This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament,
peace, and security, made in the General Debate of the United
Nations General Assembly. This index is a tool to gauge the
issues which will be detailed during the First Committee of
the General Assembly, starting 6 October 2008. Included in
this Index are all references made to arms control, disarmament,
multilateralism, nuclear energy, nuclear weapon free zones,
security, proliferation, terrorism, and weapons.
will compile a
of all references to gender, women, and girls made
in the General Assembly statements.
Note: some transcripts
were not available in English. Some excerpts are therefore
unofficial translations by the RCW staff.
Armed
Violence and Development
H.E. Mr. Peter Maurer, Ambassador
29 September 2008
“Conflict prevention is one of the central tasks of
the UN. Switzerland is particularly active on two levels.
First we wish to pay closer attention to the connection between
‘Armed Violence and Development’. Together with
other partners we intend to present a resolution on this subject
during this session of the General Assembly.”
Arms
Trade Treaty
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“We are strongly committed to working for the adoption
of a legally binding international Arms Trade Treaty.”
H.E. Mr. Óscar Arias Sánchez, President
24 September 2008
“I also ask for your support for the Arms Trade Treaty
that Costa Rica is pushing forward in the heart of this organization,
to prohibit the transfer of arms to States, groups or individuals
if sufficient reason exists to believe that those arms will
be used to violate human rights or International Law. The
destructive power of the 640 million small arms and light
weapons that exist in the world, most in the hands of civilians,
deserves the same or even more attention than military spending.”
H.E. Mr. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Out intense focus on combating terrorism, transnational
organized crime, elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons
of mass destruction, must not marginalize the need for decisive
action to curb illicit trade in small arms which facilitate
internal violence in many of our countries and result in high
levels of homicides. Jamaica supports the establishment of
an arms trade treaty to impose strict controls on the illegal
trade in small arms and ammunition.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“Armed conflicts as we have seen in Liberia and the
world over are exacerbated by easy access to small arms and
light weapons. Thus, as a part of the efforts for durable
peace in conflict zones, we must put into place rigid measures
to ensure effective controls of these weapons. My government,
in the same vein, supports the Arms Trade Treaty. We continue
to champion the call for total and complete nuclear disarmament
in order to prevent the world from self-annihilation.”
H.E. Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Caribbean also falls pretty to the nefarious trade
in narcotics, to which is linked the illegal proliferation
of small arms and light weapons. In an effort to confront
these challenges, we have concluded with out neighbors the
CARICOM Maritime and Air Space Security Cooperation Agreement
to protect our borders from illegal activities. We, however,
recognize the important role of the United Nations, as the
multilateral forum, in providing assistance in areas such
as capacity building to augment our own resources. For the
States of Caribbean, a critical aspect of disarmament is the
eradication of the illegal trade in small arms. Trinidad and
Tobago, therefore, calls for urgent action to compete the
work on the elaboration of an Arms Trade Treaty.”
Biological
and Chemical Weapons
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“Iraq is also planning, within the priorities of its
foreign policies, for the return to the international community
by actively participating in meetings and conferences of the
United Nations, its agencies and offices in all international
issues. Iraq signed a number of UN conventions such as the
conventions of the prohibition of chemical weapons and the
treaty banning nuclear tests, and about to join special agreements
and protocols against terrorism, amongst others.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Responsibility and solidarity are also basic pillars
of the international norms in disarmament, non-proliferation
and the fight against terrorism, be they traditional treaties
– such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or
newly established mechanisms like the Resolution 1540 (2004).
First, an essential obligation of each state is the responsibility
towards the effective and comprehensive implementation of
its commitments by promoting the necessary legal framework
as well as establishing appropriate mechanisms for verification
and control. Romania has enacted and continues to strengthen
several specific laws in order to translate into internal
regulations the prohibitions against the development, acquisition,
transfer and use of nuclear, biological, chemical (Weapons
of Mass Destruction/WMD), radiological weapons, and the restrictions
on conventional armaments.”
Cluster
Munitions
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“Austria is also deeply involved in establishing an
international legally binding ban on cluster munitions. The
Convention on Cluster Munitions that we adopted in Dublin
this May is a milestone in the field of disarmament and humanitarian
law. Austria will sign the Convention in Oslo on 3 December
2008. I appeal to all other countries to sign as soon as possible
so that this treaty can enter into force swiftly.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“My country was among those, who vigorously called
for a new universal norm to prevent risks stemming from the
use of cluster munitions. The Czech Republic will be among
the first to sign the new Convention on Cluster Munitions
this December. I am convinced that the more countries join
the Convention, the more profound and positive effect on the
lives of countless individuals and communities it will have.”
H. E. Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Ireland was very proud last May to hold the Diplomatic
Conference that delivered the ‘Cluster Munitions Convention’—an
historic agreement to ban the production and use of these
pernicious instruments of war. The Convention is strong and
ambitious. Each state party undertakes never, in any circumstances,
to use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer
cluster munitions, or to assist any other party in doing so.
It is comprehensive and provides for no exceptions. It sets
new standards for assistance to victims and also, importantly,
for clearing affected areas.
“I would, once again, like to express the deep appreciation
of my Government for the constructive approach taken by Member
States. Without it, such a significant step forward could
not have been taken. The Convention will open for signature
in Oslo in December, and Ireland will be among the first signatories.
I strongly urge all Governments to do likewise.”
“Ireland has watched with great distress the recent
conflict in Georgia, including the evidence of the use of
cluster munitions against civilian populations.”
H.E. General Michel Sleiman, President
23 September 2008
“Obtaining all the maps of landmines and sites of cluster
bombs planted and left behind by Israel on Lebanese soil.
Their presence constitutes a direct threat to the civilian
population, especially children, and deprives the farmers
and workers of cultivating their land. The States concerned
are therefore called upon to meet their pledges to provide
the necessary sources of funding to complete the demining
program and get rid of those deadly bombs.”
Conventional
Weapons
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We wholeheartedly support ... measures against illicit
trafficking of conventional arms, including those that allow
effective monitoring of compliance with the UN embargoes.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Responsibility and solidarity are also basic pillars
of the international norms in disarmament, non-proliferation
and the fight against terrorism, be they traditional treaties
– such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or
newly established mechanisms like the Resolution 1540 (2004).
First, an essential obligation of each state is the responsibility
towards the effective and comprehensive implementation of
its commitments by promoting the necessary legal framework
as well as establishing appropriate mechanisms for verification
and control. Romania has enacted and continues to strengthen
several specific laws in order to translate into internal
regulations the prohibitions against the development, acquisition,
transfer and use of nuclear, biological, chemical (Weapons
of Mass Destruction/WMD), radiological weapons, and the restrictions
on conventional armaments.”
Depleted
Uranium
No references.
Disarmament
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“We are well-aware of the many challenges to peace
and security around the world. I am thinking of global terrorism,
and the enduring importance of disarmament and nonproliferation.”
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
23 September 2008
“However, if we look at the Organization’s progress
in fulfilling the primary purposes for which it was founded,
we must admit that in terms of eliminating war, achieving
disarmament and ensuring international security, we have failed.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“This year the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
celebrates its 40th anniversary. As a middle power and as
a long-standing member of the NPT, Australia is committed
to working with other nations towards the goal of the eventual
abolition of nuclear weapons. Australia—with our close
friend and partner Japan—has established an International
Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament to
create the political and policy consensus necessary to elicit
real result on non-proliferation and disarmament in advance
of the 2010 Review Conference.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, as well as strengthening of the
international treaty system should be a priority to all states,
as the list of risks and challenges to our common security
is, regrettably, a very long one. In this regard, the need
for a full and universal implementation of the Non-proliferation
Treaty regime is, and must remain, of utmost importance. The
same is true for the full implementation of the UN Program
of Action against the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons.”
H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“We share with him the need to prioritize the fight
for the eradication of poverty and to pay special attention
to relevant issues such as climate change, energy crisis,
terrorism, human rights, disarmament and nuclear control,
the rights of women and children, and the preservation of
biodiversity and of culture diversity.”
“Ecuador, whose foreign policy reflects its firm commitment
with disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, has not only adhered to international instruments
adopted in this issue but it also supports and executes all
actions issued from these instruments to achieve their effective
implementation. Regrettably, we are concerned by the fact
that there are countries that have no adhered to the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons while others,
which have adhered to it, are not complying with their obligations,
especially in regards to disarmament and destruction of their
arsenals.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The international approach to dealing with disarmament,
arms control and nonproliferation is marred with defects,
duality and regression that is disconcerting us. Egypt has
always shown great interest in these matters which is best
embodied in Egypt's invitation to rid the Middle East of all
weapons of mass destruction. Our interest in this matter is
based on our unwavering belief that security and military
balance, especially in conflict areas, contributes to laying
the solid foundations of peace between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. It is
notable that, unfortunately, prominent members of the international
community are unduly permissive with the issue of Israel's
nuclear capabilities and the extent to which it constantly
threatens the security of the Middle East. This occurs simultaneously
with the attempts of some to enhance the obligations encompassed
in international mechanisms without paying attention to the
issue of achieving universality for the NPT and subjecting
all nuclear facilities in the Middle East to the comprehensive
safeguards system of the IAEA. Egypt will, nonetheless, persist
in its endeavors, through existing mechanisms and forums,
and in coordination with friendly States that understand the
reality and danger of the situation, in order to change it,
and to warn of the threats posed by failing to achieve universality
for the NPT in the Middle East.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The same [multilateralism] applies to disarmament
policy. Only a global responsibility partnership can achieve
lasting results.”
H.E. Ms. Kinga Göncz, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Hungary’s geographic position, as well as our
expertise in ... disarmament and non-proliferation will serve
as a good basis for our effective contribution to the work
of this organization.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The opening of international civil nuclear cooperation
with India will have a positive impact on global energy security
and on efforts to combat climate change. This is a vindication
of India's impeccable record on non-proliferation and to our
longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament that is global,
universal and non-discriminatory in nature. The blueprint
for this was spelt out by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in this
very august assembly twenty years ago.”
“I reiterate India’s proposal for a Nuclear
Weapons Convention prohibiting the development, production,
stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and providing for their
complete elimination within a specified time frame.”
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
23 September 2008
“The time has come for the IAEA to present a clear
report to the international community on its monitoring of
the disarmament of these nuclear powers and their nuclear
activities, and for a disarmament committee to be established
by independent states to monitor the disarmament of these
nuclear powers.”
H. E. Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Creating a secure and stable world demands effective
arms control and disarmament, and the elimination of nuclear
weapons.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan
26 September 2008
“The government of Japan is currently preparing to
submit a draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear
weapons. I believe that there is no one who questions the
wholehearted commitment of the Japanese people to this issue.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Despite the efforts being undertaken, the world is
not becoming a safer place. We still have to admit that there
is no international consensus on issues of disarmament and
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Paradoxically,
the role of the nuclear factor as an element of global politics
does not decrease but on the contrary, becomes even more and
more important. The world is on the threshold of another round
of the arms race at a higher technological level.
“As known, history may repeat itself, if we do not
properly learn its lessons. Therefore, nuclear disarmament
and enhanced non-proliferation regimes should unconditionally
become a priority for all. Kazakhstan, the country that voluntarily
relinquished the fourth largest nuclear arsenal, believes
that it is absolutely imperative to develop new mechanisms
that would allow adapting the Treaty on Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons to the new realities.”
H. E. M. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The current difficult and complex situation in the
field of disarmament continues to be a cause of concern. We
recognize the threat posed by the permanent existence of nuclear
weapons and the possible use or threat to use them. It is
hence incumbent upon the nuclear States to honour their unequivocal
commitment to work towards the total elimination of nuclear
weapons. Renewed efforts are needed to resolve the impasse
in achieving nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation in all
its aspects.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“We believe in a peace and security environment that
combats … the fight against international terrorism,
drug and other international crimes; in disarmament, especially
the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of small
arms and light weapons.”
H.E. Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President
23 September 2008
“The context of our agreements with all armed groups
shall subscribe to the UN-recognized principle of demobilization,
disarmament and reintegration.”
H.E. Mr. Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems
pose a grave threat to international peace and security. We
must strengthen the disarmament and non-proliferation regimes,
including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Responsibility and solidarity are also basic pillars
of the international norms in disarmament, non-proliferation
and the fight against terrorism, be they traditional treaties
– such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or
newly established mechanisms like the Resolution 1540 (2004).
First, an essential obligation of each state is the responsibility
towards the effective and comprehensive implementation of
its commitments by promoting the necessary legal framework
as well as establishing appropriate mechanisms for verification
and control. Romania has enacted and continues to strengthen
several specific laws in order to translate into internal
regulations the prohibitions against the development, acquisition,
transfer and use of nuclear, biological, chemical (Weapons
of Mass Destruction/WMD), radiological weapons, and the restrictions
on conventional armaments. Second, there is a need for solidarity
and cooperation at regional and multilateral levels, so that
national measures and actions are recognized and implemented.
Romania has always shown interest and availability to work
together with all members of the international community in
this respect. The most recent proof is the contribution of
my country to the Seven Nations Initiative for nuclear disarmament
and non-proliferation, launched by Norway in 2005. Concrete
exampled of our involvement are the international seminar
on “How can the Black Sea Region Contribute to Improved
Global Security,” hosted by Bucharest in 2007, as well
as other activities aimed at promoting the objectives of this
cross-regional initiative.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
is the cornerstone of nonproliferation and the foundation
for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Sweden is strongly
committed to upholding and further strengthening existing
multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation obligations.
The nuclear powers have taken on special commitments within
the NPT process. In order not to undermine the treaty, they
must demonstrate their readiness to substantially reduce their
nuclear arsenals.”
H.E. Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The geographic happenstance that has placed the innocent
people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the path of
increasingly intense storms has also located us unfortunately
between the supply and demand that fuels much of the West’s
narcotics trade. As a result, our scarce resources are increasingly
being diverted to stem the tide of drugs and small arms flowing
through our region. To the people of Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, disarmament does not mean the eradication of nuclear
weapons, which we lack the will and resources to build, but
the elimination of small arms, which threaten to shoot holes
in the fabric of our democracy and compromise the values of
our civilisation. We are assailed by guns, which we do not
build; and by deadly narcotics such as cocaine, which we do
not produce. The United Nations must act to protect the innocent
victims of the world from the scourge of small arms and light
weapons.”
H.E. Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Caribbean also falls pretty to the nefarious trade
in narcotics, to which is linked the illegal proliferation
of small arms and light weapons. In an effort to confront
these challenges, we have concluded with out neighbors the
CARICOM Maritime and Air Space Security Cooperation Agreement
to protect our borders from illegal activities. We, however,
recognize the important role of the United Nations, as the
multilateral forum, in providing assistance in areas such
as capacity building to augment our own resources. For the
States of Caribbean, a critical aspect of disarmament is the
eradication of the illegal trade in small arms. Trinidad and
Tobago, therefore, calls for urgent action to compete the
work on the elaboration of an Arms Trade Treaty.”
Disarmament
Machinery
No references.
Fissile
Materials
No references.
Iran's
nuclear programme
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“I call again on Iran to comply with Security Council
resolutions and cooperate fully with the International Atomic
Energy Agency.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“We remain concerned that states such as Iran and North
Korea continue to defy the international community and fail
to comply with demands for a full declaration and accounting
of their nuclear programs. Their actions are undermining the
global consensus to contain the spread of nuclear weapons.”
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“With regard to the Iranian nuclear programme we are
convinced that the double-track approach is the best way forward.
At the same time, it is indispensable that Iran fully complies
with the relevant Security Council resolutions. In this context
we commend and strongly support the efforts of IAEA Director
General ElBaradei.”
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Kingdom of Bahrain therefore reiterates its call
for a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear file to avoid
the scourge of war, and to enhance world peace and stability.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“In this context, I would like to express our concern
over the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs. We fully
recognize the indispensable right of every country to exploit
nuclear power for civilian purposes, but we should act when
it could be diverted toward military purposes in breach of
international commitments.”
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
23 September 2008
“Europe is saying to Iran that it respects that country,
that Iran has the right to nuclear energy and that we will
explore all avenues of dialogue. But it is saying to Iran
with the same sincerity that it cannot accept a nuclear-armed
Iran which would endanger the peace and stability of an entire
region, nor can it tolerate Iran calling for the destruction
of the State of Israel.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“An Iran armed with nuclear weapons would pose a threat
to security in the Middle East and trigger off a nuclear arms
race. Therefore, Iran must put its cards on the table. We
have made our offer. The Iranian side’s delaying tactics
must not exhaust the patience of the international community.
We expect a clear signal from Iran indicating its willingness
to comply with the international community’s demands
and build confidence.”
H.E. Ms. Kinga Göncz, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The nuclear programme of Iran continues to be a matter
of serious concern for my Government. Iran has failed to provide
the international community with credible assurances whether
its nuclear projects are in line with its international obligations.
We deeply regret that the leadership of Iran has refused to
abide with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Only
full and unconditional compliance by the demand to suspend
its enrichment related and reprocessing activities can pave
the way for re-establishing confidence in the peaceful nature
of the Iranian nuclear programme and open up prospects for
intensified economic and political cooperation. We hope that
Iran will change its present course of confrontation and opt
for a constructive dialogue with its partners.”
H.E. Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The nuclear issue in Iran remains unresolved.”
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
23 September 2008
“With regard to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program,
despite the inalienable right of all nations including the
Iranian nation, in producing nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes,
and despite such facts as the transparency of all Iranian
activities and our country’s full cooperation with the
inspectors of the IAEA and the Agency’s repeated confirmation
of the fact that Iran’s activities are peaceful, a few
bullying powers have sought to put hurdles in the way of peaceful
nuclear activities of the Iranian nation by exerting political
and economic pressures against Iran, and also through threatening
and pressuring the IAEA. These are the same powers that produce
new generations of lethal nuclear arms and possess stockpiles
of nuclear weapons that no international organization is monitoring;
and, the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were perpetrated
by one of them.
“Indeed, they are not against weapons, but they oppose
other nations’ progress, and tend to monopolize technologies
and to use those monopolies in order to impose their will
on other nations. But it is very natural that the great Iranian
people, with their trust in God, and with determination and
steadfastness and with the support of its friends, will resist
the bullying and has defended and will continue to defend
its rights. The Iranian nation is for dialogue. But it has
not accepted and will not accept illegal demands.”
H.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President
24 September 2008
“Iran continues to develop enriched uranium and long
range missiles.... Tehran combines long range missiles and
short range minds.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“We thus call upon the Iranian Government to show the
highest sense of responsibility by promptly meeting the conditions
for a normal negotiation to reassure the international community
and the countries of the region.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, we believe that
every nation should exercise its right to the peaceful use
of nuclear energy. We in Jordan, strongly call for a peaceful
solution to this issue.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“While the State of Kuwait, stresses the right of all
states to produce, develop, use nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty,
it calls upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its
cooperation, with transparency, with the International Atomic
Energy Agency in order to dispel the fears doubts about the
nature of its nuclear program, also to address all outstanding
issues.”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“We are in particular concerned about our inability
to close the issue of the Iran nuclear program in a way that
would be considered by all to be in conformity with non-proliferation
regime.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“We face a growing danger of nuclear proliferation.
Iran is not the only case, though the most worrisome at present.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Treaty on the Non proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
guaranteed the right of all states in possessing nuclear technologies
for peaceful purposes. Much was said about the Iranian nuclear
issue, with some advocating a diplomatic solution and others
promoting the use of force. Meanwhile, Iran has time and again
stressed that it is solely dedicated to the peaceful uses
of nuclear power. Deep mistrust between Iran and its interlocutors
complicates matters and prevents stakeholders from reaching
an understanding. This is what we are trying to do. We are
seeking to arrive at a political understanding of the Iranian
nuclear issue. Any other option shall not be in the interest
of anyone and shall inflict catastrophic losses on the region
and the world.”
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gül, President
23 September 2008
“Finally, an urgent and peaceful settlement of the
question of Iran’s nuclear program in conformity with
the IAEA norms and NPT obligations, respecting the right to
peaceful use of nuclear energy, remains high on Turkey’s
active diplomatic agenda.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of
Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We also urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue
its collaboration with the IAEA and the international community,
so as to dispel concerns and suspicions related to the nature
and objectives of its nuclear programme. At the same time,
we urge other concerned parties to commit themselves to continue
the current political and diplomatic approach in tackling
this issue, within a framework of complete transparency and
avoiding any escalation, until such time as a peaceful solution
is achieved that is capable of providing peace and security
for the region and its peoples.”
H.E. Mr. George W. Bush, President
23 September 2008
“We must remain vigilant against proliferation –-
by fully implementing the terms of Security Council Resolution
1540, and enforcing sanctions against North Korea and Iran.
We must not relent until our people are safe from this threat
to civilization.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should also work to facilitate further progress
in the search for lasting peaceful solutions to the nuclear
issues on the Korean Peninsular and Iran on the basis of due
respect for both the legitimate rights of states to develop
and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the regime
of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
Landmines
H.E. Mr Ouch Borith, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“On the landmines and UXO issues, we are of the view
that landmines are not only a security problem but also a
humanitarian one, as the innocent victims become permanently
traumatized and physically handicapped, while their families
suffer untold misery of spiritual and material deprivation.
“Landmines and UXOs issues have been integrated in
our national agenda, such as in the ‘Cambodia Millennium
Development Goals’ (CMDGs), the National Strategic Development
Plan (NSDP), and the ‘Rectangular Strategy’ of
the Royal Government of Government in order to cope with this
challenging issue, Cambodia highly appreciates the valuable
contributions of both development partners and donors in terms
of financial and material support over the years.
“With our de-mining experiences and as part of our
contribution to international peace, security and development,
Cambodia has dispatched its third group of 135 De-miners of
the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to Sudan, for mine clearance
action under the umbrella of the UN Peacekeeping Operations.”
H.E. General Michel Sleiman, President
23 September 2008
“Obtaining all the maps of landmines and sites of cluster
bombs planted and left behind by Israel on Lebanese soil.
Their presence constitutes a direct threat to the civilian
population, especially children, and deprives the farmers
and workers of cultivating their land. The States concerned
are therefore called upon to meet their pledges to provide
the necessary sources of funding to complete the demining
program and get rid of those deadly bombs.”
H.E. Mr. Giadalla A. Ettalhi, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“The Ottawa Agreement concerning anti-personnel mines
should be reviewed. The agreement should also include the
concerns of many countries such as requiring the states, which
planted these mines to remove them and provide remedies for
all the inflicted damages, including the treatment of people
injured by those mines and compensating them, as well [as]
the rehabilitation of the damaged environment.
“Powerful states do not need anti-personnel mines to
defend themselves. Those mines are the means of weak states
to defend themselves. The powerful sates, therefore, which
guarantee their security against foreign invasion of their
lands, by strategic and fatal possess offensive weapons, and
can only use defensive weapons, the least of which are mines.”
Militarism/War/Arms
Race
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
23 September 2008
“In addition to the problem of hunger, poverty and
high food prices, there are many other problems whose human
origin can no longer be doubted. These include ... the arms
build-up, terrorism....”
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
25 September 2008
“Nowadays the unsettling expression 'Cold War' has
emerged again. I hold the view that the main task of this
63rd session should be a joint demand to unequivocally rule
out this kind of developments. The memories of the previous
'Cold War' are pretty much fresh, and its consequences are
still there.”
“If any country increases its military budget and brags
about it, if limitations on weapons stipulated by the international
agreements are being violated and done so openly, if a country
signed a cease-fire agreement, which constitutes an international
responsibility, but on nay occasions threatens to resume military
actions, it must receive a rapid and firm response.”
H.E. The Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
26 September 2008
“Escalating acts of crime and violence, civil unrest,
wars and internal conflicts around the world continue to threaten
our efforts to create a just and peaceful international environment.”
H.E. Mr. Phandu T.C. Skelemani, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“Mr. President, as we meet here, let us always remind
ourselves of the solemn commitments which we the people of
the world have undertaken to end war and human suffering.
Botswana calls upon all States especially the major powers
to set an example by refraining from the use of weapons in
resolving conflicts. Military confrontation is unfortunately
always a demonstration of either the failure of the will to
use diplomacy, or the urge to show off military superiority
and the inability to employ resources and technological advances
for the benefit of improving human lives.”
H.E. Mr. Óscar Arias Sánchez, President
24 September 2008
“Sixty years ago, an illustrious Costa Rican figure,
Jose Figueres, abolished my country’s army. What had
been the General Fortress of of the Costa Rican armed forces
is today a National Museum. Our children have never seen a
column of soldiers on the march; they know only the march
of columns of ants. No Costa Rican children know the difference
between this or that missile, between this or or that combat
plane, but they can distinguish among the trees of the forest
and the animals of the sea; they know the importance of the
water cycle, of wind energy, of rivers and of the sun. Ours
is a nation of peace among humans, but we also aspire to be
a nation of peace with all forms of life.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“The wars of conquest, the aggression and illegal occupation
of countries, military intervention and the bombing of innocent
civilians, the unbridled arms race, the pillage and usurping
of the Third World's natural resources and the imperial offensive
to crush the resistance of the peoples who are defending their
rights, constitute the greatest and most serious threats to
peace and international security.”
“Concepts such as limitation of sovereignty, preemptive
war or regime change, are an expression of the desire to mutilate
the independence of our countries. The so-called war on terrorism
or the false promotion of their freedoms, are an excuse for
aggression and military occupation, for torture, arbitrary
arrests and the denial of the right of self-determination
of peoples, for unfair blockades and unilaterally imposed
sanctions, for the imposition of political, economic and social
models that facilitate imperial domination, in open disdain
for history, cultures and the sovereign will of the peoples.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The military alliances ever in place in the Cold War
era are being further intensified and arms races of new forms
are taking place in Asia-Pacific, Europe and other different
regions.”
“...a series of reckless military maneuvers destabilizing
the regional situation such as strengthening of strategic
military alliances, massive shipment of state-of-the-art war
equipment and annual large-scale military exercises are being
conducted in and around the Korean peninsula. The “Ulji
Freedom Guardian” joint military exercise staged by
the United States and South Korea last August under the pretext
of what they called ‘preparation for emergency on the
Korean Peninsula’ was nothing more than a war drills
mounting a preemptive nuclear strike on the DPRK, to all intents
and purposes.”
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
23 September 2008
“Europe does not want war. It does not want a war of
civilizations. It does not want a war of religion. It does
not want a cold war. Europe wants peace, and peace is always
possible when one truly wants it.”
H.E. Ms. Tarja Halonen, President
23 September 2008
“Unfortunately, armed conflicts are still a reality
all over the world. Too often, we—the international
community—are unable to agree on a common response.
Too often, people affected by poverty and conflicts are let
down.”
H.E. Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili, President
23 September 2008
“The General Assembly, therefore, faces a General Challenge.
We are called upon not just to respond to the particular question
of one instance of armed aggression in a single place—but
to define our attitude toward armed aggression in all places.”
H.E. Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Even as we face the challenges of global warming
in the physical world, we must also deal with the reality
of a global chill in the politico-security field. Symptoms
of that chill are the military tensions that have taken place
in Eastern Europe. There is also a new arms race. There is
more military spending now than at the end of the Cold War.
Moreover, the conflict and tension of a year ago are still
with us.”
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
23 September 2008
“The never-ending arms race and the proliferation and
stockpiling of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction
and the threats to use them, and the establishment of missile
defense systems, have made the situation unstable.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jordan
29 September 2008
“I would like to add to that the challenges, which have
imposed upon us by the continuation of the military occupation
and denying people the right to their self-determination and
the right to free expression of its identity, and the growing
crisis of conflict between cultures, as well as the scourge
of international terrorism and extremism.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Despite the efforts being undertaken, the world is
not becoming a safer place. We still have to admit that there
is no international consensus on issues of disarmament and
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Paradoxically,
the role of the nuclear factor as an element of global politics
does not decrease but on the contrary, becomes even more and
more important. The world is on the threshold of another round
of the arms race at a higher technological level.”
H.E. Mr. Mohlabi K. Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Relations
27 September 2008
“Most importantly, let us not forget that the United
Nations Organization was born from the ashes of a devastating
world war. Indeed, the primary purpose of the United Nations
was and continues to be to eliminate future wars and to create
sustainable international security. But every year we witness
the emergence of new hotspots and designer wars, as some big
and powerful states resort more and more to the use of force.
Every time these states try to pursue the illusory goal of
imposing by force their will on others, they create more unstable
and more dangerous world.”
H.E. Mr. Marc Ravalomanana, President
23 September 2008
“We are facing a global food crisis, a global economic
crisis, and a global security crisis with war and political
hostilities spreading throughout the globe.… These global
crises are of such importance that they are threatening to
push the Millennium Development Goals into the margins of
our agenda. If we allowed this to happen, this would be a
major mistake. We have to remain focused on the achievement
of the MDGs. In doing so, we will also contribute to solving
some of these other complex global issues.”
“Many of the resources that have been dedicated to
achieving the MDGs are now being directed elsewhere. They
are used to reconstruct countries destroyed by wars and to
rehabilitate societies faltering as a result of social conflicts....
I understand that countries devastated by wars and other armed
conflicts ... need assistance.... What I do not understand,
however, is that these challenges sometimes offer reasons
for countries to abdicate on their promises of doubled aid
for education, health and infrastructure in order to achieve
the MDGs in developing countries, especially in Africa.”
H.E. Mr. Somduth Soborun, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“War, conflict and human rights violations are closely
co-related. Situations of conflict and war inevitably give
rise to violations of human rights and atrocities against
innocent civilians. Displacement and violent death continue
to be the lot of far too many in parts of the Middle East,
Africa and Asia.”
H.E. Mr Marcus Stephen, President
24 September 2008
“The United States military expansion in Guam provides
another opportunity for significant development assistance
to the Pacific.”
“Sixty three years after the United Nations was founded
on the noble ideals of establishing a peaceful, free, and
tolerant global order, the world community still suffers from
the scourges of war, poverty, oppression, and discrimination
together with facing the today’s colossal global challenges
that threaten our very existence.”
H.E. M. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The inertia of unipolar world ideology also revealed
itself in other spheres of international life, including unilateral
steps on AMD [anti-missile defense] and militarization of
outer space, attempts to bypass the parity in arms control
regimes, enlargements of politico-military blocs, and politicization
of the issues of access to energy resources and their transit.”
H.E. Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Mr. President, in recent months, I have been profoundly
troubled by the creeping return of cold war rhetoric to the
language of international and hemispheric discourse. In this
globalised and interconnected world, it is no longer possible
to divide the world in competing hemispheres, or to completely
quarantine ideological friend from foe. We must guard against
the return of discarded philosophies and learn from the recent
past, in which developing countries were used as pawns and
proxies for the hegemonic ambitions of others. Our multipolar
experiment is too young for the developing and globalizing
world to return to the old rhetoric and recriminations that
invariably blossom into violence and death, most often visited
on the peoples of developing countries. It is my sincere prayer
that this august body hews closely to the principles of multilateralism
and sovereign equality of all states, and resists any pressures
for the United Nations to devolve into a playground for the
triumphalist ambitions of presumptive superpowers.”
H.E. Mr. Fiorenzo Stolfi, Minister of Foreign and Political
Affairs and Economic Planning with functions of Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The United Nation’s role is of even greater
necessity given present international conditions, marked by
war between and inside nations. In fact as the 21st century
begins, we are witnessing a series of new conflicts even more
driven by economic interests – clashes of civilizations,
both ethical and religious, that often occur within the same
country.”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The world is unfortunately full of disputes, conflicts
and crises. We consistently support their solution by negotiations
and peaceful means with a central role of the UN, based on
full respect for the principles of international law, notably
those of sovereignty and territorial integrity and reject
use of force and unilateral action.”
H.E. Mr. Derek Sikua, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“This year our multilateral institution is being revisited
by history and challenged by the changing international system.
Unilateralism and changing postures by big powers is creating
a new global order. New fronts are created is Asia, the Pacific,
and Eastern Europe coupled with the ongoing conflicts in the
Middle East and in parts of Africa. Above all, the arms race
is no longer a threat, but a reality.”
H.E. Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
24 September 2008
“With the promulgation of the UN Charter to save succeeding
generations from the tragedy of war, at least the major threat
of intercontinental war seems to have receded.”
Military
Spending/Disarmament and Development
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
23 September 2008
“More than half the world's people languish in hunger
and poverty while at the same time more and more money is
spent on weapons, wars, luxuries and totally superfluous and
unnecessary things.”
H.E. Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister of External Relations
26 September 2008
“Armed conflicts continue to absorb resources from
both the international community and the parties involved.
These resources are better for the well being of the populations
in affected territories.”
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
25 September 2008
“If any country increases its military budget and brags
about it, if limitations on weapons stipulated by the international
agreements are being violated and done so openly, if a country
signed a cease-fire agreement, which constitutes an international
responsibility, but on nay occasions threatens to resume military
actions, it must receive a rapid and firm response.”
H.E. Mr. Óscar Arias Sánchez, President
24 September 2008
“World military spending has reached $3.3 billion per
day, but international aid continues to reach the poorest
countries at a snail’s pase, while failing to reach
middle-income countries altogether.”
“Governments can indirectly hurt their peoples in many
ways, one of which is excessive military spending. Particularly
in developing nations, every long-range missile, every helicopter
gunship, every tank, is a symbol of postponed attention to
the needs of our people.
“On a planet where one-sixth of the population lives
on less than a dollar a day, spending $1.2 trillion on arms
and soldiers is an offense and a symbol of irrationality,
because the security of a satisfied world is more certain
that the security of an armed world. Latin America does not
escape this phenomenon. Last year, Latin American military
spending reached $39 billion, in a region that has never been
more peaceful or democratic.
“I know no greater perversion of values, and no greater
misplacement of priorities. With a small percentage of world
military spending, we could give potable water to all of humanity,
equip all homes with electricity, achieve universal literacy,
and eradicate all preventable diseases. I’m not talking
about a utopia of a world without arms. Unfortunately, that
is an idea whose time has not yet come. I am talking about
tiny percentages of an expenditure that could be reduced without
damaging countries’ ability to defend themselves—particularly
developing countries.
“That’s why my government has presented the Costa
Rica Consensus, an initiative that would create mechanisms
to forgive debts and use international financial resources
to support developing nations that spend more on environmental
protections, education, health care and housing for people,
and less on arms and soldiers. I am convinced this will bring
us greater development, greater security and greater peace
than all the money we now set aside for our armies. I humbly
ask you today to support this initiative.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“While a trillion of dollars is spent on weapons in
the world, more than 850 million human beings are starving;
1.1 billion people don't have access to drinking water, 2.6
billion lack sewage services and more than 800 million are
illiterate. More than 640 million children tack adequate housing,
115 million do not attend primary school and 10 million die
before the age of five, in most cases as the result of diseases
that can be cured.”
“Cuba once again calls on the governments of the developed
countries, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned countries,
to honor their commitments and, in particular, Cuba urges
them to ... Put an end to the wars of occupation and to the
plunder of the resources of the Third World countries and
to free up at least a part of their millions in military spending
to direct those resources towards international assistance
for the benefit of sustainable development.”
H.E. Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Even as we face the challenges of global warming
in the physical world, we must also deal with the reality
of a global chill in the politico-security field. Symptoms
of that chill are the military tensions that have taken place
in Eastern Europe. There is also a new arms race. There is
more military spending now than at the end of the Cold War.
Moreover, the conflict and tension of a year ago are still
with us.”
Missiles/Delivery
Systems
H.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President
24 September 2008
“Iran continues to develop enriched uranium and long
range missiles.... Tehran combines long range missiles and
short range minds.”
H.E. Mr. Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems
pose a grave threat to international peace and security. We
must strengthen the disarmament and non-proliferation regimes,
including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
and their means of delivery continues to pose a serious threat
to international peace and security.”
Missile
Defense
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
23 September 2008
“The never-ending arms race and the proliferation and
stockpiling of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction
and the threats to use them, and the establishment of missile
defense systems, have made the situation unstable.”
H.E. M. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The inertia of unipolar world ideology also revealed
itself in other spheres of international life, including unilateral
steps on AMD [anti-missile defense] and militarization of
outer space, attempts to bypass the parity in arms control
regimes, enlargements of politico-military blocs, and politicization
of the issues of access to energy resources and their transit.”
Multilateralism
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
29 September 2008
“Call it compassion. Call it brotherhood and sisterhood.
Call it stewardship. Call it solidarity. The idea is the same
in all parts of the world. We owe it to each other. We owe
it to Mother Earth, who is struggling to survive our abuses.
We owe it to succeeding generations. Let us join forces to
assure that we rise to these challenges together, setting
aside our petty differences. We can, we must make a difference
in the months ahead.”
H.E. Mr. Bamir Topi, President
24 September 2008
“Please allow me to confirm the commitment of Albania
to a strong and coherent United Nations, capable to successfully
tackle the new challenges, which we are actually facing. We
fully support the joint initiatives and actions aimed at strengthening
collective peace and security in order to reach the sustainable
and long-term development, to promote human rights and international
cooperation, dialogue and consensus.”
“The causes of this crisis are numerous and complex
and as such they demand a multi-level coherent and well coordinated
response.”
“Albania pays particular attention to the strengthening
of multilateral regional relations.”
“The global fight against terrorism, especially through
guaranteeing an effective response to this collective threat
requires the United Nations to continue to play a very important
role. Albania has very actively met its obligations and responsibilities
in the global fight against terrorism in compliance to the
United Nations General Assembly Strategy against Terrorism,
which was unanimously passed on September 8th, 2006.”
“Challenges such as the fight against terrorism, organized
crime, arms proliferation and border management have an interlinked
character and can only be overcome through joint actions,
initiatives and commitment. We will continue to the play same
constructive role to our benefit and to that of the whole
region.”
H.E. The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister,
Chair of G77 and China group
25 September 2008
“The Sixty-third Session of the General Assembly is
taking place against a backdrop of escalating challenges to
international peace and security; unalleviated poverty and
diminishing food supplies for much of the world's population;
mega disasters induced by climate change; and impending meltdown
in the world's largest economy, These times and circumstances
call for a heightened sense of urgency and a stronger will
among all nations to work with and through the United Nations
in embracing multilateralism in the fullest sense.”
“I firmly believe that the United Nations would be
a more potent entity and the world could be an infinitely
better place if the next President of the United States, in
his inaugural address, gave an irrevocable commitment to multilateralism,
in all its dimensions.”
“The United Nations - and more broadly the international
community - has spent much time and other resources over two
decades identifying, defining and coming to common understanding
on major challenges to the global society. We have passed
resolutions and declarations in which we have defined the
challenges, identified the resources needed and resolved and
committed to meeting and overcoming the challenges as a global
community through international cooperation, In some cases,
we have agreed and set binding timeframes to achieve results.
Many of these commitments, time tables and proposals for action
have been repeated in annual resolutions of the General Assembly.
Unfortunately, many have become more technically complicated
and with less and less political commitment to unified and
mutually reinforcing irnplementation action.”
“Mr. President, we recognize that each country has
the primary responsibility for its development. However, the
international community must create a conducive, sustainable,
fair and predictable environment and provide the necessary
policy space to stimulate and facilitate the discharge of
this responsibility. We must all move immediately into implementation
mode - a mode where our focus is on how to do rather than
how not to do. We have some important strategic opportunities
ahead to begin to do so.”
H.E. Ms. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President
23 September 2008
(From the English summary) Continuing, she called
for reform of multilateral organizations, including for the
United Nations and international financial organizations. It
is necessary to recreate the “lost multilateralism”
that had given way to a far more insecure world. The United
Nations must be “reformulated”, and bring results
to its activities. Argentina had shown that it was possible
to create multilateralism above regional differences, she
said, explaining that it had participated in a multilateral
exercise in which Heads of State were able to develop a resolution
to help Bolivia. Indeed, the exercise of multilateralism
was not just a speech for today; it was a concrete policy
that was showing results in “emerging regions”.
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
25 September 2008
“We continue to respond to the horizontal, netlike
challenges of today such as terrorism, international crime,
drug trafficking and others, through the institutions which
are envisaged predominantly to smooth over the controversies
among the states. Regional cooperation can become one of the
essential means to address these new challenges.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The United Nations, and we its member states, have
a responsibility to protect the nations and the people of
the world. We must protect people from terrorism. And this
must include commitment to support those nations in the frontline
of the struggle. Australia is working closely with the Government
of Afghanistan and our global partners to bring security and
stability to Afghanistan. We can never again allow that nation
to become a haven for terrorists.”
“Our membership of the United Nations is a key pillar
of our foreign policy. Our priorities are regional, but our
interests are global. We work with partners around the world
to meet shared challenges. Through our membership of the United
Nations, we are committed to using creative middle power diplomacy
to help overcome the great challenges of our age. Challenges
which lie beyond the power of individual nation states to
resolve. Challenges which can only be solved by unprecedented
cooperation between states.”
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“A sense of shared responsibility and true partnership
based on equality are the key qualities that must guide us
in our efforts to meet these challenges.”
“Small and medium-sized countries have a specific interest
in an international system based on effective multilateralism
and the rule of law. They form the backbone of the United
Nations. They can make a difference and act as driving force
on many issues beneficial to the world community.”
“Since joining the United Nations more than 50 years
ago Austria has constantly worked for multilateral solutions
to global challenges. Our candidature for a non-permanent
seat on the United Nations Security Council is one expression
of our determination to serve the World Organization. This
is the most important responsibility that can be entrusted
to a member of the United Nations. We stand ready to assume
this responsibility and ask you for your support. We will
work for common solutions to our common global challenges
in a sense of true partnership.”
H.E. M. Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign
Affairs
27 September 2008
“The effectiveness of international security system
impacts on the authority of the United Nations. When the agreement
among the Security Council members on the approaches to overcome
the challenges to the world peace seems elusive, then it seriously
impacts on the common security and credibility of the United
Nations. We shall respect our shared values and accept the
restraints inherent in those values in order to find an approach
that is based on a global consensus. The UN Security Council
shall fully realize its primary responsibility for the collective
management of threats that transcends national boundaries
and have implications on international security. All of us
must strictly follow the UN Charter as a unique instrument
of international relations.”
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The fact is that multilateral cooperation is fundamental
to addressing these challenges, as no country alone can solve
such issues and crises, nor isolate itself from their consequences.”
H.E. Mr. David Thompson, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance,
Economic Affairs and Development, Labour, Civil Service and
Energy
26 September 2008
“And finally, because we are a small responsible member
of the international community, and we believe in the positive
role that small states can play in advancing the cause of
international peace and equitable economic and social development,
we rededicate ourselves to the building of an international
system that operates on the principle of multilateralism and
that respects the sovereign equality of all states and the
tenets of genuine non-alignment.”
H.E. Mr. Andrei Dapkuinas, Permanent Representative of Belarus
to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“Progress in ensuring greater role and authority of
the General Assembly and enhancing its impact on world affairs
could be possible only when every Member State would be sure
of its modest but positive contribution to the tackling of
global problems receiving an attentive and unbiased consideration
by the Assembly.”
H.E. Mr. Wilfred P. Elrington, Attorney General, Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
29 September 2008
“What Gordon Brown speaks to and what many of the leaders
in this General Debate have highlighted is the global leadership
challenge we face. In addressing this challenge, we would
propose that we must first examine how our multilateral institution
function. Belize holds the view that the way forward is for
the United Nations to concentrate its efforts on convincing
the leaders and peoples of the developed world that the security,
development and wellbeing of all peoples of the world affords
the best guarantee for their own safety, security and development
and ultimately their very survival.”
“We are still soldiers in the battle for Freedom, Equality
and Justice. But in fighting that battle we no longer need
the crude instruments of war. We have instead as our weapon
the power of the rule of law, cooperation and friendship between
peoples and nations, and an abiding faith in multilateralism.”
H.E. Mr. Phandu T.C. Skelemani, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“Mr. President, as the international community, we
have the collective responsibility to equip and optimally
use our multilateral body, the United Nations, to search for
fair and just solutions to global problems, in order to contribute
to the betterment of all humanity.
“The United Nations is today more than ever before
required to respond effectively and swiftly, to the complex
challenges of the 21st century. Conflicts, poverty, disease,
natural and man-made disasters, climate change, energy, terrorism,
are among a myriad of pressing problems that confront humanity
and require an urgent global response. It is, thus, imperative
that we continue to make concerted efforts to address these
challenges in pursuit of a better tomorrow. The magnitude
of these challenges clearly requires multilateral strategies
and solutions.”
H.E. Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President
23 September 2008
“...the multilateral system must be overhauled to meet
the challenges of the 21st century.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Effective multilateralism requires an intensive partnership
between UN and regional organizations.”
“Different forms of regional, subregional and transborder
cooperation may serve as building blocks of a comprehensive
collective security system. Peace and stability are well-rooted
when local communities and immediate neighbors live in harmony.
This philosophy guided the recent Bulgarian chairmanship of
the South East European Cooperation Process. Regional cooperation
in South East Europe has gained momentum recently. South East
Europe is on its way to turn from an area recovering from
war to a thriving and dynamic region. In the last twelve months
a whole new architecture of interaction came into being, connecting
the countries of the region to the rest of Europe and the
international community.”
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
25 September 2008
“It is therefore an urgent necessity to act rapidly
and collectively. We believe an appropriate response to this
situation lies in ensuring coordination at the highest level.”
“Our continent is, unfortunately, not also spared by
the threat of terrorism which has henceforth taken a global
dimension. I am convinced that only global and resolute action
will help address this issue. Cameroon will contribute its
quota as necessary.”
H. E. Mr. Leonard Edwards, Deputy Foreign Minister
29 September 2008
“These challenges require collective and cooperative
strategies. They cannot be tackled by any one country acting
alone. That is why we much redouble our efforts to make the
United Nations more effective and efficient so that it can
deliver real results.”
H.E. Mr. Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“The world grows in complexity with its multiple challenges
and numerous risks and uncertainties. This state of affairs
calls for increased multilateralism, more collective responsibility
and greater cooperation. In short, it demands and expects
more and better from the United Nations.”
“We also have failed to build security and trust among
all and for all, large and small, rich and poor. Without security,
without social stability, without political and institutional
cohesiveness and above all, without mutual trust among the
international political actors, it is difficult to further
the premises that may contribute ensuring a solution for major
global problems...”
H.E. Army General François Bozizé, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“In this era of interdependence among states, the prime
solution would appear to be the absolute need for a collective
decision making forum and an instrument for rapid action.
This is the vision indeed which the founders of our Organization
had in 1945 but it must be recognized today that there are
limitations to the various institutions which make up the
United nations and to agree on the need for reform in order
to turn it into an instrument which is much more effective
to implement the MDGs and to seek for peace, the kind of peace
which fits the current situation.
“My country is convinced of the importance of genuine
democratization of the United Nations System, in this connection,
particular attention should paid to the functioning of the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, as well
as the Bretton Woods institutions, and the General Assembly.
If together we take the courageous decision to implement this
ambitious project, we would win the wager of providing the
world with an ideal structure which is able to tackle all
international questions; this is an opportunity to build a
world that is more secure, more equitable, more balanced and
freer for all peoples.”
H.E. Dr. Michelle Bachelet, President
24 September 2008
“We have set an example of how multilateral commitment
should be understood. It is a commitment forged in the diversity
of political projects but based on shared values such as democracy,
peace and defence of human rights.”
“[The La Moneda Summit] tells us that the values of
democracy, dialogue, human rights and peace are becoming stronger
than ever in Latin America.... It tells us that these values,
in addition to being widely shared by the citizens, are becoming
entrenched in multilateralism, in institutions and international
law. All the more reason, then, that we should feel obligated
to cooperate in the building of a better world.”
H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council
24 September 2008
“Given the global nature of issues threatening the
survival and development of mankind [sic] such as ... the
spread of terrorism ... no country can expect to stay away
from the difficulties or handle the problems all by itself.”
H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie
29 September 2008
“We reaffirm here that the United Nations offers to
us the ideal framework to work together in search of solutions
that bring in durable impact. This is the sense underlying
our constant attachment to multilateralism.”
“It is largely due to these regional efforts and to
the support of other bilateral and multilateral partners that
the Central African Republic, to cite as an example our neighboring
country, is working towards bring[ing] back peace and security
through the virtues of dialogue between the Government and
the rebel movements.”
“Our attachment to multilateralism makes us believe
that there is a pressing need to pursue the work of the United
Nations reform, and particularly, that of the Security Council.”
H.E. Dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“It reminds us of the constant need for an effective
multilateral effort to address global challenges, and to maintain
and build peace in a range of conflict zones and post-conflict
societies, searching for solutions within the rule based international
order, through the promotion of freedom, democracy, development
and the respect for human rights.”
“This is a commitment that Croatia and its people accepted
even before our independence. A commitment to strengthen international
cooperation through effective multilateral organizations for
advancing peace and security, facilitating development combating
poverty, protecting our environment, eradicating diseases
and promoting public health.”
“As a member of the Security Council, Croatia will
continue to work as a responsible and dedicated partner in
the common effort to maintain and build peace through the
promotion of human rights and democracy, the fight for the
eradication of poverty and injustice, and the advancement
of effective multilateralism. In this Croatia will be guided
by a sense of responsibility, solidarity and good faith. We
hold that effective multilateral action, including with regional
organizations, is our best guarantee in safeguarding these
values.”
“We are also aware of the fact that the failure to
address these issues in a multilateral context of cooperation
could lead us into old paradigms of confrontation.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“Cuba once again calls on the governments of the developed
countries, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned countries,
to honor their commitments and, in particular, Cuba urges
them to ... [establish] a democratic and equitable international
order, and a fair and transparent trading system where all
States will participate, in sovereignty, in the decisions
that affect them.”
“We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures
in violation of International Law, and attempts to implant
a single model for a political, economic and social system.
We object to the negative practices of certifying countries
according to the patterns and interests of the powerful. We
strongly oppose political manipulation and the application
of double standards in the matter of human rights, and we
reject the selective imposition of politically motivated resolutions
against the member countries of the [Non-Aligned] Movement.”
H.E. Mr. Dimitris Christofias, President
24 September 2008
“Maintaining the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy
and strengthening the relevance of the United Nations is one
of the cornerstones of the foreign policy of Cyprus since
its Independence in 1960.”
“Small states have higher stakes in multilateral diplomacy
and in a fair and functional system of collective security
based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect
of territorial integrity.”
“Our world faces many problems which are increasingly
becoming more complex. It is our conviction that these problems
can be solved and new threats can be prevented only through
effective multilateral collective action.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The reality of today requires all member states to
pool their efforts together for the building of a just, peaceful
and prosperous world as a matter of priority as they have
pledged through the UN Millennium Declaration.”
“It is also imperative to hold in check the attempts
of some individual countries to address critical international
issues related to world peace and security solely for their
own interests.”
H.E. Ambassador Carsten Staur, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“Global challenges call for global responses. The best
way to deal with global issues is through an effective and
strong multilateral system – through a strong United
Nations system.”
“In the are of development, in the area of peace and
security, in the area of human right – and in the many
areas that transcend borders. But this can only be addressed
through multilateral cooperation, like counter-terrorism,
non-proliferation, pandemics – and climate change. Multilateralism
is our only response to the challenges, risks and opportunities
of an interdependent and globalized world.”
H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“My country is convinced that the strengthening of
the multilateral system is an imperative in the current world.
We have no other option to guarantee peace and security in
the world, than to renew our political decision of making
serious efforts to advance in the debate on the reform of
the United Nations system and, particularly, of the Security
Council.”
“We need to urgently build a multilateral system that
respond promptly and effective to current challenges and that
truly exercises fundamental principles international law,
such as the sovereign equality of the States.”
“Ecuador is convinced that the multilateral system,
as opposed to the unipolar system, is the only way the world
has to overcome the problems it faces, and above all to guarantee
the wellbeing of the peoples and international peace and security.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Egypt believes that all those challenges and others
constitute high priorities for us on the international agenda.
Their diagnosis and treatment require a concerted international
effort. We must all be fully aware that the path of our common
salvation from these problems lies in our collective diagnosis
and our united stand in confronting them. We are in need of
a new approach, a new vision and a new method in dealing with
global problems. Unfortunately, the existing frameworks have
proven unable to deal successfully with the challenges under
consideration.”
H.E. Mr Elías Antonio Saca González, Presiden
24 September 2008
“We must think about the role that the United Nations
should play in the role of sustainable development. What the
member states need is a modern organization, a strong organization
with the institutions that are able to effectively face the
challenges of the international situation. With this in mind,
El Salvador would like to reiterate its support to the process
of reforms within the Organization so that we are able to
fulfill the principle of the Organization as it was created
in 1945 particularly today when we are faced with threats
in the world, threats against peace, security, human rights
and international cooperation which are fundamental pillars
of development. As part of this effort, the reform of the
Security Council is of particular relevance. In that respect
we would like to stress, that changes should be made to make
the institution more democratic, representative and transparent
in order to adapt to the current international situations.”
H.E. Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The perplexing feature of this overarching and negative
development is the emergence of ‘management by crisis’
as a new tool of policy promotion. These days, candid efforts
are not exerted to prevent and manage conflicts. On the contrary,
crises are deliberately spawned and allowed to fester so that
their ‘management’ would provide the United States
with the opportunity and latitude for control in a situation
of permanent instability. The absence of countervailing forces
in a uni-polar world has only aggravated the situation. Principal
among these is the weakness of the United Nations to pursue
an independent line and act as a bulwark of robust multilateralism.”
“The perils of unchecked uni-polarism have become glaringly
obvious in the past years. This reality can only accentuate
the need for bolstering the United Nations, to make it a democratic
and a robust institution of multilateralism through prolonged
and concerted collective efforts.”
H.E. Mr. Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Terrorism is a scourge that impedes peace and development
in any part of the world. As its occurrence in any form threatens
global security at large, Ethiopia believes that it should
be addressed collectively. In this regard, we attach great
significance to the value of dialogue among civilizations
to build a culture to enable us to create closer understanding
among nations, all nations.”
“Ethiopia remains committed, Mr. President, to the
UN reform process and its revitalization. This is critical
for the credibility of the UN and for the future of multilateralism.
As a founding member of the UN, Ethiopia will always remain
loyal to its purposes and principles. The UN is the custodian
of multilateral diplomacy. At no time since the Second World
War has multilateralism and genuine co-operation been as critical
as it is today. This is why we continue to need the UN as
never before. It is a body that remains vital for the future
of us all, developing and developed countries, alike.”
H.E. Mr. Omar A. Touray, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The legitimacy of multilateralism, that lies at the
core of United Nations system, is being increasingly questioned.
Yes, with the launching of the former Secretary-General report,
‘In Larger Freedom; Towards Development, Security and
Human Rights for All’, a lot of reforms are taking place
and are still taking place. However, the question is, ‘Is
it enough’?”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The end of the East-West confrontation in the early
nineties seemed to mark the dawn of a new age of effective
multilateralism, while the United Nations seemed to be on
the threshold of a great renaissance. Disillusionment has
now set in—quicker and more profoundly than we had feared....
The world is clearly searching for a ‘new order’;
and multilateralism does not always seem to be the first choice
in this quest.”
“It is now generally accepted that we can only master
the new challengs of the 21st century such as ... terrorism,
if we act together.”
“The same [multilateralism] applies to disarmament
policy. Only a global responsibility partnership can achieve
lasting results.”
“East against West, North against South: this is yesterday’s
thinking. It no longer has a place in today’s world.
For to resolve the problems of today and tomorrow, we all
need more partners and not more opponents. The 21st century
is the first in which we can only resolve problems if we work
together.”
H.E. Mr. John Agyekum, President
24 September 2008
“It is by [the United Nations] that the world will
eventually come by peace, stability and prosperity, after
the menacing flux that engulfs all of us now.”
H.E. Mr. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“I can assure you that Grenada intends to pursue its
external relations based on the principle of mutual respect.
Thus, we will be an active participant in multilateral debates
on current issues.”
H.E. Mr Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President
24 September 2008
“My presence barely a few months after having assumed
the Presidency of my country underlines our commitment with
the United Nations and with multilateralism.”
“It is evident that in a world changing at an astonishing
speed we need to think permanently of adapting the United
Nations to address not only secular challenges but also emerging
ones.… The General Assembly is the appropriate place
where we can exchange views on the nature of the problems
we face and offer guidance on how to address them; down the
road, the operational arms of the Organization an its specialized
agencies must help member states in implementing concrete
actions.... We recognize the imperative of adapting the Organization
to present circumstances in the world, at the level of the
intergovernmental for a – particularly the Security
Council – and at the level of the Secretariat.”
H.E. Mr. João Bernardo Vieira, President of the Republic
of Guinea-Bissau
25 September 2008
“We support the efforts of the Secretary General with
the view to increasing the capacity of our organization in
the maintenance of peace, in addressing global issues and
as well as his proposal to introduce in the Secretariat in
particular new working methods based not only in the recognition
of individuals competence but also putting emphases on team
work.”
“The international Community must react to all these
challenges. But, how can we succeed without close cooperation
among all the countries of the world? ... Our main goals should
be to foster dialog in all occasions and circumstances. Dialog
among countries, Peoples, Cultures, Religions and Civilizations
of the world.... It is only through dialog that we will be
able to identify our differences and find solutions of common
interest.... Dialog and negotiations at the international
level to prevent and solve conflicts like in the Middle East
and to Preserve the Lives of Human Being in danger, in Darfur
and in Somalia for example.”
“Although it is confronted with complex international
situation the international community has ways of facing these
challenges. However, a real political will is needed from
ail of us. The United Nations can play even a more decisive
roll in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in protecting
our planets and in creating better living conditions for millions
of people.”
H.E. Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President
23 September 2008
“Guyana remains committed to the principle of multilateralism
and to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.
Especially sacrosanct for us is the inviolability of and the
respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all
Member States and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means.”
H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“The ‘we the peoples’ who formed the United
Nations conceived the responsibility to protect to serve as
the core basis for the United Nations. The founding leaders
believed that the responsibility to protect would consist
not primarily in the use of force to restore peace and human
rights, but above all, in States coming together to detect
and denounce the early symptoms of every kind of crisis and
mobilize the attention of governments, civil society and public
opinion to find the causes and offer solutions.”
H.E. Ms. Kinga Göncz, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Our strategy, as well as our policies and actions
demonstrate our commitment to uphold the rule of international
law, to give priority to an effective multilateralism, to
spread the culture of cooperation and peaceful settlement
of international disputes, and to work towards preserving
a liveable and sustainable environment for future generations.”
H.E. Mr. Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of the Republic of
Iceland
26 September 2008
“It is perhaps an oversimplification to speak of a
contest between multilateralism and unilateralism in international
affairs. These different approaches frequently overlap, but
it is clear that when an effective multilateral option is
available, it will always be the preferred choice for most
countries, especially smaller countries like mine. This should
inspire us to make the UN a forum which can deliver substantive
results, in accordance with international law, in order to
ensure that unilateral actions on issues of major significance
become less likely.”
“Above all, the Nordic countries have shown unwavering
commitment to multilateral cooperation and the rule of law.
If elected as a member of the UN Security Council, Iceland
will continue in this strong tradition.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The United Nations is the embodiment of our faith
in the benefits of collective action and of multilateral approaches
in resolving global issues.”
“The United Nations is a living symbol of pluralism.
It has weathered many storms. It is the vehicle through which
our combined will and efforts to address global challenges
must be articulated and implemented. Unless we rise to the
task, we would bequeath to succeeding generations a world
of diminishing prospects.”
H.E. Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The sovereignty of states must be preserved if there
is to be a democratic spirit in international relations. This
is essential—because without democracy, a world organization
like the United Nations cannot be effective. Indeed, the failure
of the Security Council to come to grips with challenges to
global security is due largely to the fact that it is not
democratic enough.”
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“Achieving stability and prosperity demands strengthening
the scope of cooperation between all nations of the world
while working to establish proportionate relations between
countries, in addition to the development of a global system
to become more justified to assist poor and developing countries
and increase the support from rich countries in order to enhance
development programs in poor and developing countries.”
H. E. Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
of Ireland
29 September 2008
“In this new century, when we speak of the ‘international
community’, it cannot be as a vague platitude or as
a faceless scapgoat. Global challenges confront us—climate
change, economic turbulence, food and energy security, HIV/AIDS
and terrorism among them. We can either be an international
community passively divided and at the mercy of those forces,
or we can be a community in the true sense—of active
participants united by our sense of mutual solidarity, our
common sense of justice, our common desire for a better and
peaceful future and a shared commitment to international law
and to human rights of all. The United Nations is the indispensable
framework for realising the potential of that community, as
it has shown again and again. Ireland is proud to have played
its distinctive part in that history and we are absolutely
committed to playing a full part in its future.”
“The vision of all our peoples, of a peaceful and secure
world, with justice, human rights and dignity for all, can
be realised only in cooperation with others of like mind.
For Ireland’s part, we are determined not to be a passive
member of this formal community of nations.”
“It is only by such a commitment, by each of us and
through this body, that we can make the international community
more than the sum of its parts, more than the sum of its fears,
and instead make it what it was meant to be when the United
Nations was established—the sum of all our hopes.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Effective multilateral cooperation built on shared
responsibility is vital to tackling the main threats to our
safety and security, including terrorism and the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. Mr. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Jamaica is concerned that political instability in
many parts of the world, often fueled by extremism and intolerance,
continues to threaten regional and international peace and
security. They are neither limited in scope nor confined to
national borders. Resolving these conflicts requires effective
diplomacy and global cooperation and the United Nations must
continue to use its good offices to secure just and peaceful
settlements.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“That leads me to say that China and the Republic of
Korea are each important partners for Japan and countries
with which Japan must seek to increase mutual benefits and
shared interests. Japan must promote multilayered cooperation
with both of these countries as well as with ASEAN. Together,
we must enhance the peace and prosperity of the East Asian
region, and beyond, the world peace and prosperity.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The most important work being carried out by the United
Nations for our region, the Middle East, is that it was and
still is the custodian of the international law. It governs
the international relations and it is the standard by which
we measure progress made in our international community on
one hand, and forms the objective approach of maintaining
international peace and security, on the other hand.”
H.E. Mr. Mwai Kibaki, President
23 September 2008
“We have over the years discussed the need for a more
effective and accountable United Nations that will enable
us to address the emerging and persistent global challenges
such as climate change, international security, poverty, conflicts
and economic disparities.”
“I wish to note that the challenges facing us today,
such as the global food crisis, attaining the MDGs, and climate
change more than ever before require coordinated global and
multilateral cooperation. A more effective and accountable
United Nations is therefore needed to meet and overcome these
challenges.”
H.E. Mr Anote Tong, President
25 September 2008
“The challenges we face are global in nature and thus
require global solutions. We call upon the UN to take the
lead in addressing these challenges, especially in funding,
supporting and facilitating the implementation of practical
solutions to the security challenges that threaten the very
existence of peoples and nations, which in turn pose a threat
to international peace and security.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“These challenges, in addition to security challenges,
such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
and the violation of human rights, pose a serious threat to
international peace and security, meeting them require prompt,
collective, united and firm action under the umbrella of the
United Nations.”
H. E. M. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The Lao PDR is of the belief that the United Nations
remains an important and preeminent forum for addressing issues
relating to international cooperation for economic development,
peace and security, and human rights and the rule of law,
based on dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building amongst
States. For over half a century, the UN has played a crucial
role in maintaining international peace and security and promoting
the socio-economic advancement of member States, especially
developing countries.”
H.E. Mr. Valdis Zatlers, President
24 September 2008
“Effective multilateralism requires combining greater
awareness of the nature of risks we face with contemporary
understanding of how international politics are forged today.
International organizations are only one part of our global
system—and often this parties most resistant to change.
It is regrettable that enthusiasm and momentum generated during
the World Summit 2005 in reforming this universal international
body has somewhat faded.”
“We live in a world with a deteriorating security,
growing population, consequences of climate change, and market
turbulences, aggravated by the high energy and food prices.
We need a deeper engagement with the risks we face globally.
This requires a new commitment to our values and willingness
to work for an international system that has a vision of the
future at its heart. I wish this to become the driving force
for all the work of this 63rd session of the General Assembly.”
H.E. Ms. Rita Kieber-Beck, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Indeed, it is the United Nations that gives hope to
people around the globe; and it is the United Nations that
gives political leaders a unique tool to solve problems and
to settle conflicts.... we must keep turning to the United
Nations to solve our problems together and to protect those
most in need and danger. We applaud the Secretary-General
and the dedicated UN personnel for their hard work. Nevertheless;
The organization is sometimes marred in bureaucracy, inefficiency
and political infighting. But the blame falls mainly on us,
the Member States. It is our responsibility to adapt the United
Nations to today’s challenges and to make it the best
possible organization to this end. We must equip the organization
with the resources it needs and make the necessary adjustments
to its structure.”
“Liechtenstein is a strong believer in multilateralism
and in a rule-based international system. Our national sovereignty
is grounded in international law and its observance, and we
are therefore strongly committed to the rule of law. These
principles were chief among our motivation to join the United
Nations eighteen years ago, and they have been high among
our priorities as a member ever since. The rule of law has
gained much prominence in the work of the United Nations over
the past few years. But it has yet to take the central place
that it is due. The most precious asset of this organization
remains the legitimacy it lends to decisions of the international
community. In fact, the United Nations symbolizes the rule
of law in international relations. We must preserve this strength
and therefore promote the rule of law also within the UN organs
and their decision-making, including in the Security Council.
Together with other countries, we have expressed longstanding
concerns about the current practice of the Security Council
on the sanctions listing and delisting, in particular in the
area of counter-terrorism. There should be no doubt that we
fully support these sanctions regimes, which constitute powerful
tools for the maintenance of international peace and security.
But we also believe that the procedures applied must be in
accordance with basic international standards of due process.
Recent court decisions indicate that our reservations are
well founded, and we hope that our proposals will contribute
to the improvement of the system. We must avoid the impression
that decisions of the Security Council might be in violation
of human rights standards.”
H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President
23 September 2008
“The United Nations cannot be a mere passive observer
if and when universal values and international law are under
threat. Still, too often we remain observers in the face of
mounting security crisis.”
“It is my conviction that interaction and cooperation
between different organizations, like the OSCE, the EU, NATO,
and the Council of Europe, have been and should remain the
foundation of security and stability in Europe. It has its
difficulties and deficiencies. But it has no alternative and
new alternatives are not needed here. I am deeply worried
by new calls to revise the institutional structure of European
security rather than follow the commitments taken before the
whole international community.”
“Security, based on cooperation, should remain the
basic principle of different European organizations and of
international relations on the whole. The philosophy of the
‘balance of power,’ which is again growing popular
in some capitals, has no place in contemporary Europe.”
“Because security is indivisible, it in the interest
of the international community that the UN plays a greater
role in strengthening preventive diplomacy and making the
principle of ‘Responsibility to Protect’ work.”
“Evidently, the UN cannot continue with business as
usual. It needs reform and a greater role in areas that will
determine the future of the 21st century, such as energy,
information security, fight against terrorism and fundamentalism,
and the like.”
H.E. Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of
Macedonia
25 September 2008
“Through [Srgjan Kerim’s] engagement, my country,
the Republic of Macedonia, has confirmed in the best possible
way the values for which we stand and the principles in which
we believe when it comes to international relationships, namely
the multilateralism as the key tool for cooperation and promotion
of the fundamental values – peace, democracy and human
rights and freedoms.”
“The above mentioned tendencies are justly inciting
some people to bring up the issue of the relevance of the
United Nations in the present context, as well as the issues
of the meaning of multilateralism and its true range, and
the selective implementation of international law and principles.”
H.E. Mr. Marc Ravalomanana, President
23 September 2008
“An important obstacle to making progress in developing
countries and to achieving the MDGS is the lack of shared
decision-making power in international institutions and global
forums. I would like to see a United Nations that can mobilize
resources and political will to tackle the toughest of problems
– and succeed. I am optimistic. I believe that we can
turn the situation around. I appeal to you as leaders of the
world. Everyone needs to contribute to the international basket:
more goodwill, more motivation, more technical assistance,
more coordinated efforts and much more financial resources.
If you are committed, if we are all committed, we can confront
these crises and we can still reach the Millennium Development
Goals. We can win this!”
H.E. Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“Its universal character and the multilateralism that
it embodies, hold true to the ideals and virtues upon which
it was founded and, without doubt, provide the only viable
framework for solving the world’s greatest challenges
including climate change, sustainable development, human rights
and global terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Somduth Soborun, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“We fully share your view aiming at the democratization
of our organization. The ongoing discussions on the Revitalization
of the UN General Assembly, the System Wide Coherence, Mandate
Review and Management Reform in the context of the UN reform
process should be aimed at strengthening multilateralism.”
H.E. Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President
24 September 2008
“The United Nations is the forum that best represents
the diversity of human beings, the plurality of nations and
the collective aspirations of wellbeing and progress for our
civilization. I am talking about a privileged alliance formed
to guarantee a world of peace and justice, of security and
development where all can enjoy its opportunities and wellbeing.”
“Multilateralism is the way of the 21st century. It
is the integrated response to globalization. We must pool
our strength in order to make it possible for the UN to make
into reality the dream of its founders: peace, security and
development for all the peoples of the planet.”
H.E. M. Andrei Stratan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs and European Integration
29 September 2008
“At the same time we rely on the support and opportunities
offered by the UN and member states in view of promoting political,
social and economic policies of the country and European integration
aspirations, ensuring settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict,
withdrawal of foreign military troops and accomplishment of
the development priorities of the country. I would like to
reiterate the attachment of the Republic of Moldova to the
ideals of the United Nations and the commitment to continuously
cooperate with the member states for achieving the important
objectives of the Organizations.”
H.E. Mr. Bayar Sanj, Prime Minister
24 Setember 2008
“As we live in an increasingly globalized and interdependent
world, the solutions demand our concerted action.”
“Constructive engagement in world affairs through multilateral
cooperation mechanisms with the UN at the center, and deeper
integration into the world economy will thus continue to be
the cornerstone of Mongolia’s foreign policy. I understand
all too well that existence of a stable, peaceful and prosperous
world is a condition sine qua non for a fulfillment of my
of any other government’s promise to its people.”
“And it is no accident that in the face of the pressing
need to formulate our shared vision on how to collectively
address these complex challenges we turn to the United Nations.
The United Nations has throughout manifested its undisputed
authority in identifying ways and means to address major global
problems. Yet, we also agree that our world Organization needs
to be reformed and adapted to the evolving realities with
a view to ensuring its efficient functioning. Some important
steps to this end have already been taken.”
“In our globalized world, no nation can achieve its
goals all on its own and neither can Mongolia. Constructive
engagement in world affairs through multilateral cooperation
mechanisms with the UN at the center, and deeper integration
into the world economy will thus continue to be the cornerstone
of Mongolia’s foreign policy. I understand all to well
that existence of a stable, peaceful and prosperous world
is a condition sine qua non for a fulfillment of my or any
other government’s promise to its people. With this
in mind, I wish to reaffirm Mongolia’s strong resolve
to continue its active engagement in the work of the United
Nations and other multilateral organizations and processes
and her commitment to the world Organisation as a central
coordinating instrument of common efforts of the family of
nations to address complex challenges of our times.”
H.E. Mr. Filip Vujanovic, President of Montenegro
26 September 2008
“Multilateralism as the core of the international system
inspires strong motivation and commitment. That is why the
United Nations provides a reliable framework for maintaining
international peace and security, strengthening democracy,
protection of human rights and freedoms, respect for the international
law, and fostering economic and social development of states.”
“Challenges that we are facing today – political
problems, hotspots, blatant violation of human rights and
freedoms, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism,
environmental degradation and climate change – do require
adequate response and decisive action. We believe that no
effective or lasting response is possible without a joint
action of the entire international community.”
H.E. Mr. Abbas El Fassi, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Morocco
27 September 2008
“Twenty years ago, the Fall of the Berlin Wall marked
the end of the Cold War era that had been characterized by
ideological divisions, arms race and a weak multilateral system
with inefficient mechanisms.
“With the end of this era came great hope from the
world's peoples, leading some to believe in the beginning
of a new world order. A world order that would not only be
more fair and equitable, but also distinguished by a culture
of forgiveness among its nations. This new order was also
meant to spread the values of democracy and human rights,
giving priority to development and a better exploitation of
technological advancemen.t At the same time, some people predicted
that this new world order would restore esteem to the United
Nations and enable it to succeed in building consensus on
international issues. The UN would thus be empowered to implement
its strategies aiming to foster peace and security, encourage
development, and spread universal values,
“Despite the expectations of a better world that followed
the end of the cold war, today's reality is one of an increase
in regional and internal conflicts, especially in the African
continent. This situation is exacerbated by a race for energy
resources and a frenzied exploitation of precious minerals.
“The weak role of the UN in maintaining peace and security
throughout the world during the Cold War period was followed
by a new phase, during which the multilateral system became
characterized by the convening of several meetings and conferences
focusing on different issues, as well as the deployment of
numerous peacekeeping operations, especially in Africa. ...
Nevertheless, some weaknesses remain regarding internal coordination
among the various UN bodies, as well as between the Organization
itself and other regional organizations. This is particularly
evident regarding the efforts made to contain and prevent
regional conflicts with potential spillover effects.
“At this point, it is important to strengthen multilateralism
with the aim of meeting the new challenges and to put in place
a new order based on justice and equality. The pursuit of
such an approach is not merely an option and seems to be necessary
given the serious challenges facing the international community,
namely the continued threats to international peace and security,
the necessity to enhance solidarity among members of the international
community and the achievement of economic prosperity and sustainable
development.”
“The UN is based on the principles of cooperation and
neighborly relations, with regional integration and cooperation
representing the best means to ensure stability, economic
development and an improved common future.”
H.E. Mr. Armando Emílio Guebuza, President
24 September 2008
“In this regard, the reform process should continue
so that the United Nations can achieve greater unity and ability
to provide an appropriate response to the challenges that
are imposed to us by the need of reinforcing the multilateralism
and the promotion of partnerships for peace, security and
development across the world.”
H. E. M. U Nyan Win, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The daunting challenges of the 21st century could only
be addressed through international cooperation. We can only
solve the international problems of economic, social, cultural
or humanitarian character by working together. To do this,
powerful countries should refrain from practicing hegemonic
policies either through political or economic pressures.
“In the global village that we live, mutual respect,
understanding and tolerance must be the values that we espouse.
As we face environmental issues including the climate change
that wrought great devastation to peoples in various regions
around the world; we need a united response to overcome them.
Let us work together to give our global village a peaceful
and prosperous future.”
H.E. Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President
23 September 2008
“The 63rd Session of General Assembly is taking place
at a time when the global economy is dominated by four interrelated
crises... [including] the need to foster peace and security
around the world. We must act decisively and collectively
at national, regional and global levels to overcome these
challenges... It is our duty to ensure that the United Nations
remains true to its unique universal character and that it
becomes a source of hope for a more secure and peaceful world
for the current and future generations.”
H.E. Mr Marcus Stephen, President
24 September 2008
“Sixty three years after the United Nations was founded
on the noble ideals of establishing a peaceful, free, and
tolerant global order, the world community still suffers from
the scourges of war, poverty, oppression, and discrimination
together with facing the today’s colossal global challenges
that threaten our very existence.
“If the United Nations is to remain devoted to the
ideals upon which it was founded it is absolutely critical
that it is reformed through the revitalization and empowerment
of the General Assembly.
“If the United Nations is to remain a defender of human
rights and international peace, it is crucial that the Security
Council be expanded to better reflect geo-political realities
of the modern world.”
H.E. Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime
minister
26 September 2008
“It is more than obvious that many of these global
problems require global solutions. Together we can rise to
the occasion and adopt a vision and strategy that the founders
of the United Nations Organization charted in the purposes
and principles of the Charter of the Organization. Multilateralism,
not unilateralism is the answer to these problems.”
H.E. Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister and Minister
for General Affairs
25 September 2008
“Global challenges require global solutions. Global
solutions require global action. Every one of us needs to
ask ourselves: what am I doing to make freedom a reality for
people at home and elsewhere? The international community
will support all those who fight against hunger, want and
disease. But we must do so as efficiently as possible. We
must not waste resources: the need is too great. Above all,
we must work together.
“The number of armed conflicts is also declining, however
serious the situation remains in certain troubled regions.
Progress is possible. But it doesn't happen by itself. For
the Netherlands, this is an incentive to continue working,
heart and soul, -for 'a world in which human beings shall
enjoy freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear
and want'. In conclusion, let me echo President Roosevelt's
words: 'The world order which we seek is the cooperation of
free countries, working together in a friendly, civilised
society.'”
H. E. Ms. Rosemary Banks, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“More than ever before, we are an interconnected and
interdependent world community. The Charter goals of peace
and prosperity require the full support of all United Nations
members.”
H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“All countries, all member states share the responsibility
for the functioning of the United Nations as a decisionmaking
body, that serves us, which is for people. That solves global
problems. And allows all people to benefit from the rights
with which they were born. And which are written in the Declaration
on Human Rights.”
H.E. Mr. Martín Torrijos, President
23 September 2008
“This organisation was founded at the end of a world
conflagration to banish war forever from the world and to
prevent armed confrontations between nations or groups of
nations. Although all of such events have not been able to
be avoided, certainly it has constituted a deterrent, which
has prevented wars which might have proved even more devastating.”
H.E. The Honourable Puka Temu, Deputy Prime Minister
27 September 2008
“The UN currently provides the global forum for member
states to address the many global issues we face together….
We must also be vigilant against terrorism and threats to
international peace and security.”
H.E. Mr Lech Kaczynski, President
24 September 2008
“One of the fundamental principles governing the democratic
management within the United Nations is expressed in the following
words: ‘one state one vote’. Each state should
be granted the possibility to decide in which direction the
United Nations will be heading. The General Assembly still
remains the most important forum for holding such democratic
debate. In this context, facilitation of the decision making
mechanism takes on pivotal importance. We advocate a quicker
pace of works on the reform of the Security Council. The number
of non-permanent members of the Council should be increased
so as to reflect the true image of today’s world.”
“The issues mentioned above cannot be solved by a single
state or a group of states. Today we clearly see that we need
a joint action by all countries: poor and rich, Eastern and
Western, Northern and Southern. In order to live up to the
challenges facing the world today, we should act jointly in
the spirit of solidarity, and via effectively operating international
structures such as the United Nation, to achieve best results.
What is essential however, is guaranteeing respect for core
principles of international law, human rights and fundamental
freedoms.”
H.E. Mr. Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, President
24 September 2008
“Global challenges imply a collective responsibility.
The United Nations are the forum that best embodies that collective
responsibility.”
“In a globalised and interdependent world, only strong
multilateral institutions can promote the fundamental values
of peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development.
Portugal is committed to supporting effective multilateralism,
based on cohesive and efficient United Nations.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Second, there is a need for solidarity and cooperation
at regional and multilateral levels, so that national measures
and actions are recognized and implemented. Romania has always
shown interest and availability to work together with all
members of the international community in this respect. The
most recent proof is the contribution of my country to the
Seven Nations Initiative for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,
launched by Norway in 2005. Concrete exampled of our involvement
are the international seminar on “How can the Black
Sea Region Contribute to Improved Global Security,”
hosted by Bucharest in 2007, as well as other activities aimed
at promoting the objectives of this cross-regional initiative.”
H.E. M. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“On 11 September 2001 the world had changed and rallied
together in the combat against the threat of terror that was
common for all and had no boundaries. The world displayed
an unprecedented solidarity by rejecting old phobia and stereotypes.
It seemed that the global antiterrorist coalition became a
new reality that from now on would define the development
of international relations free from double standards and
beneficial for all.
“The cohesion in the face of deadly threats coming
from Al Qaeda and other elements of ‘terrorist international’
made it possible to achieve tangible success at the first
stage. But later, problems began to grow.
“A painful blow to the unity of the antiterrorist coalition
was delivered by the war in Iraq when—as it turned out—under
false pretext of fight on terror and nuclear arms proliferation
the international law was violated. Artificially, the deepest
crisis was created, and it is far from being resolved up until
now.
“More and more questions are being raised as to what
is going on in Afghanistan. First of all, what is the acceptable
price for losses among civilians in the ongoing counter-terror
operation? Who decides on criteria of proportionality of the
use of force? And why the international contingents are unwilling
to engage in the combat against proliferating drug threat
that causes ever increasing suffering to the countries of
Central Asia and Europe?
“These and other factors give reason to believe that
the anti-terror coalition is in the face of crisis. Looking
at the core of the problem, this coalition seems to lack collective
arrangements—i.e. equality among all its members in
deciding on the strategy, operational tactics. It so happened
that in order to control a totally new situation as it evolved
after 9/11, instead of required genuine cooperative effort,
including joint analysis and coordination of practical steps,
the mechanisms intended for a unipolar world started to be
used, meaning that all decisions were to be taken in a single
center while the rest just had to follow.
“The solidarity of the international community fostered
on the wave of struggle against terrorism turned out to be
somehow ‘privatized’.”
“It has become crystal clear that the solidarity expressed
by all of us after 9/11 should be revived through the concepts
cleared of geopolitical expediency and built on the rejection
of double standards when we fight against any infringements
upon the international law—be it on the part of terrorists,
belligerent political extremists or any others. The crisis
in the Caucasus proved again that it is impossible or even
disastrous to try to resolve the existing problems in the
blind folds of the unipolar world. The price we have to pay
in lives and destiny of people is too high.”
“We should take a comprehensive look at security problems.
Preside D.A. Medvedev, speaking in Berlin on 5 June, proposed
to develop a Treaty on European Security, a kind of ‘Helsinki-2’.
This work could be started at a Pan-European summit with the
participation of states as well as organizations working in
this region.
The Treaty is meant to create a reliable collective system
that would ensure equal security for all states, and, record
in a legally binding form the basics of relations between
its participants with a view to strengthening peace and ensuring
stability, and finally—promoting an integrated and manageable
development across the vast Euro-Atlantic region. It is a
process involving all participants who would reaffirm their
commitment to fundamental principles of the international
law, such as the non-use of force and peaceful settlements
of disputes, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference
in the internal affairs, and inadmissibility of strengthening
one’s own security by infringing upon the security of
others. We also need to conceive together the mechanisms to
ensure compliance with these fundamental principles. Naturally,
such a Treaty should organically fit into the legal framework
of the UN Charter and its principles of collective security.”
“Only now, after the Cold War is over, the United Nations,
created on the basis of polycentric vision of the world, can
fully realize its potential. As never before, it is now important
that all States reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations
as a non-alternative world forum with a universal mandate
and generally recognized legitimacy, as a center for open
and frank debate and coordination of the world policies on
a just and equitable basis free from double standards. This
is an essential requirement, if the world is to regain its
equilibrium.”
H.E. Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“In all candor, I must reaffirm what you have already
concluded: That the United Nations, as the supreme multilateral
institution of a profoundly troubled and iniquitous world,
can and must do more, in the form of decisive action, to improve
the condition of our planet, the living conditions of the
less fortunate, and the safety of our global family.”
“The work that we have entrusted to the United Nations
is compromised by apathy and inaction by too many of us, and
the crippling pursuit of narrow selfinterest by a handful
of powerful countries. We have, in this session, an historic
opportunity to reassert the relevance and credibility of this
body by keeping the promises that we have made to ourselves
and the world.
“The United Nations is charged with tackling the weighty
problems that beset the world, not with the refinement of
the art of impotent diplomacy. I have no doubt that the principles
concealed in the language of “mandate review,”
“system wide coherence” and “revitalisation”
are important, and doubly so to the professional diplomats
who look inward rather than outward, and who lose sight of
the forest for the trees, in their endless quest to choreograph
the dancing of ever more angels on the head of a pin. But
bureaucratese will neither excite nor engage the poor and
marginalised people that we have created this body to serve.
When our signature achievements and emphases are esoterically
bureaucratic, it speaks to a broader failing of the United
Nations to achieve the noble goals of its overarching mandate,
as spelt out so compellingly in the preamble of its Charter.”
“Mr. President, in recent months, I have been profoundly
troubled by the creeping return of cold war rhetoric to the
language of international and hemispheric discourse. In this
globalised and interconnected world, it is no longer possible
to divide the world in competing hemispheres, or to completely
quarantine ideological friend from foe. We must guard against
the return of discarded philosophies and learn from the recent
past, in which developing countries were used as pawns and
proxies for the hegemonic ambitions of others. Our multipolar
experiment is too young for the developing and globalizing
world to return to the old rhetoric and recriminations that
invariably blossom into violence and death, most often visited
on the peoples of developing countries. It is my sincere prayer
that this august body hews closely to the principles of multilateralism
and sovereign equality of all states, and resists any pressures
for the United Nations to devolve into a playground for the
triumphalist ambitions of presumptive superpowers.”
H.E. The Honourable Tuila’epa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi,
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister
for Finance
26 September 2008
“The United Nations personifies multilateralism. It
is a living testimony of the inter-governmental process at
work.”
“Finally, those bent on creating fear and panic throughout
the world will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. We must
not be held hostage to their devious designs. Individually
and collectively we must step up our efforts to combat the
threat of international terrorism in its many manifestations.
No country can succeed on its own. Only by working collaboratively
can we be successful.”
H.E. Mr. Boris Tadic, President
23 September 2008
“However much the world has changed since 1945, the
United Nations remains the only universal, intergovernmental
institution that unites us as a global community of sovereign
states.”
“...my country remains ready to further promote a nobler
form of intergovernmental cooperation—one that truly
addresses challenges, alleviates divisions, and reduces tensions.
Such a vision can only be built on the firm foundation of
the universal principles of sovereign equality, solidarity
and international law within the framework of the United Nations.”
H.E. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
25 September 2008
“The sacred duty of this Organization 'to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war' was tested in fire in
Sierra Leone. But today Sierra Leone demonstrates what the
United Nations can achieve when its Member States work closely
together. The people of Sierra Leone know the value and relevance
of the United Nations, and appreciate its continuing support
as we reconstruct our society from war to peace, and work
with determination to build a better future.”
“The need to democratize and reform the Organization
is of vital importance. However, reform is not an end in itself
but a means to an end. We support a strong and effective United
Nations that can meet the everincreasing and complex array
of challenges in the 21 st century. We are convinced that
a more representative and effective United Nations will strengthen
the loyalty and commitment of Member States, and make the
Organization more responsive to the needs of our time.”
“The United Nations has been an important force for
global peace, development, and justice. Sierra Leone’s
peace and stability are due largely to United Nations peace
keeping, a visible and an important aspect of the Organization’s
work. The Peace Building Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund,
and other United Nations agencies are helping us in critical
ways to achieve our development priorities and to meet the
challenges of postconflict reconstruction.”
“The mission of the United Nations is more important
than ever: to serve the cause of peace, to advance development,
and to protect the human rights of all. The United Nations
is a unique Forum where the weak and the strong, the poor
and the prosperous can have their voices heard. Sierra Leone
reaffirms its commitment to the ideals and principles of the
United Nations, and will continue to be a constructive member
of the Organization.”
H.E. M. George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Who takes responsibility for the global system? While
on paper the WTO with 153 members makes decisions by consensus,
the reality is that a small group of countries has to take
the lead to keep the multilateral trading system moving in
the right direction. On no major issue confronting the human
family can decisions be taken without the major countries
taking the lead. The challenge of climate change, for example,
cannot be tackled without the major emitters coining to some
broad agreement on the way forward. If the Doha round despite
being a positive sum game is so difficult to conclude; it
is hard to be optimistic that a UN agreement on climate change
can be negotiated quickly without the exercise of strong leadership
by the US, Europe; Russia, China, India, Japan and Brazil,
If they could not; or would not, exercise such leadership
for global trade, can we expect them to do so for climate
change?
“The emerging multipolar reality of the 21 century is
a fact that we have to face squarely. International institutions
like the UN can only function well when we accept this reality
and work with it. As a small country, Singapore accepts that
while every country, big or small, has one vote each, we do
not all carry the same weight. Small countries need the UN
and other International institutions to protect our interests
and we therefore have every interest in making sure that these
institutions are effective. They can only work well if the
multipolar reality is taken into account. The Forum of Small
States which is an informal grouping of more than half the
UN’s membership takes a realistic view of global politics
because this is the only way to secure our own interests.
For this century to be a peaceful one, it is crucial for all
countries, big and small, to adhere to the UN Charter and
the international rule of law.
“However, the realpolitik of big power rivalry cannot
be wished away for that indeed has been the human condition
for most of history. But we can confine that rivalry and;
by a combination of pressures, prevent any power from pushing
its claim excessively. In this, international institutions
like the UN play a civilizing role. International institutions
cannot stop big power rivalry but can channel it, and ensure
that the common interests of the human family are not completely
disregarded. For this reason, the smaller countries have a
strong vested interest in seeing international institutions
strengthened. The reform of the UN taking into account the
changes in the world since the end of the Second World War
is an absolute necessity.”Multilateralism: “With
globalisation, there has been a mushrooming of regional institutions
around the world. Some have come 10 play useful roles in fostering
regional peace and development. The UN and other international
institutions can multiply their effectiveness by working closely
with such regional institutions.”
“We cannot stop rivalry among the big powers but we
can limit the harm that rivalry does to smaller countries.
In fact, smaller countries can turn the emerging multipolarity
to advantage if we combine our strengths in regional and international
institutions. Among these the most important is of course
the UN.
“We still need global leadership but it has to be by
a new concert of big powers going beyond the US; Europe and
Japan. It has to be a new kind of leadership exercised in
a transparent way through both hard and soft power, and preferably
through regional and international institutions. Writing about
the Beijing Olympics in the Wall Street Journal. Tony Blair
recently said: ‘The truth is that nothing in the 21st
century will work well without China's full engagement.’
The same can be said of Russia, India and Brazil. While the
US will long remain dominant, a more inclusive global arrangement
will make this a better and safer world for all of us.”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The international community is increasingly confronted
with old problems coupled with a new set of challenges of
a truly global nature. And, as the UN SG Ban Ki-moon said
at the opening session, under these circumstances we face
another daunting challenge—a challenge of global leadership.
We, the United Nations of the world, must indeed exercise
our leadership, authority and responsibility under these increasingly
complex circumstances, first of all here, at the United Nations,
notably in the SC, but also the General Assembly, ECOSOC and
other bodies. Cooperation among our countries and with international
organizations must broaden. Real partnerships with private
sector and civil society must be pursued more vigorously.”
“As has been stated by many distinguished speakers
before me, the tasks confronting us in the year ahead are
enormous. They can be accomplished only through our strong
and sustained political commitment, working through multilateral
mechanisms, with the UN at the centre. It is important that
we all stand together united by the common purpose of collectively
forging effective responses to all current global problems
and challenges.”
H.E. Mr. Derek Sikua, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“This year our multilateral institution is being revisited
by history and challenged by the changing international system.
Unilateralism and changing postures by big powers is creating
a new global order. New fronts are created is Asia, the Pacific,
and Eastern Europe coupled with the ongoing conflicts in the
Middle East and in parts of Africa. Above all, the arms race
is no longer a threat, but a reality.
“Our multilateral institution is heavy on providing
technical support and analytical data and less on the ground
activities. Regional and sub regional Intergovernmental organizations
are also going the same direction, leaving countries to fend
for themselves.”
H. E. Ms. Nkosazana C. Dlaminni Zuma, Minister for Foreign
Affairs
29 September 2008
“It is important to understand that the critical issues
facing the world today—the current financial, food and
energy crises—cannot be addressed effectively when so
many other countries and regions of the world are left out
of the key decision making processes of important institutions
of global governance.”
“We wish to reiterate our belief in the centrality of
the United Nations. In the Millennium Declaration we reaffirmed
that the United Nations ‘is the indispensable common
house of the entire human family, through which we will seek
to realise our universal aspirations for peace, cooperation
and development’.”
“As the leadership of our country passes on, we reaffirm
that South Africa, under the leadership of President Kgalema
Motlanthe, shall indeed continue to be a trusted and dependable
partner in the common endeavour to strengthen our institutions
of multilateralism, moving from the correct premise that multilateralism
remains the only hope in addressing challenges facing humanity
today, at the centre of which is the struggle against poverty
and underdevelopment.”
H.E. Mr Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan, President
24 September 2008
“Suriname has supported the restructuring process of
the United Nations from the start, with the aim to achieving
a more effective and efficient organization that should be
better equipped to adequately address old and new challenges.
In this process, we expect that the role of the United Nations
as a partner in development will gain further relevance and
achieve a more coherent and enhanced presence in support of
capacity building and sustainable development.”
“We have entered an era of growing anxieties and concerns,
which go beyond national borders. The contemporary world constellation
requires harmonization of the United Nations with current
international developments. Suriname believes that the United
nations should be given the tools and instruments to enable
the Organization to address global challenges in support of
a comprehensive and coherent development agenda, in the interest
of all the nations of our world.”
His Majesty King Mswati III, Head of State
25 September 2008
“We treasure peace and development and amicable regional
and international relations and together with all nations
will work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for all
humankind.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“This is the time to once again remind ourselves of
our mutual commitments and stand up for the universal principles
underpinning international cooperation. This is the time to
muster the political will to reassert our shared values. This
is the time to show that we are determined to work jointly
to foster peace, democracy and development worldwide.”
H.E. Mr. Peter Maurer, Ambassador
29 September 2008
“Peace is not a given. It is something that has to
be striven for and achieved every day. The UN is the predestined
institution for achieving this goal. We are willing, within
our capacities, to make a contribution to this necessary collective
task.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“By calling for convening this quartet summit, Syria
stressed that the just and comprehensive peace is its strategic
choice and that it is striving to attain it in cooperation
with regional and international partners who share Syria's
vision. The realization of peace requires from all those who
have a direct stake in the matter, or those who have the power
or who can influence the outcomes to evince the necessary
political will. Years after the will to make peace lost its
priority status in policies that do influence the situation
in the region we were asked to go to Annapolis…. As
President Bashar Al-Assad said, we wanted the negotiations
to establish the grounds and pave the way for direct negotiations
that would ultimately be sponsored by several international
parties. This however requires a genuine Israeli will capable
of accommodating the exigencies of peace-making.”
“The experience of previous years proved that unilaterally
dictating the world's political agenda is wrong. The wars
and the financial and food crises raging through out the world
today require that we work together to address this malfunction
through an approach that seeks to engage all regional and
international stakeholders through an active diplomacy using
dialogue as the means and ways to settle controversial questions.
“Closing the door to dialogue, imposing isolation,
unilateral sanctions and diktat have never been a successful
tool in the exercise of sound international relations. Contrary
to claims made from this very rostrum a couple of days ago,
all attempts of isolation were doomed to failure. Respect
for the principle of democracy in international relations
that takes into account the vision and interests of all states,
large and small, will contribute to the realization of peace
and stability in the world and help it solve the problems
it is facing. The Charter of our international organization,
in which states of different perspectives and interests enjoy
equal membership, has set forth formulas that remain valid.
They could be used to build a world in which justice will
reign supreme based on mutual understanding, free from the
threat of terror, a world in which there is not place for
inciting hatred among cultures and religions. Promoting these
values and objectives and using them as the guiding principle
for our work will serve the interest of peace and stability
in the world and will contribute to the good of humanity at
large.”
H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President
25 September 2008
“We believe that there is an urgent need to efficiently
develop a dialogue and cooperation among all the entities
of the multipolar world, and to avoid application of double
standards in the international practice.”
“Not a single country in the world, even the most powerful
one, is capable of meeting single handedly the challenges
of our time that range from climate change to uncompromising
combat against international terrorism. Nowadays, like never
before, the new generation of global issues requires a collective
response, and the UN, entrusted with a broad mandate, is the
only one existing instrument capable of addressing them.”
H.E. Dr. Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“In our globalized world, no sovereign nation can achieve
its goals of progress, peace and security on its own, and
neither can the Kingdom of Tonga. Constructive and active
engagement in regional and international affairs through bilateral
and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, with the United Nations
at the center, and greater, yet appropriate, integration into
the global economy will thus continue to be the cornerstone
of Tonga’s foreign policy.
“As a member of the United Nations, Tonga wishes to
reaffirm its commitment to continuing its active involvement
in the work of the United Nations as the central coordinating
body of common efforts of the family of nations to which we
all belong.”
H.E. Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“In conclusion, Trinidad and Tobago wishes to reaffirm
its faith and commitment to multilateralism, both at the regional,
hemispheric and international levels. Dialogue among States
must always be the preferred option to solve the myriad [of]
problems, which we face in an increasingly complex international
environment. It is in recognition of this importance that
Trinidad and Tobago has taken the bold decision to host, in
2009, both the Summit of the Americas and the Conference of
Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations. Dialogue
in these two bodies, which are microcosms of the United Nations,
could also influence discussions at the United Nations, an
institution which we must continue to transform, guard and
protect in order to bequeath to future generations.”
H.E. M. Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Tunisia supports all efforts and initiatives aimed
at establishing new frameworks and mechanisms of action that
can help find collective solutions to the common challenges
posed in the vital fields of security, peace, development,
the environment and food security, as part of an adequate
approach to international relations founded on the complementarity
between peace, security, and development. This, however, should
be accompanied by a strengthened multilateral action on the
basis of cooperation, solidarity, and a constructive dialogue
among all countries.”
“The aggravation of the terrorism problem in the world,
despite the efforts to contain it, reinforces our conviction
of the need to unify the international approach to fight this
scourge and find adequate solutions to it. Tunisia has warned,
since the early 1990s, the international community against
the dangers of terrorism, and called for the adoption of a
comprehensive and efficient approach that takes into consideration
the root causes of this scourge. Today, we renew the call
of H.E. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to convene an international
conference, under the United Nations auspices, in order to
elaborate a code of conduct for the fight against terrorism,
to which all parties shall commit themselves.”
“Keen on achieving a higher degree of integration within
its regional and international environments, Tunisia is pursuing
its action, on the bilateral and multilateral levels, to open
up on the various spaces to which it belongs, and to develop
its political relations with sisterly and friendly countries
and with regional and international organizations. It also
endeavors to enlarge and diversify the scope of cooperation
with them, in order to raise these relations to the level
of an effective partnership based on mutual respect and common
interests.”
“Facing the challenges posed by the new international
situation and the deep changes taking place on the world scene
requires that we all step up efforts to further anchor the
noble universal principles and humanist values on which the
United Nations was founded. It also requires perseverance
in enhancing the process of reforming our Organization, in
order to confer more efficiency on its work and ensure its
active contribution to providing optimum international conditions
that can help find collective solutions to common challenges
and current international issues, meet our peoples’
aspirations for stability, and provide propitious conditions
for prosperity and well-being, within a context of cooperation
and solidarity-based development.”
H.E. M. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“At the present stage the United Nations Organization,
which Is called under its mandate to discuss and resolve issues
relating to the maintenance of international peace and security,
is going through one of the most critical moments in the history
of its existence. This is especially evident against the background
of the developments that are happening today both at the global
and regional level. Diversity of the entire spectrum of contemporary
challenges and threats calls for an adequate development of
the entire range of approaches to their prevention through
interaction of all UN member stales.”
“Turkmenistan is a principled and active participant
in the process designed to identify joint actions aimed at
resolving the most pressing problems of our time. In this
context we regard the need to intensify international actions
aimed at ensuring peace and security as one of the first priority
tasks. Fight against terrorism is one of the most important
aspects of this problem.”
“Today we all face the need to take a fresh look at
the existing system for ensuring international peace and security.
Present day situation and emerging tendencies call for an
adequate approach and formulation of comprehensive measures
and member states of the Community of Nations should take
part in their implementation. I am confident that ongoing
discussions and deliberations at the General Assembly session
will provide an opportunity to take stock of the entire panorama
of contemporary world through the prism of ensuring safe life
for states and peoples.... Turkmenistan stands for close cooperation
with the United Nations in executing comprehensive measures
for collective interaction in order to deal with the most
pressing issues of our times.”
“We view the United Nations as a universal international
organization serving as the main guarantor of the global security
system, the framework of present and future world order. We
advocate that international law, UN Charter and their principles
of respect for the sovereignty of every nation and its choice
of its own way of development and non-interference in the
internal affairs should remain the basis of the world order
and the Alpha and Omega of relations among nations.”
H.E. Mr. Gordon Brown, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The world we share is more interconnected than ever
before. And the solutions have to be similarly co-ordinated.”
“The United Nations is where the world turns to confront
some of its greatest challenges. It is where international
law is made. Where the most acute political problems are addressed.
And where the hopes of the world for a better future ultimately
rest.”
H.E. Mr. George W. Bush, President
23 September 2008
“Multilateral organizations have responsibilities.
For eight years, the nations in this assembly have worked
together to confront the extremist threat. We witnessed
successes and setbacks, and through it all a clear lesson
has emerged: The United Nations and other multilateral
organizations are needed more urgently than ever. To
be successful, we must be focused and resolute and effective.
Instead of only passing resolutions decrying terrorist attacks
after they occur, we must cooperate more closely to keep terrorist
attacks from happening in the first place. Instead of
treating all forms of government as equally tolerable, we
must actively challenge the conditions of tyranny and despair
that allow terror and extremism to thrive. By acting together
to meet the fundamental challenge of our time, we can lead
toward a world that is more secure, and more prosperous, and
more hopeful.
“In the decades ahead, the United Nations and other
multilateral organizations must continually confront terror.
This mission requires clarity of vision. We must see
the terrorists for what they are: ruthless extremists
who exploit the desperate, subvert the tenets of a great religion,
and seek to impose their will on as many people as possible.
Some suggest that these men would pose less of a threat if
we'd only leave them alone. Yet their leaders make clear
that no concession could ever satisfy their ambitions.
Bringing the terrorists to justice does not create terrorism
-- it's the best way to protect our people.
“Multilateral organizations must respond by taking
an unequivocal moral stand against terrorism. No cause
can justify the deliberate taking of innocent human life –-
and the international community is nearing universal agreement
on this truth. The vast majority of nations in this
assembly now agree that tactics like suicide bombing, hostage-taking
and hijacking are never legitimate. The Security Council
has passed resolutions declaring terror unlawful and requiring
all nations to crack down on terrorist financing. And
earlier this month, the Secretary General held a conference
to highlight victims of terror, where he stated that terrorism
can never be justified.
“Other multilateral organizations have spoken clearly,
as well. The G8 has declared that all terrorist acts
are criminal and must be universally condemned. And
the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
recently spoke out against a suicide bombing, which he said
runs counter to the teachings of Islam. The message
behind these statements is resolutely clear: Like slavery
and piracy, terrorism has no place in the modern world.
“Around the globe, nations are turning these words
into action. Members of the United Nations are sharing
intelligence with one another, conducting joint operations,
and freezing terrorist finances. While terrorists continue
to carry out attacks like the terrible bombing in Islamabad
last week, our joint actions have spared our citizens from
many devastating blows.
“With the brutal nature of the extremists increasingly
clear, the coalition of nations confronting terror is growing
stronger. Over the past seven years, Afghanistan and
Iraq have been transformed from regimes that actively sponsor
terror to democracies that fight terror. Libya has renounced
its support for terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are actively pursuing
the terrorists. A few nations –- regimes
like Syria and Iran –- continue to sponsor terror.
Yet their numbers are growing fewer, and they're growing more
isolated from the world.
“As the 21st century unfolds, some may be tempted to
assume that the threat has receded. This would be comforting;
it would be wrong. The terrorists believe time is on
their side, so they made waiting out civilized nations part
of their strategy. We must not allow them to succeed.
The nations of this body must stand united in the fight against
terror. We must continue working to deny the terrorists
refuge anywhere in the world, including ungoverned spaces.
We must remain vigilant against proliferation –- by
fully implementing the terms of Security Council Resolution
1540, and enforcing sanctions against North Korea and Iran.
We must not relent until our people are safe from this threat
to civilization.
“To uphold the Charter's promise of peace and security
in the 21st century, we must also confront the ideology of
the terrorists. At its core, the struggle against extremists
is a battle of ideas. The terrorists envision a world
in which religious freedom is denied, women are oppressed,
and all dissent is crushed. The nations of this chamber
must present a more hopeful alternative—a vision where
people can speak freely, and worship as they choose, and pursue
their dreams in liberty.”
“The extremists find their most fertile recruiting
grounds in societies trapped in chaos and despair—places
where people see no prospect of a better life. In the
shadows of hopelessness, radicalism thrives. And eventually,
that radicalism can boil over into violence and cross borders
and take innocent lives across the world.”
“The objectives I've laid out for multilateral institutions—confronting
terror, opposing tyranny, and promoting effective development—are
difficult, but they are necessary tasks. To have maximum
impact, multilateral institutions must take on challenging
missions. And like all of us in this chamber, they must
work toward measurable goals, be accountable for their actions,
and hold true to their word.”
H.E. Dr. Gonzalo Fernandez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Uruguay
27 September 2008
“That’s why we understand that it is relevant
to reaffirm, the importance that has acquired its effective
use in the present international context and to emphasize,
once again, the traditional Uruguayan position of unrestricted
respect to international law, its support to multilateralism...”
“...the support of multilateralism implies the search
of collective answers to international conflicts and problems,
in accordance with the international law and within the framework
of the principles of the UN Charter, that regulate the peaceful
coexistence among nations.”
H.E. Mr. Kabinga Jacus Pande, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“There is no doubt that the United Nations continues
to remain the only multilateral institution capable of addressing
challenges to our ‘One World’.”
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
25 September 2008
“Zimbabwe has always been and continues to be a firm
believer in multilateral approaches to solving disputes as
opposed to the unilateralism favoured by some countries. Our
experience has shown that the cooperative and pacific approach
often leads to lasting solutions to conflicts. We therefore
deplore the vindictive approach which often is characterized
by self-righteous finger-pointing, double standards and the
imposition of unilateral sanctions to coerce smaller and weaker
countries to bow to the wishes of militarily stronger states.
In addition, the unilateral and coercive economic measures,
that we have witnessed in recent years, are again completely
at cross purposes with the principles that guide international
co-operation as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
“We share the view that the General Assembly, a body
that represents all of us and enjoys the wider representation
of States, must continue to be the supreme decision-making
body of the U.N.”
Non-proliferation
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“We are well-aware of the many challenges to peace
and security around the world. I am thinking of global terrorism,
and the enduring importance of disarmament and nonproliferation.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“This year the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
celebrates its 40th anniversary. As a middle power and as
a long-standing member of the NPT, Australia is committed
to working with other nations towards the goal of the eventual
abolition of nuclear weapons. Australia—with our close
friend and partner Japan—has established an International
Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament to
create the political and policy consensus necessary to elicit
real result on non-proliferation and disarmament in advance
of the 2010 Review Conference.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, as well as strengthening of the
international treaty system should be a priority to all states,
as the list of risks and challenges to our common security
is, regrettably, a very long one. In this regard, the need
for a full and universal implementation of the Non-proliferation
Treaty regime is, and must remain, of utmost importance.”
H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie
29 September 2008
“Congo is fully committed to strictly observe the Treaty
on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in its three
facets.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We need to undertake some bold steps in the area of
weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation. We should
reduce the risk that those weapons are misused or fall into
the hand of terrorists. The immediate task is to ensure a
successful outcome of the Non-Proliferation Treaty review
process and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Attempts to justify violations of sovereignty of developing
countries under the pretext of ‘war on terror’,
‘human rights’ and ‘non-proliferation’
get more undisguised.”
H.E. Ambassador Carsten Staur, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“In the are of development, in the area of peace and
security, in the area of human right – and in the many
areas that transcend borders. But this can only be addressed
through multilateral cooperation, like counter-terrorism,
non-proliferation, pandemics – and climate change. Multilateralism
is our only response to the challenges, risks and opportunities
of an interdependent and globalized world.”
H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“Ecuador, whose foreign policy reflects its firm commitment
with disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, has not only adhered to international instruments
adopted in this issue but it also supports and executes all
actions issued from these instruments to achieve their effective
implementation. Regrettably, we are concerned by the fact
that there are countries that have no adhered to the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons while others,
which have adhered to it, are not complying with their obligations,
especially in regards to disarmament and destruction of their
arsenals.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The international approach to dealing with disarmament,
arms control and nonproliferation is marred with defects,
duality and regression that is disconcerting us. Egypt has
always shown great interest in these matters which is best
embodied in Egypt's invitation to rid the Middle East of all
weapons of mass destruction. Our interest in this matter is
based on our unwavering belief that security and military
balance, especially in conflict areas, contributes to laying
the solid foundations of peace between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. It is
notable that, unfortunately, prominent members of the international
community are unduly permissive with the issue of Israel's
nuclear capabilities and the extent to which it constantly
threatens the security of the Middle East. This occurs simultaneously
with the attempts of some to enhance the obligations encompassed
in international mechanisms without paying attention to the
issue of achieving universality for the NPT and subjecting
all nuclear facilities in the Middle East to the comprehensive
safeguards system of the IAEA. Egypt will, nonetheless, persist
in its endeavors, through existing mechanisms and forums,
and in coordination with friendly States that understand the
reality and danger of the situation, in order to change it,
and to warn of the threats posed by failing to achieve universality
for the NPT in the Middle East.”
H.E. Ms. Kinga Göncz, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Hungary’s geographic position, as well as our
expertise in ... disarmament and non-proliferation will serve
as a good basis for our effective contribution to the work
of this organization.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The opening of international civil nuclear cooperation
with India will have a positive impact on global energy security
and on efforts to combat climate change. This is a vindication
of India's impeccable record on non-proliferation and to our
longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament that is global,
universal and non-discriminatory in nature. The blueprint
for this was spelt out by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in this
very august assembly twenty years ago.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Terrorism and nuclear proliferation threaten our security.”
“The fight against the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction is at the center of our international commitment.
In preparation for the NPT Review Conference of 20 10, Italy
is ready to do its part to strengthen the Non-Proliferation
Treaty, which is of fundamental importance to preventing and
countering proliferation and laying the foundations for a
world free of nuclear weapons. Yet we must also maintain cooperation
on the peaceful use of nuclear technology, as expressly provided
for by the Treaty. We thus call upon the Iranian Government
to show the highest sense of responsibility by promptly meeting
the conditions for a normal negotiation to reassure the international
community and the countries of the region.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Despite the efforts being undertaken, the world is
not becoming a safer place. We still have to admit that there
is no international consensus on issues of disarmament and
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Paradoxically,
the role of the nuclear factor as an element of global politics
does not decrease but on the contrary, becomes even more and
more important. The world is on the threshold of another round
of the arms race at a higher technological level.
“As known, history may repeat itself, if we do not
properly learn its lessons. Therefore, nuclear disarmament
and enhanced non-proliferation regimes should unconditionally
become a priority for all. Kazakhstan, the country that voluntarily
relinquished the fourth largest nuclear arsenal, believes
that it is absolutely imperative to develop new mechanisms
that would allow adapting the Treaty on Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons to the new realities.”
H. E. M. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The current difficult and complex situation in the
field of disarmament continues to be a cause of concern. We
recognize the threat posed by the permanent existence of nuclear
weapons and the possible use or threat to use them. It is
hence incumbent upon the nuclear States to honour their unequivocal
commitment to work towards the total elimination of nuclear
weapons. Renewed efforts are needed to resolve the impasse
in achieving nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation in all
its aspects.”
H.E. Mr. Giadalla A. Ettalhi, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“We strongly refuse, however, the use of double standards
in dealing with the issue of nuclear non-proliferation. We
condemn, any discrimination between one state and another
in this respect, and call for making the Middle East a free
zone form all weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. Mr. Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems
pose a grave threat to international peace and security. We
must strengthen the disarmament and non-proliferation regimes,
including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Responsibility and solidarity are also basic pillars
of the international norms in disarmament, non-proliferation
and the fight against terrorism, be they traditional treaties
– such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or
newly established mechanisms like the Resolution 1540 (2004).
First, an essential obligation of each state is the responsibility
towards the effective and comprehensive implementation of
its commitments by promoting the necessary legal framework
as well as establishing appropriate mechanisms for verification
and control. Romania has enacted and continues to strengthen
several specific laws in order to translate into internal
regulations the prohibitions against the development, acquisition,
transfer and use of nuclear, biological, chemical (Weapons
of Mass Destruction/WMD), radiological weapons, and the restrictions
on conventional armaments. Second, there is a need for solidarity
and cooperation at regional and multilateral levels, so that
national measures and actions are recognized and implemented.
Romania has always shown interest and availability to work
together with all members of the international community in
this respect. The most recent proof is the contribution of
my country to the Seven Nations Initiative for nuclear disarmament
and non-proliferation, launched by Norway in 2005. Concrete
exampled of our involvement are the international seminar
on “How can the Black Sea Region Contribute to Improved
Global Security,” hosted by Bucharest in 2007, as well
as other activities aimed at promoting the objectives of this
cross-regional initiative.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
is the cornerstone of nonproliferation and the foundation
for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Sweden is strongly
committed to upholding and further strengthening existing
multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation obligations.
The nuclear powers have taken on special commitments within
the NPT process. In order not to undermine the treaty, they
must demonstrate their readiness to substantially reduce their
nuclear arsenals.”
H.E. M. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is
a pressing issue of international agenda thai is connected
with ensuring peace and security. Our country plays an active
role in identifying nonproliferation measures and takes practical
steps for their implementation both at the national and international
levels. As a party to the Comprehensive Treaty on Nuclear
Non-Proliferation and other most important international legal
instruments in this sphere Turkmenistan joined the international
initiative aimed at preventing proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction. In this connection the signing of the Treaty
on Establishing a Nuclear-Free Zone in Central Asia which
was prepared and adopted under the aegis of the United Nations
has become an important element in the efforts of the world
community aimed at resolving this issue.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should also work to facilitate further progress
in the search for lasting peaceful solutions to the nuclear
issues on the Korean Peninsular and Iran on the basis of due
respect for both the legitimate rights of states to develop
and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the regime
of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
North
Korea's nuclear programme
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“I note the progress in the 6-party talks on the Korean
Peninsula and urge that all agreements be implemented.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“We remain concerned that states such as Iran and North
Korea continue to defy the international community and fail
to comply with demands for a full declaration and accounting
of their nuclear programs. Their actions are undermining the
global consensus to contain the spread of nuclear weapons.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“In this context, I would like to express our concern
over the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs. We fully
recognize the indispensable right of every country to exploit
nuclear power for civilian purposes, but we should act when
it could be diverted toward military purposes in breach of
international commitments.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is the lifetime
instruction of President KIM IL SUNG, the Great Leader of
our people, and the Government of the DPRK remains consistent
in its position to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully through
dialogue and negotiations.
“Adoption of North-South joint declaration on the denuclearization
of the Korean peninsula in 1992 and DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework
in 1994 are a demonstration of the firm political will of
our Government to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. Thanks
to our sincere endeavor, several rounds of six-party talks
were held to date, enabling the adoption of the joint statement
on September 19, 2005, followed by the agreements on and implementation
of phased actions aimed at resolving the nuclear issue of
the Korean peninsula. The DPRK honored its commitments to
the agreements of the six party talks in good faith.
“Nuclear facilities were being disabled at the final
stage, a nuclear declaration submitted and even those measures
envisaged for the destruction phase implemented in advance.
This notwithstanding, the U.S. has laid an artificial obstacle
to implementing the October 3 agreement by refusing to implement
her obligations and put forward such an unjust demand as verification
of the “international standard” never agreed on
among the six parties or between the DPRK and the U.S.
“The ‘international standard’ asserted
by the U.S. is nothing but ‘special inspection’
which the IAEA called for in the 1990s to infringe upon the
sovereignty of the DPRK and caused it to pull out of the NPT
in the end.
“The United States has now put on hold the effectuation
of the measure for delisting the DPRK as a ‘state sponsor
of terrorism’ under the pretext of verification even
after officially declaring that the DPRK is not a ‘state
sponsor of terrorism’. This is little short of admitting
that the list is not related to terrorism in actuality.
“As far as the verification is concerned, it is a commitment
to be fulfilled by the six parties at the final phase of denuclearization
of the whole Korean Peninsula in accordance with the September
19 joint statement. The U.S. insistence on the unilateral
inspection of the DPRK is a brigandish demand for unilaterally
disarming the DPRK, the other warring party, by discarding
its commitment to the denuclearization of the whole Korean
Peninsula, the core of which is to remove the U.S. nuclear
threat according to the September 19 joint statement.
“Now that the U.S. has broken the agreement, the DPRK
is inevitably taking relevant countermeasures on the basis
of the principle of ‘action for action’. If the
six parties are not true to their words in implementing respective
obligations in the light of a great lack of trust with each
other, no progress will be made at all. This is a lesson drawn
from the process of the previous six party talks. The DPRK
will continue to make every sincere effort towards the denuclearization
of the whole Korean peninsula, but will not be indifferent
to an attempt to offend our dignity and self-respect, and
violate its sovereignty.”
H.E. Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“North Korea, the subject of so much uncertainty today,
is backsliding from its commitment to dismantle its nuclear
weapon programme.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan
26 September 2008
“Among outstanding issues in the vicinity of Japan,
it goes without saying that the most pressing are those concerning
North Korea.... Regarding its pledge to abandon its nuclear
programmes, it is widely known that recently there has been
conspicuous lack of progress. In parallel with the actions
that North Korea would take, I am prepared to take actions
towards the resolution of the outstanding issues of concern
between Japan and North Korea and the settlement of the unfortunate
past between us, moving Japan-North Korea relations forward.
What we await is action by North Korea. I will also continue
to pursue the abandonment of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities
and its nuclear weapons through the framework of the Six-Party
Talks.”
H.E. Mr. Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“It is crucial that the North Korean nuclear issue
be expeditiously resolved. This issue has remained for many
years as a threat to the security of Northeast Asia while
seriously undermining the very foundations of the NPT regime.
The Republic of Korea is making every effort to resolve the
North Korean nuclear issue within the framework of the Six-Party
Talks, under which some progress has been made. However, Pyonyong’s
recent move to suspend the disablement measures and attempt
to reverse the process is highly regrettable. We urge the
DPRK to resume disablement measures immediately so that the
positive momentum generated by the Six-Party Talks process
can be maintained and the denuclearization process can move
forward.”
“With the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear
issue, countries in the region will be able to accelerate
cooperation to make Northeast Asia more stable and future-oriented.
Undoubtedly, this will in turn contribute greatly to the peace
and prosperity of the world.”
H.E. Mr D.R Danilo Turk, President
24 September 2008
“Models of cooperation such as the one established
to deal with the issues of North Korea can and should inspire
preventive diplomacy and peacemaking in other parts of the
world.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“We face a growing danger of nuclear proliferation.
Iran is not the only case, though the most worrisome at present.
Recent developments in the DPRK also give cause for concern.”
H.E. Mr. George W. Bush, President
23 September 2008
“We must remain vigilant against proliferation –-
by fully implementing the terms of Security Council Resolution
1540, and enforcing sanctions against North Korea and Iran.
We must not relent until our people are safe from this threat
to civilization.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should also work to facilitate further progress
in the search for lasting peaceful solutions to the nuclear
issues on the Korean Peninsular and Iran on the basis of due
respect for both the legitimate rights of states to develop
and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the regime
of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
Nuclear
Energy/Nuclear Fuel Cycle
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“The need to prevent nuclear proliferation at a time
when an increasing number of countries are looking towards
nuclear power as a means to produce energy calls for courageous
and creative solutions. Austria has presented a proposal in
the framework of the NPT and the IAEA which aims at the comprehensive
multilateralisation of the nuclear fuel cycle. The goal is
a fair system under which all States who wish to receive nuclear
fuel for an exclusively peaceful usage can do so under equal
conditions through the IAEA.”
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
Nuclear energy: “The use of peaceful nuclear
energy has become a preferred option for many countries, and
the Kingdom of Bahrain hence shares this interest with the
international community. Therefore, future agreements on the
use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes must be made within
a strengthened nonproliferation regime, with improved safeguards
and an expanded verification mechanism, in order to ensure
that our peoples are not put at risk. Indeed, a highlight
of the Supreme Council of the GCC, last December, was the
acknowledgment of the right of countries of the region to
seek nuclear expertise, and to possess nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes, in close cooperation with the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“Given their universal effects and implications, energy
and its various sources are in need of a holistic, global
approach. Yet, they are dealt with in a fragmented, piecemeal
manner. This unsatisfactory situation leads us to suggest
the establishment of a truly global energy organization. This
would bring a joint international perspective to determining
the role and usage of hydrocarbon energy, nuclear power, and
new and renewable energy sources and will introduce innovative
solutions to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Moreover, there is an urgent need for the Middle East,
including the Gulf region, to be free from weapons of mass
destruction, including nuclear weapons, while safeguarding
the rights of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,
in accordance with the safeguards agreements of the IAEA.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The dangerous trend of ever more countries striving
to gain access to nuclear technology or even to build nuclear
weapons must be stopped. My proposal on the multilateralization
of the fuel cycle showed how the risks involved can be minimized.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The opening of international civil nuclear cooperation
with India will have a positive impact on global energy security
and on efforts to combat climate change.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The fight against climate change is closely connected
to energy security. We need to promote greater energy cooperation
at the global level. We need to promote solutions that reconcile
the need for secure supplies with sustainable energy policies,
energy efficiency, and clean energy technologies. We need
to promote research and development of alternative fuels sources,
including renewable and nuclear energy.”
“Yet we must also maintain cooperation on the peaceful
use of nuclear technology, as expressly provided for by the
[NPT].”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, we believe that
every nation should exercise its right to the peaceful use
of nuclear energy.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“While the State of Kuwait, stresses the right of all
states to produce, develop, use nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty,
it calls upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its
cooperation, with transparency, with the International Atomic
Energy Agency in order to dispel the fears doubts about the
nature of its nuclear program, also to address all outstanding
issues.”
H.E. Mr. Giadalla A. Ettalhi, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“Out of our belief in the purposes of the UN Charter
which calls for the establishment of a world in which peace
and security prevail, and in view of the fact that riddance
of weapons of mass destruction is an essential factor in building
confidence and in the enhancement of peace, security and stability
in the world, my country has voluntarily relinquished all
its programs of weapons of mass destruction, which are internationally
prohibited, emphasizing, however, its right to use atomic
energy for peaceful purposes.”
H.E. Mr. Bayar Sanj, Prime Minister
24 Setember 2008
“The most effective way to mitigate these factors is
to improve energy efficiency and pursue energy diversification.
In this regard, Mongolia commends efforts of member states
and international organizations in the field of research,
development, deployment, and transfer of innovative energy
technologies such as renewables, cleaner and low-carbon technologies,
and nuclear power.”
H.E. Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
24 September 2008
“Sri Lanka’s own view is that the United Nations
and its agencies must take the leadership in developing a
framework for international cooperation so that the vulnerable
developing countries have access to the energy benefits of
the so called ‘nuclear renaissance’, at reasonable
and affordable rates. This cooperative endeavour will impact
positively in such diverse areas as energy, MDGs, climate
change and even arms control.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Treaty on the Non proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
guaranteed the right of all states in possessing nuclear technologies
for peaceful purposes. Much was said about the Iranian nuclear
issue, with some advocating a diplomatic solution and others
promoting the use of force. Meanwhile, Iran has time and again
stressed that it is solely dedicated to the peaceful uses
of nuclear power.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of
Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Pursuant to our firm conviction of the undeniable
right of countries to develop nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes in accordance with the safeguards framework of the
IAEA, we urge the developed nations to support the legitimate
needs of developing countries for access to such energy by
providing them with the best possible access for the acquiring
of tools, devices, nuclear materials and the technological
know-how applicable for peaceful purposes. In this context,
the UAE believes that its peaceful nuclear programme represents
a practical and responsible example of transparency for meeting
our energy needs while, at the same time, committing ourselves
not to engage in enrichment or re-processing, with the support
of some friendly countries and organizations, and under the
supervision of the IAEA.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should also work to facilitate further progress
in the search for lasting peaceful solutions to the nuclear
issues on the Korean Peninsular and Iran on the basis of due
respect for both the legitimate rights of states to develop
and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the regime
of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
Nuclear
Testing/CTBT
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“We continue to urge nations to sign and ratify the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty so that it can enter
into force.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We need to undertake some bold steps in the area of
weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation. We should
reduce the risk that those weapons are misused or fall into
the hand of terrorists. The immediate task is to ensure a
successful outcome of the Non-Proliferation Treaty review
process and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Futhermore, I call upon all states to sign the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the CTBT. For its entry into force
would mean a huge security gain.”
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“Iraq is also planning, within the priorities of its
foreign policies, for the return to the international community
by actively participating in meetings and conferences of the
United Nations, its agencies and offices in all international
issues. Iraq signed a number of UN conventions such as the
conventions of the prohibition of chemical weapons and the
treaty banning nuclear tests, and about to join special agreements
and protocols against terrorism, amongst others.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We call on Member States to speedily finalize necessary
procedures, so that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
could enter into force and its verification mechanism could
be strengthened. This is exactly the purpose of an Integrated
Field Experiment on On-site Inspections that is being currently
conducted in our country at the former Semipalatinsk nuclear
testing ground.”
Nuclear
Waste
H.E. The Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
26 September 2008
“And, the threats to our environment from climate change
are exacerbated by the threat created by the continued and
transshipment of nuclear waste through the waters surrounding
my country and other Caribbean states. I renew the call for
an end to this potentially perilous activity.”
H.E. Mr. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Indeed, Grenada and other Caribbean Member States
derive tremendous economic benefits from these pristine waters,
which are threatened by trans-shipment of nuclear waste and
other hazardous materials.”
Nuclear
Weapons
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“This year the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
celebrates its 40th anniversary. As a middle power and as
a long-standing member of the NPT, Australia is committed
to working with other nations towards the goal of the eventual
abolition of nuclear weapons. Australia—with our close
friend and partner Japan—has established an International
Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament to
create the political and policy consensus necessary to elicit
real result on non-proliferation and disarmament in advance
of the 2010 Review Conference.”
“[North Korea and Iran's] actions are undermining the
global consensus to contain the spread of nuclear weapons.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The international approach to dealing with disarmament,
arms control and nonproliferation is marred with defects,
duality and regression that is disconcerting us. Egypt has
always shown great interest in these matters which is best
embodied in Egypt's invitation to rid the Middle East of all
weapons of mass destruction. Our interest in this matter is
based on our unwavering belief that security and military
balance, especially in conflict areas, contributes to laying
the solid foundations of peace between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. It is
notable that, unfortunately, prominent members of the international
community are unduly permissive with the issue of Israel's
nuclear capabilities and the extent to which it constantly
threatens the security of the Middle East. This occurs simultaneously
with the attempts of some to enhance the obligations encompassed
in international mechanisms without paying attention to the
issue of achieving universality for the NPT and subjecting
all nuclear facilities in the Middle East to the comprehensive
safeguards system of the IAEA. Egypt will, nonetheless, persist
in its endeavors, through existing mechanisms and forums,
and in coordination with friendly States that understand the
reality and danger of the situation, in order to change it,
and to warn of the threats posed by failing to achieve universality
for the NPT in the Middle East.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“The dangerous trend of ever more countries striving
to gain access to nuclear technology or even to build nuclear
weapons must be stopped.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“I reiterate India’s proposal for a Nuclear
Weapons Convention prohibiting the development, production,
stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and providing for their
complete elimination within a specified time frame.”
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
23 September 2008
“The never-ending arms race and the proliferation and
stockpiling of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction
and the threats to use them, and the establishment of missile
defense systems, have made the situation unstable.”
“These are the same powers that produce new generations
of lethal nuclear arms and possess stockpiles of nuclear weapons
that no international organization is monitoring; and, the
tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were perpetrated by one
of them.”
H. E. Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
of Ireland
29 September 2008
“Creating a secure and stable world demands effective
arms control and disarmament, and the elimination of nuclear
weapons.”
H.E. Mr. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Out intense focus on combating terrorism, transnational
organized crime, elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons
of mass destruction, must not marginalize the need for decisive
action to curb illicit trade in small arms which facilitate
internal violence in many of our countries and result in high
levels of homicides. Jamaica supports the establishment of
an arms trade treaty to impose strict controls on the illegal
trade in small arms and ammunition.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan
26 September 2008
“The government of Japan is currently preparing to
submit a draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear
weapons. I believe that there is no one who questions the
wholehearted commitment of the Japanese people to this issue.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Despite the efforts being undertaken, the world is
not becoming a safer place. We still have to admit that there
is no international consensus on issues of disarmament and
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Paradoxically,
the role of the nuclear factor as an element of global politics
does not decrease but on the contrary, becomes even more and
more important. The world is on the threshold of another round
of the arms race at a higher technological level.
“As known, history may repeat itself, if we do not
properly learn its lessons. Therefore, nuclear disarmament
and enhanced non-proliferation regimes should unconditionally
become a priority for all. Kazakhstan, the country that voluntarily
relinquished the fourth largest nuclear arsenal, believes
that it is absolutely imperative to develop new mechanisms
that would allow adapting the Treaty on Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons to the new realities.”
“The crisis of non-proliferation regimes has brought
about a real threat of terrorists getting hold of nuclear
weapons. Kazakhstan actively participates in the Global Initiative
to Combat the Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and, in this regard
hosted this year the Atom-Antiterror exercises and an international
conference on the physical protection of nuclear material.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“It calls upon the international community to continue
its efforts to seek a peaceful solution which would spare
our Region any crisis or wars which could lead to undermining
its security and stability, also to deal seriously and without
favouritism with Israel, the only country in the region not
party to the NPT, to subject all of its nuclear facilities
under the Safeguard Regime of the IAEA. This would pave the
way for declaring the Middle East a region free form all kinds
of weapons of mass destruction.”
H. E. M. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The current difficult and complex situation in the
field of disarmament continues to be a cause of concern. We
recognize the threat posed by the permanent existence of nuclear
weapons and the possible use or threat to use them. It is
hence incumbent upon the nuclear States to honour their unequivocal
commitment to work towards the total elimination of nuclear
weapons. Renewed efforts are needed to resolve the impasse
in achieving nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation in all
its aspects.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“We believe in a peace and security environment that
combats … the fight against international terrorism,
drug and other international crimes; in disarmament, especially
the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of small
arms and light weapons.”
H.E. Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime
minister
26 September 2008
“The United Nations agenda today has to tackle these
development challenges and many other issues such as religious
extremism and terrorism, proliferation of nuclear weapons
and weapons of mass destruction, transnational crimes such
as drugs, human trafficking and money-laundering, continuing
conflicts within and among states, and gross violations of
human rights, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Responsibility and solidarity are also basic pillars
of the international norms in disarmament, non-proliferation
and the fight against terrorism, be they traditional treaties
– such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or
newly established mechanisms like the Resolution 1540 (2004).
First, an essential obligation of each state is the responsibility
towards the effective and comprehensive implementation of
its commitments by promoting the necessary legal framework
as well as establishing appropriate mechanisms for verification
and control. Romania has enacted and continues to strengthen
several specific laws in order to translate into internal
regulations the prohibitions against the development, acquisition,
transfer and use of nuclear, biological, chemical (Weapons
of Mass Destruction/WMD), radiological weapons, and the restrictions
on conventional armaments.”
H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
is the cornerstone of nonproliferation and the foundation
for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Sweden is strongly
committed to upholding and further strengthening existing
multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation obligations.
The nuclear powers have taken on special commitments within
the NPT process. In order not to undermine the treaty, they
must demonstrate their readiness to substantially reduce their
nuclear arsenals.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We at the same time stress the need for compelling
Israel to dismantle the hundreds of the nuclear warheads in
its possession, to put its nuclear facilitates under the safeguard
regime of the IAEA and to adhere to the NPT.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should also work to facilitate further progress
in the search for lasting peaceful solutions to the nuclear
issues on the Korean Peninsular and Iran on the basis of due
respect for both the legitimate rights of states to develop
and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the regime
of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
Nuclear
Weapon/WMD Free Zones
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Moreover, there is an urgent need for the Middle East,
including the Gulf region, to be free from weapons of mass
destruction, including nuclear weapons, while safeguarding
the rights of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,
in accordance with the safeguards agreements of the IAEA.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The international approach to dealing with disarmament,
arms control and nonproliferation is marred with defects,
duality and regression that is disconcerting us. Egypt has
always shown great interest in these matters which is best
embodied in Egypt's invitation to rid the Middle East of all
weapons of mass destruction. Our interest in this matter is
based on our unwavering belief that security and military
balance, especially in conflict areas, contributes to laying
the solid foundations of peace between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. It is
notable that, unfortunately, prominent members of the international
community are unduly permissive with the issue of Israel's
nuclear capabilities and the extent to which it constantly
threatens the security of the Middle East. This occurs simultaneously
with the attempts of some to enhance the obligations encompassed
in international mechanisms without paying attention to the
issue of achieving universality for the NPT and subjecting
all nuclear facilities in the Middle East to the comprehensive
safeguards system of the IAEA. Egypt will, nonetheless, persist
in its endeavors, through existing mechanisms and forums,
and in coordination with friendly States that understand the
reality and danger of the situation, in order to change it,
and to warn of the threats posed by failing to achieve universality
for the NPT in the Middle East.”
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“In order to promote peace and security in the region
and in the world, we call for making the Middle East a region
free of weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Making the Middle East, a zone free from weapons of
mass destruction is a prerequisite to ensure peace and stability
in the region. Because of our belief in the high preventive
goals of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
and for the sake of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in
our region, like all the countries of the region, with the
exception of Israel, we acceded to this Treaty, which has
been in force since 1970. On this basis, we call upon the
international community and the influential states in the
world to ensure the accession of all the countries of the
region to this International Treaty. It is also important
to strengthen international monitoring mechanisms to ensure
that the Middle East is a zone free from nuclear weapons and
in order not to give a pretext to the states have not yet
acceded to continue on its nuclear military programmes.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“It calls upon the international community to continue
its efforts to seek a peaceful solution which would spare
our Region any crisis or wars which could lead to undermining
its security and stability, also to deal seriously and without
favouritism with Israel, the only country in the region not
party to the NPT, to subject all of its nuclear facilities
under the Safeguard Regime of the IAEA. This would pave the
way for declaring the Middle East a region free form all kinds
of weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. Mr. Giadalla A. Ettalhi, Chairman of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“We strongly refuse, however, the use of double standards
in dealing with the issue of nuclear non-proliferation. We
condemn, any discrimination between one state and another
in this respect, and call for making the Middle East a free
zone form all weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and President of
the Palestinian Authority
26 September 2008
“For the purpose of these noble objectives, namely
the building of a new Middle East free of destructive mind-sets
and irrational tendencies that are contrary to the highest
human values preached by all religions and creeds, a new Middle
East free of weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“In this context, and in line with our principled position,
we call for declaring the Middle East a zone free from all
weapons of mass destruction. We recall in this regard the
resolution that Syria submitted to the Security Council on
October 29, 2003. We at the same time stress the need for
compelling Israel to dismantle the hundreds of the nuclear
warheads in its possession, to put its nuclear facilitates
under the safeguard regime of the IAEA and to adhere to the
NPT.”
H.E. M. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is
a pressing issue of international agenda thai is connected
with ensuring peace and security. Our country plays an active
role in identifying nonproliferation measures and takes practical
steps for their implementation both at the national and international
levels. As a party to the Comprehensive Treaty on Nuclear
Non-Proliferation and other most important international legal
instruments in this sphere Turkmenistan joined the international
initiative aimed at preventing proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction. In this connection the signing of the Treaty
on Establishing a Nuclear-Free Zone in Central Asia which
was prepared and adopted under the aegis of the United Nations
has become an important element in the efforts of the world
community aimed at resolving this issue.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of
Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We emphasize our belief in the Importance of the Middle
East and the Arabian Gulf becoming demilitarized zones, especially
with regards to weapons of mass destruction. We reaffirm our
belief in the necessity for Israel to be obliged to comply
with United Nations resolutions by bringing its nuclear facilities
into compliance with the safeguards regime of the International
Atomic Energy Agency and to sign, unconditionally, the Nuclear
Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty. We also urge the Islamic
Republic of Iran to continue its collaboration with the IAEA
and the international community, so as to dispel concerns
and suspicions related to the nature and objectives of its
nuclear programme. At the same time, we urge other concerned
parties to commit themselves to continue the current political
and diplomatic approach in tackling this issue, within a framework
of complete transparency and avoiding any escalation, until
such time as a peaceful solution is achieved that is capable
of providing peace and security for the region and its peoples.”
Outer
Space
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We wholeheartedly support the initiative regarding
the adoption of a treaty on prevention of the arms race in
outer space.”
H.E. M. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The inertia of unipolar world ideology also revealed
itself in other spheres of international life, including unilateral
steps on AMD [anti-missile defense] and militarization of
outer space.”
Peace
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“It is essential to act upon the principle that justice
is a pillar of peace, security and development.”
H.E. Mr. Bamir Topi, President
24 September 2008
“Albania is working to enhance the domestic capacities
to enable a greater presence aiding global peace and security
by deepening the cooperation with the United Nations in the
field of peacekeeping operations.”
H.E. Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister of External Relations
26 September 2008
“Armed conflicts continue to absorb resources from
both the international community and the parties involved.
These resources are better for the well being of the populations
in affected territories. However, for the first time in many
years, Africa is experiencing a significant reduction in conflict,
allowing for an improvement of its economic indicators. The
progress in the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, as well
as the consolidation of peace under way in Sierra Leone and
in Liberia have brought about a new aura of hope.”
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“Nowadays, some speak about the “peace –
justice dilemma”. I remain convinced that peace and
justice are complementary objectives, both equally essential.
There can be no lasting peace without justice, and international
justice will serve its purpose most effectively if it helps
societies advance reconciliation and overcome the wounds of
the past.”
“Without peace and security there can be no sustainable
development and there is no security without human security.
Human trafficking, drugs, proliferation of weapons, unemployment
and crime—they all affect the very cohesion of our societies.”
H.E. M. Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign
Affairs
27 September 2008
“Protection and promotion of human rights is one of
the central duties of the international community. Today,
it is not merely a question of protecting individuals but
is fundamental for promoting peace and stability across the
globe.”
H.E. The Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
26 September 2008
“The Bahamas condemns terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations; and we call for, and commit to, the full implementation
of a culture of peace, justice and human development, and
respect for all religions and cultures.”
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“As Arabs, we accept peace as a strategic option, committed
to legitimacy, and to concluding past conflicts and hostility,
opening instead a new chapter for an historic rapprochement
between the peoples of the region towards a better future,
dominated by understanding, stability, and prosperity.”
H.E. Mr. David Thompson, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance,
Economic Affairs and Development, Labour, Civil Service and
Energy
26 September 2008
(Quoting the Right Excellent Errol Barrow): “We
will support genuine efforts at world peace, because our society
is stable.... We shall not involve ourselves in sterile ideologial
wranglings because we are exponents not of the diplomacy of
power, but of the diplomacy of peace and prosperity.”
“We are fervent advocates of the notion of the Caribbean
as a zone of peace and we view with great concern any action,
from whatever quarter, that seeks to reintroduce the anachronism
of cold-war rivalry into our peaceful regional community of
nations.”
H.E. Mr. Wilfred P. Elrington, Attorney General, Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
29 September 2008
“The United Nations still represents the great hope
for all our peoples. The principles upon which it was founded
and the objectives for which it was formed, are no less relevant
today than they were in 1945. For my own country, our membership
to the United Nations secured for us the hope of peace, security
and development even as we continue to struggle with a long
extant claim to our territory. It provides the framework within
which we can peacefully settle our differences.”
H.E. Mr. Bony Yayi, President
23 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“I would like to launch an urgent appeal to all armed
parties, to armed conflict which continue to rage throughout
various hot spots around the world—in the Middle East,
Asia, Africa or Latin America—to prompt them to choose
the path of peace, and dialogue as well as respect for democratic
values.”
H.E. Mr. Phandu T.C. Skelemani, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“Mr. President, the search for global peace and security
remains a matter of vital interest to my delegation. While
we may have made significant strides in the promotion of peace
through conflict prevention and resolution, post conflict
recovery, peace building, conflicts continue to flare up,
thus, making the restoration of peace, a remote possibility
to some in the world.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Our task today is not only to keep the peace - we
must also make certain that peace is irreversible and sustainable.
The Peacebuilding Commission, an early achievement of the
reform process, has now become functional and has achieved
some practical results in Burundi and Sierra Leone.”
“Stable peace and security can only be achieved through
development. Therefore there is an urgent need to accelerate
the implementation of the internationally agreed development
goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.”
“Different forms of regional, subregional and transborder
cooperation may serve as building blocks of a comprehensive
collective security system. Peace and stability are well-rooted
when local communities and immediate neighbors live in harmony.”
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
25 September 2008
“As regards peace and security, perhaps more than in
any other area, Africa needs the active solidarity of the
international community.... Here, the peace agreements signed
after lengthy negotiations are yet to fully enter into force.
There, force is used to jeopardize democratic achievements.”
H.E. Mr. Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“World peace continues to be out of reach. Sites with
armed conflict still exist. Indeed they resurge repeatedly
or persist with low intensity. In the meantime, new sources
of tension arise in many places. However, I believe that we
agree that war is not the best course to overcome these challenges.”
H.E. Dr. Michelle Bachelet, President
24 September 2008
“We have set an example of how multilateral commitment
should be understood. It is a commitment forged in the diversity
of political projects but based on shared values such as democracy,
peace and defence of human rights.”
“[The La Moneda Summit] tells us that the values of
democracy, dialogue, human rights and peace are becoming stronger
than ever in Latin America.”
H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council
24 September 2008
“China will remain committed to the path of peaceful
development, unswervingly pursue reform and opening-up, and
continue to adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace.”
“The world needs peace, for only with peace can there
be development. China earnestly hopes to have a peaceful international
environment in order to achieve its development goals. The
Chinese government is committed to an independent foreign
policy of peace and stands ready to work with other countries
to advance the noble cause of peace and progress of mankind
[sic].”
“China will, through its own development, contribute
to peace and development in the world.”
“China’s development is peaceful in nature. It
will not harm anyone or pose a threat to anyone. China does
not seek hegemony now, nor will it do so in the future. China
keeps and develops an appropriate level of military capability
solely for the purpose of safeguarding China’s sovereignty
and territorial integrity.”
H.E. Mr. Óscar Arias Sánchez, President
24 September 2008
“We must guarantee peace and justice for the past,
peace and development for the present, peace and nature for
the future.”
“Forgiveness is based on memory, not in concealment;
and peace will be possible only through memory.”
“I assure you that if we confront the spirit of our
past, our present and our future; if we build peace on justice,
development and nature; if we reject oblivion, armaments and
environmental destruction; we will reach that promised land
some day, and our children, and our children’s children,
will never again be beggars in the kingdom of our dreams.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“The promotion of peace, solidarity, social justice
and sustainable development is the only way to ensure the
future. The prevailing world order, unjust and unsustainable,
must be replaced by a new system that is truly democratic
and equitable, based on respect for international Law and
on the principles of solidarity and justice, putting an end
to the inequalities and exclusion to which the great majorities
of the population of our planet have been condemned.”
“The wars of conquest, the aggression and illegal occupation
of countries, military intervention and the bombing of innocent
civilians, the unbridled arms race, the pillage and usurping
of the Third World's natural resources and the imperial offensive
to crush the resistance of the peoples who are defending their
rights, constitute the greatest and most serious threats to
peace and international security.”
H.E. Mr. Dimitris Christofias, President
24 September 2008
“Peace must prevail. A true peace based on respect
of international law and not the right of might. A response
to the problem of international terrorism will only be effective
if our world becomes less unjust. Without tackling hunger
and poverty, without solving regional disputes on the basis
of international legitimacy and without a more fair distribution
of global wealth, peace can not grow firm roots.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The building of a new world, free and peaceful, without
domination and subjugation, aggression and war is a common
aspiration of the world peoples, and represents itself as
the shared responsibilites of the humankind at present.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Our interest in this matter is based on our unwavering
belief that security and military balance, especially in conflict
areas, contributes to laying the solid foundations of peace
between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.”
H.E. Mr Elías Antonio Saca González, Presiden
24 September 2008
“We have invested in development we have tried to meet
the MDGs and those successes will be swept aside by these
excessive prices of oil. We cannot continue to wait; we must
take immediate political decision to ensure development and
to prevent a much deeper crisis in order to preserve peace,
security and stability of the world.”
“We would like to reiterate our profound thanks to
the system of the United Nations having accompanied us in
the process of consolidation in the peace agreement in El
Salvador. Today El Salvador is a model; we are living witnesses
of the primordial role of the United Nations in guaranteeing
peace and stability. Aware as we are of our experience, El
Salvador participated actively as vice president in the Peacebuilding
Commission, likewise we have become a troop contributing country
to the Peace Keeping System, this is something that we do
in honor; in order to defend world peace and security in time
of need.”
H.E. Mr. Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Ethiopia has consistently helped promote peace and
stability in our region. We have no doubt that sustainable
development will only be possible with durable peace and security.”
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
23 September 2008
“Europe does not want war. It does not want a war of
civilizations. It does not want a war of religion. It does
not want a cold war. Europe wants peace, and peace is always
possible when one truly wants it.”
H.E. Mr. Omar A. Touray, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“One of the cornerstones of The Gambia’s foreign
policy is the pursuit of peace and security. As a peace loving
people, it is our constant desire to contribute towards the
search for lasting peace wherever there is conflict. It is
for these reasons that Gambia actively participates in peace
missions and also promotes good neighborliness, friendship
and cooperation throughout Africa and beyond. I must register
my satisfaction at the peace dividends that are today being
reaped across Africa, thanks to the commitment of African
leaders to finding solutions to African conflicts. We are
witnessing the resurgence of hope in Sierra Leone and Liberia
after many years of consolidation of peace and security. It
is my delegation’s fervent hope that the international
community will not relent in extending to them all the financial,
technical and material support they require to turn around
their societies for the better.”
H.E. Mr. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“We humbly offer our government as an example of peace
and reconciliation in action. We bring together people committed
to service notwithstanding our politically turbulent historical
background. We stand to day as proof that peace and reconciliation
are possible, that our collective hope for those world regions
where brothers fight brothers, and people die needlessly,
is not a fanciful or vain hope, it is a valid hope that can
be realized.”
H.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President
24 September 2008
“Israel turned military victories to a peace process,
knowing that the cost of life renders imperfect peace superior
to perfect victories.”
“With the Palestinians, we negotiate full peace. Both
parties agreed to building a Palestinian State side by side
with Israel, living in peace, security and respect. We tried
to conclude negotiations this year. It will take longer. But,
I believe it can be accomplished within the next year....
Gaps have been narrowed through negotiations. Particularly
the territorial ones. But, peace is not just a matter of territorial
compromise. Rogue politics reject peace even where territorial
dispute was resolved.”
“Israel, on its part, shall continue to seek peace.
We suggest immediate peace with Lebanon. Israeli prime ministers
indicated to Syria that for peace, we are ready to explore
a comprehensive compromise.”
“Israelis and Arabs are marching towards peace.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan
26 September 2008
“Even though they have suffered setbacks at times,
the citizens of Japan, who have so vigorously pursued the
building of the economy, have been guided by a single philosophy
until the present day, that peace and happiness are most certainly
within our grasp through the pursuit of economic prosperity
and democracy.”
H. E. M. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“The Secretary-General’s personal dedicated engagement
for the cause of peace as well as his endeavours in search
for solutions to the three global crises of finance, fuel
and food deserve special recognition.”
“The goal of achieving peace and prosperity remains
the highest priority of the international community. Yet,
this goal remains impeded by interstate conflict, terror,
and unlawful unilateral sanctions and interventions.”
“I can not conclude without reaffirming that development
remains central and must come first for the intertwined peace
and human rights to succeed. Therefore the full, timely and
effective implementation of the outcomes of the major UN Summits
and Conferences is indispensable. The Lao PDR reiterates its
unshakable commitment to continued full cooperation with the
international community in pursuit of a world free from fear
and want, rooted in a new, just and equitable order.”
H.E. Mr. Valdis Zatlers, President of the Republic of Latvia
24 September 2008
“Prospects of peace and stability in the Middle East
affect the whole world. Latvia hopes that the peace negotiations
between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority
will bring results. We hope that the parties will use the
window of opportunity to conclude the Peace Agreement by the
end of 2008.”
H.E. Mr. Mohlabi K. Tsekoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Relations
27 September 2008
“Peace and development are closely inter-related and
are mutually reinforcing. The United Nations cannot afford
the luxury of complacency in its mandate for the maintenance
of world peace and stability.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“From our experience as a founding member, Liberia
is committed to contributing to the re-definition of international
peace and security that is strongly linked to, and demands
the promotion of Economic Growth and Sustainable Development,
particularly food security, relief from the debt burden, globalization
and fair trade. We believe in a peace and security environment
that combats … the fight against international terrorism,
drug and other international crimes; in disarmament, especially
the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of small
arms and light weapons.”
“As current chair of MRU, I can say on behalf of my
colleagues that the countries of that basin have declared
‘never again to war and all forms of armed violence’.
The MRU will henceforth be the net exporter of peace and all
the dividends that come with peace in West Africa.”
H.E. Mr. Litokwa Tomeing, President
25 September 2008
“While the ideal of peace envisioned by the framers
of the Charter of the United Nations 63 years ago is yet to
be fully achieved, this should not be a cause for dispair.
People of goodwill everywhere have expressed their yearning
for world peace.”
“I believe, Mr. President, that time has come for the
United Nations to convoke an international convention where
the fundamental principles and tenets of permanent world peace
may be deliberated.
“Such a bold step, Mr. President, will draw our attention
more sharply to our true nature, to existing constructive
forces, and to the need for unifying social structures that
can foster the establishment of a truly new world order, and
global society animated by principles of social justice.
“Today, Mr. President, nothing is more urgent, more
imperative and more important upon this great institution
than the establishment of world peace, one that is permanent
and firmly rests upon the bedrock of justice.”
H.E. Mr Marcus Stephen, President
24 September 2008
“Sixty three years after the United Nations was founded
on the noble ideals of establishing a peaceful, free, and
tolerant global order, the world community still suffers from
the scourges of war, poverty, oppression, and discrimination
together with facing the today’s colossal global challenges
that threaten our very existence.”
H.E. Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime
minister
26 September 2008
“Nepal's peace process is unique in its characteristics
and is based on multiparty democracy, inclusiveness, accommodation,
dialogue, and the recognition of the people as the ultimate
arbiter. It is the outcome of our own creative disposition
towards peace and we feel that it can also serve as a reference
model for peace elsewhere.”
“Enjoyment of universal human rights is absolutely
essential in creating the environment of peace, justice, democracy
and development.”
H.E. Mr. Martín Torrijos, President
23 September 2008
“The United Nations has as its major principle the
preservation of peace, but peace is not just the absence of
armed conflict between countries. Peace also needs the tranquility
of nations and entails the elimination of adverse factors
that can cause motivations.”
H.E. Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President
23 September 2008
“There is no alternative to peace.”
H.E. Mr. Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, President
24 September 2008
“Peace, sustainable development, access to education
and health and the integration of the African economies in
the international markets are essential objectives to build
a more just, more peaceful and more balanced international
order.”
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir
23 September 2008
“I need not remind anyone in this august chamber which
gathers an audience of such a high level, that the goal of
this organization and the purpose of its Charter are primarily
to achieve and maintain world peace.
“The human experience that is full of hopes and horrors
reminds us all that achieving world peace is a conscious positive
act and not just wishful thinking. We have tried to look for
peace through war in which the powerful impose their will
as in the two world wars in the twentieth century.
“We have also tried to look for peace through agreement
between empires as between Britain and France in 1904. We
have tried to look for peace through coexistance between the
United States and the Soviet Union in 1971. In all those attempts,
by war or agreement between powers, by agreement between empires,
or by coexistence between blocs and doctrines, peace has remained
elusive.
“We have all recognized through these long and exhausting
experiences that achieving peace is a positive act that means
more than just eliminating the threat of arms. While it is
true that humanity has not known a global war in the last
sixty years, it is also true that peace in those last sixty
years has remained elusive for it was a peace marred by conflicts
on all continents and in all territories. We have also come
to the conclusion that in a world where barriers of distances
and time have vanished, achieving peace requires establishing
and promoting economic and social justice among peoples, and
this is what constitutes positive peace.
“If the principles of the Charter have established
the political rights of nations on the basis of international
law, the right of their peoples to social justice must be
based on the idea of development. In the past, the first generation
of advocates and proponents of the movements of national liberation
demanded for what they called “positive neutrality”
thinking that they could thus distance themselves from the
wars of the of the super powers. In fact, the realities of
today’s world require a different approach, for peace
cannot be achieved through conflict between powers, agreement
between empires, or coexistence among blocs, and not even
through positive neutrality.
“The alternative to those three options is our choice,
namely positive peace, the era of international law that ensures
political rights, and the era of development that provides
parallel and equal opportunities to one world that cannot
head into the future hindered by the injustices of politics
or blinded by the darkness of underdevelopment.
“Qatar is getting ready for the Follow-up International
Conference on Financing for Development. My country looks
forward to an international cooperation that offers the broadest
base possible for political as well as social peace. We hope
that participation in the conference will be at the highest
possible level, for the goal is ambitious and the purpose
is vital for the safety and peace of the one human global
village.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Full observance of all principles and norms of international
law, territorial integrity of States included, is a must for
all of us if we want peace, security, stability and prosperity
to prevail.”
H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President
23 September 2008
“Rwanda is committed to regional and global peace and
stability. Let us not forget that the process of comprehensively
resolving the issue of those who committed genocide in Rwanda
has yet to be accomplished. We stand ready to play our part
in addressing this matter – in the context of broader
objectives for consolidating stability and peace on our continent.
Once again, I assure you of our determination and commitment
to creating a safer and better world.”
H.E. Mr. Fiorenzo Stolfi, Minister of Foreign and Political
Affairs and Economic Planning with functions of Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The negative consequences of climate change represent
a greater obstacle to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,
and are a threat to international peace and the causes of
the most severe humanitarian emergencies.”
“The Republic of San Marino has always been committed
to the promotion of the principles of peaceful coexistence
and the mutual respect between individuals and peoples, in
the knowledge that understanding and mutual respect are prerequisites
to peace and justice. The promotion of intercultural dialogue
is a concrete tool for reaching these values and for affirming
one of the United Nations’ guiding principles: peace
founded on justice and international cooperation.”
H.E. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
25 September 2008
“The sacred duty of this Organization 'to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war' was tested in fire in
Sierra Leone. But today Sierra Leone demonstrates what the
United Nations can achieve when its Member States work closely
together. The people of Sierra Leone know the value and relevance
of the United Nations, and appreciate its continuing support
as we reconstruct our society from war to peace, and work
with determination to build a better future.”
“The United Nations has been an important force for
global peace, development, and justice. Sierra Leone’s
peace and stability are due largely to United Nations peace
keeping, a visible and an important aspect of the Organization’s
work. The Peace Building Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund,
and other United Nations agencies are helping us in critical
ways to achieve our development priorities and to meet the
challenges of postconflict reconstruction.”
“Without reconciliation, tolerance and the rule of
law there can be no true and lasting peace.”
“But we are the first to acknowledge that much more
needs to be done to achieve sustainable peace and development.
War and deadly conflicts have social and economic consequences
long after the fighting has ended. A peaceful country requires
more than the absence of war. Development remains the foremost
need of Sierra Leoneans. Moreover, it is the foundation of
security and it makes political rights meaningful. You can
only be secure if you have food, shelter, clean water, and
protection from disease. That is why the monumental task of
poverty eradication is one of the national priorities of my
Government.”
“The mission of the United Nations is more important
than ever: to serve the cause of peace, to advance development,
and to protect the human rights of all. The United Nations
is a unique Forum where the weak and the strong, the poor
and the prosperous can have their voices heard. Sierra Leone
reaffirms its commitment to the ideals and principles of the
United Nations, and will continue to be a constructive member
of the Organization.”
H.E. M. George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“For development to take place, there must be peace.
Without continuing peace in Asia, we will not be able to realize
the promise of this century.”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Justice is a prerequisite for peace, security and
development, not in contradiction with them.”
H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmed Jama Jengeli, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“May I end by emphasizing the importance of conflict
prevention, conflict resolution and conflict management not
only in Somalia but also throughout Africa and the Developing
world. If there IS no peace or security, it is hard to imagine
that any meaningful socio-economic development could take
place. It is not realistic to expect countries in a state
of conflict to achieve all or any of the agreed upon Millennium
Development Goals. Therefore it is incumbent upon ail Developing
Countries, the United Nations and the UN Security Council
to promote the conditions for effective development otherwise
the development goats will appear as an exercise in wishful
thinking.”
His Majesty King Mswati III, Head of State
25 September 2008
“Mr. President, peace, stability and security which
form the primary goals of the United Nations remain key pillars
to meaningful development.”
“We treasure peace and development and amicable regional
and international relations and together with all nations
will work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for all
humankind.”
H.E. Mr. Peter Maurer, Ambassador
29 September 2008
“Cooperation across cultural and religious borders
is not always easy. Swiss history has shown that this is most
likely to bear fruit when specific problems are tackled and
solutions are sought in an open dialogue. This approach is
reflected in Swiss peace policy we support projects whose
purpose is to bring together people with different values
and cultural backgrounds to enable them to coexist in a positive
way. This approach also characterizes our activity in the
UN-sponsored Alliance of Civilizations.”
“Justice is a requirement for lasting peace. Or in
other words peace and impunity are incompatible in the long
run.”
“Peace is not a given. It is something that has to
be striven for and achieved every day. The UN is the predestined
institution for achieving this goal. We are willing, within
our capacities, to make a contribution to this necessary collective
task.”
H.E. M. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The realization of peace requires from all those who
have a direct stake in the matter, or those who have the power
or who can influence the outcomes to evince the necessary
political will.”
H.E. M. Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Tunisia supports all efforts and initiatives aimed
at establishing new frameworks and mechanisms of action that
can help find collective solutions to the common challenges
posed in the vital fields of security, peace, development,
the environment and food security, as part of an adequate
approach to international relations founded on the complementarity
between peace, security, and development. This, however, should
be accompanied by a strengthened multilateral action on the
basis of cooperation, solidarity, and a constructive dialogue
among all countries.”
“We reaffirm Tunisia’s commitment to the values
of peace and to the principles of international legality as
the path to reaching just and lasting solutions to pending
international issues. We also renew our determination to promote
the values of moderation, tolerance, and mutual respect in
relations among countries and peoples, and to establish bridges
of communication and dialogue between all civilizations, cultures,
and religions.”
“Throughout the various development plans, Tunisia
persevered in its endeavor for development and modernization,
in order to strengthen its capacity to keep up with international
changes and actively contribute to building a world of peace
and security and establishing more balanced and solidarity-based
international relations.”
H.E. M. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Turkmenistan advocates that the Caspian area should
be a zone of peace, stability and effective international
cooperation on the basis of principles of mutual respect and
mutually beneficial partnership.”
H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President
25 September 2008
“To strengthen peace and stability the countries that
lived through internal conflict need not only humanitarian
assistance but also actual assistance in dealing with their
economic and social problems, as well as support of their
efforts aimed at establishing a foundational essential for
transition to sustainable development.”
H.E. M. Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“While the trend of peace, cooperation and development
continued to prevail, there have been complex developments
in the world during the last year.”
“As leaders of the world gathered here to discuss the
development needs of Africa, we realized clearly the organic
relationship between peace and development... Viet Nam undertakes
to work closely with the United Nations and the African Union
to find peaceful solutions to conflicts and disputes that
are still raging on in this continent.”
Security
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“It is essential to act upon the principle that justice
is a pillar of peace, security and development.”
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
23 September 2008
“However, if we look at the Organization’s progress
in fulfilling the primary purposes for which it was founded,
we must admit that in terms of eliminating war, achieving
disarmament and ensuring international security, we have failed.”
H.E. Mr. Bamir Topi, President
24 September 2008
“Albania is working to enhance the domestic capacities
to enable a greater presence aiding global peace and security
by deepening the cooperation with the United Nations in the
field of peacekeeping operations.”
H.E. The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister,
Chair of G77 and China group
25 September 2008
“The Sixty-third Session of the General Assembly is
taking place against a backdrop of escalating challenges to
international peace and security; unalleviated poverty and
diminishing food supplies for much of the world's population;
mega disasters induced by climate change; and impending meltdown
in the world's largest economy, These times and circumstances
call for a heightened sense of urgency and a stronger will
among all nations to work with and through the United Nations
in embracing multilateralism in the fullest sense.”
“The United Nations - and more broadly the international
community - has spent much time and other resources over two
decades identifying, defining and coming to common understanding
on major challenges to the global society. We have passed
resolutions and declarations in which we have defined the
challenges, identified the resources needed and resolved and
committed to meeting and overcoming the challenges as a global
community through international cooperation, In some cases,
we have agreed and set binding timeframes to achieve results.
Many of these commitments, time tables and proposals for action
have been repeated in annual resolutions of the General Assembly.
Unfortunately, many have become more technically complicated
and with less and less political commitment to unified and
mutually reinforcing irnplementation action.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The globalisation of security—arising from the
searing impact of September 11 when the obscenity visited
on this great city caused all of us to conclude that terrorism
was the enemy of all civilised humanity, not just of some
nations.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, as well as strengthening of the
international treaty system should be a priority to all states,
as the list of risks and challenges to our common security
is, regrettably, a very long one.”
“Different forms of regional, subregional and transborder
cooperation may serve as building blocks of a comprehensive
collective security system.”
“Stable peace and security can only be achieved through
development. Therefore there is an urgent need to accelerate
the implementation of the internationally agreed development
goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.”
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
25 September 2008
“If appropriate responses are not rapidly found, there
will be reason to fear dramatic repercussions on international
trade, economic growth, social progress, political stability
and hence global security.”
“As regards peace and security, perhaps more than
in any other area, Africa needs the active solidarity of the
international community.... Here, the peace agreements signed
after lengthy negotiations are yet to fully enter into force.
There, force is used to jeopardize democratic achievements.”
H.E. Mr. Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“There is risk to our economic, human, political and
military security; in other words, our general and collective
security. On the one and organized transnational crime and
terrorism threaten the international order and the rule of
law. On the other hand, the effects of global warming and
climate change, as well as the risks imposed by their worsening,
are real effects that confront world leaders and institutions.”
“We also have failed to build security and trust among
all and for all, large and small, rich and poor. Without security,
without social stability, without political and institutional
cohesiveness and above all, without mutual trust among the
international political actors, it is difficult to further
the premises that may contribute ensuring a solution for major
global problems...”
H.E. Army General François Bozizé, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“In Central Africa, because of the destructing action
of many irregular military rebel groups, often manipulated
from outside, food and security particularly in the rural
areas are often provoked by lack of security itself. This
has led the government to organize a national seminar on reform
of the security sector in April 2008 which is an important
step towards peace.”
H.E. Mr Álvaro Uribe Vélez, President of the
Republic of Colombia
24 September 2008
“Colombia continues to fight so that each and every
citizen can be confident about living, working, enterprising,
studying and being happy in their Homeland. Confidence sustained
by democratic security, security for socially responsible
investment and the construction of social cohesion.”
“Social cohension validates security. Meeting the Millennium
Goals, set for 2015, is a real urgency for us as an essential
part of building social cohension.”
“In a democracy of opinion such as ours, the sustainability
of democratic security depends on its credibility, which in
turn is based on effectiveness and transparency.”
“There are intangible results of democratic security:
citizens have greater faith in the State, and they seek their
protection, overcoming the past indifference of some and the
inclination of many to address their risks by their own means;
we have recovered the monopoly over the weapons of the State
and Official Justice; citizens have lost their fear to denounce,
give testimony and cooperate with the Armed Forces and with
Justice; victims have also left behind their fear, today they
are coming forward to claim their rights.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“The wars of conquest, the aggression and illegal occupation
of countries, military intervention and the bombing of innocent
civilians, the unbridled arms race, the pillage and usurping
of the Third World's natural resources and the imperial offensive
to crush the resistance of the peoples who are defending their
rights, constitute the greatest and most serious threats to
peace and international security.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Our interest in this matter is based on our unwavering
belief that security and military balance, especially in conflict
areas, contributes to laying the solid foundations of peace
between countries and peoples.
“However, achieving peace and security in any region
requires, among other things, the establishment of just and
parallel international and regional mechanisms in the areas
of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.”
“Regional security in our region should be construed
widely, and the security of the Arab Gulf - which is currently
in the spotlight - is one of Egypt’s principal concerns,
not only for Egypt's close relations with the GCC countries;
but also for what Egypt represents in terms of strategic depth
for its Arab brothers. Therefore, we are following closely
all developments in the region, in particular the discourse
about "new arrangements". We would like to affirm
that Egypt is working in coordination with Members of the
GCC with a view to protecting Arab national security and to
guarantee that any such arrangements - if they come into existence
- represent a true guarantee to the security of all parties.”
H.E. Mr Elías Antonio Saca González, Presiden
24 September 2008
“We have invested in development we have tried to meet
the MDGs and those successes will be swept aside by these
excessive prices of oil. We cannot continue to wait; we must
take immediate political decision to ensure development and
to prevent a much deeper crisis in order to preserve peace,
security and stability of the world.”
“We would like to reiterate our profound thanks to
the system of the United Nations having accompanied us in
the process of consolidation in the peace agreement in El
Salvador. Today El Salvador is a model; we are living witnesses
of the primordial role of the United Nations in guaranteeing
peace and stability. Aware as we are of our experience, El
Salvador participated actively as vice president in the Peacebuilding
Commission, likewise we have become a troop contributing country
to the Peace Keeping System, this is something that we do
in honor; in order to defend world peace and security in time
of need.”
H.E. Mr. Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Ethiopia has consistently helped promote peace and
stability in our region. We have no doubt that sustainable
development will only be possible with durable peace and security.”
H.E. Ms. Tarja Halonen, President
23 September 2008
“Today and in this room, it is once again time to pledge
our joint commitment to the ideas and values of the United
Nations. The Charter calls us ‘to unite our strength
to maintain international peace and security.’ While
the concept of security has changed and become broader, it
is upon us to follow this call of the Charter and translate
it into action.”
H.E. Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili, President
23 September 2008
“I come to you as the representative of one of those
places, the country of Georgia, a land of fewer than 5 million,
that last month was invaded by our neighbor. Despite, our
small size, the legal, moral, political and security implications
raised by that invasion could not be larger in consequence.
Indeed, those issues cut through to the heart of the UN’s
founding charter. The principles enshrined in that charter
included the inviolability of sovereign borders; the sanctity
of human rights; the supremacy of international law; and the
global rejection of armed aggression.”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“It is clear to us that without security Afghanistan
will not, and indeed cannot, develop. Equally, however, we
need economic development in order to improve the security
situation and to encourage people to reject fundamentalism
and terror.”
H.E. Mr Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President
24 September 2008
“However, the threats to security are also of another
type. Social inequality, hunger, the high price of food, the
use of the latter to produce bio-fuels, and global warming,
all threaten security, stability, governance and in the case
of climate change, even the future of the planet.”
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“Iraq no longer threatens international peace and security,
and therefore calls upon the international community to take
steps towards removing Iraq from Chapter VII of the United
Nations Charter, and ending settling of all actions taken
by the Security Council through its resolution based on Chapter
VII, including the issue of compensation.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Terrorism and nuclear proliferation threaten our security.”
“Effective multilateral cooperation built on shared
responsibility is vital to tackling the main threats to our
safety and security, including terrorism and the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Jordan attaches importance to promoting security and
stability in the Arab Gulf area, in accordance with principles
of international legitimacy, good neighborliness and non-interference
in the internal affairs of other States. We welcome any effective
contribution by the Arab States in any endeavour would maintain
undiminished security and the stability of the Arab region.”
H.E. Mr. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya
23 September 2008
“Indeed, the challenge of attaining democratic and
inclusive elected governments is at the core of prevailing
conflicts and insecurity in many parts of Africa.”
“Indeed, the rapid increase in oil prices is hurting
developing countries the most, and does not augur well for
international peace and security.”
“With regard to the Great Lakes, tremendous progress
has been made in promoting peace, while reducing conflict
in the region. The conclusion of the Pact on Security, Stability
and Development in the region has given impetus to our efforts.”
“We have over the years discussed the need for a more
effective and accountable United Nations that will enable
us to address the emerging and persistent global challenges
such as climate change, international security, poverty, conflicts
and economic disparities.”
H.E. Mr. Sheikah Nasser, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“These challenges, in addition to security challenges,
such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
and the violation of human rights, pose a serious threat to
international peace and security, meeting them require prompt,
collective, united and firm action under the umbrella of the
United Nations.”
H.E. Mr. Valdis Zatlers, President of the Republic of Latvia
24 September 2008
“Today I will start by addressing the security situation
of the world. During the past year the international community
has witnessed a rise in understanding of frozen conflicts.
Frozen does not mean solved. It means these conflicts can
reemerge. Therefore I am particularly glad that of significant
improvements in solving long-lasting conflicts in some regions.”
“We live in a world with a deteriorating security,
growing population, consequences of climate change, and market
turbulences, aggravated by the high energy and food prices.”
H.E. General Michel Sleiman, President
23 September 2008
“Following up closely the developments of the situation
in the Middle East, and in view of its commitment to Arab
causes, especially the just cause of Palestine, and of the
direct implications such developments have on its security
and stability, Lebanon reiterates its commitment to the process
of achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region and
to the Arab peace initiative that was unanimously adopted
by the Arab leaders at the 2002 Beirut Summit.”
“More than sixty years ago, and following a ravaging
war, a group of nations decided to shape a better future for
their children and for the world by renewing the idea of cooperation
and unity among nations in this Organization in a bid to maintain
international peace and security and pursue global social
and economic interdependence, with a view to contributing
to the protection of human rights in all its forms. While
mankind has been able to avoid global new wars, the growing
regional conflicts, the emergence of international terrorism
as a phenomenon that transcends country borders, the uncertainties
marring the globalized economy, and the emergence of the global
food crisis, threaten further low-intensity wars that might
break out in more than one region or more than one area.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“From our experience as a founding member, Liberia
is committed to contributing to the re-definition of international
peace and security that is strongly linked to, and demands
the promotion of Economic Growth and Sustainable Development,
particularly food security, relief from the debt burden, globalization
and fair trade. We believe in a peace and security environment
that combats … the fight against international terrorism,
drug and other international crimes; in disarmament, especially
the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of small
arms and light weapons.”
H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President
23 September 2008
“The United Nations cannot be a mere passive observer
if and when universal values and international law are under
threat. Still, too often we remain observers in the face of
mounting security crisis.”
“It is only through integration that a truly indivisible
security can be achieved. Indivisible security has a special
meaning and importance for smaller nations who have all too
often fall victims to the redrawing of maps.”
“It is my conviction that interaction and cooperation
between different organizations, like the OSCE, the EU, NATO,
and the Council of Europe, have been and should remain the
foundation of security and stability in Europe. It has its
difficulties and deficiencies. But it has no alternative and
new alternatives are not needed here. I am deeply worried
by new calls to revise the institutional structure of European
security rather than follow the commitments taken before the
whole international community.”
“Security, based on cooperation, should remain the
basic principle of different European organizations and of
international relations on the whole. The philosophy of the
‘balance of power,’ which is again growing popular
in some capitals, has no place in contemporary Europe.”
“Because security is indivisible, it in the interest
of the international community that the UN plays a greater
role in strengthening preventive diplomacy and making the
principle of ‘Responsibility to Protect’ work.”
H.E. Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of
Macedonia
25 September 2008
“Speaking of issues in regard to the sustainability
of peace and security, unfortunately, we have to not that
presently there are not many reasons for satisfaction. We
are still facing numerous crisis situations, old and frozen
conflicts, but also a series of recent turbulent incidents
and tensions in several regions of the world. The terrorist
acts are still occurring with worrying frequency, and we,
the member countries, are still lacking the strength to read
consensus regarding the truly necessary global convention
for fight against this evil.”
H.E. Mr. Marc Ravalomanana, President
23 September 2008
“We are facing a global food crisis, a global economic
crisis, and a global security crisis with war and political
hostilities spreading throughout the globe.… These global
crises are of such importance that they are threatening to
push the Millennium Development Goals into the margins of
our agenda. If we allowed this to happen, this would be a
major mistake. We have to remain focused on the achievement
of the MDGs. In doing so, we will also contribute to solving
some of these other complex global issues.”
H.E. Mr. Litokwa Tomeing, President
25 September 2008
“Earlier this month, the United States commemorated
the 7th anniversary of the tragic loss of lives resulting
from barbaric acts carried out against eh American people
on September 11, 2001. The event threatened our collective
security, prompting a response in support against acts of
terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President
24 September 2008
“Threats to global security are not only the result
of conflict between states, but of the challenges posed by
the activities on non state actors such as international organized
crime groups and drug trafficking.”
“Mexico and Latin American face security threats that
are a good example of common challenges: the illicit drug,
weapons and human trafficking knows no borders. Latin America
is today one of the regions of the world with the most violent
deaths, which has become one of the most limiting aspects
of our development.”
H.E. Mr. Elias Camsek Chin, Vice President
25 September 2008
“Palau is an active participant in the efforts of the
international community to combat terrorism and has made every
effort to improve its anti-terrorism capacity. We have met
with the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate to advance
our requests for assistance, particularly in the area of combating
money laundering and terrorism financing. Unfortunately, the
efforts of the Directorate have been insufficient. Out experience
has been that the capacity building efforts of the United
Nations have focused on helping countries draft and adopt
legislation. That is an excellent first step, but an insufficient
one as the best-designed legislation is meaningless without
enforcement. We hope that during the 63rd session of the General
Assembly, the United Nations will take the next step and help
smaller countries, which have the drive but not the means,
to operationalize the laws and regulations these countries
have in place to fight terrorism. We urge the establishment
of a voluntary trust fund that would allow small states to
develop effective counter-terrorism initiatives. We thank
the United States and Australia for the counter terrorism
assistance they have given us.”
H.E. Mr Lech Kaczynski, President
24 September 2008
“Poland’s involvement in international security
is visible through our participation in an anti-terrorist
coalition in numerous volatile regions of the world. Currently
more than 3500 Polish troops and police officers are stationed
as a part of global peacekeeping and stabilization forces
– from Africa, through the Balkans, through the Middle
East and Asia. Iraq was one of such places. Through its 5-year
long presence in Iraq, Poland has made efforts to help our
Iraqi friends and allies to ensure external and internal security.”
H.E. Mr. Lazar Comanescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Full observance of all principles and norms of international
law, territorial integrity of States included, is a must for
all of us if we want peace, security, stability and prosperity
to prevail.”
H.E. M. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We should take a comprehensive look at security problems.
Preside D.A. Medvedev, speaking in Berlin on 5 June, proposed
to develop a Treaty on European Security, a kind of ‘Helsinki-2’.
This work could be started at a Pan-European summit with the
participation of states as well as organizations working in
this region.
The Treaty is meant to create a reliable collective system
that would ensure equal security for all states, and, record
in a legally binding form the basics of relations between
its participants with a view to strengthening peace and ensuring
stability, and finally—promoting an integrated and manageable
development across the vast Euro-Atlantic region. It is a
process involving all participants who would reaffirm their
commitment to fundamental principles of the international
law, such as the non-use of force and peaceful settlements
of disputes, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference
in the internal affairs, and inadmissibility of strengthening
one’s own security by infringing upon the security of
others. We also need to conceive together the mechanisms to
ensure compliance with these fundamental principles. Naturally,
such a Treaty should organically fit into the legal framework
of the UN Charter and its principles of collective security.”
H.E. M. Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Tunisia supports all efforts and initiatives aimed
at establishing new frameworks and mechanisms of action that
can help find collective solutions to the common challenges
posed in the vital fields of security, peace, development,
the environment and food security, as part of an adequate
approach to international relations founded on the complementarity
between peace, security, and development. This, however, should
be accompanied by a strengthened multilateral action on the
basis of cooperation, solidarity, and a constructive dialogue
among all countries.”
H.E. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
25 September 2008
“But we are the first to acknowledge that much more
needs to be done to achieve sustainable peace and development.
War and deadly conflicts have social and economic consequences
long after the fighting has ended. A peaceful country requires
more than the absence of war. Development remains the foremost
need of Sierra Leoneans. Moreover, it is the foundation of
security and it makes political rights meaningful. You can
only be secure if you have food, shelter, clean water, and
protection from disease. That is why the monumental task of
poverty eradication is one of the national priorities of my
Government.”
H.E Mr. Ján Kubis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Also, the notion of human security is a particularly
promising concept within the United Nations to further advance
the nexus among the three pillars of UN’s work: security,
development and human rights.”
“Justice is a prerequisite for peace, security and
development, not in contradiction with them.”
H.E. Mr D.R Danilo Turk, President
24 September 2008
“The third question relates to the maintenance of
international peace and security and the necessary transformation
in that area. Let me state right at the outset that there
is a serious need for transformation of the existing institutions
in the field of international security.
“The international security landscape of today offers
a mixed picture. After the end of the cold war there were
moments of high hopes and moments of deep disappointment....
But we also have to point out that the overall number of armed
conflicts has been on decline for more than a decade now ...
in no small measure due to the contribution of the UN which
has steadily increased its experience and its capacity in
the peacekeeping, in post-conflict peace-building and also
in preventing diplomacy....
“Progress made so far has established a degree of confidence
in the capacity of the international security structures and
their key players to cooperate and even to work in partnership
for the maintenance of international peace and security. However,
it appears that the confidence developed so far is still fragile
and that the remnants of the cold war mentality are still
in existence.”
His Majesty King Mswati III, Head of State
25 September 2008
“Mr. President, peace, stability and security which
form the primary goals of the United Nations remain key pillars
to meaningful development.”
H.E. Mr. Victor Yushchenko, President
24 September 2008
“We call for the strengthening of the Security Council
role - the only body which as an exclusive authority in issues
of peace and security.”
Small
Arms and Light Weapons
H.E. Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister of External Relations
26 September 2008
“South-South cooperation, including triangular cooperation,
have the potential to contribute towards the eradication of
poverty through the establishment of partnerships for sustainable
development, trade, investment, tourism, crime prevention,
combating drug trafficking, illicit trade in small arms and
light weapons, and transnational organize crime.”
H.E. The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister,
Chair of G77 and China Group
25 September 2008
“In similar context, Mr. President, vulnerable developing
societies are victims to the globalisation of crime; notably
in the havoc wrought by handguns in the possession of criminal
elements; narco-trafficking targeted, essentially, to markets
in developed countries; and the deportation of criminals to
our shores.”
H.E. Ms Ursula Plassnik Federal Minister for European and
International Affairs
26 September 2008
“With some 500,000 victims each year, small arms and
light weapons (SALW) are today’s ‘real weapons
of mass destruction’. Africa is the continent most heavily
affected by this problem. Together with her African partners,
Austria works for real progress on the destruction of small
arms as well as on the fight against illicit arms trade. We
also cooperate in developing suitable legal instruments.”
H.E. The Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
26 September 2008
“Yet, the meteoric rise in the illicit trafficking
in drugs, small arms and light weapons, illegal migration,
and human trafficking through our sub-region creates a formidable
challenge to the national security and socio-economic growth
and development of our countries. The Bahamas reiterates the
call made my Caricom last July for the illicit brokering in
small arms and light weapons to be addressed in a holistic,
transparent and legally-binding manner, with renewed commitments
for effective and enhanced safeguards.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, as well as strengthening of the
international treaty system should be a priority to all states,
as the list of risks and challenges to our common security
is, regrettably, a very long one. In this regard, the need
for a full and universal implementation of the Non-proliferation
Treaty regime is, and must remain, of utmost importance. The
same is true for the full implementation of the UN Program
of Action against the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons.”
H.E. Mr Ouch Borith, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“Furthermore, our world is still marred by the spread
of small arms and light weapons which continue to have implications
on our comprehensive security and livelihoods, We need to
address this issue with seriousness and prompt actions. As
a country which was ravaged by war and conflict for more than
two decades, Cambodia experienced the suffering of the use
of small arms and light weapons and other weapons of war.
In this regard, we attach great importance to the agreed international
instruments, especially the implementation of the 2001 United
Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Over the years, Cambodia has taken practical measures to strictly
control the use and circulation of arms and ammunitions, as
well as to eliminate the illegal procurement and sales of
arms.”
H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie
29 September 2008
“In its desire to participate in the collective effort
in the area of peace and security, my country reaffirms here,
its full commitment to the fight against terrorism, the proliferation
of small arms and light weapons, drug and human trafficking.”
H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“Other issues of great concern for my country are the
fight against transnational organized crime and its ramifications:
production and illicit traffic of narcotics, corruption, manufacturing
and illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons, trafficking
in persons. We believe that the United Nations has taken determined
steps in these issues by adopting international conventions
that allow cooperation between our countries to fight these
scourges. We reiterate our commitment to continue cooperating
and implementing national policies required to address these
issues, but we believe that having adequate and equitable
international cooperation is essential.”
H.E. Mr. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Out intense focus on combating terrorism, transnational
organized crime, elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons
of mass destruction, must not marginalize the need for decisive
action to curb illicit trade in small arms which facilitate
internal violence in many of our countries and result in high
levels of homicides. Jamaica supports the establishment of
an arms trade treaty to impose strict controls on the illegal
trade in small arms and ammunition.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We wholeheartedly support ... the implementation of
the programme of action in the area of small arms.”
H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President
23 September 2008
“We believe in a peace and security environment that
combats … the fight against international terrorism,
drug and other international crimes; in disarmament, especially
the elimination of nuclear weapons and the control of small
arms and light weapons.”
“Armed conflicts as we have seen in Liberia and the
world over are exacerbated by easy access to small arms and
light weapons. Thus, as a part of the efforts for durable
peace in conflict zones, we must put into place rigid measures
to ensure effective controls of these weapons. My government,
in the same vein, supports the Arms Trade Treaty. We continue
to champion the call for total and complete nuclear disarmament
in order to prevent the world from self-annihilation.”
H.E. Mr. Umaru Musa Yar’adua, President
29 September 2008
“It is against this background that we raise before
this assembly, the concern of many developing countries, especially
in Africa, suffering from the devastating consequences of
the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. Most of
the civil wars and insurgencies in these countries have been
prosecuted with these weapons. And because of their lethality
and ready deployment, they may be described as Africa’s
experience of weapon of mass destruction.
“We remain convinced that the best and most effective
strategy for achieving the goal of preventing, combating and
eradicating this illicit and deadly trade is through the elaboration
of a legally-binding global instrument, as well as the political
will on the part of all, to stem the uncontrolled proliferation
of Small Arms. There is need, therefore, for urgent action
to criminalize oil bunkering, the sale of oil so acquired
and the use of its proceeds to fuel new crisis situations
in Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, through the
proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The same creativity
and political will that was demonstrated in confronting ‘blood
diamonds’ as a source of regional instability must be
available this time in dealing with ‘blood oil’
that now threatens the Gulf.”
“We call on the international community, to take bold
and robust steps that would lead to the full deployment and
operationalization of the AD-UN hybrid peacekeeping force.
In the same vein, we call on the Government of Sudan to take
steps that will facilitate the attainment of this objective
... [including] a global commitment towards stemming the flow
of small arms and light weapons into Africa.”
H.E. The Honourable Puka Temu, Deputy Prime Minister
27 September 2008
“We live in a world that provides us many opportunities,
as well as formidable development challenges. The challenges
include addressing the destructive effects from the illicit
use of small arms and lights weapons, the need to address
globalization, and food and energy security which lead into
the wider issue of human security.”
H.E. Mr. Stephenson King, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance,
International Financial Services, Economic Affairs, National
Development and External Affairs
26 September 2008
“Mr. President, Saint Lucia is seriously concerned
about the proliferation of small arms in our part of the world.
The presence of small arms in our region poses serious challenges
for the security and stability of our societies. As we struggle
to address this problem within our limited resources, we call
on those states that are engaged in the production and trade
of small arms and ammunition to enact appropriate measures
to curb the illicit trade which threatens the stability and
security of our societies.”
H.E. Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The geographic happenstance that has placed the innocent
people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the path of
increasingly intense storms has also located us unfortunately
between the supply and demand that fuels much of the West’s
narcotics trade. As a result, our scarce resources are increasingly
being diverted to stem the tide of drugs and small arms flowing
through our region. To the people of Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, disarmament does not mean the eradication of nuclear
weapons, which we lack the will and resources to build, but
the elimination of small arms, which threaten to shoot holes
in the fabric of our democracy and compromise the values of
our civilisation. We are assailed by guns, which we do not
build; and by deadly narcotics such as cocaine, which we do
not produce. The United Nations must act to protect the innocent
victims of the world from the scourge of small arms and light
weapons.”
H.E. Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The Caribbean also falls pretty to the nefarious trade
in narcotics, to which is linked the illegal proliferation
of small arms and light weapons. In an effort to confront
these challenges, we have concluded with out neighbors the
CARICOM Maritime and Air Space Security Cooperation Agreement
to protect our borders from illegal activities. We, however,
recognize the important role of the United Nations, as the
multilateral forum, in providing assistance in areas such
as capacity building to augment our own resources. For the
States of Caribbean, a critical aspect of disarmament is the
eradication of the illegal trade in small arms. Trinidad and
Tobago, therefore, calls for urgent action to compete the
work on the elaboration of an Arms Trade Treaty.”
Terrorism
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
23 September 2008
“We are well-aware of the many challenges to peace
and security around the world. I am thinking of global terrorism,
and the enduring importance of disarmament and nonproliferation.”
H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann
23 September 2008
“In addition to the problem of hunger, poverty and
high food prices, there are many other problems whose human
origin can no longer be doubted. These include ... the arms
build-up, terrorism....”
H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President
24 September 2008
“Since the last time we gathered here in this great
hall, we have passed a year of great hopes and grave fears;
we have witnessed ... with disbelief the brutal, wholesale
slaughter of innocent people at the hands of terrorists in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Algeria and several other parts
of the world.
“Since I spoke at this podium in the last general assembly,
my country Afghanistan has grappled with a number of important
challenges, none more troubling than the problem of international
terrorism. Terrorist forces have significantly increased their
attacks and brutality enjoyed freedom in their sanctuaries.
“While Afghanistan has borne the brunt of terrorist
violence, the scourge has now spread like a wildfire across
the wider region. In Pakistan, where until recently extremist
circles remained mainly focused on destabilizing Afghanistan,
today terrorist violence is also directed within the Pakistani
territory and against the Pakistani people. Daily acts of
intimidation and violence against communities in Afghanistan
and Pakistan in particular on both sides of the Durand Line;
killing of political tribal leaders and burning of schools
are the upshots of the continued spawning and spread of terrorism
and extremism in the region. The callous attack on the Marriot
hotel in Islamabad over the weekend, the bombing of the Indian
Embassy in Kabul, and the terrorist attacks in the Indian
cities of Bangalore and Ahmedabad were the most disturbing
demonstration of terrorists’ growing reach.
“Undoubtedly, terrorism will not go away until we dismantle
the elaborate institutional support terrorists enjoy in the
region and eliminate their secure sanctuaries. This will be
possible if we engage in a sincere regional and international
cooperation.”
“I assure my brothers, President Zardari and Prime
Minister Gilani that Afghanistan stands ready to take several
steps for each single step that Pakistan will take to address
the challenge of radicalism and terrorism.
“To the extent that terrorism in our region continues
to be a global threat, evolving in nature and tactics the
struggle against it must continue unabated. “
“To this end, I call for redoubling of efforts by the
international community aimed at enabling the Afghan national
security institutions, both the Army and the Police, to take
on a greater share of the war against terrorism and the protection
of our people.”
“Whereas military endeavor at the regional and international
levels remains a primary response to the threat of terrorism,
success will only be possible if the local population is empowered
to confront it. Therefore, while terrorism and a persistent
environment of insecurity are at work to subvert Afghanistan’s
economic growth, we must do what it takes to win the battle
of Afghanistan’s economic development.”
H.E. Mr. Bamir Topi, President
24 September 2008
“The global fight against terrorism, especially through
guaranteeing an effective response to this collective threat
requires the United Nations to continue to play a very important
role. Albania has very actively met its obligations and responsibilities
in the global fight against terrorism in compliance to the
United Nations General Assembly Strategy against Terrorism,
which was unanimously passed on September 8th, 2006.”
“Challenges such as the fight against terrorism, organized
crime, arms proliferation and border management have an interlinked
character and can only be overcome through joint actions,
initiatives and commitment. We will continue to the play same
constructive role to our benefit and to that of the whole
region.”
H.E. Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister of External Relations
26 September 2008
“South-South cooperation, including triangular cooperation,
have the potential to contribute towards the eradication of
poverty through the establishment of partnerships for sustainable
development, trade, investment, tourism, crime prevention,
combating drug trafficking, illicit trade in small arms and
light weapons, and transnational organize crime.”
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
25 September 2008
“We continue to respond to the horizontal, netlike
challenges of today such as terrorism, international crime,
drug trafficking and others, through the institutions which
are envisaged predominantly to smooth over the controversies
among the states. Regional cooperation can become one of the
essential means to address these new challenges.”
H.E. The Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
25 September 2008
“The globalisation of security—arising from the
searing impact of September 11 when the obscenity visited
on this great city caused all of us to conclude that terrorism
was the enemy of all civilised humanity, not just of some
nations.”
“The United Nations, and we its member states, have
a responsibility to protect the nations and the people of
the world. We must protect people from terrorism. And this
must include commitment to support those nations in the frontline
of the struggle. Australia is working closely with the Government
of Afghanistan and our global partners to bring security and
stability to Afghanistan. We can never again allow that nation
to become a haven for terrorists.”
H.E. The Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
26 September 2008
“International peace and security is important to us
all. The Bahamas fully supported the General Assembly’s
adoption in September 2006 of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy as a framework for collective action to prevent and
combat terrorism.”
“The Bahamas condemns terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations; and we call for, and commit to, the full implementation
of a culture of peace, justice and human development, and
respect for all religions and cultures.”
“I am pleased to inform of my Government’s ratification,
since taking office last year, of the United Nations Convention
Against Corruption, the International Convention on the Suppression
of Terrorist Bombings and the United Nations Convention Against
Transnational Organized Crime and its three Protocols. The
Bahamas commends the Secretary General’s initiative
in organizing the first-ever UN Symposium on Support for the
Victims of Terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We must exert our utmost efforts, to address weaknesses
such as the threats to the international security system from
a whole range of sources, including extremists, terrorists,
drug traffickers, money launderers or intellectual property
pirates. We need to develop collective security arrangements
that will unite and bring together our security efforts, while
guaranteeing respect of the existing borders between states
and non-encroachment on their sovereignty. On the issue of
terrorism, we consider terrorism to have many faces—be
it in the form of the heinous crime which struck Islamabad
a few days ago, be it or in the form of agitation and instigation
from a distance, or be it in other forms. We should be clear
in confronting terrorism in a comprehensive manner, so as
to defeat it, both in the field and ideologically. We believe
that if there is a battle against terrorism, it should be
a comprehensive battle by all to rid us of this evil.”
H.E. Mr. David Thompson, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance,
Economic Affairs and Development, Labour, Civil Service and
Energy
26 September 2008
“We will partner with our fellow Caribbean states to
... secure our borders from the threats of drugs and arms
trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Lyonchoen Jigmi Yoezer Thinley, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
Terrorism: “And then there is terrorism and
extremism of the most barbaric cowardly kind – using
the weak and the deranged to kill and maim the innocent.”
H.E. Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“When countering terrorism it is essential to conduct
that struggle within the requirements of international law,
to overcome prejudices, stereotype perceptions in a world
of great diversity. Bulgaria's long history of tolerance has
been based on the common understanding that cultural diversity
is a great asset in our society. It is in this spirit Bulgaria
actively participates in the UN Alliance of Civilizations
and supports other like-minded initiatives.”
H.E. Mr Ouch Borith, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation
29 September 2008
“Terrorism is a stumbling block to the advancement
and properity of our society and the world at large. We need
to recommit ourselves and strengthen our practical measures,
including putting gin place a good strategy to combat terrorism
at national, regional, and international levels. We must enhance
at all levels the relevant instruments on counter-terrorism,
in particular the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy
which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in
December 2006.
“For Cambodia, the Royal Government of Cambodia has
devoted its time, energy, efforts and resources to join the
international community to combat terrorism in accordance
with the United Nations conventions and protocols and agreement
on security cooperation with ASEAN Member States, including
its partners in the region. To live up to our strong commitment,
the Law on Counter Terrorism was promulgated by His Majesty
the King of Cambodia in July 2007, and our national mechanism
in this area has been constantly strengthened.”
H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President
25 September 2008
“Our continent is, unfortunately, not also spared
by the threat of terrorism which has henceforth taken a global
dimension. I am convinced that only global and resolute action
will help address this issue. Cameroon will contribute its
quota as necessary.”
H.E. Mr. Leonard Edwards, Deputy Foreign Minister
29 September 2008
“For Canada, the United Nations remains indispensable
for addressing the many global challenges that confront us
today, whether it be the search for peace and security, or
the promotion of human rights, democracy and international
development, or combatting terrorism, or the protection of
the environment.”
“We stand ready to work within the UN to address new
challenges such as climate change and combatting terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“There is risk to our economic, human, political and
military security; in other words, our general and collective
security. On the one and organized transnational crime and
terrorism threaten the international order and the rule of
law. On the other hand, the effects of global warming and
climate change, as well as the risks imposed by their worsening,
are real effects that confront world leaders and institutions.”
H.E. Army General François Bozizé, President
24 September 2008 Unofficial translation by WILPF staff.
“Hunger, the environment, corruption and ethnic conflicts
are indeed a burden for the most needy populations on earth.
Other threats such as terrorism, poverty and bad governance
also help to make the world even more vulnerable and mean
that we must find some replies and to find some ways and means
to finding a durable solution to them.”
H.E. Dr. Michelle Bachelet, President
24 September 2008
“We have witnessed – sometimes tragically –
the emergence or reappearance of various problems of global
significance, such as climate change, terrorism and the food
crisis.”
H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council
24 September 2008
“Given the global nature of issues threatening the
survival and development of mankind [sic] such as ... the
spread of terrorism ... no country can expect to stay away
from the difficulties or handle the problems all by itself.”
H.E. Mr Álvaro Uribe Vélez, President
24 September 2008
“From [observance of Human Rights] ... comes our respect
for liberties in the midst of the fights against terrorism.”
“Illicit Drugs are a great enemy of the environment
and they fuel terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie
29 September 2008
“In its desire to participate in the collective effort
in the area of peace and security, my country reaffirms here,
its full commitment to the fight against terrorism, the proliferation
of small arms and light weapons, drug and human trafficking.”
H.E. Dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“We live in a world that has significantly redefined
the traditional notion of threats to international peace and
security. In an increasingly interconnected world, global
threats are taking many forms. Terrorism, poverty, disease,
climate change, environmental degradation and rising food
prices command that we work together, as only a common vision
and collective action, implemented in the spirit of solidarity
and responsibility, can counter there challenges.
“Terrorism attempts to undermine the core values of
the modern world, and poses a serious challenge to our security,
to the basic principles of democratic societies and to the
rights and freedoms of our citizens. Terrorist acts are criminal
in nature and cannot be justified under and circumstances.
Croatia appreciates and fully supports all efforts in the
global struggle against terrorism, within the UN system and
beyond.
“Since the beginning of this year, Croatia has been
chairing the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee,
which was established in the immediate aftermath of the devastating
terrorist attacks against the United State and the whole democratic
world on September 11, 2001. We have assumed this responsibility
with utmost seriousness and are working towards moving the
Committee forward by focusing on concrete results and achieving
realistic objectives.
“I would also like to reiterate the importance Croatia
attaches to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as one of
the primary international documents in the global fight against
terrorism. Croatia is also active on the regional level, presiding
over CODEXTER within the Council of Europe.”
H.E. Mr. José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President
of the Council of State and Ministers
24 September 2008
“Concepts such as limitation of sovereignty, preemptive
war or regime change, are an expression of the desire to mutilate
the independence of our countries. The so-called war on terrorism
or the false promotion of their freedoms, are an excuse for
aggression and military occupation, for torture, arbitrary
arrests and the denial of the right of self-determination
of peoples, for unfair blockades and unilaterally imposed
sanctions, for the imposition of political, economic and social
models that facilitate imperial domination, in open disdain
for history, cultures and the sovereign will of the peoples.”
“What respect is due to a government that attacks the
sovereignty of other Stales using the excuse of the fight
against terrorism, while at the same time guaranteeing impunity
to anti-Cuban terrorists?”
H.E. Mr. Dimitris Christofias, President
24 September 2008
“A response to the problem of international terrorism
will only be effective if our world becomes less unjust. Without
tackling hunger and poverty, without solving regional disputes
on the basis of international legitimacy and without a more
fair distribution of global wealth, peace can not grow firm
roots.”
H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“We need to step up efforts in combating international
terrorism. The stakes remain high. With our deep condolences
to the people of India and Pakistan, we strongly condemn the
recent terrorist attacks in New Delhi and Islamabad. We must
not be shaken but stand up to this scourge united, stronger
and more determined. I was deeply moved by the condolences
expressed by my Pakistani counterpart. It is touching to hear
with from someone whose country has suffered immensely from
terrorism.”
“We need to undertake some bold steps in the area of
weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation. We should
reduce the risk that those weapons are misused or fall into
the hand of terrorists. The immediate task is to ensure a
successful outcome of the Non-Proliferation Treaty review
process and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty.”
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“Nearly ten years have passed since the UNGA has adopted
the Millennium Declaration... Nevertheless, a vicious circle
of aggression and intervention, conflict and terrorism still
persists within the international relations, and consequently
global peace and security continue to face new serious challenges.”
“Attempts to justify violations of sovereignty of developing
countries under the pretext of ‘war on terror’,
‘human rights’ and ‘non-proliferation’
get more undisguised.”
H.E. Ambassador Carsten Staur, Chairperson of the Delegation
29 September 2008
“During the past weeks we have witnessed new cruel
and meaningless acts of terrorism. The evil terrorist attack
in Islamabad on the Marriot Hotel this September 20th resulted
in the loss of many innocent lives; most of the lives were
Pakistanis, and also other nationalities, one of them Danish.
This and other attacks came only a few weeks after all UN
member states had reaffirmed their commitment to the UN counter
terrorism strategy. We must respond to these despicable acts
of fanatics with great determination to strengthen international
cooperation in this area. All UN bodies must join up in the
fight against terrorism. Hopefully, this General Assembly
will, finally, agree to a comprehensive convention on international
terrorism. In addition, we must focus on due process and sanctions,
as it becomes increasingly clear that the lack of adequate
due process hampers the efficiency of the sanction systems.”
“In the are of development, in the area of peace and
security, in the area of human right – and in the many
areas that transcend borders. But this can only be addressed
through multilateral cooperation, like counter-terrorism,
non-proliferation, pandemics – and climate change. Multilateralism
is our only response to the challenges, risks and opportunities
of an interdependent and globalized world.”
H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
29 September 2008
“We share with him the need to prioritize the fight
for the eradication of poverty and to pay special attention
to relevant issues such as climate change, energy crisis,
terrorism, human rights, disarmament and nuclear control,
the rights of women and children, and the preservation of
biodiversity and of culture diversity.”
“My country supports the actions the United Nations
is putting in place to address the serious problems of security
we face, such as the fight against terrorism, the world problem
of drugs, the fight against transnational organized crime.
In this sense, we are glad to see the positive results reached
during the first analysis of the advance in the implementation
of the Global Strategy against Terrorism, and which decided
to institutionalize the Counter Terrorism Working Group.”
“Ecuador also supports negotiations aimed at the eventual
adoption of a legally binding Convention on terrorism. However,
we believe that, in view of the transcendence and the implications
of the issue, this Convention should gather in an express
and unequivocal way the obligations of all States of limiting
the fight against terrorism in the framework of international
law, human rights, international humanitarian law and the
principles and norms established in the United Nations Charter.
“The fight against terrorism cannot be an excuse for
some States to feel released from their obligation of respecting
fundamental norms of international law, such as the sovereignty
and the territorial integrity of other States, and the non-intervention
in their internal affairs. The violation of the human rights
of alleged terrorists, who have been tortured, have been incarcerated
in clandestine military prisons and have been deprived of
these elemental right to defend themselves also constitute
a very serious precedent. These practices must be condemned
by the international community.”
H.E. M. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The 63rd Session of the General Assembly takes place
against the back drop of various international and regional
developments that are closely linked to the peace and security
of all humanity ... [including] combating terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2008
“Terrorism is a scourge that impedes peace and development
in any part of the world. As its occurrence in any form threatens
global security at large, Ethiopia believes that it should
be addressed collectively. In this regard, we attach great
significance to the value of dialogue among civilizations
to build a culture to enable us to create closer understanding
among nations, all nations.”
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
23 September 2008
“...to fight terrorism, we cannot wait.”
“Europe is telling Israel ... that we will always be
at Israel’s side to fight terrorism.”
“Europe is saying to Afghanistan that it will continue
to stand by that country’s side, that it will not permit
the Taliban allied with al Qaeda again to take a people hostage
and turn an entire country into a terrorist base!”
H.E. Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Deputy Federal Chancellor
and Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“It is now generally accepted that we can only master
the new challengs of the 21st century such as ... terrorism,
if we act together.”
“It is clear to us that without security Afghanistan
will not, and indeed cannot, develop. Equally, however, we
need economic development in order to improve the security
situation and to encourage people to reject fundamentalism
and terror.”
H.E. Mr. John Agyekum, President
24 September 2008
“Examples of the challenges which practically all previous
speakers have alluded to, include ... the massive trafficking
in drugs and weapons; and the spate of harrowing acts of terrorism
in many parts of the world.”
H.E. Ms. Dora Bakoyannis, Foreign Minister
27 September 2008
“Along with protecting the weak and vulnerable, the
U.N. has the responsibility to act forcefully to protect the
world from the kind of fanaticism and extremism that cripple
any social program. Terrorism poses a major threat to the
security of our countries, to the stability of our democratic
societies and to the rights and freedoms of our citizens.
Around the world, whether in Afghanistan or Pakistan, Iraq
or Yemen, the international community must show its strong
commitment to combating terrorism while protecting human rights
and the rule of law.”
H.E. Mr. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“No one in the developed world can deny the value of
a small country like Grenada in the expansion of democracy
and the fight against terrorism.”
“Grenada maintains its staunch and unwavering stance
in the fight against terrorism, illicit drugs, weapons and
human trafficking.”
“Grenada strongly condemns all violent acts by those
who are bent on creating chaos and panic in different regions
around the world and thus supports all efforts to bring the
perpetrators to justice.”
“Additionally, Grenada is committed to the full implementation
of the recommendations adopted by the Caribbean financial
Task Force to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.”
H.E. Mr Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President
24 September 2008
“The world suffers the ravages of terrorism and organized
crime, including narco-activity. In this regard, my Government
is adding its part to the global combat against these ills,
adopting measures that seek not only to dispose of effective
and refined security forces for this purpose, but also to
strike against organized crime, the framework of the rule
of law and justice. The United Nations joins us in this arduous
task through the International Commission against Impunity
in Guatemala (CICIG), whose valuable contribution I sincerely
appreciate.”
H.E. Ms. Kinga Göncz, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“In the field of counter terrorism, the full and earliest
implementation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy is the
most important outstanding issue, where the main responsibility
is on the member states. The conclusion of the Comprehensive
Convention on international terrorism also remains a high
priority for the Republic of Hungary, and we fully support
the work of the Ad Hoc Committee. We hope that during the
sixty-third session we will be able to finalize the drafting
of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“The growing assertion of separate identities and ethnic,
cultural and religious intolerance threatens our developmental
efforts and our peace and stability. It is vital that we strengthen
international cooperation to combat terrorism and to bring
the perpetrators, organisers, financers and sponsors of terrorism
to justice. We should conclude expeditiously the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
25 September 2008
“While the Iraqi people are building a new federal
state based on democracy, pluralism, and the peaceful distribution
of power, they have, been subjected to, and affected by, a
series of terrorist acts which target all Iraqis be they Arabs,
Kurds, Turkmens and Kildo Assyrian that attempted to ignite
sectarian strife and undermine the political process and stability
of the country, while aiming to return Iraq to the days of
tyranny, backwardness, oppression, and dictatorship.
“Terrorism is a blind danger that threatens everyone.
At a time when the Iraqi people call upon the representatives
of the elected national government to combat its remnants,
they call upon the international community, and in particular
neighboring countries, to support Iraq in its effort to combat
violence and terrorism, all while promoting peace, security,
and stability. This positively impacts the stability and security
of the region, the interests of its peoples, and the international
community as a whole.
“These acts of terrorism, committed by the enemies
of freedom will not discourage our people from establishing
a new democratic experience, which our people paid a heavy
price for.
Our position requires the support and assistance from countries
around the world to be able to build a modern nation which
ensures justice, equality, the strengthening of the rule of
law, the respect for human rights, and women’s participation
in all spheres of life.
“The Iraqi Government has relentless determination
towards imposing the rule of law throughout Iraq, disarming
militias, fighting sectarian conflict, and building state
institutions on the basis of nationalism.”
H.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President
24 September 2008
“Terrorism did not solve a single problem. It never
has, and never will. They will make the world ungovernable.
If small groups of violent killers are allowed to threaten
innocent masses, the world will be without order or security.”
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2008
“Terrorism and nuclear proliferation threaten our security.”
“Our vigilance against terrorism must remain high and
our international cooperation intense. In the next few years
we should work together on a new global pact against terrorism
to be enacted in 2011 on die tenth anniversary of the tragic
events of September 11. The protection of human rights and
rule of law must underpin our action.”
H.E. Mr. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister
26 September 2008
“Out intense focus on combating terrorism, transnational
organized crime, elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons
of mass destruction, must not marginalize the need for decisive
action to curb illicit trade in small arms which facilitate
internal violence in many of our countries and result in high
levels of homicides. Jamaica supports the establishment of
an arms trade treaty to impose strict controls on the illegal
trade in small arms and ammunition.”
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan
26 September 2008
“And speaking of July 7, this date conjures up abhorrent
memories in the United Kingdom. We, the delegates assembled
here, have become newly incensed at the atrocity of the terrorist
attack that took place in Islamabad five days ago. It has
also turned out to be difficult to find the path towards improving
the situation in Afghanistan. There has been no change whatsoever
to the fact that terrorism constitutes the greatest threat
to the peace and prosperity of the world.
“I believe that the international community must continue
to be engaged in tenacious efforts to combat terrorism. Japan
has from the start been committed to reconstruction assistance
to Afghanistan and we have maintained our refueling activities
in the Indian Ocean. I would like to state here that Japan
will continue into the future to stand side by side with the
international community and participate proactively in the
fight against terrorism.”
H.E. M. Salah Bashir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jordan
29 September 2008
“I would like to add to that the challenges, which have
imposed upon us by the continuation of the military occupation
and denying people the right to their self-determination and
the right to free expression of its identity, and the growing
crisis of conflict between cultures, as well as the scourge
of international terrorism and extremism.”
“Jordan, like the whole area, suffered from the scourge
of terrorism. This has made us more vigilant and more determined
to combat terrorism effectively in order to eradicate it.
Jordan upholds international counter-terrorism conventions
and values the international cooperation in this area. In
addition, it takes the necessary measures at the national
level, including, legislative measures to combat this scourge
effectively to support the international efforts in the area
of combating terrorism.”
H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2008
“The crisis of non-proliferation regimes has brought
about a real threat of terrorists getting hold of nuclear
weapons. Kazakhstan actively participates in the Global Initiative
to Combat the Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and, in this regard
hosted this year the Atom-Antiterror exercises and an international
conference on the physical protection of nuclear material.”
“Combating international terrorism remains a global
problem, which requires the unity and determination of the
entire international community. Having signed all universal
conventions in this field, Kazakhstan operates actively within
