21 September 2017 – In midst of recovery from two major earthquakes in the last two weeks, Luis Videgaray Caso, the Minster for Foreign Affairs of Mexico told world leaders today that his country takes comfort in the global solidarity shown during this tragic time.

This coming together evidenced by emergency assistance from countries both near and far, the Minister expressed his appreciation for the support in the aftermath of the disaster and added that being a member of the United Nations through such an ordeal, means “being among family.”

He said the degree of international unity being demonstrated in Mexico today is the sort of remedy other global challenges are lacking, and that the root of many world challenges stem from a mistrust in multilateralism.

“No country, as powerful as it may be, is capable of responding alone to the enormous challenges shared during our time,” he noted.

Turning to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Mr. Caso reaffirmed the power of solidarity, saying that for his nation, the agenda is a state commitment, and that UN Members States should collectively channel the Organization as a means of prioritizing human prosperity.

In his address, the Mexican leader also underscored the importance for protecting human rights, ensuring women and girls are not vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence, and combatting discrimination.

Underscoring the need to strengthen measures promoting inclusion, Mr. Caso reaffirmed his country’s openness to the world and expressed hope for cross-cultural bridges to neighbors near and far.

Acknowledging his country’s socio-political tension with the United States, Mr. Caso noted that Mexico is proud of being a member of North America and underscored support for fellow Mexicans “regardless of immigration status.”

“The Mexican Government has a moral and legal obligation to protect and support you,” he said, and celebrated the “dreamers” – undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children – who through this legislation were able to pursue education and hopes for a better life.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Caso recalled the tragic disasters that hit Mexico, adding: “My message to you today is that we Mexicans will overcome this catastrophe and our nation will emerge stronger.”

“The people and Government of Mexico stand.”

Full statement (in Spanish) available here

21 September 2017 – Effective international cooperation with the United Nations at its core is essential to address global challenges which have become even more complex and intertwined, the Prime Minister of Slovenia told world leaders today, urging unity among the international community.

Noting that the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change are the “true test,” Prime Minister Miro Cerar stressed that now is not the time to go back on commitments.

“We need to turn them into real progress that will benefit people around the globe,” he urged, addressing the general debate at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

Noting that partnership and collaboration among the entire global community is vital not only for achieving sustainable development, but also for addressing the challenges associated with the scale of migration and refugee flows seen around the world.

In his address, the Prime Minister also underscored the importance of respect for human rights, including rights of children and women, rule of law, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

He also noted the reform efforts initiated by Secretary-General António Guterres, and expressed his country’s support for the same.

The Prime Minister, further spoke of the need to combat terrorism in all its forms as well as violent extremism around the world, as well as advance the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda and urged for full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

In that context, the Prime Minister strongly condemned the violations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of numerous Security Council resolutions as well as its own international commitments.

“They pose a serious threat to peace and security in the region and wider,” he stressed.

Full statement available here

21 September 2017 – Nearly seven months after the United Nations issued an urgent call for action to counter the threat of famine in South Sudan, Somalia, north-east Nigeria and Yemen, global efforts have kept that crisis at bay but millions of people still suffer and many are dying at this very moment, Secretary-General António Guterres warned today.

“To keep famine at bay doesn’t mean to keep suffering at bay,” Mr. Guterres said at a high-level event on famine prevention and response, organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Bank.

“So, millions and millions of people suffer, millions and millions of people are not food secure, and we have people dying at this very moment,” he added.

The Secretary-General noted that since the call for action was issued in February, 60 per cent of the $4.9 billion required to cover urgent humanitarian operations has been received.

Humanitarian agencies and their partners are reaching close to 30 million people each month with life-saving food, livelihood support, health, water and sanitation and nutrition assistance, he added.

However, in each of the four countries, people’s needs have deepened since February.

In South Sudan, 6 million people are now severely food insecure – an increase of one million, and more than half of the population.

In Somalia, 3.1 million people are now unable to meet their daily food needs – an increase of 200,000 since the call to action.

In Yemen, the scene of the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world, a staggering 17 million people are now food insecure, 6.8 million of whom are one step away from famine.

And in north-eastern Nigeria, around 5.2 million people are severely food insecure and in need of emergency assistance. Of an estimated 450,000 children who will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year, one in five is likely to die without specialized treatment.

Unfortunately, despite the generosity of some donors, $1.8 billion is still urgently needed, and that figure is expected to increase by the end of the year, Mr. Guterres said.

Humanitarian aid is saving lives, but a long-term solution depends on ending and preventing conflict, a most important factor behind these crises, he added.

Also addressing the event was Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, who stated that global attention must remain fixed on the task of saving lives and investing together in the future as “the risk of famine has clearly not passed.”

21 September 2017 – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took the podium at the United Nations General Assembly today with condolences for those affected by recent successive natural disasters, including the earthquakes in Mexico and hurricanes in the Caribbean, saying his country is ready to a “lend a helping hand in whatever way it can.”

He spoke extensively on Canada’s indigenous people, of the injustices they face and the efforts being made to improve the relationship with First Nations, calling it “righting historical wrongs.” He noted how Canada is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a national level to improve their lives, saying that the Goals are “as meaningful in Canada as they are everywhere else in the world.”

Mr. Trudeau cited a few examples of the SDGs in action in indigenous communities, such as bringing safe and clean drinking water (SDG 6), working with them to help build and refurbish homes, making safe and sustainable places to live (SDG 11), and combatting gender-based violence and giving women and girls equal opportunities to succeed (SDG 5).

The Prime Minister noted that his country fully supports the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples “without qualification” and is working with Canada’s indigenous leaders to correct past injustices. “Indigenous Peoples will decide how they wish to represent and organize themselves,” he told the Assembly.

“We can’t build strong relationships if we refuse to have conversations. We can’t chart a more peaceful path if the starting point is suspicion and mistrust. And we can’t build a better world unless we work together, respect our differences, protect the vulnerable, and stand up for the things that matter most,” Mr. Trudeau concluded.

Full statement available here