Former Cameroonian Prime Minister Philemon Yang took on the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, issuing a call for global unity in the face of current challenges. Yang emphasized the importance of international cooperation to address urgent global issues such as climate change, poverty, and conflicts.
Yang, who served as Cameroon’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2019, stated that his year-long presidency would be guided by the principle of « unity in diversity. » He stressed the significance of peace and security, urging the Assembly to prioritize conflict resolution, particularly in Gaza, Haiti, Ukraine, and the Great Lakes region in Africa.
Outgoing President Dennis Francis reiterated the UN’s mandate to maintain international peace and security. He highlighted the scale of human suffering caused by conflicts and warned that millions are at risk of falling into poverty by 2030.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the past year as « tumultuous, » noting the persistence of many global challenges and the record-breaking heat. However, he expressed hope about what can be achieved through international collaboration.
Yang will preside over the next gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly, starting with the Summit of the Future on September 22 and 23. This summit aims to bolster multilateral action on global issues and reform global institutions established after World War II, including the UN itself.
The annual meeting of world leaders will follow from September 24 to 30, featuring public speeches at the assembly and numerous private meetings where much of the world’s business is often conducted.
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