Delivered by: Ms. Shamma Al Awadhi
Madam President,
At the outset, the UAE would like to align itself with the statement of the Non-Aligned Movement.
We also extend our congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Cornel Feruta, Permanent Representative of Romania, on his re-election, and for the appointment of Her Excellency Ms. Mato Gwini, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa, as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the 79th Session of the General Assembly. We look forward to working with the Co-Chairs and to having fruitful discussions and continuing the progress we have achieved to enhance the effectiveness of the General Assembly and its main Committees.
We would also like to thank the outgoing Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group, Her Excellency Minissa Rampalli, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, and His Excellency Mr. Cornel Feruta, Permanent Representative of Romania, for their valuable efforts in bringing the delegations’ views and perspectives closer together.
Madam President,
My country reiterates its commitment to revitalize the work of the General Assembly, which we consider necessary to strengthen its role in addressing the growing global challenges.
Having closely followed the constructive efforts and discussions of the Working Group over the past sessions, we call for building further on these efforts, particularly on initiatives aimed at integrating modern technology and streamlined practices to foster efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness. In this context, we welcome the limited launch of the I-Gove portal and call for an accelerated expansion of its content and services.
We further commend the consultations conducted to standardize documents and reports dealing with interrelated subjects, while also calling for the promotion of multilingualism in the work of the General Assembly and addressing the frequent delay in issuing some of the documents in Arabic beyond the due date.
Madam President,
We call for making further efforts to enhance coordination and integration between the agendas of the General Assembly and its main Committees, taking into consideration the need to limit the procedural repetition of items, as well as highlighting items of utmost importance.
In this regard, we can only commend the decision to refer the revitalization item to all main Committees of the General Assembly to discuss the modalities and programs of action, and to take appropriate measures, including rationalizing and improving their future work programs.
In this context, I would like to address the following three main points:
First, the UAE calls for strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly, particularly in the area of the Office’s institutional memory, and in enhancing the regular channels of communication and coordination between the President and other principal bodies of the United Nations, to ensure that all initiatives and decisions of the General Assembly are closely aligned with the broader objectives of the United Nations.
Second, we emphasize the need to continue the consultative process conducted on the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and Executive Chairs, notably as we approach this process again in 2025 and 2026.
In this respect, we look forward to the appointment of a woman as Secretary-General, and increasing the overall representation of women in high-level UN positions, including the presidency of the General Assembly. In addition, we must consolidate the gains made in the pivotal 2015-2016 Secretary-General selection process and implement lessons learned.
Third, it is important to strengthen the role of the General Assembly in addressing pressing global challenges, especially as we are going through difficult times, during which the Security Council has not always been able to fulfill its primary responsibilities in the maintenance of international peace and security.
The General Assembly is the only body of the United Nations that enjoys the representation of all Member States, with all Member States have an equal role and voice. We believe that its resolutions reflect the collective will of states, which gives it an important role to play in defining the rules and standards to be followed to address the pressing regional and global challenges. The turbulent events in the Middle East emphasize the pivotal and necessary role of the General Assembly.
Within this framework, my country supports the special emergency meetings of the General Assembly, convened by the Presidents of the General Assembly in response to calls made by some delegations to consider regrettable developments on several issues that affect regional and international peace and security. This came at a time when the Security Council proved unable to take action on those same issues because of the division and wide differences between its members, and the misuse of the veto power by some others. We would like to welcome the digital handbook on the role of the General Assembly in matters related to international peace and security.
In conclusion, Madam President.
We consider the process of revitalizing the work of the General Assembly and enhancing the efficiency of its working methods as a key part of the comprehensive reform process of the United Nations, and we affirm our commitment to constructively participate in this process.
Thank you, Madam President