Economic and Social Council

Resumed Substantive Session

43^rd Meeting* (PM)

TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MOZAMBIQUE PEACE AGREEMENT MARKED

AT HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Post-Conflict Progress in Many Areas Is Lauded

As Notable Outcome of Self-Help, Cooperation with United Nations Bodies

The Economic and Social Council joined the other main bodies of the United Nations Secretariat at the highest level this afternoon to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the signing of the General Peace Agreement which ended one of the African continent's most protracted conflicts, in Mozambique.

Leonardo Santos Simao, Mozambique's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said the dividends of peace had been positive and encouraging, despite the difficulties the country faced.  Ten years on, Mozambique had a full-fledged democracy and had witnessed the re-emergence of its rural economy.

He said good performance in the Mozambican economy had allowed the Government to allocate more resources for investment in the social sector, with priority assigned to education and health.  Rural economic growth and good performance in other spheres, such as services and industry, had helped Mozambique record an average 12 per cent growth in gross domestic product since 1992, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Also commending the success and progress of Mozambique, Louise Fréchette, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the signing of the peace agreement marked the end of a long-running conflict, which had driven millions from their homes, destroyed much of Mozambique’s economic and social infrastructure, and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives –- either through fighting or widespread hunger and disease.

The people of Mozambique had worked hard to safeguard the democratic electoral process, create a dynamic civil society and stress the importance of human rights, she noted.

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*     Please note that pages 2 to 7 of this release relate to the 43^rd meeting of

the Economic and Social Council (and not the 42nd meeting as erroneously indicated.)

Opening the ceremony, the President of the Economic and Social Council, Ivan Šimonovic (Croatia), said it was fitting that the commemoration of Mozambique’s

peace agreement was taking place in the Council.  Its main concerns -- in the areas of international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and human rights matters –- were now the main concerns of Mozambique.  Finally, he added that today was perhaps the first time the Presidents of the Organization’s main bodies -– the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Economic Council -– had met to examine a single issue.

The President of the Security Council, Martin Belinga-Eboutou (Cameroon), said it was not often that an African country was cited as a model in rehabilitation, reconstruction and democracy.  So, Mozambique, and indeed the African continent had reason to be proud.  The Mozambican example should be a true source of inspiration for future efforts and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

The President of the General Assembly, Jan Kavan (Czech Republic), said the United Nations involvement in Mozambique illustrated the value of timely deployment of a Mission with a comprehensive mandate for consolidating peace in a post-conflict environment.  The Organization remained active in Mozambique today.

Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, also participated in the commemoration, as did Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Security Council on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa also spoke.

After presentations by the main speakers this afternoon, representatives of the following Member States of the Economic and Social Council made statements: Brazil (on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries); United Kingdom (on behalf of the Western European and Other States); Egypt (on behalf of the African Group); Iraq (on behalf of the Asian Group); Trinidad and Tobago (on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States (ECLAC)); Venezuela (on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China); Denmark (on behalf of the European Union); Malawi (on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)); Portugal, United States, Italy, Russian Federation and Japan.

The Economic and Social Council will meet again at a time to be announced.

Background

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (EC0SOC) held a high-level meeting this afternoon to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the signing of the General Peace Agreement for Mozambique.  It was also expected to evaluate Mozambique’s post-conflict recovery experience and to identify lessons learned that could be applied to other African countries emerging from conflict, particularly Guinea-Bissau.

Statements

IVAN ŠIMONOVIC (Croatia), President of the Economic and Social Council, welcomed all to the commemoration of an agreement that ended 16 years of civil conflict in Mozambique.

The Council had decided, to entrust him to enter into consultations with regional groups and Member States to undertake a review of the situation in Guinea-Bissau and to begin the process of preparing recommendations for long-term programme support that integrated relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in a comprehensive approach. He urged speakers to consider Guinea-Bissau as they spoke today about the United Nations success and lessons learned in Mozambique.  The Council had met today to encourage as well as commemorate.

He also said it was fitting that the commemoration of Mozambique’s peace agreement was taking place in ECOSOC.  The Economic and Social Council main concerns -- in the areas of international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and human rights matters –- were now the main concerns of Mozambique.  Finally, he added that today was a particularly happy day for the United Nations family because it was perhaps the first time the Presidents of the Organization’s main bodies -– the General Assembly, the Security Council and ECOSOC -– had met to examine a single issue.  It was an important example of mutual cooperation.

LOUISE FRÉCHETTE, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the signing of the General Peace Agreement for Mozambique 10 years ago had brought an end to a long-running conflict, which had driven millions from their homes, destroyed much of Mozambique’s economic and social infrastructure, and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives –- either through fighting or widespread hunger and disease.

The people of Mozambique had worked hard to safeguard the democratic electoral process, create a dynamic civil society and stress the importance of human rights, she noted.  They had brought the same courage to bear on other national challenges, such as the devastating floods of February 2000, the spread of AIDS and the threat of drought today.

Several factors stood out as in Mozambique’s experience as lessons for all countries, she continued.  They included political will for negotiation, leadership in implementing the peace agreement, and economic and social development.  Regarding the latter, the United Nations operation had had ample resources early on for quick-impact projects showing that peace could bring immediate improvements to people’s lives.  Other factors included international support, the end of apartheid and establishment of democratic rule in South Africa, and institutional renewal in Mozambique.

LEONARDO SANTOS SIMAO, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, said the root cause of war in his country had been a strategy to keep Southern Africa under colonial and minority domination regimes.  It was a war engineered and managed by foreign enemies, who saw the country’s emerging, new society as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many oppressed people in the region.  Mozambicans were used against fellow countrymen in a conflict of untold brutality and unprecedented destruction that deliberately destroyed infrastructure and productive capacities.

When the conflict ended, profound traumas suffered by the people had to be addressed.  Equally imperative was disarming and demobilizing ex-combatants, rebuilding basic infrastructure and the economy, and demining.  Through a successful process of confidence-building, healing and reconciliation, ex-rebels were forgiven and integrated into society.  That process was positive for subsequent demining, where they played a vital role in identifying the devices.

Despite difficulties the country faced, the dividends of peace had been positive and encouraging, he said.  Ten years later, it had a full-fledged democracy and had witnessed the re-emergence of its rural economy.  Rapid growth in that sector and good performance in other spheres, such as services and industry, had helped Mozambique record an average 12 per cent growth of gross domestic product (GDP) since 1992, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  Good performance in the Mozambican economy had allowed the Government to allocate more resources for investment in the social sector, with priority assigned to education and health.

MARTIN BELINGA-EBOUTOU (Cameroon), President of the Security Council and former President of the Economic and Social Council (2001), said today the international community was celebrating the success of Mozambique’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and movement towards democracy.  It was not often that an African country was cited as a model in those areas, so Mozambique, and indeed the African continent, had reason to be proud.  The Mozambican example should be a true source of inspiration for future efforts and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the General Assembly, the Security Council and ECOSOC.

He was particularly pleased that the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council had expressed determination to ensure greater cooperation and coordination.  It was important to note that the Security Council favoured a comprehensive approach to peace-building and reconstruction, particularly addressing the social and economic dimensions of recovery and root causes of conflict.  The Security Council aimed to organize an open debate on cooperation among and between the main United Nations bodies and African countries on

22 October.  He hoped that that session might address, among other things, the financing of post-conflict operations as well as matters related to disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation.  He extended the Council’s invitation to

Mr. Šimonovic to participate in that session.

JAN KAVAN (Czech Republic), President of the General Assembly, said the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) had been established to facilitate the implementation of the Peace Agreement and had been given an extensive and ambitious mandate, consisting of political, military, electoral and humanitarian elements.  Specifically, its tasks included monitoring and supporting of a ceasefire, holding of national elections, the demobilization of forces, monitoring the withdrawal of foreign forces and providing security in the transport corridors.  The presence of the Mission and its work had led to the gradual stabilization of the situation in the country.  Multi-party elections were held in October 1994, laying one of the essential foundations for peace and democracy.  The United Nations had helped Mozambique to overcome the most difficult period of its history.

To date, ONUMOZ remained one of the Organization’s most successful

peacekeeping operations, he said.  United Nations involvement in Mozambique illustrated the value of timely deployment of a Mission with a comprehensive mandate for consolidating peace in a post-conflict environment.  Through the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) many of its agencies continued to help the country overcome the years of conflict and economic underdevelopment.  Together with the Government, the donor community and civil society partners, the United Nations system aimed to mobilize over $300 million for the 2002 to 2006 period.

Despite notable economic recovery, Mozambique remained one of the least developed countries, facing many problems ranging from high external debt, disrupted infrastructure, and high rates of illiteracy, to inadequate access to potable water and sanitation.  The fight against extreme poverty, affecting more than 70 per cent of the population as of 1997, is, and should be one of the priority tasks of the leadership of the country.  The HIV/AIDS pandemic constituted a serious threat to the stability and advancement of the country, with up to 16 per cent of the adult population in Mozambique infected.  A 10 per cent loss in the population was expected by the year 2010.

MARK MALLOCH BROWN, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said following the signing of the Peace Agreement, UNDP took on new responsibility to rebuild war-torn Mozambique's tattered economy and political system.  Along with the Bank of Mozambique and the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNDP provided job training, counselling and start-up capital for demobilized soldiers, internally displaced people and refugees.  Through international assistance, the people of Mozambique also received food, seeds and tools for resettlement.

The UNDP was instrumental in re-establishing an electoral system and the rule of law, mobilizing resources and providing assistance in voter education and registration as well as training for police and prison guards.  Voter education and registration was very successful, prompting it to be used as a model for electoral assistance for Indonesia, Sierra Leone and East Timor, among other nations.  The experience showed UNDP the importance of collaboration of various partners in post-conflict reconciliation and rebuilding.  The continued success of Mozambique's democracy was a testament to the efficient work of the United Nations and the international community.

JAGDISH KOONJUL (Mauritius) said Mozambique's success was due to the Government's strong commitment to the peace accord and visionary political leadership.  The establishment of a vibrant parliament and maintenance of a constant dialogue with the RENAMO opposition force were vital confidence-building steps that had led to the return of internally displaced persons.

Mozambique's effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process was a testament to the vital role DDR played in achieving long-term peace. Past experience, notably in the Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau, had showed that incomplete DDR programmes often led to renewed fighting.  Angola had already begun a full-scale DDR programme, he said, and other African nations emerging from conflict should follow suit.  Mozambique's landmine clearance programme was far from over and must be part of ongoing post-war reconstruction efforts. 

NITIN DESAI, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said Mozambique had quickly put in place conditions allowing it to take advantage of the peace dividend and to get back on the development path.  That had occurred in the context of three major and simultaneous transitions -– from a command to a market economy, from a one-party State to political pluralism and from war to peace.

The example of Mozambique demonstrated that many post-conflict countries had the potential and capacity that, with the crucial support of the international community, put into motion the conditions for durable peace.  His Department believed its new emphasis on multi-disciplinary products addressing cross-cutting themes could help advance the formulation and implementation of policies integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development.  Along with political and humanitarian elements, they could contribute meaningfully to reconstruction and development in post-conflict countries.

Interactive Dialogue with Economic and Social Council Member States

The representative of Brazil, speaking for the Community of Portuguese- Speaking Countries, said the story of Mozambique was a showcase demonstrating that when a country led the way, and adequate conditions were provided, the United Nations system could definitely play an important role and decisively contribute to national endeavours.  Mozambique’s story also illustrated what could be achieved when United Nations funds, programmes and agencies worked together.

The representative of the United Kingdom, speaking for the Western European and Other States, said Mozambique’s experience made clear that peace, development and long-term sustainability were inextricably linked.  The practical experience of Mozambique also demonstrated that a close relationship between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council was not merely a good idea -- it was a necessity.  The two Councils must coordinate to elaborate strategies and create programmes that necessarily addressed the nexus of peace, security, economic and social concerns.

The representative of Egypt, speaking in his capacity of Chairman of the African Group in the Economic and Social Council, said that Mozambique had proved one fact which should never be underestimated:  African countries could succeed, particularly when the requisite political will was accompanied by the proper conditions to promote development and rehabilitation as well as peace.  Such success would hold if the necessary relationship between the parties to a conflict and the international community were identified and pursued.  But that principle needed to be uniformly established and applied throughout Africa.  It was important to keep those ideas in mind, as Somalia would shortly embark on a national reconciliation process, which included the partners to the ongoing conflict there, and would depend largely on the cooperation and assistance of the international community

The representative of Iraq, on behalf of the Asian Group in the Economic and Social Council, applauded the efforts of the Mozambican Government in maintaining reconciliation in the country and in forging ahead with prosperity and integrating armed groups into society.  He also commended efforts exerted by the United Nations and the international community to achieve peace and stability in the country.

The representative of Trinidad and Tobago, speaking for the Latin American and Caribbean States (ECLAC), commended the Government and people of Mozambique for demonstrating political maturity and for continuing to grapple with the negative consequences of war.  The celebration of its Peace Agreement was a fitting tribute to the strenuous efforts Mozambican society had made to heal its wounds and establish a society of equality, democracy and peace.

The representative of Venezuela, on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, said the past 10 years in Mozambique had been a triumph for the human spirit, and a true example of principles dear to the United Nations.  The people had demonstrated, through significant sacrifices, that peace could flourish with the political will of all involved.

Denmark, on behalf of the European Union, commended Mozambique’s national commitment to peace, its gradual and sustained support for democratic structures, and consistent efforts by all parts of society to establish law and order.  He noted that demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants were crucial in preventing a return to war, and had been key to the country’s success.

The representative of Malawi, speaking for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said Mozambique’s achievements in peacekeeping and peace-building, which had culminated in a concrete programme of nation-building, represented a shining example for all countries trapped in or emerging from conflict.  Malawi, which shared a border with Mozambique, had watched the devastating war first-hand.  It had also received countless refugees over the years in the spirit of brotherhood.  Still, Mozambique’s success proved that today’s meeting was not about the devastation of war but about the art of building a culture of peace grounded in democracy.  That success had been built mainly by Mozambicans themselves -- local people’s willingness to exploit a positive environment.

The representative of Portugal, associating his statement with that made on behalf of the European Union and supporting the statement made on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, said Mozambique’s efforts to ensure long-term development, and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, ensured that it would be among the first countries to benefit from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).  The country’s success was due to active cooperation and partnership between the United Nations, the wider international community and the Mozambican Government.  That partnership had shown that African countries trusted the United Nations system, and the Organization must continue to uphold that trust.

The representative of the United States said the Rome Peace Accords and their implementation had been a testament to the political commitment of both the Government and the opposition to move forward to the benefit of the people of Mozambique.  Both sides deserved praise for their leadership.  On the eve of the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development last March, President Bush had praised Mozambique’s success, highlighting that marrying good policies to greater aid had led that country to a 10 per cent growth rate in 2001.  Further, Mozambique stood as a model of multi-party democracy and free-market-led economic development in Africa.

The representative of Italy said his country was proud to have contributed to the success that had been commemorated today, reconfirming the spirit of unity and national reconciliation that had given birth to the peace agreement a decade ago.  Mozambique’s task was to continue its path to democracy.  The country’s success had yielded a development model that could be applied to other countries emerging from conflict.  He added that the outcome of the situation in Mozambique had highlighted the necessity for coherent and coordinated efforts by the United Nations and the wider international community.  Strengthening of the cooperation between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council was most welcome in that regard.

The representative of the Russian Federation said the settlement process in Mozambique clearly involved an international component.  However, the decisive factor in achieving peace was the aspiration of the Mozambican people for peace and stability.  Mozambique was one of the most successful models of peaceful reconstruction and stability.  Russia had been watching with great interest what had been happening in Mozambique -- the political, economic and social changes taking place there.

The representative of Japan said first there must be aspiration for peace and that had been witnessed in the case of Mozambique.  Its success was also due to disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation before the country’s first elections.  Many lessons from Mozambique had been applied in Sierra Leone and elsewhere.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. SIMAO said his country was happy that its successes had galvanized the United Nations to face other challenges more resolutely.  A prime example of that was the Organization’s success in East Timor.  Now, it had developed a new idea of creating ad hoc groups to help countries emerging from conflict to overcome their difficulties.

He said his country was encouraged that it would continue to have the support of the international community in facing the challenges ahead.

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