Tanzania Delegation hand-in-hand as UN High-Level Debate kicks off

World's Heads of State and Government and other high-level officials participate in the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S.A.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (right), listens to U.S. President Barack Obama as he addresses the United Nations General Assembly today in New York, USA.  Left is  Hon. Abubakar Khamis Bakary, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.  Other members of Tanzania Delegation included Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue (behind right) and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (behind right), Senior Advisor to President Kikwete (Diplomatic Affairs).

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (right), listens to U.S. President Barack Obama as he addresses the UN High-Level Debate of the 67th Session today in New York, USA.  Second Left is  Hon. Abubakar Khamis Bakary, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and Ambassador Tuvako Manongi (left), Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations.  Other members of Tanzania Delegation included Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue (behind right) and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (behind right), Senior Advisor to President Kikwete (Diplomatic Affairs).

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By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO, New York 

September 25, 2012 

President of the General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, today opened the High-Level Debate of the Sixty-Seventh Session and said that "those who drafted the UN Charter understood that when nations feel secure, they are much more likely to unclench their fists and give the process of peacefully settling disputes a genuine chance to suceed."  

In his remarks, President Jeremic also called for renewed spirit of cooperation and said that "let us have faith in our ability to come together in the full understanding of our common destiny, so that this Assembly may go down in history as an Assembly of peace."

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon also addressed the General Assembly telling World Leaders that "this is a time of turmoil, transition and transformation - a time when time itself is not on our side," urging World Leaders to act fast in finding solutions while observing full respect for the UN Charter and international law.  

Other Leaders who addressed the Opening of General Debate were US President Barack Obama who among other things, said that US will never retreat from the world and will bring to justice those who harm their citizens.  "I do believe that it is the obligation of all leaders, in all countries, to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism," he said.

Furthermore, during the General Debate, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy reaffirms 'fundamental role' of United Nations in solving global problems, whereas Nigerian leader, President Goodluck Jonathan praises UN, regional roles in maintaining peace. Also, President of Slovakia, Ivan Gašparovic called for inclusive multilateralism to tackle world's most urgent challenges.

World's Heads of State and Government and other high-level officials are expected to present their views and comment on issues of individual national and international relevance at the debate which ends on October 1, 2012.  The theme for this year's Debate is "Adjustment or Settlement of International Disputes or Situations by Peaceful Means." 

Tanzania delegation, led by Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on behalf of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was also present to witness this historical moment of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Hon. Membe is expected to address the General Assembly on 28 September, 2012.