Reporter
leeanna.maharaj@guardian.co.tt
Ahead of the election of the President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this week, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne asked members of the diplomatic corp to support T&T’s candidate for the post.
At a meeting at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) yesterday morning, he told the ambassadors to T&T in attendance, “Today I call on you as representatives of foreign states to convey to your principles the request of Trinidad and Tobago for support of the candidature of His Excellency Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations in New York, for the Presidency of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
Browne said if Francis is elected, it would be a historic moment for T&T.
“We hope 1st June 2023 will be a day that will stand out in the history of our country’s diplomatic efforts. As you are aware the position of the president of the General Assembly is of immense significance to the conduct of global affairs. Trinidad and Tobago’s election to the presidency of the UN General Assembly constitutes a major foreign policy priority for the government. As a further manifestation of our undiluted faith in multilateralism in general and our commitment to the United Nations in particular,” he said.
He told the diplomats that Francis is the longest-serving T&T ambassador with 18 consecutive years of service and re-emphasised his belief that he is the most suitable candidate for the role.
“We are confident that he, if successfully elected, will preside impartially over a General Assembly which will continue to work in dedication to further the welfare of all the world’s people,” Browne said.
Francis, who spoke via a video at the meeting, said his focus will be on peace, prosperity, and progress.
“In the coming weeks, I will continue to engage regional and other groups as we collectively collaborate to bring forward a renewed atmosphere of cooperation and shared commitment in addressing the many challenges before the General Assembly,” he said.
“I have chosen, if elected, peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability as my watchwords. I am convinced that they constitute the four supreme objectives before the international community at this juncture. Objectives, which if successfully accomplished, would significantly alter the current trajectory of disappointment and disillusionment.”
He added, “During my tenure, I will therefore provide the necessary support to facilitate the full and effective implementation of the DOHA Programme of Action for Least-Developed Countries, as well as the upcoming Third International Conference on Landlock Development Countries, and the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States to be held in 2024. As these conferences are crucial opportunities to call for the scaling of the support required to ensure that no one is left behind.”
The election will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday. Minister Browne left for New York yesterday to take part in events in the buildup to the election.