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Philemon Yunji Yang Takes Over Presidency Of 79TH UNGA Session

by Chrispus C. Macauley

Head of Sierra Leone Permanent Representative of the United Nations Dr. Imran Khan, has congratulated the President-elect for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, His Excellency Philemon Yunji Yang.

 

In what was described as a historic day of transition at the closing meeting of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, outgoing President, His Excellency Denis Francis, gave his final address to the assembly.

In his address, Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed that the past year had been marked by ongoing poverty, inequality, and conflict, emphasizing that it was also the hottest year on record.

 

Addressing the session’s final plenary meeting, he highlighted the “hope and inspiration” in what can be achieved if the global community worked as one. He also applauded the leadership of the Assembly, President Dennis Francis.

The challenges facing humanity are not insurmountable if we work together,” he said.

Mr. Guterres reiterated that the UN and the multilateral system can only be as effective as the Member States’ commitment allows.

“As we celebrate the achievements of the 78th General Assembly, let us also look to the 79th as a moment in which the world can deliver the trust, solutions, and peace that our world needs.

 

Addressing the Assembly for the final time in the capacity of UNGA President, Dennis Francis, a veteran diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, recalled key achievements of the session and the work of his Presidency.

 

“We began the session in September with an especially hectic thought, featuring the SDG summit  and High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, as well as several other significant achievements for multilateral diplomacy.”

 

He highlighted that a key aspect of his work was ensuring the UN’s relevance to its eight billion global constituents, having visited 31 countries and meeting with various stakeholders: from government leaders to students, women, civil society, and displaced families.

“My visits to Haiti, South Sudan, and Ukraine were especially poignant, as these nations are facing conflict, insecurity, and aggression,” he said, stressing that the UN’s efforts in these regions “are truly lifesaving”.

 

During the session, the President-elect of the Seventy-Ninth Session of UNGA took the oath of office, His Excellency Philemon Yunji Yang.

The theme for the 79th session of UNGA is ‘Unity in Diversity’, with the session’s annual high-level general debate taking place on 24 September 2024.

 

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