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Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador Elected President of U.N. General Assembly

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Justice Nwafor
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Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador Elected President of U.N. General Assembly 
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Ambassador Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago has been elected as the next President of the U.N. General Assembly. The 193-member world body, known for its condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its role in addressing urgent global issues, will witness Francis assume the presidency at the start of the 78th session in September.

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The details

Dennis Francis, the longest-serving ambassador of his Caribbean nation, was elected by acclamation amidst thunderous applause and the resonating bang of the gavel. He will succeed Hungary's Csaba Kőrösi, a highly respected diplomat with nearly four decades of experience, who received commendations from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his invaluable guidance and counsel.

The General Assembly, representing the U.N.'s most diverse and representative body, has emerged as a prominent voice in response to the war in Ukraine, primarily due to Russia's veto power in the Security Council. While the Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, it has been unable to pass resolutions due to Russia's veto. In contrast, the General Assembly has adopted six resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine and condemning the "attempted illegal annexation" of Ukrainian territories.

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General Assembly resolutions lack legal enforceability

Although General Assembly resolutions lack legal enforceability, they hold significant weight as reflections of global opinion. When asked about the war's influence on the upcoming session, President-elect Francis expressed his belief in the capacity and willingness of nations to transcend the limits of the conflict. He emphasized his commitment to fostering a global mindset and seeking consensus or compromise on critical issues.

With almost four decades of diplomatic experience, Francis emerged from retirement to assume his role as Trinidad and Tobago's U.N. ambassador in September 2021. His previous assignments included representing his nation at U.N. agencies in Geneva, Vienna, and Paris, as well as holding high-ranking positions within the foreign ministry. Furthermore, he served as the high commissioner to Jamaica and was accredited to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba.

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Under the theme "Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability," President-elect Francis intends to prioritize these objectives as essential targets for the international community during this crucial period. In contrast, Csaba Kőrösi's theme for the current assembly session revolves around "Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability, and Science."

Addressing the General Assembly following his election, Francis underscored the transformative power of education, describing it as the catalyst for societal advancement and upliftment. He highlighted that a primary focus of the world leaders' meeting in September will be to revitalize efforts towards achieving the U.N. goals for 2030, which are significantly behind schedule. These goals encompass ending extreme poverty, providing quality secondary education to all children, promoting gender equality, reducing inequality, and urgently addressing climate change.

Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged the challenging times faced by the international community and expressed concerns regarding ongoing conflicts, climate-related disruptions, escalating poverty, inequality, and the erosion of trust and unity. He emphasized that the 2030 goals are in jeopardy and urged for renewed dedication to their attainment.

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