In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Poland's President Andrzej Duda said that the world "is facing multiple global crises that have significant impact on infrastructure systems". He argued, however, that advancement of said systems could be a good way to respond to the crises at hand. "Our goal should be to prevent crises, not just react to them," the president added.
President Andrzej Duda went on a trip to the United States and Canada. On Wednesday, Duda took part in a private meeting with U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, at which the latter assured he was "behind Poland all the way". The two also discussed Ukraine and the Middle East.
On Thursday, president Duda participated in a United Nations General Assembly session devoted to building global resilience and promoting sustainable development through infrastructure connectivity.
"Our world is facing multiple global crises that have significant impact on infrastructure systems. Every country has experienced disruptions resulting from pandemics, wars and conflicts, climate change and natural disasters. Disrupted supply chains, blocked transport routes, energy insecurity, and a lack of secure telecommunications are impacting societies and economies around the world," he said before the assembly.
I firmly believe that many of these challenges can be faced and reduced by building regional infrastructure connections. It is a key instrument for building resilience, which is a task of paramount importance for the global development.
"Our goal should be to prevent crises, not just react to them," he stressed.
Duda: resilient infrastructure is a universal global priority
"I am very proud that Poland initiated and led negotiations on the General Assembly resolution “Building global resilience and promoting sustainable development through regional and interregional infrastructure connectivity”. This joint, cross–regional initiative of Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, El Salvador, Estonia, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania was co–sponsored by over 80 countries representing all regions," Duda said.
"Adopted by the General Assembly by consensus, it gave rise to today’s meeting," he added.
"The resolution sends a very strong signal to the whole UN system and the private sector that investing in high–quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure is a universal global priority. More importantly, it is a proof of our strong commitment towards sustainable development and the dialogue with the Global South countries."
Infrastructure as "the backbone of any society and economy"
The Polish president noted that global crises and challenges affect each region differently, prompting region-specific ways to respond.
"Central and Eastern Europe has been hit particularly hard by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It was the Three Seas infrastructure that made it possible for us to do away with Russian energy sources. The enhanced regional connectivity helped us avert the worst consequences of this war.
"We believe infrastructure is the backbone of any society and economy, and is absolutely essential to providing life–saving support. The demand for infrastructure investment is global, with the greatest needs typically occurring in low–income countries," Duda said.
WATCH PRESIDENT ANDRZEJ DUDA'S SPEECH AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY BELOW
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, president.pl