YouSaid · the spoken record

Elvin NIMROD

lines on the record: 148
first: 2000-09-24
most recent: 2017-09-24
sittings or episodes: 9
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

“Implementation of NEPAD in partnership with the developed countries will mark the dawn of a new era for the economic development of Africa's abundant natural resources. Thus, Africa, one of the largest and most centrally located continents, can become the breadbasket of the world. Grenada as part of the African diaspora, hails NEPAD with great expectation and excitement. The United Nations has the ability, with the involvement of its Members, to make a difference. It is the international forum that struggles with and attempts to find solutions to difficult global problems.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We are convinced that the Republic of China on Taiwan meets the standards for United Nations membership, since it has a democratic Government and possesses the attributes of a nation-State. Indeed, the Republic of China on Taiwan has tremendous potential to provide inputs for the further development of the international community, as recognized by the World Trade Organization. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), conceptualized by African leaders and welcomed at the Summit of the Group of Eight industrialized countries (G-8), represents an idea whose time has come. The international community too welcomed NEPAD a few days ago, when it was presented by a high-level panel of African heads of State or Government during the present session of the General Assembly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“As a matter of urgency, the United Nations, its agencies and willing stakeholders and partners should seek to implement the first Millennium Goal: the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015. Grenada awaits the time when the United Nations will include the Republic of China on Taiwan in its membership. The Government of Grenada has close and collaborative ties with the Republic of China and has witnessed its economic achievements, seen demonstrations of its democratic principles, and is cognizant of the dedication of its people to international norms and ideals. In this spirit Grenada calls for the full membership of the Republic of China on Taiwan in the United Nations.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Clean water, unpolluted air and food security are rights, not privileges. What is required now is not the elaboration of further final documents, replete with grand phraseology and pious pronouncements, but the implementation of the existing ones that are most appropriate to the human condition. This brings to mind the need to implement the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) embodied in Agenda 21. We are hopeful that there will be a comprehensive review of the Barbados Plan of Action in 2004 in Mauritius so that the difficulties that small islands face in the pursuit of sustainable development will be considerably reduced.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Poverty, hunger and disease constitute a chain of misery with devastating physical, mental and psychological consequences. The Secretary-General summarized the nature of the challenges to human development best in the introduction of his report to the Preparatory Committee for the High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development: “As the new century dawns, there can be no task more urgent for the United Nations than that fixed by the Millennium Summit of rescuing one billion men, women and children from ‘abject and dehumanizing poverty'”. (A/AC.257/12, para.1) Grenada's stated position at the World Summit on Sustainable Development is as follows: if sustainable development is to become a reality, our focus must be on the health and social well-being of the world's peoples.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“12 We applaud the establishment in 2002 of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We are also thankful to the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) representative offices for assistance in the facilitation, implementation and technical evaluation of many projects in the Caribbean region. However, there is much more to be done, and the costs are overwhelming. The World Summit on Sustainable Development, recently ended in Johannesburg, and its precursor, the International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, and the conclusions of the Millennium Summit are all blueprints for sustainable development. The common thread in all the final documents is poverty eradication.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Caribbean is second only to sub-Saharan Africa in incidence and mortality rates. HIV/AIDS poses a drain on the scarce resources of the small economies, like Grenada's, whose revenues have been further negatively impacted by last year's horrific events. The Caribbean is facing a serious problem with the disease, and there is no way that our small countries can stem the ravages of HIV/AIDS without a massive infusion of resources. The Caribbean urgently needs financial and human resources for education and counselling in preventative measures and treatment, with respect to HIV/AIDS and the opportunistic diseases, such as tuberculosis and others. Moreover, the availability of medicine and the ability to purchase it constitute the greatest challenge.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Our exports performed even worse by registering a 24 per cent decline in 2001, as compared to a 13 per cent increase the previous year. The effect on our growth rate was not surprising. The economy grew by 3.4 per cent in 2001, compared to 6.6 per cent in the year 2000. The HIV/AIDS pandemic casts a dark shadow over the General Assembly's global agenda. HIV/AIDS has become not only a health pandemic, but also a threat to the development of international peace and security. This disease constitutes a global emergency, as it affects every country of the world; not a single one is immune. The Pan American Health Organization has reported that an estimated 2.8 million people in the Americas are currently living with AIDS. Out of that number, 420,000 in the Caribbean are infected.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Now, more than ever, the concerns of developing countries, enunciated at the third session of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle and emphasized at the Fourth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Doha, should be the global agenda to fight poverty in developing countries. The Doha ministerial declaration, adopted in November of 2001, reaffirmed the need for special and differential treatment as stated in that paragraph 3 declaration: “We recognize the particular vulnerability of the least developed countries ... we are committed ... to improving their effective participation in the multilateral trading system.” (TRADE/2002/1, pp. 9-10) In Grenada, our imports declined by 10.9 per cent in 2001, following a 20 per cent increase just the year before.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We, therefore, reiterate our call to the more developed nations to make a concerted effort to reduce trade barriers and tariffs, which impede poorer developing countries from full participation in the global economy. One result of 11 September has been to further exacerbate the inequality between the developing and the developed countries as trading partners in the free play of market forces. According to the Secretary- General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the challenge now is to make the multilateral trading system more development-friendly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In this connection, the decline in trade, especially primary commodities, has a direct relation on developing countries' ability to import goods essential for development. According to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Horst Köhler, the true test of the credibility of wealthy nations' efforts to combat poverty lies in their willingness to open up their markets and phase out trade-distorting subsidies in areas where developing countries have a comparative advantage, as in agriculture, processed foods, textiles, clothing and light manufactures. Grenada fully understands the critical role that international trade plays in the alleviation of poverty. However, improved market access is a necessity for the development of smaller nations.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Tourist arrivals by air and sea have decreased significantly, due in large measure to increased security arrangements introduced in international transportation and, of course, the natural fear of travelling. Loss of revenue in tourism affects the hotel industry, employment, transportation, banking, agriculture and other tourism activities that help to sustain the economy of my country. The next hardest hit sector is trade. Conventional economic wisdom says that poor developing countries must grow their way out of poverty. Trade offers the best hope, because it is the engine of growth and development. Many products from developing countries face untold obstacles in entering the markets of the rich developed countries.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In this connection, we appeal for assistance from willing partners in the fight against terrorism and the concomitant trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances that traverses our region via the Caribbean Sea. This waterway must be maintained as a zone of peace in the context of sustainable development, free also from pollutants and nuclear waste. The general debate is taking place in the continuing shadow of 11 September, which has adversely affected the global economy and the social situation in developed countries. However, the spillovers have affected, much more profoundly, small developing countries such as my own. Particularly hard-hit has been the tourism industry, which is a major source of foreign exchange.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“As the curtain rises on the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, there is evidence that some dark clouds have lifted, thanks to the solidarity of the international community, which has galvanized into taking action to prevent such dastardly and heinous terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, there is a need for vigilance, as demonstrated by the Counter-Terrorism Committee created to oversee the implementation of the landmark Security Council resolution 1373 (2001). Grenada has given its full support and commitment to this resolution by using scarce financial and human resources to implement security measures and new counter- terrorism strategies, including national legislation to conform with the resolution.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“My delegation congratulates Mr. Jan Kavan on his election as President of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, and we thank his predecessor, Mr. Han Seung-soo, for his effective conduct of the fifty-sixth session. We also pay tribute to the Secretary-General for his enlightened and progressive leadership. In addition, we warmly welcome Switzerland into the family of nations, and we look forward with pleasure to the admission of East Timor. When the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly was convened a year ago, shockwaves were reverberating across the United States and around the world as a result of the traumatic and cataclysmic events of 11 September. My country's thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of the United States, especially those who have suffered irreparable loss.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Finally, I must recall Article 1 of the United Nations Charter, which calls for the Organization “To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.” We must be relentless in our pursuit of the purposes of the Organization. Our challenge is to work towards the elimination of terrorist activities. Our quest must be for economic opportunities for all States. And our goal should be the peaceful coexistence of all peoples of the international community.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our founding fathers called for the Organization “To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.” We must do all in our power to provide added economic opportunities for the developing world. We believe that trade is one avenue to achieve this. I therefore call on the Economic and Social Council actively to pursue undertakings that could create an encouraging atmosphere in which Member States could have the opportunity to raise the standard of living of their peoples. In the current global environment, we must be conscious that inclusion in the processes of the global economy is vital.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Grenada, however, notes with satisfaction the admission of the Republic of China on Taiwan into the World Trade Organisation. It is the hope of my delegation that the past, present and future performance of Taiwan as a major democratic and international economic player, although Taiwan is not now a member of the United Nations, will in the not-too- distant future enable it to regain its rightful place in the family of nations. The United Nations membership must make Article 3 of the Charter a major priority in the next few years.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In economic terms, the Republic of China on Taiwan is the seventeenth largest economy in the world, the eighth largest investor in and fourth largest exporter of information technology products, and the third largest holder of foreign reserves. It is preposterous to continue to keep such a country outside the world body. The Government of Grenada appeals for that wrong to be corrected. We are therefore requesting that the United Nations recognize the natural right of the people of Taiwan to become active participants in this Organization. We believe that the Government and the people of Taiwan are seeking to participate in the United Nations and to contribute constructively to the 18 international community. Grenada urges that they be given that opportunity and that right.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The lifting of the embargo would augur well for friendly cooperative relations among all the countries of this hemisphere. Now, I turn to the issue of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Grenada believes that a country that exhibits fortitude and that has moved its economy from poor and underdeveloped to affluent and prosperous deserves recognition. A country that consistently shows international responsibility surely deserves to be admitted to this community of nations. The time has come to reconsider the exclusion of the Republic of China on Taiwan from membership of the United Nations. The Republic of China is home to 23 million people. It is a free and democratic country, and a peace-loving member of the international community.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Only three voted against and four abstained. That shows the overwhelming position of the international community against those sanctions. Trade, as we know, is important for the development of any people, and with the embargo there is no freedom of trade between Cuba and the United States. In the wake of the devastation caused in Cuba by hurricane Michelle, it is now critical that steps be taken to remove the embargo and to give the Cuban people a chance to recover from that unstoppable force of nature. The easing of the economic embargo against Cuba could assist in the overall development of that country, a small nation seeking against all odds to maintain a modern, dynamic society in the Caribbean and in Latin America.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States is still a major and unfulfilled component of the process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, and it should be high on the implementation agenda this time around. For more than 40 years an embargo has existed against a small country in the Caribbean. What this has done is to ostracize the Cuban people and cause them undue hardship. What it has achieved is to make the Cuban people more innovative. The old wounds have healed, the pain has dulled and the cause has diminished. I wish to register Grenada’s support for the removal of the United States of America’s economic embargo on Cuba. Members will recall that last year 167 Member States voted in favour of the removal of that embargo.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The question is: How much of the outcome of these conferences has been implemented with respect to poverty alleviation, the empowerment of women, health, education, children and the elderly, trade liberalization, economic cooperation, and the sharing and transfer of technology? Could it be that these conferences and special sessions promised more than they could deliver? Promising too much is as bad as doing too little. The fight against poverty underpins all of those things. To feed the hungry is both a divine and a social imperative. Thus, the international community is particularly concerned that the International Conference on Financing for Development to be held next year in Mexico and the World Summit for Sustainable Development to be held in South Africa, both so important for small States, should yield positive results.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The following United Nations summit-level conferences, which have been held in the past 10 years, have all stressed sustainable development and the centrality of the human person in the process: the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993; the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994; the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995; the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul in 1996; the World Food Summit in Rome in 1996; the Millennium Summit in 2000; and the special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS in 2001.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Yet some States were willing to put their differences aside and endeavour to march towards the next stage of economic and multilateral cooperation. This is clearly what we aspire to in this august body. 17 While concerns about terrorism have dominated the general debate, and rightly so, mention must be made of the unfinished agenda of the last decade of the twentieth century with respect to social and economic development, central to which is the human person.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It will address fiscal and economic performance, and it will give impetus to productivity. In addition, only recently in the Bahamas, the Caribbean Community heads of Government met and approved an $18 million joint public/private sector emergency tourism promotion programme, demonstrating self-help at its best in the region. The events of 11 September, with the ensuing economic and geopolitical instability, have propelled us to reorder our priorities. We need to focus on restoring confidence in international economic and multilateral cooperation. As we all know, the member States of the World Trade Organization do not participate on a level playing field. The developing world is still struggling to bridge the economic and social divide in our global community. Some were not in favour of the second round of negotiations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our air and marine transport are also experiencing severe reductions. Regional air carriers have registered as much as a 45 per cent fall in passenger load since 11 September. The picture looks bleak, but we are determined that our response must prevent the devastation envisioned by the perpetrators of terror. Soon after 11 September, the Prime Minister of Grenada and Chairman of the OECS, The Honourable Dr. Keith Mitchell, convened a meeting of OECS to discuss the impact on tourism and related activities — hotels, banks, agriculture, manufacturing and transportation. The subregional meeting of OECS took a number of decisions that will respond to our economic challenges. One such measure is the formation of the Grenada National Economic Council. This will give effect to the revival of sustainable tourism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Tourism, the hotel industry and aviation play a synergistic role that is crucial to the economies of most small States in terms of foreign exchange and employment. The subregion had already begun to feel the effects of the international economic downturn, which caused the deterioration of our fortunes. But it is clear that since the terrorist attacks on the United States of America, Grenada and the other members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are suffering from further reduction in economic activities. We are now severely challenged. We are experiencing shortfalls in revenue collection. Our tourism sector is experiencing a drastic reduction in visitor arrivals. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund predicts that arrivals in the Caribbean region could fall short by as much as 50 per cent.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It is necessary for the international community to send a clear and unambiguous signal to terrorists that their philosophy is fundamentally wrong and totally unacceptable. We must stand united in our efforts to combat and eliminate activities aimed at killing innocent people and destroying communities. The Government of Grenada joins the Caribbean Community in pledging our full support of efforts to confront terrorism and restore the rights and freedom of people the world over. My delegation would like to focus for a few moments on the impact that this dastardly act has had nationally, regionally and internationally. In my country, as elsewhere in the Caribbean, the effect of the global economic turbulence has hit the tourism and aviation sectors hardest.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Grenada will reinforce and extend its international cooperation arrangements in the field of justice, policing and law enforcement. The Government of Grenada fully supports the development of a comprehensive and effective legal framework to combat terrorism. My country has begun a review of international conventions already in place, with a view to signing, ratifying and fully implementing them. Those not yet in effect will be implemented. Some of these conventions are within the United Nations system, while others are of a regional or hemispheric nature. Priority is being given to the existing 12 United Nations international conventions against terrorism — in particular, the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Grenada is cooperating with the United States authorities to ensure that there are no terrorist funds in any of our offshore institutions. Further, Grenada has thoroughly examined its economic citizenship programme to ensure that no known terrorists had inadvertently been granted citizenship. We are now confident that no such person is an 16 economic citizen of Grenada. In light of the changed global environment and our commitment to assist in the fight against terrorism in any way we can, the Government of Grenada has taken the decision to suspend indefinitely the economic citizenship programme. Moreover, Grenada continues to intensify its participation in regional and international cooperation efforts as we seek to ensure that there are no gaps in the global framework for the fight against this heinous crime.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In addition, it is soliciting assistance from persons with particular skills in the performance of special functions. The Government of Grenada has already begun to take steps within its jurisdiction to implement measures within our capacity that prevent and suppress the financing of terrorists acts. Our priority to prevent those who finance, plan, facilitate or commit terrorist acts from using Grenada for those purposes against other States or their citizens, as well as to find ways to intensify and accelerate the exchange and sharing of information. Grenada is examining its administrative and other processes with a view to improving efficiency in this regard. We are active in the global fight against terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Thus, the broad international coalition brought together by the United States of America and supported by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and General Assembly resolution 56/1 stands as a bulwark ready to break the immoral and physical backbone of terrorism. Grenada fully supports and endorses resolution 1373 (2001), which sets out important measures that countries — large and small, rich and poor — must all take together to prevent and combat terrorists in our jurisdictions or wherever they may be found. The newly formed Security Council Counter- Terrorism Committee, under the chairmanship of the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, is a welcome and laudable effort in the struggle that deserves the backing and support of all Member States morally, strategically and financially.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Just as the fifty-fifth session was the Millennium Assembly of joy, hope and optimism, this fifty-sixth session, by contrast, can be called the unpredictable Assembly of challenge and adversity, from which the international community can nevertheless derive strength and unity in the pursuit of a common enemy who will eventually be found and brought to justice. The challenge and uncertainty have come about because terrorism now threatens the entire civilized world. The catastrophic and traumatic events of 11 September have changed not only the lives of individuals, for whom we grieve so painfully, but it has also changed the modus vivendi and the modus operandi of our present-day civilization in many respects. If this cloud of hatred and revenge is allowed to prevail, history will long remember that evil triumphed due to inaction.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“At the outset, my delegation extends profound sympathy to the families of the victims who lost their lives on the flight to the Dominican Republic. The rescheduled general debate now convened, well into the work of the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, only serves to reconfirm our awareness of Mr. Han’s great diplomatic and communicative skills. For this, my delegation thanks and congratulates him once again. Under his competent leadership we hope this will be a fruitful and decisive session of the Assembly. This being my first opportunity, may I take the stand, on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, to heartily congratulate the Secretary- General, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, and the United Nations on the designation as recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“A people that diligently works to achieve such high levels of human and technological development and a people that makes such positive contributions to the global economy must become a full Member of this great organization, the United Nations. Finally, we must seek to ensure that the Organization is responsive to the ever-changing global environment. Let us ensure that we address the needs of our peoples. And let us move forward with a United Nations that is prepared to fuel the engine that would bring about more equitable participation in the global community. Let us always put people first and be guided by God.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Since all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, attention to the full range of rights will contribute better to the observance and enjoyment of this noble goal. I join my Prime Minister in paying tribute to, and publicly thanking, the Government and the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan for the assistance given to Grenada with respect to agriculture, marine resources, education, health, culture and infrastructure. The friendship and sincerity of the Republic of China on Taiwan have been a source of strength and endurance for our two countries. 1t is in this spirit that Grenada calls once more for the return of the Republic of China on Taiwan to full membership of the United Nations.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The international community should not miss this opportunity to focus attention and resources on the pursuit of development, peace and stability. And here, my delegation reaffirms that the root cause of conflict within nations and among nations can be found in some of the injustice done to the weaker members of the international community by the stronger ones. Unless the basics of life — food, clothing, shelter, health and employment — are attained, human rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be meaningless to those who suffer such extreme deprivations. This is especially so in the context of economic, social and cultural rights, which are downplayed in favour of civil and political rights.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The Government of Grenada, recognizing the social, cultural and economic potential of education, is investing an increasing proportion of its limited resources to prepare its people to participate in, and benefit from, the information and technology revolution. Towards that end, the Government of 3 Grenada is seeking the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and agencies and donors of goodwill to establish a new programme of distance learning by means of global computer interconnectivity. Grenada attaches great importance to the convening in 2001 of the United Nations High-level Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development. My delegation welcomes the attempt to address monetary, trade and financial issues in a holistic manner and in the context of globalization and sustainable development.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“They have used adverse publicity techniques deliberately to condemn and harm our economies. They have threatened various sanctions, sought to block access to capital funds in multinational organizations and to impose financial protectionism and total ostracism.” That is fiscal imperialism. It tramples on the principle of sovereign equality. It is contrary to international law, and it undermines freedom of competition, global investment and trade liberalization. The role of education in poverty alleviation, in the application of science and technology and in the vast area of information sharing and communications is vital.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Trade has been the engine of economic growth and development from the days of bartering to the present day of e-commerce and globalization. We therefore regard the unilateral interference in our offshore services sector as an attempt to hinder our trade in services and our role in the global economy. In that connection, my delegation recalls the words of my Prime Minister about the unfair charges levelled against our offshore financial-services sector. “A cartel of high-tax nations, comprising the richest and most powerful countries, has launched a destructive and high-powered attack on our country, accusing us of anti-competitive tax practices. Threats, imperialistic pressures and abuse of power in multilateral organizations are being used to force many small States, including Grenada, to give up our fiscal sovereignty.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“As the Secretary-General noted in his report to the fifty-fifth General Assembly on the work of the Organization: “To some, globalization is imbued with great promise; to others, it appears deeply threatening.” (A/55/1, para. 13) The international community must help to ensure that the have-nots are on board this fast-moving train of globalization. All Member States need to share in the opportunities provided by globalization. This would act as a vehicle for international peace and economic security. Removing some of the barriers to trade and capital flow are prerequisites to successful reduction of poverty and disease in the developing countries. This can be mutually beneficial to developed and developing countries.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“My delegation calls upon the United Nations and its agencies, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international agencies, as well as the private and public sectors in global partnership, including the Global Compact, to contribute to a wellstructured disaster relief fund, a relief fund that can respond quickly and effectively. A large percentage of the needs of the developing countries in the Caribbean subregion and elsewhere can be met. We look forward to positive developments envisaged from globalization, trade liberalization, information technology and sustainable development. These and other well-conceived programmes must be seriously pursued. Lip service is not enough.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Rather, it provides an opportunity for stimulation in the depressed and stagnant parts of the world's economy. Investing the dividends realized by debt forgiveness in the economy of the debtor developing countries — especially the least developed and those with economies in transition — would be a major investment in global development. Another area that needs urgent and immediate assistance from the international community is that of natural disasters. The costly restoration of infrastructure and rehabilitation of the productive sectors, especially agriculture and tourism, and the high cost of recovering and rebuilding make the attainment of sustainable development a monumental task.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We look to the United Nations to call upon the WTO to take into consideration the special structural problems faced by the small banana producers of the Caribbean. 2 We call for corporate responsibility. We appeal for measures to encourage the sustainability of small economies and economies in transition. We urge a more equitable global partnership. You may recall that the Heads of State and Government, including the Prime Minister of Grenada, stressed recently in this very hall the urgency of releasing poor developing countries from their debt burden. The leaders expressed an interest in finding new approaches and new thinking with respect to this problem. A solution should be vigorously pursued with deliberate speed. Debt forgiveness is not a financial loss to the global economy.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Today the HIV/AIDS pandemic cuts short the lives of millions of people who could be making useful and productive contributions to our world. Trade is vital to the livelihood of Grenadians. For the banana-exporting countries of the Caribbean subregion, which includes Grenada, the export of bananas accounts for a significant percentage of foreign exchange. However, our economies are threatened by the callous ruling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the European Union banana regime of assistance to our small growers. Our struggling farmers, with limited acreage, find it difficult, if not impossible, to compete with a transnational corporation. Our farmers need an adjustment period in order to effect the requisite structural changes needed by the new trade regime.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The Millennium Summit and this fifty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly are historic events that provide a unique opportunity to view humanity's progress and face the challenges before us. Indeed, the Summit Declaration sets out a global vision for the twenty-first century. My delegation welcomes the inclusion of commitments to fight poverty, disease, ignorance, injustice, violence and degradation of the environment, among others. In the matter of poverty and disease, the United Nations must address the inequalities that exist around the world. In this twenty-first century, more than 1.2 billion people live on less than one dollar a day. Millions of children and the elderly go to bed hungry. Disease and sickness wreak havoc on the lives of children, men and women.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“My delegation greets and congratulates you, Sir, for presiding over the deliberations of the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly — the Millennium Assembly. We pay tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, the distinguished Foreign Minister of Namibia, for his effective and dynamic conduct of the fifty-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly, including the preparations for the Millennium Summit and the President's Report. Congratulations are also extended to our distinguished Secretary-General, who with great vision conceptualized the Millennium Summit, the execution of which was a great triumph for the United Nations. A hearty welcome is extended to the small sovereign State of Tuvalu, as it joins the family of nations.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)