General Assembly Session 61 meeting 25

Mr. Churkin (Russia)

The Secretary-General has rightly pointed out in his report that the indispensable coordinating role of the United Nations in international affairs, as the most representative intergovernmental institution with universal competence, is of ever-greater importance today in this era of globalization.

A record number of peacekeepers -- 88,000 -- have been sent to numerous conflict zones. Tension continues in the Middle East. The situation in Iraq continues to cause a lack of stability in the region and in the world in general. Kosovo remains an extremely complicated situation in terms of settling the status of that territory. The international community needs to pay greater attention to the hotbeds of conflicts on the African continent. The terrorist threat also continues to worsen.

The Organization needs, therefore, to work to build up its capabilities not only to respond collectively to modern threats and challenges, but also to prevent them. The Russian Federation, currently holding the presidency of the Group of Eight, gives priority attention to this issue.

Acute global threats and challenges call for the consolidation of collective approaches in international affairs and for further improvement of the instruments of multilateral diplomacy. Only the concerted actions of the international community, led by the United Nations, can ensure security in the world within the framework of the emerging multi-polar architecture of international relations. Steps aimed at strengthening the dialogue between civilizations are an important part of such efforts.

Considerable progress has already been made regarding the adaptation of the mechanisms and methods of the work of the United Nations to new conditions, set forth by the 2005 World Summit; however, further work must be carried out. The main theme of the decisions taken to achieve United Nations reform should be to increase the Organization's overall effectiveness and strengthen its pivotal role in international affairs without prejudice to the intergovernmental character of this unique forum. The successful realization of this task is only possible if the Member States agree as completely as possible on all aspects of these transformations.

Genuinely collective efforts are required to meet the growing demand for the unique potential of the United Nations in the field of peacekeeping. Not all of it, as the Secretary-General rightly pointed out, is fully used. The Organization would benefit, for instance, if we made use of the capabilities of the Military Staff Committee and the regional organizations on the basis of the relevant provisions of the Charter. The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission is expected to help increase the coordination and the effectiveness of international efforts in assisting countries emerging from crises. We think it is important to ensure effective functioning of this intergovernmental body. We intend to actively participate in its work.

The stalling of the international disarmament process does not help to solve the problems in the field of non-proliferation. Collective actions are needed to break the impasse, given the collective nature of our security concerns.

The priority tasks, in our view, are ensuring the activation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), preventing the deployment of weapons in outer space and achieving a comprehensive agreement on that matter, concluding a treaty banning fissile materials production for military purposes and ensuring international information security. We also need to revitalize multilateral efforts in the area of disarmament and arms control within the Conference on Disarmament and the relevant bodies of the United Nations.

We think it is of primary importance to ensure the rule of law. Full implementation of this principle in international affairs guarantees stability in the world. One of its key components is the fight against impunity. In this area, priority is given to national authorities, which, when necessary, should have the possibility of seeking the help of this Organization. We agree with the Secretary-General that the fight against impunity and efforts to maintain peace should complement each other.

The record of international justice, in our view, has not been entirely successful. The activities of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia have revealed serious shortcomings: political bias in decisions and the significant cost of court proceedings. We have great expectations for the International Criminal Court. We anticipate that this body of justice will make a substantial contribution to the fight against impunity.

Russia views the formation of an effective system of security, with the United Nations holding a central coordinating role, as a key aspect in the fight against international terrorism. The recent adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides great potential for reinforcing the systemic work of the international community in the field of fighting terror. We support the point raised in the report that describes the need to build Member States' counter-terrorist capabilities through the establishment of an effective system of technical assistance. We believe, however, that the major focus here should be the improvement of the quality of the dialogue between States and the Security Council committees established to fight terrorism, as well as on enhancing the capacity of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

We agree that now, after the adoption of the Global Strategy against Terrorism, it is a matter of priority to finish the work on the draft of the comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Intensified efforts are needed to accomplish this as soon as possible.

On the whole, we are satisfied with the analysis of the activities of the Organization in the field of human rights protection. More specifically, we share the opinion that it is necessary to establish and strengthen national systems for the protection and promotion of human rights. Such efforts are needed to facilitate the strengthening of the international regime of human rights protection, which is, in our firm belief, a major long-term priority in this field.

The establishment by the Human Rights Council of two intersessional intergovernmental open-ended working groups on the mechanism of universal periodic reviews and on optimization of the system of special procedures -- legacies of the Sub-Commission of the Commission on Human Rights -- are undoubtedly positive events. We hope that the working groups will eventually be able to start their work within the proposed format, as envisaged by the relevant resolutions of the first session of the Council, but without limiting themselves to holding informal consultations on the issues within their mandate.

Today, the focus on the issues of development and the strengthening of democracy, as well as the interaction between the United Nations and civil society, based on a broad range of issues on the international agenda, has become more important than ever and deserves special consideration by taking into account the importance and scope of the issues. I would like to highlight the major point, namely, the need to have transparent, unbiased and objective discussions of the entire range of issues, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and guided by the principles of universality.

On the whole, we share the positive assessments of the Secretary-General of the work done to fulfil the decisions of the Summit aimed at increasing the effectiveness of social and economic activities of the entire United Nations system, and of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At the same time, the Organization's potential, in particular, its operational segment, should be used more effectively in order to assist the countries in need. We believe it is impermissible to politicize the work of United Nations operational funds and programmes.

In addition, we note the importance of resolving the problem of overall system coherence and we are looking forward to the report of the high-level panel on that issue. We are willing to have substantive discussions of all realistic proposals.

We note with satisfaction that the issues of sustainable development and the global problems of health care are among the priorities in the report. We share the correct conclusion of the Secretary-General that, since natural disasters have become more frequent, it is necessary to build up the capabilities of the Organization that are aimed at decreasing the threat and enhancing readiness. On our part, we intend to make practical contributions to resolving such acute global problems as climate change, eradication of infectious diseases and a sustainable energy supply. The last two issues are the priorities of the Russian presidency of the Group of Eight.

The report also gives a fairly balanced presentation of humanitarian issues. Justifiable emphasis is given to the establishment of the Central Emergency Response Fund, which is called upon to ensure reliable access to financial resources for preserving lives during the earliest stages of humanitarian response and in planning long-term humanitarian operations.

We deem it necessary for the General Assembly to draft the relevant resolution, with due regard for the views of the Secretary-General favouring a cluster approach to ensure greater coherence in the work of humanitarian operations in the field. The report highlights the difficulties in enhancing humanitarian coordination at the local level, which are related, in our view, to the difficult task of elaborating suitable methods of cooperation with national Governments that protect the sovereign right of the countries to independently determine the priorities of the humanitarian response and ways to provide it.

We agree with the recommendation favouring, in accordance with existing commitments, the provision of international assistance towards fulfilment of the New Partnership for Africa's Development programme, specifically as regards the reduction of the debt burden and fighting HIV/AIDS.

We attach great significance to improving and enhancing the functional effectiveness and transparency of the administrative, financial and personnel units of the United Nations, as well as to implementing the General Assembly decisions on the reform of the Organization. The most important issues of the ongoing reform are increasing the efficiency of the Secretariat, ensuring greater professionalism and productivity of the staff, clear accountability and responsibility to Member States for the end results.

Mr. McNee (Canada)

Let me begin by paying tribute to the Secretary-General for his excellent report on the work of the Organization. He once again has shown us a vision of the future, as well as a road map for getting there. As he ends his remarkable tenure as Secretary-General, it is appropriate that the report also takes stock of our collective accomplishments to date. The report leaves no doubt that the Secretary-General leaves behind an Organization that is stronger and more effective than the one he found ten years ago. We thank him for the persistence, energy and clarity of purpose that he has brought to this task.

More than anything, the report of the Secretary-General validates the truism that reform is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process that requires sustained commitment. On the one hand, we have made progress in recent years. The design and establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission, the creation of the new Human Rights Council and the recent adoption of a counter-terrorism strategy are accomplishments in their own right and a testament to our shared determination to tackle contemporary challenges.

On the other hand, much work is still needed to bring to life those innovations in a meaningful way. The Millennium Development Goals are perhaps most illustrative of that point. On the one hand, they have focused the world's attention as never before on a concrete set of objectives for improving the lives of the world's poorest people. On the other hand, improvements in nutrition, sanitation, education and medical care remain elusive for a full fifth of the world's population, increasing pressure on the development architecture of the United Nations.

That, coupled with the increased demand for United Nations field operations, especially peace support and humanitarian operations, has not only changed the nature of the Organization, but also enlarged managerial risk within it. Above all, those demands underscore the urgency of a reinvigorated and renewed United Nations.

In that regard, Canada welcomes the emphasis of the Secretary-General on the interconnectedness of development, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, human rights and the rule of law, all of which are central to long-term global stability. We further welcome the new focus in this year's report on the role of non-State actors, whose partnership is essential to the success of the United Nations.

As we look at the agenda for the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, it is clear that there will be no shortage of work for Member States and the principal organs of the United Nations. But several challenges stand out as deserving special attention in the months ahead.

First, there is an urgent need to ensure that the new institutions we have created -- the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission -- get off to the right start. In the coming months, a key priority for Canada will be to ensure that the working methods of those bodies are flexible enough to succeed in the task at hand. In particular, it is imperative that the Human Rights Council move beyond the politicized squabbles that hobbled and discredited its predecessor, that the universal periodic review mechanism is implemented effectively and that stronger links are built between the normative and the operational human rights work of the Organization.

Similarly, the Peacebuilding Commission, which will convene its first country-specific meetings in two weeks time, must produce a discernable improvement in the Organization's post-conflict peacebuilding record. Member States must show themselves capable of contributing to the solution, by bringing together the fragmented operational capacity within the Organization and the political authority of the principal organs. Embracing that informal coordination function is key to ensuring that the countries it engages with do not suffer the fate of Timor-Leste and other post-conflict societies that have resolved conflicts only to relapse into a new round of violence within a few short years.

Mr. McNee (Canada)

The second critical piece of unfinished business will be to advance Secretariat and management reforms in order to enable the effective pursuit of a shared agenda with real results.

In this regard, one of the most important reform measures to have been put in place during the Secretary-General's term in office is that of results-based budgeting. That system should be expanded. Similarly, stronger, more independent oversight mechanisms and more robust accountability are key priorities for this session. Finally, we look forward to making progress in reforming human resource management with a view to developing the talented, mobile and integrated workforce that the Organization requires.

It has been said that we live in a world of new threats and old institutions. It is clear from the tenth and final report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization that we owe him a debt of gratitude for having transformed this institution so that it can better confront current challenges. As we move forward, the Assembly can rest assured that Canada remains fully committed to continuing the reforms that the Secretary-General has set in motion with a view to achieving our shared vision of a more effective United Nations and a more peaceful, prosperous world.

Mr. Kapoma (Zambia)

My delegation joins others in congratulating the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on his good report contained in document A/61/1. The report provides us with a clear basis for our deliberations. My delegation is pleased that the report gives a broad view of various issues that affect humankind. These issues include development, peace and security, human rights, the rule of law, humanitarian law and the strengthening of the United Nations.

Zambia reaffirms its support for multilateralism as a platform on the basis of which issues of global concern should be resolved. We agree that a new vision of collective security is required through which States Members of the United Nations should address threats such as war, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, infectious diseases, extreme poverty and environmental degradation.

With regard to the ongoing reform of the United Nations, Zambia believes that it should address the concerns of Member States, especially developing countries. We believe that global partnership for development will facilitate fair participation in the global market by the developing and least developed countries. We call for support from the international community in the areas of trade and investment -- areas with regard to which developing countries hope to attain the sustainable targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals. In this regard, we commend the Secretary-General for having launched, in July 2000, the Global Compact. Zambia welcomes that development initiative. We believe that the Global Compact will assist our country in its development efforts in many ways.

The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document (resolution 60/1) reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening the United Nations with a view to enhancing its authority and efficiency, as well as its capacity to address global issues effectively, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. World leaders reaffirmed the central position of the General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of our Organization. It is for this reason that we should ensure that measures to strengthen the role of the General Assembly are adopted at this session.

Regarding the Security Council, a body charged with the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, Zambia reaffirms the need for its reform, in terms of both its enlargement and its working methods. In this regard, Zambia aligns itself with the well-known position taken by the African Union on this matter. Indeed, the Council should be reformed so that it becomes more democratic, transparent and responsive to the challenges of the twenty-first century. In his report "In larger freedom" (A/59/2005), the Secretary-General emphasized that the reform of the United Nations would not be complete without the reform of the Security Council. We agree with him.

The protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is important in the socio-economic development of any civilization, just as upholding the tenets of good governance is of cardinal importance for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, Zambia reaffirms its commitment to support the work of the newly established Human Rights Council. As a member of that Council, Zambia commits itself to ensuring that it is effective and efficient.

Other issues of concern to my delegation include extreme poverty and disease. The number of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and the number of deaths caused by AIDS have continued to grow globally. Zambia, like many other developing countries adversely affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, supports efforts by the international community to combat those diseases. We therefore appeal to the international community to honour the commitments made in the context of various forums aimed at increasing and enhancing aid to developing countries. The fight against HIV/AIDS is a global one which must be sustained by the international community at all levels. It is, indeed, a fight which must be won if the future is to be brighter and more assured for coming generations.

In conclusion, Zambia believes that the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals will depend on Member States' political will. We believe that development, security and human rights are important and that they reinforce each other. There is a need, therefore, for the global partnership for development to achieve the agreed Millennium Development Goals. In the Millennium Declaration, world leaders expressed confidence that humanity could make measurable progress towards peace, security, disarmament, human rights, democracy and good governance. Let us therefore rise to the challenge and ensure the fulfilment of those objectives.

Mr. Hannesson (Iceland)

The annual report (A/61/1) of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on the work of the Organization is an excellent overview of achievements during the past year -- and, indeed, of earlier achievements -- as well as of the complex challenges facing us. It serves as a clear reminder -- for some, it might be a revelation -- that the United Nations is not a talking shop. As we debate this report, there are 30,000 civilian staff serving in the field and 65,000 troops and military observers, 7,500 police officers and more than 15,000 international and local civilian personnel serving in 15 peacekeeping operations and three special political or peacebuilding missions, to mention only one important aspect of United Nations operations, peace and security. The report also helps us to maintain a focus on the main issue: the need for good governance and accountability, both within the Organization and in Member States.

Strengthening the United Nations will continue to be one of the principal tasks at the sixty-first session of the General Assembly. Certainly, real progress was made during the previous session with the establishment of the new Human Rights Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Central Emergency Response Fund. However, we have only established the framework; the real work is still ahead of us. Iceland trusts that the new mechanisms, along with the determination of Member States, will contribute to the strengthening of the United Nations.

We concur with the Secretary-General that reform of the United Nations should include reform of the Security Council. As stated on many occasions, Iceland wants comprehensive reform of the Security Council in terms of both expansion and working methods. Both the permanent and non-permanent seats on the Council should increase in number in order to better reflect today's world.

In her statement in the general debate last week (see A/61/PV.20), the Foreign Minister of Iceland emphasized development issues, and in particular sustainable development. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Iceland's strong commitment to the Doha Development Agenda. Iceland sees the suspension of the global trade talks as a major setback. We welcome and support international efforts to provide debt relief to the poorest countries. We also applaud those countries that have committed themselves to increasing their official development assistance. Over the next three years, Iceland's development assistance will nearly triple, and we are determined to do even more.

Iceland supports what Ambassador Kirsti Lintonen of Finland said earlier today (see A/61/PV.24) about the global response to HIV/AIDS and the urgent need for concerted action in all areas with regard to the development of the African continent. Indeed, the bulk of Iceland's development cooperation is with African countries.

We want to see more determined efforts by development partners and United Nations agencies to pursue gender equality. In that connection, we suggest that the work of the United Nations Development Fund for Women must be given more weight within the United Nations.

We agree with the Secretary-General that a major challenge for all countries in the years ahead is the development of new and sustainable energy sources. Iceland will continue to contribute to work in that field.

The protection and promotion of fundamental human rights is one of the primary aims of the United Nations. The Secretary-General notes in his report the significantly increased importance of human rights in the work of the Organization. Iceland welcomes that development. The establishment of the Human Rights Council is an example of such progress. In that connection, it is important that the universal periodic review system of the new Human Rights Council be up and running soon. Member States have accepted the fact that we have the responsibility to protect all people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Now we have to make sure that we fulfil that responsibility.

The United Nations is the premier international Organization responsible for maintaining peace and security. That is a complex, multidimensional task. The United Nations has begun to put more emphasis on preventing conflict before it develops. Indeed, that is in line with the holistic approach that we have increasingly taken in our work. There can be no security without development and no development without security, as has so often been said in this Hall.

For the past decade -- and especially since 11 September 2001 -- we have been confronted with terrorism, which now constitutes one of the major threats to international peace and security. While welcoming the new United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288), adopted by consensus in the General Assembly, Iceland emphasizes that it is important that Member States agree on the next step: a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. We need a concerted effort -- including at the highest political levels in capitals -- in order to reach agreement on the outstanding issues related to a draft comprehensive convention.

Reining in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and reinvigorating disarmament initiatives are also essential to long-term peace and security. Sadly, the 2005 World Summit, the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the 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 yielded no results in that regard. The Secretary-General is right to point out the danger of terrorism linked to weapons of mass destruction. Iceland supports his call for more concerted action on small arms, which cause intolerable destruction among large sections of the world's population.

Madam President, your predecessor, Mr. Jan Eliasson, repeatedly reminded us that the United Nations and multilateralism are indispensable in our world today, where threats are often global in scale. All of us need to be reminded of that. Indeed, we agree with what Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan said on the subject earlier in this debate, at the 24th plenary meeting. The United Nations will continue to need visionary, courageous and skilful leadership.

During his 10 years at the helm of the Secretariat, the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has played a leading role in "bringing new life to the Organization", to quote the Norwegian Nobel Committee. As this is Mr. Annan's last report on the work of the United Nations, I take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his leadership and for working tirelessly -- to quote the Nobel Committee once again -- "for a better organized and more peaceful world".

Mr. Kazykhanov (Kazakhstan)

First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Madam President, on your election to your high office and to express confidence that under your skilful stewardship, the sixty-first session of the General Assembly will be successful and fruitful.

I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his comprehensive report (A/61/1), which not only describes achievements and problems encountered in the areas of development, security and human rights, but also elaborates on new trends in the global interrelationship, such as interactions with civil society and the business community.

Kazakhstan supports a multipronged strategy aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Real progress in that area is possible if all Member States fulfil their obligations regarding nuclear disarmament and the vertical and horizontal non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Kazakhstan is convinced that the international community, particularly the nuclear-weapon States, should encourage in every possible way the establishment of internationally recognized nuclear-weapon-free zones in various parts of the world. The establishment of such zones promotes international peace and security.

We have no doubt that the signing, in Semipalatinsk in September 2006, of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia is a crucial breakthrough in the efforts to ensure regional and global stability and security. The Central Asian States are ready to continue consultations with the permanent members of the Security Council on the issue of that Treaty's entry into force.

Kazakhstan firmly supports peacekeeping activities and international efforts to enhance the United Nations peacekeeping capacity.

We commend the establishment of a newly elected body within the United Nations system -- the Peacebuilding Commission -- that was set up thanks to the intensive efforts of all delegations, which were able to reach a compromise through negotiations.

Convinced that combating terrorism is a top priority, Kazakhstan commends the launch of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We view the five pillars of the concept of counter-terrorism action as integral elements of the efforts to avert the threat of terrorism. Kazakhstan believes that international cooperation to fight terrorism should be developed in full conformity with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the norms of international law.

With illegal routes of delivery of Afghan drugs from Asia to Europe running through its territory, Kazakhstan makes every effort to address that threat. The fight can be effective only if we join our efforts and mobilize the resources of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. It is precisely for that reason that Kazakhstan has supported the United Nations initiative to set up in Kazakhstan a Central Asian regional information and coordination centre to fight illegal drug trafficking.

We would like to express gratitude to the Asian countries for supporting the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, which undoubtedly strengthens stability and confidence-building measures in Asia and will create favourable conditions for interaction in the interests of the prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.

Development issues should continue to be among the priority items of the agenda of the principal bodies of the United Nations. The implementation of the 2005 World Summit Outcome will remain an important priority for the Organization in the coming period. Kazakhstan is committed to its undertakings regarding the Millennium Development Goals and works continuously to implement its own long-term strategies -- "Kazakhstan 2030" -- and an innovative industrial economic development programme. The Government's main objective in the area of economic policies is to ensure that Kazakhstan joins the ranks of the most competitive economies.

Regional integration is an adequate way to meet the challenges of the modern world. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to cooperation with States on a broad range of issues within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and other regional economic organizations. In April 2007, Kazakhstan will host the sixty-third session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

As the world's largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan urges the international community, and above all the developed countries, to make every effort to meet the needs of the least developed and developing landlocked countries. Kazakhstan stands for the global partnership for development through the establishment of an open, rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory trade and financial system.

Kazakhstan trusts that the United Nations will continue to play a leading role in coordinating relief operations and believes that the establishment of the Central Emergency Response Fund will allow the Organization to launch relief operations in the early days of crises and ensure more adequate distribution of relief. Kazakhstan was among the first countries to make a voluntary contribution to the Fund.

Kazakhstan views the establishment of the United Nations Human Rights Council as an important step in the process of reforming the Organization and the efforts to enhance its action to protect human rights. In our view, that body should focus on the most burning human rights issues on the basis of an unbiased and objective analysis of situations throughout the world and the provision of effective recommendations.

We pay close attention to the promotion of democracy, the building of civil society and the enhancement of inter-ethnic and inter-faith accord in the country.

We express our appreciation to all States that have supported Kazakhstan's candidature for the presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009. The Government of Kazakhstan's policy to maintain and promote a climate of tolerance and accord in society constitutes an integral part of our international efforts to foster the culture of peace and dialogue among civilizations.

It is no accident that Kazakhstan has hosted a forum of leaders of world and traditional religions. The second congress has just completed its deliberations in Astana. Religious leaders adopted a declaration calling for an active dialogue among religions. We cannot allow the use of religious differences as an instrument of hatred and strife, and we have to save humanity from a global clash of religions and cultures. The congress has become Kazakhstan's contribution to global dialogue among religions.

As stated in the report under consideration, "if history judges 2005 for its promises, then 2006 must be judged on implementation" (A/61/1, para. 27). We strongly believe that this year and upcoming years must be an era of implementation of goals we have already set up.

Mr. Le Luong Minh (Viet Nam)

At the outset, on behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his annual report on the work of the Organization. We take note with satisfaction that the report highlights the goals of development and achieving peace and security as the first priorities on the agenda of the Organization. We welcome the incorporation of the report on the progress made in implementing the Millennium Declaration into the Secretary-General's report.

We are pleased to note that cooperation for development has enjoyed a higher priority on the agenda of the United Nations and that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been placed at the core of the United Nations global activities. That corresponds to the priority attached to the achievement of the MDGs by Governments and peoples around the world, as mentioned in the report. While noting, on the one hand, the achievements recorded -- such as the drop in the world's proportion of people living in extreme poverty; the reduction in the child mortality rates in developing countries; the increase in the number of people having access to improved sanitation; the increase in the primary enrolment ratios in developing regions of the world; and the level of commitment of not only the Governments, but also the general, public and the political momentum resulting therefrom -- we share the concern of the Secretary-General that progress has been uneven and that the ongoing levels of human deprivation remain staggering. The statistics he has offered in many areas are in fact daunting.

One year has elapsed since our leaders adopted the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, in which important commitments were made in order to enable developing countries to achieve the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. The commitments are many and concrete, ranging from embedding the global goals into country-level processes to new targets in most important areas of activity. The Secretary-General has called 2005 a year of commitments.

We welcome the fact that to help implement these commitments a number of positive steps have been undertaken, including the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative and the timetables set by many countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to meet the official development assistance (ODA) target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product income by 2015. Looking back at the implementation of those commitments over the past year, however, we share the view that, in spite of some advances, progress is modest and too incomplete. The increase in the level of ODA is far from enough to support real ground-level investment in the neediest countries; the suspension of the Doha development round caused further disappointment.

Developing countries continue to suffer from hardships caused by the pressure of globalization and strengthened protectionism in a number of developed countries. A global partnership for development is yet to be seen. Partnership for development has been chosen as the theme of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly. It is the view of my delegation that at this session we have to focus on mobilizing further political will to undertake concrete action to implement our commitments. Our delegation looks forward to contributing to this process.

The past year saw both bright and dark spots in the world's overall peace and security picture. They included the conclusion of the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone and its transformation to a peacebuilding mission, and the regression towards violence in Timor-Leste just one year after the United Nations pulled its last soldiers out of that country in May 2005. Prolonged armed conflicts and civil wars continued to threaten the lives of millions of people and pushed many others into miserable conditions. The recent conflict in Lebanon added another dark spot to the picture. The performance, progress and shortcomings of the Organization in bringing peace and security to the countries concerned have been analysed in the report.

Let me reaffirm our view that conflict and tension can be resolved only through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of mutual trust and understanding, not through unilateral actions. The crucial role of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and security must be reaffirmed and further enhanced.

Terrorism continues to pose a dangerous threat to peace and security. We reaffirm our strong condemnation of acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We support the Secretary-General's call for the international community to continue to work together to confront and defeat terrorism. In our opinion, the fight against terrorism can be won only through comprehensive and balanced measures conducted in full conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Furthermore, this fight should avoid any application of selectivity and double standards, and the root causes of terrorism need to be fully addressed.

Taking note of the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288), we look forward to working with other delegations with a view to the early conclusion of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

It has been the shared conviction of Member States that the United Nations should be reformed in order to improve its effectiveness, democratization and modes of operation on the basis of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter. While welcoming initial successes in the United Nations reform process, such as the establishment of the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, we realize that much remains to be done. Measures are needed to consolidate the central role and power of the General Assembly. The Economic and Social Council must be reformed to be able to better support the economic and social development activities of Member States. We regret the delay in this connection and pledge to work with other delegations towards an early solution.

The Security Council should be reformed in terms of both its composition and its methods of work in order to ensure that it really represents the concerns and interests of all United Nations Member States, as stipulated in the Charter. In this connection, I would like again to state our view that Council membership should be expanded in both categories and that developing countries should be more adequately represented on the Council.

Mr. Mbuende (Namibia)

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