Mr. President,

Mr. President-elect

Mr. Secretary-General,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honor and pleasure to speak on behalf of Asia-Pacific Group and to extend our sincere congratulations to His Excellency Ambassador Volkan Bozkir on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session.

Today, as we observe his successful election, we are mindful of the great challenges we are facing in this turbulent world and at the time of COVID-19. We are encouraged by his commitment to strengthen multilateralism and the international system with UN at its core as a priority. Today’s global challenges once again remind us that solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons we have in our hands. United, there is little we cannot do. Divided, there is little we can do. We need multilateralism and unity more than ever.

2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN. In this regard, we are encouraged by the thoughtful blueprint presented by the PGA-elect, including his commitment to ensure the effective implementation of 2030 Agenda, tackling climate change, protection of people in vulnerable situation, improvement of women’s rights and livelihoods. We are confident that his wealth of experience and distinguished career in diplomacy will significantly contribute to the success of the Assembly’s upcoming session.

We would also like to congratulate you, President Bande, on your excellent work at the seventy-fourth session, especially your outstanding and strong leadership in successfully charting the course of the Assembly in this unprecedented and difficult period. We assure you of our continuing and strong support during the remaining tenure of your presidency.

Let me conclude by once again by expressing the readiness of the members of Asia-Pacific Group to work with the PGA-elect, Ambassador Volkan Bozkir, during his upcoming tenure, in a manner that is inclusive and takes into account the interests of all Member States. We pledge our full cooperation with him in jointly building the future we want and the UN we need in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. We wish him every success.

Thank you!