At New Year wishes ceremony: Biya insists multilateralism panacea for global challenges.

By Maxcel Fokwen

He was addressing members of the diplomatic community and other international organisations accredited to Yaounde. The event was the 2026 New Year wishes ceremony.

Biya said despite efforts made to keep multilateralism alive, “…our world continues to face the horrors of terrorism, the multiple violations of State sovereignty, and the erosion of international law”.

He bemoaned that: “Crises and conflicts are proliferating, bringing with them a toll of human lives and all kinds of destruction, sparing no region of the world”.

In the thinking of Biya, “…this situation, as we know, has negative consequences for the development of our countries and the well-being of our populations. If we continue down this spiral, there is reason to fear…that the international system, which we have spent so much time and effort building, may eventually collapse”. 

War can’t guarantee global peace

Biya reminded the diplomatic community that violence and war have nothing good, and opined that “the path of arms and violence is very often a path with no way out”.

He declared that, “a lasting and just peace, which alone can truly guarantee the survival of humanity, necessarily requires other means, which cannot be those of war”. 

He insisted on the relevance of the United Nations, UN, to ensure global peace. Biya advocated the strengthening of the UN, insisting that: “…it is of fundamental importance that we provide it with the means and support necessary to carry out its missions in the service of our humanity. For the good of us all”.

Nations of the world, he said, must close ranks to ensure efforts made in the last couple of years for the good of humanity don’t end in nothing.

Biya averred that the complex international system, with marks of protectionism among other new trends, have a direct impact on every nation, including Cameroonians.

He restated that Cameroon will continue to support global efforts to keep humanity united. 

“I would like to reiterate that my country's commitment to development, peace, and harmony among peoples, as well as to defending the various causes concerning the survival of humanity, will never waver. Cameroon will continue to fully play its role in the community of Nations,” he stated.

The country’s preparation to host the 14th Ministerial Council of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, from March 26 to 29, 2026, the President said, will be a window to project the merits of multilateralism.

“This will be an additional opportunity to highlight the virtues of multilateralism, in a context where the temptation to return to unilateralism is becoming increasingly strong,” Biya indicated.

Beyond saluting the ties between Cameroon and several nations and institutions of the world, Biya sounded positive that more will be achieved in the coming years.

Building his case on why multilateralism deserves to thrive, the Head of State cited key contributions which Cameroon made in some areas. 

He mentioned the work done to get Philemon Yang serve as President of the 79th session of the United Nations, UN General Assembly.

He expressed delight in what was achieved, especially in pushing the agenda for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Biya recalled the Yaounde Declaration on the Blue Economy which Gulf of Guinea nations adopted in July 2025 in Yaounde. 

Further reflecting on how multilateralism could shape the future, Biya also recalled the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on future Generations in 2024.

Enter dean of diplomatic corps 

The longest serving diplomat accredited to Yaounde, His Excellency Armando Kote Echuaca, Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Cameroon, also delivered a speech at yesterday’s event.

Echuaca hailed President Biya’s leadership and wisdom in keeping Cameroon active in the comity of nations. 

He praised the country’s hospitality shown to refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and active participation in other international organisations. He described Cameroon as a model when it comes to international solidarity.

With Cameroon, Echuaca said the international community will continue to work to promote unity and concord for the country and the rest of the globe.

Biya, he went on, is a beggar of peace with wisdom from which the world can benefit from especially in the face of global challenges.

The Equatoguinean diplomat praised Cameroon’s resilience throughout 2025 and gains made especially in protecting its cultural patrimony with several UNESCO tangible heritage enlistments.

Besides the diplomatic corps, Biya also received New Year wishes from national dignitaries.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3668 of Friday January 09, 2026