The President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, has said he would "collaborate and coordinate" with the Security Council, and the UN Secretariat to ensure that greater attention is paid to prevention rather than reaction to full blown conflict.
"I will also advocate for effective early detection and warning systems, as well as mediation, negotiation and peaceful settlement of ongoing conflicts," Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria said in his inaugural address as UN General Assembly President on Tuesday. "I will work to engender cooperation that will address drivers of conflicts such as poverty, exclusion and illiteracy."
He stressed that he would "collaborate and coordinate" with the Security Council, and the Secretariat "to ensure that greater attention is paid to prevention rather than reaction to full blown conflict."
Describing the climate change as "a key issue in development", Muhammad-Bande said, "we must tackle its causes and repercussions: The recent emergencies in the Bahamas, Mozambique, and the Sahel region, among others, reminds us of the urgency of strengthening global action to tackle climate change."
"We must build trust with one another, deepen partnerships and show empathy" as "the only way to resolve the many challenges that confront us," he said. "We will have to strive together, to deliver for all."
"Transparency, dialogue and greater understanding are essential to alleviating mistrust," he spelled out, calling the Assembly "a unique and indispensable forum for the world to come together and discuss sensitive and important issues."