United Nations, October 1 (RHC)-- In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, Manuel José Gonçalves, mentioned that the current session is a crucial opportunity to strengthen multilateralism.
Gonçalves stressed the importance of the topic to be discussed in the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN: “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,” as it strengthens international cooperation in order to be able to face the challenges that humanity faces in order to build a prosperous present, but also a promising future.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique pointed out that, in just six years, the 2030 agenda will expire and progress is scarce. “Therefore, it is urgent to mobilize the necessary resources for its financing and also for the financing of other internationally agreed development goals to achieve the SDGs.”
Gonçalves also assured Mozambique's alignment with the voices that defend the urgency of reforms of the United Nations, especially at the level of the Security Council, for greater inclusion. He therefore demanded that a permanent voice be given to the African continent and in this way correct the historical injustice to which it has been subjected.
The Mozambican leader also said that "the States of the African Union (AU) are ready for continued collaboration between the United Nations and the AU to overcome conflicts in the context of international peacekeeping, as reflected in resolution 2719, adopted by the Security Council on 21 December 2023.
He added that "collaboration between the United Nations and the AU is strengthened, thus promoting greater regional and national ownership of peace initiatives; the necessary funding for AU operations exists; and contributes to giving more strength to efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts in the face of a more prosperous and peaceful African continent: the Africa we want as determined by the AU's Agenda 2063."
The deputy minister of Mozambique expressed his concern about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He added: "We believe that the safest path is dialogue between the parties and it is up to all of us to persuade the parties in the conflict to end hostilities and to opt for a dialogue towards peace in these two countries."
He also advocated for the cessation of hostilities and the protection of innocent civilians in the Middle East. He added: "The idea of sovereign states: Israel and Palestine, as full members of the United Nations, would be the fairest formula that would allow for ensuring sustainable peace and sovereignty in this region."
José Gonçalves also reiterated Mozambique's concern about the conflict in Sudan, which has killed thousands of innocent civilians, including refugees, causing an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. He therefore reiterated the call to the parties to the conflict to end hostilities and also insisted on the need for dialogue to restore peace and stability.
