Liberia, Sept. 25 -- Mr. President;

Mr. Secretary General;

Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;

Heads of Delegations;

Ambassadors;

Distinguished Delegates;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am honored to address this 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia.

Before I begin my address, I would like to ask you to kindly join me to observe a moment of silence for the deaths of 28 young scholars who died last week in a tragic fire in Liberia.

[MOMENT OF SILENCE]

Thank you. May Their Souls Rest in Perfect Peace.

I would also like to thank the large number of you who shared our grief and loss by sending us condolences through personal telephone calls and social media. God bl...