YouSaid · the spoken record

Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins

lines on the record: 32
first: 2012-09-24
most recent: 2017-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We look forward to participating actively in and contributing to the protection of human rights in the regions and countries most affected by violations of these rights. In this regard, we would highly appreciate the support of the members of the Assembly for our candidacy. I would like to conclude by urging Member States to renew their confidence in the United Nations and strengthen international dialogue as a key element of a culture of peace, respect for differences among peoples, conflict prevention and the foundations of progress and development, to which all the peoples of the world have the right and are entitled.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“This would also bring about a more stable and peaceful environment for development in the Latin American region. This unilateral measure — the embargo — limits the Cuban people’s enjoyment of development, and its extraterritorial effects violate the principles and norms of international law. The promotion and protection of human rights have always been at the forefront of Angola’s foreign priorities, as evidenced by the fact that it is a party to the main international human rights instruments and maintains an exemplary cooperation and ongoing dialogue with United Nations human rights mechanisms. It is in this context that Angola is a candidate for a seat on the Human Rights Council in the elections that will take place in October 2017.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The tension we are now witnessing in the Korean peninsula poses a very serious threat to international peace and security. Angola joins the voices advocating for a diplomatic solution and compliance with international non-proliferation instruments. The peoples of the region deserve to live in peace and not haunted by the spectre of a conflict whose effects would be devastating and unacceptable to the human conscience. Angola promptly welcomed the steps taken to normalize relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America, which will benefit the two peoples. The complete lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo would contribute significantly to easing tensions between the two countries and would eliminate one of the last remnants of the Cold War.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In this regard, we strongly support the efforts of all the Guinean, regional and international political and social actors, including the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries. The issue of Western Sahara continues to merit the due attention of the United Nations to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant Security Council and African Union resolutions. Angola encourages the main parties involved to continue the dialogue in order to resolve the dispute, which has lasted too long. In the Middle East, we are concerned about the impasse in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Angola argues that the solution lies in the acceptance and existence of two States, living side by side in peace and security.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The Republic of Angola recently held its third general elections in peacetime, in a climate of tranquillity, respect for differences and great civility, demonstrating the stability prevailing in the country and that the gradual consolidation of democracy is a fact. The priorities of the new Government will focus on economic development with particular attention on combating poverty, reducing inequalities, combating unemployment, and improving governance insufficiencies and development indicators as a sine qua non for building a prosperous and democratic society. Regrettably, peace is still not prevalent in many regions. Concerning Guinea-Bissau, a country linked to Angola by historical and brotherly ties, we remain confident and expectant regarding the resolution of the political impasse.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The urgent need for the world to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement has been dramatically highlighted by the recent climate-related disasters in various parts of the world. Angola joins in solidarity with the victims in the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world. In order to address this and other challenges facing the international community, Angola will continue to be a safe and responsible partner of the United Nations and contribute to the implementation of its agenda in an engaged manner. We are increasingly able and fit to play a decisive role in restoring peace and security, particularly in Africa, as well as in furthering its economic development. To that end, Angola has remained stable, and the pacification of the country has definitely been achieved.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“To that end, Angola has launched its national development plan, aimed at rehabilitating and modernizing economic and social infrastructure, promoting public and private investment, and enhancing training, qualification and the adequate management of human resources. The world is moving towards consensus in recognizing the urgency of combating climate change. To this end, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is extremely important in the development of enabling tools for protecting the right to development and strengthening resilience in developing countries. Angola views the Agreement as a historic commitmentand an encouragement to contain global warming and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The economic and financial difficulties affecting most countries have had a negative impact on the mobilization of financial resources for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially among the poorest, most vulnerable countries with limited internal resources. International efforts aimed at securing critical financial resources should be guided by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, adopted in 2015. The Republic of Angola, which is now beginning a new cycle in its life as a nation, is strongly engaged in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, despite an adverse global economic environment.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The African continent has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, which has killed innocent civilians, caused extensive damage to property and destroyed the way of life of many of its countries. Angola fully supports the efforts of the African Union, with the assistance of its international partners, to confront the scourge of terrorism. Two years ago, we adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — an important instrument to guide the development strategies of our States. We hope that its implementation over the next 13 years will substantially reduce the major social deficiencies affecting developing nations in particular.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In this context, they must demonstrate through action their commitment to and engagement with peace agreements and other political platforms either negotiated directly or sponsored by regional institutions and the international community. The international community’s collective action under the auspices of the United Nations should also cover the fight against terrorism. In this fight, a significant part of our effort should be directed at combating the causes of terrorism and violent extremism, which reside, inter alia, in the social crises in and the institutional fragility of many States. The case of Libya is a blatant example of this reality.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“This joint engagement has allowed for a substantial reduction of tensions in the region, with notable advances such as the continuation of the inter-Burundi dialogue, encouraging signs in the resolution of the political crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and positive developments in the peace process in the Central African Republic, which have made it possible to hold elections in the country leading to the normalization of its institutions. Despite these advances, we still have a long way to go on the path towards fully stabilizing that part of our continent, and the parties involved carry the main responsibility for ending the violence, respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens of their respective countries, and building their national political institutions.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Angola’s attachment to multilateralism is strongly emphasized in its role in solving problems that threaten peace and security on the African continent, particularly in the Great Lakes region. In the context of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Angola has been leading diplomatic efforts, with its regional and international partners, to find a lasting political solution capable of guaranteeing security, stability, economic and social development, and democracy for the countries and peoples of the region.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In line with the African position represented in the Ezulwini Consensus, Angola reiterates the need to increase the number of permanent members to ensure a fair geographical balance. It is unfair that the African continent, which accounts for almost 40 per cent of the States Members of the United Nations, is not represented among the permanent members in the main organ in charge of maintaining peace and security in the world. Angola underlines the importance of multilateralism in solving global problems, in accordance with the logic of shared responsibility and benefits, in recognition of the legitimate interests of all and in concertation towards realistic solutions.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In this context, we appreciate the relevance of the four axes defined in the agenda of this session, namely, the prevention and mediation of conflicts to achieve sustainable peace, the promotion of human rights, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We reiterate Angola’s support for the Secretary- General’s proposals for reforms with a view to revitalizing and rationalizing the resources of the Organization. The United Nations should act as the first instance in the promotion of peace diplomacy at the global level. We also reiterate the need to reform the Security Council in order to have it reflect the reality of the contemporary world. Its current composition is outdated and needs to be urgently reformed.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“As has been reiterated several times in this forum, peace and security are fundamental premises for stability, sustainable development, democracy and the promotion of and respect for human rights. The theme chosen for this session — “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet” — is timely and compels us to collectively reflect on the actions of the United Nations to solve the main problems affecting humankind. We need an Organization capable of promoting international peace and security by acting swiftly to prevent potential conflict situations, improving the global strategy to combat international terrorism, and placing economic and social development issues at the centre of its action.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola, allow me to congratulate Mr. Miroslav Lajcak on having been elected to preside over the General Assembly at its seventy-second session and to assure him of Angola’s full support in the fulfilment of his mission, so that he may successfully provide us with the leadership we need at this time. I also congratulate Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the Assembly at its seventy-first session, on the capable manner in which he conducted the work of the previous session; and Mr. Antonio Guterres on his appointment to the post of Secretary-General. Allow me to wish Mr. Guterres every success in his mandate and assure him of the full support and cooperation of Angola.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In conclusion, I must reiterate Angola’s commitment to the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and state that we will continue to engage in the search for solutions to the challenges facing the international community.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“On behalf of the Angolan Government, we would like to express our gratitude for the trust that investors have shown in us and for the assistance provided by international partners which, added to investment from national sources, has allowed us to achieve the level of economic growth the country has been experiencing. We are aware that there is still much to do to ensure that the high growth rates the country has seen in the recent past are reflected in an effective, systematic and gradual increase in the standard of living of the Angolan people, through a better distribution of national income and higher employment levels, especially among youth, and increased and better investment in the area of social welfare.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The fi ght against hunger and the struggle to reduce and eradicate poverty are two of the biggest challenges being addressed by the Angolan State owing to their impact on people’s lives. Indeed, their resolution is crucial if we are to build a more prosperous society and achieve social justice. Despite Angola’s successes in the last decade, it was not possible to achieve the Millennium Development Goals as we had wished. However, the country’s macroeconomic development indicators have permitted the Committee for Development Policy of the Economic and Social Council to consider Angola eligible to graduate from its least developed country status starting in 2015.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In addition, the rehabilitation and modernization of major productive and social infrastructure, namely the reconstruction of roads, railways, electricity supply and distribution systems, water supply systems and sanitation and telecommunication networks, are contributing to the progressive improvement of the living conditions of Angolans. Political stability and the strengthening of institutional capacity have enabled the Angolan economy to grow at an average rate of 9.2 per cent over the past five years, while the non-oil sector has grown at an average rate of 12 per cent. Those growth rates were due to effective measures by the Government aimed at stabilizing the fiscal, monetary and currency macroeconomic indicators and thereby facilitating the revival of the economy.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Ten years after achieving peace, Angola has recorded significant progress in consolidating its democratic process. General elections were held on 31 August in a civil and peaceful atmosphere, thus demonstrating the maturity of its people. The results expressed the sovereign will of the Angolan people, as verified by international observers who closely followed the election. Currently, Angola is joyfully celebrating the investiture of its organs of State sovereignty, including the President of the Republic and the National Assembly, as well as the assumption of office by members of the Government. It is experiencing a dynamic reconstruction and development process marked by the consolidation of macroeconomic stability that has had positive effects on the stabilization of the national currency.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Angola urges the international community to support the efforts of Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict. The embargo imposed on Cuba violates international law and for decades has been a major impediment to that country’s development and improvements in the lives of its citizens. Angola reiterates its principled position affirming the need to end the embargo in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions. Angola’s foreign policy will continue to be based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, good-neighbourliness and the strengthening of regional economic integration. Angola will continue to comply with all the international commitments and international instruments to which it is a party.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We remain concerned about the lack of progress in resolving the issue of Western Sahara. We call on the parties involved to continue negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations so that the people of Western Sahara can exercise their right of self- determination. The prevailing situation in the Middle East in general, and the Palestinian territories in particular, is one of the most serious problems facing the international community. Angola supports the creation of an independent Palestinian State living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security and within secure internationally recognized borders, in line with the position of the international community. The conflict in Syria poses a grave threat to international peace and security and will seriously exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the region.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Angola urges stakeholders to engage with one another and to show the political will necessary to implement the commitments undertaken. With respect to Mali, Angola deplores the worsening humanitarian situation resulting from the crisis prevailing in that country. Angola calls upon the international community to demonstrate its determination to preserve the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali. In the sisterly nation of Guinea-Bissau, we advocate a comprehensive solution and the permanent normalization of the constitutional order, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries and the Economic Community of West African States, as well as the wishes of all the internal actors, in order to stabilize the country and establish peace.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“My country reaffirms its support for the decisions of the third extraordinary summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, held in Kampala, as well as the efforts of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. Angola welcomes the normalization of the legal and constitutional order in Somalia as a result of the completion of the transition process, including the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Given that the situation remains unstable, Angola urges the international community to continue to support the stabilization process in that country. The situation in the Sudan has seen positive developments. Angola welcomes the recent agreements between the sisterly Republics of South Sudan and the Sudan, with a view to the settling of their disputes.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Drought and desertification, climate change, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity and rapid urbanization are just some of the factors that adversely affect development efforts worldwide. The Security Council plays a key role in preventing and resolving conflicts, and in peacekeeping efforts, in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by the Charter of the United Nations. The central theme at the heart of our debate calls for reform of the Security Council, as well as ensuring the fair representation of all regions and the broadening of its permanent membership in order to adapt it to contemporary reality. Allow me to refer to a set of conflicts that are of critical concern to my country. In the Great Lakes region, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to worry the international community.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It must do so by renewing its commitments to the sustainable development issues contained in Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development provided a solid framework for creating national and international policies to ensure the social, economic and environmental welfare of our peoples. We note that despite the progress made, there is a continued need for the international community to translate commitments into action in order to achieve sustainable development. Africa in general, and my country in particular, believe that intensive efforts on the part of the international community are needed to tackle the phenomena that threaten to reverse progress made with respect to development.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In this regard, my Government reiterates its support for initiatives aimed at liberalizing international trade in line with the Doha Round. The reform of the international economic and financial system’s regulatory institutions is of crucial importance to ensure greater flexibility and transparency in allocating capital to the least developed countries — a category that includes the majority of African nations. It is also essential to take appropriate measures towards strengthened support for international action on sustainable development and increased financial contributions to the United Nations to enable our Organization to fulfil its mandate efficiently.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Angola will continue to meet its obligations and fulfil its responsibilities at the international level, in particular with regard to Africa as a whole, as well as in the context of the regional economic and political groups to which it belongs, including the Southern African Development Community, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Economic Community of Central African States and the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region. The international economic and financial crisis that is affecting all countries in the world continues to demand solutions, including the reform of the economic, financial and international trade system in order to serve the interests of all countries in a global perspective.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“These are indeed the main challenges facing us today. In addition to these, there are further challenges requiring priority attention from our Organization, including disarmament, the fight against organized crime, the implementation of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, and the persistence of armed conflicts and their impact on people’s lives. Having had the painful experience of war, which still has major consequences for the lives of our people, Angola reiterates that dialogue and negotiation are the way to a peaceful resolution of conflict.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In this connection, I would like to thank him for his visit to my country in February of this year, during the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the advent of peace in Angola. During that visit, he had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the progress made in the reconstruction of the country and consolidation of democratic institutions. This session of the General Assembly is taking place at a time of profound international political, economic and social transformations, which reaffirm the relevance of the central theme of our discussion: maintaining international peace and security, eradicating poverty, promoting development, protecting the environment and ensuring a better future for generations to come, guaranteeing the rule of law in international relations, and promoting and ensuring the protection of human rights.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola, I avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Vuk Jeremić on his election to preside over the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session and to assure him of the support of my country in the fulfilment of his mission. It is our belief that under his leadership this session will confirm the importance and role of the General Assembly in finding solutions to the burning issues affecting humankind, thereby helping to make the world safer and fairer. I would also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser for the exemplary and wise manner in which he conducted the work of the Assembly at its previous session. I further salute Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the dynamism he has invested in the work of our Organization.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)