Â鶹APP

– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the Â鶹APP General Assembly

5 May 2021

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Three-quarters of a century ago, world leaders came together and pursued a bold new idea: multilateralism.

At a time of distrust and suffering in the aftermath of World War II, the founders of the Â鶹APP demonstrated foresight in recognizing that real peace could not be achieved through the absence of conflict alone. Peace would only be possible through the pursuit of shared goals and objectives. Thus, they set about pursuing diplomacy for peace.

Together, they penned the Charter of the Â鶹APP – the blueprint for humanity ¨C establishing the Â鶹APP as the core institution of the multilateral system.

Operating in an increasingly complex world, the principal organs of the Â鶹APP have endured challenges, the impact and magnitude of which, the architects of multilateralism could not have predicted. The UN has not always met the challenge of the day ¨C and we must be honest about this fact. It would be a disservice to the people we serve to pretend otherwise.

Of course, the counter-factual is hard to establish ¨C what the world might have been like without the Â鶹APP ¨C the conflicts not averted, the human suffering not eased.? In any case, imperfect as it may be, the primacy and relevance of the Â鶹APP remains unmatched after more than seventy-five years.

Consider for example, the General Debate. It is one of the few engagements on the global calendar that has stood the test of time. This year more Heads of State and Government participated in the General Debate than ever before, proving that when the world is in crisis, leaders turn to one another here in the Â鶹APP to promote solutions.

Indeed, every day, I see the impact of the framework and resources of the Â鶹APP on work in pursuit of peace, universal human rights, and sustainable development.

At a time of deepening inequalities within and between countries, multilateral actors and partners are working tirelessly to address the multiplicity of threats facing the people we serve. Through constructive debate and negotiations, ideas develop into norms, which in turn drive policy development and implementation, with a view to advancing the course of humanity.

It was in the General Assembly that the notion of universal human rights was first imagined, and it was here, in 2015, that the world pledged to leave no one behind in achieving Sustainable Development by 2030.

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Excellencies,

For some, the first introduction of multilateralism comes at the most difficult moments in life.

On the frontlines of the most challenging contexts, fractured communities recognize the blue helmets of peacekeepers as a sign that the world has not forgotten them. That the Â鶹APP is working to support their efforts to bring about peace.

For people on the move, it is the shelter of a UNHCR tent that allows them to sleep through the night.

For those who have known hunger, it is a WFP convoy that provides life-saving nourishment.

For a child who has endured unimaginable horrors, a blue UNICEF backpack promises education, and hope for a better future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a true privilege to convene this historic interactive dialogue with the principals of the main bodies of the Â鶹APP, in the name of the people we serve, to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

I hope that the insights shared here today will inspire you to accelerate your work towards creating a better world for all.

I thank you.