Official account of Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
New York
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A declaration cannot vaccinate a child. A promise cannot pay a teacher. Applause cannot purchase cancer medicines. At the World Summit on Investing in Children’s Wellbeing, my message was clear: match every commitment with resources, responsibility and a deadline.
I commend First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva for championing children’s health, inclusive education and the fight against childhood cancer. A child’s birthplace or parents’ income must never determine access to treatment or the chance to survive.
In Samarkand, I called for four priorities: put children before processes; build systems around their needs; reach those furthest behind; and finance promises with measurable results. Children’s wellbeing is the test of whether the 2030 Agenda delivers.
Today, I met with H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We discussed deepening cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations and its agencies and reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing the SDGs. I also commended Uzbekistan’s active engagement across the UN system and its contributions to promoting regional cooperation, climate action, peace and interfaith dialogue.
Today, I met with H.E. Bakhtiyor Saidov, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We discussed shared priorities and cooperation at the United Nations, efforts to strengthen international and regional cooperation and the situation in Afghanistan.
Melting glaciers, rising seas and extreme weather are putting communities at growing risk. Early warnings can save lives, but only if they reach people in time and are backed by the means to act.
In an afternoon session titled “From Glaciers to the Sea,” part of the informal meeting on a Planet Fit for Future, experts, Member States and civil society leaders discussed how science, technology, climate finance and disaster preparedness can work together to better protect vulnerable communities.
I was very honoured to meet former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Grateful for the opportunity to exchange views and learn from his experience and insights after a lifetime of service to the United Nations.
Across the General Assembly’s six Main Committees, one message is clear: The UN must turn commitments into tangible results.
From peace and security to development, human rights and international law, we must match ambition with action, restore trust through delivery and build a UN that is fit for the future.
Today we heard clarion calls to make COP31 in Antalya an “implementation COP” and to be guided by the voices of those most impacted by the global climate crisis.
Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, I joined the Permanent Representatives of Türkiye (COP31 Presidency), Australia (COP31 President of Negotiations), Brazil (COP30 Presidency) and Ethiopia (COP32 Presidency), alongside Member States, to discuss the urgent need to translate climate commitments into measurable action, particularly on climate finance, adaptation and support for vulnerable countries.
“Let COP31 be judged not by the promises we repeat, but by the people we protect.”
Opening the informal meeting on climate action, “A Planet Fit for the Future,” I called for funded and measurable climate action, more accessible climate finance and early warning systems that reach communities in time. We have the science and technology. What remains is the political will to turn that knowledge into action.
Addressing the Sixth Committee on legal affairs today, I stressed that trust in international law depends on rules that are developed inclusively, observed consistently and applied for the benefit of all.
From the peaceful settlement of disputes to the protection of human rights, we must uphold the UN Charter, strengthen multilateral cooperation and ensure international law remains fit for the future.
Today I met with the Caribbean Community Caucus of Permanent Representatives to the UN. We discussed SDG acceleration, SIDS leadership and UN reform.
Ahead of COP31, the President of the General Assembly will convene “A Planet Fit for the Future” this Friday, 16 October.
The event will focus on climate adaptation, resilience, finance and strengthening early warning systems to better protect vulnerable communities.
Watch: webtv.un.org/en
As AI increasingly shapes decisions affecting workers' livelihoods, human rights protections must keep pace.
At today's Engaging Business Forum in New York, I called on companies to involve workers, ensure meaningful human oversight and allow people to challenge automated decisions that affect their jobs.
The UN's work is not measured in the number of meetings held or resolutions adopted, but by whether people's rights are protected and their lives are improved. Addressing the Third Committee on social, humanitarian and cultural matters, I called for people – not process – to remain at the centre of its work, for commitments to be matched with resources, and for the UN to stop working in silos.
