STORY: Laotian FM calls for multilateralism to tackle global challenges
DATELINE: Sept. 24, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:24
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. wide shot of UNGA Hall
2. wide shot of Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith walking to the rostrum
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH, Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
4. various of delegates
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH, Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
6. wide shot of Kommasith speaking
7. wide shot of Laotian delegates applauding

STORYLINE:

Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on Saturday called for collective actions to tackle global challenges, warning against unilateralism.

He told the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly that the international community is facing multiple crises at an unprecedented level. Following the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the major challenges facing developing countries vary from poverty, debt, and an unjust international financial architecture to extreme natural calamities, .

This has already been compounded by regional tensions and unilateral measures as a result of geopolitical rivalries. All this has not only hampered the hard-earned development progress during the last decade, but also threatened the survival of humankind, he warned.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH, Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
"At this critical juncture, the most appropriate solutions are needed in order to address such challenges. It requires unified and collective actions that are guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and we must firmly uphold multilateralism in tackling them.
To save our world from another catastrophe, our shared wisdom and united political determination are more critical than ever. This must be done by putting aside any unilateral interests and resolutely avoiding greater confrontation and division among the UN member states. To this end, the United Nations must be reformed in a way that it can effectively fulfill its mandate. We need the UN that is more relevant and effective in the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and is able to address the challenges threatening international peace, security and sustainable development."

With scientific and technological advancement and innovation, humankind is now better equipped to tackle global challenges. Yet, without common desire, shared responsibilities and collective actions, the most vulnerable peoples in the world will continue to be left behind, he said.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH, Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
"Resolving global conflicts and disputes by peaceful means is the only viable way to ensure long-lasting peace and coexistence. In this regard, we urge an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful dialogues. 
Like many other countries, Laos believes that unilateralism, particularly unilateral coercive measures, not only contravenes the principles of the UN Charter and international law, but also severely causes negative consequences for innocent people and hinders national development of many developing countries. 
In this regard, my delegation continues to join the global call for lifting the economic embargo against Cuba, removing it from the list of "state sponsors of terrorism," and ending all unilateral coercive measures."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)