Guinea-Bissau President Addresses UNGA 80th Session on Global Crises and UN Reform

Opening Remarks and UN's Role

• 🌍 The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, congratulated the new UNGA President and reaffirmed support for the Secretary-General's efforts.
• 🕊️ He acknowledged that the UN's founding promise to save future generations from war has not been fully realized, but highlighted the ongoing dedication of peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.
• 💡 The UN is deemed relevant, serving as the only forum where all nations have a voice amidst global uncertainty and crisis.

Global Challenges and Sustainable Development

• ⚠️ The world faces a "poly crisis" with persistent conflicts (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan), social-economic inequalities, environmental shocks, and humanitarian emergencies.
• 📉 Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has slowed, with developing countries burdened by sovereign debt and declining development assistance.
• 🤝 Guinea-Bissau welcomes the UN80 initiative to strengthen the organization and hopes the Pact for the Future will be an actionable roadmap.

Guinea-Bissau's International Commitments

• 🇵🇹 Guinea-Bissau will assume the presidency of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) for 2025-2027.
• 🌍 During its CPLP term, Guinea-Bissau will focus on cooperation with the UN on global commitments, including the Paris Agreement on climate change and financing for development.
• 🗓️ Upcoming international meetings like COP 30 and the World Summit for Social Development are seen as key platforms for strengthening cooperation.

Domestic Elections and Democratic Values

• ✅ Guinea-Bissau is preparing for peaceful, free, transparent, and credible presidential and legislative elections on November 23rd.
• ⚖️ The past five years have prioritized dialogue, inclusion, political stability, and the consolidation of the rule of law.

Reforming the United Nations

• 🌐 The UN must undertake urgent reforms to reflect current geopolitical realities and power balances, including democratizing the Security Council.
• 🌍 Reforms should give a greater voice to the Global South and restore confidence in multilateralism.
• 🤝 The UN's strength lies in the inclusion and full participation of all member states in decision-making.