UN the only forum for solving global problems – General Assembly President

Solutions to current challenges facing the international community can only be found through cooperative effort under the auspices of the United Nations, the President of the General Assembly has said.

“The 21st century has witnessed a number of global crises; from the global financial and economic crisis, the escalating food prices to environmental degradation and the increasing prevalence of natural disasters,” said Ali Treki in a speech to the Argentine Parliament in Buenos Aires yesterday.

“The United Nations is the only forum where all nations can collectively work together to achieve durable solutions to these and other challenges,” he said.

He said the UN was undergoing intensified efforts to strengthen its capacity to deal with current and emerging challenges, adding that he had appointed Jorge Argüello, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, to lead efforts to find ways to revitalize the General Assembly.

“We are also considering different initiatives and proposals to reform the Security Council to make it more representative, legitimate and credible,” Dr. Treki said.

Dr. Treki, who is visiting the region for the first time in his capacity as the President of the General Assembly, said South America had distinguished itself as a region with strong multilateral relationships and which cherished multilateralism as a force for unity.

“Today I would like to express my support for the efforts to achieve economic progress – to reduce inequalities and strengthen social cohesion, as well as [recognizing] the unconditional respect for the integrity of State sovereignty,” he added.