Fatshimetrie, 24 September 2024 – At the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the UN Secretary-General strongly denounced the persistent inequalities that plague the world. Antonio Guterres stressed the need to act decisively to resolve these disparities and promote a more equitable world.
In his speech, he praised the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi to reduce certain social inequalities. In particular, the promotion of female skills, illustrated by the appointment of a Prime Minister in the person of Judith Suminwa Tuluka, and the establishment of free primary and secondary education. These initiatives demonstrate a political will to guarantee equitable access to education and protect vulnerable groups.
Antonio Guterres called for radical change to combat global inequalities that persist, despite the efforts made. He stressed that geopolitical divisions and global challenges require concerted solutions. The Secretary-General stressed the crucial role of gender equality in promoting peace, sustainable development and climate action.
He also deplored inequalities within international organizations, highlighting in particular the absence of permanent seats for Africa in the main global peace body. Antonio Guterres also called for a reform of the international financial architecture to effectively combat inequalities.
The Secretary-General’s speech echoes the concerns expressed by President Félix Tshisekedi at the previous General Assembly. The latter had denounced a policy of double standards in the management of armed conflicts by the United Nations Security Council.
The session of the General Assembly under the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for peace, sustainable development and human dignity” was also marked by speeches by Heads of State. President Tshisekedi’s expected speech raises expectations about his position on critical issues such as the security situation in eastern DRC and the candidacy for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
In sum, the ongoing discussions at the UN General Assembly highlight the need for collective action to promote equality, peace and sustainable development globally. Overcoming persistent inequalities is imperative to building a more just and inclusive future for present and future generations.