Asia Pacific

President Thein Sein of Myanmar Addresses the General Assembly .
UN Photo/Jennifer S Altman

Myanmar’s democratic transition needs continued support, patience, President tells UN

27 September 2012
While Myanmar is making progress in its democratic transition, it faces a number of formidable challenges that will require both the continued support and patience of its people, the United Nations and the wider international community, the country’s President Thein Sein told the UN General Assembly today.
Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei Darussalam.
UN Photo/Lou Rouse

Structure of United Nations needs adjustment, Brunei’s Crown Prince tells General Debate

27 September 2012
While expressing satisfaction with the work of the United Nations, the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam, Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, today told the UN General Assembly that the world body’s structure is in need of adjustment to reflect the globalized world it operates in.
President Emanuel Mori of Micronesia addresses General Assembly.
UN Photo/Marco Castro

Climate change Micronesia’s biggest and continuing challenge, President tells UN debate

27 September 2012
With climate change representing the “biggest challenge” to his country, the President of Micronesia, Emanuel Mori, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, today urged UN Member States to confront the phenomenon “more urgently, and more creatively.”
President Mohamed Waheed of Maldives addresses General Assembly.
UN Photo/Marco Castro

More than elections needed to consolidate democracy, Maldives President tells UN

27 September 2012
“Holding elections itself is not a sufficient condition for consolidating democracy”, President Mohammed Waheed of the Maldives told the UN General Assembly today, noting that that patience, hard choices and compromises were as important as “cultivating and nurturing democratic values.”
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand addresses the General Assembly.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Economic development strategies must put people first, Thai leader says at UN debate

27 September 2012
Economic development must go hand in hand with political advancement, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand told the United Nations General Assembly today, while adding that any strategy to promote growth must put people first.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of China addresses General Assembly.
UN Photo/J Carrier

China’s Foreign Minister stresses principle of non-interference at UN debate

27 September 2012
Taking the podium at the United Nations General Assembly today, China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi stressed the need to ensure that international relations are based strictly on the principle of non-interference in each other’s affairs.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Leadership of Pacific island nations vital to tackling global challenges, says Ban

26 September 2012
The United Nations is counting on the leadership and active engagement of Pacific island nations in tackling some of today’s pressing challenges, including achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), advancing sustainable development and promoting gender equality, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan addresses the General Assembly.
UN Photo/Marco Castro

Japan determined to pass on lessons from its nuclear disaster, UN General Assembly told

26 September 2012
Recalling that a year and a half had gone by since the earthquake which struck his country last March, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan today told the United Nations General Assembly that his Government was determined to pass on lessons learned from the resulting disaster and make concrete contributions to nuclear safety.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia addresses the General Assembly.
UN Photo/J Carrier

At UN debate, Australian Prime Minister re-affirms commitment to world body’s ideals

26 September 2012
In her speech to the United Nations General Assembly today, the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, covered a wide range of topical issues on the global agenda, as well as her country’s efforts in each of them, while also re-affirming its commitment to the world body and its ideals.
President Anote Tong of Kiribati addresses General Assembly.
UN Photo/J Carrier

At UN debate, Kiribati’s President urges increased efforts to mitigate impact of rising seas

26 September 2012
The President of Kiribati, a mainly low-lying Pacific archipelago that is one of the states most threatened by rising seas, today appealed to the United Nations to step up efforts to curb global greenhouse emissions and help in mitigation measures, including possible migration.