By Edith M Lederer — Associated Press, Tuesday 7 June 2022
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Hungarian Ambassador Csaba Korosi was on Tuesday 7 June 2022 elected as President of the upcoming 77th Session of The UN General Assembly by acclamation, and he warned immediately that the world is in the throes of a dangerous crisis and the credibility of The United Nations is at stake. Korosi, who takes over the presidency of the 193-member world body in September, said there is “a red alert” for the global climate and crises in food, energy and water supplies. In addition, he said, people everywhere are still affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, “the global economy is at the threshold of recession and the sovereign debts are at an unprecedented level.” He also noted that conflicts this century — including in Ukraine — are fiercer and “a postcard from the future.”
Korosi called for the same resolve today that the UN’s founding nations had “to stand up to the challenges that threaten international peace and security as well as our sustainable future on this planet.” He has chosen the theme “Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science” as the motto for his presidency. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed Korosi’s concerns: “We face a world in peril. From the war in Ukraine in all its dimensions to the deepening impacts of the climate crisis; from the COVID-19 pandemic to escalating humanitarian needs, hunger and poverty, the months ahead will test the multilateral system. The year-long 77th session can be a moment of transformation — a time to recalibrate multi-lateralism and strengthen the foundations of global cooperation.”