Biya calls for inclusive multilateralism to tackle mounting global despair.

Biya addressing diplomats Friday at Unity Palace

The Head of State, Paul Biya, has called for renewed mobilisation of the international community in the spirit of multilateralism to ward off mounting challenges that have put humanity on the precipice.

He made the call Friday, December 10, at the Unity Palace. This was during a ceremony for him to receive New Year wishes from the diplomatic community. 

Biya decried that unilateralism is taking precedence over laid down rules governing the global cooperation as many are increasingly disregarding international law.

The result, the President said, is an increase in human suffering playing out through wars, conflict, massive displacements among others. Wars and tension, he went on, have remained alive across the world, mentioning places such as Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Haiti. 

In addition to these, the President identified terrorism as another menace defying past collective efforts. 

To reverse the situation, Biya remarked that there is the urgent need “for the mobilisation of the entire international community in favour of an equitable, transparent, just, and inclusive multilateral system”. 

He insisted that the world must be guided along the contours of “dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation, and active solidarity”.

The Head of State remarked that oftentimes, “our world sometimes seems to have gone mad and is teetering on the brink of the abyss. The number of victims of violence continues to increase. Entire populations continue to suffer the ravages of killings, mutilations, destruction, forced displacement, and exile”.

He refused to subscribe to the thought that the polarisation across the globe in addressing general concerns cannot be overcome. Biya wondered how the world has slipped to such levels despite frameworks in place that should guide operations.

Underscoring the need for more solidarity, he said: “If we want to survive, we have no choice but to determine our common priorities, give ourselves the necessary means to achieve them, and unite our energies”. 

He reiterated Cameroon’s believe in the United Nations, UN, and the opportunities it offers to address global concerns. Biya said his country remains ready to contribute alongside other countries to a peaceful and well-to-do world.

The UN, he enthused, “is best placed to lead humankind to overcome its passions, self-interests, and antagonisms to refocus on the essential”.

 

Yang’s mandate as 79th UNGA to enhance multilateralism

While thanking the international community for backing the election of Philemon Yang as President of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, Biya said his mandate will enhance multilateralism. 

Yang’s mandate, to end September 2025, the President said, will give the international community “the opportunity to work together on renewing multilateralism, which our world so desperately needs”. 

 

Need for urgent action against climate change 

President Biya also brought to the attention of diplomats the pressing need to address climate change. Without concerted action on the issue, Biya said the world is facing an uncertain future. 

Natural disasters recorded recently, Biya averred, only show the consequences of climate change. 

“We are all now faced with a pressing dilemma: Act together now, or perish together, for certain," he stated.

The adoption of the Pact for the Future at the UN General Assembly in September 2023, Biya indicated, ties with focus on resetting global cooperation. 

Some of the fruits, he said, is the convergence on the “Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations”.

 

Diplomats hail Cameroon’s hospitality

Speaking on behalf of diplomats, Moroccan Ambassador, Mostafa Bouh, lauded Cameroon’s hospitality. Bouh also praised the enlistment of the Ngondo Festival of the Sawa people on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024.

Ambassador Bouh also saluted Biya for receiving an award from the Confederation of African Football, CAF, for his role in boosting African football.

 

 

National dignitaries present wishes

Besides diplomats, national dignitaries also presented New Year wishes to the Head of State. Among key figures were; the Senior Vice President of the Senate, Aboulaye Aboubakary; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, and the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Dion Ngute Joseph. 

 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3337 of Monday January 13, 2025

 

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