By Caribbean News Global contributor
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is expected to make his inaugural national address to the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, out of 119 heads of State and 54 heads of government scheduled to speak. President Ali has praised the UN for its commitment to ensuring democracy prevails in Guyana.
Guyana is listed as the second nation to make its presentation during the 75 UNGA and will be doing so on behalf of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China.
Guyana was admitted to membership in the United Nations by resolution on September 20, 1966, during the 21 regular session of the General Assembly. Since then the country has maintained an active presence and visible profile in the organisation.
Minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Todd had delivered the keynote address at the 49 meeting of the chairpersons of the G-77 Chapters on September 15. Minister Todd stated that Guyana was proud for the second time, to be leading the Group in its efforts to advance the cause of sustainable development, by shaping international cooperation and defining critical aspects of multilateral normative and legal frameworks.
A high-level meeting to commemorate the 75 anniversary of the UN will be held on Monday where there is expected to be a declaration. On Wednesday, there will be a biodiversity summit, the first of its kind for the UN. The high-level meeting on the 25 anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women will be held be on October 1.
On October 2, a high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the total elimination of Nuclear Weapons will be held.
The UNGA will be meeting in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. During an interview, president-elect of the 75 session, Volkan Bozkir, a Turkish Diplomat, noted that COVID-19 has become an overwhelming priority and focus right now. He explained this was the reason the 75th session’s theme was adopted: “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism.”
“COVID-19 is a global crisis the world hasn’t known since the UN was created out of the ashes of World War II. It is not only a health crisis but a social and economic crisis, which has exacerbated existing challenges the UN is seeking to overcome through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Bozkir said. He added that this is a time for unity as the whole of humanity is in this fight. “Member States have never had a more compelling reason to work closely together for the common good. And I am certain that, together, we will come out of it stronger.”
