YouSaid · the spoken record

Daw Penjo

lines on the record: 30
first: 2009-09-24
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

“There is no doubt that, given the challenges confronting our increasingly interdependent world, the role of the United Nations is vital in addressing those issues. In order to do so, the United Nations requires the full support and commitment of the entire membership. Only then will it be able to truly reaffirm its central role in global governance. I therefore conclude by assuring you, Mr. President, of my delegation’s full support and cooperation, as you embark on a year-long journey of further strengthening this Organization.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“One of the important outcomes of the Thimphu Summit is the formulation of a common SAARC statement on climate change, which Bhutan, as the current SAARC Chair, will present at the forthcoming Conference of the Parties in December in Cancún. We are pleased to report that, as Bhutan progresses into its third year as a democratic constitutional monarchy, the foundations for a sustainable and vibrant democracy are growing stronger. The institutional arrangements for the three branches of Government, as required under our Constitution, are now complete and functioning with the establishment of the Supreme Court earlier this year. Likewise, all the constitutional bodies with oversight functions have been firmly established, and the media is performing its role as the fourth estate in an atmosphere of freedom.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“With the severe threats and damaging effects caused by climate change in South Asia, as recently occurred in Pakistan, it was no coincidence that the sixteenth Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which Bhutan was honoured to host in April this year, appropriately chose climate change as its theme. In addition to adopting the Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration, entitled “Towards a Green and Happy South Asia”, the Summit also adopted the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change. The Statement outlines important initiatives to further strengthen and intensify regional cooperation to address the adverse impacts of climate change in South Asia.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“My country has full faith in the leadership of the United Nations and believes in the centrality of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in addressing climate change. We are confident that the ongoing negotiations will lead to a concrete, comprehensive and equitable agreement at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Cancún later this year, as envisaged under the Bali Action Plan. Success will be essential in Cancún for small and vulnerable countries such as my own, which bears a heavier burden as the result of climate change. We must have the necessary resources for mitigation and adaptation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“President, for your support and direction, so that the least developed countries (LDCs) together with all our development partners cannot only ensure a successful outcome, but also, more importantly, give their people a chance for a better life. We are confident that the Conference will build on the successes of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 and adopt new measures and strategies for the development of the LDCs in the next decade. 27 10-55396 As most fittingly described, the other defining challenge of our time, namely, climate change, requires the collective and coordinated effort of all nations, as its devastating effects know no bounds.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Given the renewed commitment of the international community to the MDGs with a view to improving the lives of the people in the poorest countries, it is most timely that the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries should take place in 2011 in Turkey. We thank the Government of Turkey for its generous offer and assistance in hosting this important Conference. We also appreciate the efforts of the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in coordinating preparations for the Conference. As we undertake preparations for this event, we will look to you, Mr.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are encouraged that, in the past year, the five rounds of intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation in and larger membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council, held under the chairmanship of Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan, is making good progress. My delegation supports the expansion of both the permanent and the non-permanent membership of the Security Council to reflect the contemporary realities and make it a more representative body. We believe that India, Japan, Germany and Brazil plus two countries from the African continent, which have the capacity and resources to shoulder the onerous responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security, should be granted permanent membership.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“With each passing year, the responsibilities entrusted to the General Assembly, as the chief deliberative and policy-making body of the United Nations, continue to grow, and we believe that the authority of the General Assembly must be simultaneously enhanced to assume the growing mandate entrusted to it. We therefore appreciate the progress made by the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly, where a number of key issues have been highlighted, especially the strengthening of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. We are confident that, with the political determination of Member States, those deliberations will result in a stronger United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are also pleased to note that resolution 64/289 on system-wide coherence will contribute to the enhancement of the operational activities of the United Nations, making the funding system more systematic and harmonizing the overall governance structure. This would improve the capacity of the United Nations to more effectively deliver assistance to countries, thus strengthening its development pillar. My delegation recognizes the important role of the General Assembly in setting the global agenda and dealing with many of the important issues confronting the international community today.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Promoting the conditions that will enable the pursuit of national happiness by all our citizens, so that, regardless of race, sex, language, religion, politics or other status, they may enjoy a good quality of life in a progressive and prosperous country is not only one of the objectives of government, it is our moral obligation. This spirit is further reaffirmed by our Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental rights of all Bhutanese, thus demonstrating that Bhutan is committed to building an inclusive society, one that enables all Bhutanese, including those with disabilities, to lead fulfilling lives, to contribute and to participate as full members of society. My Government was therefore particularly pleased to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 21 September 2010.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In that regard, we welcome the Assembly’s unanimous adoption of the resolution on system-wide coherence (resolution 64/289) early in July 2010, which, inter alia, established UN Women. The creation of UN Women effectively consolidates all the existing mandates and functions relating to women and constitutes an important step in fulfilling the commitments undertaken in the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing. We are confident that that entity will address the global issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment with great vigour. Bhutan has long been convinced that no society can be a happy one if it is not inclusive.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The United Nations must therefore continue to provide the necessary leadership to foster renewed global partnership to enable the realization of all the MDGs by 2015. On 20 September, Bhutan’s Prime Minister highlighted to this gathering the need to move beyond conventional development practices (see A/65/PV.3). He therefore proposed the inclusion of happiness as the ninth Millennium Development Goal. My delegation is hopeful that that proposal of my Prime Minister will receive the support of the United Nations membership. 10-55396 26 My delegation is pleased to note that the reform agenda initiated following the World Summit in 2005 is beginning to yield results.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“After 39 years of membership, Bhutan continues to believe that the United Nations still has room and a role for smaller States, as equal partners in global affairs, including in the maintenance of international peace and security. For that reason, Bhutan is seeking membership in the Security Council in a non-permanent seat for the term 2013 and 2014. Last week at the High-level Plenary Meeting, our heads of State and Government acknowledged the plight of millions of people living in poverty and agreed to recommit themselves to keeping their pledge on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The successful achievement of the MDGs by all Member States will serve as a measure of the effectiveness of the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The principle of sovereign equality enshrined in the United Nations Charter establishes that all States, regardless of size, wealth, relative power, population or level of development, are accorded equal opportunity to participate and contribute to the work of the United Nations, its principal organs and its high-level posts. That, in fact, is the bedrock upon which this House was founded 64 years ago. It is a principle that must remain in the forefront and help chart our course further as our dialogue on United Nations reform continues. How can we, as Members of the United Nations, credibly espouse equity among nations and peoples if we fail to practise it among ourselves?”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“That theme is most appropriate, as it comes at a time when the world looks to the United Nations for its stewardship in addressing the multiple global crises, the devastating effects of climate change and the issue of the maintenance of global peace and security. The United Nations has long been recognized as an indispensable global Organization due to its mandate, and must continuously adapt itself to deal with the challenges confronting the world so that its pivotal role in global governance is maintained. No other multilateral organization or intergovernmental grouping, without the legitimacy of universal membership, can hope to replace the centrality of the United Nations in global affairs. The vast majority of Members of the United Nations are small States.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. We are confident that with your vast academic and political experience, you will provide the Assembly with the necessary leadership in the year ahead. Allow me to also commend your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Ali Treki, for his many initiatives and guidance in steering the sixty-fourth session to a successful conclusion. My delegation welcomes your proposal on “Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance” as the theme for the general debate of this session.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Therefore, as we gather here once again to deliberate and find solutions to the many difficult problems confronting us, I conclude by reiterating my delegation’s full support and cooperation in working towards addressing our common challenges.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Bearing this in mind and as an expression of our continued support for the commendable humanitarian work of the United Nations, Bhutan has made a modest contribution to the Fund, which we hope to increase in the coming years. These are indeed difficult times with multiple crises hitting us simultaneously. The threat of climate change is real and its effects are occurring even as I speak. Global governance needs to be made more effective to help us address the global challenges more efficiently. In this interdependent world, it will be impossible for any country to act alone in resolving these crises.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“During this difficult period, we have been comforted by the outpouring of support from friendly countries such as 47 09-52598 India and others, which have rendered much-needed technical and financial assistance for the massive relief work. Given the increasing frequency of such severe natural calamities and their negative effects on many parts of the world, there is a need for institutionalized disaster preparedness and response mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels. In this context, the establishment of the United Nations Central Emergency Fund is an important step towards providing the disaster relief that is urgently required for life-saving operations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We hope that the sixty-fourth session will build on the progress achieved so far and bring this long-drawn-out process to a successful conclusion under Mr. Treki’s leadership. Natural calamities are occurring regularly every year, and smaller developing countries are increasingly faced with the challenge of coping with such problems. Just last week, my country was severely affected by an earthquake that measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. It is one of the biggest disasters we have experienced in recent times. Its devastating effects were felt in six districts of eastern Bhutan, where 13 people lost their lives and many were left injured and homeless. About 1,900 homes, numerous schools, Government offices and historical monuments were destroyed or damaged. The full impact is still being ascertained.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Bhutan accords high importance to reform of the United Nations, particularly the revitalization of the General Assembly and reform of the Security Council. We fully support the expansion of the Security Council in both its permanent and non-permanent membership. For their active role in global affairs and their capacity and resources to shoulder greater responsibilities, reflect present global realities and make the United Nations more representative, we fully support electing India, Japan, Brazil and Germany, plus two African countries, to be permanent Security Council members. My delegation is greatly encouraged by the momentum gained in the intergovernmental negotiations on the reform process.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Preventing terrorism preserves these fundamental values, through which we can achieve lasting peace and security. Even my country, which has always enjoyed peace and stability, has not been spared this evil menace. Bhutan therefore fully supports the international consensus on taking firm action against terrorism. The General Assembly’s adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288) was an important political achievement that represents our common approach to combating the scourge of global terrorism. We must show similar commitment in concluding a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Within our region, the leaders of SAARC have concluded an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, reaffirming our region’s commitment to collectively addressing the evils of terrorism.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We must now advance the progress of the multilateral negotiations in every possible way to ensure that tangible results are achieved in Copenhagen for the well-being of present and future generations. In this regard, I am pleased to inform this gathering that Bhutan will assume the chair of and host the sixteenth summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in April 2010. Given the importance of the subject, climate change and environment will be the Summit’s theme, and the issue will receive our leaders’ highest attention when they meet in Thimphu. Terrorism in all forms and manifestations is a serious threat to domestic as well as global peace and security. It endangers and undermines our common values of respect for human rights and the rule of law, and our basic desire to live in peace and harmony.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Our capacity to carry out adaptation and mitigation measures is severely constrained by our lack of scientific, technical and financial resources. Bhutan has always maintained that climate change must be addressed within the framework of sustainable development. The issues are inextricably linked to development, and any debate on the subject must take into consideration equity and the right of developing countries to be able to provide their people with better livelihoods. My delegation appreciates the initiative of the Secretary-General in convening the high-level Summit on Climate Change. It provided the necessary political impetus for negotiations to be concluded in Copenhagen this December.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Despite Bhutan’s negligible emission of greenhouse gases, our fragile mountain ecology faces potential threats, primarily the adverse impact on agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people. Erratic and severe weather patterns and the threat of glacial lake outburst floods are of particular concern to Bhutan. Other hazards, such as flash floods, landslides, forest fires and droughts, are also likely to increase. When Cyclone Aila hit the Bay of Bengal in May, it also had disastrous and widespread effects in Bhutan, touching every corner of the country. Precious lives were lost; power and water supplies affected; roads, bridges and vital infrastructure damaged. Farms, the most vulnerable sector, were the worst affected.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As this is the first plan to be implemented under our first elected Government, its successful implementation is of paramount importance to reaffirming the people’s faith in parliamentary democracy and ensuring a successful political transition. These successes in the political, social and economic fields would not have been possible without the support of our development partners, bilateral and multilateral. To them I offer our deep gratitude and appreciation, and we look forward to their continued assistance and support during this critical transitional phase. It is becoming increasingly evident that the impact of continuing climate change cannot be ignored. While its adverse effects will spare none, small 09-52598 46 developing countries will bear a heavier burden, even though they contribute the least to the causes.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“For many such countries, official development assistance (ODA) remains the most important source of external financing for achieving their development objectives and attaining the MDGs. We therefore encourage donor countries to take concrete steps towards fulfilling their ODA commitments. In Bhutan, we have achieved relative socio-economic progress over the past five years. The annual gross domestic product growth rate has averaged around 8 per cent, the national literacy rate has reached 60 per cent and health coverage has been sustained at 90 per cent. The royal Government continues to accord high priority to the social sector. Bhutan launched its tenth five-year plan in July 2008 with the overarching goal of poverty reduction and implementing MDG-based initiatives.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Meeting their needs and freeing them from the cycle of poverty continues to be the major challenge to development and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is inconceivable that, in an era of unprecedented prosperity, the vast majority of the world’s population remains in poverty and destitution. The alleviation of poverty, therefore, must be at the forefront of the international community’s development efforts. Since the adoption of the Monterrey Consensus in 2002, developing countries have made significant progress in many areas of domestic resource mobilization. However, challenges remain, especially during the current economic slowdown, for developing countries to mobilize adequate domestic resources to meet their development needs.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Concrete steps are being taken to empower the people and to ensure that democracy truly benefits every citizen. The people of Bhutan, although hesitant at first, were guided and encouraged by our enlightened and visionary monarchs and have fully embraced democracy. From our experience so far, we are confident that a strong foundation for democracy has been established; it is now time to nurture and continue to strengthen this foundation. The world is grappling with multiple, interlinked global crises. The impact of these crises has been particularly severe on the least developed countries, where levels of poverty and insecurity are already high. The food and energy crises have driven millions of the most vulnerable people deeper into poverty and further desperation.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I should like to congratulate the President on his election to preside over the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. We are confident that under his able leadership and guidance, our deliberations will be successful. I assure him of my delegation’s fullest support and cooperation. I would also like to convey our deep appreciation to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, for his leadership at the sixty-third session. It has been only 18 months since my country successfully made the transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy. Within this period, the elected Government has made every effort to establish a strong foundation for a sustainable and vibrant democracy, as it is these initial years that will determine the direction of democracy in Bhutan.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)