New chief vows to reform assembly

UNITED NATIONS－The president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, vowed on Monday to build bridges and make the work of the assembly more impact-oriented.

"We must continue to reform and transform the United Nations, including the General Assembly, and strengthen our cooperation through trust," he told reporters after taking the oath as president of the session of the General Assembly.

"My role will be to build bridges and make the work of the General Assembly more impact-oriented. I plan to pursue an integrated agenda of peace and security, human rights, and sustainability－three mutually reinforcing goals. We must support each, or they will all fall," said Korosi, a senior Hungarian diplomat.

He said his priorities will be to stand firm on the basic principles of the UN Charter, make significant and measurable progress on the sustainability transformation, aim at integrated systemic solutions, enhance the role of science in decision-shaping, and increase solidarity.

"I invite all stakeholders to work together and enlarge common ground among member states and stakeholders," said Korosi. "I will continue to coordinate efforts with the secretary-general, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the other relevant UN bodies, and conduct impact-oriented and regular consultations with civil society, youth, scientific institutions, knowledge centers, faith-based organizations, private sector, and key financial institutions."

Climate change stressed

Korosi called for immediate action on climate change.

"It is the last moment we can make change. It is the last moment we can really come together to deal with issues that have a potential to bring down our civilizations," he said. "Climate change, biodiversity loss, and water crisis, they are all interlinked. My message and my plea to all nations of the world is that our years and months and days are numbered. We have to act now."

The world needs breakthroughs on a number of burning issues like water management and climate change, he said. "We have quite a number of big events later this year. All my efforts will be to encourage member states, encourage our partners in the business community, in the science community, to help us find the breakthrough moments, the transformation pathways."

He called on member states to build trust.

"I've just asked the member states this morning to turn our attention to build bridges, to be a little bit more forthcoming, a little bit more understanding to each other, to build more trust," he said. "Because without building trust, it would be very, very difficult to face very complex challenges in front of us."

He called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Based on the General Assembly resolution, I reiterate the call by member states for an immediate cease-fire, unhindered access for humanitarian support, and return to dialogue and diplomacy," said Korosi.

He voiced support for the efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN agencies and partners to address the many aspects of the conflict, from nuclear safety and security to support for children and refugees, food security, and human rights monitoring.

As president of the General Assembly, Korosi said he stands ready to resume the 11th emergency special session of the assembly if requested by the member states.

Xinhua