OPENING SPEECH: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Honourable Chairs, Mr Secretary-General, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour to address the UN General Assembly for the first time and it is a particular honour to do so when we are in the midst of a profound change. Everywhere you look people are standing together against discrimination, for equality; against oppression, for liberty. Just look at Ukraine. This is a massive opportunity for the UN to spread peace, prosperity, democracy and security but only if we really seize it. The UN has to show that we can be not just united in condemnation but united in action, acting in a way that lives up to the UNs founding principles and meets the needs of people everywhere. This should be applied also to the discussions at the General Assembly sessions that will consist of three pressing issues. Let me move to the first topic on our agenda: the global ban of fur trade. UK believes that animal welfare is of utmost importance here, and that is why we are in favour of regulating fur trade, so that it would reflect our efforts to improve the welfare of animals all over the world. Next topic on the agenda is inter-ethnic issues involving minorities. UK condemns all instances of violence and discrimination against minorities and is therefore in favour of a solution that would consist of an international response in the form of a legally binding document that will protect indigenous and minority groups against discrimination and violence and will guarantee the respect of minority rights all over the world. Moving to the third topic on the agenda, UK is in favour of a cooperative action in the form of a UN environment organization that would strengthen and improve the global protection of environment and would make the coordination of global efforts to prevent environmental and developmental problems more effective. This is especially urgent in the area of climate change, where the objective should be to help developing countries adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, On these and all other issues facing our nations we are stronger together than apart. We are at our best when we engage constructively with one another and when we are ambitious pursuing our shared goals. That is what the UK will do. We stand ready to work with all others who will do the same. Thank you.