On the eve of United Nations Day, I fondly acknowledge the deep ties that have always existed between our Organization and the City of New York.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ has been proud to call the City its home since the middle of the last century. We are happy to generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and tens of thousands of jobs in New York City. Through our presence, it is a privilege to contribute to and enhance New York¡¯s status as a cosmopolitan and dynamic global city.
COVID-19 has deeply hurt New Yorkers, including the United Nations staff and delegates who consider the City to be their hometown. In order to defeat the virus, we all need to band together in solidarity. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and New York must collaborate more closely than ever.
It was in that context that I requested a meeting with the Mayor of New York City. The pandemic requires communications at the highest level. As the representative of 193 countries, and a leader of one of the City¡¯s most politically significant resident bodies, I consider it necessary to foster dialogue and coordination between our two administrations.
I was saddened to learn that the Mayor was unavailable to meet with me. This lack of interaction concerns me as policies devised by the City of New York directly affect the work of the United Nations and by extension millions of lives across the globe. Nevertheless, I will continue my work as President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in the hopes of protecting the world¡¯s most vulnerable populations and advancing efforts towards a healthier and more sustainable planet. I hope the City of New York will continue to be a strong partner in that regard.
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Volkan BOZKIR
President of the General Assembly
United Nations
New York
23 October 2020
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