YouSaid · the spoken record

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

lines on the record: 142
first: 2013-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In that regard, I welcome the adoption of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, which offers a comprehensive and coherent approach to finding lasting solutions to the threats and challenges that beset the Sahel. The first ministerial meeting to establish a platform for coordinating the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, held in Bamako on 5 November 2013, is part of that approach. After the meeting, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs charged with coordinating the Sahel countries agreed to hold meetings every six months with a rotating chairmanship, which has been entrusted, for the first two years, to my country, Mali.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We reiterate our profound gratitude to all those who have worked for a return to peace and stability in our country. On behalf of the grateful nation of Mali, we honour the memory of all the brave soldiers and civilians, from Mali and other friendly countries, who have sacrificed their lives fighting against obscurantism, terrorism and violent extremism. The 2012 political and security crises in Mali highlighted the complex and multiple challenges facing all countries of the Sahel in terms of security, governance, the protection of human rights and development. Those challenges require concerted and diligent efforts by the international community. They should be met with a comprehensive approach and targeted mechanisms.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Here I would like to pay a special tribute to the memory of the French hostage, Hervé Gourdel, who was recently murdered in such a cowardly and brutal manner in Algeria. The very same day, that same barbarity was illustrated in Mali, with the discovery of a decapitated head hung up in a village marketplace. It belonged to a former Malian soldier whose only crime was loyalty to Mali and its Government. We condemn terrorism, particularly when it is carried out under the banner of religion. Islam has been present in Mali since the eleventh century, and it has been a tolerant and moderate Islam that is based on humanism, the acceptance of others and the right to differences. That has nothing to do with the Islam we are seeing today.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I would like to once again thank the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, the Niger, Nigeria, France, Switzerland and others, which I will not name but which deserve to be thanked for their tireless efforts for peace in Mali. There are also other challenges to which we, as the international community, must collectively respond, especially in the Sahel region, which includes Mali. The terrorist attacks carried out in Libya, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia and the Middle East, although geographically spread out, in fact represent the same serious threat to international peace and security.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“A first round of talks, held in Algiers from 16 to 24 July, has led to the joint signing of a road map on the basis of consensus and a declaration of cessation of hostilities in the northern regions of Mali. The Government and the armed groups in northern Mali have since then continued their discussions on what is called the second phase. Those discussions should lead to deeper negotiations on a common vision for the future, to gradually provide lasting solutions to all the points of disagreement and start the final phase, before ending with a peace agreement that will finally be reached by the Malians themselves.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That will take into account the profound realities of our society, such as its ethnic and cultural diversity and the strengths that have enabled the people of Mali to ensure and maintain, throughout the centuries and despite all the vagaries of nature and recurring political uncertainties, their social cohesion, customary resilience and basic aspiration to a continuous improvement of their economic and social conditions. Today, in Algiers, with the support of the international community, Algeria is facilitating a process that weaves the threads of an inclusive inter-Malian dialogue into a comprehensive and permanent peace. We thank Algeria for all its efforts to help Mali. We hope that peace will be sustainable and lasting and thus respond to the deepest aspirations of our people.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In that context, the Government of Mali has undertaken a wide range of actions, covering decentralization — that is to say, an even more radical devolution of powers previously held by the central Government — the promotion of national reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, development effectiveness in northern Mali, good governance and combating corruption and impunity. The momentum was strengthened by the Government’s organization of a series of meetings and opportunities for dialogue, including the Open Forum on Decentralization and the National Conference on Northern Mali. Those meetings enabled all the national stakeholders to come together, in an inclusive and participatory manner, and to identify structural weaknesses in our political and institutional systems, as well as to lay the foundations for new democratic governance.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I also announced the commencement of the dialogue process for peace and national reconciliation, which we initiated in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement, signed on 18 June 2013, between the Government and armed groups in northern Mali. Since that date, there have been significant developments of a political and security nature relating to the restoration of the authority of the State, the protection of human rights, the development of humanitarian action, the execution of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the coordination of development activities and partnership with the international community.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I want to express our appreciation to Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his efforts, and, in these times of hardship, to assure our brother countries of our support and active solidarity. I also wish to commend and thank various nations, including France, the United States of America, China and Cuba, which immediately responded with short-, medium- and long- term assistance, provided swiftly and in a balanced manner. The pledges made have laid a foundation that will be instrumental, if not in completely overcoming the challenge immediately, at least in mitigating the panic that has begun to spread in the affected countries. A year ago from this rostrum (see A/68/PV.15), I announced that my country, Mali, had rejoined the community of free and democratic nations, with the firm determination to write a new page in its history.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As we approach the 2015 deadline, Africa is again faced with a terrible epidemic of the Ebola virus, which has run rampant, this time in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and other countries of West Africa. The rapid onset and the scale of that new challenge have sorely tested all the public-health systems already in place. The individual capacities of our States, which are fragile and in the process of being strengthened, will not be sufficient to cope with the crisis. We must pool our resources and redouble our efforts. We must attack the new epicentres. Today more than ever, it is important to adopt a common strategy to deal with this epidemic, which brings grief to numerous homes every day.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That joint position makes social, economic and environmental sustainability the keystone of our continent’s development policy. But the policy is also built on essential pillars, such as the transformation of economic structures, inclusive growth, science, technology, innovation, human-centred development, environmental sustainability, and natural resource and natural disaster risk management, as well as peace and security. Naturally, we strongly support the African position, the relevance and rightness of which goes without saying. I also urge the international community to diligently review the Common African Position. The concerns of the continent listed in that position statement were identified through a process conducted with care and precision.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In sum, I would reiterate that Mali subscribes to the core theme of this session, which is relevant, thanks to its inclusive, universal, ambitious and transformative aspects. The theme not only includes all the essential components of the outstanding MDGs, but it also focuses on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which will be based on a transparent intergovernmental process. Like other delegations, African and non-African alike, that have spoken before me, I remain convinced that the eradication of poverty by 2030 should be a priority target of commitments relating to the post-2015 development agenda that we are to adopt. Fortunately, the contribution of Africa to the current process is already formalized in the Common African Position on Post-2015 Development, adopted at the African Union Summit in Malabo in June.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“To deliver on that undertaking, we will require noble, ambitious, legitimate and strong leadership, strong political will, constant determination and insight so as to ensure a balanced integration of the three essential pillars of sustainable development, namely, social, economic and environmental. What we have heard over the past few days leads us to believe that it is feasible. However, as we prepare to embark on the design phase of the transformative post-2015 programme, we must first complete a vital task. My delegation wishes to emphasize the need to ensure the full implementation of the substantial prior commitments we undertook. Accordingly, we want to make a heartfelt plea in favour of expediting the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“President, you have established a useful agenda and opted for continuity in selecting the central theme of the sixty-ninth session, “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”. I commend your choice. Indeed, since the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, our Organization has been engaged in various intergovernmental processes to implement the slogan “The future we want.” In Rio de Janeiro, States Members of the United Nations took up the challenge to provide a better world for current and future generations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is my great pleasure, Mr. President, to convey to you warm congratulations from the delegation of Mali on your election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty- ninth session. The unanimous vote that you received on 11 June is an honour for your country, Uganda, and is a source of legitimate pride for all of Africa. I assure you of our fullest support for success in your new position. At the same time, I wish to congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador John William Ashe, who so ably led the Assembly during his tenure as President at the sixty-eighth session. I should also like to pay tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his tireless commitment to resolving the crisis in Mali and for the laudable efforts he continues to make to promote peace, security and development throughout the world. Mr.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The Malian people stand ready to take part, to play a full-fledged role in building a world of peace, tolerance, freedom, justice and democracy. Malians remain convinced that it is along that path that we, the leaders of the world, will lay the milestones of sustainable development for our peoples and will spare present and future generations the scourge of war. That is our mission and, God willing, we will accomplish it.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Turning now to the reform of the Security Council, Mali reiterates its commitment to the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration adopted by the heads of State and Government of the African Union, and supports the legitimate demands by Africa to have two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats in the Security Council. The Security Council thus reformed would better reflect the geopolitical realities of today’s world and would repair the “historical injustice” done to Africa, the only region of the world that does not have a permanent seat on the Council. Mali is back. Mali now takes back its place, its rightful place in keeping with its rich history, in the community of free and democratic States.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I take this opportunity to reiterate the solidarity and full support of the people and the Government of Mali for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for the exercise of their inalienable right to sovereignty. I welcome the measures taken in recent years by the United Nations to bring about qualitative changes in the priority fields of development, peace and collective security, as well as human rights, and to reform the Organization. Despite the progress achieved, much remains to be done, especially concerning the necessary reform of the Security Council and the revitalization of the General Assembly. We must continue our efforts to ensure that the General Assembly, the main deliberative organ of the Organization, occupies a central position, with the means to implement its resolutions.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Mali welcomes the progress achieved on the path of reconstruction and national reconciliation in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. With respect to the Middle East, we remain concerned by the ongoing deadly violence in Syria, with its daily lot of humanitarian disasters. Accordingly, we condemn with the utmost firmness the use of chemical weapons in the country. Mali urges all parties to favour negotiated political solutions under the auspices of the United Nations. We encourage the Israeli-Palestinian talks currently under way and urge all parties to take the steps necessary to establish a climate of trust and launch direct negotiations to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based, in particular, on the relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Faced with that situation, Mali encourages the adoption of a unique consolidated development programme for the post-2015 period whose priority objective will, in the long run, be the eradication of poverty and the promotion of economic, social and environmental sustainability. That is a vision that has resulted from the pressing nature of the challenges and the shortage of resources available to deal with them. In line with my predecessors, I would like to reaffirm here and now my firm determination to defend the ideals of peace, security and justice that mark the Organization. In Africa, Mali is extremely concerned about the situation in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt and Libya, and expresses its firm condemnation of violence as a means of political expression.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In that regard, it is crucial that we cast a critical glance at the shortcomings noted in order to pave the way for sustainable development. One shortcoming of the MDG programme that caught our attention was the lack of commitment regarding MDG 8, on the setting up a global partnership for development. Without setting up open and equitable financial and trade systems that would respect the promises made to least developed countries, small island States and landlocked States — our Samoan colleague has just referred to that — and faced with a shortfall of assistance to those countries, we run the risk of failing.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The relevance of that theme lies in the uncertainties being faced by the world today, uncertainties resulting from economic and financial instability at the international level, from an accentuation of the scourge of poverty, the continued deterioration of the environment and the increase in the number of natural disasters. Just a few months ago, we suffered flooding that claimed at least 50 lives in my country alone. Indeed, 10 years after the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Heads of State and Government gathered here at the General Assembly in September 2010 in the framework of a mid-term review and expressed their serious concerns about the insufficient results. It is clear at this point that the path to be travelled to achieve the MDGs remains a lengthy one.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The stakes are high and the terrorist threat is of alarming proportions, to the point that no country is safe from violent and barbarous acts. The attacks that took place in Nairobi, Kenya, are the most painful examples of that. My country, which is slowly recovering from the atrocities carried out by jihadist terrorist groups and the allied drug trafficking groups, reiterates its firm condemnation of terrorism of all stripes and in all its manifestations. On behalf of Mali, I present my most deep-seated and heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of our brother country, Kenya. The delegation of Mali is particularly gratified by the central theme of the general debate of the sixty- eighth session of the General Assembly, “The post-2015 development agenda: setting the stage”.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Romano Prodi, Special Envoy of the Secretary- General (S/2013/354), which we believe accurately reflects the regional dimension and should enable us to extricate ourselves from the situation prevailing throughout our country. This is the right time for me to forcefully underscore that finding a lasting solution to the Sahel crisis will require a strengthened and dynamic cooperation between all the States in the Sahel and Saharan regions to fight against religious extremism and organized crime. Under my leadership, Mali is determined to work to give a new impetus to the subregional cooperation mechanisms that we have. In that regard, the assistance of the international community will be indispensable in the fight against transnational terrorism in the Sahel region as a whole.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“That Mission was successful, and we wish to congratulate the United Nations, especially the Security Council, for that outstanding initiative. Our country stands at a crossroads. Just a few months ago, no one could have thought that I would stand in this Hall before the General Assembly. I take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to working unstintingly for the implementation of the United Nations strategy for the Sahel region. We familiarized ourselves with the strategy yesterday at a high-level summit on the situation in the Sahel. As a result of the complexity and seriousness of the situation in the Sahel, my delegation welcomes the report presented in June by Mr.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Despite the hope raised following the successful military operations through the combined efforts of Operation Serval, the troops of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali, now the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, and Malian armed security forces, small armed terrorist groups continue to make themselves felt in our subregion and to move from one territory to another — we know that they are present in the southern territory of one of our neighbours — which represents for us and the international community a serious threat to the stability and territorial integrity of Mali and to peace and security in the Sahel region as a whole. It is in that context that the United Nations Mission for the stabilization of Mali was deployed.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“After the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice is the most senior Minister in my Government, which clearly shows our dedication to turning Mali into a State where the rule of law truly prevails. Mali has come a long way, but it has arrived. It is here and it wishes to play its full role. However, the situation that our country is facing, I must say, is symptomatic of the challenges that all the countries of the Sahel region are facing, including the worst possible forms of transnational organized crime, including trafficking in drugs, human beings and weapons of all kinds, of which some very sophisticated types have come from the Libyan arsenals since the fall of the Al-Qadhafi regime.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I am pleased to note that the international community has understood what is at stake, and I take this opportunity to express my deep-seated and heartfelt gratitude to all the friends of Mali who committed themselves on 15 May, in a wonderful show of exceptional solidarity to backing the implementation of the plan for the sus,tainable economic recovery of Mali. With the support of the international community, Mali is working resolutely to address peacebuilding, national reconciliation and the reform of the national defence and security forces, to rebuild the northern regions devastated by the terrorist and jihadist forces, to improve institutional governance and to launch the economic recovery of our country. Within the framework of good governance, pride of place has been given to our national justice system.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In that regard, the Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission will be turned into a commission for dialogue on truth and reconciliation to deal with the remaining wounds of war within Malian society. The cyclical crisis in the northern regions of Mali is rooted in the precarious living conditions of the local population and poverty. I established the Ministry for National Reconciliation and Development of the Northern Regions upon my arrival at the helm in order to accelerate development in the areas of health, education and infrastructure.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“A general meeting for decentralization will be convened to create the conditions necessary for an effective transfer of governance and resources to local authorities throughout the country. Thereafter, the Government will hold a national review conference on the north of Mali. In preparing for future decisions with the armed groups and in order to create the conditions for pacifying the situation, confidence-building measures have been taken, as called for in the preliminary Ouagadougou Agreement. In that connection, it is hard to understand why the rebel elements have decided to suspend negotiations, which represents a flagrant violation of the Agreement. We will have to discuss that.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“As soon as I became President, I took the initiative to meet with the heads of armed groups from the north of the country in Bamako to remind them of the sacrosanct principles of respect for the territorial integrity of Mali and the secular nature of our State. I made them aware of our readiness to organize candid, inclusive political dialogue where everything, except for any form of independence or autonomy, could be discussed openly. Our message has been heard, and we will commit to dialogue in the future in order to find a lasting solution to the crisis in northern Mali. At this point, we would like to revive the inter- and intracommunitarian dialogue to recreate conditions conducive to enabling all Malians to live together.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The transition, which was launched in March 2012, following the coup d’état, ended last August, following presidential elections that were deemed credible and transparent by the entire international community. Through that exemplary election process, Malians recalled and demonstrated their commitment to democracy and constitutional order. To finalize that process, my Government has made a commitment to holding, without any further delays, the first round of legislative elections on 24 November and the second round on 15 December. As a President who enjoys the trust and confidence of the Malian people, I understand the huge scope of the challenges. Malians have a deep-seated yearning for peace and national reconciliation, as well as economic and social development.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I can assure the Assembly that we will spare no effort in working to speed up their release, in close cooperation with the States concerned, of course. Mali is back. Yes indeed, with the support of friendly States, Mali stands tall, ready to turn a page on the darkest periods of its history, one marked by nine months of grave human rights violations, looting, the destruction of unique historical and cultural monuments and sites, and its cultural heritage. Mali has recovered its sovereignty and national integrity, backed by its cultural diversity, and now is setting off on the path towards national reconciliation. A process of dialogue for peace and national reconciliation has been launched through the preliminary Ouagadougou Agreement signed on 18 June.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thoughts to all those friends of Mali who perished on the battlefields to safeguard the future of our country and the future of our children. There were many heroes, anonymous civilians, men and women alike, who suffered in Mali. Our thoughts are with all the injured, the women who were raped, those who were maimed, those who suffered under the yoke of barbarity, enduring endless months of suffering yet remaining steadfast, standing up for Mali despite all the intimidation rained down upon them. It would be heartless of me to move on without a thought of compassion for all the families of the Algerian, French and other hostages still held by jihadist groups in the Sahel region, including northern Mali.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Many of our Mauritanian friends and brothers died in the Timbuktu region. Finally, to the European Union and all bilateral and multilateral partners, I would like to say that the people of Mali are grateful for the wonderful international mobilization to help our country, which enabled us to overcome the crisis, making it possible for me to stand here today. I also believe that the restoration of peace in Mali today allows us to look to the future in a calm, reasonable and confident way. Furthermore, I would like to assure them that the fight against drug traffickers and jihadists, in all their guises, is an ongoing struggle, one to which we are committed. I thank you very much for standing by us in this continuing fight.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and to our brothers the people of Algeria, who have always stood by Mali. There is a long-standing history of friendship between our peoples, something that was confirmed again when Algeria recently helped Mali during the humanitarian crisis. I would like to take this opportunity to state that Algeria and Mali are two brotherly States. They are linked by a solid friendship and a shared history. To the people of Mauritania and President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, I would like to express my gratitude for their troops, who stood by us in our pursuit of the jihadists who ran amok in the north of Mali for so long. To Mauritania, which has also been in mourning because of jihadist attacks, I would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences and our sympathy to those who perished fighting for our country.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We also thank President Boni Yayi of Benin, who during his mandate as head of the African Union devoted all his energy to resolving the Malian crisis. I would also like to thank the President of Chad, our brother Idriss Deby Itno. His country deployed 2,000 men in Mali, many of whom died. Our thoughts and sympathy are with all the sons and daughters of Chad who died in Mali. They sacrificed their lives for Mali. I would also like to pay tribute to President Mahamadou Issoufou and the brave people of the Niger for extending a fraternal welcome to our people, which eased a great deal of suffering. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to the memory of all of our Nigerien brothers who died in the battlefields during savage attacks on Agadez and Arlit in the Niger. I also pay tribute to the President of Algeria, Mr.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Allow me to also convey my gratitude to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for their concern and continuing commitment to seeking a lasting solution to the Malian crisis. In particular, I would like to commend the leadership of Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte D’Ivoire and current President of ECOWAS, for his ongoing commitment to supporting the Malian people. I also thank President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, mediator during the Malian crisis, as well as Mr. Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, co-mediator during the crisis, for their ongoing efforts aimed at finding a solution to the crisis that struck our country.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I would therefore like to thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the very significant contributions made by the Kingdom of Morocco, which right from the start of the occupation of Mali condemned the act of aggression to which we had fallen victim, and offered our people emergency humanitarian assistance. This is also the right time and place to thank France and its President, François Hollande, for launching Operation Serval, a life-saving operation, that halted the advance of jihadists towards the south of Mali. Had it not been for that intervention, I would not be standing here before the Assembly today.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“From this lofty rostrum, and on behalf of all the people of Mali, I pay tribute to the work of the United Nations, and especially to the Security Council, which through four resolutions and a number of statements condemned the jihadist terrorist aggression suffered by my country and reaffirmed its attachment to the unity and territorial integrity of my country. The Council authorized the deployment of international forces to assist the armed forces of Mali in the difficult task of recovering the areas of its territory that were controlled by terrorist groups. Allow me to convey my gratitude to UNESCO for formally condemning the destruction of the global heritage sites and mausoleums in Timbuktu and Gao. At that time, Morocco was President of the Security Council.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“A few weeks after my accession to Mali’s highest office as the third elected President of the Republic since the advent of democracy, it is for me a badge of honour to address the Assembly. At the outset, let me assure the Assembly of my unshakeable determination to defend the ideals of our Organization, which are based on the values of peace, security, justice and development, all values contained in the oath that I swore to the people of Mali. I come here before the Assembly to express the gratitude of my people to the whole of the international community for the invaluable support it showed to my country, Mali, which today has recovered its sovereignty over the whole of its territory.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Allow me at the outset to convey to President Ashe the heartfelt congratulations of the delegation of Mali on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty- eighth session. His election is quite clearly a recognition of his qualities as a seasoned diplomat, as well as a tribute to his country, Antigua and Barbuda. He may be assured of the full readiness of my delegation to work to ensure the successful outcome of our efforts. I should like to take this opportunity also to congratulate his predecessor, Mr. Vuk Jeremi. of Serbia, for the outstanding manner in which he led the work of the Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. Allow me also to reiterate to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, our deepest appreciation for the praiseworthy efforts he has made to achieve the lofty objectives of our Organization.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)