President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere emphasized the importance of choosing peace over conflict in his address to global leaders at the Summit of the Future, which took place alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He urged nations to uphold human rights as outlined in the UN Charter and to protect the environment and its resources across land, sea, and air.
Speaking under the theme “Summit of the Future; Multilateral Solutions for Better Tomorrow,” President Katonivere expressed concern over the current state of the world, citing ongoing conflicts, the worsening climate crisis, development challenges, failing ecosystems, and rampant inequalities. He highlighted that the most vulnerable populations are suffering the most from these issues.
Katonivere warned that inaction today will lead to dire consequences for future generations, stating, “Tomorrow it will be our children, their children, and succeeding generations, who will pay the price of our inaction.” He called on leaders to collaborate within a robust multilateral system, involving non-state actors, the private sector, and the entire society.
He reiterated the shared vision for a sustainable future and stressed the urgency of collective action, noting that there are only six years left to advance the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030.