Welcome Remarks
H.E. Francis Mustapha Kai-Kai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone and Chair g7+
g7+ High-Level Summit, 23 September 2022
Honorable Jose Ramos Horta, President of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and the Special Envoy of g7+.
H. E. Abdelbaggi Ayii Akol, Vice President of South Sudan.
H.E. Xanana Gusmão, Eminent Person of g7+
Fellow Ministers
Ambassadors
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen
I warmly welcome you all to this High-Level Summit: “Conflict Prevention in a Multipolar World: Perspective from g7+ countries” holding on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
Let me at the outset thank the permanent mission of Principality of Monaco for graciously hosting here. We are indeed grateful.
Excellencies, on behalf of Sierra Leone, the Chairing Country of the g7+, and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, host of the g7+ Secretariat, let me express our appreciation for your eminence presence here this afternoon. Your perspective will contribute to the important discourse on what is needed for g7+ and other countries in fragile situations, who face the heaviest burden of the negative impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic and the current geopolitical turmoil marked by War on Ukraine to pursue lasting peace in the face of extreme poverty, rising food prices and climate induced disasters.
This is the first high level gathering of the members of g7+ that is happening in person in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic. It is also the first in-person high level meeting of the g7+ since the group was granted an observer status at the United Nations in December 2019.
This High-Level Summit emanates from the g7+ Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting held in September 2020 that decided to meet regularly at the highest possible level on the margins of the High-Level week of the UNGA to galvanize the highest political support in advancing the work of the Group following the attainment of Observer Status at the United Nations.
It is therefore our hope that today’s discussion will provide some insights on:
- Scaling up efforts at pursuing peaceful means to conflict resolution in g7+ countries and agreeing on a collective way forward on mitigating impact of the global crises in conflict affected countries such as those in the g7+.
- Solidify the g7+ as a platform to raise our voice on specific issues that are of relevance to our member states.
- Agree on a coordination and steps to optimize the use of the Observer Status at the United Nations.
Therefore, today’s meeting has significance in our big mission of pursuing peace and stability in g7+, accelerate the implementation of the SGDs in these countries and continuing to play a key role in shaping the global agenda for peace.
We have simultaneous translation between English and French.
We therefore would welcome your perspectives and high-level political support on these and other issues that will advance the work of the g7+ Group.
Before I invite Hon. President of Timor-Leste, H.E. José Ramos-Horta. Honorable President is also the Special Envoy of the g7+ and we thank H.E. for his political and moral support
See the annotated agenda.