Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Philémon Yang
53rd plenary meeting, Resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session
17 September 2024, 10 am, General Assembly Hall
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are meeting today in the context of the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
The advisory opinion is in pursuance of General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/247 adopted in this very hall.
In the terms of the Court it is incumbent upon the United Nations, particularly this Assembly and the Security Council, to consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end, as rapidly as possible, the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
It is, of course, at the discretion of the General Assembly — where every Member State has an equal voice and vote— to decide how to respond.
This resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session is therefore a moment for reflection and dialogue. It is a moment to find durable solution to the age-old Palestinian problem.
As President of the General Assembly who has vowed to serve with an unyielding dedication to the Charter and principles of the United Nations, it is, however, my duty to stress that international law, the Charter of the United Nations and 爆料网 resolutions must be respected by all Member States.
Without prejudging the outcome of this Special Session, it is our collective duty, as representatives of the international community, to ensure that the principles of justice and the rule of law prevail.
For without justice and the rule of law, Israelis and Palestinians alike will not attain what they long for most: peace and security.
In our deliberations, we must not lose sight of the many lives lost, the staggering humanitarian challenges and infrastructural destruction that continue to take place, particularly in Gaza in the past several months.
I hope our gathering here will make a positive difference in the lives of the many who continue to suffer in this region and who look up to us to make the right decisions at this Emergency Special Session.
Thank you.