United Nations University

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank the faculty of the United Nations University for inviting me to speak with you today. 

I am deeply honoured to address the young scholars gathered here, filled with enthusiasm and driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the world stage. 

Indeed, the energy and passion of young people like yourselves continue to inspire us at the United Nations to reaffirm our commitment to our founding mission: to “save future generations from the scourge of war” and to build a global peace rooted in justice and human dignity. 

At the heart of this mission lies an unwavering dedication to the future—to you, the youth of today, and to the generations to come. 

Yet, we find ourselves facing profound global challenges: climate change, conflict, poverty, hunger, and enduring gender disparities—all of which demand our collective action. 

This past September, the General Assembly was able to adopt by consensus the Pact for the Future, in which the world leaders gathered then in New York affirmed their belief in “a path to a brighter future for all of humanity”. 

A path that can be realized through the series of actions contained in the Pact which are aimed at striving for a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous, a world in which well-being, security and dignity and a healthy planet are assured for all humanity. 

In this spirit I chose the theme for my Presidency: “Unity in Diversity for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Everyone, Everywhere.” 

And it is in this same spirit that I have shaped my priorities for the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly, which are aligned with the three foundational pillars of the United Nations, namely: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. 

First, in the area of peace and security: 

With conflicts raging in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere, there is an urgent need to rededicate ourselves to peace. 

One of my key initiatives will be a High-Level thematic debate on the future of peacekeeping in Africa. 

Our aim is to reflect on the multifaceted aspects of the conflicts in Africa and to bolster support for peace operations led by those better placed to tackle them effectively, as is the case of the African Union. 

In this regard, and further to Security Council resolution 2719 adopted in 2023, we should be supportive of the efforts of regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. This includes financial support. 

Indeed, these missions must receive the necessary resources, collaboration, and political backing to address complex and evolving crises effectively. 

Also, under peace and security, I will convene a joint meeting of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to confront the spread of small arms and light weapons. 

The unchecked proliferation of small arms and light weapons – along with the enduring threats posed by large stockpiles of both conventional arms and nuclear weapons – represent a significant threat to peace and stability across the globe. 

A coordinated global response is essential, one that considers both the development and security impact of the widespread availability of weapons. 

Second, in the area of human rights: 

I have prioritized a focus on human rights and dignity as a priority for my presidency. 

Just last week, I convened an informal dialogue on Preserving Human Dignity in Armed Conflict – one of my first signature events of the 79th session – to highlight the critical importance of complying with international humanitarian law during ongoing conflicts. We must recall that even war has rules. 

Further, as an International Gender Champion, I will re-establish the Advisory Board on Gender Equality, to provide guidance on gender equality issues across my priority areas, because we know this is a critical pathway towards sustainable peace and development. 

This is even more significant, this year as we commemorate thirty years since the fourth world conference on women, held in Beijing. 

And no discussion on human dignity would be complete without addressing the ongoing plight of child labour. 

Exploitative practices not only deny children their right to education and safety but also expose them to countless additional risks, including recruitment into armed groups. 

Ending child labour demands collective global action and unwavering resolve from every Member State. 

Third, on sustainable development: we must accelerate our efforts to bring the Sustainable Development Goals back on track, and secure adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for those who need it most. 

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in July will be a crucial inflection point in this regard. 

To reinforce a sense of urgency, I will convene the annual Joint Hearing with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, under the theme “Scaling up Action for the Sustainable Development Goals: Finance, Politics, and Institutions.” 

I will also be convening an interactive multi-stakeholder dialogue, to assess the implementation of commitments made towards Africa’s development, with a focus on closing digital gaps. 

In addition, a series of events will shape our broader sustainable development agenda. 

Among them the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, in June, will aim to secure commitments on ocean sustainability, culminating in an action-oriented declaration on Sustainable Development Goal 14. 

And the Second World Summit on Social Development, in November, will work to advance social justice and equality. 

I will fully support all processes ahead of these conferences to the best of my ability. 

In this context, I look forward to Japan’s continued support and commitment to sustainable development, particularly in Africa. 

Japan has been working with African nations to address challenges in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, climate change, and digital transformation, leveraging official development assistance and other tools. 

As President of the General Assembly, I am keen to foster partnerships across the globe, with Japan and other stakeholders, to ensure that international cooperation remains central in tackling these challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. 

We must work together. 

And together we must work also beyond these initiatives to prioritize trust-building and inclusive dialogue. 

To that end, I am introducing the “Palaver Tree” Dialogues—informal gatherings of Member States, inspired by the African tradition of gathering under a tree canopy for frank, respectful conversations. 

By creating settings conducive to genuine exchange, I believe we can foster greater trust and collaboration among Member States with a view to finding the solutions that we need. 

And to foster inclusive dialogue, I will continue to champion multilingualism as a cornerstone of effective diplomacy. 

Recognising and valuing linguistic diversity is essential for building trust and mutual respect. Multilingualism enables Member States to fully express their unique voices, negotiate effectively, and collaborate toward shared global goals. For this reason, it remains a fundamental value of the United Nations. 

As a son of Cameroon, a nation where over 200 languages are spoken, this priority deeply resonates with me on a personal level. 

I am proud to report that my newly established Multilingualism Task Force will invite Member States to celebrate and protect cultural and linguistic heritage, fostering unity within our global family and strengthening the inclusivity and reach of our shared work. 

Finally, we are preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations on the 26th of June. 

This milestone offers us an opportunity to revisit the political context that gave birth to the United Nations in 1945. 

Rooted in optimism and a faith in international cooperation, these principles remain our best guide for addressing the complex, interlinked challenges of our time. 

As I steer the General Assembly with these priorities, and as the work of the United Nations continues, I leave you with this final thought: 

It is you who will inherit both the rewards and burdens of our efforts. We owe you a better world and a share in the effort to build it. 

I encourage you to harness your expertise, innovative spirit, and determination—not only to write the next chapter of multilateralism but to hold leaders accountable, propose creative solutions, and uphold the universal values that represent the best of humanity. 

I look forward to the ways in which you, as tomorrow’s leaders, will challenge and inspire us today. 

Thank you.

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