UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades Thursday told the UN General Assembly that multilateralism is the only way to preserve the planet.
As the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly continued on the day, Anastasiades spoke extensively about multilateralism, stressing that it is the only way "to preserve the planet; peacefully resolve conflicts; end terrorism and extremism; prevent natural disasters and alleviate humanitarian crises around the world."
Anastasiades also pointed to international, multilateral cooperation as being vital in dealing with terrorism, while also calling "education, dialogue, economic growth and social inclusion" essential to prevent and counter violent extremism within societies.
Noting societal resilience is a key aspect of multilateral endeavours, he told the Assembly "our determination to implement the 2030 Agenda must remain high on our list of priorities, sustainable development is at the heart of dealing with the root causes of forced migration."
The president also pointed to the need for "a just, effective and efficient global governance system," for which Cyprus is in accord with the UN Secretary-General's reform priorities to ensure that "multilateralism remains relevant and effective."
Anastasiades stated Cyprus' opinion that "the most vital pillar to achieving inter-State, regional and global peace is through respecting and ensuring the full and unhindered independency, territorial integrity and sovereignty" of each UN Member State as the only way to avoid inter-State conflicts that, in turn, establish conditions for protracted destabilization, violence and uncertainty.
