DPM calls for collective action, multilateralism to tackle global challenges

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith called for collective action and the upholding of multilateralism to tackle global challenges, in his address to the United Nations (UN) on September 23.
Today the international community is facing unprecedented multiple crises, he told the General Debate of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.

Mr Saleumxay Kommasith addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.

Following the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, major challenges facing developing countries vary from increasing extreme poverty, external debt, and unjust international financial architecture to extreme natural calamities. This has been compounded by regional tensions and unilateral measures as a result of geopolitical rivalries.
All this has not only hampered hard-earned development progress during the last decade, but also threatens the survival of all humankind, said Mr Saleumxay, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“At this critical juncture, the most appropriate solutions are needed in order to address such challenges. It requires unified and collective actions that are guided by the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and we must firmly uphold multilateralism in tackling them,” Mr Saleumxay told the assembled leaders at the UN headquarters.
“To save our world from another catastrophe, our shared wisdom and united political determination are more crucial than ever. This must be done by putting aside any unilateral interests and resolutely avoiding greater confrontation and division among UN member states.”
To this end, he added, the United Nations must be reformed in a way that it can effectively fulfill its mandate.
“We need the United Nations to be more relevant and effective in the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and be able to address the challenges threatening international peace, security and sustainable development,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that resolving global conflicts and disputes by peaceful means is the only viable way to ensure long-lasting peace and coexistence.
“In this regard, we urge an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful dialogue, without which we will all continue to be impacted,” he said.
“We also demand a peaceful solution to the Middle East problem.”
In addition, the Lao PDR, he added, calls for the parties concerned to resume dialogue and restore mutual trust to resolve the long overdue Palestinian issue through the establishment of two sovereign states, coexisting peacefully in line with the relevant UN resolutions.
The minister warned against unilateralism.
“Like many others, the Lao PDR believes that unilateralism, particularly unilateral coercive measures, not only contravene the principles of the UN Charter and international law, but also cause severe negative consequences to innocent people and hinder the development of many developing countries,” he said.
“In this regard, my delegation continues to join the global call for lifting the economic embargo against Cuba and removing it from the list of ‘state sponsors of terrorism’ as well as ending all unilateral coercive measures.”

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 26, 2023)