UNGA opens, PM will address plenary on Friday

The 77^th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened this morning.

This year’s theme “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges,” highlighted the complex and magnitude of crisis that are interconnected.

It is to this effect that almost all world leaders who addressed the UNGA plenary both morning and afternoon sessions today sung the same tune when it comes to common critical issues.

COVID 19 pandemic and the Ukraine war were referred to by World leaders as humanitarian challenges of unprecedented nature. In their addresses, World Leaders seek to focus on joint solutions to these crises and build a sustainable and resilient world for all especially our future generations.

Climate Change tipping point and the growing concerns on threats to global economy were also prioritised by most leaders who debated on day One of the plenary.

The U.N. secretary general Antonio Guterres in his address at the official opening of the general debate plenary this morning said, “this year’s general debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world.”

In an earlier press conference, the UN chief stated, this year’s general debate must be about providing hope and overcoming the divisions that are dramatically impacting the world.

That hope can only come through the dialogue and debate that are the beating heart of the United Nations and that must prevail this week against all divisions, he stated.

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare who sat through today’s general debate will be addressing the plenary this Friday (9am to 2:45pm) which is between 12 am to 6am Saturday if leaders who speak before him stick to their 15 minutes allocated time.

Apart from the General Debate official opening, the Solomon Islands delegation had other engagements today.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, government ministers and officials attended a chain of bilateral meetings with China, Maldives, Georgia followed by a meeting with UNOHRLLS on Least Developed Country Graduation.

In the afternoon, the SIG delegation had other meetings including one with the Peace Building Fund Commission.

Details of the bilateral and other side engagements are covered in separate news articles.

Engagements yesterday and today have been very fruitful.

OPMC Press Release