Speech of the Sultanate of Oman to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly
Text of the Sultanate of Oman's Address at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 28th, 2024, delivered by Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi.
“Your Excellency Philémon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,
“It is a pleasure to extend to you and your country, the Republic of Cameroon, our sincere congratulations on your election as President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. We also wish to express our appreciation for the efforts made by your predecessor from the friendly nation of Trinidad and Tobago during his tenure.
“We would like to take this opportunity to also express our deep appreciation to His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, for his tireless efforts in leading the United Nations and his unwavering pursuit of upholding and implementing international law, in the pursuit of justice and peace, reflecting the United Nations' vision of a world where security, stability, peace, and prosperity prevail for all.
“The Sultanate of Oman reaffirms its full support for your endeavours and those of the United Nations in promoting international peace and security. We express our strong commitment to the UN Charter, recognising the importance of the United Nations in embodying the hopes and aspirations of peoples for development and a dignified and prosperous life.
“Oman's foreign policy is founded on a steadfast vision, which embraces dialogue and tolerance as a means to address all challenges and issues. This is a vision aimed at achieving peace and building relations based on mutual respect, positive cooperation, and harmony among nations.
“The Sultanate of Oman—its leadership, government, and people—believes in the use of legitimate and peaceful means to resolve conflicts and issues. Accordingly, Oman calls for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza, Lebanon, and the Red Sea region. We emphasise the need to address the root causes of these conflicts by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and achieving justice for the Palestinian people, based on a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the 1967 borders.
“Moreover, Oman stresses the necessity of granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations and ending the genocidal policies carried out by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, alleviating the humanitarian suffering they endure.
“We believe in the importance of intensifying efforts to de-escalate tensions, reduce conflict, and prevent bloodshed by adhering to dialogue, the rules of international law, the United Nations Charter, and international legitimacy resolutions. Respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs ensures that all nations and peoples can live in peace, security, and dignity.
“Oman continues to move forward with its social protection programmes through a comprehensive system that supports various segments of society, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, in addition to social insurance and job security programmes. This reflects the progress Oman has made in sustainable development and its ongoing efforts to develop these programmes in line with global best practice, while continuing to provide educational, health, and social care for all members of society.
“Our nation also remains committed to supporting and empowering youth, whom we consider the cornerstone of the future and the key to sustainable development. We believe that young people are the driving force behind innovation, growth, and progress, and we are dedicated to creating opportunities that enable them to apply their skills and contribute effectively to building a brighter future.
“Oman emphasises the importance of promoting respect and peaceful coexistence among peoples. We call for the fight against all forms of discrimination, racism, hatred, and violence.
“Oman also exerts significant efforts in addressing climate change challenges, reducing emissions, and encouraging investment in renewable energy projects. Our Net-Zero Carbon Strategy for 2050 is driven by clean energy projects, green hydrogen initiatives, and nature-based solutions. This commitment stems from our belief in the importance of protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations, while balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.
“Oman's development efforts are in line with our national vision, Oman Vision 2040, which serves as the foundation for achieving economic and social development goals and addressing future challenges. In this context, Oman has submitted its second Voluntary National Report, reflecting its deep commitment to the global principles and objectives of sustainable development, highlighting the progress made in various developmental areas.
“In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Pact for the Future this year, and we commend the collective international efforts that led to this achievement, which outlines a roadmap for the world to enhance international cooperation and effectively address global challenges.
“Therefore, we urge all member states to commit to implementing this charter and working towards its vision and goals through fruitful cooperation, knowledge exchange, and taking it as a path towards achieving a better, safer, and more prosperous future for generations to come.
“Thank you for your attention. We express our sincere hope that this session will be successful and fruitful.
Peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.”
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text, click here.