Senegal

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of State and Government, Mr. Secretary-General, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Delegates,

Allow me first of all to congratulate Mr. Philémon Yang on his election to the presidency of this 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as his predecessor, for his contribution to the implementation of our common agenda. Through you, I extend my wishes for success in the conduct of our work. I also salute the constant commitment of the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, whose efforts to promote peace, human dignity and multilateralism are more necessary than ever.

Senegal renews its full support for his mission in these times of great global turbulence.

As I take the floor today, I am guided by a deep conviction: unity in diversity is the key to guaranteeing peace, sustainable development and human dignity for all, everywhere in the world. This theme of the present session, which guides our discussions, invites us to rethink our collective responsibilities, and to ensure that the founding principles of the United Nations, defined nearly eight decades ago, continue to carry the promise of a fairer and more equitable world.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We live in a troubled world, where the principles of the United Nations Charter, which advocate equality, justice and respect for human rights, are undermined every day. Conflicts are spreading, inequalities are widening, and climate crises are worsening the vulnerability of millions of people around the world. Moreover, we are witnessing a worrying challenge to multilateralism, at a time when humanity needs it most.

The world must look itself in the mirror, without complacency. The values we have sworn to defend are being trampled underfoot in several regions of the globe. Whether in Gaza, Tel Aviv, Dakar or elsewhere, every human being carries this equal dignity, a dignity that transcends borders, cultures and religious affiliations. It is our collective duty to ensure that this dignity is protected and respected for every human being, without exception. This duty is the very essence of the United Nations.

Yet we observe every day that international law, the cement of world peace, is often violated. Resolutions adopted by this very Assembly are ignored. By tolerating these repeated violations, we trample on the principles of the United Nations Charter and undermine the very foundations of this House of peace.

Never have the foundations of the United Nations wavered as much as in these times of violence, fear and uncertainty. If we wish to ward off the specter of war and work toward the advent of a better world, then it is time to change paradigms. It is time to put humanity back at the center of the international agenda, as the theme of this session invites us to do.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We can no longer turn a blind eye to the tragedy unfolding in the Sahel. Terrorist groups are sowing terror, looting and killing innocent civilian populations. This region, once stable, is now gripped by daily violence, while the United Nations, and particularly the Security Council, remain all too often inert. Likewise, we cannot accept that the Sahel becomes the theater of rivalries between foreign powers, whose confrontations only worsen the destabilization of the region.

I must recall here that the peace and security of Africa are inseparable from world peace, and it is imperative that the Security Council fully play its role as guarantor of international stability.

I express once again Senegal's concern regarding the tragic situation that persists in Palestine. Entire generations have grown up there under the shadow of oppression, deprived of their fundamental right to a viable State.

Senegal, as Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. We reiterate our support for the two-State solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions. This war, which spares neither women, nor children, nor vital infrastructure, is an open wound on the international conscience. It is imperative that international humanitarian law be restored in all conflict zones, and that the United Nations fully play its role as mediator and guarantor of peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peace is not merely the absence of war. Peace is also the possibility for every human being to live in dignity, to feed themselves, to have housing, to be educated and to receive care. Yet today, more than 750 million people do not have enough to eat, and millions fall into extreme poverty every day. These figures are moving the world further and further away from the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030.

We can no longer accept that global governance mechanisms continue to reproduce these inequalities. It is time to break with the logic of every man for himself and to build a new global social contract, founded on solidarity and cooperation. This contract must include major reforms to address the political, economic and environmental challenges of our time.

First, it is imperative to safeguard and strengthen multilateralism as the sole framework for action for international peace and security. This requires an urgent reform of global institutions, particularly the Security Council, the IMF and the World Bank, so that they are more inclusive and reflect current geopolitical and economic realities. The African continent, in particular, must have a greater place in these decision-making bodies.

Second, it is time to correct the economic injustices that hinder the development of many countries of the South. Unequal trade, tax evasion, illicit financial flows and abusive tax breaks are ruining developing countries, particularly in Africa. These injustices must be corrected to allow all countries to participate fully in global trade and benefit from economic growth.

Third, it is essential to act with determination against global warming, respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. Industrialized countries, historically responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions, must intensify their efforts to finance a just and equitable energy transition, one that does not penalize developing countries. We must imperatively protect our planet without sacrificing the rights of the most vulnerable nations to pursue their development.

Fourth, it is necessary to break with any attempt to impose unilateral civilizational norms. Since its independence, Senegal has always defended the equal dignity of cultures and civilizations, and this diversity must continue to be the basis for peaceful coexistence among peoples. No nation should impose its practices or values on others as universal norms. Respect for differences is the foundation of peace and stability in the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Senegal is firmly committed to this path. We have chosen to build a State resolutely oriented toward sustainable development, with ambitious initiatives in fields such as clean energy, food sovereignty and transparent governance. But we know that, to succeed, we need collective action and international solidarity.

No country, however powerful, can meet alone the challenges that threaten humanity. We must act together, united in diversity, to build a future in which human dignity is respected, where justice prevails, and where prosperity is shared. It is through cooperation and mutual respect that we will overcome the crises shaking our world.

Thank you for your kind attention.