President Paul Kagame addressing the UN General Assembly (Photo/Urugwiro).
Excellencies,
President of the General Assembly,
Heads of state and government,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the past year, the international community concluded the landmark agreements on Sustainable development and Climate change and renewed its commitment to work together to combat violent extremism.
These are the most serious matters before the international community and our efforts offer the prospect of transforming our world as whole not just a part of it.
After all, the progress of every country is closely linked to the progress of every other and all have a role to play. Now is a time for implementation, we can stay on course if we keep things on mind.
First, always remember that the ultimate purpose of these efforts is to transform the lives of real people by enhancing their well-being safely and access to opportunity.
Second, build on what we have learned so far that means being inclusive especially of women because if they are not reaching their potential, then none of us are. I am proud to be a HeforShe and urge others to support important campaign.
We have also learned the lesson that technology has to be the part of the strategy for achieving all the global goals.
Everyone in the world needs to have access to high-speed internet as the secretary General’ s Broadband Commission has advocated. Rwanda is pleased to be associated and I recommend ITU, UNESCO for the good work they have done and continue to do.
We have also seen the importance of forging the partnerships with private sector to improve the speed and scale of delivery. These perspectives will inform the work of the new SDG for Africa which Rwanda is pleased to host with the support of our partners.
There has to be a real continuity between the frameworks that guide our collective action. These agreements are not slogans or fashions but had one statement of global consensus about the world we wish to live to our children.
Let us implement them with speed and seriousness they deserve. There are encouraging signs that are on the horizons.
Next month, more than 1,000 delegates will gather in Kigali to consider a groundbreaking amendment to Montreal protocol on Ozone layer that would phase out hydrophor carbons, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
The nearly 30 year-old Montreal protocol is already one of the most successful international agreements in history and it now affords us the opportunity to take a significant step forward in implementing the one year old Paris agreement. I urge the world leaders to join with us to pass this important measure.
The world is changing for the better as the ground is levelled by technology, the way we relate to each other in the international community has to begin to change as well. The preservation of international peace and security depends on maintaining a shared vision of outcomes we want for our world and values which guide our cooperation.
This accounts for the continued relevancy and durability of the United Nations. Our collective responsibility for the rights and welfare of refugees and immigrants should be seen in this light.
The issue must be addressed with consistency and compassion at all times. It can’t become a crisis only when the wealthier countries begin to be affected. Rwanda will continue to play its part.
We have gotten many things right but there’s no doubt that we could be achieving even more if we keep the people we are fighting for at the front of our minds and build on lessons learned. There is no reason why we cannot achieve everything we have committed ourselves to.
In closing Mr. President, I would like to thank the Secretary General, Ban-Ki-Moon who has been a champion of technology and a strong advocate for sustainable development as well as other matters that have needed fairness even in the most difficult situations he has been a voice of reason and we wish him well, I thank you!