Sixty-second General Assembly

Plenary

14^th & 15^th Meetings (AM & PM)

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGIES, NON-PROLIFERATION, ‘CREDIBLE DETERRENCE’, CONFLICTS

IN HORN OF AFRICA AMONG TOPICS AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE NEARS CONCLUSION

Disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and national security strategies took centre stage today as General Assembly delegations examined tough policy prescriptions for maintaining global peace and achieving long-awaited development objectives.

Nothing was more urgent and important than reuniting the Korean peninsula, which had been living for more than half a century “with the sufferings of territorial division imposed by outside forces”, Choe Su Hon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea told the General Assembly.  Speaking as an historic summit was under way in Pyongyang, he said: “If the north and south sit face to face with the spirit of national independence and attitudes of love for the country and nation, all problems can be surely resolved in the interests of our nation, regardless of differences.”

It was regrettable, however, that lasting peace on the peninsula had been elusive –- with the two sides locked in a cycle of tension and détente –- mainly because of hostile United States policies towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, he said.  His Government was genuine in its efforts to resolve the nuclear issue.  Recent actions, such as participating in several rounds of six-party talks, as well as the suspension of the Nyongbyon nuclear facilities, proved his country’s sincerity in achieving that goal.

“No issue could be resolved by resorting to sanctions and pressure, as proved by history,” he declared.  Ensuring progress on the nuclear issue and on reunification meant that “the US hostile policy on the DPRK and interference in our nation’s internal affairs should be brought to an end”.  Denuclearization of the Korean peninsula did not require “our unilateral disarming”, but could only be realized by ending “DPRK-US hostile relations and the elimination of all nuclear threats on the Korean peninsula and its surroundings”.

Further, he said, Japan must make “a clean slate of its past of aggression and crime, and discard its hostility towards the DPRK as they have pledged”.  On those matters, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would watch closely every move of the United States and Japan.

The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Riaz Mohammad Khan, said his country wanted to be treated as a partner rather than a target of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.   Pakistan would never use its nuclear capability against non-nuclear-weapon States, and remained fully committed to the objective of general and complete disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

Pakistan would maintain strategic stability, despite its firm opposition to an arms race in South Asia, he asserted.  Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic assets were solely for defensive purposes, and his Government wished to maintain “minimum credible deterrence”.  Global consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation had been seriously eroded due, in part, to the failure to address the security concerns of non-nuclear-weapon States and the discrimination in the conduct of peaceful nuclear cooperation.

He said that a new consensus was needed and the Nuclear Suppliers Group States –- a 1975 export control group governing transfers of civilian nuclear material and technology -– would bear heavy responsibility in coming months, as any endorsement of a discriminatory approach could “totally” damage consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation.  Moreover, Pakistan was disturbed by the ominous confrontation on Iran’s nuclear issue and had insisted on recourse to diplomacy.

However, Australia’s Ambassador, Robert Hill, welcomed the Security Council’s robust action this past year in imposing sanctions on Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for their nuclear programmes.  While Iran’s stated intention to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address long-standing issues was welcome, the international community remained deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear programme.   Iran should suspend its uranium enrichment programme and cooperate fully with the Agency.

He went on to say that the Council also had sent a strong signal to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that the international community would not tolerate its nuclear programme.  He welcomed progress in the six-party talks, but nevertheless called on Pyongyang to maintain the momentum and fully implement its commitment to denuclearize.  The Australian Government also hoped the United Nations could continue its work in protecting populations by raising barriers against the illicit trade in conventional weapons.

While Australia was among countries raising the spectre of dangerous weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, Sweden’s Ambassador, Anders Lidén, took the argument one step further, saying, if one new State acquired nuclear weapons, another would follow, and such weapons “could soon end up outside State control”.  Nuclear terrorism was a very real risk, and nuclear Powers must live up to their responsibilities and show a readiness to substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals; it was a question of self-interest and far-sighted statesmanship.

Such statesmanship required effectively addressing urgent political issues, including the “dangers of conflicts rapidly exploding, fusing together and unravelling progress we have seen”.  On conflicts in the Horn of Africa -- from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Somalia, the Sudan, Chad and Central African Republic -- he urged national leaders to show their commitment to peace and reconciliation.

Bringing news from a hot spot in the Horn of Africa, Husein Elabe Fahiye, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia said that, while the transitional institutions were working hard to put in place constitutional legality and promote democracy, the international community had been inexplicably reticent and unresponsive to his Government’s efforts to rebuild war-torn Somalia and its institutions.

Indeed, collective action on the part of the United Nations had been “inconsistent and devoid of vigour”, as the world body had only recently shown an interest in coming to the aid of a nation in dire need of help.  One example of that “incomprehensible attitude” was the persistent delay in the adoption of a resolution calling for the timely deployment of a peacekeeping mission.

He said that, if that stance continued, it would not only reveal a lack of commitment on the part of the United Nations, but would also prolong the agony of the Somali people.  He called on the Organization to back the speedy deployment of multinational forces.  Moreover, without the required funding and equipment, Somalia’s efforts to rebuild the country and restore peace would not succeed.  With the days of “institutional disharmony” slowly giving way to a national desire to rebuild the country, the global community should convene an international pledging conference in coordination with the Transitional Federal Government.

Also participating in the general debate were the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Canada, Kenya, Congo, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Tonga, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Burkina Faso, Guyana, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Bahamas, Jamaica, Chad, Ireland, Seychelles, Bhutan, Grenada, Belize, Kyrgyzstan and Dominica.

The Vice-Minister Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs of Peru spoke, as did the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece.

Other speakers included the Minister of Public Works and Utilities of Kiribati and the Permanent Representative of Denmark.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of Japan, Australia, Nepal and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The General Assembly will reconvene tomorrow at 10 a.m. to continue its general debate.

Background

The General Assembly met today to continue its annual General Debate.

Statements

MAXIME BERNIER, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, said the United Nations was a reflection of the commitment the world had made to build a global climate of freedom, peace and security.  Canada had always been a fully engaged and committed member of the United Nations and an enthusiastic supporter of its founding values of liberty, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.  That was evident in the role his country had played, and continued to play, in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Haiti and the Sudan.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stated:  “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”  That was not an abstract concept, but a concrete principle that needed to be protected and defended, particularly in areas where it was under assault.  In Afghanistan, for example, a united international community –- including the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the World Bank -- should take responsibility for rebuilding the nation.  However, there could be no reconstruction without security.  Building a stable peace should be priority number one and required the long-term investment of all Member States.  His Government supported the appointment of a new high level United Nations special envoy for Afghanistan and the extension of the International Security Assistance Force’s mandate. 

Touching briefly on the situation in Haiti, he called for a longer mandate to ensure stability in the region.  In Burma as well, the United Nations should play a stronger role.  The extraordinary session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in Burma was exactly the type of action that was needed, and similar actions should be encouraged.  In the Sudan, the international community needed to find the political will to find new solutions to a conflict that had gone on too long.  He condemned the “intolerable attack” on African Union forces and said any solution required an immediate end to the violence and human rights abuses currently ongoing.

No one country could tackle the challenges facing the world alone, he said.  Member States should prove their determination, political will and full engagement, so that the United Nations would fully reflect its founding principles.  Canada remained committed to the United Nations and a partner to all those who sought to work for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

RAPHAEL TUJU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, thanked the international community for having awakened to the dangers posed to all nations by the situation in Somalia and called for greater international collaboration in addressing the issue.  Praising the African Union for its support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), he urged the United Nations to assume greater responsibility in the country in keeping with Security resolution 1772 (2007).  A United Nations presence on the ground would complement regional and international efforts in the region.  Kenya unequivocally supported the process of national reconciliation in Somalia.  The people of Somalia must embrace that process in the spirit of give and take.  The international community must honour its pledges of resources to help in that conflict.  It was far from over, even if overshadowed by the conflict in Darfur.

The number of armed conflicts had fallen during the past 13 years, he continued.  The end to wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Southern Sudan was a substantive step for peace in Africa.  While the end to those wars deserved celebration, it was imperative that the international community make the urgent and essential investment to keep them from occurring.  He urged closer cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations in providing logistical support for its peacekeeping efforts.  The problem of disarmament must be addressed.  The distribution of small arms in the Horn of Africa has made it a “very tough neighbourhood”.  There must be an effective small arms treaty to stop their spread.

One of the great ironies, he said, was that his people were once taken as slaves to work across the ocean and today they made that same journey voluntarily, as economic refugees.  Many died on both journeys.  In the current global village, a phenomenon such as economic refugees was going to cause trauma.  A county could build great walls, increase menacing border patrols and make immigration meaner, but the respite would only be temporary.  The fundamental problems in poor countries must be addressed if the industrialized world wanted to solve its problem of illegal immigration.  It should be clear that it was in the interest of all countries to address the conspiracy of factors that created so much tension between them.  “We must be level-headed enough to recognize that angry, unemployed young men will spill over sooner or later into other capitals and create problems.”

Turning to climate change, he said if nothing else, the effects taught that our destinies were intertwined, he said.  Vehicular emissions in New York had the same effect as cutting equatorial forests in Africa.  Both could cause floods in China.  Sooner or later we would have to pay for the consequences of shortsighted policies.  “We were in this small boat called Earth together.”  The only real victory would be a win-win outcome, where developed and developing countries were equal partners

Poverty and lack of education were undermining countries in the region, he said.  When people were poor and uneducated, their focus turned to ethnicity, clan, religion or racial identity, leading to strife and regional instability.  Kenya had invested up to 30 per cent of its annual budget to provide free primary education.  Only through investment now in education and poverty alleviation could hopes for a friendlier, more prosperous world be more than empty words.  The Millennium Goals were medium and long-term, yet countries acted in the short-term.  There must be changes in planning paradigms, so that development might continue across changing regimes within countries.  Further, the developing world was being crushed by debt, he said.  For the security of its children, it was imperative to put things such as unjustified past debt aside.  If not, it would only breed anger and bitterness in future generations.  “We must make the sacrifices and the investment today for the future of humanity”, he said.

BASILE IKOUEBE, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and La Francaphonie, Congo, said that the Assembly’s agenda for the current session was in line with the objectives outlined as priorities by world leaders at the 2005 World Summit.  After the violent crises that had shaken his country, peace and stability had gradually taken hold largely because the Government had promoted broad and inclusive dialogue, as well as reconciliation programmes.  There had also been major efforts to reintroduce ex-fighters into society.  He stressed that, despite heavy human, financial and materiel losses, and after years of fighting, the Congo had not been seen as a “post-conflict country”.  With that in mind, the Government had taken it upon itself to promote peace and stability and to introduce and monitor programmes that would promote development.

Turning to United Nations reform, he noted that Congo was about to end its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.  To that end, Congo’s position was well known that Organizational reform would not be complete without reform of the 15-nation body to ensure that it was more representative and reflective of modern global realities.  Congo had been, and would continue to be, active in all efforts to ensure peace and stability on the African continent, from the Great Lakes region to Somalia and Darfur and beyond.

The Congolese Government would support upcoming political talks on Darfur in Tripoli, Libya.  It would also support the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).  He condemned the recent attack on African Union peacekeepers in the region and called for the perpetrators to be punished.  He also called on the United Nations to ensure that Somalia did not become a forgotten crisis.  To that end, the current African Union force must be backed and, when the time was right, superseded, by a United Nations force.  At the same time, the people of Somalia must do their part to promote national reconciliation and peace, towards the achievement of lasting development in their long-troubled country.

On other issues of global concern, he said that his Government had always favoured peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as conflicts in the wider Middle East.  He hoped that the upcoming November conference on the Middle East peace process yielded positive results.  After spotlighting Congo’s ongoing concern with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he went on to stress its commitment to addressing the effects of climate change, particularly at the regional level.

He said that delegations from the Great Lakes had met in the margins of the High-level event that had taken place last Monday, and had agreed on several strategies that would be presented to the Conference of Parties meeting to be held in Bail this December.  The worldwide attention that had been given to the issue of global warming was a hopeful sign that the international community would come together to effectively address all issues that affected humankind as a whole, he added.

REINALDO GARGANO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, said that his country wholeheartedly believed in the principle of sovereign equality of States, peaceful dispute settlement, non-intervention in the affairs of other States, self-determination, and the protection and promotion of human rights.  It also believed in the principle of seeking consensus on issues of global concern.  Achieving those principles was often impeded by large States that imposed their on views, abused the political will of Member States and ignored the United Nations Charter.

Turning to climate change, he reiterated the paradox that those that bore the least responsibility for global warming were bearing the brunt of it.  Worse, those large developed countries responsible for much of the pollution that was driving the phenomenon appeared not even to be prepared to own up to their responsibility -- or moral and international obligations -- to address it.  He called on all States that had not signed the Kyoto Protocol to do so at once.  He added that agri-based cultures and economies like his own were already feeling the negative impacts of climate change.

That brought him to the need to recommit to the broad principles of financing for development, including ensuring “real” free trade, and helping developing countries with capacity-building, developing their markets and integrating into international trade schemes.  He also said that it was important to recognize that regional structures such as the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) also played a crucial role.  Indeed, the South American region had a wealth of resources, including one of the world’s largest supplies of fresh water.  At the same time, the countries of the region faced the cruel irony of being home to millions of people living below the poverty line.  That was why the Governments of the region were working hard to ensure stability and socio-economic growth.

Those countries recognized that the international community had its role to play in ensuring equitable distribution of wealth, capacity-building and market assistance.  For its part, Uruguay was moving forward with a plan, which, among other things, would integrate thousands of people into the social welfare system, and ensure a stipend for children attending school.  Laws were being considered that would completely overhaul the education sector.  The country was looking to address the situation of dropouts, as well as meet the relevant objectives of the Millennium Declaration.

He went on to say that Uruguay stood against terrorism in all its forms and was a member of all relevant United Nations treaties and Conventions.  On the dialogue among civilizations, Uruguay would call on all nations to come together and seek understanding so that “what was different did not end up being a cause for conflict”.  Moving to United Nations reform, he said that the aim should be to end practices such as unilateral intervention.  He looked forward to the upcoming intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform and supported expanding that body’s permanent membership to include Brazil, India, Germany and Japan.  It also supported expansion in the non-permanent membership category.  Member States must move quickly to implement the recommendations of the Panel on System-Wide Coherence, in order to rid the Organization of its post-World War II structures and mechanisms.

VLADIMIR NOROV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, said that the world looked forward to concrete realization of the Millennium Development Goals.  The United Nations was setting objectives for fair and acceptable approaches for the use of natural resources, environmental sustainability, addressing transnational threats and establishing a free, tolerant and stably developing world.  Various and ambiguous approaches in the use of natural resources, especially water resources, hampered development and led to conflict situations and ecological catastrophes.  The shrinking Aral Sea was an example of having tragic consequences not only on the subregion, but all of Eurasia. 

Uzbekistan believed, in accordance with United Nations conventions, that all decisions on the use of transnational watercourses, including construction of hydroenergy facilities, must not inflict ecological damage or infringe on the populations of neighbouring countries.  They should be used “in a reasonable and equitable way, taking into particular account their trans-boundary character, in the case of activities which cause or are likely to cause trans-boundary impact”.  In the case of negative impacts, measures must be taken to liquidate or abate the damage and, if needed, the issue of compensation put forward.  Fulfilment of these requirements must be mandatory in various hydroenergy projects in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan stood consistently for the effective post-war recovery of Afghanistan, he said.  Stabilizing the country should be achieved through de-militarization, resolution of outstanding social and economic problems and support of the country’s population through the participation and assistance of the world community.  All parties interested in Afghanistan’s stabilization must achieve consensus and coordinate efforts, so that the drug threat coming from that country might be eliminated.

Uzbekistan made a contribution in support of dialogue among cultures and civilizations, which must be maintained in the framework of international law, without strain or pressure or the imposition of unacceptable values or moral norms, he said.  The country’s historical contribution to the development of Islamic civilization was recognized when Tashkent was named the World Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  For centuries, Uzbekistan had been a centre of enlightened Islam, promoting such values as kindness and peace, tolerance in inter-ethnic and inter-faith relations, mutual respect and accord among people regardless of skin colour and beliefs.  The role of the United Nations was more important than ever in promoting cultural diversity, tolerance and mutual understanding among religions, and he welcomed the High level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace scheduled for 4 to 5 October.

ABDULLA SHAHID, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, recalled the “spectre of terrorism” that had visited his country over the weekend when an explosive device was detonated in a commercial area of his capital, injuring 12 innocent bystanders.  Shock and outrage over the attack – the first of its kind in the country - swept through the nation and was matched only by a determination that such “cowardly acts of aggression” would not be allowed to undermine such a peaceful society.  He thanked the international community for its support and assistance and condemned all acts of terrorism worldwide.

As a low-lying small island State, the Maldives was particularly vulnerable to the perils of global climate change, he continued.  For 20 years, it had been at the forefront of efforts to bring the devastating effects of climate change to the world’s attention.  During that time, the international community had held numerous conferences and agreed on a wide range of programmes.  “However”, he said, “all too often, the reality of implementation has failed to match the ambitions of rhetoric.”  The previous week’s high-level debate on climate change was a source of encouragement and should provide the momentum for international consensus on a comprehensive approach, which should include the “four pillars of climate change policy:  mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and funding”.  To that end, his country was scheduled to host a small island developing States meeting in November to draw up a collective stand on the individual human dimension of climate change.

Economic damage and losses from the Asian Tsunami in 2004 continued to challenge his country’s achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, though it had succeeded in eradicating extreme poverty and providing universal primary education, he said.  Buoyed by those successes, the Maldives would soon begin the transition for graduation from least developed country status.  Unfortunately, graduation was a double-edged sword since, in recognizing economic achievements, it brought tougher trade conditions and reduced levels of development assistance.  He asked for assistance from international partners to ensure a smooth transition.

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, his Government vowed to complete an ambitious programme of reforms to strengthen individual rights and freedoms.  By the end of the day, his Government would have signed or ratified eight of the nine core human rights treaties, though it conceded that much more would need to be done.  He reiterated his support for the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent homeland, continued efforts to bring peace and stability to Iraq and Afghanistan, and his steadfast opposition to the development, proliferation or use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.  While calling for the reform of the United Nations as a whole and the Security Council in particular, he concluded by reaffirming Government’s commitment to the United Nations and all its work in maintaining international peace and security.

SONATANE T. TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga, said outstanding issues, unfulfilled commitments and evolving global challenges had reaffirmed the relevance of the United Nations as the only multilateral institution to deal appropriately with such a complex global situation.  Recalling that 2007 marked the half-way point towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, he said the annual ministerial review of implementation had provided a tool for gauging progress at the national level, brought focus to outstanding issues and highlighted best practices to be replicated.  He welcomed the President’s proposal to hold a Millennium Development Goals Leaders Meeting during the session.

Meaningful discussion of the Goals could not take place, however, without addressing financing for development.  Since the landmark Monterrey conference in 1992, the scorecard had been “mixed”, with considerable advances in some areas and retrogression in others, including achieving the target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product allocated to overseas development assistance by 2015.   Tonga joined others in calling on donor countries to recommit to meeting the 2015 targets.  The country also looked forward to a positive outcome in the upcoming High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development.  To meet the Goals, it was also imperative that affordable and clean energy be available to all through improved access to energy services, and he stressed that technical and financial support should be provided to ensure that the poor derived tangible benefits from public investment in the energy sector.

He said climate change had implications for economic growth and sustainable development.  He commended the Secretary-General’s initiative to hold the recent High-level Dialogue, which had set the stage for the Bali conference in December.  He urged that talks advance towards a comprehensive agreement on a post-2010 framework, stressing that the process be completed by 2009.  Such a framework should include enhanced leadership by industrialized countries on emission cuts; developing country incentives to act in the context of common but differentiated responsibilities; increased support for adaptation in developing countries; and strengthened technology dissemination.

On peacekeeping operations, he said the projected increase in demand for peace operations would provide a major operational challenge to the institution, and Tonga was committed to supporting international and regional peacekeeping efforts.  On United Nations reform, he commended the Secretary-General’s commitment to “breathe new life” into the Organization, and looked forward to the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.  On the question of Taiwan, he said maintaining the territorial integrity of Member States was a cardinal principle of the Charter, and Tonga continued to observe the one China policy.  On regional integration, which was vital for small island developing States in the Pacific, he commended the Secretary-General for attaching importance to strengthening cooperation with regional organizations.

Taking up trade issues, he said it was imperative for the Doha development round of talks to be concluded expeditiously, with a meaningful development package that included the elimination of all export subsidies and improved market access.  He commended Tonga’s donor partners for their improved efforts to deliver “aid for trade”.

On labour issues, he commended the New Zealand Government’s seasonal labour programme for agricultural workers from the “five kick-start countries”, including Tonga, calling it a “positive first step” towards wider acceptance of the model by developed countries.   Tonga’s Legislative Assembly also passed a law this year allowing dual citizenship.  Regarding democratization, he regretted that riots during the deliberation of a report by the National Committee on Political Reform had required that a state of emergency be declared in Tonga.  He noted the support of New Zealand and Australia in re-establishing order, and sought the international community’s understanding, as his Government continued its national reconciliation process and transition to a more democratic political system.

TIMOTHY HARRIS, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis, noting that small island developing States relied on the United Nations to level the playing field in international discourse, pledged to do all in his power to pursue peace, security, human rights and development.  The pace of his country’s development had set an example for other small island developing States, as the nation ranked 51 out of 177 countries evaluated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human development index, and boasted comparable gross domestic product, health and educational indices to many in the developed world.

He said progress was needed, however, as poverty in his Federation -– and the Caribbean –- was at an unacceptable level and climate turbulence continued to vitiate development efforts.  He acknowledged that many Millennium Development Goal commitments had not been met:  aid had fallen, official development assistance had been limited and competing initiatives had diverted the drive for fulfilling the Goals.  He urged all States to help realize the vision that had initiated the Goals.

On financing for development, he encouraged the developed world to meet financing commitments as agreed at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development.  Regrettably, those landmark pledges had not been matched by real resources.  Qatar had generously offered to host a follow-up conference on financing for development and he applauded the country for its commitment to the cause.  He hoped to see cooperation, commitment, agreement and implementation undertaken ahead of that meeting.

On HIV/AIDS, he said the pandemic was a threat to development and security, and, echoing Prime Minister Denzil Douglas’s thoughts, said it required serious attention.  Regardless of the debate over intellectual property rights, evidence showed that only with cheaper anti-retroviral drugs could the threat be reduced.  It was essential to address the costs of such drugs and to make them available for all who needed them.  His country was committed to fully participating in the International AIDS Conference in May.   

Turning to climate change, he said the issue was of high interest, and the problems of abnormal climate, sea level rise and coastal degradation were viewed as matters that affected economic and environmental security.  He was heartened by the Secretary-General’s attention to the issue.  This year, Saint Kitts and Nevis had signed the Kyoto Protocol and he urged other nations to sign that accord and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  As Saint Kitts and Nevis supported global environmental management, he called on developed countries to provide greater support to small island developing States in combating adverse climate change impacts and, further, on southern countries to cooperate with each other on the issue.

On a related note, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries had been seriously affected by the passage of Hurricane Dean, he said, noting that in the past year, nearly every region had endured a natural or man-made disaster.  Increased humanitarian and disaster relief assistance was needed to respond to such events.  He supported the existence and role of the Central Emergency Response Fund, and encouraged other States to commit to that initiative. 

Taking up United Nations reform, he said reform was necessary, and the time had come to agree on the way forward.  He called for continued dialogue and agreement on both a plan of action and implementation.  Regarding Taiwan’s United Nations membership, he said the Organization must remain open for all States to become members.  Using the example of East and West Germany, he said membership was not a deterrent to unification; nor was it a panacea for fragmentation, as some had argued with the deconstruction of the former Soviet Union.  In the context of the principle of universality, Saint Kitts and Nevis renewed its call for Taiwan to become a member.  Recalling that many nations, at one time “disenfranchised and un-represented”, were here today through an international recognition of their inalienable right to participate, he hoped that same right would be bestowed upon the 23 million people of Taiwan.

Recalling that Prime Minister Douglas had addressed the Assembly during its observation of the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in March, he said one result of that commemoration had been a recognition of the need to address that slavery existed today.  Only when collective resources had been mobilized to combat child and economic slavery would the battle to abolish the transatlantic slave trade be won.  In closing, he reiterated his country’s pledge of cooperation, commitment and dialogue in addressing the many challenges ahead.

DJIBRILL YIPÈNÈ BASSOLE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso, said that as he addressed the Assembly, his country was recovering from devastating floods that had displaced thousands, destroyed countless homes and sparked a hunger crisis throughout the country.  Those devastating floods and other climate events were testament to the ravages global warming could wreak on countries like Burkina Faso, which was landlocked and which bordered the arid Sahel region to its north.  He hoped that last week’s High-level event on Climate Change had given impetus to the upcoming relevant talks in Bali.

Recalling that Burkina Faso currently chaired the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he touched on several situations that were important to that regional body.  ECOWAS welcomed the concrete steps to inculcate a culture of peace in Togo and likewise welcomed the setting of an election date in the near future.  He praised the President and Government for helping to bring the country out of crisis and for laying the groundwork so that it could pursue peace and development in the future.  On Côte d’Ivoire, he said that peace was becoming a reality and the international community should stand behind the unity Government to ensure its success.

He went on to commend the United Nations, which was supporting Burkina Faso, as well as ECOWAS, as they sought to ensure peace in West Africa and beyond.   Burkina Faso remained concerned by situations of tension and conflict on the continent.  His said that his country had decided that it would provide support to the hybrid UNAMID, which would be deployed imminently, and he called for the international community to give peace a chance to take hold in Darfur.  The international community should also support national reconciliation efforts in Somalia.  Here, he noted that Sierra Leone had just gone through peaceful, credible elections and was serving as a beacon of hope throughout the continent of what could happen when peace and political stability took root and grew unhindered.  The international community should also support negations towards a breakthrough in the situation in Western Sahara, he added.

He said that ECOWAS was becoming aware that the West African region was becoming a haven for drug trafficking, and had made eradicating the drug trade and criminal traffickers a priority.  He noted that the way forward, in that regard, was sure to come up when the countries of the region gathered next month to hold a major conference, co-hosted with Austria, to address peace, reconciliation and development strategies.  He added that African countries continued to be plagued by the effects of an inequitable global trade order -- “bearing the seal of globalization” -- and lack of access to markets.  He called for the conclusion of the Doha World Trade round, which would ensure that development was at the heart of the international trade agenda. 

Calling on member States to provide the United Nations with viable structures and adequate finances, he said, “We have the means to act; we must act quickly and we must act now”.  While the Organization had undergone qualitative reform in recent years, much remained to be done.   Burkina Faso hoped that, in the near future, “wrongs can be made right”, particularly those legitimized by action -- or inaction –- of the Security Council.  One of those major wrongs was ignoring the will of the international community and failing to recognize the sovereign rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan, he said.

S.R. INSANALLY, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, former President of the General Assembly, said that “our environment had become frightening”.  The 25 per cent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, if unmitigated, would lead to an increase in sea levels of almost two metres by the end of the century, with disastrous consequences for one third of the world’s population living near coastlines.  Forests were vanishing at the rate of 15 million hectares a year, threatening the loss of almost 50 per cent of forest cover in developing countries.  Drought, desertification, flooding and other natural disasters caused by climate change took a heavy toll on social and economic growth.  The primary responsibility for the climatic degradation had been correctly laid at the door of developed countries whose industrialization policies have disregarded preservation of the global ecosystem.  On the backs of developing countries’ natural resources, those States had achieved astonishing economic and social progress and created consumer societies whose appetites for even greater extravagance “must be satisfied, regardless of the cost”.

Some developed States seemed reluctantly willing to accept that carbon emissions must be reduced, he said, but still refused to accept primary responsibility, instead speaking of “shared responsibility.”  Their demand for greater contributions from developing countries sometimes became a condition for aid.  That imposition was clearly unequal and unfair, especially for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, small island States and low-lying coastal States, such as Guyana, which were especially vulnerable to climate change.  The Barbados Action Plan and Mauritius Strategy were devised to alleviate the destructive impact of the many natural disasters faced by those disadvantaged countries, yet they have not yielded the measure of assistance required.  Despite limited resources, those countries have had to rely on themselves to protect the environment from harm.

Guyana had responded to the challenges of climate change more than a decade ago when it made available to the international community almost one million acres of forest for the study of biodiversity and sustainable development, he said.  Financial support, however, was not forthcoming, and the preserve was now threatened.  The Kyoto Protocol –- quite perversely -- rewarded those who destroyed resources, but punished those who were committed to preserving them.  That inequity must no longer be tolerated.  Any post-Kyoto agreement must include the resources necessary for its implementation.  He called for a Partnership for Additionality which, in return for a commitment to environmental preservation, would allocate adequate and predictable financing, enabling pursuit of accelerated and sustainable development.  Financial commitments made at the Monterrey Conference must be met.  He called for strengthening multilateral facilities to provide all victims of natural disasters with prompt and adequate relief and expressed alarm at the predicted collapse of the Amazon ecosystem within 40 years.

He stressed the interdependence of nations and need for their cooperation with one another.  Yet, developed countries continued to pursue self-interested policies in areas such as trade and economic cooperation.  Most countries, he said were not prepared to compete in liberalized global markets without assistance.  Instead of assistance, some preferences previously enjoyed by less developed countries had been withdrawn.  In a show of bad faith, the European Union denounced the Sugar Protocol, which protected sugar-exporting countries in Africa the Caribbean and the Pacific, contradicting its own sermons on partnership and good governance.  It was imperative that, in negotiating future trade agreements, due regard be paid to the development challenges of small States.

Similarly, in the area of peace and security there was blatant disregard for the rule of law on the part of many States who fanned the flames of conflict in many parts of the world to suit their national interest, he said.  Millions suffered, in Darfur, Palestine and elsewhere as a consequence.  He put forward, as a model for the peaceful settlement of disputes, the recent awarding of the maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname, through the dispute settlement provision of the Law of the Sea Convention.  It was a “further feather in the crown of international law, a further blow struck against the resort to force, a further victory for peaceful process under law in the settlement of disputes.”  He was pleased to recall that the Convention had been brought into force in 1993 by his country’s ratification and now, thanks to their United Nations regime, the two small countries could develop their maritime zone unencumbered by a dispute.

BRUNO STAGNO UGARTE, Minster for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, said the international community needed to learn how to dilute national interests in favour of fostering a shared sense for what was just and necessary.  The basic premise of collective security was agreement on the threats to be faced and the manner in which they must be confronted, and for it to be legitimate, it must “defend international law in the abstract, without preference for some over others”.  The solitude of unilateralism was a dead end, but multilateralism “must have subscription fees” and required a commitment to behave as a partner in order to be treated as one.  It was unfair to “mortgage multilateralism,” particularly when lack of political will was affecting one or more partners making a desperate appeal for help.  In that regard, he celebrated the emphasis the Assembly had placed on climate change, but added “how long it has taken us”.  Twenty years ago the President of the Maldives alerted the Member States to the death of his nation from the rising sea level. 

“It is time to settle our debt with nature”, he said and added that his Government was ready to go beyond its obligations.  It had already adopted numerous sustainable actions to combat climate change, though those efforts would continue to be diluted as long as they were not matched on a regional and international level.  “Climate change does not recognize borders”, he said, “Others with larger debts simply cannot continue living in debit until the eleventh hour.”  The Kyoto Protocol was an incomplete instrument since it lacked universality and ignored the sustainability of the primary forest.  Any post-Kyoto scheme should rectify both issues. 

In the same way, a lack of universality rendered the NPT and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty incomplete, as well, he said.  Both treaties were part of an intricate architecture of mutual trust which did not admit any partial constructions.  Security came from global cooperation to create collective prosperity on par with collective security.  “In short”, he said, “Welfare instead of warfare.”  He called for the adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty to codify existing obligations of States that might apply to the arms trade and for international donors to reward developing countries that increase social spending and reduce military spending in an effort to meet the Millennium Goals and other social needs.

Multilateralism required a shared sense of urgency to combat global threats such as terrorism and the abuse of human rights, he said.  The United Nations needed the courage to examine its failures and truly learn from its mistakes.  Though it was naturally restrained by its lowest common denominator, “by ourselves, the Member States”, there was a world of reasons for it to persevere and prevail over the challenges faced.  “Neither the chronic pessimism of some, nor the ungrateful egoism of others, will check the slow but determined march forward of those of us who believe in multilateralism and in a better future of shared welfare for all.”

NICOLAS MADUROS MOROS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, said the people of his country were in the midst of a revolution that had sparked major changes in the Venezuelan society’s culture and political make up.  That revolution was indeed underway, despite what was being said in the world press, which was run by a group of “elites”, bent on obscuring the truth.  Last year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had spoken from the podium about those changes.  He had also warned everyone about the “war mongering madness” that had gripped the world.  That madness had begun with a lie told five years ago that led to the invasion of “brotherly Iraq.”

The results of that lie were clear today, particularly to the United States taxpayers, who had had $600 billion taken away from them to “buy bullets and pay for death”.  Imagine the good that could have been done in many parts of the world if that money had been dedicated to promoting long-term development?  The results of that lie were also clear to the people of a now-devastated Iraq, as university studies estimated that some 600,000 Iraqis had been killed and countless others had been maimed and seriously wounded.  The country’s infrastructure was in ruins.  Imagine, for a moment another, more just reality – Iraq still “whole,” and those taxpayer billions spent on 3 million hospitals, or 12 million decent homes for needy hardworking men and women, or 300,000 schools for boys and girls around the world.

“But no, the madness and ambition for the world’s resources had led the United States elite to enter into an irrational war,” which had had the opposite effect of its much-touted aim to “bring peace to the Middle East,” he continued.  Indeed, because of the irrational war, that region was today a hotbed of tension and a breeding ground of unrest.  In fact, the whole world was worse off for it.  The irrational war was also the worst example of how the global security system worked.  He called on the United Nations to renew and readjust its security mechanisms in order to ensure justice and peace in the world.

He warned that in recent days, the world media had begun to mount a campaign against the people and Government of Iran, laying the groundwork for a possible attack.  Yet, there was still time to stop the campaign of demonization, he said.  If the international community acted quickly, there was still time to “build walls of restraint” and to form alliances to stop the United States and its elite allies.

He said that Venezuela reiterated its call on the United States to extradite the “terrorist” Luis Posada Carilles for the crimes he had committed in Venezuela.  Did the Assembly know that he was one of the most heinous terrorist actors in the world?  Did the Assembly know that he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of men and women and had placed bombs in tourist centres in Cuba, all while being protected in Florida by the Government of the United States.  Did the Assembly know that the man had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for 40 years?  Venezuela had asked the United Nations Counter-terrorism Committee to examine the matter and had also called on brotherly countries around the world to push for Carilles’ extradition.  The fact that the United States, which was supposedly leading the global “war on terrorism,” was actually harbouring one of the most deadly terrorists on the planet, revealed the true hypocrisy of its Government.

Turning to the situation in the Latin American and Caribbean region, he praised recent elections in Ecuador and Bolivia and again said that great changes were happening.  Change was underway in South America even though “they” had tried to stop it.  But the people of Ecuador, Bolivia and elsewhere demanded that they be able to carry out democratic reform and poverty eradication under their own terms.  The world knew that there had been an ongoing campaign to undermine President Chavez.  But the people of the country were prepared to go to the polls in the coming months to decide for themselves the social, political, economic and constitutional path the country would take.

Finally, he called on the Assembly to press ahead with efforts to reform the United Nations.  “It is urgent -- and possible -- to design a multi-polar world”, he said, adding that Venezuela believed that the Organization must be made into “the instrument of a peaceful world that rejected hegemony.”  The Security Council must be thoroughly transformed, as should the Assembly, so that all nations could, through dialogue, move towards establishing equality for all, overcome the menace of war, and stop the “world elites” from trying to take over the planet’s resources.

CHOE SU HON, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, reiterated that the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula was no more than the product of 50 years of deep-rooted and hostile United States policies towards his country.  It was regrettable that, instead of lasting peace and stability on the peninsula, there was an ongoing cycle of tension and détente caused by those hostile relations.  The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had no option but to strengthen its military power in order to safeguard its national sovereignty in the face of threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes and harsh economic sanctions by the United States.  The actions of the Government ensured peace and stability on the peninsula and guaranteed the strategic balance of the North-east Asian region.

Thanks to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s sincere denuclearization efforts, he said, several rounds of Six-Party Talks had been held, leading to the adoption of the Joint Statement of September 2005 and an agreement on initial steps to denuclearize the peninsula.  Recent actions, such as the suspension of the Nyongbyon nuclear facilities, proved his country’s sincerity in achieving that goal.  The United States and Japan, however, were not fulfilling their obligation of “actions for actions” under the agreement.  Both countries should move towards the removal of their hostile policies in order to achieve full implementation of the Joint Statement.

He said there was nothing more urgent or important for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea than the reunification of the two Koreas through dialogue and negotiation.  The North-South summit under way in Pyongyang was opening up a new phase of peace, co-prosperity and reunification.  “The Government of our Republic will make every effort to bring earlier the national reunification by attaching importance to the nation, defending peace, and realizing unity under the ideal of ‘by our nation itself’.”

Returning to the subject of Japan, he drew attention to various activities which had driven relations between the two countries into its worst state, among them:  the Japanese Government’s attempts at militarization, its discriminatory treatment of Koreans in Japan, and its attempt to eliminate the Chongryon -- and the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

On a global level, the world was facing ever-increasing challenges to peace and security, he said.  The United Nations should strengthen its central role in that regard and in ensuring sustainable economic and social development.  To do so, the Security Council would need to become a “responsible organ” instead of an object of abuse by specific countries serving their own strategic interests.  A peaceful and prosperous new world could only be built in the context of fair international relations where the “sovereignty of all Member Sates are respected without discrimination, and the principles of equality and mutual benefit are observed”.

RIAZ MOHAMMAD KHAN, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, said although the dawn of the twenty-first century had given rise to hopes for a better future, the world, a decade later, was in the grip of aggravating turbulence.  Widening divisions among cultures had been driven by prejudice.  At the heart of such growing malaise was not a “clash of values or civilizations”, but rather a failure to address festering disputes and universalize opportunities.  Continuing disputes had been compounded by serious challenges, such as climate change, energy security and trade imbalances.  The United Nations remained the only acknowledged instrument to regulate global affairs.

He said that terrorism must not be associated with any faith or culture.  Tolerating Islamophobia under the guise of freedom of expression was dangerous, and now more than ever, the world needed bridges among all cultures through initiatives such as the Alliance of Civilizations, Interfaith Dialogue and Enlightened Moderation.

Conflict in the Middle East was fundamentally linked to the Palestinian issue, he continued, noting that security could not be ensured by denying Palestinians their freedom.  Salvation could be found in what Arab nations had proposed in Beirut five years ago and Pakistan supported that position.  Palestinian people should be enabled to establish their own State, consistent with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and the Arab Peace Plan.  Israel must also withdraw from other Occupied Arab Territories and respect the sovereign integrity of Lebanon.  Pakistan was deeply concerned at the grave situation in Iraq; it was vital to ensure preservation of the country’s territorial integrity.  Further, Pakistan was disturbed by the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear issue, and had insisted on recourse to diplomacy.

On the rise of terrorism, he called Afghanistan the “last front of the cold war”.  The country, whose struggle had led to the “surge of freedom”, signified by the fall of the Berlin Wall, had suffered international neglect until the shock of “9/11” refocused attention on the war-ravaged country.  Such unfortunate happenings had given rise to terrorism in tribal regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.  His Government was fighting Al-Qaeda and other terrorist elements with determination, deploying nearly 100,000 troops for that purpose, and he rejected irresponsible comments that cast aspersions on Pakistan’s intentions.  No nation stood to gain as much as Pakistan from stability in Afghanistan, and his country supported every initiative to help Afghans achieve national reconciliation.  The recently convened Grand Jirga in Kabul offered hope.

Turning to Pakistan’s peace process with India, he noted significant improvement in bilateral relations and said the countries now must seize the opportunity to address problems, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.  Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s ideas had resonated with the Kashmiri people, who must be involved in the process.  On the United States-India nuclear deal, however, Pakistan would maintain strategic stability, despite its firm opposition to an arms race in South Asia.  Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic assets were solely for defensive purposes, he stressed, reaffirming that his Government wished to maintain “minimum credible deterrence”, Pakistan would not be the first to test in the region, nor would it ever use its nuclear capability against non-nuclear-weapon States.  “We want to be treated as a partner rather than a target of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime,” he said.

Global consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation had been seriously eroded due to the disavowal of nuclear-disarmament by the “NPT” (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), the emergence of de-facto nuclear-weapon States and discrimination in the conduct of peaceful nuclear cooperation, he said, adding that new consensus was needed.  The Nuclear Suppliers Group States (a 1975 export control group governing transfers of civilian nuclear material and technology) would bear heavy responsibility, as any endorsement of a discriminatory approach could “totally” damage consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation.

He said that the “existential threat” posed by climate change went beyond the Kyoto Protocol to addressing the need to restrain extravagant living.  Amid such new challenges, people continued to suffer from hunger and poverty.  The Group of 77 developing countries and China (G-77) had insisted on a broad sustainable development endeavour based on economic growth and social development.  Pakistan, as Chair, had suggested steps for developing countries to enlarge their development cooperation.  A panel of eminent experts of the South would convene to further elaborate common positions in critical areas. 

United Nations reform must remain sensitive to the fundamental principle of sovereign equality of States in the decision-making process, which especially applied to the issue of Security Council expansion, he said.  The Council must represent all States and be developed in a manner that did not eclipse Charter responsibilities.  In closing, he touched on Pakistan’s aspirations to build a knowledge-based society.  With robust, grass-roots level democratic institutions and stable economic growth ahead of its elections, Pakistan would enter an important phase in its political life, with deep awareness that its stability was pivotal for regional peace.

BRENT SYMONETTE, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, commended the General Assembly’s adoption of the historic resolution 61/19 on the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the 26 March commemoration of the International Day.  The Bahamas, where most citizens were the descendants of freed slaves, was participating in various commemorative activities at national and regional levels.  He supported the creation of a permanent memorial at the United Nations to commemorate the world’s shameful period of slavery.  Haiti, the only country to liberate itself from slavery, was an inspiration to the international campaign against slavery.  Modern forms of slavery still existed; many people were held in servitude.  The world must not relent in its resolve until everyone was able to enjoy and exercise the freedoms the United Nations had worked diligently to recognize, uphold and defend.

He said that Haiti’s return to democratic order last year was particularly welcome.  He celebrated Haiti’s strides towards the difficult, arduous peace, security and development process.  He supported the call to maintain the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), in order to consolidate gains and put Haiti on the path to sustainable development and democracy.  Haiti’s economic and political situation had repercussions on the Bahamas, to which thousands of illegal Haitian migrants flocked in search of a better life. 

For a small island developing State like the Bahamas, climate change was critically important, he said.  It was a matter of survival.  80 per cent of the Bahamas’ land mass was within 5 feet of mean sea level.  Even a 1°C rise in atmospheric temperature could have a devastating ecological impact.  Climate change was particularly challenging for the country’s tourism industry, which generated 60 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).  An ambitious mitigation agenda for the post-Kyoto regime was necessary, and all options must be explored.

He said that effective and practical measures to address poverty and educational partnerships to develop human resources were critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  HIV/AIDS remained a global threat to development, progress and stability.  Countries must honour their commitments to the 2001 Declaration of Commitment and the 2006 Political Declaration on the subject, in order to achieve the millennium target of universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.

Like most small, vulnerable countries, the Bahamas grappled with the global rise in crime, he noted.  The Bahamas was not a producer or supplier of narcotic drugs or weapons, but its strategic location, coupled with the increasing demand for illicit drugs and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, had led to an unprecedented level of violent crime in the Bahamas, particularly among its youth.  The Bahamas was fighting violent crime nationally and regionally, and had earmarked significant funds for crime prevention and criminal justice.

KENNETH BAUGH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the ideals and principles of the United Nations and emphasized Jamaica’s support for multilateralism. Noting that all nations face common threats, he said they must share a commitment to strengthening collective security.

While there had been pockets of success in global economic progress over the last decade, he said that the international community’s development commitments had not been matched by the implementation of targets for meeting basic needs, human security and sustainable development necessary to meet the Millennium Development Goals.  He stressed his country’s commitment to the necessary framework that would promote social inclusion, enhance productive capacity and employment, and facilitate investment and sustained economic growth, yet noted that developing countries could not do it alone.  He called for renewed focus and the necessary political will to honour the development commitments and obligations that had been collectively embraced by the international community, including the 0.7 per cent official development assistance (ODA) target.  In particular, greater efforts should be made to address the needs of middle-income developing countries, like Jamaica.

Globalization and economic liberalization had led to increased exposure of developing countries to external economic forces, he said.  The world should refuse to accept that globalization created winners and losers, and strive for a win-win and inclusive process in which benefits were more widely enjoyed.  That required a fair and equitable global trading system.  The impasse in the Doha Development Round was a grave concern for his country, and those negotiations must be reignited.  A one-size-fits-all model ignored countries’ complexities and unique circumstances.  A new trading arrangement must take into account those differences.  He pressed for the removal of support of agricultural products by certain developed countries.

Underscoring other areas of concern to Jamaica, he called for continuous and concerted international efforts to fight the spread of communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, stressing the need for increased funding.  Climate change should remain a priority, as the international community sought a consensus for curbing it when the Kyoto Protocol expired in 2012.  The principle of common but differentiated responsibility should be applied across the board, and assistance must be given to small island developing States as they created national development plans.

Turning to issues of international peace and security, he said it was imperative to elaborate and adopt a comprehensive convention against terrorism.  The illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons should also continue to be addressed and an arms trade treaty should be adopted.   Jamaica supported the Peacebuilding Commission, and also noted the efforts of MINUSTAH to bring peace and stabilization to that country.  Stressing Jamaica’s commitment to the protection of human rights and the rule of law, he called for more to be done to ensure the protection of the basic rights of individuals.  He noted the adoption by the United Nations of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adding his country’s pleasure at having been the first to have ratified it.  The adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples had also been welcome.  Turning to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur, he welcomed the unanimous adoption of resolution 1769 (2007) by the Security Council and, expressing shock at the recent attack on African Union troops in Darfur, extended condolences to the families of the victims. 

He called for a redoubling of efforts to revitalize the General Assembly, and for a reformed Security Council, which was more inclusive, representative and transparent.  He also emphasized the need for a more assertive and central role for ECOWAS. Noting that this year marked the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, he said the member States of the Caribbean Community had been heartened by the special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly in March.  They were also grateful to those countries that had contributed to the establishment of the permanent memorial account.

AHMAD ALLAM-MI, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of Chad, drew attention to Security Council resolution 1778 (2007), authorizing an international presence along Chad’s eastern border and in the Central African Republic.  That operation -- with its defensive character to protect refugees, displaced persons, civilians and humanitarians -- was welcome, as it would ease a burden on Chad’s security forces that dated back to the start of the Darfur crisis.  It could count on the authorities in Chad.  Hopefully, that operation would create the conditions for stability and reconstruction in the east of Chad, which had suffered from incursions by the Sudanese Janjaweed and other armed groups coming from Darfur.  Chad had worked hard to restore peace and security in Darfur; no one could overlook the important role played by its President, Idriss Deby Itno, and it would contribute to the success of inter-Sudanese peace talks on Darfur, scheduled for Tripoli on 27 October.

The Minister underlined Chad’s determination to work for peace in Darfur and in the Sudan as a whole, as that would be in the interests of the Central African region in general, and Chad in particular.  For the past year, there had been several positive developments in Chad’s political life.  Several high-level soldiers and politicians involved in rebellions had had their legal status restored and, on 4 March, a new Government, led by a well-known opposition figure, Sem Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye, had been formed.  Responding to opposition calls, the Government had delayed legislative and communal elections, pending the results of a political dialogue held under European Union auspices.  The talks sought to reinforce the rule of law and the democratic process leading to the elections held under conditions acceptable to all.  Chad, since independence, had known only conflict and post-conflict situations, stoked from outside.  That was why it counted on the international community to condemn attempts to destabilize the State.  If a hand was being extended to rebels, it must not to be to the detriment of the higher interests of the rule of law and democracy.

Referring to climate change, the Minister drew attention to Lake Chad, the surface area of which had shrunk in a few decades from 25,000 square kilometres to 2,500 square kilometres.  Saving it would not only contribute to the fight against the impact of climate change, but also address the needs of 25 million people who lived in countries around the lake.

Underlining the 25 September meeting of the Security Council at the level of Heads of State, which had focused on peace and security in Africa, he said it appeared to have opened a way to reinforced cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, notably in assisting the capacity of the latter to conduct peace missions.  He recalled the need to respect the principles of peaceful coexistence, which were respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of States.  Chad was attached to the policy of “One China”, and opposed Taiwan’s attempts to join the United Nations by any name.  It also supported the sovereign right of States to adopt nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.  The absence of a permanent seat on the Security Council for Africa was “an injustice”, given that so much of the Council’s agenda dealt with African issues.

DERMOT AHERN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, said his country had set out an ambitious programme to be a world leader in development assistance, rapid response to humanitarian disasters and conflict resolution, because its own history showed that a path did exist from famine to plenty, and from conflict to peace.  From that history had grown a determination in Ireland to fight conflict and hunger and the denial of human rights -– a fight best fought by a strong and equally determined United Nations.  Six decades on, the core goal of the United Nations -– peace and security -– remained elusive.  Despite all efforts, violent conflict was all too common.  Making peace required as much creativity and determination as waging war.  The full array of instruments to resolve conflict should be used now, and with determination.

He urged the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund to be organized and resourced, in order to fulfil their mandates.  Support should also be maintained for United Nations-mandated peacekeeping operations, today at an all-time high in terms of size, scope and complexity.  Strengthened United Nations efforts in conflict prevention and resolution must also be supported.  Ireland would play its part.

He said his country had decided to significantly increase its commitment to conflict resolution, by taking a number of steps, including establishing a designated unit in its Foreign Ministry, creating an academic conflict resolution centre, a system of roving ambassadors to affected regions, and setting up an annual 25 million euro fund to assist conflict resolution in the developing world.  Ireland would, in the years ahead, work to strengthen the capacity of the African Union and subregional organizations to make and build peace for themselves.  It would be particularly active in Africa, and it would explore links between climate change and conflict.

With the formation of the power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive, an extraordinary new chapter had been opened and he said he was delighted to report that it would no longer be necessary, as it had been for almost 40 years, to brief the Assembly on the situation in Northern Ireland.  Separation and distrust lingered, but there was an overwhelming consensus that a new beginning could be nurtured and sustained.  The task was no longer to find peace, but to build it.  Such success did not offer a universally transferable formula, but it did provide insights and lessons worth sharing. 

While strife in Northern Ireland had been resolved, other conflicts persisted, he said.  The courage of Buddhist monks and nuns in Burma had won universal admiration, and the efforts of the regime to conceal its brutality behind a wall of silence had failed; it had been rightly condemned for its violent response.  Ireland called on the authorities to respond constructively to the wishes of the people, to stop their violence, and to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.  The Security Council should respond effectively; it was unacceptable to argue that the situation in Burma was not a matter of international peace and security as the potential regional consequences were evident.  There was an onus on China, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to act.

He said that Darfur had been a matter of grave concern in Ireland, where it had been made a priority of its diplomacy and Irish Aid programme.  The humanitarian and security crisis there had to be resolved, while the foundations for longer-term peace and development were established.  Ireland urged the full, effective and speedy deployment of UNAMID; Khartoum should actively cooperate and rebel groups should play their part.  Ireland expected to make a substantial contribution to the United Nations-mandated presence in Chad and the Central African Republic.

On the Millennium Development Goals, he said his country had been spending more than 0.5 per cent of its gross national product (GNP) on overseas aid, and that that would grow to 0.7 per cent by 2012.  More needed to be done, however, as the donor community had failed the test set by the Goals.  That 980 million people still lived in abject poverty was unacceptable.  Most damning was the fact that one in seven people did not have enough food to eat -– a proportion reaching one in four in sub-Saharan Africa.  The increasingly serious humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe was a grave concern; the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiative offered the best hope for progress.  In the Middle East, there had been a collective international failure to establish a credible political process leading to a two-State solution, but today, there were possibilities for change.  Hopefully the international meeting now in preparation would set into train a transformation of that political landscape.

PATRICK PILLAY, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Seychelles, said that climate change was a critical issue, on which the international community had yet to take sufficient action.  As a small island developing State, Seychelles was acutely aware of the adverse impacts of climate change, which had already had a profound negative impact on its economy and environment.

He said that climate change was a threat to biodiversity, to the economy, and to the world’s security.  The small island States were home to an important proportion of the world’s biodiversity, much of which was now at risk because of the problem.  Moreover, in Seychelles, as in most small island developing

States, agriculture, fisheries and tourism formed the basis of the economy.  Those industries were now also threatened because of environmental changes.  Given that food security was at stake, it was important for the international community to support economic diversification in the small island States.  Climate change was also a security issue -- “a matter of our collective security and responsibility in a fragile and increasingly interdependent world”.

He called upon politicians, business leaders, and members of civil society to take action on environmental issues.  President James Michel of Seychelles had led the way at a recent meeting of the Global Island Partnership, when he launched the Sea Level Rise Foundation, to ensure that island nations had the capacity to adapt to climate change.  However, the efforts of the international community to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change had so far been inadequate, and, likewise, the emissions reduction targets set by the Kyoto Protocol were too modest.  Nevertheless, he asked the “Annex 1”, or industrialized countries, to fulfil their commitments under the Climate Change Convention.  He praised the recent work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which called for deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and he thanked the Secretary-General for bringing climate change to the forefront of the United Nations agenda.

Globalization had also increased the “vulnerability, insecurity, and the possibility of marginalization” of Seychelles, he said.  Given the importance of trade in financing development, a system was needed that would emphasize the specific development needs of small island States in multinational trade negotiations.  It was important for countries to determine their own development goals, rather than be directed by donor countries.  Seychelles was committed to building its own economy on a principle of national responsibility, and efforts at economic re-engineering had been “dynamic”.  On the international level, however, there was a real need for a mechanism to monitor development policies and cooperation, so as to ensure consistency and coherence.

He closed by lamenting the “continued cycle of violence” in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and elsewhere.  Seychelles supported all those calling for peace, particularly in Darfur.  While the United Nations was uniquely positioned to find international solutions to conflicts, it was necessary to reform and update the Organization.  The design and function of the Security Council must also be altered, and a “resuscitation” of the General Assembly was necessary, so that its decisions could continue to carry the “stamp of legitimacy as the voice of the international community”.

YESHEY DORJI, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan, said the irony of climate change was that it would most devastate those least responsible for it:  developing countries, particularly small island developing States.  Climate change was inextricably linked to development and engendered issues of equity, fairness and the right of countries to grow economically.  It must be addressed within the framework of sustainable development and common, but differentiated, responsibilities.  Bhutan was concerned with climate change’s adverse effect on its agriculture, the mainstay of 79 per cent of the population, and its 3,000 glacial lakes.  Glacial lake outburst floods had been devastating in the past and could prove far worse in the future.  Bhutan’s lack of scientific, technical and financial resources severely constrained its ability to conduct research, monitor developments, forecast outburst and take mitigation measures.

He said that recent progress reports on the Millennium Development Goals revealed a mixed picture, at best.  The 2006 comprehensive mid-term global review of the Brussels Programme of Action revealed that the least developed countries were unlikely to achieve the Programme’s goals and the millennium targets if current trends continued.  The international community was morally and politically responsible for helping least developed countries through a strong supportive global programme.  But one year on, the situation remained the same.  Geographical constraints were enormously challenging for landlocked developing countries.  Bhutan was working closely to address those challenges, through cooperation with transit countries and the international community. 

He called for intergovernmental negotiations to bring about Security Council reform.  He supported India, Japan and their Group of Four partners -– also Brazil and Germany –- in their quest for permanent Council membership, as well as Africa’s bid for permanent seats.  In 1999, Bhutan announced its candidature for a non-permanent seat for the 2013-2014 period.  He called on the Assembly to support its election bid.  Turning to the issue of terrorism, he said international efforts were needed to implement the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

Bhutan’s development model was based on a philosophy of “Gross National Happiness”, or “GNH”, which was rooted in the belief that, if happiness was the ultimate desire of all people, then it was the State’s responsibility and purpose to create conditions to enable its citizens to realize happiness, he said.  “GNH” was increasingly drawing global attention, and Bhutan stood ready to share its experiences.  Concerning the problem of Bhutanese refugees at camps in Nepal, he said his country had always been committed to bilateral talks with Nepal and had not deviated from their bilateral understandings and agreements.  Rather, the problem stemmed from illegal immigration.  He appreciated offers from the United States and other countries for third-country settlement, as that would address the humanitarian concerns.  While Bhutan was committed to the bilateral process, it had serious security concerns with the Maoist infiltrations in the camps and the formation of several radical groups, which had publicly stated their objective to destabilize Bhutan and disrupt its first parliamentary elections slated for next year.

ELVIN NIMROD, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, said that the chorus of the international community’s voices, which had reverberated at the United Nations on the subject of climate change should not sound a hollow note as countries exited and backslid into reality.  Stressing that the international community should move from resolutions to results, he said the negotiating table should extend beyond the dimensions of the intergovernmental process as it headed towards Bali, and include unborn generations and those of this generation wishing to enjoy the prosperity of the new world order.  Because of sea level rise, low-lying islands of this world deserved a more robust and accountable response from the international community.  Small island States faced the “spectre of environmental refugees”.

He said that the effects of climate change were the most dangerous threat facing the economic development, peace and security, and territorial existence of small island States.  Having been hit by the eye of Hurricane Ivan, Grenada had faced destruction that totalled two times its GDP.  It continued its aspirations to “build back better”.  He noted the assistance provided by China, yet the country was still “under the guidance” of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and, due to a reconstruction levy that had been imposed on its people, ordinary island citizens were paying the price for the lifestyles of the major emitters.  Thus, a new paradigm that recognized the environmental and economic vulnerability of small island developing States was needed within the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods Institutions.

Aggressive mitigation targets were also needed as the world headed towards a post-2012 agreement, he said.  The viability and adaptability of the most vulnerable nations, should be the fundamental benchmark for all negotiations.  He called for the urgent completion of the institutional arrangement for the Adaptation Fund by the “COP 13” Conference of the Parties in a manner that guaranteed priority to the needs of the small island developing States.  “Climate change, energy, economic development and the Millennium Development Goals are so tightly interwoven that, over the long term, we cannot tease out any one thread without weakening the fabric of our common aspirations for prosperity and peace,” he said.

Stressing the fact that women were the most affected by poverty and suffered the highest levels of marginalization, he said their empowerment was critical for development, and he urged States to contribute to the budgets of the many United Nations bodies that promoted women in the development process.  Investment in gender mainstreaming was an investment in social justice, economic diversity and political stability.  While only a few women had held high political and public offices in Grenada several years go, today, approximately 50 per cent of the cabinet or executive branch was made up of women.

Economic development required sustainable energy, he said.  Thus, his country recognized the need to broaden its energy options.  In that respect, the Bretton Woods Institutions could do more to bring equity financing to Grenada, so that innovative clean technologies could be developed.  The quantum leap required in energy to power the developing world’s growth would come from innovators.  The challenges faced by the world’s vulnerable States would only be resolved if thinking was transformed and methodologies were reformed.  For that reason, he called for an expanded Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent categories.  He also highlighted the contributions his country had made in securing Haiti’s stability, and he encouraged others to support international peacekeeping efforts.  He also reaffirmed Grenada’s commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms.

LISA SHOMAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, also expressed concern over climate change, notably the depletion of the ozone layer, rising sea levels and the impending inundation of low-lying coastal areas.  She worried about the inevitable consequences and the fact that, despite the overwhelming evidence of climate change’s existence, special interests continued to argue otherwise.  She called for more decisive action by all Member States to reverse the trends that had thus far led the world down a destructive path.  Every country had a role to play.  The largest polluters must reverse the current trend, while less polluting countries must focus on mitigation and adaptation.  Developed countries must recognize the needs of the most vulnerable, supporting their efforts to achieve sustainable development and adapt to change.  The international community must adopt more sustainable practices and take steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions. 

She said that the European Union’s commitment on climate change was politically important, but it was necessary to move beyond symbolism to action.  Other developed countries and regions, as well as emerging economies, must take significant steps to mitigate and develop, as well as share, technologies that created low-carbon or no-carbon economies.  There was a symbiotic relationship between ecology and economy in Belize.  Climate change affected agricultural production, fishing, mineral extraction, hydrocarbon exploration and tourism.  Economic development better enabled countries to tackle climate change, and the international community must keep development in perspective in the current climate change debate. 

Pointing to the failure of the international economic system to reinvent itself, she said that the Doha Development Round had doled out harsh consequences for developing countries, particularly countries whose economies were dependent on commodities and trade preferences.  The debate on climate change and larger development issues illustrated the need for an effective, legitimate multilateral system that was fair, balanced and operated transparently and inclusively.  Responsible leadership that adhered to the basic principles of justice and the rule of law were critical to that system’s success and integrity. 

In the spirit of respect for law and justice, the desire for equity and the preservation of human rights, Belize continued to struggle with the Assembly’s decision to exclude debate on Taiwan’s desire for United Nations membership, she said.  Belize would continue to support Taiwan’s representation, as well as that of the Saharawi people, who lacked a voice in the Organization.  She also supported the realization of a two-State solution to the question of Palestine.  Further, she lauded United Nations reform in peacebuilding, human rights, and humanitarian assistance, and she supported comprehensive reform of the Security Council.   

EDNAN KARABAEV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, said the structure of world order had changed in the new millennium but the United Nations remained an organization whose basic value was to promote the moral principles of solidarity.  The creation of civil society and the recognition of universally accepted rights and freedoms under United Nations auspices played a significant role in furthering the consolidation process.  That clearly illustrated that society was capable of refraining from war and solving conflicts through peacekeeping.  Further strategic planning for socio-economic development was needed.

Kyrgyzstan had gone a long way in establishing democratic values and conducting constitutional reform and fiscal decentralization, all of which was reflected in its National Development Strategy, he said.  It aimed to achieve sustainable development by 2010 and was based on the principles of self-sufficiency and human security as the foundation for human development. 

The Millennium Development Goals defined the parameters for global development as well as the potential for regional development, he continued.  But regions differed in terms of their level of development.  Mountainous regions needed a development strategy that took into account the natural resource potential of their specific territories.  Local self-governance was often needed in such areas, as were ways to address poor living standards.  The Second Global Mountain Summit would allow for the creation of sustainable development policy for mountainous regions.

All countries should be socially responsible in working to improve the environment and reduce energy shortages, he said.  Doing so would create secure societies, rather than societies at risk.  It was important to have mechanisms for charting progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Kyrgyzstan’s proposed world day of social justice would serve as such a mechanism.  The General Assembly should consider a resolution on that proposal during the current session.

CHARLES A. SAVARIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour of Dominica, said he hoped that the United Nations would give greater attention to the plight of small island developing States, among the most vulnerable to climate change.  The last decade had taught the lesson of multilateralism in facing global challenges.  The United Nations should receive the requisite support to undertake effective interventions for the preservation of human life, human rights, peace, justice, democracy and the rule of law.  It should be guided by its founding principles, but also be adaptable to the growing challenges of today’s globalized world.  To achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the international community must rededicate itself to the actions called for in the International Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, including the right to development, alleviation of burdensome debt, and fair and equitable trading rules.

He said that small island developing States, the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, contributed the least to the emission of greenhouse gases.  Rising sea levels threatened their very existence within the next 30 years.  The disappearance of beaches and destruction of communication infrastructure would devastate the tourism economy of those nations.  Increased water temperatures were bleaching coral reefs, and impacting fish stocks, the major source of protein for island State populations.  Warmer waters were also fertile grounds for the development of tropical storms, which were increasing in number and severity, with serious consequences for island States.  Dominica, ravaged by two “Category 5” hurricanes so far this hurricane season, saw its agriculture destroyed and its infrastructure overwhelmed by swollen rivers and numerous landslides.  Reconstruction had been estimated at more than $100 million.

Last week’s high level event on climate change had underscored that an absence of action would have a grave negative impact on all countries, especially on the least developed and small island developing States, he said.  The pace of climate change negotiations was not in keeping with the urgency dictated by the science.  He urged all nations to demonstrate the political will to take action in Bali in December and to reach agreement on a fair, effective, flexible and inclusive climate regime under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.  Developed countries must do more, and consider the emergency situation facing the small island States.

Touching on a range of other issues, he hailed the adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and stressed the need to implement it fully.  He was proud of Dominica’s role, as a country with an indigenous Kalinago population, in the negotiations, which had led to the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and called on all Member States who had not done so to embrace the text.  He applauded the African Union’s efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa, and welcomed the creation of UNAMID, which he hoped would help bring an end to the tragic situation in Darfur and its impact on neighbouring States.  The continuing involvement of the Organization of American States and the United Nations in Haiti was welcome, and he urged an extended United Nations presence there to foster sustainable and stable development.  Countries with influence in South-East Asia should use their good offices in support of United Nations efforts in Myanmar.

Small States needed assurance that their goods and services would be traded on terms that allowed for optimal economic development and employment, he stressed.  Major trading nations should demonstrate a commitment to a balanced agreement that placed development at its core.  Dominica had made progress in adapting to the challenges of trade liberalization, but its primary source of foreign exchange, the export of bananas to Europe, had been devastated by frequent recourse by the European Union to the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body.  The assault by Hurricane Dean, soon after, had worsened the devastating effects.  His country, meanwhile, was working towards the reduction of fossil fuel dependence, with plans to increase its current 40 per cent renewable energy generation.

NATANAERA KIRATA, Minister of Public Works and Utilities of Kiribati, said the role of the United Nations remained critical in the face of growing complexities, uncertain events and new challenges to peace and security in an increasingly globalized world.  United Nations reform was in the best interests of humanity and should be concluded as soon as possible.  Without global peace there could be little positive development.  Kiribati was working closely with like-minded countries to pursue world peace and stability, economic progress and development.  The United Nations remained the best forum to collectively resolve global problems.  But like other least developed countries and small island developing States, Kiribati had many constraints.

He said that Kiribati must contend with its remoteness from world market centres, a narrow economic base and high population growth rates.  The sharp increase in world oil prices and Kiribati’s complete dependency on imported oil and fossil fuel had put much pressure on the country’s economy.  Kiribati had limited options for containing the adverse impact of world oil price increases.  The HIV/AIDS pandemic and tuberculosis further absorbed Kiribati’s already meagre budget for development.  Such complex economic concerns would continue to undermine Kiribati’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development targets.

The international community should form a new global strategy that would create an enabling economic environment for the United Nations most disadvantaged Member States, he said.  Kiribati’s survival and way of life was at great risk because of global warming and sea level rise.  Most of the nation’s small and widely dispersed islands barely rose 2 metres above mean sea level.  A unified global response was needed.  Hopefully, repeated appeals to the United Nations to address such a critical issue would receive stronger political support and commitment.  It was time to put words into action, and thus protect the planet from complete destruction and preserve it for future generations.

He condemned all forms of terrorism and supported the fight to end it.  He expressed disappointment that Taiwan’s request for United Nations membership was not given a fair opportunity to be heard in the Assembly.  Taiwan deserved justice by the United Nations and its rightful place in the Organization, he said.

HUSEIN ELABE FAHIYE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, said that it was regrettable that the international community had been “inexplicably reticent” and unresponsive to his Government’s efforts to rebuild war-torn Somalia and its institutions.  Indeed, collective action on the part of the United Nations had been “inconsistent and devoid of vigour”, as the world body had only recently shown an interest in coming to the aid of a nation in dire need of help.  One example of that “incomprehensible attitude” was the persistent delay in the adoption of a resolution calling for the timely deployment of a peacekeeping mission.

He said that if that stance continued, it would not only reveal a lack of commitment on the part of the United Nations, but would also prolong the agony of the Somali people.  He called on the Organization to back the speedy deployment of multinational forces.  Meanwhile, the transitional Government had diligently begun to implement its mandated tasks, ahead of the agreed 2009 wrap-up of the transition period, including by putting in place permanent constitutional legality, establishing multiparty democracy, and setting up regional autonomous administrations.  In addition, federal institutions were working hard to elaborate a constitution that upheld those fundamental obligations. All of that signalled a new era of tranquillity for the Somali people, he declared.

He went on to say that the recent convening of a National Reconciliation Conference in Mogadishu had been further evidence that “a self-healing process” had begun.  Despite “disruptive intimidations” by terrorists who had tried to hijack the proceedings, the gatherings had concluded successfully.  The Government had been particularly pleased that people from all walks of life in Somalia had attended and discussed key issues of concern.  The Government also paid tribute to AMISOM, whose Ethiopian and Ugandan forces had lent a hand and had effectively dealt with the terrorist elements, which were slowly fading away.

With that in mind, he stressed that peace, security, well-being and prosperity of individuals and nations alike were at stake in the fight against terrorism.  Somalia believed that the only viable way to deal with terrorism was through a collective response, and in that, the United Nations system had a pivotal role to play and vital contributions to make, from promoting the rule of law and effective criminal justice systems, to ensuring that countries had the means to combat terrorist activities.

He said that, without the required funding, equipment and supplies, Somalia’s efforts to rebuild the country, restore peace and promote conflict resolution would not have the expected impact.  With the days of “institutional disharmony” slowly giving way to national aspirations devoted to rebuilding the country, the international community should convene an international pledging conference in coordination with the Transitional Federal Government.

Another area crying out for swift action was the humanitarian situation in Somalia, he said.  The protracted civil war and the ongoing flare-ups of tension and conflict throughout the country during the past two decades had been worsened by natural disasters.  Those events had not only devastated public and private institutions, but had also ripped apart the country’s socio-economic fabric.  He appealed to the world community to provide generous contributions, and to work closely with Somali authorities to ensure that humanitarian access was provided to the most vulnerable populations.  “Meeting these humanitarian needs will ultimately provide a strong foundation from which recovery, reconstruction and development can develop in the future,” he said.

GONZALO GUTIÉRREZ REINEL, Vice-Minister Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs of Peru said his country was one of the region’s emerging nations, owing to its economic growth over the past eight years, its strategic location on the South American Pacific, its modern legal framework that encouraged investment and export, the diversity of national resources and diversification in global markets and, finally, its political and macroeconomic stability.  Prior to the next uncertain Doha Round of negotiations, Peru was arranging free trade treaties with its big commercial partners to complement the schemes of regional and subregional integration and multilateral negotiations.

For example, he said, as a member of the Free Trade Zone of the Andean Community, comprising Peru, Columbia, Ecuador and Bolivia, his country had concluded a free trade treaty with Chile and the United States, while already negotiating similar agreements with Canada and Mexico.  A free trade agreement had been concluded with Singapore and negotiations were in various stages with Central American countries and Thailand.  The Community as a whole had begun negotiations with China and the European Union, and talks were being pursued as a priority with the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Russian Federation, Australia and New Zealand.

In line with that growth, he added, Peru was assuming its burgeoning global responsibilities.  It was organizing the Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union, as well as the 2008 Summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC).  It was also participating in the Security Council and in United Nations peacekeeping operations, with forces in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Haiti.  Peru supported the renewal of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the reorientation of its work to promote development.  Presently, 250 Peruvian military officers were participating in that Mission and an engineering corps would soon join them.

Expressing support for a broad range of other United Nations initiatives and programmes, from arms control and disarmament to anti-terrorism, he called on the General Assembly to reduce its agenda, so as to reinforce its legitimacy.  At the same time, he highlighted the relevance of the Economic and Social Council in promoting greater efficacy in coordinating cooperation strategies for development and assistance for emergencies.

Peru was particularly vulnerable to global warming, he said, noting that the country had lost 22 per cent of its glacial surface in the past 30 years.  It had suffered heavy losses of human life, along with 4.5 per cent of its gross domestic product in past years due to the El Niño phenomenon.  In Bali, Peru would do all it could to ensure that a more far-reaching instrument than the Kyoto Protocol would be concluded by 2009.

YANNIS VALINAKIS, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, aligning his statement with the remarks made Portugal on behalf of the European Union, said that, although the world had emerged from the cold war, it still faced multiple challenges.  Without swift action to combat the problems posed by climate change, the world risked paying a high and bitter price.  The international community should use a step-by-step approach that built on national and international capacities to address the causes of climate change, mitigated its effects and created synergies that allowed for specific and measurable results.  The choice of the Greek Chairmanship of the Human Security Network to focus on climate change and human security was evidence of the importance that Greece attached to the environment.  He expressed deep gratitude to the members of the international community who had extended help, assistance and solidarity last summer when Greece had suffered from devastating wildfires.

Saying that terrorism threatened the foundation of the world’s democratic societies, he stressed that efforts to combat it should conform to international human rights standards and fundamental freedoms.  Towards that goal, the General Assembly’s adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy had been a major accomplishment, and its full implementation should be an absolute priority.  A comprehensive convention against international terrorism, however, remained a valuable addition to the counter-terrorism legal framework, and a more comprehensive concept of collective security based on respect and justice was needed to meet transnational threats.  The United Nations should also strengthen its ability to manage, resolve and prevent conflicts and develop integrated long-term strategies to address the root causes.

Greece was committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, upholding international law and promoting good neighbourly relations, he said.  He deeply regretted that Cyprus remained divided.  The withdrawal of all occupation troops and the reunification of the island in the context of a bizonal, bicommunal federation were still his country’s objectives.  The relevant United Nations resolutions and the European Union principles and values provided a clear framework for a comprehensive settlement, and he expressed strong support for the rapid implementation of the 8 July 2006 agreement.  He emphasized Greece’s commitment to assisting the two countries as they sought a solution, and urged Turkey to demonstrate the necessary will and flexibility in that direction.

A democratic Turkey that met the criteria and requirements set out in the negotiating framework with the European Union could be a stabilizing factor in the region, he said.  Greece supported Turkey’s European aspirations; yet, Turkey should demonstrate its unequivocal commitment to the principles of good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes with its neighbours.  In fact, good neighbourly relations were the cornerstone upon which all countries of South-East Europe should build a common European future of peace, stability and prosperity. In that context, Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), which called for a mutually acceptable solution to the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, should be respected and practiced by all.  A truly European future for the Balkans would remain inconclusive if a viable settlement of Kosovo’s future status was not reached and, subsequently, legitimized through a Security Council resolution.  Because that was a European problem, the role of the European Union was also essential.

He also emphasized the need to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on a two-State solution.  He noted the progress Africa had made in recent years, and the partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations in peacekeeping and development.  Those partnerships could be the key to successfully overcoming Africa’s challenges and, in that context, he welcomed the creation of UNAMID.  International development cooperation was one of Greece’s foreign policy priorities, and it had humanitarian and development projects in 46 countries to combat poverty, disease, malnutrition, lack of access to drinking water and to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters and conflict situations.  It had also offered development assistance to almost 20 African countries.

ANDERS LIDÉN (Sweden) expressing his country’s strong support for the people of Burma “in their struggle for a democratic future”, strongly urged the Burmese Government to initiate dialogue, refrain from violence and respect human rights, not least, freedom of expression and assembly.

He said that the United Nations and the international community faced major challenges, but some progress had been achieved.  Nearly one third of the world’s population lived in countries where economic growth was about 10 per cent a year, and the world was well on the way to meeting the Millennium Development Goals, which would halve the number of people living in absolute poverty.  From a historical perspective, amazing progress had been made; never had so many been lifted out of absolute poverty in so little time.  But there was no room for complacency; globalization had to be made a force for good.  Efforts must be redoubled to bring the Doha Development Round to a successful conclusion, and sustainable economic growth, a vibrant private sector and more open international trading were needed to eradicate poverty.  Aid for trade was crucial; developing countries made up far too small a share of world trade.

Touching on other issues of concern to Sweden, he said that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide.  Twenty-five countries still sentenced people to death, and six were responsible for more than 90 per cent of the executions.  The link between security and development placed new demands on the international community; there needed to be better coordination of international efforts, for instance, in Afghanistan.

Concerning non-proliferation, if one new State acquired nuclear weapons, another would follow, and such weapons could soon end up outside State control.  Nuclear terrorism was a very real risk, and nuclear Powers must live up to their responsibilities and show a readiness to substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals; it was a question of self interest and farsighted statesmanship.

In the Middle East, parallel action by Israelis and Palestinians was needed, he said.  Nothing was more important for Israel’s long-term security than a truly viable Palestinian State.  Now was the time for a true peace process, and not an incremental one.  The upcoming international meeting would be of crucial importance.  In Iraq, more should be done to encourage reconciliation and reconstruction, and to help the more than 4 million displaced Iraqis.  Iran continued to refuse to accept obligations set down by the Security Council; it had to convince the international community of the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.

On the Horn of Africa, he urged national leaders to show their commitment to peace and reconciliation.  In the Sudan, implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the renewed peace effort in Darfur needed support.  The situation in eastern Chad was worrying, and more had to be done to protect and assist refugees, internally displaced persons and other civilians affected by regional conflict.  True progress could not be achieved without recognition of women’s role in peacebuilding and development. 

CARSTEN STAUR ( Denmark) said that, at the institutional level, important progress had been achieved in fulfilling the agenda set out at the Millennium Summit in 2000 and the 2005 World Summit.  But institution-building alone would not do; resolve was also needed.  The challenge now was to address substantive issues in earnest.  Halfway to 2015, there had been substantial progress at the global level towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, thanks to market-oriented reforms in Asia and Latin America.  But more efforts were needed if sub-Saharan Africa was to meet the Goals on time.  The time had come for a United Nations summit focusing on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals and financing for developments.

Denmark had been keeping its part of the bargain, committing 0.8 per cent of its national income to development assistance, with two thirds of its bilateral aid going to Africa, he said.  However, development assistance was not enough.  Trade and good governance were also key.  Good governance, democracy and human rights -- with no impunity for crimes against humanity -- were critical for Denmark.

Climate change had become an urgent global challenge, addressed at a global level, he said.  Most affected would be the poorest and weakest.  Joint efforts must be based on the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities.  Denmark had begun preparations to host the Conference of Parties in December 2009.  There must be consensus on an effective post-Kyoto agreement, and Copenhagen was the last call if an agreement was to enter into force by 2012.  An inclusive United Nations-based multilateral approach was crucial.  The Bali Conference in December had to define a clear timetable for negotiations leading to a post-2012 framework.  The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change remained the only legitimate framework for truly global negotiation; it was within that framework that an ambitious agreement must be reached.

Equal opportunity for women was of great importance for Denmark, and the United Nations had a crucial role to play in strengthening gender equality at the national level, he said.  Women everywhere must have the same opportunities as men; and, in fighting poverty, that was an absolute necessity.  Donors must actively support partner countries in achieving gender equality.  Without addressing the role of women, it would not be possible to halve extreme poverty by 2015.

The world faced many conflicts, not least in Africa, he said, adding that United Nations capacity in conflict prevention, conflict management and peacebuilding must be enhanced.  Helping the people of Darfur to achieve peace was an obligation.  The killings, violence and atrocities had gone on for too long.  Denmark supported the UNAMID Operation and the resumed political process, which raised real hopes for improving a deplorable situation.  International Criminal Court arrest warrants must be implemented as part of the process.

Regarding Afghanistan, maintaining a broad consensus to carry through what had been started was important, and the United Nations must play a stronger role, he said.  In Kosovo, the status quo was not sustainable; the goal was to find a comprehensive political solution leading to a democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo.  In addition, the United Nations remained the international focal point in the fight against terrorism, and the adoption of a comprehensive global convention would be a worthy achievement for the sixty-second session of the Assembly.

Turning to United Nations reform, he said the organization could not do everything for everyone at the same time.  A common vision and priorities must be agreed.  United Nations capacities for conflict resolution and prevention, assisting countries in the early phases of post-conflict recovery, and setting out international norms, including human rights, must all be strengthened.

ROBERT HILL ( Australia) said his country had a proud history of supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world.  It was the first country on the ground in what was arguably the first ever United Nations peacekeeping operation -- the 1947 Consular Commission to Indonesia.  In the past 60 years, Australia had contributed to 39 United Nations peacekeeping operations, and still continued the tradition today.  The United Nations, as the only organization with truly global membership, had both a unique opportunity to meet challenges and a responsibility to take action.  It had a great moral authority, but if it failed to act decisively, that authority would be squandered.

He recalled that, in 2005, the Organization’s Member States had pledged to protect those facing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.  The “responsibility to protect” was recognized as a central tenet of Members’ shared humanity.  Last year, that responsibility had been drawn upon by the Security Council in resolution 1706 (2006) on Darfur.  Under subsequent resolution 1769 (2007), an African Union-United Nations hybrid peacekeeping operation had been established, with a robust mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in that region of the Sudan.  The international community must now ensure that the deployment of the hybrid force proceeded quickly.  It was a test for the United Nations and its Member States.

Ongoing military operations by the Government of the Sudan and last weekend’s killing and abduction of African Union peacekeepers by rebel forces demonstrated the urgent need for the parties to stop such crimes and build peace.  Those who had committed crimes should be punished, and Australia called upon the Government of the Sudan to act on the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.

On Burma, he said that Australia supported the consistent efforts of the United Nations to monitor and improve the situation there.  It welcomed the statement by the Security Council following its consultations on 26 September on the situation, and it urged the Burmese authorities to work constructively and meaningfully with the United Nations Special Envoy in support of his United Nations-mandated mission.

He called upon United Nations Member States to fully implement all relevant Security Council resolutions on freezing of terrorists’ assets; terrorist organizations should be starved of funds and support.  He also called for the conclusion of work on a comprehensive convention against terrorism as soon as possible.  The international community must act to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.  Australia welcomed robust action by the Security Council over the past year in imposing sanctions against “programmes of proliferation concern” in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran.  The Council’s action on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear issue sent a strong signal to that country that the international community would not tolerate its nuclear programme.  He also welcomed recent progress in the six-party talks, and called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to maintain the momentum and fully implement its commitment to denuclearize.

The Security Council had also sent a strong message to Iran, he said.  Iran’s stated intention to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address long outstanding issues had been welcome, but the international community, including Australia, “remains deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear programme”.  Iran should suspend its uranium enrichment programme, as required by the Security Council, and cooperate fully with IAEA.  Australia also hoped that the United Nations could continue its work in protecting populations by raising barriers against the illicit trade in conventional weapons, and it supported the development of an arms trade treaty.

On climate change, the Australian delegate recalled the historic Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development issued by the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) leaders on 9 September.  In the Declaration, the APEC leaders had agreed to work to achieve a common understanding on long-term goals to reduce emissions.   Australia called on parties to the forthcoming Bali Conference to forge a comprehensive new agreement.

Right of Reply

The representative of Japan, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, took issue with the “entirely groundless” and unacceptable statement made earlier in the day by the delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  It was false to claim that Japan was turning its self-defence force into an offensive-oriented force.  In line with its Constitution, Japan’s military had consistently and exclusively remained defence-oriented.  Japan had no nuclear weapons, nor did it export weapons of any kind.  Moreover, it had been active in arms control and non-proliferation.  The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had conducted an “unacceptable” nuclear test in 2006, which threatened regional and international peace; the Security Council had condemned the test in resolution 1718 (2006), which also set out measures to be undertaken by Pyongyang.

Regarding the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, he said there had been no violation of international law.  Japanese police had, in April 2007, searched a subsidiary organization related to a suspected abduction.  The police had obtained warrants from the appropriate court; no illegal actions had been taken and no violence or threats had occurred.  Japan had long taken measures to ensure that Korean residents in Japan led normal lives.  Its Constitution guaranteed equality without discrimination.  Japan’s fundamental policy towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remained unchanged, based on the September 2002 Pyongyang Declaration, and Japan would make every effort to normalize relations.

The representative of Australia, replying to the statement made yesterday by the delegation of the Solomon Islands, referred to the assertion that Australia was occupying that country.  He said that the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands had been deployed at the request of the Government of the Solomon Islands, with support from the Security Council and the Commonwealth.  A treaty between the Solomon Islands, Australia and other members of the South Pacific Forum had underpinned its work.  Australia remained vigilant in respecting the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands, and it did not seek to replace its Government.  All programmes had been agreed with the Government to help it rebuild State institutions and reassert its sovereignty.  The Regional Assistance Mission had been in the Solomon Islands for four years, making remarkable progress and improving people’s lives.  Law and order had been restored, revenue had been growing and foreign investors had been returning.  The Government had balanced its budgets and services had been restored.  It was not surprising that the Mission still had broad community support, with a poll indicating that more than 90 per cent of the population supported its presence.

The representative of Nepal said the remarks made earlier by the delegation of Bhutan were misplaced and unfounded.  Bhutan ignored the suffering of its own citizens currently living in refugee camps.  The situation was one between the refugees and Bhutan.  The refugees must be allowed to return to their homeland in full dignity and honour without any conditions, and must be allowed to take part in national life again.  In closing, he reiterated the position expressed by his delegation earlier in the general debate.

Also exercising his right of reply, the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said his country could not remain unconcerned by Japan’s growing militarization.  Japan was geographically close to his country and had massacred people in the past, but was now distorting history.  Japan could again take military actions, and for that reason, his country had to defend itself.  Japan must not be allowed to play a military role equal to its economic power.  Further, suppression of his country’s citizens, who were members of organizations in Japan, was of concern, and amounted to persecution.  The organization Chongryon was in Japan to defend the national rights of Korean people in Japan.

Further, he said Australia’s statement had revealed the country’s deep-rooted hatred for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, whose efforts were for its own defence and for keeping peace and security in the region.

In reply, Japan’s representative said it was not his normal approach to respond yet again, but it was a well-known fact to all at the United Nations that Japan had dedicated itself to human rights.  Japan’s policy was only to defend itself.  Japan did not export arms and it had no policy of threatening countries in the region.  With regard to the delegate’s statement about the Korean group Chongryon, the actions had not been in violation of international law.  The Japanese police actions in that matter had already been explained.  The situation concerning the abductions, however, was a serious matter.  The allegations made by the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic were unfounded.

The representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said apologies should be followed by action.  For example, Japan said it promoted the rights of women, but there were no women in the army or in high positions.  Japan said it had embraced human rights, but it had never apologized to the countries of the region.  Japan had abducted or drafted 8.4 million people, but it had never admitted or apologized for its actions in this international forum.  Japan should bring its statements and actions into line.  As for the abduction issue, he had already made clear that he regretted the abductions.  Those who were alive had been sent back to Japan, along with their children.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record