UAE Ambassador welcomes new UNGA president

UAE Ambassador to the UN Abu Shahab expressed gratitude to the outgoing president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dennis Francis, for his leadership over the last turbulent year, at the end of 78th and start of the 79th UNGA session.

The Ambassador said he looks forward to engaging with the new UNGA President Philemon Yang, to strengthen international cooperation and advance the collective goal of a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

In his opening remarks, Yang underscored the need for equitable economic growth driven by innovation and green economies, ensuring that “the benefits of economic development are accessible to all nations, large and small.”  

He added peace and security will be his key priorities, most notably the resolving the conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Haiti, Ukraine, and Sudan.

“We must invest in all efforts to decrease tensions and instead build trust around the world,” Yang said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the opening of the session, highlighting the urgency of collective action to confront a world “in trouble.”

The UN chief emphasised the need for concrete solutions across various domains, including reducing poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis.