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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly<\/b><\/p>\n
H.E. Dennis Francis<\/b><\/p>\n
at the Ministerial Meeting of the C-SET at COP28<\/b><\/p>\n
Dubai, UAE<\/b><\/p>\n
1 December 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am honoured, and at the same time humbled, to address this Ministerial Meeting of the Coalition on Sea-level rise and its Existential Threats.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Weeks ago \u2013 at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Cook Islands \u2013 I had the opportunity to speak with many of the leaders here today, as well as a range of other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In every conversation, I heard a variation of the same thing – sea-level rise is happening, it will continue to happen, and we need to be prepared, in every essence of the word.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
From evaluating infrastructure to social systems, from the preservation of cultural heritage to the protection of statehood, preparations must get underway.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a citizen of a small island state, I completely understand those concerns.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sea levels are the silent drumbeat of climate change \u2013 a relentless reminder that both our actions or lack thereof, echo across the oceans and reverberate against every shore.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This challenge is raising stark, sensitive questions around the future of statehood, territorial and maritime boundaries, and the forcible movement of persons in the impacted regions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The situation carries wide implications \u2013 beyond the crushing impacts on livelihoods and communities, spanning environmental, legal, political, technical, economic, cultural, and human rights dimensions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ever-increasing frequency and intensity of extreme sea-level events \u2013 such as coastal storm surge and flooding \u2013 are destroying cherished homes and uprooting generations of families.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This results in the loss of territory, to be certain, but also in the erosion of the rich cultural and unique historical heritage of entire generations, nations, and regions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
While domestic policies can support resilience, might provide some relief, long-term prospects depend critically on the global community\u2019s ability and willingness to prevent destructive climate scenarios.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As President of the General Assembly, I am determined to ensure that the issue of sea-level rise receives the utmost attention it deserves, and that small island developing states receive the full support of the international community to protect their homes, homelands, and heritage.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
My Presidency has focused firmly on the climate crisis \u2013 prioritising the plight of those most vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
That is why I held a High-Level Breakfast Summit during the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly\u2019s High-Level Week in September; it is why I hosted an Informal Plenary Meeting in the Assembly in October; and it is also why I attended the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
If we are to be successful in this campaign, we must maintain momentum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
We need urgent, collective action to meaningfully address the devastating and adverse impacts of sea-level rise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
We need to strengthen and expand partnerships. And we need to empower frontline communities at high risk to defensive and even preventive action.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mindful of the principle of cause and effect, we owe it, as if by debt, to all those affected to ensure predictability, sustainability, and security amid the climate crisis \u2013 and to advance a collective approach that prioritizes the foundational pledge to leave no one behind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The messages I carry with me here at COP28 are the same messages I will bring forward to the Fourth International Conference of Small Island Developing States, in May, in Antigua and Barbuda.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Let me close by congratulating the co-chairs (Germany and Tuvalu) for leading the C-SET and group of champion countries, for their engaged support.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I highly commend the efforts of the coalition of countries for addressing Sea-Level Rise and its Existential Threats \u2013 in supporting our common objective of building community resilience and protecting the heritage and culture of affected communities, and engagement with the relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am extremely hopeful that through our collective strategic endeavours this existential matter is increasingly considered at the highest levels of decision-making.<\/p>\n
No effort should be spared to safeguard and indeed to guarantee the inalienability of affected Member States\u2019 sovereignty and statehood.<\/p>\n
I look forward to engaging with you, here and again in New York at the General Assembly, on how together \u2013 we can chart a sustainable path forward in the interest of justice.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Remarks by the President of the General AssemblyH.E. Dennis Francisat the Ministerial Meeting of the C-SET at COP28Dubai, UAE1 December 2023\u00a0Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,\u00a0I am honoured, and at the same time […]<\/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-274512","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