Welcoming Seventy-Seventh Session’s Incoming President, Secretary-General Says General Assembly Represents ‘the Beating Heart of Global Cooperation’

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the opening of the seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly, today:

Let me start by warmly congratulating His Excellency Csaba Kőrösi — the President of the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly.

Mr. President, your acceptance speech provided an inspiring motto to guide your stewardship of this Assembly — “Solutions Through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science”.  All three ingredients are essential as we address shared challenges and develop solutions for a better, more peaceful future.

I would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank the outgoing President — His Excellency Abdulla Shahid — for his excellent stewardship of this Assembly over the last year.  We all appreciate his efforts during what was a truly extraordinary moment in history.

The many challenges that defined the seventy-sixth session are still very much with us as we look to the seventy-seventh.  We face a world in peril across our work to advance peace, human rights and sustainable development.  From conflicts and climate change.  To a broken global financial system that is failing developing countries.  To poverty, inequality and hunger.  To divisions and mistrust.

Addressing common challenges will require continued solidarity as we demonstrate the great promise and potential of this Organization.  The United Nations is the home of cooperation.  And the General Assembly is the life within that home.  You represent the beating heart of global cooperation.

The months ahead will continue testing the strength and durability of the multilateral system this Organization represents.  And the world is looking to the Members of the Assembly to use all of the tools at your disposal to negotiate and forge consensus and solutions.  

Debate.  Deliberation.  Diplomacy.  These eternal tools represent the best pathway to a better, more peaceful world.  The seventy-seventh session must be a moment of transformation — for people and planet alike.  The time is now.  You can count on my full support to the work of this Assembly in the year ahead.  Thank you.