ウィスパリング同時通訳研究会コミュのMOKGWEETSI E.K. MASISI, President of Botswana

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. MOKGWEETSI E.K. MASISI PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA DURING THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY TO COMMEMORATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS 

“The Future We Want, the United Nations We Need; Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism” 21 SEPTEMBER, 2020 VIRTUAL 



 Mr. President, 

1. Let me start by conveying my sincere appreciation to you for convening this special High-Level Meeting to mark the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). 

2. Today we not only celebrate the achievements of the UN, but to also reflect on the work that remains to be done, as well as reaffirm our commitment to the fulfilment of its founding ideals as espoused in the UN Charter. 

3. I therefore find it fitting to pay homage to the founders, successive Secretary Generals, world leaders, as well as current and past generations who have contributed towards making the UN the most universal and representative multilateral body it has become. 

4. Similar appreciation goes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty for the UN; the thousands of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers and humanitarian staff who died in the front line to bring peace and stability in conflict countries. They remain our heroes and heroines. 

 |Mr. President, the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations takes place at an unprecedented time when the world is faced with the daunting task of combating COVID-19 pandemic. 

6. This pandemic is a tacit reminder that we need to continue to work together, as Member States, to not only defeat the pandemic, but all other tribulations confronting humanity today. 

7. Reflecting on the past, a lot has indeed been achieved by the UN in its 75 years through rigorous implementation of the organization’s interlinked and mutually reinforcing pillars of: Peace and Security; Human Rights and Sustained Development.

8. It is indisputable that the organization has reinforced its unrivalled position as the foremost multilateral platform for global norm-setting, through which solutions to global challenges are sought at the negotiation table rather than the barrel of the gun. 

9. Undoubtedly, the most prominent symbol of the UN’s dedication to the upliftment and empowerment of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. 

10. The SDGs, taken together as an integrated outfit, remain a farreaching blueprint that carries our last hope to realise a better world and to reduce inequalities within and between our countries. 

Mr. President, 

11. Despite the progress made, it is regrettable that protracted armed conflicts continue to ravage some parts of the world, with no end in sight; the scourge of inequality, poverty and diseases, remain unacceptably high. We are as yet to achieve total decolonisation and self-determination of all peoples. These issues should therefore remain high on the agenda of the UN. 

12. This affirms the compelling need for us to attain the SDGs, as they embody the ideal promise for the future we want. 

13. It cannot be over-emphasized that in order to recover faster, better and stronger, we must heed the clarion call by the UN Secretary-General to accelerate SDGs implementation, within the Decade of Action. 

Mr. President,

14. My delegation shares the deep concerns regarding the rapid weakening of, and the growing retreat from multilateralism that we have witnessed in recent years. 

15. As the theme for this event rightly reminds us, for the UN to deliver the future we want, we have to ensure that it is itself fit for purpose. 

16. In this regard, we commend the Secretary-General for launching the UN75 Global Dialogue in order to gauge global public opinion and perception on the challenges we face and how to address them. 

17. We are pleased to note that the findings of this initiative have informed the Political Declaration that we will adopt, and thus the views expressed by the global citizens will shape the future we want and the UN we need as we work together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. As global leaders, we must always heed the concerns of our citizens and listen carefully to their hopes and fears. 

18. In conclusion, Mr. President, I once again reaffirm Botswana’s commitment to the UN’s multilateral framework and the principles of its Charter.  

19. We are confident that, if fully realized, the SDGs constitute a robust blueprint for the peaceful and prosperous future we envision for our world. I thank you for your kind attention.