Head of State Rosen Plevneliev called on international community to take collective action worldwide to manage the migrant and refugee flows

"Today peace and freedom are put to the test. We are witnessing the most serious deterioration in the security environment since the end of World War II. National borders and international principles are challenged. In many regions war and terror are reigning. States and institutions are disintegrating. The world is out of balance today".  This is what Head of State Rosen Plevneliev said in his speech from the rostrum at the UN in New York within the framework of the71st Session of the UN General Assembly.
 

President Rosen Plevneliev addressed the international community, calling for collective global efforts for managing the flows of migrants and refugees and reinforcing international cooperation and coordination for providing better protection and assistance to refugees. "Europe is the symbol of hope for millions of refugees fleeing from violence and war.  We are inspired by our common values in our resolve to reinforce our efforts for the management of migration in compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights.   The countries that are closer to the conflict zones, such as Bulgaria, are facing an unprecedented challenge", President Rosen Plevneliev pointed out.

Bulgaria welcomes the New York declaration as a symbol of the joint efforts to strengthen international cooperation to improve the protection of and assistance to refugees. "Migration should be managed through collective global efforts in a responsible manner. We should specifically focus on the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees, especially the most vulnerable among them - women, children and people with disabilities. At the same time, all migrants are bound to observe the laws of the countries of residence. Bulgaria welcomes the emphasis on the sharing of global responsibility," he said. "This essential element should lead us to setting up partnerships between the countries of origin, transit and destination and the entire international community", the president said from the UN rostrum.

 

The head of state emphasized that the current global humanitarian crisis serves to remind that we should tackle global issues by focusing on their root causes". "We are witnessing unstable regions and borders, and worried people.  Terrorism is growing. No one is immune against it and no one is safe and sound. The conflict zones are providing the favorable breeding ground for radical ideologies and terror activity. Human rights are being violated and trodden on every day, and innocent women and children are the major victims", the Bulgarian president pointed out.

Rosen Plevneliev recalled Bulgaria's commitment to the global efforts for preventing and resolving continued conflicts. During its successful rotational presidency of the Process for cooperation in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria proposed some specific initiatives aimed at improving the security, stability and connectedness in the Balkans and ensuring the region's sustainable development.  Our country also hosted the annual meeting of the Arraiolos

Group. "Ten presidents of EU member states exchanged ideas and visions about how to restore public trust in the EU and bring stability and prosperity to the Balkans.  This is a serious acknowledgement of Bulgaria's balanced and principled foreign policy", President Plevneliev pointed out.

The Bulgarian head of state reiterated that conflicts should not just be listed, but specific efforts should be taken to resolve them. "Terrorism and violent extremism are an alarming threat to peace and security, and to human rights and sustainable development. We cannot and should not accept them as the "new normal". The prevention of radicalization is an essential element of the response. Bulgaria has adopted the necessary national legislation and has built the adequate institutional capacity. Education, protection of cultural heritage and the respect for human rights will help us deal with the causes forcing individuals to join violent extremist groups. All efforts should be put into eradicating terrorism and extremism". This is what the president called for from the world rostrum.

In his speech before the UN General Assembly, President Rosen Plevneliev stressed the implementation of the sustainable development goals in the next 15 years.  This will have a decisive impact on guaranteeing progress and prosperity across the world, in reinforcing peace and transforming our planet into a better place to live in.

"We made history with the adoption of the 2030 sustainable development agenda and the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Now it is time for their implementation. It is up to all of us to adapt our national strategies in order to fulfill those commitments".  This is what the head of state called for.

"I am proud that in my capacity of Bulgaria's president, I was among the first people to sign the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement during the top-level ceremony held here in New York. My country supports the Paris Agreement's timely enforcement. The Bulgarian government has already launched the national procedure for its ratification", President Plevneliev said, adding that Bulgaria has started work on its Bulgaria 2030 national program for development. The latter will focus on education, high technologies and innovations for the development of a green economy of energy efficiency.

The head of state expressed the country's resolve to continue contributing to human rights protection on the international arena as member of the Council on Human Right for the period 2019-2021 and will count on support for its candidacy.  

Bulgaria is also actively working on the integration of children's human rights in all big intergovernmental processes at the UN. Bulgaria has made children's human rights a major priority of the Council of Europe during its presidency of the Commission of Ministers. The country takes pride in the adoption of Sofia's strategy for children's rights, which is to be implemented by all 47 member states of the Council of Europe over the next six years.

From the rostrum of the UN General Assembly, the Bulgarian president declared himself in favour of increasing transparency, coherence and efficiency in the UN's system, which should be better prepared to deal with new challenges and respond to the growing needs.
 

In his speech, President Rosen Plevneliev recalled the international community's growing support in recent years for ensuring equal opportunities for men and women in gaining access to senior decision-making positions, including the post of UN secretary-general.  "UN General Assembly's resolution on the issue highlights the need that during the election of the Secretary General, an equal and fair distribution should be provided, based on features of both sex and geography, while meeting the most demanding requirements", the head of state recalled.

"After eight male secretaries general, the time has come for a capable and respectable woman from Eastern Europe to head the United Nations. Bulgaria has a very strong candidate, a true leader with extensive experience in international relations, and excellent management skills. A candidate, who deserves your trust and support", President Rosen Plevneliev addressed the UN General Assembly.