Botswana: The Prime Minister of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi attended the official opening ceremony for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79). The opening ceremony, presided over by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres served as a platform for several discussions.
The event was attended by world leaders coming from all over the world to New York. President Masisi had the opportunity to interact with several world leaders from Africa and the world. During the opening event, Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to enhance global cooperation.
Prime Minister Mokgweetsi Masisi shared some glimpses from his New York trip on his social media.
He highlighted that the world is presently combating a number of challenges including impunity, inequality and more.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has asked the leaders of the nation to work towards creating a more inclusive world. On this occasion, he outlined the United Nations vision through, “Our Common Agenda”
He explained that an agenda on a vision for global cooperation that calls for a more inclusive and effective multilateralism. It also calls for a Summit of the Future in 2024.
The agenda includes the following areas of focus
Call to Action for Human Rights
A vision for human rights that emphasises that human rights are essential to addressing the causes and impacts of crises.
Climate action
A call for national governments to create new climate action plans to tackle the climate emergency. The transition to renewable energies is a key part of the UN agenda.
Reform of the Security Council
A call for reform of the Security Council, including increasing African representation.
Peace in Ukraine
A call for intensified efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, emphasising that diplomacy can succeed when there is political will.
Multilateralism
A call for a networked and inclusive multilateralism that includes the UN, regional organisations, trade organisations.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged world leaders to recognise that the call to action for a more inclusive world is now more important than ever as the world has entered an “age of impunity”, with widespread abuses of international humanitarian law that are threatening the very basis of UN Charter and international order.
This year’s UN General Assembly was held under the theme, “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace,Sustainable Development And Human Dignity For Present And Future Generations”.