Jeremić wraps up mandate at helm of UNGA

NEW YORK President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Serbia's former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, has ended his one-year mandate. Addressing the assembly, he said it had been "a distinct privilege to preside over the 67th Session of the UNGA," adding that he was truly humbled by the opportunity to serve the world on behalf of his nation. Jeremic wraps up mandate at helm of UNGA “Seven decades after we became a founding member of this Organization in the wake of the great victory over fascism, and twenty years after having been left out of this chamber as our country descended into a maelstrom of ferocious civil war, we stood with pride on the world stage once again-empowered by the confidence bestowed upon us by the Member States,” Jeremic said at the closing of the 67th session. Jeremic thanked all UNGA members that have helped him carry out the agenda of the 67th Session, during which Member States adopted close to 90 written and oral decisions, and around 300 resolutions. He pointed to the UN basic principles quoting a statement by former UNGA president Oswaldo Aranha of Brazil that the UN "stands for a new order based on peaceful accord, on understanding, on free discussion, on free decision, and on the common and equal responsibility of peoples." Jeremic underscored that the Arms Trade Treaty, which was signed in April, is the first legally-binding instrument ever negotiated at the United Nations to establish common standards for the international transfer of conventional armaments. The Serbian politician said that he was privileged to preside over a historic meeting of the General Assembly, in which Member States overwhelmingly voted to grant Palestine Non-member Observer State Status to the United Nations, on the 65th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 181 mandating two states for two peoples in the Holy Land Another notable achievement of the 67th Session was the landmark resolution on the UN and global economic governance which sets the baseline terms of flexible and regular interaction in the General Assembly between the UN, G20 and non-G20 countries, as well as International Financial Organizations. “Together, we broke a number of taboos-and made sure there would be no more forbidden topics in the General Assembly. I believe it will help this universal parliament assume a more pronounced role in the governance of world affairs,” Jeremic said. The most glaring failure of the international family during the 67th Session has been the ongoing tragedy of Syria, Jeremic said, stressing that he feels deeply ashamed that they have not been able to find a way to stop the carnage. Pointing to an increase in the overall sense of uncertainty about the future, Jeremic said that humanity is facing a test of unprecedented proportions-an existential crisis unlike any the world has experienced in its long and tumultuous history, adding that our energy and agricultural demands are soaring. “This is the moment to shake off complacency and throw aside old habits that reinforce the status quo. And it is the very last moment to chart a course towards a more secure, prosperous and sustainable future. There will be no second chance-no 'next time,'” Jeremic underlined. Jeremic was the third UNGA chairman from the territory of the former Yugoslavia along with Yugoslav diplomat and official Lazar Mojsov (1977) and Macedonian diplomat Srdjan Kerim (2007). Tanjug

Jeremić wraps up mandate at helm of UNGA

“Seven decades after we became a founding member of this Organization in the wake of the great victory over fascism, and twenty years after having been left out of this chamber as our country descended into a maelstrom of ferocious civil war, we stood with pride on the world stage once again-empowered by the confidence bestowed upon us by the Member States,” Jeremić said at the closing of the 67th session.

Jeremić thanked all UNGA members that have helped him carry out the agenda of the 67th Session, during which Member States adopted close to 90 written and oral decisions, and around 300 resolutions.

He pointed to the UN basic principles quoting a statement by former UNGA president Oswaldo Aranha of Brazil that the UN "stands for a new order based on peaceful accord, on understanding, on free discussion, on free decision, and on the common and equal responsibility of peoples."

Jeremić underscored that the Arms Trade Treaty, which was signed in April, is the first legally-binding instrument ever negotiated at the United Nations to establish common standards for the international transfer of conventional armaments.

The Serbian politician said that he was privileged to preside over a historic meeting of the General Assembly, in which Member States overwhelmingly voted to grant Palestine Non-member Observer State Status to the United Nations, on the 65th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 181 mandating two states for two peoples in the Holy Land

Another notable achievement of the 67th Session was the landmark resolution on the UN and global economic governance which sets the baseline terms of flexible and regular interaction in the General Assembly between the UN, G20 and non-G20 countries, as well as International Financial Organizations.

“Together, we broke a number of taboos-and made sure there would be no more forbidden topics in the General Assembly. I believe it will help this universal parliament assume a more pronounced role in the governance of world affairs,” Jeremić said.

The most glaring failure of the international family during the 67th Session has been the ongoing tragedy of Syria, Jeremić said, stressing that he feels deeply ashamed that they have not been able to find a way to stop the carnage.

Pointing to an increase in the overall sense of uncertainty about the future, Jeremić said that humanity is facing a test of unprecedented proportions-an existential crisis unlike any the world has experienced in its long and tumultuous history, adding that our energy and agricultural demands are soaring.

“This is the moment to shake off complacency and throw aside old habits that reinforce the status quo. And it is the very last moment to chart a course towards a more secure, prosperous and sustainable future. There will be no second chance-no 'next time,'” Jeremić underlined.

Jeremić was the third UNGA chairman from the territory of the former Yugoslavia along with Yugoslav diplomat and official Lazar Mojsov (1977) and Macedonian diplomat Srđan Kerim (2007).