Latest news with #PhilemonYang
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
UN assembly elects Germany's ex-foreign minister as next president after Russia demands secret vote
The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received 7 votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: 'Ms. Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy.' Polyansky accused her of having pursued an 'anti-Russia policy," which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue.' Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. 'I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favor of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times,' she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the U.N.'s most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the U.N. Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be 'Better Together,' stressing that the world is 'walking on a tightrope of uncertainty' in very challenging times. The birth of the United Nations on the ashes of World War II 'reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before," she said. "And it is up to us to take up these challenges.' Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the U.N.'s primary mission, 'to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," remains unaccomplished. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only 'conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality' but divisions and mistrust. 'Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow,' he said. 'This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.'
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
UN assembly elects Germany's ex-foreign minister as next president after Russia demands secret vote
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received 7 votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: 'Ms. Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy.' Polyansky accused her of having pursued an 'anti-Russia policy,' which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be 'able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue.' Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. 'I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favor of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times,' she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the U.N.'s most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the U.N. Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be 'Better Together,' stressing that the world is 'walking on a tightrope of uncertainty' in very challenging times. The birth of the United Nations on the ashes of World War II 'reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before,' she said. 'And it is up to us to take up these challenges.' Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the U.N.'s primary mission, 'to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,' remains unaccomplished. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only 'conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality' but divisions and mistrust. 'Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow,' he said. 'This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.'
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan demands end to Israeli occupation
Listen to article As diplomats met in New York on Friday to prepare for an international conference in June, aimed at advancing global efforts towards achieving a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Pakistan called for addressing the root cause: Israel's prolonged occupation. "Only by ending the occupation can we secure a just and lasting peace," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the preparatory session that brought together UN member states to align expectations and finalise arrangements for eight thematic roundtables that will help shape the conference's outcome. "This Conference is both timely and essential," he said, pointing out that Palestinian people's continued suffering, the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and the systematic erosion of the two-State solution through illegal settlements and unilateral measures by the occupying power, demand a resolute international response. The Conference will take place at the UN headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20. It stems from a resolution approved last December by the UN General Assembly and will be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang urged countries to seize the crucial opportunity to finally make progress. "The horrors we have witnessed in Gaza for over nineteen months should spur us to urgent action to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The devastating cycles of death, destruction, and displacement cannot be allowed to continue," he said. "This conflict cannot be resolved through permanent war, nor through endless occupation or annexation. It will only end when Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in their own sovereign, independent States, in peace, security, and dignity," President Yang added. Co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia emphasized the need for the conference to go beyond reaffirming principles and achieve concrete results on the ground. "We must urgently move from words to deeds. We must move from ending the war in Gaza to ending the conflict itself," said Anne-Claire Legendre, Middle East and North Africa advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron. "Faced with the facts on the ground, the prospects of a Palestinian State must be maintained. Irreversible steps and concrete measures for the implementation thereof are necessary." Alongside, she reiterated calls for a lasting ceasefire, an immediate influx of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages. Manal bint Hassan Radwan, head of the Saudi Arabian negotiating team, called the moment "historic," stating that the preparatory meeting must "chart a course for action, not reflection." "Civilians continue to pay the price of a war that must end immediately. The escalation in the West Bank is equally alarming. Despair grows deeper by the day," she said. "This is precisely why we must speak not only of ending the war, but of ending a conflict that has lasted nearly eight decades," she continued, adding efforts to end fighting and secure release of hostages and detainees must be "anchored in a credible and irreversible political plan that addresses the root cause of the conflict and offers a real path to peace, dignity and mutual security." In his remarks, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan steadfast support for a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian Question, rooted in international law and relevant UN resolutions, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent State of Palestine. "This Conference must serve a turning point, and deliver tangible outcomes," the Pakistani envoy told delegates. In the lead-up to June, he said it was imperative to restore and fully implement a ceasefire in Gaza, lift the blockade, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access including through UNRWA , the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and protect civilians and aid workers. "Any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians, annex territory, or impose militarized aid mechanisms must be firmly rejected". To preserve the viability of Palestinian statehood, he said among other steps: — The Conference must establish a mechanism to monitor and promote enforcement of relevant Security Council resolutions, including those which term settlements illegal and efforts made to secure Palestine's admission as a full UN Member State; and, — Operationalize the Gaza Reconstruction Plan endorsed by the OIC and Arab Group. Projects such as a Gaza — West Bank transit corridor, seaport reconstruction, and industrial zones are vital for territorial contiguity and Palestinian unity. "Pakistan stands ready to support this Conference and contribute to a credible political horizon, for a two-state solution one that upholds Palestinian rights, ends occupation, and delivers durable peace through a viable, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," Ambassador Asim added.
Korea Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
UN to host 1st high-level meeting on N. Korea's human rights violations
The United Nations General Assembly will hold its first high-level meeting next week over human rights abuses and violations by North Korea, diplomatic and civic group sources said Monday. In a circulated letter, UNGA President Philemon Yang announced a plan to convene a high-level plenary meeting on May 20 to address North Korea's human rights violations, in accordance with a relevant UNGA resolution adopted in December last year, the sources said. It marks the first time that a high-level meeting on the North Korean human rights situation will be hosted by the UNGA. A previous high-level meeting on the subject, held in September 2014 during a UNGA session, was hosted by the South Korean and US governments along with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A foreign ministry official told Yonhap News Agency that the ministry is currently reviewing options to dispatch a senior official from Seoul, the top envoy to the UN or another representative to the meeting. (Yonhap)
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Top UN leaders welcome understanding between India, Pak to stop firings and military actions
Top UN leaders have welcomed the understanding between India and Pakistan to stop all firings and military actions, calling it a "meaningful" and "positive step" toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang wrote in a post on X that he welcomes the development, saying, "it is a meaningful step towards de-escalation reflecting the commitment of both nations to regional peace and stability." #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations Yang urged continued diplomatic efforts and dialogue to resolve differences and achieve lasting peace and stability in line with the UN Charter and international law. Immediately after India announced "understanding on stoppage of firing and military action" on Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the move, describing it as a "positive step" toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Ha Noi - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after the Indian Armed Forces hit terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last week in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
