YouSaid · the spoken record

Franco Frattini

lines on the record: 48
first: 2004-09-24
most recent: 2011-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“We also pay close attention to urban development and environmental sustainability, promoting important international events such as the World Urban Forum, which will be held next year in Italy, and a world conference on the topic of the inter-ethnic city. In conclusion, Italy wants to place the rights of human beings, and the environment in which we live, at the centre of society. True to this principle, Italy wants to help create and consolidate a modern humanism. There could be no better defence against the hatred and criminal intolerance that struck this city, this country and the world 10 years ago.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The principle of placing people first underpins our active support for United Nations campaigns on fundamental issues such as the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of the freedom of religion or belief and the ending of the practice of female genital mutilation. The people-first approach also entails mediation between the pressing need for modernization and the goal of improving individual quality of life. We need to enhance food security by tackling the crucial links between speculation, inflation of food prices, and instability. We can count on the new bodies created in the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Rome- based United Nations agencies to reduce food price volatility and its very negative impact on the most vulnerable people.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We also encourage the United Nations to play a more significant role in conflict prevention, the settlement of disputes and peacebuilding efforts. To that end, we rely on the impartiality and authority of the Secretary-General. We commend him for his leadership in crisis management, and encourage him in this noble endeavour and in his commitment to budgetary discipline. We also commend all the efforts to promote a strong solution to the reform of the Security Council, a reform inspired by the United Nations core principles of democracy, accountability, consensus and flexibility — a reform that will gather the widest majority and with which each and every Member State can identify. Our humanistic heritage defines the human being as the measure of all things.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In the past few months, we have financed projects in many sectors: health, education, nutrition, training, governance support, peace and security. But our assistance is not enough. In Somalia people are facing starvation and humanitarian disaster. International support must be stepped up to deliver basic services to the population and foster political reconciliation. The United Nations collective security system is adapting its structure and practices to the new challenges by making good and flexible use of its fundamental, cost-effective tools. Mediation is one of them. We are among the sponsors of the draft resolution on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Italy is the sixth top contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping operations budget and, since 2006, the top EU and Western European and Others Group contributor of troops to the United Nations. In Africa far too many people are still grappling with the serious problems caused by regional conflicts. Those conflicts undermine stability and prosperity for millions of people, spreading the poisonous seed of terrorism and piracy. As a witness to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South Sudan, Italy welcomed the Agreement’s implementation, which has led to the birth of the new State of South 11 11-51378 Sudan. This achievement should be an incentive to settle the post-CPA arrangements without further delay. In the Horn of Africa, Italy has a traditional commitment to contributing to peace, security and development.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We continue to strongly back American efforts, and we welcome the Quartet’s new effort to gather the necessary support to restart the negotiations between the parties towards the creation, very soon, of a strong and safe Palestinian State. Within the European Union, which has to speak with one voice, Italy is also ready to exercise more leadership and political vision in relaunching the peace process. In Lebanon, Italy is playing a prominent role in mediation. The Italian contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was awarded the United Nations peace medal for its contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the country. This prize honours the achievements of our soldiers in Lebanon, but also the commitment of the Italian Government to peacekeeping.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“That is why we have promoted the idea of a new Mediterranean plan for growth and development. And we have proposed a permanent conference on security and cooperation, with the goal of building an inclusive dialogue among equals on political, economic and cultural issues. If we fail to respond, and if the Arab Spring does not produce results soon, we will all have a heavy price to pay. Never has mediation been more necessary in the tense stand-off between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Confrontation has led nowhere. The time has come to defuse this long-standing and disruptive conflict through recourse to dialogue and the building of mutual trust.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Libya can be the first test case for a more prominent United Nations role. The United Nations is called upon to coordinate and lead the international community’s assistance to that country. The international community should maintain cohesion and unity of purpose, avoid a fragmented response and resist engaging in a first-past- the-post logic. There should be no competition, because there is only one winner: the Libyan people. The United Nations should therefore chair the international coordination mechanisms, with the support of the relevant regional organizations, such as the League of Arab States, the African Union and the European Union (EU). At this juncture we need to prevent resentment and extremism from gaining ground. We are ready to build respectful new partnerships without imposing pre-packaged models.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“That was not enough in Libya, however, where the regime had vowed to slaughter its own civilians. The only way to prevent a massacre was for the international community to invoke the principle of the responsibility to protect. By helping to implement that decision in military, diplomatic and humanitarian terms, we shifted from a culture of sovereign impunity to one of responsible sovereignty, rooted in national and international accountability for the most serious violations of human rights. At the same time, we supported international sanctions against the Syrian leadership. The uprisings in North Africa and in the Middle East send a message that the United Nations can do more and do better. Let me be very clear. We do not want less United Nations involvement; we want more.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“11-51378 10 On the face of it, the approach favoured by European and the other Western countries — including the United States — was to forge partnerships with undemocratic regimes and place a priority on security, counter-terrorism cooperation and migration policy. We made a mistake. The Arab Spring was a wake-up call, reminding us that no political leader can maintain power at the expense of his or her own people. It confirmed the principle that there can be no mediation or compromise where fundamental rights are concerned. And it showed that cooperation for the sake of security and stability is no alternative to promoting freedom, economic and democratic growth and job creation. Our response to the uprisings was consistent with our values. We called for dialogue and deplored the use of force against civilians.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Our territory is located right at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, making us keenly aware that our security is not independent of that of the region surrounding us. For decades, Italy has emphasized the need to bridge the economic and social gap between the conditions of the northern shores of the Mediterranean and the expectations of our neighbours to the south. Despite this vision, we tended to overlook the aspirations for civil and political rights of the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East, peoples so close to us geographically but far apart in terms of the rights enjoyed by our citizens.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Italy has a long tradition of mediation that has shaped our history and our approach to international affairs. In the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification this year, we commemorated the vision of the founding fathers of our nation and the sacrifices of so many patriots. We also recalled the role of mediation in bridging the gap between the aspirations for independence and the reality of foreign occupation. A century or so after unification, our vocation for mediation was fulfilled when we were among the first countries to launch the process of European pacification. We helped restore peace and prosperity to a war-torn continent by engaging Governments in dialogue rather than disputes. Our attitude to mediation is inspired by both our history and our geography.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“And when we do achieve peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment, the United Nations system will be equipped with the tools it needs to fulfil the main principles and values of the Charter. One of these stands above all the others in importance: each and every individual throughout the world is endowed with inalienable and absolute rights concerning which no kind of compromise can ever be tolerated.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The process of revitalizing the General Assembly should strive to restore its central role. The Assembly’s universal character gives it potential for providing political guidance that should be realized. The Assembly is the place where we could jointly identify the main problems that threaten the security, stability and development of all Member States and draft common strategies to address them effectively. In conclusion, the vision for the future to which my country, Italy, aspires — a future of peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment between values and cultures — can only be ensured through the successful completion of the many reform processes under way. We can achieve this future if we build our actions on dialogue and mutual understanding.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Such reform should affect the Secretariat, the various funds, agencies and programmes of the United Nations and, obviously, its decision-making bodies. In regard to reform of the Security Council, we seek realistic compromise solutions that garner the broadest possible consensus and ensure an adequate representation of African, Arab and other underrepresented groups of countries. More than 15 years of negotiations have demonstrated that the membership is profoundly divided. It is now time to search for genuine and far-reaching compromise. Italy and its Uniting for Consensus partners are ready to participate constructively in the reform process and have already demonstrated their flexibility. We look forward to engaging with the rest of the membership during the current session of the General Assembly.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Female genital mutilations, which violate a woman’s physical integrity, affect millions of women and girls throughout the world, including in my country, where 35,000 such cases have been reported. Women’s rights and national progress go hand in hand, but, nevertheless, women are still suffering in many countries throughout the world. By pooling together our efforts we can ensure the necessary consensus for resolutions that safeguard our own and future generations from prejudice and intolerance. In this spirit, we very warmly welcome the creation of UN Women within the Secretariat and hope that it quickly becomes operative. Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance requires a constant commitment to the comprehensive reform of the Organization.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The right to search for truth through the word of God is the freedom of freedoms, but in some areas of the world people are afraid to freely and openly profess their faith because they face persecution by extremists. Italy is strongly committed to protecting freedom of religion and will always oppose discrimination against religious minorities. In fact, Italy together with its EU partners is actively involved in the preparation and presentation of the annual resolution on religious intolerance. Another target of our fight against discrimination is the international initiative to ban female genital mutilation. Since September 2009, Italy, together with a group of African countries, has promoted such an initiative, which, hopefully, will lead to the presentation here in the Assembly of a resolution that fully respects African ownership.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is imperative to defend the universal validity of fundamental rights and avoid the risks of relativism. Given the strength of its humanistic heritage that affirms the human being as the measure of all things, Italy is well-equipped to play an important part in this dialectic. True to this heritage, the Italian Government has promoted a campaign for a moratorium on the death penalty. We welcome the strengthening international trend towards achieving this objective, and hope it will be confirmed when Italy and a broad alliance of 19 10-55109 countries present a resolution on the moratorium in the upcoming months. Religious tolerance is a prerequisite for peace and a founding principle of our civilization.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“International support for AMISOM must be stepped up. The second crisis is in Pakistan, where the recent floods have devastated the lives of 20 million people. The Italian Government is disbursing an additional aid package of €80 million to bring relief to the Pakistani population. But in addition to providing aid, we need to act wisely. This is why Italy has called for new trade measures to increase market access for Pakistani goods and bolster Pakistan’s economic recovery. A natural disaster of this magnitude also demonstrates the urgent need to address the effects of climate change through collective and shared measures. Globalization has generated a new demand for belonging and identity. But a fruitful dialogue among cultures cannot take place without universal values.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The year 2010 is a key date on the road to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In this endeavour, our collective responsibility and credibility are at stake. Italy is a strong proponent of a holistic approach to development. For the sake of true democratic ownership, the donor community, in collaboration with the private sector and civil society, must work in a partnership that makes the beneficiary countries the protagonists of development. The time has come for the international community and the United Nations to increase their commitment to two regional crises. Somalia is the most serious and urgent situation on the African continent today. In the past two years, the Italian Government has contributed considerable financing to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali security forces, but this is not enough.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Once the resolution on EU participation in the work of the United Nations has finally been approved, I sincerely hope the European Union will be able to make a greater contribution to General Assembly responsibilities and to enhance the Assembly’s capacity for providing political guidance. In the field of security, a commitment to disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has always been a feature of Italian foreign policy. Proliferation is a growing threat that can only be countered through international cooperation and, in this regard, the Italian Government has just put forth some concrete proposals. We need to set the goal of a zero-nuclear option in an appropriate time frame, but without conveying the impression that it is an unrealistic aspiration.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The United Nations must be empowered to fulfil its role as a “producer” of security and stability, a role designed to foster reconciliation, strengthen democracy and, ultimately, help to create a more stable world. This is why we support the Secretary-General’s New Horizon and Global Field Support Strategy initiatives. We must also continue to foster synergies between the United Nations and regional organizations that play a key role in bringing peace to crisis areas. I refer to the African Union and, above all, to the European Union. The Treaty of Lisbon includes new arrangements for the EU’s international representation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Approximately 8,000 Italian troops are assigned to operations under the aegis or the mandate of the United Nations. Our presence is spread across 22 missions throughout the world: from Lebanon to Haiti, the Balkans to Afghanistan. Through its experiences in these difficult areas, Italy has learned important lessons. In particular, our comprehensive approach provides valuable insight into how to integrate the military aspects of a mission with the commitment to economic, institutional and civil reconstruction. We are convinced that to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, the United Nations system must be strengthened, starting with its capacity to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Italy is a strong supporter of the central role of the United Nations in global governance and in the management of international crises. By virtue of its universality and impartiality, the Organization has the legitimacy to intervene in crisis situations. Italy participates in peacekeeping missions not only by contributing large numbers of highly qualified troops, 10-55109 18 but also by drafting strategic plans and protocol, and by providing training and logistic support. We are the sixth largest contributor to the United Nations regular and peacekeeping operations budgets and, since 2006, the top troop contributor to the United Nations among the members of the European Union (EU) and Group of Western European and Other States.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Italy is about to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its unification. We are a young country, but a people with deep roots and ancient traditions. By our history, geographic location and age-old international outlook, we are proud of our illustrious legacy. By necessity and vocation, we are dedicated to dialogue, respect for diversity and mutual understanding. There is no alternative to this inclusive approach, even when it requires compromises or concessions. I prefer to call it idealistic pragmatism, since our ultimate goal is to spread peace, freedom and prosperity, an ambition that is best achieved through cooperation. This propensity for dialogue is one of Italy’s greatest contributions to the United Nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“More than two hundred years ago a great Italian political philosopher Cesare Beccaria wrote, “The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.” True to these words, so deeply rooted in my country’s democratic vocation, Italy joins in the common effort to build a world of peace, security, sustainable development and a new democratic, transparent and effective global governance.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In Afghanistan, the continuation of the international commitment should be accompanied by a gradual assumption of responsibility by the local authorities and forces and the participation of neighbouring countries in the stabilization process. In the Caucasus, the recent crisis indicates the need, there and elsewhere, to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms and prevent a competitive dynamic that would lead to high costs and low benefits.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Yet we must also maintain cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear technology, as expressly provided for by the Treaty. We thus call upon the Iranian Government to show responsibility by promptly meeting the conditions for normal negotiations to reassure the international community and the countries of the region. Let me say very clearly that we strongly condemn the Iranian President’s irresponsible remarks on the State of Israel. Global security and regional security are very closely connected. We welcome the positive signals from the Middle East, such as the continuation of the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, the beginning of a national dialogue among the Lebanese political forces to fully implement the Doha agreements, and the new chapter in relations between Lebanon and Syria.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“These values are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago. That is why Italy has a long-standing commitment to a universal moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to its abolition. And that is also why we are working to combat impunity and to strengthen the instruments of international law, including the International Criminal Court. The fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is at the centre of our international commitment. In preparation for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, Italy is ready to do its part to strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is of fundamental importance to preventing and countering proliferation and laying the foundations for a world free of nuclear weapons.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Interdependence is the fundamental reality that binds developed countries and emerging economies, and in its capacity as the incoming G-8 President, Italy will promote the energy dialogue and the global negotiations on climate change. Effective multilateral cooperation built on shared responsibility is vital to tackling the main threats to our safety and security, including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Our vigilance against terrorism must remain high and our international cooperation intense. In the next few years we should work together on a new global pact against terrorism to be enacted in 2011 on the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11. The protection of human rights and the rule of law must underpin our action.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That is, indeed, an absolute priority. The year 2009 will be crucial for international negotiations on climate change. Italy and the European Union are determined to reach an ambitious post-2012 agreement that includes mitigation and adaptation measures. The fight against climate change is closely connected to energy security. We need to promote greater energy cooperation at the global level. We need to promote solutions that reconcile the need for secure 08-52265 50 supplies with sustainable energy policies, energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. We need to promote research and development of alternative fuel sources, including renewable and nuclear energy. We need to promote a comprehensive dialogue between producing and consuming countries, based on mutual trust, solidarity, dialogue and cooperation.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Italy strongly supports the roles and functions of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and all the other agencies that help to alleviate hunger and guarantee food security. We also encourage the direct involvement of the private sector in bringing agriculture back to its rightful place at the centre of economic policies. That will require a global partnership to increase the flow of investments and know-how, enhance productivity and contribute to the development of national agro-industry; a global partnership that will make a big step towards achieving the first Millennium Development Goal: to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger and to improve the lives of the last billion, that portion of the global population still on the margins of the world economy.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“They demand an urgent response, a mobilization of greater human and financial resources, new ideas and a true partnership between donor and beneficiary countries that is fully inclusive of governments, local organizations, the private sector and civil society. Italy is strongly committed to achieving the goals of defeating hunger, strengthening health-care systems and making education accessible to all. All this is on the agenda of the upcoming Italian presidency of the G-8, and Africa will be at the centre of our attention. The right place to address the food crisis is the United Nations, and we must equip the Organization to tackle it effectively.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We must immediately learn the lessons of the turmoil in the world financial markets. Promoting transparent and reliable rules in the marketplace is the only way to protect our societies from falling prey to those forces. We have to avoid squandering wealth and instead ensure that it is distributed equitably among every component of society. That is the vision that Italy will promote during its upcoming presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8). Through a broader dialogue with the emerging economies and the least developed countries, the G-8 will contribute to the shaping of a new system of global governance in which formats will be tailored to specific issues, leading to a gradual assumption of shared responsibility. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are priority challenges.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“A dramatic new vision of global governance for the twenty-first century requires rules that all nations can embrace — a new vision based on three principles: inclusiveness, effectiveness and shared responsibility. Effective global governance means a central role for the United Nations, starting with its most representative, democratic body, the General Assembly. Effective global governance means a strong connection between the United Nations and international organizations, either universal or regional, such as the European Union and the African Union. Effective global governance requires a comprehensive and consensual reform of the United Nations system, including the Security Council. To achieve a reform of this magnitude on the foundations of strong political support, there is no alternative to general consensus.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Today, we face the reality of an international system that is becoming more complex by the day. Globalization has created new opportunities; it has also produced uncertainty and insecurity. Sudden crises affect the fundamental sources of our sustenance and progress: food, energy and financial resources. Terrorism and nuclear proliferation threaten our security. Climate change has an impact on the future of our planet. Growing instability characterizes the energy and financial markets, widening the gap between rich and poor. Those global challenges need a timely political response. A national response would be inadequate and illusory, for the right response can only be global and cooperative.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In deciding between the satisfaction of the few and the inclusion of the many, the wrong choice is a luxury that the United Nations — at the very heart of the international system — can ill afford to make.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“As a founding member of the European Union, the depositary of its treaties and the host for the solemn signature of the new European Constitution, Italy believes that today’s 25-member European Union has a fundamental contribution to make to the objectives of the United Nations. We have always worked to allow the European Union to speak with a single, more influential, voice. We realize, of course, that we are dealing with a gradual process. Nevertheless, we must stay the course and not jeopardize the achievement of our goal in the interests of all Europeans. Let me conclude with a final, strong appeal to States Members. Let us join forces, abandon national ambitions and seek the least divisive ways to enhance multilateralism. That is the only way the international community can meet the global challenges of the new millennium.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Already in San Francisco in 1945 the founding fathers recognized the importance of regional organizations, whose relations with the United Nations are governed by Chapter VIII of the Charter, and whose role has grown steadily in the years that followed. Increasingly, States belonging to the same region have felt a sense of common responsibility for crises affecting them all. Moreover, regional 28 arrangements provide small to mid-size States with a greater say in the decisions of international forums. More should be done to express those realities at the United Nations and in the Security Council.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“On the other hand, if a broad consensus emerges with full respect for the sovereign equality of all Member States, we are willing to contemplate more frequent rotation or longer terms for countries that make a greater contribution to the objectives of the United Nations. Should reflections of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change be driven by such a bold and innovative approach, we would strongly support their endeavour. I am convinced that many other countries would also be ready to accept it. In addition, a closer relationship should be built between elected members and their regional groups. That would enhance the accountability of elected members and would make the Council more representative and its deliberations more legitimate.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Some Member States, however, have advocated the addition of new permanent seats — for themselves. We do not believe the Council’s difficulties can be resolved through new permanent, irrevocable appointments and national mandates. Such a move would sow division, frustration, and perhaps disengagement, among the membership. Important areas of the world would be left without representation. For one, there would be no seat at the Council table for the Arab and Islamic world. Can the international community really afford this at a time when we are trying to broaden the dialogue among different faiths and cultures?”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“That should not deter us from seeking solutions that are not divisive. Any decision imposed upon Member States would seriously undermine the credibility of the Council and the legitimacy of its action. Confronted with global challenges of great magnitude, the international community cannot afford profound divisions within its ranks. Italy is in favour of a Security Council reform inspired by the principles of greater inclusiveness, effectiveness, democratic participation and geographic representation, starting with the developing countries. We are firmly convinced that the best way to pursue such a reform is to establish new non-permanent seats. Since States would occupy those seats on the basis of periodic elections, they would be accountable to the general membership.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Crisis management is a United Nations priority that demands greater coordination of its components and a stronger commitment on the part of Member States to protect human beings and to uphold their dignity. We thus look forward to the report of the Panel of Eminent Personalities appointed by the Secretary- General. The membership will have to examine it and discuss its recommendations thoroughly and openly. A firm agreement on the policies of the United Nations must be upheld by institutions that enjoy the consensus and participation of the membership. We are encouraged by the results achieved so far with regard to improving the functioning of the General Assembly. On Security Council reform, we have not yet been able to find an agreement that reconciles the various approaches on the table.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Italy welcomes the reform of United Nations peacekeeping and peace- building, which we — as the sixth largest contributor to the United Nations budget and one of the top contributors of troops to peacekeeping operations over the past 10 years — support. Strengthening that critical sector will help to prevent the recurrence of conflicts, to consolidate the gains of peace, to re-establish the rule of law and to guarantee freedom for all. Italy will also continue to support the growing financial, operational and training demands of new missions, particularly in Africa — here, I am also thinking about the New Partnership for Africa’s Development — and elsewhere.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“There are two conditions for success: a sounder understanding of the threats we face and a broad consensus on the policies aimed at confronting them. Effective multilateralism depends much more on political will and shared goals than on structures and procedures. The multilateral system — which demands responsibility and commitment — is judged by the results it enables us to achieve. That is why the whole international community must be involved, starting with the States that command greater resources and capabilities. Multilateral decisions can be difficult, but that is no excuse for inaction. The starting point for United Nations reform is a review of the Organization’s policies.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“In that regard, I would like to stress the fundamental importance of a major event that will take place in 2005. That initiative will be a unique opportunity for a comprehensive review of progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. In our globalized, interdependent world, international organizations are expected to provide leadership not only through abstract formulations of general principles, but also through effective, shared initiatives supported by broad consensus. Our priority is to strengthen the multilateral system and to reinvigorate the role of the United Nations. That is the responsibility that the Secretary-General set out for us 27 at the last session of the General Assembly.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“That is why Italy takes a leading role in combating those ills in multilateral forums and through bilateral means. Our peoples demand security. We must join forces to strengthen international cooperation and to confront the common threat of terrorist organizations. The false prophets of terror are able to spread their message of death as a result of ignorance among cultures. To counter their distortions, we should mobilize people’s consciences and strengthen dialogue among civilizations with different histories but shared values and a common belief in human dignity. Peace and development — the agenda of security and human promotion — are related goals that require a coordinated approach carried out through multilateral institutions and in a spirit of equal partnership with developing countries.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“This year’s general debate unfolds against an international backdrop in which terrorist acts of great ferocity have become all too common. The latest, heinous form of terrorism is hostage-taking, which has caused deep sorrow to many of our nations. Again and again, the international community has been caught off guard, unable to respond quickly or effectively. New humanitarian catastrophes have afflicted some of the world’s poorest peoples. Difficult stabilization processes are still under way in many regions where the international community is implementing United Nations resolutions. Some areas of the world have seen economic and social progress. Yet we cannot ignore the fact that entire regions — especially in Africa — are crippled by poverty, malnutrition, disease and illiteracy.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)