79th session of the UN General Assembly

79eme AG ONU © Michaël Alesi-Palais Princier

The General Debate of the 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly was held from 24 to 30 September 2024 in New York. Among the 193 speakers who took part in the debate were 87 heads of state, including H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

In the highly volatile international context, particularly due to the armed conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere, the heads of state appealed for peace. In his speech, H.S.H. Prince Albert II took particular care to emphasise the importance of solidarity and dialogue in a divided world. He also noted the need to achieve gender equality, and on that issue, it is worth noting that only ten women spoke as the head of their country’s delegation.

The other issues raised were the fight against climate change, regulation of developments in artificial intelligence and the battle to counter disinformation.

Several meetings and a summit were also held during High-Level Week.

The Summit of the Future, held in advance of the General Debate, saw the adoption of the Pact for the Future, including a Declaration on Future Generations and a Global Digital Compact. The Pact is intended to be a roadmap for tackling global challenges.

In his speech at the Summit, H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince emphasised that peace was the most precious commodity of all, and stressed the importance of respecting and protecting human rights. He also highlighted the power of sport as a universal language that can help to bring people and cultures together, remove social barriers and promote sustainable development.

On 24 September, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, attended the Security Council Ministerial Meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine. At the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the international community to “force” Russia into peace.

During the High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise, held on 25 September, Ms Berro-Amadeï reiterated Monaco’s commitment to protecting the oceans and fighting climate change. The meeting focused on the legal, socio-economic and scientific aspects of the consequences of sea level rise, as well as its impact on food security. Adaptation strategies for a sustainable future were discussed, particularly in relation to small, developing island nations and countries with low-lying coastal areas.

On 26 September, the Monegasque delegation took part in the meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Member states adopted a political declaration designed to accelerate progress on combating this growing threat, through health systems strengthening and international cooperation, as well as promoting responsible antimicrobial use. The Principality also took part in an event organised by the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), and H.E. Ms Berro-Amadeï met a representative from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, two organisations to which Monaco provides support.

On 27 September, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï also took part in a ministerial meeting on the situation in Gaza and the implementation of the two-state solution as a path to a just peace. At the meeting, member states unanimously called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and the unconditional release of hostages.

In the margins of the official meetings, Ms Berro-Amadeï spoke at the 17^th ministerial meeting of the Global Governance Group (3G), which is convened annually by the Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs. She spoke alongside the foreign ministers from the G20 troika (India, Brazil and South Africa).

Several bilateral meetings were requested during High-Level Week: during his time in New York, H.S.H. Prince Albert II met the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Mr Thomas Bach. The Prince’s Foundation has reached a framework partnership agreement with the IOC on harnessing the power of sport to promote the environmental leaders of the future. He also met, at his request, H.E. Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation met her counterparts from Kosovo, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Cyprus. She also took part in an informal meeting of female foreign ministers organised by the Principality of Liechtenstein, and attended the traditional dinner for the foreign ministers of Andorra, San Marino and Monaco.