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China supports the important role of the United Nations in the global fight against COVID-19 and stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with the UN system, an official said.
The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remark on Monday in a phone conversation with Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
He congratulated Bozkir on assuming presidency of the 75th session of the UNGA, saying that as the year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the UN’s founding, this year’s UNGA session carries special significance.
“Chinese President Xi Jinping attended high-level meetings of the UN via videoconference earlier and delivered important speeches,’’ Wang said.
He noted that the Chinese president advocated multilateralism, safeguarded the UN’s core position.
He also called for strengthening and improving global governance to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and offered China’s solutions to various traditional and nontraditional challenges.
“Facing the new impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries should stand in greater solidarity to form a global anti-epidemic force.
“China supports the UN in playing an important role to achieve this goal
“It is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the UN system, jointly oppose any actions that politicise the pandemic and label the virus and stick to the right direction of international anti-COVID-19 cooperation.
“China appreciates the fact that Bozkir prioritises the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as this meets the common desire of the vast majority of countries, in particular the developing countries,’’ Wang said.
According to him, poverty reduction and alleviation are the most important goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Wang hoped that sustainable development would be given a bigger priority on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the UN’s founding.
“Now the world has entered the era of connectivity, Wang said, unilateralism, protectionism and isolationism have no way out in the global village and cannot last either.
“A big country does not mean more power, but more responsibility,’’ he said.
The Chinese foreign minister noted that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will firmly support the international system with the UN at its core and firmly hold the international order based on international law.
Bozkir said that as the current chair of the UNGA, he will focus on pushing forward the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development towards its goals.
He promised to be dedicated to eliminating poverty and helping countries in need, especially small and medium-sized countries.
“Strengthening and safeguarding multilateralism is a priority of the UNGA, and China is an advocate and important cooperation partner of multilateralism,’’ Bozkir said.
According to him, he is expecting to strengthen coordination with China in this regard.
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Edited By: Abiodun Oluleye/Emmanuel Yashim)
Source: NAN
United States President Donald Trump has abandoned his plans to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in person, the White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, said.
Meadows added that Trump would address participants of the 75th Session of the UNGA in a televised format.
The current session of the UNGA started on Tuesday and will last until Sept. 30.
The week of the high-level General Debate will be held from Sept. 22 to Sept. 29.
As many as 119 heads of state and 54 heads of government will address the session.
In mid-August, Trump told reporters that he was thinking “about going directly to the UN to do the speech.”
The UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the UN, serving as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN.
Edited By: Fatima Sule/Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
The President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has challenged Nigeria to continue to ensure that it asserts itself as a leader both at the regional level and the global stage.
Muhammad-Bande who is from Nigeria, gave the charge during a virtual interaction with Nigerian journalists.
He noted that Nigeria had been providing leadership in Africa, but urged the country to ensure that it continues to play positive roles.
“Nigeria has been a very important member of the global community.
“It has provided leadership and it should continue to improve its own processes and continue to give leadership to Africa and also continue to play very positive roles in the global body.
“We have the technical and other resources to play increasingly important roles, and we are being looked up to by many, and I think we should continue to play our roles as leaders in the region and sub region.
“Nigeria has a lot of things that people look up to it for, and we pray that we do the hard work required to continue to be leaders in the world community.’’
On efforts to defeat insurgency, the UNGA president charged the nation not to relent, noting that Boko Haram had greatly affected Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
He however noted that the situation had improved, adding that the UN will not relent in supporting nations to ensure that terrorism is rooted out.
“It is clear, Boko Haram has done a lot of damage to Nigeria, Cameron, Niger Republic and Chad.
“The situation has improved, the UN has been very supportive of the efforts to deal with terrorism around the World, including in parts of West and Central Africa.
Edited By: Obike Ukoh
Source: NAN
The President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Tijjanu Muhammad-Bande says reforming the UN Security Council to give powers to others is not going to be an easy tasks.
He disclosed this on Monday when he held a virtual interactive session with Nigerian-based foreign and diplomatic correspondents.
He said that although all organs of the UN were undergoing reforms, that of Security Council was particularly not going to be easy.
“All organs of the United Nations are undergoing reforms including the secretariat in terms of how it serves countries around the world, in terms of representation.
“There has been ad hoc discussion on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, we have been able to align processes around the work of the UN, there is a lot of effort at reforms.
“Security Council reform is also ongoing at an inter-governmental negotiation framework
“In the next few weeks and few months impactful meetings can happen and we expect more progress to be made to reform the Security Council.
“But make no mistake about it, it is not going to be an easy ride for anyone, it is a very complex issue trying to get power to others from those who currently hold it,” he said.
The UNGA President however noted that most of the reform process have been slow due to difficulty to hold impactful meetings involving all countries at the same time.
He disclosed that some progress has been made in terms of the common African position.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the current negotiation process for reforms is based on ”Decision 62/557” which was adopted in 2008.
It defines five key issues for reform: categories of membership, the question of the veto, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Security Council and its working
NAN reports that ”decision 62/557” also stipulates that any solution must garner “the widest possible political acceptance”, although in 1998 the UN General Assembly already agreed that the support of two-thirds of UN member states is sufficient.
Any reform of the Security Council would require the agreement of at least two-thirds of UN member states in a vote in the General Assembly and must be ratified by two-thirds of Member States.
All of the permanent members of the UNSC (which have veto rights) must also agree.
The permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the UK and the United States
Edited By: Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
Resolutions
United Nations, Sept. 1, 2020 The United Nations General Assembly has passed no fewer than 70 decisions and resolutions since it went virtual in March over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th session of the Assembly and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stated this on Monday.
Muhammad-Bande spoke at an informal consultative meeting on modalities for a forthcoming special session of the Assembly on the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the decisions were delivered through the “silence procedure” authorised by the General Assembly in Resolution 74/544 on March 27.
“Through these initiatives, we have been able to cover a lot of grounds amidst all the uncertainties.
“I believe that with more focus and commitment at the highest levels of governance, we would make significant progress in the race to defeat the pandemic,” he said.
Silence procedure is an online decision-making method adopted by member states following the suspension of in-personal plenary meetings at the UN headquarters to avoid the spread of the disease.
Normally, the 193-member Assembly adopts resolutions by majority votes or by consensus at its plenary, but under the silence procedure, draft resolutions are circulated to member states online.
Ambassadors are then given a 72-hour deadline to consider the proposals and communicate their decisions back to the PGA’s office.
If a country objects before the deadline, the resolution is defeated, but in the absence of objections, the UNGA President then circulates a letter confirming adoption.
“You recall that before the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, we at the General Assembly had already started consultations on how to respond to the evolving situation in a sustainable manner.
“We recognised very early that the dire nature of the pandemic demanded the prompt reaction of the General Assembly,” Muhammad-Bande said.
Turning to the special COVID-19 session, whose date has not been determined, he said it would serve as a veritable platform to mobilise global commitment against the pandemic.
He thanked Azerbaijan for proposing the session and the General Assembly for accepting to hold it.
“The co-facilitators, with your cooperation and support, have produced a solid draft as a good basis for negotiation.
“And I trust that the special session will ensure greater involvement of world leaders toward a result-oriented response to the pandemic.
“This will further strengthen the General Assembly as a critical global partner in the fight against the pandemic and its impact on lives and livelihood,” he said.
At Monday’s meeting, Canada and Azerbaijan were nominated to work out the modalities for the special session, according to Amb. Samson Itegboje, its Interim President.
Itegboje, who is Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the date for the session would be determined and announced soon.
A special session of the Assembly is a mini-UNGA called to deal with special matters and in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Edited By: Tayo Ikujuni/Mufutau Ojo) (NAN)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, have called on leaders to recommit to youth empowerment for a better future.
The top UN officials made the call in separate messages on the occasion of the International Youth Day 2020 with the theme, “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.
In his message, Guterres said the theme underscored the contributions of young people towards realisation of the “values and vision of the United Nations Charter”.
He praised the resilience, resourcefulness and engagement of the youth in spite of the adverse effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on their lives and aspirations.
“Some have lost their lives, and many have seen family members and other loved ones perish.
“A generation’s very formation has been jeopardized, their steps towards adulthood, identity and self-sufficiency thrown off course.
“But this generation is also resilient, resourceful and engaged. They are the young people who have risen up to demand climate action.
“They are mobilising for racial justice and gender equality and are the champions of a more sustainable world.
“They are peace builders promoting social cohesion at a time of social distancing, advancing an end to violence globally and advocating harmony at a time of rising hatred.
“Realising the promise of this generation means investing far more in young people’s inclusion, participation, organisations and initiatives,” he said.
The UN Chief called on leaders around the world “to do everything possible” to enable young people to realise their potential.
For his part, the UNGA president described them as the “trail-blazers of progress”, inspiring and creating change as entrepreneurs, activists and community leaders.
Muhammad-Bande, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, noted that the vision and commitment of young people were critical to the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive world.
“The 1.2 billion young people living worldwide are both rights bearers and active agents in the realization of our universal human rights.
“It is your right, and our global responsibility, to ensure that people everywhere have access to just and equitable opportunities to fulfill their rights and aspirations.
“The potential for humanity to create a peaceful, prosperous future will not be reached as long as inequities and discrimination against youth remain commonplace, and young people lack opportunities to have their voices heard.
“As we celebrate International Youth Day, let us acknowledge the amazing contribution young people are making to the improvement of our world.
“We should commit to empowering our young citizens to create change at the local, national and global levels,” he said.
Edited By: Abiemwense Moru/Sadiya Hamza (NAN)
President of the UN General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, has urged the international community to stand by the people of Lebanon following the Aug. 4 deadly explosions in Beirut.
Muhammad-Bande made the call during a virtual briefing by high-level UN officials on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, on Monday.
According to the World Health Organisation, no fewer than 150 people have died following the massive explosions, which resulted from ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the city’s port.
The organisation said no fewer than 6,000 others were injured and over 300,000 people rendered homeless by the incident.
“The images streaming in from Beirut shook our hearts.
“The devastating impact of last week’s tragedy makes it imperative for the international community to stand beside the people of Lebanon who have generously hosted thousands of refugees for years.
“We must respond by providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to alleviate the immediate suffering and to support the Lebanese people as they embark on the road to recovery.
“The needs are enormous and great,’’ said the UNGA president, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
He noted that the tragedy had worsened the suffering of the Lebanese people already facing “multiple challenges in recent times, including economic hardship and the COVID-19 pandemic’’.
“We must mobilise all assistance we can to enable the country to wade through these difficult times and come out of the current crisis much stronger,’’ he added.
The Nigerian envoy expressed appreciation to the French government for hosting a virtual summit on Sunday to raise funds in support of the Lebanese people.
International donors pledged 297 million dollars (N112.8 billion) at the event, according to the BBC.
Muhammad-Bande also thanked other countries that have already responded with financial and medical assistance to Lebanon, urging others to “follow suit by funding the ongoing humanitarian response’’.
“I welcome the efforts by the World Bank, which in its recent announcement, promised to reprogram existing resources and explore additional financing to support rebuilding lives and livelihoods of people impacted by the crisis.
“This, indeed, is crucial to facilitating recovery efforts, as well as to strengthening the resilience of the people and the country of Lebanon in general,’’ he said.
In his remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the incident was an “additional test’’ of the “legendary strength of the Lebanese people’’.
Guterres also called for “robust international support for all people in need in Lebanon, especially women and girls who are most vulnerable in times of crisis’’.
While also thanking countries that are already providing “tangible financial, material and specialised assistance”, he urged donors to give “speedily and generously”.
Commenting on the massive protests that greeted the tragedy in Lebanon, the UN Chief maintained that “the anger of the Lebanese people is palpable, and their voices must be heard”.
He called for credible investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and bring about the accountability “demanded by the Lebanese people”.
Edited By: Ismail Abdulaziz (NAN)
President of the United Nations General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, on Thursday highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic was strengthening friendships.
Muhammad-Bande, who is the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, spoke at a virtual event to mark this year’s International Day of Friendship.
“Friendships have been forged or deepened, as a result of the pandemic.
“People who now work from home have become friends with neighbours with whom they had previously only shared a wave.
“Intergenerational friendships have blossomed as younger neighbours run errands such as grocery shopping for those in need,” he said.
The UNGA president said the world had also witnessed the “power of friendship” among member states in response to the pandemic.
According to him, the UN is united in its efforts to protect the people it serves from the virus, and to support those hit by its negative socio-economic effects.
“It is fitting that the General Assembly observes the International Day of Friendship as both friendship and multilateralism are based upon respect and dialogue.
“Aligned with the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, friendship aspires to prevent conflict, promote peace and uphold the inherent dignity of every person.
“Friendships founded upon intercultural and interfaith dialogue in particular transcend boundaries, religion and cultural divides to seed harmony between and among communities.
“These connections have the capacity to advance inclusion, tolerance and understanding and lay the foundation of peace,” he said.
However, Muhammad-Bande reminded member states of their pledge to leave no one behind in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“In order to limit in-person interactions, we have sought out innovative methods to express our friendship.
“Many have leveraged technology such as this platform we are using here today, while sadly others are still unable to do so due to certain realities.
“Some have adopted more traditional methods of socially distanced communication highlighting the burgeoning digital divide, which requires urgent attention if we are to leave no one behind.
“In order to achieve our Goals by 2030, we will need to partner with all stakeholders and to promote cooperation and friendship throughout all of our work,” he said.
Edited By: Chidinma Agu/Wale Ojetimi (NAN)
The United Nations on Friday announced winners of its Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize for 2020.
They are Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis, a philanthropist and human rights defender from Greece, and Dr Morissanda Kouyaté, a leading gender advocate from Guinea.
President of the UN General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, announced the laureates in a statement by his spokesperson, Ms Reem Abaza.
Established by the General Assembly in June, 2014, the award recognised individuals dedicated to serving humanity by promoting the objectives and principles of the UN.
It also “honours and pays homage to Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation”.
Vardinoyannis and Kouyaté are the second set of laureates after Dr Helen Ndume of Namibia and Jorge Sampaio of Portugal emerged the first two winners in 2015.
The statement said Vardinoyannis was also committed to the protection of children’s health and welfare.
“She is a Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO since 1999, founder and president of “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation” and of “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with cancer.
“For more than 30 years, she has been fighting against childhood cancer and for a world without borders in health, helping thousands of children to be cured,” it said.
For his part, Kouyaté was picked by the selection committed headed by the UNGA president for his strident campaign against violence targeting women and girls in Africa.
He used his position as Executive Director, Inter-African Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices (IAC), to fight against harmful traditional practices, particularly female genital mutilation, the statement added.
According to the PGA, the winners emerged from nominations from a wide range of sources, including member and observer states of the UN, higher institutions, research bodies and nongovernmental organisations.
“The laureates will be recognised at the annual commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International Day by the General Assembly on July 20.
“The in-person award ceremony will take place at a later date at the United Nations Headquarters in New York,” the statement said.
Edited By: Josephine Obute/Wale Ojetimi (NAN)
President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande has blamed the global rise in hunger on “deep structural flaws” in food systems.
Muhammad-Bande spoke at the launch of the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 on Monday.
The UNGA president, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, described the situation as “a scourge unbefitting of our era’’.
“Malnutrition continues to surge at alarming rates with obesity, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency affecting communities, and in particular, low-income groups around the world.
“Women and children are disproportionately affected.
“One in three women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia as a result of malnutrition.
“Moreover, more than one in five children under the age of five is stunted.
“This is a scourge unbefitting of our era and demonstrates the deep structural flaws in our food systems in a world where about one-third of all food produced is wasted or lost,’’ PGA said.
According to the report, no fewer than 687.8 million people suffered hunger in 2019, up by 10 million from 2018, and by nearly 60 million in five years.
It warns that the COVID-19 pandemic could push 130 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020.
Muhammad-Bande highlighted measures countries should take to address the situation, including strengthening of food supply chains.
“Indeed, it is critical to focus attention where the risk is greatest.
“We must preserve critical humanitarian food supplies, expand social protection measures and prioritise nutrition assistance programmes for the most vulnerable.
“We must proceed in a sustainable manner, ensuring a pathway toward efficient land use, biodiversity and climate change mitigation.’’
The Nigerian envoy also underscored the need for transformation of food systems “into equitable, efficient, resilient and sustainable systems which are fit for purpose’’.
“As a result of rapid urbanisation, multinational corporations, traders and retailers have gained a crucial role in food supply chains.
“I trust that governments will forge new partnerships and deepen existing connections with the private sector and other stakeholders to develop synergies and enhance the outreach and health impact of our food systems,’’ Muhammad-Bande said.
Edited By: Emmanuel Okara/Abdulfatah Babatunde (NAN)
