PHILEMON YANG (Cameroon), President of the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly, said that the general debate remains one of the world’s most inclusive, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection and collective action.  “This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated,” he stressed, adding that, with just five years to go, less than 18 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been achieved.  Also, the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat — it is here, now, ravaging ecosystems and dismantling the livelihoods of entire communities, he said.  Turning to conflicts from the Middle East to Ukraine and from Haiti to South Sudan, leaving in their wake death, destruction and immense suffering, he called for an immediate ceasefire in all these conflict settings.

“For almost a year now, the people of Gaza and Israel have been caught in a spiralling cycle of conflict and retribution,” he underscored, also calling for an immediate ceasefire for the Hamas-Israel war, the unconditional release of all hostages and — on all parties — to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, and work towards a just and lasting solution grounded in the Charter of the United Nations, relevant resolutions and international law, ensuring dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.  “Indeed, only a two-State solution can end the cycle of violence and instability, ensuring peace, security and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis,” he emphasized.

Referring to the main purpose of the General Assembly which should be coming together for peace and the well-being of citizens, he urged not to divert essential resources into military stockpiles, fuelling an arms race never seen since the cold war era.  Nuclear weapons continue to be a threat to humanity and to our planet, he said, adding that a nuclear war must never be fought while conditions for the use or accidental explosion of these weapons must always be avoided.  “We call for urgent measures for the abolition of these tools of the annihilation of the human race and our environment,” he emphasized.  Urging to invest more in building trust and practising dialogue, he said that constant dialogue is a powerful weapon all Governments have in their hands, as trust and dialogue are integral parts of human dignity and a precondition for lasting peace and security.

Speaking about gender equality, he said that it remains a distant goal, as many women and girls around the world continue to be denied their basic rights, justice and opportunities.  “Globally, we witness a troubling regression in the protection of human rights and human dignity,” he stressed, adding that millions remain trapped in poverty, with their lives restricted by forces beyond their control.  Forced labour and modern slavery extending even to young boys and girls of school age are an insult to human dignity and must be combated in every society at all times, he emphasized.

“There is an urgent need to reform the international financial system, as too many countries remain burdened by crippling debt, forced to choose between servicing loans and improving the lives of their citizens,” he went on, adding that the digital divide continues to widen, cutting off entire populations from the tools needed to succeed in the twenty-first century.  “We are not mere spectators of these crises, nor are we powerless to act,” he emphasized, addressing the leaders the world’s nations who were present in the Hall.  “At our disposal is one of the most powerful tools for positive change:  international cooperation grounded in the undeniable truth that even the most powerful nations cannot solve these complex, borderless challenges alone,” he stressed, adding that this truth was reaffirmed at the Summit of the Future and the consensus adoption of the Pact for the Future, which charts a path forward, reinvigorating multilateral institutions with renewed energy, focus and clarity to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.  “Let us build on this momentum,” he called, underscoring that a better world begins with unlocking the potential of the peoples of the world.  Freedom and good governance ensure that no one — no individual, no community — is left behind, he said.  “In this endeavour, we must never overlook the challenges faced by the small island developing States, the landlocked developing States, the least developing countries and the small States,” he underscored, calling on the United Nations to do more than just express solidarity.  “Specific programmes responding to the unique situations in which these groups of States find themselves must be envisaged,” he said, pledging that this will be a priority for his presidency.

Noting that Africa is one of the priorities of the United Nations and that the African Union’s Agenda 2063 presents a bold and transformative vision for the continent, which has the youngest population in the world, he spotlighted that, by 2063, one in four people will be African.  “In fact, to truly unlock Africa’s vast potential, we must actively cultivate global partnerships that align with the continent’s aspirations and drive its success,” he said, looking forward to working with Member States of the United Nations on keeping Africa at the heart of the agenda. “In this seventy-ninth session, I also want to prioritize multilingualism as a recognition of our world’s cultural and linguistic richness,” he announced, adding that the multitude of languages, cultures and perspectives should not be viewed as a source of division, but as a wellspring of strength.

Anticipating a very successful high-level week in addition to the recently concluded Summit of the Future, he announced three upcoming critical high-level events:  on antimicrobial resistance; on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise; and on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. “While we may not agree on every issue, we all share the same fundamental goal:  to build a better world, for everyone, everywhere,” he said. That path ahead, he continued, is difficult, and fraught with obstacles that may at times seem insurmountable but are not impassable.  “We have the tools, the knowledge and the collective will to overcome these challenges if we act together, with courage and conviction,” he concluded.