Guinea

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

Mr. Philémon Yunji Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Ladies and Gentlemen Delegates,

I stand before you today, on behalf of His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic of Guinea, with the honor and responsibility of representing a nation engaged in a historic refoundation. We are here to affirm our determination to redefine our future, a future founded on peace, justice, and dignity for all.

Three dates, three events, three moments that embody the spirit of resilience and freedom of our people. On September 28, 1958, the people of Guinea chose to vote massively for "No" in the referendum proposed by General De Gaulle, thus opting for immediate independence. On September 28, 2009, this same people demanded, at a very heavy price, its full enjoyment of freedom, democracy, and dignity.

Today, September 28, 2024, on this symbolic day, we stand before this Assembly to renew, in complete freedom, our commitment to these dynamics and to forge a future founded on peace, justice, and dignity for all. In this hour of great global turbulence, marked by conflicts, growing inequalities, and a climate crisis that threatens our very existence, it is imperative that we be bold in our actions and united in our vision. It is with this conviction that I address this august Assembly.

I wish, first of all, to salute the United Nations, this unique space for dialogue and cooperation, where all nations, large and small, meet on an equal footing to build a better world. Our faith in this institution is profound, for it reflects our shared values of peace, sustainable development, and respect for human rights.

We know that the challenges we face today are immense. But we also know that the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that has guided this organization since its creation is more necessary than ever.

Your Excellency Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, the Republic of Guinea is engaged in an ambitious process of profound refoundation of the State. Under the impetus of the National Committee of Rally for Development (CNRD) and the President of the Republic, His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, we have chosen to turn the page on instability to write a new history. That of a resilient nation reinventing itself to offer its people a dignified, free, and prosperous life.

This transition is guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and justice, and carried out with courage and determination through the mobilization of all the living forces of the nation. We are resolved to build a solid rule of law, to guarantee fundamental freedoms, and to promote social justice for all our citizens. Guinea aspires to become a model of resilience and renewal in Africa, proving that even in the face of adversity, positive transformation is possible. The most eloquent example of our commitment to justice and the fight against impunity is the historic trial of the events of September 28, 2009. For the first time in the history of our nation, those responsible for these atrocities were brought to justice before a national court, marking a decisive turning point in our fight against impunity. This trial, which has become a global reference, is an example for Africa. It embodies our determination to build a rule of law in which human rights are protected and no crime goes unpunished, regardless of the rank or influence of the perpetrators.

It testifies to our will to rebuild our society on solid foundations of justice, truth, and reconciliation, while inspiring other nations to follow the same path of accountability and transparency.

In this dynamic of refoundation, His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic, has charted a clear and ambitious vision to guide Guinea toward a prosperous future, centered on three fundamental pillars: the social, the economic, and the political.

On the social level, we place human dignity and inclusion at the heart of all our actions, with the priority of guaranteeing every Guinean equitable access to education, health, and social protection. On the economic level, our objective is to create a resilient and inclusive economy, based on the enhancement of our natural resources, the diversification of our industrial fabric, and the development of modern infrastructure. Finally, on the political level, we are working tirelessly to build a rule of law where justice, transparency, and citizen participation are the very foundations of governance. Together, these three axes converge to build a strong, resilient Guinea capable of responding to the legitimate aspirations of its people.

In this same process of national refoundation, we anchor our actions in five essential values that redefine the governance of our country. Through Institutional Rectification, we are building robust and legitimate institutions, guarantors of stability and transparency. Through Refoundation of the State, we are strengthening the integrity of public life and fully restoring the authority of the State, in response to the deep aspirations of our people. Through Rally, we unite all components of the nation, consolidating our social cohesion around a shared future. Through Recovery, we are establishing transparent and accountable governance, while bringing the State closer to its citizens. Finally, through the Repositioning of Guinea on the international stage, we are intensifying our engagement with our global partners, ensuring active and dynamic cooperation with global institutions. These values guide every step we take on the path of national transformation, in a spirit of justice, solidarity, and dignity.

At the heart of this national transformation lies an emblematic project that embodies our vision of the future: the mega Simandou project and its ambitious program, "Simandou 2040."

Simandou 2040 embodies much more than a simple mining project. It is a model of global transformation for Guinea, which aims to build around this project a genuine societal and environmental program, where humanity and its environment coexist in harmony. By allocating 20% of the revenues generated to human capital development, we affirm our will to ensure that the economic benefits of Simandou directly benefit our populations. This project is also an illustration of unprecedented international cooperation, where the interests of great powers such as China and the United States, usually rivals elsewhere, coexist in Guinea in a climate of constructive collaboration. Simandou is proof that Guinea can not only leverage its natural resources, but also manage them transparently and sustainably, for the good of all. Unlike other nations that have been victims of the curse of natural resources, we refuse to follow this path. Simandou is designed as an opportunity for inclusive development, where every citizen, every community can benefit from the wealth of the subsoil, without this becoming a source of instability. We have learned the lessons of the past and we commit to making Simandou a lever for prosperity, stability, and sustainable growth, reconciling resource exploitation with environmental protection and the social flourishing of our people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this refoundation process, we draw our inspiration from the rich and diverse history of our country, a history marked by ancestral values of justice, solidarity, and respect for human dignity. From the Kouroukan Fouga Charter proclaimed in 1236, which already laid the foundations of a just society by prohibiting slavery and advocating equality and freedom for all, to the organization of theocratic Fouta, recognized as a land of asylum and protection for the oppressed, Guinea has always been a bastion of humanist values and equitable governance. These traditions, found in the social structures of Lower Guinea and Forest Guinea, where collective management of resources and peaceful conflict resolution were at the heart of community life, remind us that our national identity is anchored in a quest for justice, peace, and solidarity.

Today, as we build the future of our nation, we reaffirm these values in the new Constitution of the Republic of Guinea. This founding text, currently being drafted, reflects the spirit of our culture and the traditions of tolerance and inclusion of our past. We want to build a modern State that integrates these timeless principles, a State where every citizen, regardless of origin, culture, or faith, finds their place in a harmonious and united social fabric. This refoundation is more than a simple institutional change; it is a return to our roots, an anchoring in the true foundations of our history, and a commitment to honor these values on our path toward a future of peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This path toward refoundation cannot be traveled alone. We call for sincere and strengthened international support, based on mutual respect, listening, and support in pursuing our common objectives. Guinea is not seeking compassion, but proposes a partnership, an active and dynamic alliance, to build together a world where peace, justice, and dignity are universal rights.

This period also represents a unique opportunity for Guinea to redefine its role on the international stage, as an engaged and responsible actor, contributing to regional stability and global peace. We are ready to work with our partners to meet shared challenges and make Guinea a model of resilience and integrity.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peace and security are not merely goals; they are imperatives for the future of our planet. Guinea is firmly committed to playing its part in promoting peace, both regionally and internationally. We have actively participated in peacekeeping efforts under the auspices of the United Nations, and we will continue to do so, convinced that peace is the primary condition for development and justice.

However, peace can only be achieved through strengthened cooperation and significant reform of multilateral institutions.

In this perspective, we must also rethink our approach to resolving persistent conflicts in the Sahel region. It is time to move beyond exclusively military responses and promote an integrated strategy that combines economic development, institutional strengthening, and enhanced regional cooperation.

To establish lasting peace, we must first address the root causes of instability. Then, we must encourage inclusive dialogue and promote reconciliation between communities, in order to strengthen trust and social cohesion.

The fight against terrorism and armed conflicts can only be won by adopting a holistic approach that places social justice, equitable development, and regional solidarity at the heart of our efforts.

It is therefore time for the United Nations Security Council to truly reflect the diversity and aspirations of today's world, including those of Africa.

That is why we firmly support the Ezulwini Consensus and call for more equitable and democratic representation within decision-making bodies. The United Nations Security Council must reflect the world as it is today, with all its diversity and aspirations. Africa, with its 54 member states, representing more than a quarter of UN members, can no longer be relegated to a secondary place in decisions that shape world peace and security. We call for the African continent to obtain permanent seats on the Security Council, with all the rights associated with them, including the right of veto. Africa has demonstrated its capacity to actively contribute to regional and international peace solutions. It is time for its voice, that of more than a billion inhabitants, to be heard fairly and equitably in the highest decision-making bodies in the world. For a truly inclusive and lasting peace, Africa must have a legitimate place at the heart of the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Faced with the multiple crises shaking our world, it is clear that our responses must be collective and humanitarian. Everywhere, populations are suffering the ravages of war: separated families, displaced communities, lost lives, and destroyed vital infrastructure. Whether in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine, in Africa, or in other regions of the world, the suffering of peoples is immense and knows no borders or nationalities.

To these human tragedies are added the devastating effects of climate change, which exacerbate conflicts and increase the vulnerability of the most disadvantaged. We cannot ignore the urgency of preserving our environment. The Fouta Djallon massif, a true water tower of West Africa, plays a vital role in the ecological stability of our region, where 15 States are concerned. By reaffirming our commitment to having this site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, we send a strong signal in favor of preserving our ecosystems, while preventing potential conflicts related to water resource management. Guaranteeing the ecological balance of our region also means guaranteeing peace for future generations.

We ask the international community to strengthen its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly for the least developed countries. It is urgent to guarantee fair climate financing and to adopt energy transition policies that leave no one behind.

The future of our nations depends on our ability to invest in our youth, for they represent the greatest wealth of our countries. By offering young people the opportunities and means to reach their full potential, we can effectively combat the ills that push them toward illegal immigration. Immigration, far from being a solution, is draining our countries of their most precious human resources. That is why it is essential to create a favorable environment where young people find prospects at home, in a prosperous and stable Africa. Furthermore, technological and digital advances must be put at the service of all, not reserved for a minority. Technology will only be truly beneficial if it benefits all of humanity, equitably. We therefore advocate for universal access to technological innovations, while ensuring that ethics remains at the heart of their use. It is imperative that technologies, particularly information and communication technologies, help bridge inequalities rather than reinforce them.

The Republic of Guinea calls for a new global solidarity, a solidarity that transcends borders and differences, and that places humanity at the center of all our concerns.

Faced with these global challenges, it is our common duty to promote peace, protect human dignity, and seek just solutions together. We must act now so that peace is not merely an aspiration, but a tangible reality for every child, woman, and man on this planet.

Your Excellency Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Republic of Guinea stands today at a decisive crossroads in its history, determined to chart a new path, that of a profound and inclusive refoundation. This refoundation is not merely a national aspiration; it is a call to collective action, a challenge issued to the entire international community to build a world where peace and justice are not mere words, but tangible realities for every human being.

We know that the path toward this ideal is strewn with obstacles, but we firmly believe that it is in adversity that the greatest victories are forged. We refuse indifference, we reject division. Our choice is clear: we choose action, solidarity, and the courage to build a better future together.

Today, we call on nations to come together around a shared vision, that of a world that places humanity at the center of all its concerns. Together, we can overcome the most arduous challenges, extinguish flashpoints of tension, and embrace lasting peace founded on justice, dignity, and inclusion.

As a sovereign nation determined to forge its own destiny, Guinea stands firmly on the international stage with a clear and independent vision.

Just one year ago, from this very United Nations podium, the Head of State, His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, declared forcefully: "We are neither pro nor anti-American, neither pro nor anti-Chinese, neither pro nor anti-French, neither pro nor anti-Russian, neither pro nor anti-Turkish. We are simply pro-African." This declaration embodies our position still today: a Guinea resolutely anchored in the interests of Africa, but open to equitable and respectful cooperation with all nations of the world. We choose to defend our values and our priorities without submitting to outside influences dictated by others.

Guinea, strong in its history and its values, is ready to walk alongside all those who believe in a shared future of prosperity and mutual respect. Our commitment is total, our determination unwavering. We will leave no one behind.

This is the wish of His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic, and of the people of Guinea: that our actions today shape a future of peace and light for all.

Long live peace! Together, for a better world!

Thank you.