President Barack Obama Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me begin with my sincere thanks and appreciation to President Barack Obama for taking this very important and timely initiative to host this meeting of the major troop contributing countries to the UN at this level. This is first of its kind and reflects your commitment to the success of multilateralism. I also take this opportunity to extend my warm congratulations to President Obama for assuming the Presidency of the Security Council and wish the President a great success in carrying out this great responsibility.