Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), addresses a high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS - Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on Monday stressed the importance of multilateralism, calling for collective efforts and prompt action for a better future.

"Multilateralism is not an option but a necessity as we build back better and greener for a more equal, more resilient and more sustainable world," Bozkir said in his opening remarks at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the UNGA, called for collective efforts and continued commitment from nations to work together to strengthen coordination and global governance for the common future of present and coming generations

He noted that "the three pillars of the United Nations -- peace and security, development, and human rights -- are equally important, interrelated, and interdependent," which is what the UN has been striving for over the past 75 years with the support of the member states.

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The UN has worked tirelessly to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and has also shaped the norms for international development, Bozkir told the meeting.

He called for collective efforts and continued commitment from nations to work together to strengthen coordination and global governance for the common future of present and coming generations.

"The United Nations must be at the center of our efforts," Bozkir said, adding "the world has changed in unimaginable ways" since the UN was established.

The UNGA president said an upgraded UN must respond to challenges and changes to stay relevant and effective, noting "it must be inclusive and consult widely with all relevant stakeholders" to ensure an effective response to common challenges.

Bozkir said "no other global organization gives hope to many people for a better world," as "there is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact as the United Nations."

The organization's work is more crucial than ever, especially in the context of the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and support from the member states is an indispensable part, according to the UNGA president.

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Noting "the United Nations is only as strong as its members' commitment to its ideals and each other," Bozkir emphasized that "it is now time to mobilize our resources, strengthen your efforts, and show unprecedented political will and leadership to ensure the future we want, and the United Nations we need."

"It is now time to act. I am taking the call for renewed global actions seriously," he said. 

Reinvigorated multilateralism

The UN said Monday in a declaration to commemorate its 75th anniversary that the world's challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us in the most powerful way that we are closely interconnected and only as strong as our weakest link

the UN said in a declaration

"The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us in the most powerful way that we are closely interconnected and only as strong as our weakest link," the UN noted, calling for solidarity to end the pandemic and build resilience against future challenges.

Thus, multilateralism has become a "necessity" as the world has been striving to "build back better for a more equal, more resilient and more sustainable world," it said, stressing that the UN must be at the center of these efforts.

"It is important to learn and share experiences and information to reduce risks and make our systems more resilient," the UN noted. "There is an urgent need to accelerate development, production, as well as equitable and affordable global access to new vaccines, medicines and medical equipment."

"The next 10 years, which have been designated as the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, will be the most critical of our generation. It is even more important as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic," the UN said, stressing that the world needs a strong UN development system.