YouSaid · the spoken record

Halldór Ásgr'msson

lines on the record: 33
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 1999-09-24
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

“If we do not have the courage to adopt the necessary changes, we cannot expect our children to do so.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“During this century we have witnessed mankind's greatest achievements as well as its greatest failures. While many countries have gone from war to peace and from poverty to prosperity, others have been unable to grasp these often elusive goals of humanity. It is clear that we will be entering the new millennium with unsolved problems and with challenges of such a magnitude that they will continue to confront us into an unforeseen future. I would like, in closing, to stress what I said in the beginning — that only with a renewed and revitalized United Nations can we hope to deal with the threats and challenges that lie ahead. If we, the Member States, shoulder our responsibilities and implement the changes necessary, then the United Nations will always be at the forefront of the quest for peace and prosperity.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The positive developments in the last few months between the Israelis and the Palestinians have been very encouraging, and we sincerely hope that this renewed momentum will carry us towards a lasting peace in the region. We urge other countries in the region to seize this particular moment and to start the healing of wounds that have been festering for so long. Icelanders are no strangers to natural disasters, and we know the devastation they can unleash upon countries and peoples. Our hearts and sympathy go out to our friends in Turkey, Greece and now, most recently, on the island of Taiwan, who face the aftermath of earthquakes that claimed the lives of a great number of people. We have now decided to join the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Stand-by Team because we believe we can make a contribution.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Referring again to the benefits of prevention, I should say that prevention is at the very centre of the Council of Europe's work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The agreement between Portugal and Indonesia on the future of East Timor was historic, as was the referendum which took place. The appalling violence that followed is a cause of great concern. Every effort has to be made to halt it and to punish those responsible. My Government fully supports Security Council resolution 1264 (1999) and welcomes the speedy deployment of the multinational force. Nothing should be allowed to delay the process towards the independence of East Timor. We welcome also the change of pace in the Middle East peace process.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“When a State not only stops protecting the rights of its citizens but turns against them through gross violations of human rights, the international community cannot and should not stand idly by. Iceland currently holds the chair of the Council of Europe, which encompasses 41 European countries. I would like to take this opportunity to stress the value and importance of close cooperation between the Council and the United Nations in the field of human rights. We have recent examples of such practical cooperation in Kosovo, where the Council of Europe is working together with the United Nations and other organizations in fulfilment of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the European Union-led Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The management of living marine resources is a very complex and sensitive task that has to be dealt with using the most advanced scientific knowledge available and in harmony with local socio-economic and environmental circumstances. Conflicts where the civilian population is expressly targeted are abhorrent and leave scars that take generations to heal. Once again, we have witnessed the emergence of the dark and evil side of human nature in the horrible ethnic cleansing that took place in the recent conflict in Kosovo. It would have been desirable if the United Nations could have played an all-encompassing role in the settlement of that conflict. In this regard, I would like to endorse the position put forward on humanitarian intervention by the Secretary- General.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“During its seventh session, earlier this year, the Icelandic Government noted the necessity of abolishing State subsidies that contribute to overcapacity in the fisheries sector worldwide, and participated actively in discussions on the need for improved coordination within the United Nations system in the field of ocean affairs. It is our view that the overall debate on the oceans can be improved. It is, however, our firm belief that efforts to improve the handling of ocean issues should draw upon existing institutional resources. 31 These efforts should also carefully take into account the principle that global bodies should not try to solve local or regional problems of fisheries management.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Partnerships forged in this manner between firms in my country and a number of developing countries have led to transfer of technology in this field, thereby spurring economic growth and development in the coastal regions in question. We believe that many developing countries can benefit much more from rational utilization of the resources of the oceans. Therefore, approximately half of our development cooperation has been concentrated on research and training in the fisheries sector, putting an emphasis on the sustainable utilization of natural resources. Through the years, Iceland has placed particular importance on the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“During the high-level segment of this year's session of the Economic and Social Council, the Icelandic delegation paid special attention to the plight of the urban poor who inhabit coastal regions around the world. Today, my country, Iceland, has a thriving economy based on our fishing industry. The development of a viable fishing industry has strengthened the economy by creating employment opportunities and prosperity, which in turn have benefitted the population at large. It is self- evident that a developed fisheries sector can be a crucial factor in enhancing the food security of developing countries. The Icelandic authorities have urged private companies to invest in the fisheries sectors of many developing countries.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“For the past few years we have been doing that through training in the fisheries sector as well as by conducting adult literacy programmes for women in countries such as Namibia. Similar programmes are being prepared for Malawi and Mozambique. Vigorous efforts also have to be made to end other forms of discrimination against women. This applies not only at the national level but also at the international level, where the actions of international organizations are increasingly having a direct impact on peoples' lives, for example through crisis management. When carrying out such tasks, it is the duty of the organizations concerned to ensure that women and their interests are represented at the negotiating table.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Moreover, we have been witnessing an appalling trend whereby the curse of poverty has increasingly been falling upon the shoulders of women. There are no easy answers on how to tackle this problem in the short term, but two long-term approaches stand out regarding the empowerment and advancement of women. They are education and respect for human rights. An educated woman passes knowledge to her children, which is not as often the case with men. It is universally accepted that education and social development go hand in hand and are conditions for a peaceful and prosperous world. In this age of globalization and technology, it becomes ever more important to ensure universal education. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate education into development projects.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This year we have recognized the importance of the elderly and their contributions to our lives and society by observing 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. The Icelandic authorities have done their utmost to enhance the visibility of issues facing the elderly in today's society. This has been done through a number of projects, including projects designed to bridge the generation gap by encouraging interaction between age groups. At a time of unparalleled economic growth spurred on by the globalization of the world's economy, the fruits of this growth, unfortunately, are not evenly distributed. We are witnessing a growing gap in the distribution of wealth within societies as well as between the North and the South.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“It seems that not a week goes by in our world without countries and indeed the international community having to watch in horror as cowardly terrorists target people going about the business of their everyday lives. The murdering of innocents will never further any cause or put an end to any conflict; it will only add names to the roster of the dead. We urge States to sign and ratify counter-terrorism conventions. In this connection, I would further like to reiterate our resolve in combatting transnational crime and the international trade in drugs. No country is immune from these modern evils. Given their global scope and the resources available to criminals, Governments the world over must work together to put an end to these activities.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The vast majority of United Nations Member States have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We have committed ourselves to certain actions to promote children's rights. Causing children to take part in armed conflicts or otherwise putting them at risk of becoming victims of such hostilities is clearly against the best interests of the child, which should always be our primary consideration. There is another powerful reason to protect children: they are our future. Protecting today's children is in itself an important contribution towards peace and towards creating a culture of prevention. We should also strive to ensure that children are able to enjoy their rights during transitional periods following armed 30 conflicts or other emergency situations until enough stability has been achieved to start reconstruction.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the declaration it is noted that the current protection of children in armed conflicts is insufficient and that international standards must be raised. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child this year, the Nordic Ministers support the urgent finalization of an optional protocol to ensure that persons below the age of 18 years are not recruited into armed forces or into armed groups distinct from governmental forces. Children should not be forced to take part in hostilities under any circumstances. In this regard, I would like to express my satisfaction with the work carried out by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, especially for his efforts to make non- governmental forces around the world refrain from using child soldiers.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This constant repetition can serve only to weaken the United Nations, which has proved itself on many occasions to be of fundamental importance to mankind. But it is not only the organizational structures that need to be adapted. We need also to look at the substance. In this regard, I welcome the emphasis placed by the Secretary-General in his recent report on creating a culture of prevention. As he correctly points out, our political and organizational cultures and practices remain oriented far more towards reaction than prevention. This needs to be changed; the efficiency of the United Nations might thereby be greatly enhanced. During a recent meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the five Nordic countries held in Iceland, we issued a joint declaration against the use of child soldiers.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“While we are going through this process, the utmost care should be taken to prevent the discussion from negatively affecting the public image of the Organization. Moreover, we should make sure that it does not have detrimental effects on the morale of the United Nations international staff, whom we depend upon for the smooth operation of the difficult and often dangerous tasks we assign to them. A constructive approach to reform is vital for the future of the United Nations. There is a real need to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to tackle the complex challenges of the modern world. A case in point is the Working Group on the reform of the Security Council, which has deliberated for years without tangible results, with no end in sight.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Allow me at the outset to congratulate the President heartily on his election. His post is a challenging one, and I am particularly pleased that this session is being chaired by a colleague from Namibia, which is an important partner for my country. The crucial role of the United Nations in the global community can never be overstated. As this millennium draws to a close, it is natural to take stock of the past and try to foresee what the future holds in store. The Organization's reform measures have included an inward look at the organizational structure and personnel matters and, last but not least, its financial make-up. In this respect, many feel that more needs to be done. We must have the courage to scrutinize not only the Organization itself, but also the manner in which the Member States conduct their business inside these walls.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Our Organization must enter the next millennium as an effective and reformed Organization, with lean management, result-based budget, increased action potential in the most vital fields, strengthened finances and a clear commitment from all Member countries to pay their contributions without conditions. Finally, Iceland is committed to the ideals of the United Nations. We have always been ready to shoulder our responsibilities in every aspect of the Organization?s work because we believe that all Member countries should make their mark on events shaping the world we live in today.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Once the court is firmly in place it is our hope that criminals who commit atrocious acts, such as crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes, will have no escape from the long reach of international law. We urge all States to sign and ratify the Statute. We look forward to the effective implementation of the agreed outcome of the General Assembly?s special session on drugs. Enhancing judicial cooperation and law enforcement cooperation is essential, as well as bearing down on money-laundering worldwide. The elimination of illicit crops should be a high priority in the global drug control strategy. We strongly support the Norwegian and Canadian initiative to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The huge number of these weapons should be of great concern to the international community.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights should encourage us to be stalwart in our principles. Human rights are universal, and the veil of religion and tradition cannot and will not be accepted as an excuse for tolerating flagrant human rights violations. The international community must deal successfully with problems such as terrorism and war crimes. The world community has had to look on in horror as terrorists have, in cowardly fashion, targeted innocent people going about their everyday lives. We urge States to sign and ratify the counter-terrorism conventions. The adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court this summer in Rome shows the firm commitment of the international community to let law take precedence over lawlessness and justice over injustice.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The cruel fate of children in war is more evident now than ever before. Once again the people of the former Yugoslavia are confronted with a problem of tragic proportions. In Kosovo thousands of refugees are facing hunger and a cold winter. Conflicts where the civilian population is targeted are abhorrent and leave scars that take a long time to heal. We now recognize that preserving peace demands more intensive measures than before, such as the strengthening of democratic institutions, policing, overseeing elections, establishing judiciary systems and monitoring human rights. In many countries it is as though the Middle Ages had never ended and the darkness of intolerance, cruelty and human rights abuses descends on people?s lives every day.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Globalization is a part of the development of the world today, and for all countries it entails both risks and benefits. The risks must be borne by all, and the benefits must be spread evenly and widely, especially to the poorest. Our Organization has seldom had more urgent tasks than preserving peace, security and human rights. I would like to express great concern over the nuclear tests recently conducted by two countries in South Asia, and I welcome recent statements by those States that they will adhere to the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. War has visited many countries since we gathered here last year. Keeping peace requires our constant vigilance. In several African countries war and ethnic tension have brought death and destruction.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“This fall, I had the pleasure of welcoming the first students, coming from three African countries, of the new United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme in Iceland. We hope that in the future students from all parts of the world will come for training in all aspects of the fishing industry. 35 I would especially like to draw attention to the importance of strengthening the position and role of women in society, mainly with regard to their education and active participation in the economy. In this respect, we have to tackle the problem of overpopulation with comprehensive solutions. The volatility in the world?s financial markets has led to severe recession in many countries and slowed economic growth in others.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Many developing countries now have flourishing private sectors, competing in world markets. Last month I had the pleasure of visiting some countries in the southern part of Africa, of observing the enormous human and natural wealth of these countries and of learning first hand about the possibilities available to the people there. It is clear that peace has brought prosperity to those countries. My country is engaged in development cooperation in that area, focusing on human capacity-building as well as training and education in the field of fisheries. It should be stressed that, parallel to the privatization of the economy, there must be increased funding for building up social services, health care and education. It is my firm intention that Iceland shall increase its official development assistance to our partner countries in Africa.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Those efforts, made prior to 1990, have severely limited the possibilities for Iceland to further reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. In our view, it must be recognized that the economy of some countries is dependent on few natural resources. They therefore have fewer options to secure their economic base by comparison with countries with diverse economies. It is both illogical and unfair to deny countries the right to harness and utilize clean and renewable energy. Such a result would run counter to the objective of the Convention and be incompatible with Agenda 21. This year?s substantive session of the Economic and Social Council demonstrated clearly that the industrialized countries must make a concentrated effort to remove barriers to trade and integrate the developing countries into global markets.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It rightly points out that one solution to this problem would be to issue each fishing vessel tradeable rights to a percentage of the catch. It goes on to say that this system has worked well in New Zealand, Australia and Iceland. In the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change we stressed that the further harnessing of Iceland?s abundant, clean and renewable energy sources could contribute towards the global effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Iceland has for decades placed special emphasis on the utilization of clean and renewable energy sources, such as geothermal energy and hydropower. Of its own accord, and through extensive investment, Iceland has replaced fossil fuels for space heating and electricity generation with clean and renewable energy sources.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“I would like to note that when we read United Nations publications dealing with the state of the world?s fisheries we are continually confronted with the expression “overfishing”, not “fishing”. This implies, first, that fisheries everywhere are utilized to the hilt, and, secondly, that States in general have failed in the management of the resources inside their economic zones. This gives a wrong picture of the situation. I wish to draw the Assembly?s attention to an interesting study issued a few weeks ago by the World Wildlife Fund on the root causes of the depletion of fish resources in many parts of the world. The study states that overcapacity in fishing fleets is a key factor and that Government subsidies of this industry is another.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The fishing stocks in the exclusive economic zone around Iceland have been steadily growing since a system of individual transferable fishing quotas was implemented in order both to achieve desired economic objectives and to protect our resources. However, fisheries in many parts of the world are overexploited. In my view, this is mainly due to the fisheries sector?s being inundated with government subsidies, resulting in excess fishing capacity and the distortion of market principles. No other single action could bring about such positive results, in a short time, towards achieving sustainable development in fisheries as the elimination of government subsidies.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Nations with similar interests must strive for agreements on sharing and sensibly managing common stocks and fisheries on the high seas. We must ensure that the harvesting of living marine resources can continue and that economic development and conservation go hand in hand. In order to ensure a vibrant and profitable fisheries sector, States need to introduce the principles of private enterprise into the fishing industry and make its products compete on the free market. In Iceland we have devised a market-driven fisheries management system which encompasses both conservation of our resources and their sustainable use.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“However, effective implementation of the Washington Global Programme of Action will certainly bring about much improvement in this respect. Pollution by persistent organic pollutants is another major concern. Prompt completion by the year 2000 of a legally binding instrument dealing with some of these pollutants will be an important step towards reducing and eventually eliminating this kind of pollution. Accidents in which radioactive material from nuclear waste treatment plants has spilled into the sea have demonstrated clearly the dangers of such facilities. Under 34 no circumstances should such plants be allowed to operate near the ocean. It is my hope that our generation will take the necessary measures so that future generations inherit clean oceans free from contamination.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Our Organization is also confronted with issues of a universal nature which can determine the future of humankind, such as the protection of the environment and the delicate balance between economic growth and the conservation of natural resources. In this respect, the protection of the oceans and the marine ecosystem is one of the most important tasks facing us today. The fact that this is the International Year of the Ocean allows me to draw the Assembly?s attention to the fact that the oceans are the single largest source of protein and a crucial part of Earth?s ecosystem. We have to come to grips with the reality that the ocean?s bounty is finite and that the ocean is not a bottomless receptacle of human waste and pollution. Pollution of the seas from land-based sources remains a daunting problem.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Allow me at the outset to congratulate Mr. Opertti upon his election to his prestigious position. I am convinced that he will guide us wisely through the fifty-third session of the General Assembly. The world community is now confronted with several dangerous situations which threaten the existence of millions of people, situations which demand immediate action by our Organization. I would like to draw special attention to the plight of the people of Kosovo and the alarming situation in several countries in Africa, where wars have caused appalling suffering and directly threaten the development and advancement of the whole continent.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)