Dennis Francis elected 78th UNGA president

DENNIS Francis was brought to tears on Thursday as he made history as the first TT citizen to be elected president of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). He credited his achievement to education, which he said TT "ascribes to the highest value."

The election was held on Thursday morning at the General Assembly Hall at the UN headquarters in New York, US.

Francis, who has had a career in the diplomatic service of over 40-years, was nominated on April 1 and was uncontested. He will be the assembly's 78th president.

The president of the UNGA is the presiding officer for the assembly and functions similarly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President of the Senate in TT. UNGA president's role is to enforce rules of procedure, like opening or closing debates, limiting speaking times for representatives, suspending or adjourning debate and setting the agenda for the assembly.

Speaking after the announcement of his win, Francis thanked TT's UN team as well as Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne.

He said he was both honoured and privileged to have been chosen by the 193 countries represented there.

"I have been overwhelmed and yet at the same time buoyed by the extraordinary demonstrations of support, solidarity and goodwill that have consistently accompanied me on this journey over several months. My heart is truly full."

He said education was often referred to as "the greatest liberation," which he knew to be true owing to his own experiences.

He said he was thankful he had parents who understood the value of an education, adding that he was part of a generation that challenged the colonial practice of having education available only to the privileged.

"It is education that brought me to this place and ultimately, to this podium. And I am so proud and gratified to have been born in a country that, for almost 70 years, has ascribed the highest value to education."

He thanked his six siblings for their love and loyalty but joked that he knew they would tease him by saying: "Don't think you're the president here. You're still the last (child).

He also thanked his wife Joy, friends from the 1973 graduating class at Woodbrook Secondary School, the Prime Minister and all of TT for believing in him.

Speaking to the media after the election, he said that 193 countries spoke unanimously and "that says a great deal about the power and potential of the UN in making decisions that are important in our daily lives.

“It is my hope to bring forward, with your help and support, a renewed atmosphere of conciliation, co-operation and shared commitment...

“I will seek to enhance current approaches and adopt new ones with probable solutions as we endeavour to deliver or at least to strengthen the bases for delivering peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability.”

He is looking forward to making "considerable progress on a number of issues facing the UN.

"This is not in denial of the fact that challenges exist. They're there, we've identified them. But I'm committed to working closely with my colleagues to see where we can identify a way forward..."

Browne told Newsday he felt delighted and that his team's "effective and strategic campaign" was rewarded by the result.

"Ambassador Francis is one of our best and brightest, and all citizens should be proud of his accomplishment. This is the first time that a national of our twin island Republic has held this prestigious position.

Browne said he told Dr Rowley via phone and that he (Rowley) "conveyed his profound pride, congratulations and confidence."

When the announcement was made, a smiling Browne was seen pulling out his phone.

In a release, TT's UN team congratulated Francis saying TT "continues to be a leading Caribbean voice championing the needs and challenges of small island developing states.

"This hallmark of Trinidad and Tobago’s global advocacy dovetails seamlessly with the stated priority of president-elect Francis.

It said presidency of the UNGA is a "prestigious platform" for a country to promote international co-operation, build consensus on key global issues "and raise the profile of its own multilateral priorities on the global stage.

In a separate release, UN secretary general António Guterres said Francis has taken up the role at a "deeply challenging moment for the human family.

"Conflicts and climate chaos, escalating poverty, hunger and inequality, mistrust and division. Meanwhile, our roadmap to a better future – Agenda 2030 – is in danger. The sustainable development goals are slipping out of reach."

He said the world looks to the assembly to unite member states around common solutions.

"President-elect Francis brings a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge to this essential task. In addition to his years working closely with multilateral agencies, he is also a respected negotiator and long-serving diplomat, including as his country’s longest-serving ambassador ever.

"Coming from Trinidad and Tobago, he brings a critical perspective to this assembly."

Outgoing UNGA president Csaba Kőrösi also congratulated Francis on Twitter, saying he is confident the assembly will be in "capable hands."

British High Commissioner to TT Harriet Cross also took to Twitter and said "Many congratulations to TT...This is a critical role at the UN. I’ve no doubt Ambassador Francis will do an excellent job."