{"id":107565,"date":"2017-05-31T15:54:47","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T19:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/?p=107565\/"},"modified":"2017-09-12T19:01:39","modified_gmt":"2017-09-12T23:01:39","slug":"acceptance-speech-upon-election-as-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/2017\/05\/31\/acceptance-speech-upon-election-as-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Acceptance Speech upon election"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECH UPON ELECTION<\/h1>\n
\n

31 May 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.69″ src=”http:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2017\/09\/723881-GA-am-31_05_2017-11.42.08-small.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.69″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n

– As delivered –<\/em><\/h4>\n

Acceptance Speech by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k upon his election as President of the 72nd<\/sup> Session of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your Excellency, Peter Thomson, President of the General Assembly,<\/em>
\nYour Excellency, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, Secretary-General,<\/em>
\nExcellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/em><\/p>\n

Before I begin, I would like to join and support the statement of President Thomson condemning in the strongest terms the horrible attack in Kabul (31 May 2017). There is no justification for such horrific violence.<\/p>\n

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/em><\/p>\n

First of all, thank you very much.<\/p>\n

I am truly delighted to be elected as President of the seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. It is my greatest honour to have earned your support. I do feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to serve you throughout the
\nnext session.<\/p>\n

I have been a professional diplomat all my life, serving with passion and commitment both Slovakia and the international community. I have fostered my belief in respect, honesty and dignity, rules, dialogue and search for compromise.<\/p>\n

Throughout my career I have been fortunate to meet many of you in person. Thus earning your trust today means not only professional but also personal responsibility.<\/p>\n

It is the first time Slovakia has been entrusted with this role. I am very grateful for the support at home\u2014 from the President, the Government and the people. My country has always been strongly committed to multilateralism with the United Nations at the centre of it. And, over the years, we have contributed to a wide range of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ activities\u2014through the work in the main Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ organs, participation in peacekeeping operations or delivery of humanitarian or development assistance.<\/p>\n

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>\n

During my tenure, I want to pay due attention to all three Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ pillars. And I intend to work on the following six priorities, not necessarily in this order:<\/p>\n

First of all, I want to draw the attention of Member States to people. That is why I suggest to f<\/strong>ocus on people\u2014to strive for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

I do believe we can do more to bring the United Nations closer to the world\u2019s citizens. Nations around the globe continue to have high hopes of the United Nations. It is a key task for the General Assembly, as the most representative organ, to step up its efforts. It should make a real difference in the lives of ordinary people.<\/p>\n

Secondly, I wish to highlight the importance of prevention and mediation in sustaining peace. I share this priority with Secretary-General Guterres, as I have always been a strong proponent of preventive diplomacy. Past efforts and existing Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ opportunities on sustaining peace will be addressed at the already-mandated high-level meeting in April 2018.<\/p>\n

My next priority will be migration. The consultative process of the Global Compact for Migration will shift into intergovernmental negotiations. Migration is not a short-term seasonal and regional problem. It is a very complex global and generational issue that needs true worldwide attention.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial _builder_version=”3.0.69″ author=”MIROSLAV LAJ\u010c\u00c1K” portrait_url=”http:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2017\/08\/PGA72-small.jpg” url_new_window=”off” quote_icon=”on” use_background_color=”on” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” job_title=”President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly”]<\/p>\n

I do believe we can do more to bring the United Nations closer to the world\u2019s citizens.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.69″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n

I will also take a closer look at the Sustainable Development Goals and climate. We need to keep political momentum. I will follow up on work of President Thomson and support Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed in her efforts. More should be done to address inequalities and explore ways to help mainly Least Developed Countries and small island developing States.<\/p>\n

In this regard I feel encouraged by commitments of Member States as well as the current leadership of this esteemed body. Activities such as next week\u2019s conference on oceans go in the right direction, in terms of both substance and timing.<\/p>\n

My fifth focus will be on human rights as an overarching principle guiding my work. There is no peace and development without respect for dignity and fundamental rights. Continued support for equality, including equal opportunities for genders, will remain high in my activities.<\/p>\n

The principle of equal representation will be respected also in terms of composition of my team. In this regard I will continue the dialogue with you. I strongly wish to reach both gender and geographical balance in the Office of the President of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

And number six\u2014it is quality\u2014especially in terms of mandated events. I will not bring any new initiatives that may put an additional burden, mainly on smaller States. I would rather like to see the agenda in clusters and streamlined with concrete results.<\/p>\n

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Mr. President, Secretary General, Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n

The Presidency of the General Assembly is an increasingly demanding position. In preparing for my post, I consulted broadly with Member States and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n

It is our common goal to create a stronger Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ able to better meet all expectations. I will facilitate a constructive, informed and open interaction among Member States and with you, Mr. Secretary-General. I stand ready to consult your reform initiatives in the areas of peace and security, development and management.<\/p>\n

In search for deeper change of our organization, we must strengthen the trust between the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and membership as well as the major groups. Many Member States feel that we need tangible progress on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ reform agenda and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. I will do all I can to support this effort.<\/p>\n

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>\n

It is vital to make further strides towards improving the efficiency and role of the General Assembly. I share the view that this is both a technical and political issue. By far, the most widely mentioned Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ reform topic is the reform of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Security Council. There is a high degree of accord that it is time to transform the Security Council into a twenty-first century body. I intend to work closely and consult widely with you on how to push forward the agreement our leaders made at the 2005 World Summit.<\/p>\n

Mr. Secretary-General, Dear Antonio,<\/em><\/p>\n

Let me thank you for being here with us today. It is not an easy time to be heading the world\u2019s leading international organization. Your steadfast commitment in taking the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ mandate forward is very much appreciated and needed.<\/p>\n

Mr. President, Dear Peter,<\/em><\/p>\n

I wish to express my special gratitude to you for your outstanding cooperation, advice and guidance. You are a committed leader in many areas but especially on the promotion of implementation of the SDGs. Your dedication to strengthen the continuity and the institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly has been exceptional. You and everyone on your team has been so helpful in getting ready for my presidency. Without your generosity and good will the transition would be much more complicated. And until September, let me assure you of my firm support to your ongoing efforts.<\/p>\n

Mr. President, Secretary General, Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n

I wish to thank you once again for the opportunity to serve you. I will do my utmost to represent you to the best of my abilities. I look forward to collaborating closely with all of you very much focusing on pragmatic and practical issues. I pledge to represent each country as an honest broker in a fair and open manner. And I want all Member States to have a sense of
\nbelonging and equal relevance.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your attention.<\/p>\n

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Acceptance Speech by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k upon his election as President of the 72nd Session of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":375,"featured_media":108469,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

As delivered<\/em><\/h4>

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson,\u00a0<\/strong>President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, at the\u00a0Annual American Bar Association Meeting\u00a0<\/strong>Showcase Luncheon<\/strong><\/h2>

10 August 2017<\/strong><\/h3>

\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>

\"American<\/a>Mark Alcott, ABA Representative to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ<\/em><\/p>

Visiting Presidents and Members of Foreign Bar Associations<\/em><\/p>

Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>

I acknowledge the honour of being asked to speak at the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association, and I thank the President of the American Bar Association and the other organizers of today\u2019s event for the invitation.<\/p>

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is a house that from its outset has been steeped in the influence of international legal professionals \u2013 whether on diplomatic delegations, within the staffing cohort, or amongst the experts who play such instrumental roles in helping the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ advance the rule of law across the world.<\/p>

Indeed, since its establishment in 1945, the promotion of justice and the rule of law has been a golden thread running through the work of the United Nations in pursuit of its three founding pillars \u2013 the maintenance of peace and security, the protection of human rights, and the advancement of development.<\/p>

The logic behind this golden thread is clear.<\/p>

For the 71 peacekeeping operations that have been established since the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s foundation, and for the nearly 100,000 peacekeepers currently deployed by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ across the world, the promotion of the rule of law is at the very heart of their efforts to build and sustain international peace.<\/p>

And then in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s work to promote and protect human rights everywhere, the ending of discriminatory laws, the promotion of fair and transparent processes, discouraging violations, and fighting impunity is fundamental.<\/p>

And through \u00a0the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s efforts to achieve sustainable development to build effective institutions, lift public trust in government, and ensure equal access to justice, we make our stand for a just, peaceful and prosperous world.<\/p>

For over seven decades now, the United Nations has been at the forefront of global efforts to promote the rule of law across our world.<\/p>

The International Court of Justice \u2013 the principal judicial organ of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ \u2013 has increasingly become the forum of choice for a growing number of States to peacefully settle their international disputes.<\/p>

The establishment of legal bodies such as the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, have been critical steps in the global fight against impunity and for ensuring justice for victims of crimes perpetrated during war.<\/p>

Meanwhile, the increasing number of international courts and tribunals focused on specialized areas of law, including human rights, law of the sea, and trade law, point to a growing understanding among Member States of the importance of an international rules-based order.<\/p>

For all of these accomplishments, we are confronted by a conundrum: how to precisely quantify to the global public the importance and the success of each of these achievements.\u00a0 Especially since these achievements belong to humanity as a whole and are seldom celebrated.<\/p>

We ponder how many conflicts have been prevented?<\/p>

How many lives have been saved?<\/p>

How much people have had their sense of hope restored through the acknowledgement of crimes perpetrated against them, and the rendering of international justice?<\/p>

Far too often \u2013 as with much of what the United Nations does \u2013 it is the shortcomings and failures that receive widespread attention, with little acknowledgement of achievements, particularly in averting even graver tragedies.<\/p>

Indeed, in our current global landscape, characterized by an unprecedented pace of change, and the fears that arise in times of great uncertainty, we are seeing in some parts of the world an instinct to withdraw from international engagement and to revert to nationalistic tendencies.\u00a0 That tendency even extends to a questioning of the importance of the rule of law, both within national boundaries and at international levels.<\/p>

In a world facing complex global security challenges, including the worst humanitarian and refugee crisis since World War II, shifting global dynamics, unprecedented technological advancement and population growth, widening inequality, climate change, and large-scale environmental degradation, the importance of international law becomes greatly elevated.\u00a0 That point cannot be overstated.<\/p>

These are the times when more, not less, needs to be done to strengthen the rule of law at national and international levels.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I would like to make a further point that emphasizes the role of the United Nations in strengthening the rule of law in these challenging times.<\/p>

The decision by world leaders at the United Nations in September 2015 to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was a major milestone in our efforts to build a world of sustainable peace and justice.<\/p>

Based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda seeks to shift humanity\u2019s current trajectory away from its current course towards unsustainability, towards a future that is safe, secure and prosperous for all.<\/p>

Premised on the commitment\u00a0 to \u2018leave no one behind\u2019, the SDGs stand to transform our world by breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty; building peaceful societies; increasing global prosperity; achieving gender equality; protecting our natural environmental, and averting the worst impacts of climate change \u2013 all by 2030.<\/p>

Critically, it dedicates our efforts towards the promotion of\u00a0 the rule of law across the world.<\/p>

Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda specifically seeks to \u2018promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 Goal 16 is underpinned by specific targets by which to measure success.<\/p>

I emphasize that the SDGs are integrated and mutually-reinforcing in nature, and that the 2030 Agenda inherently places peace, human rights, justice, and strong institutions as a fundamental requirement to achieve sustainable development.\u00a0 The Agenda recognizes an international rules-based order as indispensable for achieving a just, peaceful and prosperous world.<\/p>

It is obvious to all, that achieving this reality will require all stakeholders \u2013 Governments at all levels, civil society, the private sector, and grassroots organizations \u2013 to work together in new and innovative ways.<\/p>

The Ocean Conference held here at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in June of this year was a prime example of such partnership and innovation in action. With around 6,000 participants from Governments, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system, civil society, the scientific community, academia, and the business sector, nearly 1,400 voluntary commitments for action were made in the cause of reversing the cycle of decline in which the Ocean is currently caught.<\/p>

It is in The Ocean Conference\u2019s positive spirit of common purpose, that action must now be taken to build on the inter-linkages between the SDGs. We must pursue cross-cutting actions across the SDGs to strengthen the rule of law, peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.<\/p>

And in this regard, I commend the American Bar Association and visiting members of foreign bar associations for your dedicated efforts to strengthen justice systems, to improve governance, and protect human rights across the world.<\/p>

In particular I mention the work being undertaken through the Rule of Law Initiative to promote legal education, improve access to justice, address land and resource governance, fight human trafficking, and support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.\u00a0 This work is essential not only for promotion of the rule of law, but for achieving peaceful and inclusive societies, and accelerating SDG implementation.<\/p>

I encourage you to do all you can to further support this work \u2013 at home and abroad \u2013 as a critical component of sustainable development.\u00a0 With the American Bar Association representing a network of over 400,000 attorneys, you have a huge opportunity to bolster Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ efforts in our common aim of advancing the rule of law.<\/p>

I encourage you all to continue supporting the development, understanding, and dissemination of international law.<\/p>

I encourage you to continue your capacity-building, legal education and training assistance across the world.<\/p>

And I urge you to assist in the fight against corruption and organized crime, building robust legal frameworks, ensuring equal access to justice, supporting accountable institutions, and promoting inclusive and representative decision-making at all levels.<\/p>

Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>

In our interconnected world, international law shapes our daily lives \u2013 from internet governance and air travel, to international trade and environmental protections.<\/p>

We must continue to work together to build global understanding of international law as an enabler and a pre-requisite of peace, justice and development, and to promote the rule of law everywhere.<\/p>

I thank you for your attention.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[69,65,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-107565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-newsandupdates","category-statements","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nAcceptance Speech upon election - General Assembly of the United Nations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/2017\/05\/31\/acceptance-speech-upon-election-as-president\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Acceptance Speech upon election - General Assembly of the United Nations\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Acceptance Speech by H.E. 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