LEJEUNE MBELLA MBELLA, Minister for External Relations of Cameroon, delivering a statement on behalf of President Paul Biya, said that at this critical time a strong appeal should be launched for renewed human solidarity.  To secure the future the world wants, nations must meet multiple commitments made at recent environment conferences.  In that regard, the pandemic offered an opportunity to provide concerted, lasting solutions to multiple threats and complex global challenges.  Underlining the importance of catching up on implementing the 2030 Agenda, he said the political will to do so must remain steadfast by strengthening multilateralism and providing the United Nations with the required resources to manage “our common home”.  Security Council reform must continue, aligned with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration to assign two permanent seats to African States.

Moving from promises to firm commitments was essential in other areas as well, he continued.  Those included equal COVID-19 vaccine access, supporting low-income countries on the path of science and technology and reforming the global economic system to ensure fairer trade.  In this vein, he voiced strong support for a global minimum tax rate on multinational companies.  Citing other pressing global issues, he said action was needed to address conflict, piracy, migration and climate change.  For its part, Cameroon contributes to peace and security by supporting peacekeeping operations and focusing on ending socio-political tensions in its north-west and south-west regions.  In addition, his Government has launched a national dialogue, which is already yielding tangible results with a gradual return to peace.  During a period of marked challenges, Cameroon has also embarked on an extensive reform programme aimed at achieving goals set out in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.