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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/p>\n
Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/p>\n
At the Informal Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on Existential Threats of Sea-level Rise Amidst the Climate Crisis<\/p>\n
3 November 2023<\/p>\n
[As Delivered]<\/p>\n
Honorable Ministers,<\/i><\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>\n
Distinguished Delegates, and Guests,<\/i><\/p>\n
Good morning and thank you for making the time to participate in this Informal Plenary on Addressing the Existential Threats of Sea-Level Rise Amidst the Climate Crisis.<\/p>\n
Many of you would have participated in the Breakfast Summit that I co-hosted on this matter in September, on the side-lines of High-Level Week.<\/p>\n
The resounding takeaway that day was: a plea for clear and decisive action to address the\u00a0irreversible impacts\u00a0<\/i>of sea-level rise.<\/p>\n
Because, while the world races towards the goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees \u2013 we know that even if we are successful in achieving a 1.5 degree world, we will nonetheless have to face the consequences of an effectively warmer climate; consequences already set in motion with probable, unalterable results, due to what can only be regarded as feeble action on climate change.<\/p>\n
Sea-level rise is unarguably foremost among these impacts, and for low-lying and Small Island Developing States, no issue is more pressing; none more consequential.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>\n
You may well ask, why do we need this discussion now \u2013 and why here, in the General Assembly?<\/p>\n
First, we need this important discission now because the stark realities of sea-level rise are becoming increasingly more prevalent, and indeed more pronounced, literally by the day.<\/p>\n
Those living on the frontlines of climate change and sea-level rise \u2013 those who did so little to cause any damage \u2013 must now nonetheless confront the reality that their cherished homelands are literally washing away; that entire generations of families are being uprooted and dislocated; and that the rich cultural and historical heritage they built and nurtured for generations are, in consequence, at increased risk of loss or dilution.<\/p>\n
It is our collective responsibility to stand with and for our fellow global citizens confronting this existential challenge.<\/p>\n
Second, these alarming developments have resulted in speculation over profound and sensitive questions \u2013 including around the continuity of statehood; around territorial and maritime zones; around the dignity of nations; and, by extension, around the status of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ membership of potentially inundated States.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>\n
These questions and indeed the answers belong here in this Assembly.<\/p>\n
The General Assembly is the only universal, unequivocally equal space within the ranks of the principal organs of the United Nations. It is built on the tenets of equity and equality. One country, one seat, one vote.<\/p>\n
But what happens when perceptions begin to shift and waver? What happens when academics and scholarly articles; insurance providers and large corporations alike, begin to shift that narrative for us?<\/p>\n
Do affected Member States become \u2013 quote \u2013 \u201calmost states\u201d or \u201cnot quite full states\u201d? \u2013 unquote.<\/p>\n
We have two choices. We can wait and ask the questions after the fact, or we can act prudently and become the authors of the policy today.<\/p>\n
There can be no mistake that these are real questions that are being raised. Notably, the Legal and Political treatment of small island states and countries with low-lying areas is directly tied to these perceptions.<\/p>\n
It stands to reason, therefore, that we must not tiptoe around these issues.<\/p>\n
We must definitively put to rest any misunderstanding, any anxiety, any lingering doubt about the full future statehood and sovereignty of these Member States.<\/p>\n
Let us be loud and clear now. Action cannot wait.<\/p>\n
Membership of the United Nations is not a matter of subjective debate. Nor can it be.<\/p>\n
As I have said before: Once established, it is constant; a truism that exists in perpetuity.<\/p>\n
As President of the General Assembly, I regard it as my responsibility, indeed my duty, to highlight this matter.<\/p>\n
We owe it to our citizens, our histories and heritage, as well as to our forebearers and our futures, to make this matter a priority.<\/p>\n
Together, we must ensure predictability, sustainability, and security in the midst of the climate crisis.<\/p>\n
We must advance a collective approach that gives prominence to the foundational pledge to\u00a0leave no one behind<\/i>.<\/p>\n
And we must forge strong partnerships, such as the Coalition for Addressing Sea-Level Rise and its existential threat, to ensure concrete actions and solutions by pooling resources, knowledge, and technology.<\/p>\n
No effort should be spared to safeguard and defend the inalienability of affected Member States\u2019 sovereignty and statehood.<\/p>\n
Colleagues, I very much look forward to our discussion today and I welcome your active engagement and support on this critically important matter that confronts a substantial portion of our membership.<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, At the Informal Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on Existential Threats of Sea-level Rise Amidst the Climate Crisis […]<\/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":"
Remarks of the President of the General Assembly<\/p>
H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>
GA plenary meeting on the
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>
Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>
As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i><\/p>
Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>
Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/p>
\u00a0<\/i><\/p>
Today we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
It serves as an emphatic reminder that\u00a0no one \u2013 I repeat, no one \u2013 should be exempt from accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,\u00a0and that regardless of their status, position or location, perpetrators of such crimes will invariably face the weight of justice.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Indeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
In those grave and heinous cases \u2013 when national legal systems prove unable or unwilling to bring perpetrators to justice \u2013 the ICC must step in.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Accordingly, the ICC stands as a testament to our unshakeable resolve to end impunity, and moreover, to deter others from the commission of such crimes in the future.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
I express my\u00a0 fulsome appreciation to the Court for its diligent efforts,\u00a0 as indeed to its judges and its prosecutor, as well as to the dedicated staff who have laudibly committed themselves to the pursuit of justice \u2013 and indeed, to what is\u00a0right<\/i>.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The report highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by the ICC this year, specifically as regards the prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
These principles are fundamental to our global vision of peace and are integral to our mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights, and delivering justice to those who have suffered the gravest injustices.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/i><\/p>
We must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Its jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
While it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Despite these challenges, the hope for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, and the Kampala amendments, serve as a profound affirmation of the ICC's enduring commitment to justice.<\/p>
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As more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
As we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
I underscore the\u00a0need for universal cooperation with the court among Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Member States in our common pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
I call upon States to support the ICC where it faces constraints in its pursuit of justice, including predictable funding to effectively undertake its investigations and prosecutions.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
In line with the fundamental principle of complementarity, States should cooperate\u00a0with the ICC and with each other in investigations and prosecutions, including by sharing information and evidence to uphold the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
Let us remain committed to strengthening the international legal framework and ensuring that the ICC continues to fulfill its essential role in our global efforts to prevent impunity and injustice and to promote lasting peace.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
I thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-273420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n