Trinidad Diplomat, Dennis Francis Elected President, 78th Session Of UN General Assembly

The 193 UN Member States on Thursday, elected a veteran diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, Dennis Francis as the President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Francis, who has had a nearly 40-year-career, will take the helm of the UN’s main policy-making body, starting in September.

He was elected by acclamation during a ceremony in the iconic General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York.

The General Assembly consists of all 193 UN Member States, all of which have an equal vote.

Its duties include appointing the Secretary-General, on the recommendation of the Security Council, and approving the Organisation’s annual budget.

Francis said he would prioritise encouraging and facilitating meaningful dialogue.

“It is my hope to bring forward, with your help and support, a renewed atmosphere of conciliation, cooperation and shared commitment in addressing the many challenges and seizing every opportunity, however nascent, before the General Assembly,” he said.

“I will seek to enhance current approaches and adopt new ones with probable solutions, as we endeavour to deliver or at least to strengthen the bases for delivering Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability.”

He also spoke about the prominent role of education in his life and career and upheld the need to ensure all people have the chance to learn, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for ending extreme poverty and other deprivations, by 2030.

The current General Assembly President, Csaba Kőrösi of Hungary, noted that his successor would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post.

“Mr. Francis’ vision for the 78th session – ‘Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’ – offers a comprehensive view of the work of the General Assembly as we rebuild trust in and within this institution, tackle climate change and strive to get the SDGs back on track,” he said.

“I will seek to enhance current approaches and adopt new ones with probable solutions, as we endeavour to deliver or at least to strengthen the bases for delivering Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability.”