Mr. President, Mr. President-elect, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies and Distinguished Colleagues, 1. It is a matter of great honour and privilege for me to address the General Assembly today on behalf of the Asia- Pacific States Group. Mr. President, 2. At the very outset, on behalf of the Asia Pacific Group, let me first begin by congratulating Mr. Csaba K?rösi for his election as President of the UN General Assembly for its 77th Session. We are confident that given his vast experience and distinguished career in the field of diplomacy, he would make a positive contribution to the success of the Assembly’s upcoming session. Mr. President, 3. The world today is confronted with multiple challenges, be it COVID-19, conflict, climate change or economic downturns caused by the pandemic. These major drivers are unique but not mutually exclusive, as they interact to the detriment of food security and nutrition by creating multiple and compounding impacts. Their adverse influence is made all the more difficult by high and persistent levels of inequality within and among countries. 4. To confront the current challenges, we need a transformation in our vision for the future. The COVID pandemic and the climate crisis should drive home the message to all - rich and poor, weak or powerful – that their destinies are intertwined. 5. The solution to our problems lies in global solidarity and collective actions with a pledge to leave no one behind. To this effect, the work of the General Assembly is of vital importance. Mr. President, 6. We express our heartfelt thanks to you and to the entire membership of the UN for preserving and upholding the important principle and practice of regional rotation over the leadership of the General Assembly, which lies at the heart of multilateralism and has allowed members of our Asia Pacific family the honor of taking their turn in leading the General Assembly during the current session under your Presidency. 7. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, President Abdulla Shahid, for your stewardship of the seventy-sixth session, particularly towards charting the course of the Assembly during these difficult times. I would also like to commend you for the hard work you have put into the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly and reform of the UN. I assure you of our continuing and strong support during the remaining tenure of your presidency. 8. On behalf of the APG, I would extend my gratitude to Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his exemplary leadership of the administration and management of the United Nations Secretariat which has enabled APG member states to play an active role in affairs of the United Nations. Mr. President, 9. Let me conclude by once again congratulating our new President elect Mr. Csaba K?rösi and assuring him of the full support and readiness of the members of Asia-Pacific Group to play its part in supporting the work of the UN during his Presidency of the 77th Session. 10. As we prepare to enter the 77th Session, the challenges before us are a reminder about the importance, relevance and urgent need for greater solidarity and cooperation in the times that we live in today. Thank you!!!!! *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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