YouSaid · the spoken record

Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim,

lines on the record: 35
first: 2005-09-24
most recent: 2010-09-24
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

“Just as Brazil has changed and will continue to change, the world is also changing. We must deepen and accelerate this process. With the technology and wealth at our disposal, there is no longer any justification for hunger, poverty and epidemics of 10-54827 8 preventable diseases. We can no longer live with discrimination, injustice and authoritarianism. We must face the challenges of nuclear disarmament, sustainable development and freer and fairer trade. Rest assured, Brazil will continue to fight to make these ideals a reality.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Brazil’s commitment to the promotion of human rights is also unwavering. We favour a non-selective, objective and multilateral treatment of human rights, without politicization or bias, in which everyone — the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak — is subject to the same scrutiny. In our view, the exercise of human rights is more effectively ensured by dialogue and cooperation than by arrogant attitudes derived from self-declared moral superiority. During his eight years in office, President Lula has developed a foreign policy that is independent, free of any sort of submission, and respectful of Brazil’s neighbours and partners. It is an innovative foreign policy, which does not distance itself from the fundamental values of the Brazilian nation: peace, pluralism, tolerance and solidarity.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“That will be easier with the involvement of all those concerned. Freezing the construction of settlements in the occupied territories, lifting the Gaza blockade and ending attacks against civilian populations are crucial elements in the process. In his visit to Israel, Palestine and Jordan in March, President Lula spoke with government leaders and representatives of civil society about those issues. We frequently receive in Brasilia the leaders of various countries of the region, who seek support in resolving problems that have afflicted them for decades and have not been solved through the traditional means and actors. Brazil, which has about 10 million people of Arab descent and a sizeable Jewish community living together in harmony, will not shy away from making its contribution to the peace that we all yearn for.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We have been insisting, therefore, that the Iranian Government maintain an attitude of flexibility and openness towards negotiations, but it is necessary that all those concerned also demonstrate such willingness. We are closely following developments in the peace process in the Middle East. We hope the direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis launched earlier this month will produce concrete results that lead to the creation of a Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders, a State that ensures for the Palestinian people a dignified life, co-existing side by side and in peace with the State of Israel. However, it is not the format of the dialogue that will determine whether it will yield results. What matters is the willingness of the parties to reach a just and lasting peace.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In so doing, we relied on proposals that had been presented as a unique opportunity to build confidence between the parties. The Tehran Declaration of 17 May, signed by Brazil, Turkey and Iran, removed obstacles that, according to the very authors of those proposals, had previously prevented an agreement. The Tehran Declaration does not exhaust the issue and was never intended to do so. We are convinced that, once back to the negotiating table, the parties will find ways to resolve other issues, such as 20 per cent enrichment and the stock of enriched uranium accumulated since October 2009. In spite of the sanctions, we still hope that the logic of dialogue and understanding will prevail. The world cannot run the risk of a new conflict like the one in Iraq.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“When it comes to war and peace, however, the traditional players are reluctant to share power. The Security Council must be reformed and expanded to allow for greater participation by developing countries, including as permanent members. We cannot continue with working methods that lack transparency and that allow the permanent members to discuss behind closed doors and for as long as they wish issues that concern all mankind. Brazil has sought to live up to what is expected from all Security Council members, including non- permanent ones — namely, that they contribute to peace. For this reason, we made a serious effort to find an instrument that could enable progress towards a solution of the Iranian nuclear question.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“A positive outcome of the sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with real progress in 7 10-54827 forests, financing for adaptation and mitigation and a reaffirmation of the Kyoto commitments, is indispensable. The Mexican presidency can count on Brazil’s engagement to achieve this objective. In 2012, we will host, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Rio+20 Conference. On behalf of the Brazilian Government, I invite all delegations to fulfill the promise of truly sustainable development. The reform of global governance has not yet reached the field of international peace and security. In the economic and environmental areas, the wealthiest nations have already understood that they cannot do without the cooperation of the poor and emerging countries.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Reforms have also been insufficient in the financial sector. Unjustified resistance is preventing the implementation of agreed-upon changes. Obstinacy in maintaining anachronistic privileges perpetuates and deepens the illegitimacy of institutions. Another major challenge we face is achieving a global, comprehensive and ambitious agreement on climate change. In order to move forward on this matter, countries must stop hiding behind each other. Brazil, like other developing countries, has done its part. But in Copenhagen, several delegations, especially from the rich world, sought excuses to evade their moral and political obligations. They forgot that one cannot negotiate with Nature.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“At the height of the crisis, we succeeded in avoiding the worst-case scenario: a surge of uncontrolled protectionism, which would have thrown the world into a deep depression. But the developed countries have not demonstrated the necessary commitment to global economic stability. They continue to let themselves be guided by parochial interests. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Doha round of negotiations in the World Trade Organization. A balanced solution to that negotiating process, which has lasted for almost 10 years, would promote economic expansion and the development of the poorest countries, with the end of distorting subsidies and protectionist barriers. After all, poor countries are the greatest victims of the narrow and selfish view that still prevails in international trade.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The United Nations must be the main center of decision-making in international politics. The changes that have occurred in the world over the past few decades and the series of crises we have faced in food security, climate change, the economic and financial sphere and peace and security make it urgent to redefine the rules that govern international relations. The financial crisis of 2008 accelerated change in global economic governance. The Group of Twenty (G-20) replaced the Group of Eight as the primary forum for deliberation on economic issues. The G-20 was a step forward, but it must be adjusted to ensure, for instance, greater African participation. The relevance and legitimacy of the G-20 can be preserved only if it maintains frank and permanent dialogue with all the nations represented in this General Assembly.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“When President Lula first spoke in this Hall, in 2003, the world lived under the shadow of the invasion of Iraq. We hope we have learned the lessons of that episode. Blind faith in intelligence reports tailored to justify political goals must be rejected. We must ban once and for all the use of force that is inconsistent with international law. Furthermore, it is fundamental to value and promote dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes. In order to achieve a truly secure world, the promise of the total elimination of nuclear weapons must be fulfilled. Unilateral reductions are welcome but insufficient, especially when they occur in tandem with the modernization of nuclear arsenals. As President Lula has often stated, multilateralism is the international face of democracy.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“By creating the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, launched in Bahia, Brazil and confirmed in Cancún, Mexico, we have reaffirmed the region’s willingness to extend to Central America and the Caribbean the integrationist ideals that animate South Americans. Brazil reiterates its condemnation, shared by all in Latin America and the Caribbean, of the illegitimate embargo against Cuba. Its sole result has been to hamper the efforts of millions of Cubans in their struggle for development. We condemn anti-democratic moves, such as the coup d’état in Honduras. The return of former President Zelaya without threats to his freedom is indispensable for the full normalization of Honduras’ relations with the region as a whole.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are keeping our promises and will keep a watchful eye on the situation to ensure that the commitments of the international community go beyond rhetorical statements. 10-54827 6 In recent years, the Brazilian Government has invested heavily in South America’s integration and peace. We have strengthened our strategic partnership with Argentina. We have reinforced MERCOSUR, including through financial mechanisms unique among developing countries. The establishment of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) aims at consolidating a genuine zone of peace and prosperity. UNASUR has already demonstrated its value in promoting understanding and the peaceful resolution of conflicts among and within countries in South America and has made foreign interference in our region even more unwarranted.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We joined the United Nations in mourning the tragedy that took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Haitians. We ourselves lost great Brazilians, including Dr. Zilda Arns — a woman who dedicated her life to the poor, especially children — Mr. Luiz Carlos da Costa, Deputy Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, and 18 of our peacekeepers. We would like to express our compassion for the suffering of the Haitian people and, above all, our admiration for the stoicism and courage with which they have been facing adversity. The Haitian people know that they can count on Brazil to not only help them maintain order and defend democracy, but also assist in their development.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Through trade and investment, we are helping the African continent to develop its enormous potential and reduce its dependency on a few centres of political and economic power. Brazil is particularly concerned about Guinea- Bissau. It is not by isolating or abandoning Guinea- Bissau that the international community will help it address the challenges it still faces. We need intelligent modalities for cooperation, which can promote development and stability and encourage the necessary reforms, especially with regard to the armed forces. This year, in which a significant number of African countries celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their decolonization, Brazil renews its commitment to an independent, prosperous, just and democratic Africa. There are few places where international solidarity is more needed than Haiti.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The IBSA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation, created by India, Brazil and South Africa, finances projects in Haiti, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Palestine, Cambodia, Burundi, Laos and Sierra Leone. Brazil has substantially increased its humanitarian aid and the number of its cooperation projects with poorer countries. Africa occupies a very special place in Brazilian diplomacy. Since taking office, President Lula has been to Africa 11 times and visited over 20 countries in the continent. We have set up an agricultural research office in Ghana, a model cotton farm in Mali, a manufacturing plant for antiretroviral drugs in Mozambique and professional training centres in five African countries.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The strengthened domestic market protected us from the worst effects of the global crisis set in motion by the financial casino in the richest countries in the world. Brazil is proud to have achieved almost all of the Millennium Development Goals and to be well on the way to meeting them all by 2015. The inability of any country to achieve those Goals must be seen as a failure of the entire international community. The promotion of development is a collective responsibility. Brazil has been working to assist other countries to replicate its successful experiences. In the past years Brazil’s actions on the international stage have been driven by a sense of solidarity. We are convinced that it is possible to have a humanistic foreign policy without losing sight of national interests. That policy is supported by South-South cooperation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is a great honour for me to come to this rostrum to speak on behalf of the people and Government of Brazil. I bring the greetings of President Lula. Within days, over 130 million Brazilians will go to the polls and will write another important chapter in the history of our democracy. During President Lula’s two terms, Brazil has changed. Sustained economic growth, financial stability, social inclusion and the full exercise of democracy have converged and reinforced each another. Over 20 million Brazilians rose out of poverty, and many others out of extreme poverty. Nearly 30 million people joined the middle class. Strong and transparent public policies reduced inequalities in income, access and opportunities. Millions of Brazilians rose to dignity and real citizenship.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“At the beginning of this new chapter in the life of the United Nations, Brazil remains committed to the ideals that led to the creation of the only Organization of universal scope, the only body that can guarantee a future of peace and prosperity — not for the few, but for all.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“That pioneering initiative brought together two regions of the developing world in a concrete demonstration of harmony of civilizations. On several trips to the Middle East, I had the opportunity to talk to variety of people, including leaders from Israel and Palestine. They are aware of Brazil’s willingness to support the work of the Quartet as a partner for peace. The practice of tolerance and respect for others, as well as the harmonious co- existence of different communities in our country, constitute our comparative advantage. I believe that conviction is shared by eminent persons and political leaders from both Israel and Palestine.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Brazilian and Latin American presence in Haiti is unprecedented, in terms of both troops and political commitment. We are motivated by three main objectives: establishing a safe environment, promoting dialogue among the various political actors with a view to a genuine democratic transition and securing effective international support for institutional, social and economic reconstruction. Haiti is likely to be the first test case for the Peacebuilding Commission. Brazil and the Arab world are renewing their ties of friendship, inspired by strong historical and cultural affinities. Apart from bilateral initiatives, Brazil has been strengthening its relations with regional groupings such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League. In May 2005, an unprecedented summit of South American and Arab States took place in Brasilia.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Thanks to the role played by the G-20, it has been possible to combine trade liberalization with social justice in the context of the multilateral trading system. Strengthening our ties with Africa has been a long-standing aspiration of Brazil’s. No previous Government has pursued that objective with the resolve demonstrated by President Lula. Trade and cooperation between Brazil and Africa have grown significantly. Political dialogue has intensified. We have been contributing to the consolidation of peace and democracy in countries such as Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe. We have helped to fight hunger, develop agriculture and combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS in various brother countries of Africa. The same sense of solidarity inspires us to participate in United Nations peace efforts in Haiti.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The South American Community of Nations, which was founded last year in Cuzco, Peru, can be seen as a driving force for integration in Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole. Our efforts in establishing partnerships with other developing countries go beyond our immediate region. The India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) has brought together three large democracies from Africa, Asia and Latin America that are keen on deepening the economic, political and cultural ties between them and between their regions. Together with other partners, we have joined in setting up the Group of Twenty (G-20), which places developing countries at the centre of agricultural trade negotiations of the World Trade Organization’s Doha round.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Together with non-proliferation efforts, we must continue to work tirelessly towards nuclear disarmament. In addition to the challenges I have just referred to, we are faced with two crises of global scope: the 7 pandemic explosion of HIV/AIDS and the serious threats posed by climate change. Brazil will continue to promote the implementation of existing multilateral instruments to fight those scourges. Brazil is committed to reinforcing the strategic alliance with its main partner in our region — Argentina — and to the promotion of a prosperous, integrated and politically stable South America, building upon our experience in the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR). We will tirelessly strive for MERCOSUR’s advancement in the economic and political fields.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Despite the fact that there is no automatic linkage between poverty and terrorism, communities can be exposed to extreme attitudes by fanatical groups as a result of grave social and economic problems, especially when associated with the absence of civil and political liberties. I wish to express Brazil’s readiness to work intensively with a view to the prompt conclusion of a comprehensive convention against terrorism. We recognize the risks of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, we cannot disregard the importance of reducing and dismantling existing arsenals of all such weapons. We regret that the seventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons did not produce tangible results.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Innocent civilians, women and children are today victims of groups who stand as adversaries to the values we share. As a country whose identity cannot be dissociated from the notions of tolerance and diversity, Brazil rejects in the strongest terms those abhorrent acts, which go against the very notion of humanity. We will continue to lend our support to increased international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and in the struggle to eliminate its deep-rooted causes. Such efforts must be undertaken with due respect for international law and human rights. The fight against terrorism cannot be viewed in terms of police repression alone. Nor can such repression result in absurd and indiscriminate killing like terrorism itself.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This week’s summit has stressed the importance of a renewed commitment to development assistance and contributed to promoting universal acceptance of the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product devoted to official development assistance. At the same time, we must continue to work on innovative and additional sources of financing. I note with satisfaction that since the Summit of World Leaders for Action against Hunger and Poverty, convened last year by President Lula, we have achieved significant progress. A growing number of Governments and non-governmental organizations have joined in the effort to eradicate hunger and poverty. This is the only war in which we are engaged. This is the only war we can all win. This year we witnessed yet again brutal acts of terrorism.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Two years ago, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared before the Assembly that every nation that is committed to democracy at the domestic level must strive for more transparent, legitimate and representative decision-making processes in its external relations. In the same spirit, Secretary-General Kofi Annan pointed out the contradictions to be overcome, stating: “We are the ones who go around the world lecturing everybody about democracy. I think it is about time we apply it to ourselves, and then show that there is effective representation”. We are still far from accomplishing the goals of the Millennium Declaration.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Security Council reform is the centrepiece of the reform process in which we are engaged. The vast majority of Member States recognize the need to make the Security Council more representative and democratic. At this historic juncture, no Security Council reform effort will be meaningful unless it contemplates an increase in the number of permanent and non- permanent seats, with developing countries from Africa, Latin America and Asia included in both categories. We cannot accept the perpetuation of imbalances that run contrary to the very spirit of multilateralism. Above all, a more efficient Council must be capable of ensuring that its decisions are implemented. It is not reasonable to expect the Council to continue to expand its agenda and responsibilities without addressing its democracy deficit.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Human security is mainly the result of just and equitable societies that promote and protect human rights, strengthen democracy and respect the rule of law, while creating opportunities for economic development and social justice. The United Nations 6 was not created to disseminate the notion that order should be imposed by force. That extreme expedient can be considered only when all other efforts have been exhausted and peaceful solutions have proved not to be viable. A judgement as to the existence of such exceptional circumstances must always be a multilateral one. The Charter foresees two situations in which the use of force is permissible: to restore or maintain international peace and security, and in the case of the right to self-defence. Mixing those two concepts would blur the meaning of the very tenets of this Organization.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“International cooperation in the field of human rights and humanitarian assistance must be guided by the principle of collective responsibility. We have maintained on several occasions — in our region and elsewhere — that the principle of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of States must be associated with the idea of “non-indifference”. We have been called upon to deal with new concepts, such as human security and the responsibility to protect. We agree that they merit a proper place in our system. But it is an illusion to believe that we can combat the dysfunctional politics at the root of grave human rights violations by military means alone, or even by economic sanctions, without fully utilizing diplomacy and persuasion.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission will bridge an important institutional gap. It will be a link between security and development. Currently, there is no such link. The structures and mechanisms of the Organization in the human rights field must be improved and reinforced. We support the creation of a Human Rights Council, based on the principles of universality, dialogue and non-selectivity. The elaboration of an annual global report on human rights by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, covering all countries and situations, will help to increase the credibility of the United Nations human rights system. The Secretary-General has called for better coordination in our work to protect victims of grave and systematic violations of human rights.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It must help us to come together on issues related to trade, finance and development in an environment free from prejudice and dogma. The Economic and Social Council should be a privileged, deliberative forum in our quest for reconciliation between the objectives of sustainable economic growth and the reduction of the inequalities caused by asymmetric globalization. President Lula suggested this year, at the summit of the Group of Eight (G-8) at Gleneagles, that we could start raising the profile of the Economic and Social Council by organizing a high-level segment, with the participation of the Finance Minister of the country holding the G-8 presidency. The Economic and Social Council must also help to promote peace and stability in partnership with the Security Council, as provided for in Article 65 of the Charter.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The final document adopted yesterday at the summit (resolution 60/1) has unquestionably fallen short of our expectations. However, it provides us with guidelines that will enable us to carry out our work. The General Assembly must be strengthened. More than ever, we need a forum with universal representation, in which the crucial issues of today’s world can be democratically debated. The General Assembly must provide leadership and political guidance to the Organization as a whole. In supporting the authority of the General Assembly by enabling it to act more speedily and be more productive, we are supporting the very essence of the United Nations. The Economic and Social Council must again become a dynamic and influential organ.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I should like to extend my warmest congratulations to you, Sir, Ambassador Jan Eliasson of Sweden, on your assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. I should also like to express fraternal greetings to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, whose wisdom and commitment to multilateralism have made an immense contribution to progress here at the United Nations. Minister Jean Ping of Gabon deserves special recognition for the competent and dedicated manner in which he presided over the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session. This is a rare and historic opportunity to promote change; let us not waste it. Peace, development, democracy and respect for human rights are objectives that unite us. Reform must be our motto.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)