(KPL) During the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone delivered a compelling speech addressing the current global challenges, urging international cooperation and the pursuit of sustainable development amidst rising tensions and crises.

In his address, Prime Minister Sonexay identified key challenges facing the world today, from the escalating political and military tensions to the increasing frequency of natural disasters, alongside economic and financial instability.

These global crises, he noted, have intensified poverty and social unrest, threatening both peace and development efforts, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030.

Prime Minister Sonexay underscored the economic and financial hardships that many nations are still facing, especially those that have not fully recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He warned that these challenges are exacerbating global inequality and making the road to recovery even more difficult for developing nations.

“The economic and financial situation of many countries, particularly those still recovering from the pandemic, has been further weakened,” he continued. “This has led to greater economic disparity and has slowed progress toward development goals. We must work together to overcome these challenges.”

In response to the worsening geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East and other regions, Prime Minister Sonexay expressed Laos' deep concern about the potential spread of armed conflict and its impact on innocent civilians. He stressed that diplomacy and trust-building are the only viable solutions to resolving conflicts and achieving lasting peace.

“We must respect the sovereignty of nations and uphold the principles of international law to achieve lasting peace,” he said.

Reaffirming Laos' commitment to multilateralism, Prime Minister Sonexay reiterated the central role of the United Nations in fostering international cooperation. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among member states to address pressing global issues, from peacebuilding to sustainable development, with the UN serving as the pivotal platform for such cooperation.

The Prime Minister called on the international community to unite in addressing the urgent needs of the global population, particularly those affected by conflicts and crises. He emphasized that collective action and cooperation, guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are essential to achieving peace, stability, and sustainable progress.

Echoing the calls for unity made by other world leaders at the General Assembly, Prime Minister Sonexay reinforced the message that no single country can overcome global challenges alone. He reaffirmed Laos’ dedication to realizing the SDGs, focusing on socio-economic development, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation.

Highlighting national progress, the Prime Minister noted that while the implementation of Laos’ SDG 18—“Lives Safe From UXO”—has seen advancements, unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose serious threats to the lives of the Lao people and impede the country’s development.

Prime Minister Sonexay urged the international community to increase its support and assistance to Laos in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by UXO, in accordance with the international convention on cluster munitions.

KPL