General Assembly Session 61 meeting 18

The President

I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Mr. Sisoulith (Laos)

Allow me, Madam, to congratulate you upon your election as President of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly. I also wish to take this opportunity to convey our high appreciation to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his commendable achievements throughout his two consecutive terms of office, in the maintenance of peace and the promotion of socio-economic development the world over.

Despite the fact that today's global trend is towards peace and development cooperation, the international situation continues to undergo rapid and complex changes. Numerous events during the past year demonstrate that world peace, justice and security are far from being secured, due to the use of force in the settlement of international problems and violations of the sovereignty of Member States. All of this creates major impediments to peace and development cooperation among States and peoples.

Globalization offers new opportunities for economic development, yet its benefits are unevenly shared. Developing countries, in particular the most vulnerable groups, namely the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, have taken important steps to launch trade liberalization and further integrate themselves into the world economy. Nevertheless, those countries continue to face many problems, primarily the lack of basic infrastructure, access to markets, capital, new technology, financing and investment. In order to solve those problems, the international community must create an enabling environment conducive to development, whereby the interests of developing countries can be tangibly promoted.

To enable the United Nations to meet the challenges ahead, it should be reformed in a comprehensive, inclusive and balanced manner. This would enhance the important role of the Organization in maintaining international peace and security and promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes and international cooperation for development. In addition, the United Nations reform process should include the revitalization of the General Assembly, the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council and reform of the Security Council in order to render it more legitimate, democratic and effective.

Despite the failure of the recent United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, the Lao People's Democratic Republic considers that the Programme of Action is a living document and remains a framework for cooperation that empowers States to work towards its full and effective implementation.

The historic first meeting of heads of State or Government of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, held on 14 September 2006 in Havana, Cuba, adopted a declaration reaffirming the right of access to and from the sea of landlocked countries, in accordance with international law, and underscored the importance of a midterm review to assess the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action. In my capacity as Chairman of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, I appeal to the international community to further address the special needs and problems of that vulnerable group and to lend us support and assistance in our efforts to bring the midterm review process to a successful conclusion.

The country supports General Assembly resolutions that call upon the Government of the United States of America to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on the Republic of Cuba.

In the Middle East, there is an urgent need to implement Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), which would bring normalcy to the situation in Lebanon and pave the way for a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian problem, in conformity with the relevant United Nations resolutions.

The situation in the Korean peninsula requires that problems should be resolved by peaceful means. In that regard, we call for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks based on the principles and commitments set out in the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005, in order to promote peace and security in the region.

The international community is deeply concerned to see the people of Iraq continue daily to endure significant losses in human lives and property. My country expresses the hope that peace, security and national unity will be restored as soon as possible.

In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, following the election of members of the National Assembly of the sixth legislature, held in early 2006, a new Government has been formed with the main tasks of consistently pursuing the policy of overall restructuring and ensuring the effective implementation of our five-year socio-economic development plan. That achievement would contribute to strengthening the nation's political stability and social security and to consolidating solidarity throughout society.

Over the past five years, the national economy has grown at an annual average rate of 6.3 per cent, the incidence of poverty has declined from 48 per cent of the population in 1990 to 28.7 per cent in 2006, and opium cultivation has been completely eradicated. Public investment was concentrated in areas such as infrastructure and social development, particularly human resource development which focuses on education, health and culture. Moreover, foreign direct investment has swiftly increased.

For the coming years, the Government will concentrate all its efforts and actively mobilize all of the country's forces and potential, in conjunction with favourable conditions and opportunities provided by the international community, for the purpose of ensuring the successful implementation of our national socio-economic development plan for the period 2006-2010, with a view to achieving steady economic growth at an annual rate of 7.5 per cent.

It is expected that by 2010, the slash and burn method of cultivation will definitely be terminated and that the problem of poor households will be basically solved. In addition, policies of support for small and medium enterprises will be implemented concurrently with the promotion and gradual expansion of industrialization, with a view to further improving the living conditions of our people and raising them to a higher level.

Similarly, the Lao People's Democratic Republic will further expand its relations and cooperation with the international community and will contribute actively to the regional integration process, particularly the integration of countries members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the aim of enhancing the role of the Lao People's Democratic Republic as an efficient partner of the countries in South-East Asia and other regions of the world.

In closing, the Lao People's Democratic Republic reiterates its determination to work in unison with the international community to create an environment conducive to promoting the well-being of all countries and peoples the world over.

The President

I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia.

Mr. Hor (Cambodia)

At the outset, on behalf of the Cambodian delegation, let me extend our heartfelt congratulations to you, Ms. Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on your election to the presidency of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly. Your election to that important post is a testament to Your Excellency's distinctive abilities and impressive achievements over the years. I am convinced that under your direction, this year's session will achieve a successful outcome.

Please allow me also to pay tribute to the vision and tireless efforts of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in promoting global peace and in taking the necessary steps to encourage many initiatives for the reform of the United Nations. Our appreciation is also addressed to His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson for his efficient leadership as President of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly, as well as for his countless contributions to United Nations reform initiatives.

In the face of uncertainties and challenges, where the world seems to be inundated with conflicts and serious threats -- such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), terrorism, environmental degradation and infectious diseases -- it is important for all of us to keep our commitment to maintain peace and security in the world. In addition, I believe that the reduction of global poverty and the achievement of sustainable development in many developing countries are vital for human security. At the same time, they are a daunting task for the United Nations as a catalyst of the international community in helping to improve the situation of those countries.

Concerning the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Cambodia is of the view that the international community needs to be more vigilant about the issue and to ensure that WMDs or their components do not fall into the wrong hands -- those of terrorists, organized crime groups or others -- which could have dangerous implications for international peace and security. In that regard, we need to strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) regime in order to secure a better and more peaceful world for all. Nor should small arms and light weapons be underestimated, as they are an equally dangerous source of conflict, transnational crime and violence in many regions and countries.

The fight against terrorism remains of utmost priority for all Governments and for the United Nations, given the continuing threat posed by terrorism despite the serious measures and actions that have been taken by Governments and international and regional organizations at various levels, including this world body. To combat terrorism effectively requires, I believe, more efforts, more technical capacity, more education, more information-sharing among law enforcement authorities and intelligence communities and maybe more understanding in some specific cases of the root causes of acts of violence which are tantamount to reactions of despair.

Concerning the Middle East crisis, we have to congratulate the Security Council on the adoption of its resolution 1701 (2006) to end the recent war in Lebanon. We call upon all parties concerned to fully respect that resolution in order to prevent a repetition of the conflict and further loss of innocent life. In the same vein, the international community should work more actively to help bring about a permanent end to the violence between Palestine and Israel. I believe that peace in the Middle East will be better guaranteed only when the leaders of both sides -- Palestine and Israel -- have the courage and wisdom to realize that they cannot continue to destroy each other forever, but must work together for a lasting peace in the region.

Both Israel and Palestine have the right to coexist as independent and sovereign States. At the same time, they need to overcome their historical animosity and hatred towards each other. Whether they like it or not, Israel and Palestine are destined to coexist as neighbours forever. I strongly believe that a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would create the foundation for durable peace and security in the entire Middle East.

With regard to United Nations reform, it is clear that in recent years, every State member of the world body has wanted the United Nations to be reformed. However, when the opportunity arises, we face a deadlock on this very important issue, because too much emphasis has been placed on reform of the Security Council. In that regard, I think that we should learn this lesson and try to avoid repeating such mistakes in the future. In other words, we should take a step-by-step approach and tackle minor problems first, such as strengthening the role of the Economic and Social Council to deal with development, since that issue is less controversial and there is more inclination to support it.

Next, we might consider revitalizing the General Assembly as the sole body representative of all United Nations Member States. Afterward, we can move forward to the reform of the Security Council. We have to start first with issues where consensus could be easily reached, and then move to the more difficult ones, without having to completely stall the United Nations reform process.

Since their adoption in 2000, by and large there has been progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). But in actuality there has been little achievement for developing countries thus far due to a number of factors, such as lack of financial and human resources, including the negative impact of globalization, which has led to a widening gap between developed countries and poor nations.

In Cambodia, the Royal Government has set up its own "MDGs", called the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals, with specific target priorities. Since their establishment, Cambodia has made positive progress in some areas, such as reducing poverty, combating HIV/AIDS and improving the livelihood of our people, thanks to the rectangular strategy of the Royal Government, which yielded strong economic growth over the past year.

Extreme poverty in the world today is an affront to the whole world with 1.3 billion people still living on the margins of life, earning less than one dollar a day, while another 1.8 billion are living on less than two dollars a day, in spite of the commitment to the MDGs in 2000. Addressing this crucial problem requires painstaking efforts at the national and international levels. The eradication of poverty is, first and foremost, the responsibility of the whole world and requires the cooperation of the developed countries and international organizations. Given the enormous resources and wealth of this world, I believe that no one on this planet should go hungry while in developed countries there is an over-supply of food, which has led to wasteful dumping.

To deal with global poverty, a comprehensive approach and collective actions are needed. Official development assistance, debt relief, market access, transfer of know-how, foreign direct investment and so forth must be addressed all together, so that developing countries can catch up with the current globalization in order to bridge the gap between peoples and nations in this world where we all are living.

Finally, let me reiterate that our world today will continue to face major global threats and challenges. The role of the United Nations, as an Organization that is representative of the whole world, in tackling these phenomena is of paramount importance for humankind. Therefore, Cambodia hopes that United Nations reform can move ahead to significantly contribute to dealing with these challenges successfully.

The President

I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Mr. Oli (Nepal)

At the outset, Madam, I would like to congratulate you warmly on your election as President of the General Assembly at this session and to assure you of my delegation's full cooperation in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to you. I am fully confident that we will be able to bring the business of this session to a successful conclusion under your leadership.

His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, the outgoing President, deserves our sincere appreciation for a job well done.

I join previous speakers in heartily welcoming the Republic of Montenegro as a fellow Member of this world body. The continued expansion of the membership underlines the importance of the United Nations as an Organization of truly global character, centrality and indispensability in global affairs.

This is, indeed, a great opportunity for me to represent the voice of the democratic Government and the sovereign people of Nepal in this Assembly. I have brought with me greetings and best wishes from the Government and the people of Nepal for the success of this session.

I wish to inform the Assembly that Nepal is undergoing a fundamental transformation following the restoration of democracy through the peaceful people's movement in April 2006. The people of Nepal has become, for the first time in history, the real source of sovereignty and State authority. The historic parliamentary proclamation of 18 May 2006, and the subsequent decisions of the parliament, have made real contributions to safeguarding and consolidating the gains of the people's movement. We are currently engaged in institutionalizing an edifice of a democratic and inclusive Nepali State through the reinstated parliament.

The people and the Government of Nepal are thankful to the international community for its strong support during our struggle for democracy. We are hopeful of even greater support and solidarity in our transition towards full-fledged democracy and lasting peace.

This momentous change in Nepal has also led to the conversion of a protracted conflict into a peace process, and we are confident that it will be brought to a successful conclusion. I take this opportunity to sincerely express my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his assistance to the peace process, including in the monitoring of human rights, assistance in ceasefire monitoring, arms management and the observation of elections to the Constituent Assembly, at our request. The successful resolution of our internal conflict will set a worthwhile example to the rest of the world that democracy is indispensable and brightens the prospects for resolution of conflicts of all kinds.

Now, we have pressing post-conflict reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. Meeting these challenges requires an enhanced level of international support and assistance. Peace, security, stability, democracy and development constitute global public goods. It is critically important that newly emerged democracies are safeguarded and protected, thus allowing them to develop further and flourish. With this vision in mind, we strongly support the newly established United Nations Democracy Fund.

The United Nations today is confronted with numerous challenges, such as international terrorism and transnational crime, the threat of use of weapons of mass destruction, narcotic drugs and human trafficking, money-laundering and other financial crimes, regional conflicts and low-intensity wars, extreme poverty and hunger, human rights abuses, successive natural disasters and the threats posed by pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and avian flu.

These challenges call for new wisdom founded on the principles of collective security, well-being and prosperity. The United Nations is uniquely placed to muster the much-needed philosophical underpinning because of its standing as a global body armed with legitimacy. New wisdom alone will not be enough to deal with these problems if new strategies, new tools and new resources do not match it. Nepal firmly believes that multilateral solutions are required to address problems and challenges of a global nature. Multilateralism is the key to promoting global participation in problem-solving and to ensuring collective ownership of outcomes.

Today, old and new threats to peace and security exist side by side. While military threats to security are diminishing gradually, new sources of threat have emerged and are likely to disturb international peace and security in more than one way.

The growing menace of international terrorism characterizes the security scenario in our post-cold-war world. It has been the consistent policy of Nepal to unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is disheartening to note that no international consensus has yet emerged paving the way for the early conclusion of a comprehensive international convention against terrorism. In this context, we welcome the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288).

We are concerned about the dismal progress on disarmament. After failing to agree on non-proliferation last year, we were unable to produce an agreement during the review of the regime to control small arms and light weapons. We are also constantly reminded of the deadlock in efforts to resolve nuclear issues by peaceful means. Nepal stands for general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction, including biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons, in a time-bound manner. The demand of our time is that we compete for peace, not war, and for development, not armaments.

We have offered to host, in Kathmandu, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific. Despite our long-standing commitment and sincere efforts, the Centre has yet to be relocated. I wish to reiterate that the Government of Nepal is ready to sign the host country agreement, pursuant to the Assembly resolution, as soon as the Secretariat provides it with a draft. We urge the Secretariat to conclude the necessary procedures for the relocation of the Centre to Nepal without further delay.

The recent upsurge of violence in Lebanon has left unbearable human tragedy in its wake and has resulted in the large-scale destruction of material property. We welcome the ongoing ceasefire and express our support for Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) on strengthening the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. We are committed to contributing a battalion of troops for the cause of peace there.

Nepal's profound interest and continued participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions underscores its contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. Even when it had its own internal conflict, Nepal never stopped sending troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Nepalese Blue Helmets have served in various missions, including in many trouble spots, in an exemplary manner, earning international repute for them and their country. Currently, Nepal has over 3,500 troops in various United Nations missions. Many of them have sacrificed their precious lives in the service of peace and humanity. Nepal will continue to uphold this noble cause and participate in future missions when asked to do so.

Nepal's commitment to human rights is total and unflinching. Nepal firmly believes that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing. We welcomed the establishment of the Human Rights Council in the belief that that body will prove effective in protecting and promoting human rights around the globe based on the salient principles of universality, objectivity and non-selectivity.

The current Government of Nepal has accorded top priority to the protection and promotion of human rights with a view to translating Nepal's international human rights commitments and obligations into reality. We have been working closely with the United Nations human rights bodies, including the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, to create an environment in which full enjoyment of human rights by all is guaranteed. The return of democracy and the start of the peace process have led to a significant improvement in the protection of human rights in Nepal. We greatly appreciate the role played by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal in improving the human rights situation in the country.

We are determined to bring to an end the culture of impunity which was so pervasive during the autocratic regime. Our belief is that no one is above the law and that those who violate and abuse human rights must be brought to justice. We are fully committed to protecting human rights in all situations and creating a framework to bring to justice those who have violated human rights in the past.

Opportunities arising out of globalization, such as those associated with global migration, have been stifled by unfriendly policy regimes around the world. The rights of migrant workers must be protected in all situations in accordance with international norms. Nepal's experience shows that the benefit of remittances generated by migrant workers counts a great deal for developing countries. But that cannot in any way be a substitute for development assistance, debt relief or trade concessions.

The benefits of trade liberalization are not distributed equitably. The multilateral trading regime must be made responsive to the needs and requirements of the developing and least developed countries. Enhanced trading opportunities, coupled with productive capacities, are critically important for the achievement of sustained economic growth and poverty reduction in the least developed countries (LDCs). The agreed commitments for duty-free and quota-free access for the products of the least developed countries need to be complemented with favourable rules on origin.

We are concerned about the suspension of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks on the development round, and urge the immediate revival of the talks to complete the Doha Development Agenda.

Our development agenda has been advancing rather slowly. We realize that, given the current pace, many countries will not be able to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. It reminds us that we must urgently and sincerely implement all the commitments agreed to in the various global compacts of recent years, including the Monterrey Consensus, the Millennium Declaration, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries.

This year's midterm review of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries showed that most of the least developed countries will not be able to achieve the agreed targets within the previously defined time frame unless we accelerate the pace of implementation.

The least developed countries need better policies on aid, trade, investment, debt relief and capacity-building, as well as timely reforms in the international financial institutions. We call on the international community to take a holistic approach, combining policies to support the LDC development agenda. The least developed countries need a substantial flow of external aid and investment if they are to meet those goals. Investment in poorer countries is not just a moral responsibility; it is investment in the collective security of the world.

Many least developed countries are handicapped as a result of being landlocked, which significantly reduces their competitive edge in regional and multilateral trading regimes. This state of affairs continues to frustrate their development efforts. We urge the international community to pay greater attention to the plight of those countries and to make serious efforts to implement internationally agreed commitments.

It is a scar on our conscience that hundreds of millions of people are living as refugees in various parts of the globe. The international community must take it as its bounden duty to address their concerns in a non-selective manner.

I regret to inform the Assembly that more than 100,000 refugees from southern Bhutan have been in camps in Nepal for over a decade and half -- a painful experience -- despite the bilateral agreements reached between Nepal and Bhutan. With no early and lasting solution on the horizon, the refugees are showing increasing signs of frustration and desperation. In essence, this is a problem between the Government of Bhutan and its citizens. Nepal has entered the picture simply because it has provided shelter to fleeing refuges on humanitarian grounds. The issue cannot be resolved in the absence of a genuine willingness on the part of the Government of Bhutan to solve this problem.

The international community must exert a positive influence so as to break the impasse. We stress that the Bhutanese refuges must be given the right to return to their home country in conditions of dignity and respect and that any solution must be acceptable to them. Nepal also supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Bhutan and urges Bhutan to accommodate the plight of the refugees in their political dispensation.

Our Organization has made great strides, especially in the adoption of the reform measures endorsed by world leaders here last year. The Government of Nepal remains committed to supporting all reform initiatives aimed at addressing the concerns and aspirations of all Member States.

The strength of the United Nations lies in its democratic decision-making and in its impartiality, neutrality and efficiency. The General Assembly -- the only global body in which the voices of the peoples of the world can be heard -- must be placed at the forefront of all decision-making processes within the United Nations. The organs dealing with socio-economic issues must be strengthened and enabled to take a lead role in the fulfilment of international development objectives.

Contemporary realities dictate that the United Nations must undergo a fundamental transformation without undermining its founding principles and objectives. Any reform of the United Nations will be incomplete without a commensurate reform of its principal organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council must be democratized so as to provide it with greater legitimacy and credibility. There is a genuine need to increase Council membership, in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, so as to make the Council more representative. Such an increase should include two permanent seats each for the Asian and African regions, one for Latin America and one for Western Europe. We also need to improve the Council's working methods.

This year, Member States will elect the next Secretary-General of our Organization. In accordance with the principle of equitable geographical representation and that of rotation, Nepal reiterates that the next Secretary-General should come from Asia. We also believe that a greater role should be played by the Assembly in the appointment of the Secretary-General. I commend the role played by the outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, during his term of office. He led important reforms at the United Nations and made genuine efforts to establish the central role of our Organization in resolving global problems and debating international issues.

Nepal has submitted its candidature for non-permanent membership of the Security Council for the period 2007-2008. We think that we rightly deserve it, as nearly two decades have elapsed since we last served on the Council, in 1988-1989. This world body is fully aware that Nepal has for a long time been making substantial contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security by regularly providing troops to various peacekeeping missions. Moreover, we believe that Nepal's election to the Council this time around would represent a significant recognition of its democratic credentials in a changed context. The people of Nepal deserve due recognition from the international community for their unprecedented courage and for the determination with which they have defeated autocracy and restored democracy. I make a sincere appeal to fellow Members to extend their valuable support to Nepal's candidature and allow it to serve on the Council with renewed confidence in the fulfilment of its fundamental responsibilities.

The purposes and principles of the United Nations contained in its Charter, including the sovereign equality of nations, the peaceful resolution of all disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force are sacrosanct to Nepal. I solemnly reiterate Nepal's profound commitment to the founding objectives and principles of the United Nations, as enshrined in its Charter.

The United Nations today suffers from a lack of credibility, an inability to arrive at important decisions, weak implementation of its own declarations and decisions, and slowness in responding to challenges that require its most pressing attention. We need to change this situation. Together, we can better equip our Organization to respond to those challenges.

The President

I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping, Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, la Francophonie and Regional Integration of Gabon and former President of the General Assembly.

Mr. Ping (Gabon) --> -->

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