Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Duda said, as quoted by his office: "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 added: "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."
Duda also said in New York on Thursday that "Central and Eastern Europe has been hit particularly hard by the Russian aggression against Ukraine."
He argued that the Polish-led Three Seas Initiative "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," he stated.
Duda told the gathering he was proud that "Poland initiated and led negotiations on the UN 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, according to Duda.
"Adopted by the General Assembly by consensus, it gave rise to today’s meeting," Duda said.
He added that 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."
The Polish president is on a weeklong trip to the United States and Canada for talks on international security, infrastructure and energy, according to his aides.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 786 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The Polish-led Three Seas Initiative aims to boost infrastructure, energy and business ties among 13 countries between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.
The initiative brings together Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The initiative’s key partners include the European Union and the United States.
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Source: IAR, PAP, president.pl