– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
29 June 2020
Her Excellency, Madame Sidibe Fatoumata Kaba, Permanent Representative of Guinea and Chair of the Mano River Union,
Her Excellency Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Dear friends and colleagues from West Africa,
Excellencies,
It is an honor to speak at this virtual launch of the Mano River Union UN Group. I commend the organizers, the Permanent Representatives of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone on this timely initiative.
I welcome the work of the Mano River Union, an intergovernmental institution aimed at strengthening the capacity of its members to integrate their economies and coordinate development programs in the areas of trade, industry, energy, agriculture, natural resources, transport and telecommunications, as well as monetary and financial cooperation.
Historically lead first by Liberia and Sierra Leone, the four members of the Mano River Union have been joining efforts in the West Africa sub-region to pursue social and economic development, in addition to peacebuilding and political stability by means of strategic plans and coordinated action. Through dialogue, peaceful co-existence, neighbourly cooperation and solidarity, the Members have succeeded in promoting development for the benefit of their peoples.
I am confident that today’s launch will accelerate action and progress across all three pillars of our work in the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.
I welcome the work of the Mano River Union, an intergovernmental institution aimed at strengthening the capacity of its members to integrate their economies and coordinate development programs in the areas of trade, industry, energy, agriculture, natural resources, transport and telecommunications, as well as monetary and financial cooperation.
Excellencies,
We meet virtually today at a difficult moment for humanity. I extend my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. I remind patients who are battling the virus today, our frontline workers and decision-makers that we are with you every step of the way.
Excellencies,
COVID-19 has taken hold as West Africa was still recovering from the most widespread Ebola epidemic. This wake-up call to the global community was controlled a few years ago through collective action, international partnerships and joint-local collaboration. In tackling Ebola, we learned that solidarity and international cooperation remain our first line of defense against global challenges.
As we have seen around the world, nowhere is immune from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and resulted in new challenges. The response by the governments in the sub-region, supported by the United Nations and partners in the international community, has been marked by proactive cooperation.
This cooperation has sought to target both prevention and treatment for affected people, and to improve health and sanitary conditions in such difficult circumstances. These gains are among other critical rapid-response and long-term measures.
I welcome the commitment of the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to renew their collective resolve to act together to strengthen the multilateral system at this critical juncture.
To bolster these efforts, I call for re-commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the 2063 Agenda of the African Union, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development. We cannot allow this pandemic to compromise the gains already made towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in developing countries. Together, we will overcome this pandemic, and we will emerge safer and stronger.
Excellencies,
The United Nations Group of the Mano River Union in New York seeks to enhance multilateral cooperation and promote better coordination on issues of common interest on the UN agenda.
In this 75th anniversary year of the United Nations, there can be no greater tribute to multilateralism than this affirmation to the ideals of the founders of our Organization. I am certain it will find support in the General Assembly. I wish you well into the future.
I thank you.
