YouSaid · the spoken record

Andrzej Duda

lines on the record: 193
first: 2015-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 9
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

“We share aspirations of a world without wars and border violations; of nations respecting each other’s territories, languages and identities; of a world without discrimination or any undermining of the inherent dignity of human beings; a world that consistently endorses, among others, the principles invoked by the authors of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; a world based on solidarity among people and among States. I believe that Poland will continue striving for that world, no matter who holds the office of its President. Whether man or woman, I believe our next leader will continue striving to build that world.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We should always be ready to set and pursue ambitious goals in the fight for our planet. Over the past 20 months, as the pandemic has weighed heavily on us, we have often asked ourselves, what will the post-pandemic world be like? Will it be a world where solidarity reigns? Or will we return to business as usual and consider those months as nothing more than an interruption in our routine, after which we can continue repeating past mistakes? Personally, I believe that mankind shares the same aspirations: security and prosperity, democracy and human rights.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“It is my firm belief that, in the name of solidarity, the strategy will continue to be implemented by the Government of my successor to office. I believe that the fundamental principle — that of a just transition — will be maintained. The transition should take into account social needs, possibilities and the importance of people living in dignity and, being employed and able to raise their children. That also takes into account the interests of the family. Solidarity has not ceased to exist in the face of a pandemic. It should remain our motto. Our central tenet, in addition to others, should be to ensure that we do not compromise on human rights and the rights of entire nations so as to guarantee the development of the United Nations, always with respect for the primacy of international law.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Indeed, during our presidency of the twenty- fourth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, we managed to finalize the negotiations on the Katowice Rulebook — an agreement that streamlines the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change so as to make it transparent and fair to all parties. It is also fair to say that we supported the transformation of our energy sector, with due respect to the socioeconomic context. However, at the same time, we realize that more effort will be needed. Therefore, in February this year, the Polish Government stamped its seal of approval on the Energy Policy of Poland Until 2040, which maps out the direction of energy transformation. The document is an important step towards the transition to low- and zero-emissions in the Polish economy.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Over the past 30 years, we have made tremendous progress on that front. Between 1988 and 2016, Poland reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30 per cent. Our rivers and air are cleaner, and the country is much greener. Moreover, we have more forests. As a country with primeval forests, woods, great lakes and rivers, Poland attracts nature lovers from all over Europe every year. I could also add that the percentage of hard coal in our energy mix is systematically decreasing, with biofuels and renewable energy sources gaining ground. At this point, let me humbly admit that that is only the beginning of the road. We have a long road ahead of us. Nonetheless, I believe we will manage, as we are very ambitious in that regard and we understand the challenges of the future.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The pandemic has nearly removed from the headlines another major topic — the fight against climate change and for a secure future for us all, our children and grandchildren. We leaders must realize what it takes to protect people and the planet from climate change. The problem will not disappear with the pandemic. It is also part of international solidarity. Let me pose this question once again — do we, the rich North, pass the test of solidarity, or do we merely cater to our own statistics by relocating production to the poorer countries of the South, where the least environmentally friendly technologies are employed? Those countries are then blamed for polluting the planet. I say this as the leader of a country that overthrew the communist dictatorship in 1989 and inherited a very difficult ecological situation in the aftermath.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Securing respect for international law was one of Poland’s priorities as a member of the Security Council in 2018 and 2019. Today we continue in the same vein, in support of international law, by serving on the Human Rights Council. Our priority is to protect vulnerable groups, civilians in armed conflict and religious minorities. The same purpose will be pursued by the Polish chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2022, where we will work to resolve regional and frozen conflicts. We want to tap OSCE potential to improve the conditions of the weakest and most vulnerable people. We will also strive to make human rights the main point of reference for OSCE activities, on the premise that solidarity is the fundamental value underlying human rights — the rights enjoyed by every human being.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“These are the times that restore faith in the most fundamental values of humankind and inspire the spirit of profound solidarity in other countries, including my own country. As trivial as it may sound, we all realize that humankind is not homogeneous and each of us has his or her own values and beliefs that are sacrosanct to us. However, the experience of sharing the same planet and the knowledge that we have no other teach coexistence and prompt us to define its framework. International law is that framework. It is one of the greatest achievements of modern times. We can debate at length about reform of the United Nations system, but each debate comes down to one fundamental element — how to promote the role of the United Nations in securing the primacy of international law, because we want to live in a world based on law, not on force.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We also benefited from the solidarity of others, in particular the Republic of Uzbekistan, and we are deeply grateful for that. I remind members once again that the world did not come to a standstill during the pandemic. The pandemic has not deprived nations of their democratic aspirations; neither has it stifled people’s desire to live in freedom. It has not suppressed the craving for dignity and respect across large swathes of the globe. I recently saw for myself the enthusiasm among Moldovan voters, who took power away from the oligarchs plundering the country and voted in favour of reforms, democracy, normalcy and honesty. I assured them of Poland’s support for any initiative of the kind in our region, wherever we have influence.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We have not agreed to abuse their vulnerable plight, pitched against the security of our borders. We protect those borders, as it is our duty to do so. We are also a member of the European Union, which defends the borders of the European community. I also say that as the leader of a country that knows very well how to tell the difference between a humanitarian crisis and hybrid activities. Together with its allies, our country participated in the refugee rescue operation at Kabul airport, just a few weeks ago. Initially, our intention was to evacuate dozens of military and diplomatic staff who cooperated with us. We ended up evacuating more than 1,300 people. We helped other countries to evacuate their own people.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The response of the authoritarian regime in Belarus has taken the shape of an unprecedented hybrid attack on the borders of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania — the three countries that make up the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union. For several weeks, Alexandr Lukashenko’s regime has brought tens of thousands of desperate inhabitants of the Middle East into the country, forcing them, with police batons, to cross our borders, in an attempt to create an artificial humanitarian crisis. Those people then set up camp at the borders. The regime ignores our offers to provide them with humanitarian aid. It treats immigrants as pawns in a political game and undermines their dignity and fundamental rights. We will not yield in that crisis, because we have not agreed to treating migrants as pawns.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“In the late 1980s and early 1990s, they paved the way for the realization that the right to form one’s own Government is not a Western whim but a universal human right. Belarusians want to ensure that their authorities respect that universal right. They pay the price with their suffering and with imprisonment. I say that as the leader of a country in which nearly 150,000 Belarusians have found shelter and employment, including thousands of protesters. I recently told our Belarusian brothers that they are welcome in our country and that Poland will be their home for as long as they deem it to be appropriate and necessary. I will honour those words. Nonetheless, solidarity comes at a price because regimes defend themselves not only against their own citizens, but also against democratic States.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We demand the release of all of them and expect greater solidarity from the international community with the nation of Belarus, which simply wants to have a fair democratic State. What have these people done that was so wrong? They have done nothing. They wanted to claim the same right to elect their Government that the French, the Poles, the Americans, the Koreans, the Australians and the people of Argentina have. The wanted free elections, in which many of us run — the Presidents of the free world — the importance of which the General Assembly has so emphatically expressed in a series of historic resolutions, emblemized by the phrase, “Enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections”.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“In response, they have encountered police batons, tear gas and, often, bullets used by the regime to defend itself against its own people. As I speak, more than 650 persons are in prisons in Belarus, the majority of them young women and men — patriots — who simply wanted to choose their leader in fair elections. They are languishing in prison for political reasons. Recently, a kangaroo court sentenced two of them—Maria Kalesnikava and Maxim Znak—to 10 and 11 years in prison, respectively. In addition to them, the leaders of the Polish minority in Belarus — Andzelika Borys and Andrzej Poczobut — have been either detained or imprisoned for their democratic activities. These are just a few names from among the hundreds of persecuted.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The response was the construction of the large-scale Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which will carry Russian gas to Western Europe, bringing additional billions in revenue to the aggressor and complete helplessness and even indifference to the fact that Ukraine will find itself in even greater danger. I recently attended the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv, as one of few leaders representing the rich North. I searched with my own eyes for those who are planning for and have approved the construction of Nord Stream 2. I did not find them. COVID-19 is also obscuring for many people the events in Belarus, which neighbours Poland, where, since August 2020, hundreds of thousands of people have come out daily for peaceful protests demanding just one thing — respect for the election result.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Unfortunately, tragic developments are also unfolding close to the Polish border, and I have the impression that humankind seems to have forgotten about them. Furthermore, the pandemic has not stopped the war in Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died since the beginning of the Russian aggression, with one State seizing the territory of another. After the Second World War, in Europe, in the twenty-first century, Ukraine was attacked. What was the response of the rich North to the drama of the Ukrainian nation fighting for its independence and self-determination?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I have the impression — and it is not only my impression — that COVID-19 has allowed us to easily forget about the multiple misfortunes plaguing different parts of our globe, often in the vicinity of our homes. During the pandemic, reports of the tragedy in Syria, where an externally supported civil war has inflicted unimaginable suffering on the population and turned millions of people into refugees and fugitives, have vanished from the headlines. The tragedies in Libya, Ethiopia and Yemen are barely noticed by many people from the rich North. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have moved no closer to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which, as all of us know, requires a two-State solution and, above all, peaceful one.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We are discussing the rights of nations in this forum. Let me ask members then — what is the first right of every nation? It is the right to self- determination and the right to democratic governance, set out in detail in the science of democratization and enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted by the United Nations. I am absolutely sure that most of us agree on the fact that every one of our nations, the United Nations, has the right to protect its borders and their inviolability, choose its system of Government and govern with the consent of the nation, never against it. Do we really agree with that?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I cannot say whether we have done everything possible, but we have still tried, for instance, by sending our medical doctors to our friends in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, the United States and Italy, which suffered in Europe. I am convinced that some of the countries of the rich North have behaved in the same way as Poland, which has donated 6 million vaccine doses to, inter alia, our partners from the South. Has that been enough, however, to close the obvious gap with regard to access to vaccines, which have been wasted in some States and inaccessible in others? It seems to me that, as part of this group, we should have many reasons to be dissatisfied with ourselves. The word “solidarity” does not refer exclusively to the pandemic, as the pandemic has not made other global problems disappear.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“However, today, almost two years later, with more than 4.5 million casualties, we should answer the question of how well we passed the solidarity test. I salute those who won the vaccine battle in laboratories and those who, while risking their own health and lives, have vaccinated hundreds of millions of the cohabitants of our planet. But has access to vaccines been fair? Have we not forgotten that, during a pandemic, a vaccine is more of a human right than a commodity regulated by market principles? I have wanted Poland to be, right from the start, a country of solidarity — a country not guided by the rule that the weaker has to die. Therefore, we have tried to protect each and every life with the same commitment. Therefore, whenever we could, we have tried to show solidarity with other nations that needed assistance at any given time.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“One can have serious doubts about it. Have we, the rich North — as my country, despite all its daily problems, belongs to the limited group of affluent States — demonstrated the necessary solidarity with the countries of the South? Have we had equal access to vaccines and other measures to prevent the spread of the disease? When the threat came, our first instinct was to isolate ourselves from one another. Borders re-emerged in Europe. Those were unquestionably justified actions, as none of us knew then how serious the danger would really be. The situation was further exacerbated by reports of the tens of thousands of people who were infected by the virus and who died. Every one of us remembers the horror of the first months of 2020 and the great hope we placed in the development of a vaccine that would protect us from the disease.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The word refers in our history to a large independent trade union established in 1980 by industrial workers who went on strike against the communist regime and, in the 1980s and 1990s, inspired millions of people across the globe in their fight for their democratic and labour rights. The word has come to symbolize the guiding principle of our policy — its ideal. In speaking about solidarity, I am also thinking about solidarity in the context of COVID-19, and this reflection is by no means an easy one, especially in reference to us — the leaders of the rich world, or, as some refer to it, the affluent North. Have we shown enough solidarity? Has humankind behaved appropriately throughout its fight against the virus? Have we helped one another as we should, in accordance with our basic moral instinct as humans?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I do not need to explain to the leaders of States what it means for millions of families, as they know the situation first-hand. I stand before the Assembly as one of more than 200 million people who have contracted and have recovered from COVID-19. Like probably many here, I experienced an illness that befalls people irrespective of their function, status, religion, convictions, orientation or world views. The past 20 months of the fight against the pandemic have reminded us of a word that we, as Poles, learn in our cradles. That word is “solidarity”. Many of those present know what I am talking about.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“As a participant in numerous debates, I can also see an increasing consciousness of mainly young people, who realize that the decisions taken today will have an immense impact on their lives. I am delighted by that trend. I stand before the Assembly as the leader of a 38-million-strong nation that, like all our States, has been facing the unprecedented pandemic with all its consequences for almost two years. Over a period of 20 months, we have lost 75,000 thousand lives, while almost 3 million out of 38 million people in our country have contracted the virus. Although our robust economy has bravely resisted the crisis and has managed to return to exceptionally dynamic growth today, during the first year of the pandemic it failed for the first time in 30 years to record such growth.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session. I would like to express Poland's full support for his mission and wish him every success in its execution. I also thank His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir for his active presidency over the work of the General Assembly at the previous session. Furthermore, I am grateful to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for crafting the report, entitled Our Common Agenda, which provides a comprehensive response to the most pressing challenges faced by the world today. Like the Secretary-General, I can see the need for international solidarity with regard to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination process; like him, I can see the need for action on the climate crisis and the protection of biodiversity.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“These days it is also important to act in accordance with the ideals of SOLIDARITY. Poland invites all UN members to act in solidarity while countering the crises which are currently affecting us. As life has shown, we as international community, have to face up to frequently unprecedented challenges — also the ones we do not expect. I believe that through common responsibility and SOLIDARITY we are going to find an effective response to them.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“At the same time, we argue that on the path leading to the attainment of the agreed goals we have to make sure that our actions are safe for the citizens, economies and states. We need a climate friendly transition, which will be fair and balanced and take domestic conditions of every state into account. We have already launched a transition aimed at ensuring a just green and low-emission economy. We know however that in this effort it is impossible to be successful on your own. It requires responsible cooperation of us all. Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Delegates, In view of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, fragile and too frequently violated international law and the need to transform our economies, we should be led by more than just the principle of common responsibility.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Belarusians, just like any other free nation, have the right to shape their political future in a sovereign way, without external interference, without domination of other capitals, with the right to freely participate in international cooperation in line with their national interests. The third on the list of crises in today's world is inadequate balancing of the environmental changes while staying on the path of economic development. We firmly believe it is necessary to create a more resilient, inclusive and environment- friendly economy. As a three-time host of the UN climate conferences: COP14 in Poznan in 2008, COP19 in Warsaw in 2013 and COP24 in Katowice in 2018, Poland is committed to fight with environmental changes.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The dissemination of the role of international humanitarian law is high on the agenda of the priorities of Polish foreign policy in recent years. Therefore, I have appealed to the international community, through the UN Human Rights Council in which Poland currently holds a three year-long mandate, to pay attention to the violation of human rights in Belarus. I am glad that the Council has held a meeting dedicated to this issue. In the name of SOLIDARITY we should all speak with one voice and demand that fundamental human rights be respected both in Belarus and in other places across the globe. Repressions of political opponents, mass detentions of peaceful protesters or violence and torture being applied against them cannot be tolerated in any state.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Leaving cases of violation of international law, including interference in sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, unanswered by the international community will every time act as an encouragement to repeat such negative behaviour. Infringement of the norms of international law must result in consequences whereas those responsible must be held accountable. Poland keeps underlining, in an incessant and consistent manner, the importance and the unique role of two other sub-areas of international law: human rights and international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law and human rights are among greatest achievements of the international community in its striving to limit suffering and ensure respect for the rights of the civilian population in armed conflicts.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“On top of that, and that is even more concerning: the infringement of the Convention in 2018 coincided with the violation of the fundamental principle of international law: sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is upon our shoulders: those of the UN, the Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that the responsibility rests to communicate to the world our strong opposition in this matter. It is only through the enforcement of the fundamental principles and norms of international law enshrined among others in the Declaration on Principles of International Law adopted by the General Assembly half a century ago, will we succeed in building lasting peace and a safe world of equal states and free nations with no spheres of influence.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In our actions undertaken in the UN forum we are consistent in highlighting the fundamental role of international law in preserving the global security architecture. It is indispensable to ensure cooperation among states in a situation when the fundamental norms of international law are violated, for instance in case of the aggression of the Russian Federation on Georgia or Ukraine. Another concerning phenomenon refers to the violation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons, which was repeatedly the case in recent years. Poland did not and does not accept the fact that chemical weapons are still in use.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Moreover, I urged European leaders to give together a new impulse to stimulate production in Europe, which would undoubtedly shorten supply chains, among other things. If we want to be, once again, a great innovative “production workshop” we must act together. From the perspective of our economic subjectivity this is of strategic importance. Ladies and Gentlemen, In terms of the crisis in the quality of relations among states, I wish to stress that one of Poland's unchanging priorities is the question of respect for international law. There cannot and there will not be a lasting peace in the world unless law is abided by. Our attachment to this value is mirrored by the slogan “peace through law”, which we promoted inter alia during our two-year-long term as an elected member state of the Security Council.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In the name of SOLIDARITY Poland deployed, at the height of the pandemic, a number of military medical missions, among others to Italy and the United States, in order to help, acquire and share the knowledge on how to fight the pandemic and better respond to potential future crises. Counteracting the economic dimension of the pandemic was one of the themes of a letter which I sent to European leaders in late April this year. In the letter I requested that, in the course of their economic recovery efforts, our governments care, more resolutely than before, not merely about robust GDP growth, but also about sustainable development of the countries in other aspects, including fair and efficient distribution of funds among those in need.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“That definitely is one of the most fundamental challenges facing humanity today and in the nearest future. I believe these crises will remain unsolved unless we focus on the idea of “SOLIDARITY”. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the fight against inter alia the impact of the coronavirus pandemic does not result in deeper economic divisions among states and societies; that it does not assume the form of a ruthless economic rivalry and result in the wealthier ones getting richer at the cost of the poorer. By the same token however, that fight must not lead to constraining the sphere of our liberty whereas access to medical solutions must not depend on the size of the wallet. Ladies and Gentlemen, I urge you to act together.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Simultaneously however, one can hardly say that those were the years of global security and global peace. The world was and still is shaken up by various kinds of aggression — from terrorist attacks to numerous regional conflicts, many of which have turned over time into the so called frozen conflicts and are incredibly difficult to solve. The policy of strength and aggression is by no means happening exclusively in the peripheries. It is also applied in the region of the world in which my country, Poland is located — in our closest neighbourhood. The third crisis results from lack of relevant tools for efficient transformation of economies allowing them to maintain a permanent and stable level of economic growth while taking care of the quality of the natural environment.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We all have been taken by surprise by how things developed over the last six months. Each and every state has had to face up to completely novel challenges. These have generated not only health related consequences but more broadly also social and economic ones. The fight with the pandemic demands more intensive cooperation and precisely SOLIDARITY. The second one is either the newly emerging or the re-emerging crisis of the quality of relations between states. Unfortunately, it is increasingly the case that the relations turn into a confrontation, rivalry and even imperial domination. The fact that we have managed to avoid another global armed conflict in the last 75 years should doubtlessly be deemed as one of the success stories of the international community.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Therefore, today, 40 years since the establishment of “Solidarity” in Poland and 75 years since setting-up of the United Nations Organization, I wish to urge all Heads of State and Government and all Esteemed Delegates to co-create the idea of “GLOBAL SOLIDARITY”. This very idea should be the lodestar in our daily mission. I firmly believe that just like the “Solidarity” movement in Poland changed the course of history, also the “GLOBAL SOLIDARITY” might become the idea which will help to overcome contemporary crises in the world. Three of these are, as far as I'm concerned, especially tangible and acute. The first one is the socio-economic crisis, which results from a phenomenon we were unable to predict and for which we could not comprehensively prepare ourselves, i.e. the coronavirus pandemic.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This August in Poland we proudly celebrated a splendid anniversary: 40 years since the establishment of “Solidarity” — a grand social movement which led to the fall of the Iron Curtain and brought liberty, sovereignty and independence to Poland, Polish People as well as to other States and Nations in Central and Eastern Europe, and as a result to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the demise of the “evil empire” — that is the Soviet Union. By the same token, the period of the Cold War came to an end. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the world today would look quite different if it was not for “Solidarity”.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“It creates the danger of shaking up the foundations of the strenuously developed rules and values and supplanting traditions as well as historical experiences. Esteemed Delegates, The theme of this year s session is looking for common and uniting answers to today's global challenges. Whenever we talk about community building in Poland and discuss common and selfless action in the name of a higher purpose, then there is always one word which springs to mind: SOLIDARITY.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The UN has immense achievements in securing peace, containing conflicts, and stabilizing situation in many regions of the world. And we must not let it be squandered. Striving for more effectiveness, reform of the structures and utilizing experiences, including the adjustment of failed solutions, must not serve as a tool for undermining the value of the Organization as a whole. Also, the approach to its individual agendas requires prudence and deep reflection. We share a number of reservations and declare our readiness for a constructive discussion and active engagement while defending the achievements of the UN, which are undeniable and constitute a common political legacy of humanity. Construction through destruction of things that already exist is not only costly, but very risky at the same time.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I wish that the said declaration was an expression of the longevity of ideas forming the basis of our cooperation and a testimony of the political will to implement them. I wish it was a declaration of “global solidarity”. Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Delegates, During my first term as Head of State, Poland intensified its presence within the United Nations system. We held a two-year-long mandate in the Security Council, we hosted climate conference COP24 in 2018 whereas our soldiers returned to the UN-peace keeping force in Lebanon, as part of UNIFIL. It was my personal decision that Poland should support — in deeds, not just with words — the efforts of the international community in the areas of key importance in the contemporary times.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“International situation is increasingly complicated whereas the palette of challenges and threats we face is constantly growing. Upon completion of its two-year-long mandate in the Security Council last year, Poland continues to be engaged in its areas of priority, also within the framework of its three-year-long term in the Human Rights Council, which commenced this January. Respect for international law, multilateral cooperation of states, international humanitarian law, protection of human rights and taking care of the natural environment are among themes of pivotal importance to Poland. I wish that the adopted anniversary declaration, marking 75 years of the United Nations Organization, not only confirmed the obligations assumed by the founding fathers.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Distinguished Mr. President, Excellencies, Esteemed Delegates, I congratulate Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly on his election to this honourable function and wish to express Poland's full support for his mission. I would also like to thank Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande for his active presidency over the works of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, This year's 75th Session of the UN General Assembly is an extraordinary one and it will surely go down in history as such. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed not only the course of the event, but has also forced us to embark upon a completely new reflection exercise as well as look for solutions to the problems which the world has not grappled with for years on such a huge scale.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“However, I am convinced that by working together we will be able to meet those challenges.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Instead of respect, they face arrogance and brutal police violence. I believe that a sincere dialogue about welfare policies would help prevent such tensions. Shared responsibility should be the starting point of our efforts to achieve a better tomorrow for future generations. Poland is determined to continue its endeavours to ensure development, peace and security, respect for human rights and support for vulnerable groups in need of special protection. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to call for the promotion of peace through the law, care for the natural environment through responsibility-sharing and engagement in welfare policy through sustainable development. There is no doubt that as an international community we are faced with mounting and often unprecedented challenges.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Policies should aspire to systematically combat poverty and prevent exploitation, including economic exploitation, and to reduce social disparities through the systematic increase in the average standard of living for families. Only an economy based on respect, honesty, the harmonious cooperation among all social groups and the fair distribution of the fruits of labour, can bring about sustainable development in individual countries and the international community as a whole. We must introduce the concept of commonwealth into the language of economic debate. Those issues are particularly important outside of developing countries as well. Today, even in some rich Western countries, we are witnessing mass protests in which citizens are demanding respect for their social rights and highlighting the deterioration of their living conditions.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In some parts of the globe, negligence in health care has led to the reappearance of diseases that were already considered to have been eradicated, and in developed countries the level of medical services is still under heavy pressure from social expectations. That is mainly due to an ageing population and the consequent increase in health needs. In Poland, that problem is currently being addressed as one of the most pressing challenges for the country’s social policy. Thirdly, the harmonization of the standard of living is an equally important element of sustainable development and a welfare State, next to increasing educational opportunities and health protection.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“At the July session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, we noted significant progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. However, the discussion revealed a lag in implementing many of its Goals, as confirmed in the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019, which indicates that Sustainable Development Goal 4, concerning education, is at risk. That delay is an acute problem and should be eliminated as soon as possible. We all agree that education is fundamentally important. Secondly, our citizens also consider health care to be a key aspect when defining quality of life. We must make immense financial investments and achieve a much higher level of fair and effective coverage, both as individual countries and globally.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In that vein, I believe that the time has come to launch an international discussion on the modern model of welfare policy. It is worth reflecting on the meaning of the term today and how to position it in a globalized world. What goals should we set ourselves on the road to its achievement? What model of a modern welfare State would we adopt — the model against which we would pitch our political ambitions? In Poland, we have now started that debate, facilitated by the dynamic development of Poland’s economy and extensive social aid programmes implemented by the Polish authorities. Welfare policy should be based on the concept of sustainable development, as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which we have all adopted — in other words, responsibility, solidarity and justice.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)