PM, Opposition congratulate Francis on United Nations General Assembly presidency

THE Prime Minister and the Opposition have congratulated Dennis Francis on being elected as the 78th president of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Francis made history on Thursday as he became the first TT president-elect of the assembly. He was unopposed.

In a release, Dr Rowley congratulated Francis and Foreign Affairs and Caricom Minister Dr Amery Browne on their "excellent campaign.

"This result is an acknowledgement of the high esteem in which our nation is held and is proof of our mantra that we may be small in size but not insignificant in stature.

"As Prime Minister, I extend our sincerest thanks to the very many countries that supported and encouraged us and whose staff worked alongside our people in the full understanding that ambassador Francis and TT represent all the best of the high ideals of the UN."

He said, as a leader among small-island developing states, the government "confidently looks forward to a successful conference under the theme of peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability."

The UNC described Francis's election as "A seminal achievement of TT and the People’s Partnership government.

"It will be recalled that it was on the initiative of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that ten years ago, our country advanced its unopposed bid to be elected to this most prestigious role. Our unopposed nomination was done on the advice of former president of the general assembly, the late ambassador John Ashe who in 2013 served as president of the UNGA.

"Ambassador Francis is a very distinguished career diplomat in the TT foreign service, who will do TT proud in his new assignment.

It reminded the public that Caricom is entitled to an unopposed nominee once every ten years.

"This time, and for the first time in our history, it is TT UN ambassador Dennis Francis’ turn.

"This is a seminal honour for TT and we reiterate our congratulations to the people of TT on this significant achievement. We wish Ambassador Francis every success in his new posting."

The release added that TT continues to benefit from the echoes of the UNC-led government.

"It speaks eloquently to TT’s capacity to punch over our weight in global diplomacy once the right leadership is there."