YouSaid · the spoken record

Mario Abdo Benítez

lines on the record: 46
first: 2018-09-24
most recent: 2022-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“As Pope Francis says, we are all in the same boat and called on to make the commitment to dismantling the walls that separate us. May God bless all our nations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“A few months ago, we saw an improvement in our credit outlook, according to Moody’s — a fact that corresponds to the historical, sensible and stable management of our economy. We are part of the most important logistics and economic corridor in South America. At the same time, we continue to roll out an unprecedented infrastructure plan that will allow for greater connectivity and access to markets. As can be seen, despite the challenges we have experienced, we enjoy conditions that make us look to the future with hope. Finally, I would like to talk about the vision underpinning the Republic of Paraguay’s approach to the world. Beyond our legitimate differences, we must find common paths. We have common challenges that we cannot face independently. My country is committed to the Organization and hopes that its purposes will be achieved.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“If all our efforts are to really make sense, we need the countries that, due to their nature, bear the greatest responsibility to act accordingly. We inhabit the same planet and are obligated to take care of nature and future generations. That is the responsibility of each State in fair measure. That is why Paraguay, along with other countries, promoted the creation of a Special Rapporteur on climate change in the Human Rights Council, which will help make the true impact of this crisis visible worldwide. Paraguay’s commitment continues to grow every day. In addition to being among the five countries of the region that managed to increase foreign direct investment during the pandemic, we were able to double private investment in the last four years.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“That success was due not only to the work of our public forces, but also to the coordinated work that was carried out with friendly foreign agencies, with whom we verified once again the importance of joining forces if we want to achieve results against criminal groups. Similarly, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, we determine and provide information about the route of an airplane and its crew when a link to international terrorism is indicated. Another area of cooperation is the field of sustainable development. Paraguay, as part of the global food-production machine, has been making progress in transforming its production matrix and implementing sustainable practices in agricultural and livestock production, as well as exploiting its 100-per cent clean and renewable energy.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Recently, Paraguay received satisfactory news from the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America, having passed its evaluation as a result of a joint effort to modernize our institutional structure to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. We are a country committed to cooperation and we understand the importance of adopting preventive and punitive measures. That is a task that no State should shirk or be complacent about. The rule of law is a global objective that goes beyond political beliefs, and anyone who sees it otherwise conspires against community life. Under my administration, Paraguay aligned in a heretofore unseen way the efforts of security institutions and put them to work in the largest operation in history against organized crime.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“It is essential that our Organization, and the international community in general, participate intensively in this process. In that regard, we note the scrutiny of the role of the Security Council in this sensitive international context. It is imperative to rethink how the Council operates so as to guide it towards effective performance, and to strengthen the role of the General Assembly as a space for channelling the views of all States. Another issue that brings us together in terms of cooperation is the health of the international financial system. We cannot continue talking about global initiatives to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development when our economies are contaminated by the distribution of profits from illicit activities.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Therefore, my country emphatically reiterates its support for the request of the Republic of China on Taiwan to be an integral part of the United Nations system. We are convinced that it would make a valuable contribution to the multilateral system. I take this opportunity to express my solidarity with the Taiwanese people with respect to the recent earthquake, as well as with the peoples of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico for similar tragedies affecting them. Paraguay joins the vast majority of countries that advocate peace, the rule of international law and the primacy of diplomacy. We are concerned about the situation in Ukraine and the humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict. We strongly call for the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of negotiations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We have always supported the brotherly Venezuelan people and their struggle for democracy, which is why Paraguay will be taking the lead, together with other countries, on a draft resolution in the Human Rights Council that will allow further in-depth investigation of the violation of human rights in Venezuela. We need to rebuild a moral conscience with respect to the relevance of human rights and democracy. The legal instruments and institutions that we have created to protect them are of undeniable value. However, to protect peoples, it is fundamental that we strengthen the notion of the greater value of human dignity and autonomy, and the inviolability of the person. The current difficult situation requires us to address global problems jointly, without exclusion.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Latin America, one of the regions most affected by the situation, must be prepared once more to adopt positions of principle that are aligned with the concern for the full validity of human rights and collective self- government. Those positions must be part of broad- based cooperation efforts in which the best-positioned countries have a comprehensive understanding of worldwide imbalances. We must bring stability to the world with a common voice. We cannot ignore what is happening in other territories and leave our fellow nations to their fate. For that reason, Paraguay is a supportive country that acts in alignment with its principles.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Our peoples consequently found themselves in the difficult situation of observing the failure of national and international institutions to deal with emergencies. In these circumstances, our first big challenge is to contain demagogic and despotic attempts to manipulate the genuine frustration of citizens. We cannot accept discourse that seeks to sacrifice our sacred freedoms using deceit. More than ever, the world needs temperance, dialogue and moderation. We live in times that demand concrete political commitments, not generic platitudes. That is even more true for the postpandemic years, which promise to be difficult and will require complex reforms that must be shielded from false promises.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We come together for this annual meeting, bearing the enormous responsibility of exchanging ideas and making commitments to strengthen the intergovernmental public sphere that is vital to respond to the shared needs of our nations. In my final speech as Head of State in this Hall, I wish to highlight the commitment of the Republic of Paraguay, as a member of the international community, to continuing to contribute to the building of a world that accords full respect to fundamental freedoms, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, decent living conditions for all humankind and the uncompromising fight against organized crime, all of which have an international component. The economic and social consequences of the pandemic were still being felt when we began to feel the impact of war at the international level.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I conclude by echoing Pope Francis’ words during the General Audience at the Vatican: “Hope is audacious”. Hope knows how to look beyond personal comfort, beyond the small securities and compensations that narrow our horizons, and how to open up to great ideals that make life more beautiful and dignified. Let us walk together in hope. I thank you.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“In order to strengthen democratic governance and establish a more balanced system of decision-making in the United Nations, we believe that the role of the General Assembly should be strengthened and the reform of the functioning of the Security Council should be considered. Universality is a basic principle of our Organization and, in that connection, we support the inclusion of Taiwan in the United Nations system. Mr. President, The ideal of a world governed by peace, democracy and respect for human rights, freedoms and security requires the efforts of all of us. As we set aside our differences and respect the principle of equality of all States, we must deepen the dialogue aimed at promoting actions to combat poverty and inequality in order to promote more equitable development.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“One of the greatest atrocities of organized crime is the use of children in its activities. Paraguay once again condemns that despicable practice, which we have already suffered, as well as other inhumane actions such as kidnapping and extortion. Our Government will not cease in its unrelenting and determined fight against criminal groups within the framework of the law, nor will it spare any effort to achieve the return of our compatriots kidnapped by such groups. Our country is a staunch defender of life, the family and human rights. Mr. President, As a founding Member, Paraguay reaffirms its support for the United Nations and its importance as the forum that brings together most of the countries of the world.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We therefore underline the importance of honouring the international commitments of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, in particular those on climate finance, to support the mitigation and adaptation efforts of developing countries, especially those of us most vulnerable to global warming. Mr. President, Terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime are real threats to the international community. For that reason, Paraguay is committed to combating the financing of such activities and money laundering in particular. To that end, we have updated our regulatory frameworks — as well as taking other measures — with the aim of strengthening institutional response capacities and international cooperation to effectively address that scourge.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, Integration and sustainable development are priorities in the Republic of Paraguay’s foreign policy. For decades, my country has been committed to an energy matrix based on clean and renewable energy, with a commitment to care for the environment and the conviction that energy is an indispensable requirement to continue promoting development. Ladies and gentlemen, Climate change is linked to the current water crisis affecting our region. Low river levels are compromising the availability of water for human consumption, affecting navigability conditions, severely damaging our foreign trade, which depends on river transport, and threatening the efficiency of our energy generation sources.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, Paraguay’s economy is largely based on food production for the world and our status as a landlocked developing country strongly conditions our development, including in a structural manner. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, those conditions will once again be a determining factor and it will be vital to facilitate effective access for our products to the markets of most developed countries. For our part, to lessen the impact of those conditions, we are deploying our efforts to turn our geographical location into an advantage. The ambitious bioceanic corridor project, which will cross Paraguayan territory and link the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific, is a clear example of how we intend to take advantage of our geographical position and promote the physical integration of our region. Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“That reality must be addressed in this Hall with a willingness to assess what has happened and to make changes for the future. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that some tried to use the vaccine as a tool for political and ideological extortion at one of the most difficult moments in recent human history. I would like to highlight the cooperation of those brotherly and friendly countries that selflessly extended their hands in solidarity to the Paraguayan people by donating vaccines that allowed us to save lives and move forward with our immunization programme. I would therefore like to thank, once again, the Governments of the United States, Qatar, India, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay for such a noble gesture. Our country will never forget it. Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“On vaccines: how difficult it has been for many countries, like ours, to have to tell our peoples that, despite having arranged and paid for vaccines on time through the COVAX mechanism recommended by the World Health Organization to ensure equitable distribution, the vaccines did not arrive on time. That is the experience of Paraguay and many other countries that have had to wait. Paraguay has always been committed to multilateralism because we understand that the common problems that transcend our individual countries require a joint response, as in the case of COVID-19. However, we cannot hide our deep disappointment at the response of the multilateral system to the effective and timely distribution of vaccines.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ladies and gentlemen, We find ourselves gathered here to address the problems that are causing the most distress to all of our peoples. It is our responsibility to ensure that every speech amounts to more than just words and that we can create a space for deep and sincere reflection. COVID-19 continues to teach us all lessons. It has shown us how solidarity and empathy are vital in dealing with a pandemic and how countries made rapid progress in vaccine production with commendable speed, but it also brought to light some realities that we must face.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I leave you with the words of His Holiness Pope Francis: “When we emerge from this pandemic, we will no longer be able to do what we have been doing and how we have been doing it. No, everything will be different ... From the great trials of humanity, including the pandemic, we emerge either better or worse. We do not come out the same”. May our meeting, which demonstrates solidarity, be constant and help us to come out better.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I again express my solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they continue to suffer. Paraguay will continue to support the international condemnation of human rights violations in Venezuela. Based on the principle of universality for which the Organization is known, we support Taiwan’s request to be included in the United Nations system. We also welcome the historic establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and Israel, under the auspices of the United States of America. We hope that these new ties will contribute to peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Excellencies, Only by working together to achieve our common purpose and build a modern international architecture and by rising to the occasion can we achieve the results that our people need and expect from us.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Illegality is bold when covered up; it is very skilled in acquiring the attributes of good will and altruism, but Paraguay refuses to be deceived. We will not rest until the full weight of the law is brought to bear on them. The doors of my country will remain open to international organizations offering to support us and verify our efforts. Paraguay acts with transparency and remains committed to the law. Mr. President, Paraguay supports the reform of the Security Council to make it more inclusive and responsive to threats to international peace and security. We will also continue to contribute troops to peacekeeping operations, as we have done for decades. Distinguished delegates, The Venezuelan diaspora is the second largest in the world. More than 5 million Venezuelans have been forced to emigrate to our countries.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Ladies and gentlemen, I again endorse Paraguay’s commitment to protecting life, family and human rights, as set out in our Constitution. Therefore, we strongly condemn terrorism and criminal groups that today use children and adolescents as human shields to protect themselves. They exploit and expose them to violence, indoctrinate them and train them in the use of weapons. Children, who should be in their homes, are used by criminals who resort to kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking to support themselves. It leaves painful scars on our families. Paraguay is affected by it. This leads me to underscore the duty to protect the inhabitants of my country from these criminal groups that seek to justify their illicit conduct with narratives camouflaged by ideology and supported by propaganda designed to distort the truth.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We therefore underscore the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a road map that should guide us towards a more equitable world for future generations. Landlocked developing countries have special needs and particular challenges that must be addressed. In this regard, Paraguay stresses the importance of the effective implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action on this issue, in particular by transit countries. In the spirit of integration that seeks to boost trade and achieve mutual benefits for economies and societies, Paraguay is committed to the early signing of the agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union, as well as with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The health crisis also led to an economic crisis that destroyed jobs and caused debt and challenges in making payments. No country was prepared for it. That is why I believe that the multilateral financial institutions should redesign their strategies to promote economic recovery that is more humane, supportive and substantial. Excellencies, Today’s world presents us with problems that cannot be addressed in isolation. That is why the deepening of multilateralism is an effective tool for responding to the needs we share, such as the quest for peace, the protection of human rights, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, protection of the environment, the fight against climate change, and international trade based on principles and rules.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, As the Assembly is a virtual event, I extend warm greetings to everyone at this difficult time amid the pandemic. We are united more than ever before in the spirit of solidarity. I welcome and congratulate Ambassador Volkan Bozkir on his election as President of the General Assembly and wish him success. I also welcome Secretary- General Antonio Guterres and thank him for his work. Mr. President, The coronavirus changed everyone’s life, brought with it much pain and uncertainty, led to the loss of countless lives and put strong pressure on the health systems of all countries. I agree with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that it is the greatest challenge since the Second World War.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We must all maintain a constant and unalterable commitment to working on strengthening it and building its capacity to adapt and respond to the common challenges facing humankind. May God bless our nations.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In fulfilment of the commitment Paraguay made on 25 September 2015, we presented our first voluntary national review of the progress we have made in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July. In the face of an international scenario characterized by political uncertainty and economic volatility, we need collective and comprehensive strategies with a sense of shared responsibility. That is why it is vital that we decide whether we can allow States to impose themselves and obtain the greatest advantage they can from their position, or whether we should work actively for stability and common peace by strengthening multilateral instruments and mutual cooperation. The United Nations Organization is a continuing work-in-progress.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was an enormously important commitment. It represents the beginning of a process of restructuring aimed at transforming the growth paradigms of today’s generations and ensuring the well- being of those of the future. The success of that new global agenda depends on the commitment of States and on international solidarity. We therefore call for that global partnership to mobilize the resources necessary for its full implementation, including technology transfers, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building, particularly as they relate to developing countries.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In May 2011, the General Assembly decided to support that initiative by declaring 30 July as the International Day of Friendship. I urge the leaders of all Member States of the Organization to promote friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone in the history of humankind that enabled us to recognize formally and for the first time that all people have fundamental rights by virtue of their human condition, without distinction based on race, sex, nationality, religion or any other condition. Paraguay reaffirms its commitment to the Declaration and emphasizes that the United Nations must continue to play a fundamental role in ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“My country supports Taiwan’s legitimate request to be included in the United Nations system and believes that Taiwan can make a major contribution to our work. This is all based on the principle of universality that characterizes our Organization. This year, we will adopt two historic agreements, the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration and the global compact on refugees. Paraguay has actively participated in the negotiations on both documents, which seek to reach agreements that benefit refugees and migrants equally, as well as the countries and communities from which they come, through which they transit and to which they go. In 1958, Paraguay launched the World Friendship Crusade, an endeavour that has deeply moved our people.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We believe that the Arms Trade Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons represent major steps towards disarmament and non-proliferation. The Republic of Paraguay reaffirms its commitment to peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations, in its belief in the importance of contributing to the achievement of the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Paraguayan military and police personnel, duly trained prior to deployment, are currently serving in various United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. Paraguay respects international law. All of my Government’s decisions are based on its principles, and we faithfully implement all General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Every country faces individual challenges on its path to sustainable development, but the international community has acknowledged that the most vulnerable countries — including landlocked developing countries, whose geography creates special needs and challenges — require special attention. Those needs and challenges make themselves felt mainly in the area of trade. Paraguay has chaired the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries for two years and has made a priority of the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014-2024, which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and urges States, particularly our trading partners and countries of transit, to take the Programme of Action into due consideration.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“But we cannot ignore the fact that dictatorial regimes that rob their own populations of their happiness, hopes, dreams and human rights persist on our continent. We want to express our solidarity with the peoples of Venezuela and Nicaragua in the face of the abuses of power in their countries. We firmly believe that despite our differences, our region must work together to create the wealth and share the prosperity that will benefit our peoples. The pursuit of ideologies as an act of fanaticism or a way to assert superiority must be eradicated. Our goal should be to work for the greater good, while respecting our differences, and for the benefit of our communities.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Without justice there can be no order, and without order chaos reigns, and in chaos there can be no peace or social development. I firmly believe in our institutions and in the importance of reforming and strengthening them so that they respond to our societies’ current and future needs. Only with strong institutions and systems can we ensure the growth of our democracies. Paraguay is one of the most open economies in the world. We understand that interaction with the world is an essential element for development. We consider alliances to be an essential way of improving global integration. Our country is firmly committed to full regional integration and aspires to build it in full respect for the sovereignty and independence of each of the Latin American and Caribbean peoples.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Democracy has been consolidated in many countries, but we have the obligation to adequately address the demands of a people who are impatient with institutions whose legitimacy has been jeopardized by corruption, inequality and inefficiency in the face of urgent need. The citizens of Paraguay — indeed, the citizens of the world — have woken up. Their voices resound in our streets, calling for us to tackle corruption and impunity, and it is our obligation to listen to them and not ignore their just demands. In my country, we understand that dialogue and convergence are fundamental tools for major reform of the judicial system, which is a priority for us. Judicial security and the efficacy of justice are a nation’s pillars.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As a priority, climate change is unquestionably a global challenge. We States have a crucial decision in our hands — we can slow climate change and deal with its consequences, or deny it and continue making it worse. With its adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015, the international community decided to work together to combat climate change, without ignoring the historical responsibility that the most highly developed nations have for the production of greenhouse gases. The issue of environmental responsibility is shaping Paraguay’s vision for strategic development. We generate more renewable energy per capita than any other country on the planet, and we are also a major exporter of that energy. At the same time, we also intend to expand and improve our national and regional power systems.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We continue to work relentlessly with allied countries to fiercely fight every form of crime. We cannot accept the possibility that our borders can become places where criminal organizations can thrive. In the few weeks since my presidential term began, we have carried out some operations that have produced very positive results in the fight against drug trafficking and have shown through our political will that we are determined not to give up under any circumstances. International drug trafficking is accustomed to believing itself untouchable and is constantly seeking power. I have promised my people, and today I pledge it before the entire international community, that we will not allow that to happen. We will continue fighting and working alongside every State to eradicate these criminal networks.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We are also working to promote women as a factor for change in our country, creating the conditions necessary for equity, equality and empowerment. With the support of our mothers, wives and daughters, we firmly believe that we can create a better country and society. And our indigenous peoples occupy a special place in our Government. It is time for the State to shoulder the task of creating better living conditions for them. That is a moral obligation. Paraguay is deeply concerned about the scourge of terrorism and believes that there can never be any justification for the use of violence as a means to an end. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirm that the fight against terrorism and the protection of human rights are not opposing goals but rather complement and mutually reinforce one another.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We must take advantage of the opportunity that demography has given us to lay solid foundations for a better future. With that purpose in mind, we are initiating a process for the profound transformation of our education policies that will enable us to bring children and young people into the education system, with a special emphasis on training teachers and professors. We are going to install and consolidate a social protection system that addresses people’s entire lives. Paraguay must protect its people from conception to old age. There are many pending issues in the situation of people with disabilities and this is a key moment for Paraguay as a nation to promote their rights. We will give particular attention to ensuring that our public policies are cross-cutting so that we can implement them fully.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As leaders it is our responsibility to stop viewing poverty simply as an economic indicator and instead to see it as a human problem. In our view, ignoring the human aspect when we speak about poverty is going against the principles that this institution and our democracies represent. Our Government is committed to making social policies more far-reaching and intensifying our support to human development by improving the democratization of access to education, health care and dignified employment. That is the way forward, in both the medium and long terms, to achieving greater social equity and collective prosperity. We are especially focusing on young people, who have extraordinary potential to help transform Paraguay and the world.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The Republic of Paraguay has strongly supported the reforms promoted by the Secretary-General in the pillars of development, peace and security, and management. We believe that those efforts have been successful and that they have been deployed at the right time, since in order to face the challenges posed by sustainable development, we must have an efficient, transparent Organization that has the capacity to support countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly countries with special needs and challenges, such as landlocked developing countries. The poverty that is currently affecting millions of human beings is due to the poor distribution of goods rather than their scarcity.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world that is evolving at an accelerated pace, collectively addressing global challenges is an unavoidable responsibility of the international community. The General Assembly must continue to be strengthened, as it is the voice of the nations of the world. The Security Council must be reformed with a view to making it more democratic and inclusive so as to fulfil the mandate of maintaining international peace and security for this and future generations. Paraguay advocates adding more developing countries so as to balance the membership of the Council, as well as totally eliminating the veto, a privilege that no longer corresponds to the political reality of our times.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We are very pleased that the most democratic and representative body of our Organization is being led by a woman who is also Latin American. We offer our congratulations and best wishes for success to the new President of the General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés. We also salute Secretary-General António Guterres, who is doing an excellent job leading the institution. We reiterate our absolute confidence in and support for his management. We offer our posthumous tribute to the former Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate the late Kofi Annan. He was an extraordinary leader, humanist and promoter of peace who took pains to ensure that the Organization serves the peoples as well as the States.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to address the Assembly for the first time at the beginning of my tenure as President of the Republic of Paraguay. Paraguay has always shown its unconditional support for the United Nations system and will continue to unwaveringly assume its commitments as a Member of the Organization, as well as its active responsibility based on the principles that we all recognize — freedom, justice, national sovereignty, independence and the integrity of States. My nation has a deep sense of equality based on the recognition of human dignity. We reject violence and intolerance and love peace. Ours is a society of diverse cultures. It is bilingual, capable of overcoming difficulties selflessly and responsibly, which requires integrity and righteousness, the civic values intrinsic to democracy.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)