By Noela EBOB BISONG
Cameroon’s former Prime Minister, Philemon Yunji Yang, has been elected President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He was elected by acclamation on June 6, 2024, after receiving the backing of the African continent. His term of office begins from September 10, 2024 to September 10, 2025. He replaces Dennis Francis, from Trinidad and Tobago who led the 78th UN General Assembly.
The position has been described as iconic and a critical role in the multilateral system. Observers say, to see Yang steering global governance for one full year is a diplomatic victory for Cameroon and Africa.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres while congratulating Yang shortly after Thursday’s election observed the challenges confronting the global community. “Conflicts continue to rage. Climate catastrophe is deepening. Poverty and inequality are rife. Mistrust and division are pulling people apart. The Sustainable Development Goals are dramatically off-track. And developing countries are left without the support they need to invest in their people”, said Guterres. Nonetheless, the SG maintained that Yang “brings a vital voice to this Hall. He has a wealth of experience representing his country as a diplomat and public servant … He is also a proud African dedicated to the future of his continent.”
According to the outgoing president, Dennis Francis, “His steadfast leadership has also been characterized by a consistent commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and inclusivity – principles that are absolutely essential for guiding the General Assembly’s work”, he stated.
“President-elect Yang also served as the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Africans of the African Union, demonstrating “unwavering dedication” to the principles of peace, sustainable development and human dignity”, Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly said. “With His Excellency Philemon Yang at the helm, I am confident that the General Assembly will rise to the occasion to meet this challenge with courage and compassion,” he added.
Reacting minutes after the proclamation, Yang said, “I have just been elected President of the 79th session; I am not yet replaced, I am not yet working, so I look forward to this with a lot of enthusiasm.”
His mandate themed, “Unity in diversity for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone”, focuses on priorities identified by the 193 member states of the UN.
Speaking on that, Yang told reporters in New York on Thursday that, “Well, I say unity in diversity because diversity is a part of life and all the nations are diverse. And I am convinced that through dialogue, consensus, talking together, looking into the future, all together, we can solve problems; that is what I mean by unity in diversity.” He expressed thanks to President Paul Biya of Cameroon for his efforts towards the victory.
The Cameroon diplomatic icon details that he will focus on the need to fast-track the measures to be taken by the General Assembly to ensure the effective implementation of mutual commitments. “The means of implementation, in particular finances, science and technology, are therefore of the utmost urgency”, he says.
He will also “Hold frequent consultations and maintain contact with various regional or functional groups in order to jointly review, not only their own specific concerns and interests, but also any measures the assembly may take.”
Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya used the occasion of his New Year wishes last January 6, 2024, to request the diplomatic corps to back Philemon Yang for the UN top job.
In March 2024, Yang was endorsed by the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union AU during its 44th General Assembly. The move was finalised during the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union when Yang was endorsed by AU Heads of State and Governments.
Yang was elected alongside 21 Vice Presidents of the UN General Assembly. The 79th session of the General Assembly will convene on September 10, with the body’s high-level general debate starting on September 24, 2024.
The President of the Assembly is a position voted by representatives in the UN General Assembly every year. The President is the Chair and Presiding officer of the General Assembly. The session of the Assembly is scheduled every year beginning in September. The presidency rotates annually between the five geographical groups; Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern European, America and The Caribbean and Western Europe.
The man Philemon Yang
Born on June 14, 1947 in Bui Division, North West of Cameroon, Philemon Yang studied law at the University of Yaoundé. He became a prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Buea in January 1975. He was later appointed to the government as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration on June 30, 1975, and promoted to the post of Minister of Mines and Energy on November 8, 1979.
He was Cameroon’s Ambassador to Canada from 1984 to 2004. Yang was Assistant Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic from 2004 to 2009. Prime Minister of Cameroon from June 30, 2009 to January 4, 2019. It is on record that he is the longest-serving Prime Minister of Cameroon as of date. Yang who also studied at the University of Ottawa is author of The Inviolability of Diplomatic and Consular Premises in International Law.