humanity, demographic lung of the world and the strategic motor of the twenty-first century" — is marginalized at the highest levels of global governance. He called for Africa to be assigned two permanent seats, with veto rights, in a reformed Security Council. Turning to development matters, he said that 4ドル trillion a year will be required if poor countries are to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in his turn, spotlighted his country’s unique story of transition, from conflict to a brighter socioeconomic and political future, as "evidence that multilateralism and global solidarity can make the world a better, safer and progressive place". He echoed calls for fairness, warning that climate change is forcing developing nations into "impossible financial trade-offs". He urged industrialized nations to fulfil their financial obligations for the climate crisis they continue to exacerbate.

Signs of Reconciliation

Pointing to another hopeful sign of reconciliation, Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, spoke about "our long road to victory and peace". He declared that his country "won, both war and peace" after nearly three decades when "almost 20 per cent of [its] territory remained under Armenia’s military occupation". He welcomed the 8 August peace agreement initialled in Washington, D.C., calling it the beginning of "a new era in Azerbaijan’s history".

Similarly, Georgia’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili, addressing "my Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters" across the dividing line, pledged that Georgians would always meet them with "open hearts and outstretched hands". He urged that "through joint efforts, [we] overcome artificially created obstacles, rebuild broken bridges and leave past grievances to history".

"In today’s multipolar world, there is no Global South or Global North — both are plural," said António Costa, President of the European Council of the European Union. Recalling how Europe rebuilt itself after the Second World War through peace, reconciliation and integration, he affirmed: "We know these principles work — because they worked for us." He also reiterated the European Unions’s support for a two-State solution in the Middle East and for Ukraine’s efforts to bring the Russian Federation to the negotiation table. "If we accept Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, no country will ever be safe," he said.

Proposals for a Safer Future

Several Heads of State underscored the importance of UN reform, with Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, President of Bolivia, proposing to entrust the General Assembly with binding power to ensure it can be an effective voice for all peoples. Also stressing the urgent need for Security Council reform, he said democratizing that body means acknowledging the legal equality of all States.

King Mswati III of Eswatini meanwhile recommended the creation of ad hoc UN committees to "visit conflict zones, engage with local communities and work towards peaceful resolutions", citing the urgent need for interventions in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Sahel and the Great Lakes.

Sylvanie Burton, President of Dominica, said that she looks forward to the day when a woman becomes Secretary-General, as that would be a true symbol of equality. She added that a reformed United Nations must ensure that small and developing States have a real seat at the table to influence decisions that shape climate policy, security and economic well-being. "The truth is simple yet profound: We are always stronger, wiser and better together," she said.

Below are full summaries of the speakers in today’s general debate

Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President

The President said that Somalia's unique story of decisively transitioning from conflict to a brighter socioeconomic and political future, which began in 2012, is the story of real national effort, supported by committed international partners, many of whom are in the room today. Somalia is "evidence that multilateralism and global solidarity can make the world a better, safer and progressive place". The country is also "bravely fighting the last remaining pockets of international terrorism" while building a strong and sustainable security architecture, he said. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Somalia is also working actively to promote stability and find solutions for peace in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Noting that Somalia was Africa’s first democratic nation, he said the Government has embarked on "a historic journey to undertake universal suffrage elections for the first time in 57 years". Also highlighting the financing gap, he noted that "developing nations are facing the triple shock of high debt burdens, higher cost of sovereign borrowing and expenditure on recurrent shocks" — which is impossible to budget for annually. This is in addition to already dwindling development assistance. Somalia is building on the success of recent reform-based debt relief. It is continuously raising domestic revenue, strengthening public financial management systems and enforcing strict expenditure controls while enhancing transparency and accountability. Somalia has also joined the East Africa Community (EAC).

However, the impact of climate change is forcing Governments in developing countries, including his own, "to make impossible financial trade-offs". This must be addressed urgently — developed industrialized nations must fulfil their financial obligations for the climate crisis they continue to exacerbate. "The resilient Somali people live with the climate crisis every day," he said, adding that droughts, floods and rising seas erode livelihoods and displace families. Somalia has adopted a National Climate Change Policy and established the National Climate Fund to channel climate finance transparently and directly to communities. Calling for accessible, affordable and just financial support from international financial institutions and capital markets, he said that "nations on the front lines like Somalia cannot be left to face this crisis alone".

Montenegro: Jakov Milatović, President

President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović emphasized that Annalena Baerbock’s election as President of the eightieth General Assembly is "both historic and inspiring", as she is only the fifth woman to hold the position. The speech recalled trailblazers like Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who "spoke with the voice of a liberated Asia", and Angie Brooks, who "championed the rights of small States and women in Africa". With references also to Haya Rashed al-Khalifa and María Fernanda Espinosa, the message was clear: "Each of them left a mark of their time," and today’s election reinforces Europe’s role in defending human rights and multilateralism.

Reflecting on the UN’s founding, Montenegro declared it was "born from the ashes of the Second World War" and became "a beacon of hope for humanity". Cities like Warsaw were "reduced to ashes", Berlin lay "in ruins", and Podgorica was "virtually razed to the ground". Yet, amid devastation, leaders "looked to the future" and built an organization on the belief "that light could emerge from darkness and that solidarity could triumph over despair". Without the UN, "much of our collective progress" would remain out of reach, he said.

The President warned that "the absence of world war has not always meant the presence of genuine peace and prosperity". Multilateralism is "being tested like never before" by conflicts, "a wave of human rights violations", polarization and disinformation. "Despite its imperfections, the United Nations remains the only global institution where every nation has a seat and a voice and where international law remains the basis for international legitimacy", he also stressed. This makes the UN "indispensable" in today’s fragile world, a foundation that must be defended and renewed.

Since regaining its own independence back in 2006, Montenegro has worked "hand in hand" with the UN, the President said. He further called for courage, noting that "the United Nations must remain the cornerstone of peace; international law must prevail over force". Montenegro plans to join the European Union by 2028, a goal that is "firmly within our reach", he said, adding that European Union integration is a catalyst for security of the European continent. "Our task is not to be passive heirs of history, but active builders of a better legacy."

State of Palestine: Mahmoud Abbas, President

"I speak to you today after almost two years in which our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been facing a war of genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement," Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, said, addressing the General Assembly via video link. That genocide has been "waged by the Israeli occupation forces in which they killed and injured more than 220,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are unarmed children, women and the elderly". He said these crimes will be recorded in "the pages of international conscience as one of the most horrific chapters of humanitarian tragedy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries".

He said, "we reject and completely deplore" a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a "greater Israel". That involves "expanding into sovereign Arab States in addition to the brutal attack against the sisterly State of Qatar". He drew attention to the increasing "terrorism of settlers", as they "burn homes and fields, they uproot trees and attack villages, and attack unarmed Palestinian civilians," adding: "In fact, they kill them in broad daylight under the protection of the Israeli occupation army."

"Despite all what our people have suffered, we reject what Hamas carried out on the seventh of October [2023]," he stated, adding that the targeting and hostage taking of Israeli citizens does "not represent the Palestinian people", nor "their just struggle for freedom and independence". The Gaza Strip "is an integral part of the State of Palestine, and we are ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security there", he said, emphasizing that "Hamas will not have a role to play in governance" and will have to hand over their weapons to the Palestinian national authority. "We reiterate: we do not want an armed State".

Thanking the States that recently recognized Palestinian statehood, he said his authority had recognized Israel’s "right to exist" as early as 1988 and again in 1993. He underscored that they "rejected violence and terrorism" and "adopted a culture of peace", but Israel did not adhere to the signed agreements. He thanked people and organizations around the world who protested in support of the rights of the Palestinian people, adding: "We reject confusing the solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the issue of antisemitism, which is something that we reject."

He called for an immediate and permanent end to the war in Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages and prisoners on both sides, the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, and the guarantee that residents of Gaza will remain on their lands without displacement. His party is ready to work with the United States, Saudi Arabia, France and the UN to implement the New York Declaration. "We want a modern and democratic State that abides by international law, the rule of law and multilateralism and the peaceful transition of power," he said, indicating readiness to conduct elections within a year after the end of the war. "No matter how much our wounds bleed, and no matter how long this suffering lasts, it will not break our will to live and survive," he said. "The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies."

Yemen: Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, President

Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, President of Yemen, said eight decades ago the UN pledged that "no people would be left alone to face dictatorship or chaos or famine without the backing of the international community". The Yemeni people must ask if these values exist or not. His country is held hostage by the "Iranian regime’s expansionist schemes and its militias that use hunger as a weapon, religion as a tool and maritime passages as a means of blackmail," he said. Statements labelling the Houthis as a terrorist organization are not enough. The international community must act.

"Yemen today is not simply a domestic crisis — rather, it is a test of the credibility of this Organization," he stressed, highlighting the humanitarian crises confronting the Yemeni people. Houthi militias are a terrorist organization "armed to the teeth with an advanced Iranian arsenal", including missiles, mines, drones and banned weapons. He detailed their activities to turn Yemen into "a laboratory to experiment with the weapons of its supporters", cautioning against leniency and noting that their plan is to expand Iranian influence in the region.

Current policies of containment have only given the Houthis time and resources to grow. The UN is unable to protect its own staff in Sana’a and the world must reconsider its stance on the Yemeni situation. The Leadership Council, his Government, represents international legitimacy, democracy and diversity. The Houthis and their supporters, represent a sectarian, fascist organization opposed to human rights and practises cross-border terrorism. Yemen is ready to embrace peace, even with painful concessions. "It has become necessary to move collectively and firmly to impose peace," he said.

He said it is time to form an international coalition to restore the security of his country and liberate it from the "clutches" of all terrorist groups. International law is not simply a myth, he said, calling Yemen and Gaza "the moral testing ground" of this Organization. They are the places where "the might of right is still able to confront the right of might". He voiced appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s support for his country, and for Palestine — a "wound that continues to bleed", he said, voicing full support for the Palestinian Authority and calling on Member States that have not yet done so to recognize Palestine as a State.

North Macedonia: Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President

"Being the foundation of international law and multilateralism, the United Nations has prevented another war and numerous conflicts and has alleviated the consequences of many humanitarian crises," said Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of North Macedonia. For these and many other achievements, the United Nations, its agencies and leaders won no less than 12 Nobel Peace Prizes. "Nevertheless, the United Nations today faces a geopolitical and geoeconomic earthquake that is shaking the foundations of the post-[Second World War] order," she stressed.

Rather than a single international order, parallel orders seem to be emerging, she said, each with its own rules, values and interests. "We wonder if the United Nations is turning into the League of Nations. The signs are all around us." Tremors within the international order have opened deep geopolitical fault lines. "One of the most active is in Ukraine, where war has been raging for three and a half years," she said, calling Moscow’s aggression a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and a direct threat to international peace and security. She expressed deep concern over recent violations of the airspace of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members Poland, Romania and Estonia.

The Macedonian accession to the European Union has been obstructed for 20 years for subjective nationalistic reasons, she underscored. The latest Union condition to start negotiations is a new amendment imposed on her country’s Constitution. This once again reopens issues of history, culture and language — questions North Macedonians have been assured were settled by the previous agreement with Greece. "We warn that, after the war in Ukraine, the blocked European integration of the Western Balkans is not only a political, but also a security issue," she said.

Turning to the Middle East and Gaza, she stressed that sustainable peace there can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy in accord with international law. "For an effective United Nations, it is necessary for the Security Council to be reformed, to be more inclusive, accountable and responsible for maintaining international peace and security," she said, adding that the General Assembly must evolve into a representative policymaking body rather than a debate club. "We should recognize the United Nations for what it is, an admittedly imperfect but indispensable instrument of nations in working for peaceful evolution towards a more just and secure world order. Let's give them that chance," she concluded.

Haiti: Anthony Franck Laurent Saint Cyr, President

"Just a four-hour plane ride from here, a human tragedy is unfolding — one of the most devastating of our hemisphere," emphasized Anthony Franck Laurent Saint Cyr, President of the Presidential Council of the Transition of Haiti. "Every day, innocent lives are extinguished by bullets, fire, fear", with neighbourhoods disappearing and more than a million people "forced into internal exile". Thousands of children have been deprived of education, hundreds of women and girls have been raped and nearly half of the population faces acute food insecurity. Hospitals are being attacked, doctors are fleeing and lives are being lost due to lack of care. "This is the face of Haiti today: a country at war, a modern-day Guernica, a human tragedy at the doorstep of America."

"Haiti wants peace. Haiti expects peace. Haiti has the right to peace," he declared. He urged strong coordinated and immediate action in his country’s war against "criminals that want to impose violence as a social order". Demanding a firm and determined response, he stressed: "Today, the international community must stand alongside Haiti and take large-scale measures, not half-steps." Paying tribute to the Haitian and Kenyan heroes who have lost their lives, he reported that out of the 2,500 troops "initially required and promised", there are only 1,000 members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS). The Mission, alongside Haiti’s efforts, which include a 40 per cent increase in the security forces budget, recruitment of new members and acquisition of more materiel and equipment, have not been sufficient to contain the crisis.

"Haiti is at the epicentre of an unprecedented regional threat," he warned. If the battle is lost in his country, it will be futile to try to contain it in the rest of the region. "It is crucial to mobilize a strong force with a clear mandate and with adequate materiel, logistical and financial resources," he said. The lessons learned by the Mission and the recommendations of Haitian experts must be taken into account. He called for heightened international cooperation in intelligence sharing and rigorous border control to curb the flow of arms, ammunition, and drugs and the financing of gangs. Regional partners must ensure their territories do not serve as starting points or transit hubs for trafficking.

Voicing support for efforts to transform the Mission, he urged the Security Council to adopt a resolution establishing a gang suppression force, which would mark a "turning point" in Haiti’s fight against insecurity. He criticized "endless talk, drawn-out negotiations, stalemate caused by geopolitical considerations", stressing that "every day that we hesitate, criminal gangs benefit". Detailing the Transitional Presidential Council’s efforts to hold free, fair and inclusive elections, address humanitarian needs and strengthen institutions and civic space, he stressed that immediate assistance for Haiti must move to investments. Noting that 2025 marks the bicentennial of the order for Haiti to pay a ransom for recognizing its own independence, he said his country has established a national reparations and restitution committee. "France [...] today has the opportunity to write a new chapter in its history with Haiti by honouring the ideals of freedom, equality and fraternity," he said.

Georgia: Mikheil Kavelashvili, President

Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia, highlighted his country’s 3,000-year history, unique alphabet, ancient language and 17-century-long Christian tradition. "Despite centuries of continuous warfare with invaders, the cultural environment in Georgia has always been distinguished by exceptional humanism, tolerance and compassion for others," he said. With a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and unprecedented global challenges — from conflicts and climate change to ideological polarization, cultural alienation and war-driven humanitarian crises — Georgia stands as a guardian of dialogue, peace, stability and sustainable development. "The fundamental philosophy of the Government of Georgia remains to preserve peace, and no matter the cost, to spare our people from war," he said.

A horrific, bloody war has been raging in Ukraine for four years and has brought immense human suffering. As the wounds of the 2008 war still have not healed for the Georgian people, "we understand better than many the pain that the Ukrainian nation endures today", he said, firmly expressing unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. Georgia strives to help transform the South Caucasus from a zone of conflict into a space of dialogue among civilizations and economic prosperity. He welcomed United States President Donald J. Trump’s peace initiative between Armenia and Azerbaijan and his efforts to end the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Georgia’s key position in the Middle Corridor makes it the shortest connecting route between Europe and Asia, the West and the East. The Government is helping develop this strategic route to "ensure that the corridor becomes the safest, most reliable and most stable connecting route between East and West", he said. It is working with international investors to develop infrastructure and new energy transit routes to improve connections between Asian and European markets. To promote the development of the Middle Corridor, Georgia has hosted the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum for eight years. "Our goal is to develop constructive relations based on mutual respect and shared benefit with major economies such as the United States, China, European Union and others," he said.

Noting that 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory remains under occupation, he addressed the Abkhaz and Ossetian people living on the other side of the occupation line. "My Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters, our cultural code has not changed," he said. Georgians will always meet compatriots from the other side of the occupation line with "open hearts and outstretched hands. It is our duty, through joint efforts, to overcome artificially created obstacles, rebuild broken bridges and leave past grievances to history, as a people of exceptional patience and resilience," he said. He thanked the international community for its support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bolivia: Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, President

"We are not in a good place," said the President, noting that the risk of a third World War is very real. The possibility that forces of capitalism will misuse artificial intelligence (AI), exacerbate climate change and liquidate the planet cannot be completely ruled out. Also expressing concern about the increasing militarization, he said: "Wars are not the same as we had 80 years ago. Wars now are multidimensional," and encompass economic, financial, information, biological and cyber warfare. Also raising the possibility of "climate wars" that jeopardize strategic resources such as water and food, he said: "The cause of all this is the wild capitalist system that places the greed of the few over the rights and life of the majority".

Expressing concern about the new Trump administration’s zeal for hegemonic power, he highlighted the recent publication of that Government’s strategic defense policy. "This is nothing else but a new way of implementing Monroeism," he said, adding that according to that doctrine, "America is for the North Americans". Stressing that Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace, he condemned the actions of the United States in that region, from the illegal introduction of cocaine through illegal gangs belonging to drug cartels to its interventions in Venezuela whose rich oil resources the northern States are trying to control. Also rejecting the unilateral coercive measures on Cuba, he expressed alarm about the genocide of the Palestinian people and attacks on Iran and Yemen, and the looming sphere of death in other conflicts around the world.

The international community must establish a commission to ensure reparations for slavery, apartheid, genocide and colonialism, he said. Such a commission should set up effective mechanisms to facilitate land rights and recovery of the environment. "We should also provide compensation to people who have resisted the military occupation of their territories and those that are suffering under unilateral sanctions and economic blockades," he said.

It is vital to convert the General Assembly into a body with binding power so that it can be an effective voice for all peoples. Also stressing the urgent need for Security Council reform, he said democratizing that body means acknowledging the legal equality of all States. Also stressing the urgent need to strengthen the conservation of the Amazon, he said this should be done with the full sovereignty of Amazonian countries over this strategic biome. "Defending the Amazon means defending life," he said.

Gabon: Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President

"The people of Gabon have chosen the path of reconciliation and renewal,"saidGabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, describing the country’s peaceful transition after the August 2023 coup and his May 2025 inauguration. He emphasized that this process involved "an inclusive national dialogue and a constitutional referendum", paving the way toward free and transparent legislative, local and senatorial elections "with a view toward a definitive restoration of constitutional order by January 2026". Gabon, he said, now stands "upright, dignified and ready to take up its rightful place in the community of nations".

The new Gabon symbolizes "the transformation of hardship into hope, of dependency into dignity, of division into unity — and all without bloodshed". The President argued that Africa must no longer be relegated to "the role of providers of raw materials for which others set the price and from which others profit". He called on investors to pursue "win-win partnerships" that would enable Gabon to process its resources at home, create jobs and develop industries rooted in equity and mutual respect. Today’s global crises require "more sustained and more staunch collective engagement", particularly in Africa where conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel demand urgent international support.

"Instead of constantly stigmatizing and condemning the States of the Sahel," he said, "the international community would benefit from supporting them in their battle against the many-headed threat of terrorism." Turning to global peace and justice, the President reaffirmed Gabon’s "support for the two-State solution, the only way to guarantee a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians" and renewed his country’s opposition to the embargo on Cuba.

On climate, he warned that the "triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution is an existential threat for humanity", urging fair compensation for Gabon’s role as guardian of the Congo Basin, "the second largest green lung of our planet". He concluded by underscoring the urgency of reform: "International peace and justice can only be guaranteed by a revitalized multilateralism," particularly through Security Council reform.

Ghana: John Dramani Mahama, President

Despite the "minimal and relatively unimportant" participation of African nations in the founding of the UN due to colonization and partition, John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, stated: "As fate would have it, the tables have turned, and Africa’s role in the authorship of whatever is yet to come for this world will be huge." By 2050, more than 25 per cent of the world’s population is expected to come from Africa; one third of all young people will be residing on the continent, he said, emphasizing: "The future is African." If this fact-based reality seems provocative, "perhaps it is because you are viewing it through the lens of centuries of racism, colonialism, imperialism and the resulting implicit bias", he stressed.

Pointing to the remarkable ability of African countries "to make a strong comeback, just when you think it’s safe to discount them", he detailed Ghana’s economic growth and significant reduction in inflation as examples of resilience. That was part of its "reset agenda", he explained, calling on the UN to "establish its own reset agenda", as the world has changed since the Organization’s founding. Recalling that the UN is based on "the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members", he argued that if this principle applied in practice, "a continent as large as Africa with its numerous UN Member States would have at least one permanent seat on the Security Council". If not now, "then when", he asked, also demanding a reset of the global financial architecture, which is currently "rigged against Africa".

Drawing attention to the conflict in Sudan — the world’s largest humanitarian crisis — he said countries should be willing to assist 12 million refugees "in much the same way that many member nations readily assisted new refugees from Ukraine". Many migrants from the Global South are climate refugees, he said, criticizing the imbalance in responsibility: "The Global North emits 75 per cent more greenhouse gases than the Global South. However, the effects of climate change are more severe in the Global South because we lack the resources to address them effectively."

Furthermore, he stressed Africa’s right to exercise sovereignty over its resources, adding that "the days of parcelling out vast concession areas to foreign interests for exploitation must come to an end." Calling for equality and inclusion, he said: "We are tired of the continued image of poverty-stricken, disease-ridden rural communities [...] We are tired of not being represented in ways that reveal the richness and complexity of our history."

Guinea-Bissau: Úmaro Sissoco Embaló, President

Úmaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, underscored the importance of the United Nations on its eightieth anniversary — as well as its related organizations and agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). They provide treatment, education, vaccines and food, protecting millions while contributing to the fight against poverty. "The United Nations remains relevant, especially in these times of deep global uncertainty and crisis," he stressed.

He welcomed the UN80 initiative against a backdrop of conflicts, environmental shocks, political instability and humanitarian emergencies that disproportionately affect small island developing States. Further, "the sovereign debt burden of poor countries is increasing while development assistance is declining", he said. Highlighting his role as the President of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Mr. Embaló said the organization would work towards implementing global commitments of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.

He said the upcoming thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), in Belém, and second World Summit for Social Development, in Doha, will be key to enhance cooperation on shared goals. He noted that Guinea-Bissau will hold elections in 2026 that will be transparent and credible. "Over the past five years, I have prioritized dialogue, inclusion, political stability and the consolidation of the democratic rule of law," he said, while stressing more broadly that "we need, now more than ever, a world order grounded in the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter" and calling for an end to the embargo on Cuba.

In a similar vein, he suggested several UN reforms, including expanding the Security Council, amplifying the "voice of the Global South" and restoring confidence in international cooperation. "[The United Nations’] core ideals — peace, dignity, equality, poverty eradication, cooperation and peaceful resolution of conflicts — remain alive and continue to inspire the purposes of the international community and the march of humanity," he concluded.

Eswatini: Mswati III, King

Eswatini’s King Mswati III recalled that the UN Charter and structure were designed to be clear and resolute. "Now is the time to ask ourselves what has gone wrong and what steps must be taken to correct these challenges and restore the UN’s mission of fostering peace," he said. He proposed the establishment of ad hoc committees to tackle global conflicts and promote peace. "Supported by the Secretariat of the United Nations, these ad hoc committees would visit conflict zones, engage with local communities and work towards peaceful resolutions," he suggested, adding that the conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Sahel and the Great Lakes need such intervention.

In the Middle East, he continued, these ad hoc committees should facilitate dialogue with all parties involved. "The team could ask the Palestinians what it will take to release the hostages, given the fact that the Israelis would remain aggrieved as long as their loved ones are not with them," he specified. In the Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict, the ad hoc committees could mediate discussions to identify pathways to peace.

The Security Council should be fully representative of all countries to create an all-inclusive structure. "Without such reform, the legitimacy and effectiveness of this body will remain incomplete," he noted. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is far off track, but his Kingdom has advanced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the areas of economy, health, education and gender equality. "The country’s literacy rates have improved, reflecting our investments in education," he stressed.

"We count on the UN for support to become one of the advanced economies of the world," he continued, spotlighting that across sub-Saharan Africa, countries spend an average 12 per cent of Government revenues on debt servicing, diverting resources urgently needed for social cohesion programmes. "In this regard, the African Continental Free Trade Area has the potential to boost intra-Africa trade by up to 52 per cent, drive industrialization and create millions of jobs," he said, while pressing the United Nations to seek suitable ways of including Taiwan in efforts to realize the SDGs.

Palau: Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President

Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of Palau, said the United Nations was built for all nations, large and small alike. The world is at war as defence spending approaches an all-time high of 3ドル trillion annually. Yet small island developing States like Palau are also at war. "Our shores are being invaded by seawater. Our homes are being blown away by storms. Our roads are being washed away by torrential rain. Our reefs are overheating. Our fish are disappearing. And our land is on fire," he said. "This is our daily battle." Before the thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, new Nationally Determined Contributions aligned with a 1.5C degree trajectory must be submitted, particularly from major emitters.

Applauding Australia’s leadership in setting clear strategies to meet its net-zero emissions pathway by 2050 and supporting the Pacific Island countries in accelerating the energy transition, he said "ambition without implementation is an empty promise." Small island developing States also depend on predictable and adequate climate finance that should not create new debt and free the countries to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions and address loss and damage. "We need investment to combat our greatest threat," he said. Urging world leaders to see what the Pacific is facing, he said COP31 should be a Pacific COP hosted by Australia and shaped in partnership with the Pacific islands.

Turning to the safety of the world’s oceans, he said deep-sea mining has been incorrectly promoted as a silver-bullet for the climate crisis. "If we rush forward without understanding the consequences, we risk inflicting irreparable harm," he said. "The loss of biodiversity, the release of carbon, damage to the water column, and the destruction of fisheries that sustain our people is unfathomable," he said. At the third United Nations Ocean Conference in June, 38 countries, including Palau, came together to support a moratorium. "Our message is clear: we must let science guide us before we exploit the deep sea," he added.

Palau was the first State to ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, which presents an unprecedented opportunity to design new ocean governance institutions in which small island developing States have a voice from the start. "We are big ocean States," he said, calling for a seat for a small island developing State on the Agreement’s government structure. Emphasising these countries’ need for financing, he called for the immediate integration of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) into the policies and frameworks of international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and international organizations. "It is time we move the MVI from theory to practice," he added.

Azerbaijan: Ilham Heydar Oglu Aliyev, President

"For many years, I spoke from this tribune about the tragedies of aggression", but "today, I will speak about our long road to victory and peace, and a new era in Azerbaijan’s history", the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, said. For nearly three decades, almost 20 per cent of his country’s territory remained under Armenia’s military occupation. In 2020, Azerbaijan was forced to exercise its legitimate right to self-defense, with 10 November 2020 marking Armenia's capitulation and the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. On 8 August 2025, the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia met at the United States White House and initialled the text of a peace agreement.

Another key outcome of the Washington Summit is the "Trump Route for International Peace and Security", which will "ensure unimpeded access through the Zangezur corridor and foster regional connectivity", he added. The Summit has signalled a new phase in Azerbaijan-United States relations, he said, noting a memorandum of understanding between the two countries and the waiver of the sanctions imposed on Azerbaijan in 1992. "I want to express my gratitude to President Donald Trump for opening a new chapter in the United States-Azerbaijan relationship, for his decision to elevate it to the strategic partnership level and for his support to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said.

Landmine contamination obstructs the safe return of displaced persons and delays reconstruction projects, he continued, also highlighting the environmental degradation and shrinking of the Caspian Sea. "The main reason is not climate change," he said, calling on littoral States to make joint efforts to stop this ecological catastrophe. His country hosted the twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change last year and guided negotiations towards ambitious and balanced outcomes, including the adoption of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, known as the Baku Finance Goal.

"At the same time, we should not put unrealistic targets in front of us," he warned, stressing that the world cannot live without fossil fuels. Azerbaijan plays a proactive role in advancing energy security and has connected the Caspian region with international markets through a diversified oil and gas pipeline system. It is also attracting large investments in renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower. Azerbaijan has achieved significant economic growth by diversifying its economy beyond oil and gas, developing the non-oil sector and improving the investment climate through reforms and transparency. "Azerbaijan has entered a new era. We won both war and peace. We ended the occupation and started reconstruction," he said.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency

Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted that in recent years, certain armed conflicts have been deliberately provoked, followed by the use of significant armed force that a State with smaller or weaker armed forces cannot resist. The attacked State is then required to sit at the negotiating table and sign a waiver of parts of its territory "ostensibly in the name of peace, but in reality, in the name of force". While the UN Charter allows for the changing of State borders, this can only be done by voluntary agreements between States, he underscored.

Ukraine is under pressure as a sovereign State to give up part of its territory to achieve a "supposedly lasting and sustainable peace", he said. "Are we participants in a changing world order where peace is not set as the ultimate goal?" he wondered, warning that changing international borders by using armed force creates a dangerous precedent in international law that can easily become the rule. This cannot be justified by any provision in the UN Charter or other acts of international law. Turning to the situation in the Gaza Strip, he lamented the public’s "unacceptable" silence in the genocidal violence perpetrated against Palestinians. "Silence is actually an expression of cowardice or approval of cowardice," he underscored.

Recalling the aggression his country faced from neighbouring countries in the 1990s, he said the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) was "to a large extent mere observers of a series of war crimes, ethnic cleansing and, ultimately, genocide". A "stain remains" on that Mission, he said, pointing out that certain UNPROFOR commanders did not want to activate air strikes to prevent ethnic cleansing, especially the genocide committed in Srebrenica in 1995. Last year’s Assembly resolution 78/282 designating July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica is a "major step forward" for his country and, more broadly, in preventing genocide anywhere.

While the Dayton Peace Agreement brought peace, it also created a sui generispolitical system that today obstructs the normal functioning of the country, he said. This system is not democracy but "a deviant form" where "ethnicity is put to the fore and basic human rights are denied". His country is an ethnocracy, backed by international actors, where minorities govern the majority. Noting certain countries’ attempts to negate the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and International Criminal Court in discrimination cases concerning his country, he said "the international community is making great effort to preserve discrimination". He called on the international community to uphold peace and human rights as universal obligations.

Equatorial Guinea: Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President

"Eighty years ago, the founding States established this Organization, aspiring to build a multilateral system based on cooperation, respect for international law and the dignity of human beings," said Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea. He praised the UN for preventing conflicts, supporting decolonization and advancing human rights, but cautioned that this anniversary "must serve as an opportunity for critical self-reflection". Too often, he warned, "the response provided to major challenges has fallen short," with the UN "brought to a standstill by individual interests".

He singled out the Security Council as the clearest example of this disconnect, noting that its structure "remains rooted in the geopolitical state of play we had in 1945 and not what we see in the 21st century". This undermines legitimacy. "Without that reform, the Security Council will continue to be perceived as an exclusive club of historical privileges," he said, emphasizing that "Africa is demanding what is hers by right, full and permanent representation". True international governance, he continued, must "serve the interests of all of us, not those of an elite".

Turning to global priorities, he reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, calling it "a collective commitment which reflects our desire to build a world free of poverty, free of hunger and with dignity for all," though progress remains too slow. On climate change, he stressed that "climate justice is not a token gesture, it is a moral and legal obligation," noting that vulnerable nations pay the highest price while major emitters delay action. He defended sovereignty, saying, "every people has the right to design its own development model free of interference and arbitrary sanctions". He cited Equatorial Guinea’s peaceful resolution with Gabon over island sovereignty before the International Court of Justice as proof that "conflicts can be resolved in accordance with the spirit of the UN Charter and in line with States’ political will".

South Sudan: Josephine Joseph Lagu, Vice President

Josephine Joseph Lagu, Vice President of South Sudan, said that South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, and the 193^rd member of the United Nations. Marked by civil war after its independence, the conflict was resolved by a 2018 agreement and a coalition Government comprised of the warring parties and others was established. Many South Sudanese have returned from the diaspora, and the country is set to hold its first democratic elections in 2026. South Sudan is also disproportionately affected by climate change relative to its emissions, she continued, citing droughts, floods and mass displacement.

"The Paris agreements and subsequent COP summits made commitments which must be honoured," she stressed, also calling for predictable climate financing to strengthen resilience. South Sudan has committed to planting 100 million trees by 2030 and expand renewable energies and water infrastructure. Despite the young country inheriting a land with minimal infrastructure, health care and security, the Government is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "Our policy is: ‘Let us produce what we eat’", she said highlighting that some States have become food self-sufficient, which also reduces poverty.

However, "to achieve the SDGs, we must shift from commitments to action," she stressed, calling for fair trade, debt cancellation and international financial architecture reform — as well as the lifting of sanctions and the arms embargo on her country. On peace and security, she said that South Sudan has opened its doors to those fleeing conflict Sudan, even providing them with plots of land to tend, thus integrating them into local communities. Her country will work with its northern neighbour to resolve border disputes in line with the 2005 peace agreement, she added, pressing for the international community’s support during South Sudan’s continued transformation into a stable and secure member of the international community.

The Gambia: Muhammed Jallow, Vice-President

Muhammed Jallow, Vice-President of The Gambia, urged all Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the noble principles of the UN Charter. The UN used its convening power and preventive diplomacy via the Peacebuilding Commission to support his democratically elected Government, which assumed office in 2017. Since then, it has pursued "the path of inclusive development, peace and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms". Its reforms include the enactment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Act, 2024, to handle international crimes and serious rights violations, he stressed. "For the first time, we now have an anti-corruption act to institute an anti-corruption commission," he added.

He called on the Security Council to fulfil its responsibility towards resolving the unrest in Africa and elsewhere. Referring to the 2030 Agenda deadline, he noted that the realization of its goals and milestones appears to be profoundly remote. "The plight of the Palestinians remains unresolved, with its people continuing to face alarming difficulties under dire humanitarian conditions," he said. He called for a two-State solution and "a State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital".

He urged Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario to work towards a realistic, pragmatic and sustainable political solution based on compromise. The Gambia continues to stand with China on its One China policy and reiterates the call for lifting the economic embargo against Cuba. He also supported the Common African Position on reforming the Security Council, as Africa’s under-representation in the permanent and non-permanent categories of the Security Council is a historical injustice that urgently must be corrected.

Liechtenstein: Sabine Monauni, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Culture

Sabine Monauni, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Culture, Liechtenstein, said she was happy to see a woman preside over this Assembly: it is only the fifth time in the Organization’s history and the first woman from the European region. "It is my hope that this is also a good sign for the selection process of the next Secretary General — a position in which no woman has ever served, over eight decades — and which will be conducted under your leadership," she added. As world leaders gather this week at a landmark moment in the Organization’s history, its foundations are being challenged in unprecedented ways.

The rule of law is the guiding principle of Liechtenstein’s work at the United Nations. As one of the Organization’s smallest members without armed forces or a membership in any military alliance, Liechtenstein’s sovereignty "is protected by respect for international law, and by its enforcement through accountability where the law is violated", she said. Liechtenstein strongly supports international courts, the indispensable enforcement mechanism of international law. The International Court of Justice, which Liechtenstein joined decades before becoming a United Nations member, is a key court and the International Criminal Court is a complementary and equally important institution.

The rapid erosion of the rules governing the use of force is one of many worrying trends regarding respect for the Charter. "These dangerous trends can set us back to a time we all believe we have left behind — and they are an attack on the very core of the Charter of the United Nations," she said. "Mitigating the fallout of armed conflict will sadly remain part of our daily work." The international community must become serious about its central task: preventing war in the first place, ending war where it takes place, and ensuring accountability for illegal war-making. The International Criminal Court, the only institution with jurisdiction over the crime of aggression, is critical to enforcing the Charter and deserves the support of all States, including those that have yet to join it.

Libya: Mohamed Younis A Menfi, President of the Presidential Council

Mohamed Younis A Menfi, President of the Presidential Council of Libya, described the United Nations as a beacon of multilateralism over the history of humanity. "Libya is not a zone for fighting, it’s not an arena to settle scores or place to which crises can be exported," he said. "It is a nation rich in natural resources — a cohesive society," with young people who are "the backbone to build a modern State", he stressed, commending the UN for supporting Libya in overcoming the crisis towards stability and democracy.

"In Libya, multiple models and traditional mechanisms have been exhausted," he explained, as they "adversely affected the trust of Libyans in the proposed solutions." He cautioned against temporary solutions, stressing that "any solution that does not restore the national ownership of the political track and does not derive from the free will of the Libyan people would be destined to fail."

Libya’s political vision is based on four pillars: the full restoration of national sovereignty and rejection of all forms of foreign interference; achieving an inclusive national consensus through sincere and comprehensive dialogue held in Libya without exclusion; uniting sovereign institutions, most notably security, defense and financial institutions, according to professional mechanisms without polarization or quotas; and ending the transitional period on a clear constitutional basis, through free, transparent elections. The territorial sovereignty and social cohesion of Libya are non-negotiable.

He affirmed Libya’s commitment to implement the October 2020 ceasefire agreement and established the Security Arrangements Committee in Tripoli under direct supervision. Since irregular migration is not merely a security issue but a humanitarian challenge with deep economic roots, he urged the international community to pursue a comprehensive developmental approach based on supporting infrastructure and job creation in the countries of origin in partnership with the African Union. He also condemned the countries that are hiding behind immoral neutrality towards the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.

Botswana: Duma Gedion Boko, President

Duma Gedion Boko, President of Botswana, said his country has been "blessed with the gift of diamonds", which for decades has financed schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Despite today’s fluctuating diamond markets, "our vision is clear," he said, highlighting his country’s goals to diversity its economy, empower its people and build resilience. He called on global partners to invest in renewable energy, technology, sustainable agriculture and value-added industries. He also appealed to businesses, innovators and institutions to join Botswana in its "journey of transformation".

He described Botswana as a semi-arid country where people know the meaning of drought, the scarcity of water, withering crops under a relentless sun and "livelihoods eroded by forces beyond our control". As climate change is a "present reality", Botswana has joined the Global Center on Adaptation, he said. He called on Member States to scale up financing for climate adaptation, including water infrastructure, early warning systems and climate-smart agriculture.

Earlier this year, Botswana faced an acute shortage of essential medicines, he recalled. "This crisis exposed not only the vulnerabilities of our supply chains, but the wider inequities of the global health system". "Access to medicines is a human right, not a privilege," he underscored, calling on the UN, international financial institutions and the private sector to work with his country in building resilient health systems. He also encouraged exploration of local production, regional supply hubs and fairer mechanisms "to ensure that no nation is left to face health emergencies alone".

Describing himself as "one of the trumpet voices of Africa", he lamented that the continent is "too often treated with affable indifference". "Africa’s voice is not heard," he emphasized, pointing out that "the United Nations cannot be truly international [...] until our continent – home to one-fifth of the population of the world – is afforded an equal voice at the highest body of this Organization". Addressing the five permanent Council members, he declared: "It is time to make good on your promise to a continent – agree [to] a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for Africa – for 80 years the only continent without one".

Dominica: Sylvanie Burton, President

Sylvanie Burton, President of Dominica, wondered if the Member States are truly listening to those nations which take the General Assembly podium every year to decry poverty, inequality, climate change, underdevelopment and conflict. Small island developing States feel the impact when global powers engage in political, economic or military confrontation. During climate negotiations, powerful nations drag their feet, polluters enjoy protection, and adaptation and mitigation efforts go underfunded. Equally horrifying is the loss of life caused by bombings, induced hunger, sanctioned violence and genocide. "We do not have the power to stop storms and to bring the rains where there is drought," she said, "but we do have the power to limit climate change [and] end wars and not start new ones."

There is no place for war in the Caribbean, a zone of peace, she said, warning that a military conflict in the region would have significant negative impacts on the Caribbean and Latin America. Dominica stands in solidarity with the people of Haiti and, like other member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), insists that the crisis in that country does not nullify the right of Haitians to sovereignty and a fair and durable peace. The crisis in Haiti is more than a Caribbean crisis and it requires a united response and support from the United Nations to resolve, she said.

The embargo imposed on Cuba remains a great concern in the Caribbean, she said, echoing calls by the majority of Member States for the immediate lifting of trade restrictions and export bans on that country. "They are unjustified, they are unjustifiable, they belong to a bygone era [and] they should cease to exist." She emphasized the right of the Government and people of Venezuela to resolve internal challenges without outside interference. Sanctions imposed on Venezuela must end, she said, calling also for restraint and strict adherence to the rule of law in relation to the presence of United States military assets on the Caribbean Sea.

The United Nations must be reformed to ensure that small and developing States have a real seat at the table, from which they can influence decisions that shape climate policy, security and economic well-being, she continued. Member States must commit to action, partnership and each other, "because the truth is simple yet profound: we are always stronger, wiser and better together." She went on to say that she looks forward to the day when a woman leads the United Nations as Secretary-General, as that would be a true symbol of equality.

Federated States of Micronesia: Wesley Simina, President

Wesley Simina, President of Micronesia, emphasized that any measures taken under the UN80 initiative must reflect the delicate balance and unique vulnerabilities faced by small island developing States. "The climate crisis is not up for debate — we all know that; the only question now is whether we as leaders will act with the urgency it demands," he said, recalling the obligation of developed countries to support the adaptation efforts of countries living with the impacts of climate change every day. "Cutting methane now could prevent 0.3°C of warming by the 2040s, slowing ocean heating and buying us time for long-term decarbonization," he stressed. This is the only scalable near-term solution that can protect vulnerable nations and peoples today.

His country is committed to achieving an ambitious global agreement to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, he continued. "This pollution — including climate-warming greenhouse gases and thousands of other toxic chemicals — severely impacts our health, our environment and our economies," he underscored. Micronesia is also participating in the related critical work of the International Seabed Authority, following a precautionary approach to deep seabed mining.

Underscoring that the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index is vital, as it recognizes economic, environmental and social fragilities and provides a fairer framework for allocating resources, he called for its adoption by international bodies, continuous technical refinement and strong commitment from partners to align financial and policy support with the vulnerabilities the Index reveals. "As the digital world advances at an unprecedented pace, global cooperation is essential to ensure that AI systems remain safe, secure and trustworthy," he added.

Food and water security remain pressing challenges for his country, as fragile freshwater sources and climate extremes undermine agriculture and marine ecosystems, reduce yields of traditional crops and increase reliance on costly, less-nutritious imports, he noted. "Just days ago, I was compelled to declare a national state of emergency due to an ongoing oil leak from a World War II sunken vessel in Chuuk Lagoon," he said. He emphasized the urgent need to add underrepresented voices to the Security Council, including Japan, India, Germany, Brazil and the African continent.

Ethiopia: Taye Atskeselassie Amde, President

Taye Atskeselassie Amde, President of Ethiopia, said the UN’s achievements over the years cannot conceal the need for reform and revitalization, particularly "the inequitable representation of States in the global security, political and financial architecture". The Organization must overcome its institutional setbacks due to a deficit of impartiality, and to selectivity and double standards. He expressed concern about the risks to the foundation of multilateralism posed by the "emerging controversy" over fundamentals and principles of the international system. "These trends should not be normalized or serve as a baseline in the determination of our standards and targets," he said.

Highlighting isolationist policies, the arms race, unprecedented military buildup, and a retraction from development and climate commitments, which he described as not only worrying trajectories but also counterproductive to humanity’s collective progress, he urged Member States to reverse recent downward trends and heighten development and peace efforts. Accordingly, he affirmed Addis Ababa’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, calling for immediate direct negotiation between the warring parties, wide humanitarian assistance to all in need, and the international community’s intervention to end the violence. "This is not a political preference but a moral imperative," he said.

Because the UN80 initiative provides a window to preserve the General Assembly’s mandates, he called for "more decentralization and deployment of institutional and financial capacity to the Global South, especially to the African continent where the United Nations has most of its programmes". On Security Council reforms, priority must also be accorded the continent’s representation in both membership categories. He spotlighted the need to immediately lift coercive economic measures and trade restrictions targeting Africa. "More importantly, Ethiopia calls for a new global action for debt cancellation, restructuring and suspension," he emphasized.

Noting the indivisibility and interdependence of States’ national security, particularly intra-regional, he committed to intensify efforts to combat the actions of global terrorists in the region and invited the international community to assist the African Union peace missions in this regard. He announced the commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a project which transforms his country’s renewable energy generation capacity and grants clean energy access to 60 million countrymen, adding: "It is a symbol of liberation for millions of Ethiopian women and girls, freeing them from the back-breaking search for firewood". Further, he committed to a comprehensive approach towards equal development and security for all States along the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

European Union: António Costa, President of the European Council

António Costa, President of the European Council of the European Union, affirming that the bloc is "a project of peace, of reconciliation, of social justice", said the alternative to the rules-based international order "is a chaotic and violent world". He cited Sudan — "an underreported and devastating conflict with destruction of huge proportions" — and Gaza, a humanitarian catastrophe that "shocks the world’s conscience". Calling the use of starvation as a weapon of war "immoral", he further condemned terrorism in all its forms. The horrific attacks by Hamas cannot be forgotten, and "we stand with Israel’s right to security", he stated, calling for the immediate release of the hostages.

Citing the importance of a negotiated two-State solution, he noted the bloc is the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinians — and has been the largest supporter of the Palestinian Authority. However, "peace in the Middle East requires a collective response,", he said. Turning to Ukraine, a sovereign nation "brutally attacked by a permanent member of the Security Council", he stressed: "If we accept Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, no country will ever be safe," as the "root cause" of the war is Moscow’s refusal to accept Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. He voiced support for Ukrainian efforts to bring Moscow to the negotiation table, its future reconstruction, and security guarantees to prevent future attacks — and "in their path to full membership in the European Union".

On human rights, he affirmed that social protection, decent work, equality between women and men and the fight against poverty "are not optional". Taking up AI, he noted the bloc champions a human-centred approach, currently pioneering the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure that digital technologies empower citizens — "not autocrats or the new technology oligarchs".

"Climate change is not fake news," he affirmed, but a scientifically proven fact that affects the present and future. The European Union embraces the commitments of the Paris Agreement, reducing emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Its member States provide 42 per cent of global development aid. Calling for "trade deals, not tariffs", he noted the bloc is advancing deals with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), Mexico, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. "In today’s multipolar world, there is no Global South or Global North — both are plural," he stated. Recalling how Europe rebuilt itself from the ashes of the Second World War through peace, reconciliation and integration, he affirmed: "We know these principles work — because they worked for us."

United Republic of Tanzania: Philip Isdor Mpango, Vice President

"For the UN to remain relevant and true to its noble mission, it must embrace change," said Philip Isdor Mpango, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, emphasizing that: "The challenges of today are not the same as those of yesterday, nor will they be the same tomorrow." In this context, he welcomed the UN80 reform initiative and reiterated his country’s position on redressing the continent’s underrepresentation in the Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini consensus. As well, he called for an urgent and comprehensive reform of the global financial system, underscoring the need to scale up long-term concessional financing, revise sovereign credit rating frameworks, and rethink debt sustainability assessments. Reiterating his demand for increased representation of Africa in the governance structures of the IMF and the World Bank, he said, "These noble demands have gone unheeded for a very long time and must be addressed now."

Turning to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – "our common plan for a better world", he pointed out that more than 80 per cent of the targets remain off-track, with only five years left before 2030. "The big elephant in the room suffocating progress, is an estimated financing gap of 4ドル trillion per annum," he said, nonetheless highlighting progress made by his country, with overall performance estimated at 60 per cent. Citing examples of such progress, such as on SDG 3 (good health and well-being) with maternal mortality declining from 750 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000) to 104 deaths in 2022, and on SDG 7 (affordable clean energy), with the number of villages connected to electricity increasing from 8,587 in 2000 to 12,318 in 2024. "However, significant challenges remain, especially on environmental sustainability (SDGs 13, 14 and 15)," he added.

He went on to condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, stating that such measures, often applied without the mandate of the Security Council, "represent a form of economic aggression that disproportionately harms innocent civilians, by depriving them of essential needs". "We stress that these embargoes and sanctions contravene international law," he said. Similarly, the United Republic of Tanzania stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Sahrawi who continue to be denied the fundamental rights of freedom, sovereignty and self-determination, he added. As well, he condemned "the resurging use of the law of the jungle as a means of resolving conflicts" and "imperial attitudes" that regarded the African continent as a "free mine to be exploited". In this context, he called for "win-win partnerships in the exploitation of our natural wealth".

Uganda: Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Vice President

Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Vice President of Uganda, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to multilateralism, highlighting its participation in advancing peace and security in the region including by providing troops to peace missions in Somalia and acting as a guarantor of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in South Sudan. "We urge greater international support for regionally led peacebuilding and stabilization initiatives," she declared, also calling for greater international cooperation to address the root causes of conflict, climate change and terrorism. She also urged for Security Council reform, calling for two permanent and two non-permanent seats for Africa.

As the country hosting the largest number of refugees in Africa — 1.93 million — Uganda integrates refugees through land allocation and by providing them with public services. However, that model is suffering from declining international support as global tensions rise, impeding Uganda’s ability to uphold its obligations to the Sustainable Development Goals. "Refugee hosting should not become a debt burden," she underscored. Reaffirming her country’s commitment to protect human rights, she noted that "Ugandans have enjoyed regular free and fair elections at all levels of Government" since 2005.

Further, Uganda was the first sub-Saharan African country to introduce universal primary education, which it did in 1987 — and secondary education in 2007. Healthcare is also being upscaled, she said, recalling that Uganda’s "HIV/AIDS response remains a model of political will and community engagement" — which has achieved 96 per cent treatment coverage for those diagnosed with the disease. Returning to multilateralism, she highlighted her country’s role as the current Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, calling for the adoption of the Covenant on the Right to Development and hailing the UN’s role in addressing global challenges. "Let us commit to leaving no one behind — better together," she concluded.

Netherlands: Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria (Dick) Schoof, Prime Minister

"Without the UN, there would be no disarmament treaties, no International Court of Justice, no climate agreements or Sustainable Development Goals," Prime MinisterHendrikus Wilhelmus Maria (Dick) Schoof said. Although the situation right now might be especially difficult, "it has never been easy," he reminded the Assembly, adding that every achievement was preceded by lengthy consultations and sometimes "it was tempting to throw in the towel." Welcoming the UN80 initiative which aims to enhance the Organization’s impact on the ground and simplify its structure, he said "changing with the times also means making the most of today’s opportunities," including by using artificial intelligence.

His country is already taking the lead on this, teaming up with donors and partners to explore new ways of boosting the effectiveness of multilateral institutions. But while the methods might change, the principles remain the same, he said, stressing that the most important one of all is the protection of the international legal order. This protection is not a given; the international community has seen that in Ukraine, where people have been suffering under the Russian Federation’s attacks for almost three and a half years. Ukraine has adopted a constructive stance, but so far the Russian Federation has shown no genuine willingness to accept the United States’ proposals.

"In case you're thinking, ‘there goes another European who only wants to talk about European problems,’ let me assure you, that is not the case," he added. "As a Kingdom of different countries in different parts of the world, we know that better than anyone." The Caribbean part of the Kingdom has seen how vulnerable people are when they are dependent on others for their food security, he said. Turning to Sudan, where more than 150,000 people have been killed since April 2023, he noted that half the country’s population is living with food insecurity. Calling on all parties to respect international law and allow humanitarian aid to reach those who need it, he noted that his country is giving 16 million euros to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund this year.

In Gaza, every day brings more heartbreaking images — "images we scarcely thought possible", he said. Urging the Israeli Government to drastically change its course, he expressed support for the European Commission’s proposal to restrict investment in Israeli companies that develop dual use technologies. Further, "we want to suspend the European Union-Israel Association Agreement," he said, and refuse goods from illegal settlements. Also stressing that Hamas is a terrorist organization that must lay down its arms, he said it has no place in the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Taking stock of how much there is to be done and how the UN has failed in many arenas, he said: "I understand that some of us may be tempted to give in to despair. And yet, we can’t allow that."

Belgium: Bart De Wever, Prime Minister

"The United Nations is far from perfect, and this is why we support the UN80 reform agenda," said Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium. As the world confronts new forms of imperialism, emerging military threats and violent conflicts destabilizing entire regions, "those who wish for peace must be prepared to defend it", he stressed. Belgium is therefore assuming its responsibility by investing more in defence. Alongside its European partners, it is working toward deeper integration of the armed forces and the defence industry while also strengthening ties with all countries committed to peace and stability.

On the rise of international organized crime, he warned: "Criminals know no borders." Exploiting gaps between police forces and legal systems, criminal networks fuel terrorism, human trafficking and the illegal arms trade. Still, "there is hope", he said, noting a new willingness to deepen cooperation in Europe and Latin America, with many African and Asian countries facing similar challenges. "Together, we can make our societies open for business but closed for crime," he added, stressing that "the security of our citizens must always remain our first responsibility".

Underscoring the importance of ensuring "as much prosperity as possible for as many people as possible", he cautioned that today’s world is once again "gripped by protectionism". History, however, offers clear evidence: for more than two centuries, free and fair trade has been the engine of progress, reducing extreme poverty, lengthening life expectancy and driving medical breakthroughs against once-devastating diseases. Defending free and fair trade is therefore essential. "We must create prosperity that is globally shared," he said, adding: "Let us prove that the destiny of humankind is not to dominate or to suffer, but to cooperate and to prosper."

Chad: Allah-Maye Halina, Prime Minister

Allah-Maye Halina, Prime Minister of Chad, speaking on behalf of his country’s President who was unable to travel to New York, said that 80 years after its founding, the United Nations must come back to life again. It would be wrong to deny its merits, but it is still far from accomplishing its Charter goals. "We have to note that the UN has never disappointed as much as it does today," he said, citing its inability to halt conflict. Too often, major decisions are taken which seem to benefit a few big powers to the detriment of the Global South, while in the Security Council, Africa — cradle of one-fifth of humanity — is excluded from permanent representation, he said.

The situation in Gaza represents a collective failure of the international community, a humanitarian scandal and an unprecedented moral challenge, he said, reiterating Chad’s call for recognition of a Palestinian State based on the two-State solution, pre-1967 borders and an immediate halt to illegal settlement activities. This week’s adoption of the New York Declaration is an historic step forward that must be transformed into concrete action, he said. Turning to development matters, he said that more than 4ドル trillion must be mobilized every year for poor countries to fulfil the 2030 Agenda. In that regard, the Sevilla Commitment is the last chance to turn words into action, he said, adding that the United Nations’ success will be judged by the collective ability to help vulnerable countries.

Security Council reform is an extremely urgent matter, he continued, asserting that in its current form, it symbolizes injustice, double-standards and the UN’s inability to meet the expectations of the peoples of the world. "It is totally unacceptable that Africa — cradle of humanity, demographic lung of the world and the strategic motor of the twenty-first century — remains marginalized at the highest levels of global governance," he said, calling for Africa to be assigned two permanent Council seats with veto rights, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus.

He drew attention to the persistent threat of terrorism in the Lake Chad basin, stating that his country has received no outside assistance in combatting Boko Haram while also facing the dramatic impact of climate change. Chad calls for greater solidarity to ensure equitable access to financing, green technology and vaccines. He went on express deep concern about the war in Sudan and its humanitarian, socioeconomic, environmental and security consequences, including the influx of more than 2 million refugees into Chad, and welcomed a positive momentum towards peace, national reconciliation and socioeconomic progress in Central African Republic.

Sudan: Kamil El-Tayeb Idris, Transitional Prime Minister

"Sudan has bled," said Kamil El-Tayeb Idris, Transitional Prime Minister of Sudan. "Our villages and cities have fallen silent under the shadow of unprecedented war, unprecedented invasion," he said. Yet, amid the ashes of war, there is a "unique pulse that refuses to die" in the refugee’s quiet prayer, in the farmer who plants crops he may never reap, in the mother who sings her child to sleep beneath an open sky. Nonetheless, he warned of "enormous dangers" to multilateralism as the norms of international law are eroded and crimes of genocide and the deployment of foreign mercenaries to occupy States and slaughter their people are unfolding in his country.

Over the past three years, Sudan’s people have been subjected to "existential dangers" due to crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces militia, he said, adding that they have been forced out of their homes and homelands with a view to plunder the country’s wealth and enact demographic change. He called for ensuring strong national institutions, for flows of lethal weaponry to the militias to be stopped and for them to be classified as a terror group. "Violations of Council resolution 1591 (2005) prolongs the war and the suffering of civilians and decreases the chances of peace," he stressed.

Achieving peace requires the participation of Sudanese political forces and Sudanese society, he went on, underscoring that there must be "no foreign interference or pressure, no hasty partial solutions or support for ethnic extremism plotting to destroy Sudan". In this context, he affirmed his Government’s support for the road map drawn up by national forces and civil organizations, and presented to the UN and mediators, which includes a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces from occupied areas and the immediate lifting of the siege on El Fasher. He called for the implementation of Council resolution 2736 (2024). "Imagine: it was adopted by the Council a year ago, and nothing has happened to this day," he said. "Is this plausible?"

He went on to outline steps his Government is taking in the transition to democracy, including forming a civilian Government of technocrats and initiating Sudanese-Sudanese national dialogue to lay the groundwork for free and fair elections. The Government will "remove the remnants of war" and return to the capital, Khartoum. He spotlighted a national plan to protect civilians, presented to the Security Council and Secretary-General, which includes a national mechanism of protection and measures to facilitate humanitarian access. However, he deplored the "the international silence on the militia’s crimes", which is tantamount to encouragement to continue with them. He therefore called on the international community to support the civilian Government, adding: "Without peace, there is no viable future. We will never give up."

Sao Tome and Principe: Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos, Prime Minister.

Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos, Prime Minister and Head of Government of Sao Tome and Principe,said the theme of the session "resonates not only as an ideal but as an imperative necessity for humanity, for collective development and prosperity". He commiserated with all nations which have endured natural disasters and conflict and humanitarian crises, stating that they are not mere statistics, but real human lives, broken families and entire communities forced into suffering. "Your losses are felt by us all and your resilience inspires us to redouble our efforts in pursuit of a safer and fairer world," he said.

While his country has responsibly undertaken reform in the fiscal, economic, judicial and public administration sectors, the progress achieved "remains fragile and constantly under threat". He appealed to the international community to ensure his country’s transition, associated with its December 2024 graduation to the category of middle-income countries – the eighth to achieve such a milestone – is carried out "gradually and harmoniously, accompanied by continuous and transformative support". Turning to climate change, he said his country being a small island developing State faces "one of the greatest injustices of our time" and is among the main victims of the phenomenon, despite "not contributing to this global scourge".

He called for new approaches to financing mechanisms which incorporate multidimensional vulnerability criteria, integrate environmental climate and structural risks, and do not focus solely on per capital income, adding: "We require financial instruments that are more predictable and accessible with concessional conditions" compatible with Sao Tome and Principe’s real capacity. He noted that because development requires a context of peace and security, his country is concerned about the proliferation of conflicts around the world and advocates for their peaceful resolution, "because only ‘silencing the guns’ can create an environment in which a better future with peace and development for all peoples can be built".

He therefore called for a lasting solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged the international community to heighten support for African peace and security initiatives. Further, Sao Tome and Principe condemns the "persistent disregard of the International community’s appeals for the lifting of economic, financial and commercial restrictions imposed on the Republic of Cuba", he said. For the Security Council to reflect 21st century geopolitical realities, it must include at least one permanent seat for the African continent, he said, adding: "It is equally crucial to reduce bureaucracy within the UN system so that our Organization can respond more rapidly and effectively in global crises."

United Kingdom: David Lammy, Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister

David Lammy, Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, hailing the UN Charter as "our compass", stressed that "what is happening in Gaza is indefensible", inhumane, utterly unjustifiable and "must end now". The people of Palestine "whose State we proudly recognized this week" and the people of Israel "deserve better". Condemning the "horrific acts by Hamas" on 7 October 2023 and "Israel’s denial of life saving humanitarian aid and the catastrophic famine that it has caused", he stressed "there can be no answer to these horrors but concerted diplomatic action".

He further voiced support for Ukraine, which must emerge from the Russian Federation’s "brutal war as a sovereign, secure and independent nation". President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shown commitment to peace at every turn, while President Vladimir Putin "savagely rains down ever more missiles and drones on the Ukrainian people". Affirming that the United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine "today, tomorrow and 100 years from now", he also voiced support for "the people of Sudan", with millions displaced by conflict and more facing famine — who "need the international community to come together to make renewed efforts to achieve peace and allow aid to reach those who desperately need it now".

Turning to "a bracing new era of promise, power and potential", he called AI "a lightning strike of change" which leading scientists "think could only be compared to the industrial revolution compressed into a decade". Embracing AI will build better businesses, and fight crime better by spotting fraud "in real time". The technology is already saving lives, he noted — "the defining opportunity of our generation, and we must run towards it with hope". However, he also warned of its power to spread disinformation and empower criminals — with authoritarian States, notably the Russian Federation, manipulating large-scale language models to spread propaganda, while organized crime is using AI to "supercharge their scams deceiving victims on an unprecedented scale". AI "can empower freedom or it can entrench oppression", he stressed — and only cooperation can set it on the right millennium-defining course.

Austria: Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs

Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, emphasized that conflicts must be resolved through mediation and that every human being deserves dignity and equal rights. "Big problems can only be solved together," she stressed, adding that everyone has the responsibility to act — not only in their own interest but for a better future for all. For this generation, the future does not seem brighter than the present, she noted, with fundamental fears of war, conflict, climate change and division. Yet, "we cannot close our eyes before the gap between aspiration and harsh reality" — for example, in Gaza, where devastation, starvation and despair have reached terrible proportions.

She condemned the "beyond imaginable brutality" of Hamas’ attacks and called for all hostages in Gaza to be freed. Concurrently, she stressed that nothing justifies the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza: violations of international law, including humanitarian law, cannot be excused. "The actions and decisions of the Israeli Government break my heart," she stated, adding that this war must end now, the hostages must be freed, and humanitarian aid must reach the suffering civilians in Gaza as soon as possible. She outlined Austria’s vision: a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, with Israel and Palestine living side by side within recognized borders. She pledged that, once the right conditions are met, Austria will also recognize Palestine as a State.

Turning to Ukraine, she denounced the Russian Federation’s continued strikes on cities, villages, schools, hospitals and kindergartens, despite Ukraine having "shown several times that they are ready for peace". She expressed Austria’s support for the United States and all diplomatic efforts to end the war, calling for an immediate ceasefire. She also warned that "growing nuclear arsenals or autonomous weapon systems will not make our world a safer one." Recalling the founding vision of the United Nations, she concluded: "Our predecessors gave the world a Charter and a promise for a better future — let us renew that promise so that the future is better than the present."

Mexico: Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez, Minister for Foreign Affairs

"The time of women has come," declared Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, spotlighting the landslide election of his country’s first female President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Describing the "Mexican humanism" that characterizes his Government’s vision, he said it aims to build a society of democracy, equality and shared prosperity for the benefit of everyone, putting the poor first. His Government is motivated by a vision of justice, the separation of political and economic power, and is moving towards a "moral economy". This new political way, he said, gives agency and a voice to the historically marginalized, including women, indigenous persons and persons of African descent, among others.

"The results speak for themselves," he said, pointing to the UN’s recognition that 13.5 million Mexicans have been lifted out of poverty due to labour justice and social programmes. Also highlighting other achievements, he touched on the largest reforestation programme in the world, violence contained and an indigenous person being President of the country’s Supreme Court. Against the backdrop of persisting poverty and an arms race in a world of exorbitant wealth, which fuel the flames of violence, he called for "a moral economy of well-being" worldwide, peace built from the bottom up, and addressing the structural causes of violence. He also called for upholding international law alongside human rights, as war takes an "intolerable toll", urging an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

"We particularly reject the criminalization of people who, for whatever reason, have been forced to leave their homes and forced to migrate, whether to seek refuge or to escape conditions of injustice or poverty," he continued. Migrants are people with rights who care for their families and contribute to improving their host communities, he said, underscoring that only by understanding the phenomenon and addressing structural causes can progress be made towards a framework of global and regional collaboration, to move to a safer and more orderly mobility. "Let there be no doubt," he said, "Mexico will not tire in ensuring the protection of Mexican nationals outside the country."

Rwanda: Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, said "fast-changing realities, including economic shocks, and the legitimate aspirations of regions long denied a voice, compel us to quickly adapt to make the UN fit-for-purpose." Thus, reform is unavoidable, especially of the Security Council, which should accommodate permanent membership of 1.2 billion-strong Africa, where most conflicts on the organ’s agenda happen. Deriding the politicization of development cooperation "used by some development partners for partisan political reasons and interests", he said the moment has come to transit from aid to trade so that developing countries can independently enjoy a win-win relationship.

He observed that while the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is not new, the lesson for the Great Lakes region is urgent and resolving it is in everyone’s best interest. Despite the mediation by the United States and Qatar and the consequent peace agreement between his country and the Democratic Republic of Congo, peace has moved slowly so that "the situation on the ground remains deeply troubling" as that country has renewed its militarization against civilian populations, particularly the Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi. He called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to implement the Washington Peace Agreement in good faith.

Grateful to the United Nations for establishing 7 April yearly as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as well as to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Residual Mechanism for prosecuting genocide perpetrators, he expressed concern over the persistence of genocide ideology and related crimes in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and called on the international community "to not turn a blind eye, once more" on the developments. "Genocide follows a pattern. It follows clear stages. It is not an umbrella term; it is defined by international law," he said.

Ecuador: María Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility

María Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, called for expanding the concept of international peace and security to include the fight against transnational organized crime — a phenomenon that undermines governance, fuels corruption, and perpetuates violence. She cited "international networks and logistics chains that move thousands of tons of drugs, exploit illegal mining, and traffic weapons, people, and even human organs". In response, the Ecuadorian Government recognized existence of "a non-international armed conflict in January 2024" and designated several of these groups as terrorists. Ecuador, due to its proximity to the world’s leading cocaine producers, is on the front lines of the battle against transnational organized crime and is "waging an existential war against narcoterrorism", she noted — with milestones including the seizure of 295 tons of illicit drugs in 2024.

Calling human mobility one of the "most complex challenges of our time", she emphasized that Ecuador is a country of origin, transit, destination, and refuge for migrants — reaffirming a commitment to safe, orderly, and regular migration, as its proper management "can contribute to sustainable development". Turning to climate change and biodiversity loss, she cited Ecuador "as a megadiverse country", advocating for more environmental financing, technology transfer, and international support for conservation of unique ecosystems — such as the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands, which are "the treasure of humanity". Further, the international financial architecture must respond to the needs of developing countries, particularly those classified as middle-high-income. "The exclusive use of GDP per capita, which is limiting and limited", does not reflect Ecuador’s reality or vulnerabilities.

"The time of youth has come" she declared — in a country where young people represent around 40 per cent of the population. In the "New Ecuador", the Government is focused on providing them with "opportunities that did not exist in the past". She pointed to several factors encouraging investment and business in Ecuador: a wide range of natural resources, strategic location in South America, economic stability afforded by using the United States dollar, megadiversity and a rich cultural heritage. Ecuador’s country risk indicator continues its downward trend, standing at 701 points, its lowest level in recent years; while despite the country’s challenges, its improving economy grew 3.9 per cent in the first half of 2025.

Sweden: Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, stating that, 80 years after nations came together in a "bold act of faith" in multilateralism, "the world and our organization, the United Nations, are facing the risk of failing." Also 80 years ago, the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren published her first book about the strongest girl in the world: Pippi Longstocking, who believed everything was possible, whose spirit is captured by the phrase, "I have never tried that before, so I should definitely be able to do it". The Minister added: "Let us use the coincidence of anniversaries as a reminder that even in the face of unprecedented challenges, we must approach the impossible with boldness and resolve."

"We cannot be deterred by a few States’ disregard for our Charter," she emphasized, underscoring the need for an efficient UN that defends the right of every State; a strong UN that helps Member States deliver on their commitments; a UN focused on securing peace, advancing human rights, driving sustainable development and providing humanitarian relief. As a steadfast partner and major donor to the UN, her country is committed to addressing global development challenges and to humanitarian efforts and it strongly supports UN peacekeeping efforts. On the question of the next UN Secretary-General, she said, "Let me be clear: Sweden’s choice is always merit based. But isn’t it strange that for 80 years, no woman has been elected — especially if the selection is based on merit?"

She went on to underscore the need for accountability in a world of multiplying conflicts, calling for the international legal system’s independence and impartiality to be protected. In this context, she described a picture of "little Angelina" celebrating her birthday next to a giant teddy bear. "Angelina never got to celebrate her third birthday," she said, stating that she and her mother died in an attack on Kyiv this August. "The only one saved from the rubble was the giant teddy bear." The Russian Federation must be held accountable "to preserve the global order". Voicing concern over rising resistance against women’s rights, she highlighted her country’s tenure as President of the UN Women Executive Board this year, stressing: "We must push back the pushback."

Cameroon: Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, said that while anniversaries are always a cause for joy, "we have to acknowledge that this particular one leaves us with questions." The Organization’s 80^th anniversary provides the opportunity to take stock and reflect on more effective ways to implement its missions and promises as expressed in the UN Charter while its theme must be translated to action on the national and international levels. He regretted that, 80 years later, with the current global armed conflicts and the threat of nuclear escalation "which we once thought to be a thing of the past", the comity of nations has been unable to save the world from the scourge of war.

Add to these the wide variety of natural disasters and pandemics causing significant material damage and loss of human lives, not to mention the various pandemics. "The world will only meet the challenge of development only if it first wins the challenge of peace," he said. Pointing out the negative impact on global crises on international trade, he urged for the UN’s centre-placing of economic development through the Sustainable Development Goals as key to achieving the well-being of the world’s peoples. With five years before the Global Goals’ deadline, he called for concerted urgent efforts to deliver on the promises of the 2030 Agenda.

Noting his country’s optimism and active participation in the search for solutions to climate change and the protection of wildlife and biodiversity, he called for the effective mobilization of the earlier pledged but unfulfilled 100ドル billion yearly fund by developed countries to combat the climate phenomenon. "At this pivotal moment in the history of the United Nations, we must act. It is an imperative obligation that we cannot ignore," he said. This is necessary to sustain the related efforts of developing countries. Further, Yaounde calls for reforms of the international system, particularly of the global financial architecture and the Security Council, he said.

Norway: Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, said that "those who shaped the UN were not guided by naïve idealism" but by "a deep realist recognition that mankind simply could not continue as before" and understood the need for shared norms and principles to prevent another world war. "Our UN — imperfect as it is — has since provided an unrivalled global arena for seeking solutions to common challenges," he said, adding: "There is little doubt that the world would have been a more brutal and less prosperous place without the UN." Since 1945, inter-State wars have become fewer and more distant, former colonies have achieved independence and sovereignty, and hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. Yet today, "we find our UN in crisis" — politically and financially — with several Member States significantly reducing their contributions, making it harder to fulfil the Organization’s core mission.

Turning to current crises, he recalled that in Sudan, civilians face the world’s largest displacement and hunger emergency after more than 900 days of conflict, which has received "far too little attention". In Ukraine, the Russian Federation has violated the most fundamental principle of international law, he stressed, voicing support for Ukraine’s right to freedom and independence. In Gaza, "life is living hell" — with nearly two years of extreme death, starvation, and forced displacement — while in the West Bank, "settlements and settler violence continue unchecked". He declared: "The war must end now, massive humanitarian aid must reach those in need now, the remaining hostages must be released now and the illegal occupation must end now."

Nevertheless, there is an alternative to the "never-ending cycle of violence". At the recent conference on Palestine, Member States developed a roadmap toward a settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Recognition of the State of Palestine, however, is only one step toward the two-State solution. "Palestinian governance must be strengthened, Hamas must be demobilized, and we need credible security guarantees between Israel and Palestine," he added.

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