Statement by the Republic of Latvia on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly
Thematic Debate on the Role and Authority of the General Assembly
28 March 2024
Distinguished co-chairs, colleagues,
At the outset, as this is the first time our delegation takes the floor, we would like to congratulate both co-chairs with the important appointment to steer the Revitalization process of the General Assembly. Please count on our support.
We align ourselves with the statements delivered on behalf of the European Union and the ACT Group, and would like to add few remarks in our national capacity.
Latvia welcomes the work towards the implementation of the Resolution 77/335 on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues. No matter, big or small – every country has a say.
In cases when geopolitical challenges and disagreements prevent the Security Council from timely decision-making, the responsibility of the full UN membership on matters concerning global peace and security increases.
In this connection, we reiterate our appreciation towards Liechtenstein’s veto initiative, that two years ago shed a light on the pivotal role of the General Assembly, taking a significant step towards accountability and transparency of the United Nations. It is commendable that in practice, when the Security Council is unable to act, critical matters have been brought before the General Assembly for consideration.
The structural barriers within the General Assembly that can hinder its efficiency and effectiveness in addressing pressing global issues must be further addressed by this Working Group. At the 21st century, streamlining of procedures and exploring innovative approaches to debate and decision-making could empower the Assembly to respond more swiftly and decisively to pressing global challenges. We must explore such options.
Let me also address gender equality.
We appreciate the efforts made during the negotiations of the resolution 77/355 by the previous co-chairs – Australia and El Salvador who did their upmost best to strive towards adoption of a mandate on amending the General Assembly Rules and Procedures with a gender-inclusive language. We hope that soon we will be able to successfully incorporate a gender inclusive language in all UN documents.
In the 78-year history of the United Nations, only four women have been elected to the post of President of the General Assembly. While we are still waiting for the next female PGA to be elected, we should strive towards eliminating such terms as "chairmen" and other male focused terminology in the UN documents in order to ensure gender equality in its entirety.
In conclusion, Latvia underlines the pivotal role of the General Assembly as a cornerstone of multilateralism. We are ready to join efforts to enhance its efficiency to ensure it delivers on its promise of building a more peaceful and prosperous world. On our behalf, we are committed to work TOGETHER FOR PEACE AND RESILIENCE.
Thank you.