Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
President of the General Assembly
thanks Pacific Leaders for their Support
Wednesday, 21st September 2016
New York - In a meeting between Pacific Leaders and the President
of the 71st UN General Assembly, Ambassador Peter Thomson of Fiji,
offered his heartfelt appreciation to the Pacific Island Leaders
for supporting his campaign.
Ambassador Thomson who ran against Cyprus for the high-office, was
successful as a Pacific SIDS candidate. In thanking the Leaders, he
stated that, "I asked for endorsement from his group of twelve,
which was reflected in the Asia-Pacific Group Candidature chart…
Endorsement and agreement by the Pacific Small Island Developing
States is as powerful thing."
Ambassador Thomson assumed his post on the 13th of September, at
the opening of the 71st Session of the United Nation General
Assembly. The President of the General Assembly (PGA) is tasked
with presiding over all meetings of the body of all 193 Member
States, the only universally representative organ of the United
Nations.
The meeting was chaired His Excellency the President of Nauru the
Honorable Baron Waqa M.P., in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific
SIDS. In opening the meeting, President Waqa recognised the
opportunity for the region presented by a Pacific PGA.
"As you know, one of the our most commonly voiced concerns in this
organisation is that the perspectives and needs of small islands
are too often overlooked," stated President Waqa, "Indeed we
understand that marshalling 193 Member states towards common action
is a heavy burden. But we are heartened with the knowledge that the
highest office of the General Assembly is now led by a man who does
not merely understand our perspectives and our concerns, but has
lived them."
Other Pacific Leaders used the opportunity to raise issues of
concern in the upcoming year, such as issues of climate change
induced migration, implementation of the 2030 agenda, and
protection of the oceans and seas.
President Thomson affirmed that his election highlighted the voice
and effectiveness of Pacific states at the United Nations when they
are united towards common cause. He stressed that his term would be
focused on issues of common concern, with a heavy emphasis on the
2030 Agenda
"The 71st Session will be a failure if we do not have meaningful
implementation of all 17 Goals, " said the PGA.