Gambian President Adama Barrow speaks during the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2022. (Cia Pak/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Gambian President Adama Barrow on Thursday stressed the central role of the United Nations in tackling global challenges.
"In the thick of all the complexities confronting world leaders, we must underscore the centrality of the United Nations' unique role and potential to make a huge difference in the lives of the people," he told the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
Durable solutions that match the magnitude and intensity of the never-ending crises remain the General Assembly's greatest challenge, he said.
"The situation calls for new perceptions, new approaches, new partnerships, renewed commitments, and increased resource levels equal to the scale of both current and emerging challenges, he said. "To recover as a global family, we must muster the requisite courage and political will, and take advantage of the opportunities that go with the global crises."
The renewal of global solidarity and regard for the less fortunate necessitate the commitment to leaving no one behind, he said.
The president emphasized that genuine commitment and substantially increased resources should accompany the transformation of institutions, systems, mechanisms, and state of preparedness, and the developing world must not be left behind.
Africa will continue to demand its rightful place in the permanent membership category of the UN Security Council. The negotiations must produce tangible results, he said.
The current cost-of-living crisis across the world is a wake-up call for immediate global response to alleviate the suffering and poverty that hold nations to ransom.
The global inflationary trends, food insecurity, and the energy crisis compound the natural disasters that continue to cause havoc around the world. The need for relief grows by the day, yet global efforts appear to be less and less effective, he said.
On issues of international relations, Barrow asked the United States to end its long-standing embargo imposed on Cuba, saying global solidarity and friendly cooperation should define relations between member states of the United Nations.
In the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict needs a new impetus for lasting peace. As a people, the Palestinians deserve a state of their own, he said.
The destabilizing global economic conditions imposed by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict are unbearable. In Africa and elsewhere, the cost-of-living crisis and the biting inflation, with food and energy insecurity, are devastating economies and continue to frustrate pandemic recovery efforts. Additionally, the debt burden has reached crisis levels, he said.
"We implore Russia and Ukraine to heed the global plea for political dialogue and end the war. Africa is simply asking for global peace and friendly relations. Our survival and progress depend on global peace and stability," said the president.
As a responsible member of the international community, Gambia considers Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China, and advocates the adoption of the one-China policy, he said. "We urge the international community, therefore, to fully respect China's sovereignty over Taiwan and avoid actions that undermine global peace." ■