YouSaid · the spoken record

Isatou Njie-Saidy

lines on the record: 62
first: 2007-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“The security of our world can be assured only if we establish genuine and friendly relations based on mutual respect for the dignity of our people and the sovereignty of our nations. I wish the Assembly a successful session.””
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We recently concluded consultations at an international colloquium on the subject in Banjul, our capital, where a road map was presented on the way forward. The Group of African States at the United Nations is already working on a draft resolution on slavery, the slave trade, colonialism and reparations, to be introduced before the Assembly at this session. I appeal to all to support the adoption of that draft resolution and restore the dignity of our African ancestors. “In conclusion, I encourage the Assembly to use this opportunity to once again address the burning issues of our time. The people of the world are in need of durable peace. We need inclusive dialogue to resolve our problems and differences and forge partnerships that will improve our human conditions.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Africa was indeed torn apart, its people displaced and disintegrated, and the continent as a whole weakened forever. Reparations are therefore justified because they would demonstrate remorse and symbolize the healing of the wounds of colonialism. Reparations would also be an effective way to correct the global economic imbalances caused by colonialism. “It is therefore with a deep sense of mission and moral imperative that I ask the General Assembly to accept the case of slavery and colonialism as a global issue that should be addressed without equivocation. The African Union has given the matter its full support, and all well-meaning people around the world expect a favourable response from the international community to such a legitimate cause in preparation for the discussions and debates that would ensue.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Apart from historic precedents, there is merit, of course, in the call for reparations for damages caused during colonialism. Many of the problems confronting the former colonies today are the direct consequences of the actions of the former colonial Powers. A vivid illustration of how colonizers destroyed Africa is the way in which the continent was divided and shared out. The balkanization of Africa did not respect the territorial integrity of countries; nor did it consider tribal boundaries, or trade groups for that matter. “The division of Africa was arbitrary, taking into account the best interests of the colonizers. As a result, the geography of countries was altered. Children and kin became separated, customs and traditions destroyed and the most valuable artefacts carted away to Western museums.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Germany, for example, we all recall, paid $60 billion to survivors of the Holocaust, and the Jewish Reparation Fund exists as well. The United States paid $20,000 each to 10,000 Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps. Similarly, the United States has compensated native tribes for broken treaties. Japan has paid Second World War reparations to its former colonial possessions, such as Korea. It should also be noted that Britain has paid reparations to the Maoris of New Zealand for damage done during colonial times. More recently, Iraq has paid compensation to Kuwait for damages that it caused during its invasion and occupation of that country in 1990. “Why then should Africans and people of African descent be ineligible for reparations, after suffering the historic injustices of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism?”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Assembly will recall that in 2007, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London at the time, acknowledged that the wealth generated from the slave trade was responsible for the economic prosperity of England. But perhaps the best illustration of guilt was the proposal in the 1860s by General William Sherman of the United States Army that every freed slave in the United States should be given 40 acres and a mule as compensation. Sadly, President Andrew Johnson and the United States Congress rejected the idea at the time. “That was the beginning of the resistance against reparations. Yet, over time, we have had several global reparations. America, Britain, Germany and Japan have seen the need for and prudence of paying reparations for crimes committed against other countries and peoples.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
““There is also irrefutable evidence that, despite their providing free labour, African slaves suffered discrimination, exploitation, torture and death at the hands of their ruthless owners. The effects of the inhumane treatment that they suffered can be traced in their offspring. Even today, the slavery syndrome continues to impact and shape the lives and circumstances of Africans and people of African descent. To us who are affected by that phenomenon, slavery is a painful legacy. Yet there are those who question the merits of reparations. “Although there have been pleas of innocence, there have also been notable pleas of guilt, as well. In 2006, for example, Tony Blair, the then British Prime Minister, apologized for his country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“For far too long, slave-trading nations and colonialists have stubbornly defied good conscience, which would compel them to acknowledge the evil nature of their actions and atone for the atrocities that were committed against Africans and people of African descent. The African continent was plundered and pillaged, while millions of its inhabitants were trafficked to North America and the Caribbean. For centuries, they were exploited as slave labour in plantations, fuelling the industries of the slave-owning countries. Those acts of enslavement and forced labour provide empirical evidence that the economic foundation of the Western economies was built by enslaved Africans.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We always expect the new Secretary-General to be the people’s Secretary- General and not the servant of the powerful five alone. The Secretary-General must be the voice of the voiceless and the chief advocate of the people of the world. We therefore look to the new Secretary- General to provide a visionary leadership that will settle old problems and disputes in a new era of peace, progress and prosperity. “The failure to address and settle age-old injustices is responsible for some of our major problems in the world today. I am referring to the historical injustices of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Islamic Republic of the Gambia therefore once again calls for the expansion of the Security Council to facilitate the allocation to Africa of two permanent seats with veto power and two other non-permanent seats. “Africa’s legitimate demands have been well documented and articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. A well- structured and fully inclusive United Nations is what the world needs, and Africa is ready to take its rightful place and play a more pivotal and effective role in world affairs. “The significance of the reforms being envisaged calls for boldness and strong leadership. That is why we attach great importance to the election of the next Secretary-General. It is our hope that he or she will combine the legacies of his or her predecessors with the qualities of vision, fair play and equity.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“That brings to mind the repeated calls of Member States for Security Council and broader United Nations reforms in order to enable the Organization to confront new and emerging challenges. The current composition of the Security Council, with five permanent members holding the veto power, is undemocratic, and the system is akin to minority rule. A situation in which five countries dictate the political and economic agenda and landscape of the world and can override international consensus by veto is indeed an anachronism. “Africa has the highest representation in the General Assembly, yet that continent, with over 1.2 billion people, has been denied the right to a permanent seat on the Security Council.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It shows that, despite the imperfections of our Organization and our ideological differences, we are without a doubt capable of forging a global partnership to deal with a common danger. The negotiations were protracted and at times acrimonious, but in the end our common desire to save our planet prevailed. I wish to pay tribute to all the men and women who worked with dedication and sacrifice to ensure the success of the negotiations. “Although the Paris Agreement on Climate Change was a success, the magnitude and complexities of other challenges facing the world have again brought into sharp focus the role of the United Nations and its capacity to address and advance international peace, security and development.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Our villages, towns and cities are being deserted as young people attempt to sail to what is wrongly perceived as the new El Dorado. Thousands have perished at sea, while thousands more are languishing in detention centres in Europe. That is an unprecedented depletion of our human resources and is bound to have disastrous consequences if allowed to continue. Given that disturbing phenomenon, international cooperation that would create jobs for youth should no longer be a slogan but a calculated strategy to keep them at home in gainful employment that could enhance their well-being and ensure the development of their countries. “The Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which the Islamic Republic of the Gambia signed together with the entire membership of the United Nations, is a landmark in our human evolution.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is for those reasons and owing to our quest for a just and equitable world that we support the theme of the current session of the General Assembly: ‘The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world’. “Under the Millennium Development Goals, the Islamic Republic of the Gambia registered significant progress in its development agenda. I am happy and proud to state that hunger has been eradicated in our country, and the level of undernourishment has decreased from 13 per cent to 3 per cent. Our ultimate aim is to make agriculture attractive and profitable through our back-to-the-land policy, so that our people can work and live in dignity. “The future of Africa and indeed the world is inextricably linked to women as well as youth. Unfortunately, Africa is losing its young population because of migration.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The evil actions of a group of individuals claiming adherence to Islam cannot be taken to represent the convictions of the majority. There is no clash between Islam and the other Abrahamic religions of Christianity and Judaism, and there is certainly no war between Islam and the world. We condemn the renegade forces of terrorism and reject their campaign to create a nexus between terrorism and Islam. “While we express anxiety over global insecurity, we must also focus on global economic conditions. A world that is marked by disparities and divided into zones of the affluent and the poor cannot enjoy durable peace and security. A world in which the conspicuous consumption of the few overshadows the abject poverty of the majority can only be a world of the powerful against the weak and of mutual animosity, mistrust and tensions.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Today, we remember with sadness all the victims of terrorism who have been gunned down or maimed by bombs in Paris, Brussels, Bamako, Ouagadougou and Pakistan, inter alia, around the globe. It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that the world is in grave danger and that our human existence is under serious threat as a result. Collective action is the best way to fight that global scourge. “We are also greatly concerned that certain rogue politicians and pseudo-intellectuals with nefarious intentions are using the terrorism card to revive and propagate the notion of a clash of civilizations in which Islam is at war with the West. Their incendiary rhetoric lambasting Islam is unacceptable and can serve only to further polarize the world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As leaders of our people, we must always remember that history will judge us kindly only if we are magnanimous and devoted to the welfare and well-being of our people. “We cannot, of course, discuss international peace and security without addressing the lingering and unresolved Palestinian problem. The time has come, and is indeed overdue, for Israel to heed the overwhelming international consensus for a two- State solution as the only viable option that can ensure peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine. “The fragile peace that we enjoy is being seriously undermined by terrorism, which has assumed a global dimension, with the killing and maiming of innocent people.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is also a source of great concern that, despite the dangerous situations in Syria, Iraq and Libya, geopolitical interests continue to override humanitarian considerations. Unless concrete action is taken now, places like Aleppo, Mosul and Tripoli will soon cease to be human habitats. “In Africa, the protracted war in Somalia and the armed conflict between political rivals in South Sudan continue to blight the political landscape with untold human suffering. To complicate an already difficult situation, the impasse in Darfur and the frequent outbreaks of fighting in the Central African Republic and Burundi pose a serious threat to the civilian population, particularly women and children. I appeal to my brothers and sisters in those African countries to eschew violence and embrace reconciliation.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Mogens Lykketoft, for the able and efficient manner in which he conducted the affairs of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. He will surely be remembered for the bold and major initiatives that were launched during his tenure as President. I also wish to extend sincere thanks to Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his tireless efforts in pursuit of world peace and economic progress over the past decade. “The world is at a crossroads. Since the previous General Assembly session, global peace and security have steadily deteriorated. Wars in the Middle East have intensified with alarming ferocity and unprecedented human casualties. In Africa, fratricidal wars in the Horn of Africa and in Libya pose the greatest threat to peace and stability on the continent.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“First and foremost, I bring greetings from His Excellency Sheikh Alhaji Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh Babili Mansa, President of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia. I have the singular honour of reading out his statement, which is as follows: “I bring fraternal greetings from the people of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia. I wish to congratulate Mr. Peter Thomson on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy- first session, an important and coveted position. His election is an eloquent testimony to his diplomatic acumen, and I can assure him of the support of the Gambian people, including the Gambian delegation here present, during his stewardship. “In the same vein, I wish to express deep appreciation to his predecessor, Mr.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Where possible an intermarriage of themes might also be considered.” I wish all members a successful General Assembly session.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We must reform or risk delegitimizing the actions taken, and the decisions made, in the name of our collective security. “Allow me, at this point, to recognize the appointment of His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. We have confidence in his abilities and experience as an astute statesman. We are also aware of his keen interest in Africa and his engagement with our continent at various periods in his diplomatic life. We therefore look forward to jointly advancing the special needs of Africa with him under the guidance of the Secretary-General. “On a final note, it is my hope that the next Presidents of the General Assembly will consider other themes beyond that of peace and security, although there can be no doubt that peace and security are critical.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I will mention what Kofi Annan said at the time of launching his well-known report “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all” (A/59/2005), namely, that no reform of the United Nations is complete without the reform of the Security Council. I think that is critical. It is as valid now as it was when it was said seven years ago. The resistance to change should come to an end. The paralysis of the reform agenda must come to an end. We cannot afford as a group to be in a state of coma when larger regional interests, especially those of Africa, are at stake and get shunted around or jettisoned. Africa needs to be at the table and we will not budge on that demand, as previous speakers have said and as our heads of State have reiterated here.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We all agree that Taiwan is a key player in technology, international trade, politics and many other areas. It has enduring ties with China. We therefore appeal for the practical extension of the rapport that Taiwan has with China to the international stage. China conducts trade, business and tourism with Taiwan. As I speak, both are engaging in discussing a range of bilateral issues. The rest of the international community, including the States Members of the United Nations, should follow suit. Avenues for dialogue must be opened. “The stalled reform of the Security Council is disheartening and even dangerous. Year in and year out, we come to the General Assembly. We meet in various forums to discuss the issues. We hold dialogues and exchanges and come up with proposals. Then we get nowhere.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Even if perhaps it made sense at the time, keeping it in place today does not make any sense at all. It is shameful that, in the twenty-first century, a Cold War relic remains the main stumbling block between the establishment of good-neighbourly relations and the rejection of empty political cacophony in some quarters. We therefore call upon the United States to lift the embargo and throw it into the dustbin of history, where it rightfully belongs. “My delegation would also like to use this rostrum to appeal to the collective membership of the United Nations, including China, to contribute to opening the avenues for Taiwan’s membership in the various funds, agencies, treaty bodies and programmes. That would only enhance the effectiveness of those bodies for our mutual benefit. The world, not only Taiwan, stands to benefit.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In defiance of international law, human decency and restraint, Israel, the occupying Power, is imposing a de facto situation on Palestinians through its despicable settlement activity and land seizures. The sad reality is that it is the mechanisms of the Security Council, which are constantly invoked, that further delay or stifle the action necessary to bring about lasting peace in Palestine. Israel’s excesses, namely, the land seizures, settlement activity, mass imprisonment of Palestinians, denial of revenue, maiming and murder of Palestinians by the State apparatus and many others, must be halted. The truth is bitter when told, but it will set us all free. “Let me also address some burning political issues of our time. The embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States 50 years ago is still in place for no justifiable reason.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is therefore our hope that those transformations will endure and will nurture the ideals of peace, security, development and democracy. We must not lose sight of some of the negative concomitant effects of those upheavals, as is currently evident in Syria. “My delegation believes that the Annan plan could have brought about stability and could have provided the space for dialogue among the parties, if it had been given a chance. It seems that there is lack of goodwill and trust among the parties, as well as the invisible hand of external elements determined to achieve a particular outcome. Syria is now a deeply divided society. The international community is partly to blame on account of its inaction. “The Palestinian situation is indeed deplorable. It has deteriorated to the point that a one-State solution may be inevitable.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The pressure must be sustained until all of Somalia is liberated and is placed under the sole authority of the Somali Government. Insecurity and piracy must be stamped out. The spoilers must be denied sanctuary, lest they continue destabilizing the whole of the Horn of Africa. “As we dwell on such situations, we are equally concerned about the conflicts ravaging the Middle East. Afghanistan, for example, has been in a state of unrest for too long. It is time that Afghans be given enough space and capacity to solve their problems. Home-grown and inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation are the best way forward to lasting peace and stability in that country. “We all witnessed the dramatic and historic events that have recently transformed parts of the Middle East and Africa.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We are equally concerned about the lingering conflict between the Sudan and South Sudan. Dialogue is essential, and is the only way forward to solve that conflict. The parties must implement the recommendations of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel and those of the road map. “As they embark on settling the outstanding issues, we urge our brothers and sisters to demonstrate the same magnanimity and extraordinary statesmanship that characterized the establishment of the independence of South Sudan. They should remember that they will be neighbours forever and, as such, are mutually dependent upon each other for their national security. “Let me commend the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia, the United Nations and the African Union for the progress that they are making in Somalia.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The AU and ECOWAS are ready, and I hope that the international community, particularly the Security Council, is also ready. The AU is ready to act to salvage the situations in Mali and Guinea-Bissau. The Security Council must, as I have said, act with a sense of greater urgency. We cannot let terrorists, drug dealers and organized criminal gangs establish a sanctuary in our backyard. “In line with our foreign policy, the Gambia stands ready, as always, to contribute meaningfully to the settlement of such conflicts. The level of steadfastness shown in solving the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone some years ago must now, we hope, equally be shown in Mali and Guinea-Bissau. “The situation in Darfur continues to occupy the attention of my delegation, as well. We call for more dialogue in finding a lasting solution to that major conflict.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our youth, for example, are being sucked into conflicts and a life of crime, with their productive talents being wasted. Our modest gains are being wiped out through instability, and even our societal cohesion is seriously threatened. If we do not act fast now, we risk creating more upheavals, which will overwhelm our capacity to contain them. The international community will therefore pay a very high price if it does not wake up from its slumber and solve the situations in Mali and Guinea-Bissau that I highlighted earlier. “In West Africa, our ongoing security challenges are being compounded by such situations. ECOWAS should not be left alone to shoulder the burden of those conflicts. I am elated by the fact that, this morning, the issues of Mali, the entire Sahel and the Maghreb were discussed.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
““In that project we see a great opportunity for South-South and North-South cooperation in ways that will revolutionize education, agriculture and the provision of health care, among other areas. We therefore call on our partners to support the growth of the information and communications technology sector with a view to enhancing our productive capacity, while also generating youth employment, since youth unemployment is one of the greatest threats to humankind and to our social and economic advancement. We must therefore form partnerships across the globe to address that dangerous phenomenon, which is a disaster waiting to happen. “Allow me to address some recent conflicts that threaten the peace and stability of Africa and the world at large.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We will work with all concerned to advance the promotion of the rights of women and girls, once we assume our position as a member of the Executive Board. Advancing the welfare of women, which starts with girls as future women, will always be a priority for my Government. “Africa is indeed witnessing a revolution in information and communications technology, which is a critical sector for us. Our considered view is that, with the completion of the Africa Coast to Europe submarine cable network, there will be an even greater transformation in that very important sector. It should further help to increase the transfer of critical technology for the economic advancement of our peoples.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Agricultural systems across Africa need to be made more resilient in terms of inputs, technological know-how, scientific research and the setting up of related training institutions. The African farmer needs to benefit from modern farming techniques and technology. In that context, I would like to thank the Government and people of Australia for their outstanding generosity towards boosting agriculture and food security in Africa. “With the establishment of UN-Women, the United Nations took a great step forward in mainstreaming the gender dimension into its work. As an ardent supporter of women’s rights and participation in all sectors of society, I must commend UN-Women for the way it has been evolving. We look forward to the establishment of its regional offices.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We thank him for that initiative, which we look forward to seeing realized. We also thank all our development partners for the support they have rendered, both to my Government and to the Sahel. We are grateful for their solidarity and humanitarian support. In view of the perennial nature of food insecurity in our region, it is my humble and considered view that the international community needs to do more to render greater support to the agricultural sector of our economies. “The role of the small-scale farmer needs to be boosted, and we must, through global partnerships, fast-track the numerous agricultural initiatives that have been announced to support African agriculture.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
““For developing countries to continue to benefit from the appreciable growth they are experiencing and in order not to compromise their capacities to provide education, health care and other social services to their peoples, debt cancellation or forgiveness is still a key element. Debt servicing still poses a major threat to our ability to attain sustainable growth. It is our belief that our partners and the Bretton Woods institutions should consider the further extension of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. “As we strive in the Sahel to deal with drought and the crop failure of the past year, allow me to thank the Secretary-General for his laudable efforts, as we heard today, through his initiative for the Sahel and for his plans to assist the region, including Mali.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Beyond managing the depleting resources of the Earth, we must all push for ambitious and realistic goals and targets on sustainable food, water and energy. We must also take into account the special situations of LDCs and other vulnerable groups of countries. “My delegation is of the strong belief that, in the euphoria for sustainable development goals, the drive towards the achievement of the MDGs must not be compromised in any way. We must hold ourselves accountable for meeting the Goals by 2015, and not try to shift the goalposts when the deadline is close at hand. We must also lay a solid groundwork for the post-2015 development agenda.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In view of the fact that 2015 is just around the corner, we need to do more to mobilize the remaining resources required to further improve the critical links needed for success on the achievement of the MDGs. “Critical to the achievement of the MDGs will be the scaling up of resources by enhancing the global partnerships that we have forged for the Goals. We must mobilize the modest resources that are needed so that 2015 will not be another unfulfilled milestone. “The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) has defined the mechanisms through which sustainable development goals should be negotiated and agreed upon. It is our hope that the consultations on the post-Rio mechanisms will be inclusive, transparent and representative.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is therefore our collective hope, expectation and belief that our partners and the rest of the international community will also fulfil their commitments and uphold their part of the bargain. Let us work together to bring about the graduation of half of the LDCs by 2020, in line with the target we set ourselves. It is achievable if we all forge the appropriate global partnerships for resource mobilization. “The scorecard on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) shows that, while some achievements have been made with regard to some of the Goals, a great deal still remains to be achieved. My country has achieved some of the key elements of the MDGs and is on track to meet all of them.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
““We also use this forum to call on the international financial institutions to open up and embrace overdue reforms. They should be transparent and inclusive and raise the profile of their smallest members, such as low-income countries or least developed countries (LDCs). We call on them to embrace the Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs. “The Istanbul Programme of Action must not become a string of broken promises, unfulfilled commitments and weak resource mobilization, as happened with its predecessors. As LDCs we are ready to hold ourselves accountable for the implementation of the commitments we made in Istanbul. We are equally ready to meet the targets set out in the Programme.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Terrorists, drug dealers and organized criminal networks should be stopped in their tracks at all costs before it is too late. “The relevance of the Organization has at times been questioned, but one element that remains unchallenged is its character as the best forum for confronting global challenges. As we convene to discuss the issues of climate change, economic crises, financial turmoil, food insecurity, conflicts, fighting disease and poverty, or the special interests of Africa, the convening power of the United Nations confers a legitimacy that is indeed unparalleled elsewhere. “As developing countries, we therefore believe in the work that this Organization of ours does, and it is for that reason that we will support the efforts of the President of the General Assembly to revitalize it — as the voice for the voiceless.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
““My delegation is fully aware of the need for the peaceful settlement of some of the conflicts in Africa, but we are equally aware of the need for robust action in dealing with the spoilers and merchants of death and misery in the continent. The Economic Community of West African States is working to find solutions to all those conflicts but needs, of course, the support of the international community. “We see the role of the Security Council as a partner and enabler of decisive action, but time is running out. The elements of doom have been emboldened by our inaction. The United Nations and the United Nations Office for West Africa must work decisively to address the conflicts in Mali and Guinea-Bissau without delay. The engagement of the African Union (AU) will undoubtedly be crucial.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Geopolitical interests have trampled the goodwill and humanitarian concerns that should compel us all to address those raging infernos — be they in the Middle East, Asia, Africa or elsewhere. Our collective security will continue to be undermined by geopolitical considerations, unless and until we find the courage to reform the Security Council. Ongoing conflicts, for example in Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Syria, are all recent cases in point. The Security Council should not be the stumbling block in the way of the settlement of disputes by peaceful or other means. Rather, it should be a more helpful institution.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
““Our world unquestionably continues to be plagued by numerous challenges that can be solved only through our collective response. Multilateral diplomacy and institutions surely offer the best hope yet for tackling our development conundrums, protracted conflicts and man-made and natural disasters. “Peace and security will always remain a cornerstone of the Organization and for that reason my delegation is concerned with the matter and welcomes the President’s choice of the theme ‘Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means’. “As we speak, many conflicts are raging around the world in ways that challenge the credibility and clout of the Organization. The paralysis displayed by our common security mechanisms, for example, is astounding.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I have the singular honour of reading the statement of His Excellency Mr. Al Hadji Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, the President of the Republic of the Gambia, who would have loved to be here today but was unable to so, owing to unavoidable circumstances. However, he sends his best wishes to all present. I will now read his statement. “First and foremost, I thank Allah, the Almighty, for making another annual gathering of world leaders possible. I would first like to congratulate the President on his election and wish him success in his tenure as he manages the affairs of the Assembly. Let me also pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his tireless leadership and sterling contribution to the creation of a better world for all.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“That is why the Gambia continues to strongly endorse the Ezulwini Consensus, which represents Africa’s common position on reform of the Security Council. At a time when we are all committed to good governance at the national level, we surely cannot ignore good governance at the international level. The proposed reform of the United Nations, especially as regards the Security Council, must be seen within that context. I wish us all a very successful session.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Rather, we speak out in the interest of peace across the Taiwan Strait, peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region and, indeed, peace in the whole world. It is in that spirit that my delegation will continue to call on the General Assembly to address this threat to international peace and security. Mr. Beck (Palau), Vice-President, took the Chair. Let me conclude by putting on record the Gambia’s frustration with the stalled reform of the United Nations. As former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said when the proposals were first made, two years ago, no reform of the United Nations can be complete without reform of the Security Council. For us in Africa, it is just unacceptable that a body that decides on life and death issues for millions of Africans includes no African country at all as a permanent member.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The problem of the Taiwan Strait is one that is very serious indeed, and which calls for urgent action by the international community. The United Nations should not wait until it is too late to address the situation of the Strait and its growing militarization. We, the Members of the United Nations, have at this juncture abdicated our responsibilities towards Taiwan by refusing it full membership in the Organization. The legitimate aspirations of the people of that dynamic, technologically developed, advanced economic powerhouse ought to be fulfilled by States Members of the United Nations. Let me seize this opportunity to assure the Assembly that my delegation is not acting against the interest of any Member State.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Allow me to highlight some issues relating to international justice. The illegal, outrageous and protracted embargo imposed on the friendly Republic of Cuba has no basis. It is devoid of political and commercial sense, and those who impose the embargo should join our ranks in the international community in rejecting the embargo as a colossal error of judgement that should never have happened in the first place. We hope to see a repeal of all laws, measures and policies in that direction. The Gambian delegation sincerely hopes as well that the international community will reflect deeply on the dangers posed by the increasing and unprovoked militarization of the Taiwan Strait. Regional and, ultimately, international stability are under threat from the build-up of thousands of military warheads for use in attacks on Taiwan.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The unresolved question of the self-determination of the Palestinian people remains the most important political and moral question of our time. A few years ago, we all placed our faith in the so-called Road Map for peace and hoped that the Quartet would bring about the eagerly awaited two-state solution. My delegation now very much welcomes the new initiative being led by the United States of America and very much looks forward to the convening of a conference that would once and for all settle this festering imbroglio. We urge all concerned to come to the table in good faith and with a strong will to make a positive contribution to the search for a lasting solution to the problems of peace and security in the Middle East and, indeed, in the peace process throughout the world.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)