SUMMARY OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
As the 77th UN general assembly ends today, let's take a look at some of the Activities , we will be paying critical attention to the reaction of Some African leaders as they raise Global South's issues,and called for reforms: The UN's General Assembly was convening Wednesday (September 21), under the theme "A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges". African leaders addressed different issues.
Kenya's president, William Samoei Ruto and Nigeria's Buhari were concerned with the climate crisis.
When Buhari highlighted the fact that largest polluters suffer the least of climate change, Ruto presented the situation his country is faced with.
"The northern arid and semi-arid rangelands of our country have been gravely impacted by drought, whose severity has not been seen or experienced in 40 years, he said.
"Three point one million residents of these ASALS (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) are now severely food insecure on account of scarce rainfall over three consecutive seasons, leading to poor crop and pasture."
It was the first time that Ruto also explored solutions to financially support nations faced with a conjunction of crises: "I join other leaders in calling upon the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral lenders to extend pandemic related debt relief to the worst hit countries", he said.
Mentionning particularly countries "affected by the devastating combination of conflict, climate change and COVID-19."
On the second day of the General Debate in New York, President Hichilema focused on those bearing the brunt of the impact of the war in Ukraine.
"Zambia joins other governments in expressing particular concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine", the 60-year-old insisted.
"As we stand with all those affected, both inside Ukraine and in the neighboring countries, we also take this opportunity to stress the far-reaching negative consequences of this war, particularly on the prices of food across the world, fuel, fertilizer and other key commodities", Hichilema concluded.
Growing call for reform of international agencies.
Delivering his final speech as head of state ahead of stepping down, Nigerian leader Buhari said challenges raised by the war in Ukraine and other recent crisis justify calls by for the reform of the United Nations system to make the Security Council and agencies more representative and capable of meeting current demands.
Kenya's president doubled down on that: "It is time for multilateralism to reflect the voice of the farmers, represent the hopes of villagers, champion the aspirations of pastoralists, defend the rights of fisherfolk, express the dreams of traders, respect the wishes of workers and indeed, protect the welfare of all peoples of the Global South."
Let's focus deeply on three African President's Speech.
- Nigeria’s President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, addressed the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York
In his speech, he highlighted how Nigeria is tested by these enduring and new global challenges, paramount among which are conflicts increasingly being driven by non-state actors, proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, terrorism, violent extremism, malignant use of technology, climate change, irregular migration, and disparities in opportunities for improved standards of living.
He said that Despite the challenging international environment, the United Nations has proven that it can be strong when the will of its members is harnessed for positive collective action.
He also explained that Such a conflict will have adverse consequences for us all, hindering our capacity to work together to resolve conflicts elsewhere, especially in Africa, the Middle-East and Asia.
He highlighted the ongoing war in Ukraine and how it's making it more difficult to tackle the perennial issues that feature each year in the deliberations of this Assembly, such as nuclear disarmament, the right of the Rohingya refugees to return to their homes in Myanmar, and the Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for statehood and reduction of inequalities within and amongst nations.
He said that The danger of escalation of the war in Ukraine further justifies Nigeria’s resolute calls for a nuclear-free world and a universal Arms Trade Treaty, which are also necessary measures to prevent global human disasters.
In this regards we must find quick means to reach consensus on the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty with related commitments by nuclear weapon states.
The President emphasized that The COVID-19 pandemic ripped across National borders like a toxic whirlwind, leaving in its wake a legacy of pain and loss.
Happily, we also witnessed an incredible level of innovation and creativity from those who devised treatments and vaccines. These laudable achievements were underpinned by partnerships and international cooperation.
It is worthy to notevthat In every address President Buhari has delivered to the UN General Assembly,He has dwelt on the issue of climate change, especially as it fuels conflicts and complicates food security.
- Mr William Ruto.
Mr William Ruto is President of the Republic of Kenya.
What you need to know:
He started by joining other leaders in calling upon the World Bank, the IMF and other multilateral lenders to extend pandemic-related debt relief to the worst-hit countries, especially those affected by the devastating combination of conflict, climate change and covid-19.
He urged the G20 to extend and expand the scope of the common framework to suspend or reschedule debt repayments by middle-income countries during the pandemic recovery period.
He also was proud to state that Kenya has continued to champion closer cooperation between regional mechanisms and the Security Council as an effective means of achieving international peace and security.
This is the reason that many nations, especially from the Global South, now advocate for the democratization of global governance and a re-imagined multilateralism that is inclusive and works for the good of all.
He also said that Kenya stands ready to work with other nations to achieve the pan-Africanization of multilateralism and a more just and inclusive system of global governance.
This is just to state that President Ruto became the democratic president of Kenya following free and fair elections in Kenya on 9th August 2022. .
- H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, Current Chairman of the African Union
He said Since the llast session, the world has become more dangerous and uncertain, under the combined grip of global warming, security and health perils, and the war in Ukraine.
He also feels that The theme of this session reflects the urgent need to act together to ease tensions, heal our planet, reduce persistent North-South inequalities, and reinstate the importance of multilateralism.
The Security Council is called upon to address all threats to international peace and security, including in Africa, in the same way.
He said Terrorism, which is gaining ground on the continent, is not just an African matter.
Furthermore, the African Union once again calls for the lifting of foreign sanctions against Zimbabwe. These harsh measures continue to fuel a sense of injustice against an entire people, and to aggravate their suffering in these times of deep crisis.
In the Middle East, we reiterate the right of the Palestinian people to a viable state, living side-by-side in peace with the State of Israel, each within secure and internationally recognised borders.
- called for the de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, as well as for a negotiated solution, to avoid the catastrophic risk of a potentially global conflict.
This is why Africa is renewing its proposal to the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance to engage, in conjunction with the G20, the IMF and the World Bank, in a constructive dialogue with the rating agencies on improving their working and assessment methods.
The Cases of other nations at war were highlighted what happens to our cause why is it ignored?
Meanwhile Barbosa Prime minister Motley calls for over haul of unfair , outdated global fiance system..
