by Karl Rodney
Congratulations to Ambassador Dennis Francis on being elected as the 78th President of the United Nations General Assembly. Ambassador Francis made history when he became the first Trinidad and Tobago President-elect of the General Assembly. He was unopposed.
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Congratulations to the government of Trinidad and Tobago for selecting an outstanding diplomat to represent the country at the International body – the United Nations, a diplomat who is respected and brings credibility to the organization, the country, and the region. It shows the necessity for Caribbean countries to select our very best as we look for representation from the Caribbean, to these international organizations.
Congratulations to CARICOM and the CARICOM Minister, Dr. Avery Brown, who was a part of the campaign bringing the full weight of the CARICOM Member Nations of the United Nations to support Ambassador Dennis Brown’s candidacy to a successful conclusion.
Browne, Minister for Foreign and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, said that his country’s contribution to multilateralism has shaped the work of the United Nations. Following the path of constructive engagement, Trinidad and Tobago has often served as a bridge-builder — its size does not limit the scope of its ambition nor does it constrain its commitment to humanity as it recognizes the giant potential that all nations bring to the Assembly.
The result augurs well for the region because it shows the high esteem in which the nation of Trinidad and Tobago is held and certainly the Caribbean Region and its significant role on the international stage. Ambassador Francis has taken as his mantra, his priority – peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability.
A diplomat with a nearly 40-year career, he was elected by acclamation in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nation’s headquarters in New York. The General Assembly consists of all 193 UN Member States, all of which have an equal vote; its duties include appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council and approving the organization’s annual budget.
Ambassador Francis says he will prioritize encouraging and facilitating meaningful dialogue. He said, “ “It is my hope to bring forward, with your help and the support of a renewed atmosphere of conciliation, cooperation and shared commitment in addressing the many challenges and seizing every opportunity — however nascent — before the General Assembly,” calling for Member States’ fulsome and good faith engagement as they accelerate action towards sustainable development for all.
He spoke of the prominent role of education in his life and career and upheld the need to ensure all people have the chance to learn, in line with the sustainable development goals, which call for ending extreme poverty and other deprivations by 2030.
Ambassador Francis’ vision for the 78th Session -peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability, offers a comprehensive view of the work of the General Assembly as he looks to rebuild trust in and within the institution to tackle climate change and to strive to get the organization back on track.
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General commenting on Mr. Francis’ appointment noted that the tenure comes at a deeply challenging moment amidst conflicts and climate chaos, escalating poverty, hunger and inequality; mistrust and division; and the 2030 Agenda — the road map to a better future — in danger as the Global Goals are slipping out of reach. Across all these issues, the world looks to the Assembly to unite Member States around common solutions. In that regard, President-elect Francis brings a critical perspective on many issues to be addressed by the General Assembly, possesses a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge for this essential task as a respected negotiator and long-serving diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago.
“The General Assembly of the United Nations is a symbol of hope in a world where it is so often missing,” he underscored, emphasizing: “Through dialogue and looking for consensus, you demonstrate that we can gather around shared solutions to tackle the challenges facing our world.” On behalf of the entire United Nations system, he wished the President-elect every success and pledged his full support in working to forge a better, more peaceful future for all.
Ambassador Francis brings to this job a wealth of experience; during four decades of his diplomatic career, he has worked as Ambassador for 18 consecutive years and Trinidad and Tobago’s longest serving Ambassador. This distinguished career will serve him well, serve the Caribbean community and the world because of his perspective on the value and purpose of the United Nations and the role it can play in the development of large and small countries, so his ascendance to the presidency of the General Assembly is welcomed.
A key focus for Ambassador Francis will be this year’s assembly of world leaders coming to the UN in September to re-energize the actions of the UN and the UN goals for 2030.
Our heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Francis and those of us in the diaspora in the New York area should embrace this appointment and provide whatever support that can be given as he undertakes a very ambitious international program, but one that will benefit all if we come together and provide a united front in support of his priority.
