[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-21px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Mr. Dennis Francis,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n to the Sixth Committee (Legal)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n 13 October 2023<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \n Your Excellency, Ambassador\u00a0<\/i>Suriya Chindawongse<\/i>, Permanent Representative of\u00a0<\/i>Thailand,<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Members of the Bureau,<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/p>\n \n I extend my sincere\u00a0congratulations<\/span>\u00a0to you, Chair, and to the other Bureau Members on your deserved election to steer the work of the Sixth Committee during the 78th<\/sup>\u00a0Session.<\/p>\n \n As I join you today, I want to underscore that our joint mission is of extraordinary importance as it constitutes the very essence of the United Nations in the pursuit of peace, justice and the rule of law.<\/p>\n \n The work of the Sixth Committee is central to upholding these principles as we strive to ensure that the international legal framework remains\u00a0robust and adaptable<\/b>\u00a0to the evolving needs of our temporarily beleaguered multilateral system.<\/p>\n \n In view of the unprecedented daunting challenges before us \u2013 from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the deepening climate crisis to the vicious cycle of conflicts around the world \u2013 the work of the Sixth Committee, in producing stability, clarity and predictability, is more critical than ever.<\/p>\n \n But the sad situation in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere including in Haiti, does serve as a reminder to all of us that we cannot simply continue to take peace for granted \u2013 but rather, we need to invest more to achieve and indeed, to sustain it.<\/p>\n \n I am nevertheless convinced that, while today\u2019s challenges are greater, so too is our collective capacity to surmount them, and to bring about transformational change that meaningfully benefits sustainable development.<\/p>\n \n Peace and justice must be attained comprehensively, everywhere and for everyone.<\/p>\n \n Our collective aim to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war \u2013 as espoused in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Charter \u2013 remains our most urgent and pressing ideal to achieve and thus must remain the centerpiece of our work.<\/p>\n \n Likewise, the myriad of challenges emerging from risk and loss due to the devastating impacts of\u00a0climate change<\/b>\u00a0must also remain a core focus of our efforts.<\/p>\n \n The Sixth Committee\u2019s deliberations on the\u00a0Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters<\/b>\u00a0and other related issues are therefore particularly important in this context.<\/p>\n \n Inevitably connected to this reality is the real existential threat posed by\u00a0sea-level rise<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 an issue that imperils several of the membership and is a key priority during my Presidency.<\/p>\n \n While the International Law Commission\u00a0is still considering\u00a0the topic of sea-level rise, it is incumbent upon the Sixth Committee to also continue discussions on the legal implications of this phenomenon.<\/p>\n \n It is not hyperbole to say that sea-level rise poses a serious existential threat to many Member States.<\/p>\n \n This is especially true for\u00a0the SIDS, where fertile lands are being destroyed, millions of people are being forced to migrate or relocate, and imperative questions are emerging about the future of their statehood.<\/p>\n \n We therefore owe it to all those affected communities to ensure\u00a0predictability, sustainability, and security<\/b>\u00a0amidst the climate crisis.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n We must ensure that the General Assembly and its Main Committees \u2013 including the Sixth Committee \u2013 create adequate space to ponder over and address these vexing challenges, including the implications for international law.<\/p>\n \n With a view to giving impetus to this crucial dialogue, I will also convene an\u00a0informal plenary meeting on 3 November<\/b>\u00a0featuring Member States and independent experts.<\/p>\n \n Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/p>\n \n Across the Sixth Committee\u2019s broad work programme \u2013 spanning\u00a0criminal accountability over crimes against humanity to measures to eliminate international terrorism \u2013 I implore Member States to uphold the values and principles of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Charter; and to ensure the full respect for international law at every step and throughout your deliberations.<\/p>\n \n The scourge of terrorism continues to spread across the world, and it must be countered \u2013 in all its forms and manifestations \u2013 domestically and through cross-border coordination.<\/p>\n \n I therefore urge the Committee to help to establish the conditions under which justice and respect for international obligations, arising from treaties and other sources of international law are maintained and honoured.<\/p>\n \n It behooves us to agree clear and practical rules.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/p>\n \n In each of my statements to the Main Committees, of which this is the sixth and final, I have raised the issue of programme planning. As you would recall, this year the Committee for Programme and Coordination was not able to agree on 10 programmes, which were subsequently referred to the Main Committees. I understand that this has been dealt with by the Committee already, and in fact, a letter from the chair has already been conveyed to the Chair of the Fifth Committee.<\/p>\n \n In this regard, the Sixth Committee\u2019s habit of seeking consensus-based solutions \u2013 even in difficult times \u2013 is admirable. I urge all delegations to engage in that spirit of consensus-building throughout the Session.<\/p>\n \n As an anchor of our multilateral system, consensus is especially important as it reflects the principle of sovereign equality of States wherein all perspectives \u2013 including the voices of the most the most vulnerable countries, and those in the most vulnerable situations \u2013 are heard and accommodated to the extent possible.<\/p>\n \n Your hard work and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice and peace will go a long way towards attaining\u00a0prosperity, progress, and sustainability<\/b>\u00a0for all.<\/p>\n \n I wish you a productive and successful session.<\/p>\n \n Thank you.<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Dennis Francis,\u00a0\u00a0 to the Sixth Committee (Legal) [As Delivered] \u00a0 13 October 2023 Your Excellency, Ambassador\u00a0Suriya Chindawongse, Permanent Representative of\u00a0Thailand, \u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_margin=\"-21px|||||\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_padding=\"7px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.21.2\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p> Remarks by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p> Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/p> at the Closing of the High-Level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote<\/span><\/b><\/p> the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons<\/span><\/b><\/p> Excellencies,<\/i><\/p> Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/i><\/p> I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all delegations for their active participation in this High-Level Meeting.<\/p> Today, we have heard a resounding call for nuclear disarmament, a moral imperative that\u00a0cannot<\/b>\u00a0be ignored.<\/p> We cannot let these horrendous weapons jeopardize life on our planet.<\/p> I earnestly urge delegations and state leaders to wield their authority and expansive influence to resoundingly amplify the message of nuclear risk.<\/p> Let us rally for decisive action in the pursuit of global peace and harmony.<\/p> Let us commit to supporting every effort to transform nuclear disarmament into a reality.<\/p> Together, we can secure a safer, more peaceful world for all, with all that this implies for global prosperity.<\/p> I thank you.<\/b><\/p> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-273074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nThe 2023 synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)\u00a0unequivocally\u00a0demonstrates that inconsiderate human activity has significantly over-heated the atmosphere, the oceans and the land.<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Global mean sea level increased to\u00a03.7\u00a0mm per year\u00a0between 2006 and 2018, compared to the much lower levels in the decades before.<\/h3>\n
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