Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 01, 2023 (SKNIS): Her Excellency Nerys Dockery, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), has congratulated His Excellency Dennis Francis, of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for being elected as President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, which will begin in September 2023.
This is the first time that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will be assuming the position.
“St. Kitts and Nevis is pleased to add its voice in congratulations to His Excellency Dennis Francis. I also extend heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago upon its elevation to the lofty and important post of President of the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations,” said Her Excellency Dockery. “It was once said by a very wise man that ‘men do not shape destiny; destiny produces the man for the hour.’ To assume such a role in these challenging times is testament to the bravery and intrepid nature of Ambassador Francis, and St. Kitts and Nevis is confident that he is a leader who has been called forth by the times.”
Ambassador Dockery described His Excellency Francis as a career diplomat.
“He is one of the premier diplomats our region can boast, with over 40 years of experience in the diplomatic service of Trinidad and Tobago as a senior advisor, High Commissioner, Special Envoy and Ambassador and we will find him more than capable to deliver on his vision to use his platform as president to promote peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability,” she said. I can attest that Ambassador Francis is a staunch believer in robust, people-centered multilateralism and understands that a commitment to multilateralism requires a commitment to dialogue, active listening, consultation, applying compassion and establishing justice rather than confrontation and conflict.”
She added that hailing from a small island state, His Excellency Francis also understands the ‘imperative for climate action as the defining challenge of our times which must be considered as a necessary facet in the achievement of multi-dimensional security.’
His Excellency Francis served as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, to the World Trade Organization and to the UN Human Rights Council. He also served in the UN specialized agencies in Vienna and Rome.
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