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Distinguished delegates,

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Dear Colleagues,

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On behalf of the United Nations General Assembly, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of President Idriss D¨¦by Itno and to the Government and people of the United Republic of Chad on the President¡¯s passing.

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The United Republic of Chad has been a member of the United Nations since 1960. And for over 60 years now, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ has supported the Government of Chad to implement policies that will address peace and security, sustainable development and human rights challenges. This is demonstrated today by the fourteen United Nations programs and agencies that are active in the country and working within the ¡°Delivering as One¡± approach.

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Like in so many countries around the world, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Chad are being undermined by insecurity in the region. President D¨¦by was known for his proactive approach to peace and security.

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Under his leadership, Chad remained a reliable Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ partner on issues of regional stability, particularly as part of efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime in the Sahel. ?As part of that commitment to peace and security, Chad also makes a significant contribution in peacekeepers and is one of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ¡¯s 14 major troop contributing countries.

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Chad is also a member of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and is currently supporting the mission to ¡°neutralize armed groups, help national reconciliation, and establish stable democratic institutions in Libya.¡±

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Chad¡¯s commitment to multilateralism goes beyond the United Nations. Chad plays an important role on the African continent and held the Chairmanship of the African Union in 2016.

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Excellencies,

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Dear Colleagues,

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Today, we honour the accomplishments of President D¨¦by, which will long be remembered here at the United Nations. I wish the family of the President and the people of Chad well as they mourn this great loss.

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Now I will ask you to join me in a minute of silence. ?

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