Equatorial Guinea

Her Excellency Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations,

Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, and Heads of Delegation,

His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Ladies and gentlemen;

It is an honor for me to take the floor on behalf of His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, to express my country's firm position at this 80th General Assembly, at a time when the world is calling for a fairer, more equitable, and more effective international system.

Madam President;

Eighty years ago, the Founding States established this Organization with the aspiration of building a multilateral system based on cooperation, respect for international law, and the dignity of every person. That commitment was enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, which remains an essential point of reference for the collective action of States.

Today, under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for Peace, Development and Human Rights," we celebrate important achievements. The UN has been, throughout these decades, a universal forum for dialogue and a space for international cooperation. It has helped avert conflicts, has accompanied decolonization processes, has promoted sustainable development, and has served as a moral conscience in defense of human rights.

However, this anniversary must be an occasion for critical reflection. It would be a mistake to limit ourselves to commemoration and fail to recognize the profound shortcomings facing our multilateral system.

Excellencies;

The peoples of the world trust the UN to act in the face of the great challenges of our time: armed conflicts and violence, climate change, growing inequalities, migration crises, cyber threats, and the lack of technology transfer.

But too often, the response has been insufficient, paralyzed by particular interests and trapped within an institutional framework that no longer reflects the reality of the contemporary world. Speaking of "leaving no one behind" is meaningless if millions remain marginalized within systems of dependency and exclusion.

The Security Council, the body charged with international peace and security, is perhaps the clearest example of this mismatch. Eight decades after its creation, its composition remains anchored in the geopolitics of 1945 rather than that of the 21st century. As a result, its legitimacy and representativeness are, rightly, being questioned.

Reform of the Security Council is an urgent necessity. Without it, the Council will continue to be seen as an exclusive club of historic privileges, incapable of responding with legitimacy to today's challenges. Africa demands what is rightfully its due: full and permanent representation on the planet's most important security body.

We want international governance that serves everyone, not just a few. We demand a Security Council that represents today's world, not yesterday's. Let us take real steps toward more democratic, equitable, and effective collective action, or we risk seeing the UN become increasingly marginalized and weakened in international affairs.

Our commitment to this Organization remains intact. We believe in the UN. We believe in the strength of international law. We believe in international cooperation as the only path to facing challenges that no nation, however powerful, can solve alone. For our commitment is not blind; it demands results, reforms, and adaptation to the times.

On this anniversary, we must remember that Peace, Development, and Human Rights are inseparable pillars. Peace is not sustainable without development, and development is not real if it is not based on the dignity and rights of every person.

For this reason, we reaffirm our commitment to the 2030 Agenda, even while acknowledging delays and difficulties. The 2030 Agenda is a collective commitment that reflects our will to build a world without poverty, without hunger, and with dignity for all. However, we have less than a decade left to fulfill it, and progress is too slow.

Excellencies;

Climate change is the greatest threat of our time. The most vulnerable nations pay a disproportionate price while the major emitters postpone commitments.

Climate justice is not a gesture: it is a moral and legal obligation. Equatorial Guinea also defends the principle of the sovereignty of States. Every people has the right to design its own development model without interference or arbitrary sanctions that undermine its independence. We must believe in a world of Peace, where no country is considered an enemy for being a friend of others.

Allow me to share a recent example of Equatorial Guinea's contribution to international peace: the historic agreement with the Republic of Gabon on sovereignty over the islands of Mbañé, Cocotiers, and Conga. For decades, His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo pursued this dispute with patience and dialogue until resolving it peacefully under the protection of the International Court of Justice.

This case not only creates a historic precedent on the African continent, but also demonstrates that conflicts can be resolved in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and through the political will of States.

Excellencies;

The promotion of human dignity is a shared responsibility. Equatorial Guinea reaffirms its commitment to the protection of the rights of children and persons with disabilities.

The rights to food security, housing, drinking water, and the sovereign exploitation of natural resources are an inseparable part of human rights. Without material dignity, freedom is an empty ideal.

True to the principles of an inclusive international community, we insist that the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed against the Republic of Cuba be lifted. Maintaining such measures not only seriously affects the development of a sovereign nation, but also contradicts the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Excellencies;

In closing, I would also like to address the businessmen and businesswomen present, to invite them to discover Equatorial Guinea as a safe and attractive destination for investment. Our country offers a framework of political stability, competitive tax advantages, and a clear vision for the future through our Horizon 2035 Development Agenda. We encourage you to join us on this path, which will not only generate shared benefits but will also consolidate inclusive and sustainable development in our Nation.

Thank you very much.