In his first speech as the President of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Bande has emphasized that implementing SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) would be the priority of his presidency. He will preside over the 74th Session of the UNGA that would observe 75th anniversary in 2020.

“Mr. Bande, taking the podium after his election, pledged to make the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other existing mandates a priority of his presidency,” said a press statement by the UNGA. The United Nations has set up 17 Global Goals in 2015 to be achieved by the year 2030. Beside, Bande, the United Nations also elected 20 Vice Presidents for the 74th Session of the UNGA. Mr. Bande, a professor, and diplomat who has been Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 2017, also served as a Vice-President of the Assembly’s seventy-first session.

“If we are to achieve the vision of our founding fathers, we must ensure that indifference and cynicism do not creep into our Organization, “said Bande. He further added, “We have to assume a collective responsibility to make the world better, safer and more peaceful.” Pointing out that the United Nations will mark its seventy-fifth anniversary in 2020, he declared, “This presents a unique opportunity for us to reduce the trust deficit between nations, as we all share the same aspirations and we have no choice but to work together.”

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Noting that, during the Assembly’s seventy-fourth session the United Nations will host a range of high-level summits on such issues as climate change, universal health coverage, financing for development and the health of the planet’s oceans, he called on the Assembly to play its role in bridging gaps and promoting collective action on issues requiring international attention. Among other things, he pledged to explore his Office’s robust convening potential, use its advocacy tools to promote multilateral approaches and feasible solutions and work with the member nations to streamline and improve the way business is done at the United Nations.

The UNGA President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador), Secretary General António Guterres, and representatives of regional groups also congratulated Mr. Bande on his election as the President of UNGA.

Culled from – devdiscourse