His second day United Nations General Assembly The meeting began in New York on Tuesday, with leaders from countries around the world talking about pressing issues such as climate change.
Here are some highlights from the leaders who spoke on Day 2:
Seychelles
Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, said climate change remains an uphill battle affecting the planet.
“If we want to make progress on our development agenda, we can no longer call what we are dealing with climate change,” he said. “The point at which lives and livelihoods are being lost with alarming frequency due to environmental disasters means we are living in a climate crisis. Addressing the climate crisis is no longer optional. It is an immediate necessity.”
Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Rwanda
Paul Kagama, Rwanda’s president, said the world’s conflicts between nations and various groups must end.
“We must also relax the conflicts. Today, there is no sign that the ongoing conflicts will end soon. We do not even see the hope from those with the most influence, that an end is in sight. Innocent lives are left alone to bear the brunt of this instability, this is a profound injustice,” he said. “The immigration crisis is a prime example.
“Every year, migrants and refugees make dangerous journeys in search of a better future. Rwanda remains committed to working with partners, including UNHCR, to contribute to a sustainable solution,” he added. “This decision is based on our experience and knowing firsthand the pain of losing everything and not having a place to call home.”
Rwandan President Paul Kagame speaks at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Cyprus
Nikos Christodoulidis, the country’s president, condemned the violations of international peace and security and invited Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Working for peace in Cyprus is my absolute priority and I want to take this opportunity to also send a personal message to President Erdogan. There is, and never will be, another basis for the settlement of the Cyprus issue than that which dictated by the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council”.
The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Namibia
President Hage Geingob spoke about rebuilding trust and the wealth gap.
“We are committed to creating an environment where prosperity is shared and inclusive,” he said.
Namibian President Hage Geingob addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Romania
Romanian President Klaus Ioannis has spoken out about Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying Moscow’s “aggressiveness” necessitates the need for more attention to the Black Sea, a vital body of water in the region.
“Romania is a direct neighbor in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and we have acted with all our energy to steadily contribute to regional and international security and stability,” he said.
Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Željko Komšić, President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressed concerns about economic migration and tensions with its neighbors.
“It is absolutely clear that there is such a form of migration in which large groups of people are trying to escape war and the horrors of war,” he said. “But there is also what we call economic migration through which migrants are directed based on their capabilities and potential.
He spoke of “aggressor states”, as he said, that want to control and divide his country.
“Our two neighbors through the ethnic communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in which they are – as they try to claim every right, even 27 years after the attack they had carried out in Bosnia-Herzegovina, are in this way attacking the sovereignty of the country us, which makes it almost completely impossible for there to be any democratic development of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Lithuania
In his remarks. Lithuanian President Gitanas Naušeda said that Russia has brought back to Europe “an old-style colonial war” and that Moscow is ready to take it even further.
“Russia is currently holding the world hostage, blocking Ukrainian grain exports, looting occupied Ukrainian territories and destroying local agricultural infrastructure,” Nausenda said.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Ecuador
Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso said his nation has made great strides in its biodiversity efforts to transition to a low-emission circular economy and protect the Galapagos Islands.
“My administration has been able to balance environmental ambitions with good economic sense,” Lasso said.
Ecuador is also focused on improving the quality of life of its most disadvantaged citizens, especially children, he said. These efforts include reducing malnutrition and providing better and more affordable medical care to pregnant women and children.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso Mendoza addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Suriname
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, said that not much had changed for the better since he made his first address to the general assembly.
“We make promises that are often not kept,” he said. “We express noble aims but the performance is poor. Business as usual cannot be our mantra.”
He added that humans are responsible for the world’s ills and should do better.
President of Suriname Chan Santohi addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Finland
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto called on world leaders to stand by Ukraine.
“Russia’s aggression is a direct violation of the United Nations Charter, which we are all committed to by helping Ukraine,” he said.
The President of Finland Sauli Niinisto addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Croatia
President Zoran Milanovic compared the relationship between sustainable development and peace and security in an increasingly smaller world.
“At an intermediate point in the implementation of the 2030 agenda, assessments of the global progress report on sustainable development have shown that efforts to achieve this synergy have so far proved insufficient,” he said.
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Angola
President Joao Lourenco, president of the Republica of Angola, spoke of greater investment in the African continent.
“Africa’s international partners must believe and invest in our market because they will surely get a good return on their investments in the various sectors of our economies,” he said.
Angolan President João Lourenco addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Latvia
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said his country would support Ukraine as long as needed. He noted that its aid to Ukraine has already exceeded 1.3% of Latvia’s GDP.
“Russia must bear full legal and financial responsibility for its aggression,” he said. “We must ensure full accountability for all crimes committed in Ukraine. This means holding Russia accountable as a state for violations of international law.”
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Republic of Korea
South Korea has spoken out about the relationship between Russia and North Korea, saying its neighbor to the north poses a threat to Ukraine and South Korea alike.
South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
“If the DPRK acquires the necessary information and technology to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, the deal will be a direct challenge that threatens the peace and security not only of Ukraine but also of the Republic of Korea,” President Yoon said. Suk Yeo said.
Tajikistan
Like many leaders, Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, said that climate change is an urgent challenge for humanity.
“The world is not on track to meet most of the sustainable development goals,” he said.
Rahmon said many developing countries bear the brunt of the harmful effects of climate change.
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Honduras
President Xiomara Castro has spoken out about her country’s corruption that aims to dismantle structural changes, as her government has said.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
“These aggressors who seized the state are conspiring today against my government,” Castro said. “The Honduran people in their noble aspiration for justice have given me a strong mandate to fight and dismantle the narco-state and public-private corruption that have plundered and destroyed our institutions that have corrupted the popular will.
He noted that systemic corruption has led to “state terrorism” through death squads.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
