Asunción, Agencia IP.- The President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, affirmed that in Paraguay, “we are being called to be protagonists” in the frame of the main challenges that the world is facing: Access to water, food security, energy efficiency and strength in logistics chains.
Peña, who on past Tuesday gave his first speech as Head of State in front of the United Nations General Assembly. He indicated that Paraguay is “a power” of these four challenges by hosting the largest reserve of fresh water in the world, being a global food supplier, being one of the largest generators of clean energy and having the determined project of becoming “the centre of South American integration”.
The President defended the agricultural production of the country, highlighting its capacity to “produce food for its population and over 100 million people”, complying with environmental standards such as the use of sustainable methods (direct sowing and crop rotation) and a production “free from deforestation from 2004”.
Additionally, its role as a pioneer in producing clean and renewable sources has put Paraguay “on the map as a role model in the transition towards a more sustainable world”, claimed the President.
Peña presented the Paraguayan posture that commercial barriers based on agricultural practices “are trying to extrapolate realities”, forcing counties less developed to assume the responsibility for environmental damage caused by the industrialization during the XIX and XX centuries.
Greater integration and strengthened multilateralism
The Head of State pointed out the need to strengthen multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, “which is facing challenges of efficacy and legitimacy” and growing levels of mistrust between countries, which make cooperation difficult.
They urged to strengthen the UN and the Security Council of the organization in a way that reflects the dynamics of the international scene. “In that sense, Paraguay expresses its support for the Republic of China – Taiwan to be an integral part of the United Nations system,” he said.
At a regional level, Peña expressed that one of the main strategic objectives of his Government is to contribute to regional integration through the management of the waterway, aquifers, hydroelectric, navigation of the rivers and bioceanic corridor, he cited.
About the bioceanic corridor, he claimed that it offers an opportunity for “renewal and empowerment for the Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance” for a better oncoming between the countries of both blocks and the most competitive way to transport products between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
The rebirth of a giant
Lastly, President Peña provided details of one of this Government motto: “The rebirth of a giant”, claiming that Paraguay was reborn from its ashes after a war that left it close to extinction 150 years ago.
“We are talking about “the rebirth of a giant”, but we are not doing it for expansionist intentions, but for a firm conviction of a country that is proud of its beginnings, of its heroic, brave history with the most profound conviction of its greatness destiny”, said the President.