🇨🇱 Chile - President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 78th Session | #UNGA

Summary

Chile's President Gabriel Boric Font addresses the UN General Assembly, reflecting on Chile's democratic journey post-1973 coup, emphasizing the importance of democracy and human rights. He calls for global action on democracy's challenges, climate change, and technological advancements. Boric highlights the need for multilateralism, respect for international law, and the urgent response to current crises, advocating for a sustainable and equitable future.

Takeaways

• 🇨🇱 Chile commemorated 50 years since the coup d'etat of September 11, 1973, which was a dark period marked by death, persecution, and misery.
• 🌎 Chile acknowledges the United Nations' crucial role in defending human rights and democracy during times of crisis.
• 🕊️ Chile has made significant strides in restoring democracy and human rights, moving forward with peace as a core identity.
• 📈 Chile emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to build a better future, focusing on challenges such as democracy, human rights, and climate change.
• 🗳️ Democracy is seen as both a memory and a future for Chile, with a commitment to more democracy as the solution to its problems.
• 🌱 Chile calls for urgent action on climate change, highlighting the need for rapid transition and new rules to address the crisis.
• 🏛️ Chile supports the establishment of Valparaiso as the headquarters for the Secretariat of the treaty on the protection of the oceans.
• 🌐 Chile underscores the need for a multilateral approach to solve global issues, including the lifting of sanctions on countries like Venezuela and Cuba.
• 🔒 Chile raises concerns about the misuse of technology, advocating for an ethical framework to protect human rights in the development of new technologies.
• 🤝 Chile invites other state leaders to join in efforts to enhance democracy and human rights, emphasizing collective action for the benefit of all.

Q & A

Who is the speaker addressing the United Nations General Assembly?

The speaker is Gabriel Boric Font, the President of the Republic of Chile.

What significant event in Chile's history is being commemorated?

Chile is commemorating 50 years since the coup d'état of the 11th of September 1973.

What role did the United Nations play during the Chilean coup d'état in 1973?

The United Nations played a fundamental role in defending human rights and democracy during the Chilean coup d'état by supporting those who were suffering the most.

What is the current state of democracy in Chile according to President Boric?

President Boric states that Chile has come a long way and has restored its democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

What are the initiatives Chile has taken to address its past?

Chile has taken initiatives such as the Rettig Commission, the Valech Commission, and the Search Committee to address its past.

What does President Boric believe are the challenges to democracy today?

President Boric believes that the challenges to democracy include the advance of totalitarianism, disinformation, and the need for more participation and results from democratic systems.

What is Chile's stance on the situation in Nicaragua according to President Boric?

Chile denounces the persecution against those with different thoughts or ideas from the government of Mr. Ortega in Nicaragua, including impeding involvement in elections, removing citizenship, imposing house arrest, and removing political rights.

What is Chile's position on sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba?

Chile believes that unilateral sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba are not contributing to improving the life circumstances of their populations and calls for their removal.

What are the three urgent tasks President Boric wants to bring to the attention of the General Assembly?

The three urgent tasks are: 1) looking out for democracy and stopping the advance of totalitarianism, 2) addressing the climate change crisis, and 3) managing technological change responsibly.

How does President Boric view the role of technology in society?

President Boric sees technology as a major opportunity to create fairer societies, but also as a potential source of new injustices if not managed correctly. He calls for a multilateral consensus to create an ethical framework for the development and use of new technologies.

What is Chile's commitment to environmental agreements?

Chile is committed to environmental agreements and has made efforts such as protecting marine and terrestrial areas, and aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050.