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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly<\/b><\/p>\n
H.E. Dennis Francis<\/b><\/p>\n
At the high-level event, \u2018Rising Ocean\u2019, at COP28<\/b><\/p>\n
Dubai, UAE<\/b><\/p>\n
2 December 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Honourable Ministers,<\/p>\n
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the outset, let me thank the Governments of France and Costa Rica, co-hosts of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Ocean Conference 2025, along with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System and other partners, for organising this event.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The growing recognition of the ocean as a source of solutions \u2013 spanning all our environmental endeavours \u2013 is a welcome development.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
COP28 is yet another critical steppingstone to build upon this momentum and to deliver on the various aspects of the ocean \u2013 from addressing the impacts of sea-level rise, to realizing the potential of the sustainable ocean economy, and the relevance of investing in ocean science.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, I have been clear in prioritizing the challenges of the climate crisis, with particular emphasis on the existential threats of sea-level rise. Here, at COP28, I am affirming the same message.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The reason for this is clear: even if we are successful at limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, the impacts on small island developing states and low-lying coastal states are, in many instances, irreversible.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2023 synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change only reaffirms that, indeed, global mean sea level increased to 3.7 mm per year between 2006 and 2018.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The safety and survival of small island states and vulnerable coastal communities therefore hinge upon our ability to decisively tackle the threats of climate change and sea level rise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
We need to embrace adaptation and resilience \u2013 while recognizing that uncomfortable conversations around sovereignty, displacement, and climate mobility, are becoming the new \u2018elephant in the room\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
These are discussions that we simply can no longer avoid.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
We owe it to all affected communities to ensure predictability, sustainability, and security amidst the climate crisis.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I am committed to working with all Member States to do something impactful about it \u2013 to move the discussion beyond the prevailing uncertainty towards transformative solutions that can save lives.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies, Honourable Ministers,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ocean is a source of livelihood for billions of people, and the economic heart of small island states.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Home to immense biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, it serves as the world\u2019s single largest carbon sink.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is imperative therefore that we prioritize ocean health \u2013 and back up our commitment with effective science and urgent implementation.<\/p>\n
This means addressing marine pollution and adopting a comprehensive and international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
It means employing an integrated approach \u2013 anchored in science and the engagement of all stakeholders across all sectors.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
And it means addressing the finance and resource constraints holding back ocean protection and conservation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies, Honourable Ministers,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
We have a year and a half until the Third Ocean Conference.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Let us use this time \u2013 and discussions such as these \u2013 to address the concerns and elevate the political will to implement the needed solutions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those communities on the frontlines of climate change are looking to us to find just and equitable solutions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I look forward to hearing your ideas.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Remarks by the President of the General AssemblyH.E. Dennis FrancisAt the high-level event, \u2018Rising Ocean\u2019, at COP28Dubai, UAE2 December 2023\u00a0\u00a0Excellencies,Honourable Ministers,Ladies and Gentlemen,\u00a0At the outset, let me thank the Governments […]<\/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>\r\n
H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>\r\n
GA plenary meeting on the
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>\r\n
Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>\r\n
As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\nPresident of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i>\r\n\r\nExcellencies,<\/i>\r\n\r\nDistinguished Delegates,<\/i>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/i>\r\n\r\nToday we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.\r\n\r\nThe ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.\r\n\r\nIt 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.\r\n\r\nIndeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, 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.\r\n\r\nThe Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.\r\n\r\nI 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>.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nThese 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.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen,<\/i>\r\n\r\nWe must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.\r\n\r\nIts jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.\r\n\r\nWhile it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.\r\n\r\nDespite 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.\r\n\r\nAs more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.\r\n\r\nAs we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.\r\n\r\nI 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.\r\n\r\nI 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.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nLet 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.\r\n\r\nI thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274507","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