YouSaid · the spoken record

Anote TONG

lines on the record: 145
first: 2004-09-24
most recent: 2014-09-24
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

“We continue to urge major greenhouse-gas emitters to do their part. We also urge development partners to provide the appropriate level of resources and technology to enable us to deal with the current and future impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. While we are taking adaptative measures to ensure that Kiribati remains habitable for as long as possible, we are also preparing for a future when our islands may no longer be able to sustain our population. We are looking to improve the skills of our people to a level where they will be able to compete for jobs in the international labour market. We want our people to have the option to migrate with dignity, should that be a necessary choice in the future, and all the science is telling us that that is a real possibility.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Economic growth at all costs must not be our mantra, particularly when it is those who will benefit the least from this growth who will pay the ultimate price. The Earth is not ours to do with as we please. We are merely trustees for future generations, and we ignore this reality at their peril. The Organization was founded on the fundamental principle of sovereign equality. Security issues affecting each of us must be given due recognition. We are grateful that the General Assembly agrees that climate change is a matter warranting the attention of the Security Council. I applaud the commitment of our Secretary-General to this particular security threat, but he needs the support of all nations to take the necessary action to address it. We must step up our collective efforts to mitigate global greenhouse-gas emissions.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Each time I have reminded the Assembly of the need for urgent action to address climate change and sea level rise so as to ensure the long-term survival of nations like Kiribati. I frequently find myself watching my grandchildren and wondering what sort of a future we shall be leaving them. For their sake, climate change is an issue that I will continue to talk about for as long as I have breath in my body. This is a critical issue for the survival of our people and for all of humanity. It remains the greatest moral challenge of our time. Whether or not we are willing to acknowledge it, climate change and sea-level rise are the result of the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is never too late to do the right thing. History shows many examples where global action has resulted in global good. We have managed to secure a relatively more peaceful world. We have been able to address some of the major injustices of the past. We have come together to face down those who seek to achieve their objectives through terrorist means. However, we must remain vigilant, as new and emerging forms of security threats and injustices are cropping up to threaten our global family. This will be the seventh time I have had the honour to address the Assembly in my nine years as President of my country. Each time I have sought to convey the same message. Each time I have spoken of the real and existential threat to my nation.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is important that we all reflect on what we have done as individuals to achieve a more peaceful, secure and better world. We must ask ourselves if what we are doing is in the collective interest of all the peoples of this world or of just a select few. We must look at our efforts as leaders of this global family and ask ourselves if we are doing the right thing for our children and their children. I firmly believe that, with all the information available to us today, we should know exactly what needs to be done. We know what we have to do but, for whatever reason, we lack the courage, the fortitude and the vision to do it. We lack a sense of responsibility for each other. We are not willing to step out of our comfort zone and make the necessary sacrifices for the security and future of all members of our international community.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I also recognize the unwavering dedication of our Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. With his hand on the tiller, he continues to steer our Organization through the complex realities and challenges facing our world today towards our objectives. In particular, I would like to acknowledge with deep appreciation his personal commitment to the issue of climate change and the plight of the most vulnerable. We in Kiribati welcomed the Secretary-General to our country last year, during the first visit ever by anyone in his position to our part of the world. We were grateful for the opportunity to show him firsthand the challenges of living on the front lines of climate change. In the President’s opening statement yesterday (see A/67/PV.6), he reminded us that the core function of the Organization is the maintenance of peace and security.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“I bring warm greetings from the people of Kiribati, on whose behalf I am privileged to address this body once again. I join with those who have gone before me in congratulating Mr. Vuk Jeremić on assuming the presidency of the Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. We find ourselves in challenging times. The work ahead of us during this session reflects those challenges. I am confident, however, that, under his able leadership, this Organization will continue its work to improve the quality of life for all members of our global community, in particular those who are most vulnerable. Let me also take this opportunity to acknowledge with appreciation the commendable leadership of his predecessor, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, during the most recent session of the General Assembly.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We need to forge consensus in our collective action to promote and maintain our collective security. Let us work together as a global community to address the many conflicts and disputes that are posing serious security challenges to our well- being, before they consume and condemn our civilization to oblivion. In closing, I share our traditional blessing of health, peace and prosperity.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Therefore, as we move towards Durban, it is our hope that the Green Climate Fund can 31 11-51191 be operationalized as soon as possible to allow the most vulnerable countries to attend to their adaptation needs from new resources. In the same vein, we believe that all nations and peoples — including Taiwan — that play a role in international affairs, including contributing to climate change, should also be part of the solution. During these difficult times, and facing challenges to our existing world order, we can ill afford to isolate any nation that has the capacity to assist in our struggles. I believe that, as a global community, we must be united in our efforts to address any security threat to international peace and security, be it within States or between States.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Ongoing uncertainty in the global economic climate and rising food and fuel prices remain major challenges to our sustainable development efforts. On top of all that, our increasing preoccupation with the impacts of climate change will progressively dominate our national agenda. It is no surprise, therefore, that we continue to be off track in the achievement of most of the Millennium Development Goals and the implementation of our sustainable development agenda under our national development plan. Every step we take forward we are knocked back two or three due to the many challenges we face. It is therefore imperative that climate change adaptation funds be mobilized at the earliest opportunity. Otherwise, we will be forced to divert development resources towards the most urgent adaptation needs.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The urgent need for the flow of adaptation funds to address the more urgent adaptation needs of the most vulnerable countries is a matter on which I believe there is general consensus. But what is the point in consensus if no concrete action follows? Kiribati was one of the countries that did not sign the Copenhagen Accord because of what we saw as its serious shortcomings, but we were subsequently persuaded to associate ourselves with it on the premise that doing so would trigger the flow of much-needed adaptation funds that had been pledged. Today, we continue to await those funds. We all want to achieve sustainable development. We are grateful to those who have continued to assist and partner with us on this journey, but our efforts at achieving sustainable growth will continue to be frustrated by external factors.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It is my fervent hope that, in the light of current scientific evidence and based on the experiences of the most vulnerable countries, we as a global community will embark on bold and innovative initiatives to address the climate change challenge. I acknowledge with gratitude the adoption of resolutions 63/281 and 65/159 on the possible security implications of climate change and the protection of our global climate for present and future generations. And I thank those who saw and supported the need to classify climate change as a security issue. In December, there will be another United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban. I acknowledge that climate change negotiations will take several years to conclude, but I also believe that there is common ground on which there is no real debate.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“But there is an ongoing disagreement on how to address this global challenge. The question is: how much longer must we continue to argue about this? When are we going to do something about it? Our people and our children, whose lives and future are under serious threat, look to us for leadership. The urgency of the need for action cannot be overemphasized. At Cancún, it was my understanding that there was agreement on the need for an urgent package to address the situation of the most vulnerable countries, which are now being seriously affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. Next year, we will gather again as world leaders to take stock of what we have done since the Rio Summit in 1992.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Some will argue that climate change does not fall within the conventional definition of a security threat, but that is simply because it may not be so for them at this point in time. In Kiribati, many young people go to sleep each night fearing what may happen to their homes overnight, especially during very high tides. The accelerated and continued erosion of our shoreline is destroying settlements, and as I speak, some communities are relocating on the island. I was glad that the Secretary-General was able to understand and feel for himself the sense of threat that our people and those of similarly vulnerable countries experience on a daily basis. In the international climate-change forums there is ongoing dialogue and negotiation in an attempt to find amicable solutions to this threat.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I believe that unless we can approach any mediation with trust and commitment, we will be caught in the vicious circle of starting with our differences, in our obsession to protect what we perceive to be our critical national interests. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comments based on his experience during his recent visit to Kiribati. His views are those of an independent observer who came, who saw and who believed. His comments are a powerful endorsement of what we, the most vulnerable countries, have been saying over the years, and my hope is that this will communicate the need for urgent action to all who possess a sense of moral responsibility. Climate change will remain the curse of our planet. Most nations perceive it to be a future event, but for the very few it is already reaching disastrous levels.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Countries and peoples are facing all kinds of security threats from armed conflicts, terrorism, human trafficking, economic recession, climate change and its associated impacts. As a result, many communities suffer daily from increasing poverty, hunger and dislocation. But how can all this be happening in a supposedly rational world community under the scrutiny of this global body? Is our existing Organization in its current form equipped to deal with these emerging issues, or is it time to review the structure and effectiveness of our international governance system? The lack of progress on climate change negotiations clearly demonstrates the wide divergence 11-51191 30 of positions on the issue.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I bring warm greetings from the people of Kiribati, on whose behalf I address the Assembly. I wish to join previous speakers in congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty- sixth session. We gather here every year as world leaders to represent our peoples and to discuss issues of concern to the global community. At this session our theme is the role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, which is appropriate in its reminder to us that peace and security are indeed crucial to the continued harmonious existence of mankind on this planet. As a global community we constantly face many challenges to our political, social and economic stability. Natural and human-induced disasters have caused much suffering in different regions of the world.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“As the so called community of nations, we must be able to guarantee the survival of members of our community by addressing this defining challenge of our era. Climate change must be addressed before it is too late for those nations on the front line and for the whole of humanity. At this time, we need compassionate, visionary and responsible leadership to direct our path towards a more secure and more just world. We need to share the solution, and we need to act as one in Mexico. We owe it to our future generations to act, and to act now. Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“For while we, as small nations, may seem not to be affected by such events, they serve to distract the focus of attention away from the real challenges facing the international community and our planet today. It is gratifying to note the easing of tensions and improvement of relations across the Taiwan Straits — no doubt, a most welcome development for all in that region. We also welcome the inclusion of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly, and we hope that similar understanding will prevail in respect of other international institutions in which Taiwan can participate and contribute meaningfully for the good of humanity. As we chart the path towards a new world order, we must address the fundamental threats to the very existence of the units that make up our Organization.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We all acknowledged that our great Organization must evolve to reflect the realities of our time — a time in which new and emerging security threats and injustices such as climate change are challenging the credibility of our international system of governance; a time in which the future survival of some nations is seriously in question; a time when all those countries with the ability to do so must contribute to the prevention of that calamity or be forever judged in history. We note that tensions remain high in certain regions, notably in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula. For the sake of those of us on the front line of the major global challenges, let us pray that great understanding and stability will prevail.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Initiatives such as the Pacific 2020 Challenge and a novel Pangaea World concept of green development through knowledge economies link those initiatives to the countries of the Pacific Rim and beyond. Our message to the international community is that the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in the Pacific is not important only to the sustainable development of Pacific peoples. It is also of vital significance to the rest of the world. Support from the international community in protecting ecosystems in the Pacific, and indeed elsewhere, should not be viewed as a handout, but as an investment for future generations of this planet. Last year, we all called for a new world order.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Even now, as we confront the possibility that our islands will become uninhabitable within the 10-55109 8 century due to the rising sea level, we recognize the value of protecting something that is the common heritage of humanity. Kiribati and the Pacific are committed to the sustainable conservation and management of their ocean ecosystem through the Micronesia Challenge, the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Nauru Agreement and the many other national efforts throughout the region to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems. At its meeting last month in Vanuatu, the Pacific Islands Forum endorsed the Pacific Oceanscape Framework, which promotes collaboration and cooperation among marine protected areas in the Pacific region.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In pursuit of this, we in Kiribati have designated the largest marine protected area and marine World Heritage Site, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. It covers an area of more than 400,000 square kilometres, representing some 11 per cent of our exclusive economic zone. The Protected Area is the result of a collaborative partnership with Conservation International and the New England Aquarium. It provides a natural breeding ground for tropical fisheries and ocean ecosystems. It is a natural laboratory for the study of such ecosystems and the impact of climate change in a pristine area virtually untouched by human activity. The preservation of that Area is our gift to humanity and our contribution to international biodiversity conservation efforts to significantly reduce biodiversity loss in this International Year of Biodiversity.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In this regard, it is imperative that the pledges made at Copenhagen for fast-start funds to assist vulnerable countries like Kiribati to adapt to the impact of climate change and sea-level rise be mobilized at the earliest possible opportunity. This is a matter of great and increasing urgency. We acknowledge the critical role of our environment as the pillar of sustainable development. Maintaining the health of our biodiversity within our oceans and ecosystems faces the very same challenges that we have so far failed to address in respect of our atmosphere. It is imperative, therefore, that we undertake the commitment to put in place now the measures needed in order to avoid the mistakes we have made with climate change.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Our current arrangement is similar to that of State Governments not accepting federal authority within a federal system. One can imagine the chaos. While other countries are focusing their efforts and resources on their sustainable development, we, the most vulnerable countries, continue to spend the limited resources we have on fighting the continuous onslaught of the rising seas and storm surges on our homes and livelihoods. It is no surprise therefore that we are off-track to achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals and the implementation of our sustainable development agenda under our national development plan, the Pacific Plan and the Mauritius Strategy. For every step we take forward, we are knocked back two or three due to the challenges we face, which are exacerbated by climate change.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In my view, any alternative to a legally binding framework is simply unacceptable and would have potentially destabilizing consequences. The experience at Copenhagen taught us that if we are to make any progress, we must acknowledge our differences and discuss ways around them rather than allow them to dominate the international agenda behind the process. In this regard, we believe that trust and mutual respect are indispensable to the process. Climate change offers the international community an opportunity to reflect upon the future direction of our relations as sovereign nations. I believe that the climate change challenge provides us with the opportunity to be more innovative in our concept of international governance.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is not a matter to negotiate or procrastinate over; if we do, it will be too late for some countries and any subsequent agreement will be meaningless. It is also important that adaptation funds not be regarded as additional development funds by either development partners or recipient countries, but be provided and applied for the sole purpose of adaptation to climate change. I believe that we need to modify our approach to Mexico if we are to succeed. I believe that we have a moral obligation to reach agreement on a legally binding framework that regulates our ability to pursue policies that harm others. For very obvious reasons, I do not believe that any country should have the right to exercise sovereignty over its greenhouse gas emissions.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Secondly, we have the expectation that further, forthcoming scientific evidence will unequivocally determine the targets to be agreed upon. Finally and most importantly, we believe that our support for the Accord will ensure the flow of urgently needed adaptation funds. I regret to say that, to date, we have not been able to access any of the fast-start funds pledged. I acknowledge that many elements of any international regime on climate change will take several years to conclude, but I also believe that there is common ground on which there is no real debate. The urgent need for the flow of adaptation funds to address the more urgent adaptation needs of the most vulnerable countries is a matter over which there is general consensus.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Increasing demand for resources to undertake effective responses to climate change impacts will become a dominant feature of our development agenda. I truly hope, therefore, that I can during this session communicate the deep sense of urgency and growing sense of despair besetting our people in the face of this oncoming catastrophe. On the basis of current scientific projections, the Copenhagen Accord does not provide the means to guarantee our future survival, and therefore we did not sign it in Copenhagen. We have subsequently associated ourselves with the Accord, essentially for the following reasons. First, we are of the belief that the Accord at least represents a positive step towards 7 10-55109 an international governance system on climate change.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I have said in various forums that, for low-lying island countries like Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Maldives and the Marshall Islands, among other similarly vulnerable countries, climate change is a matter of survival and of increasing urgency. Already we are witnessing major damage to infrastructure and property as a consequence of higher- than-normal tides and storm surges. Coastal erosion in heavily populated areas is occurring at a rate that exceeds the Governments’ capacity to respond. Lack of resources is exacerbating the situation. Coastlines continue to be eroded and homes and properties continue to be damaged. Long before our islands are inundated by the rising seas, they will become uninhabitable as freshwater aquifers are contaminated by saltwater intrusion from rising tides.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I believe that climate change remains the greatest moral challenge of our time. While it affects all nations of this planet, the irony is that it is the poorest and smallest countries, which have made the least contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, that are paying the ultimate price in order that the lifestyles and development agenda of some countries may be maintained. Where is the justice in that? The Copenhagen Conference failed to meet the expectations of many, but especially of those countries on the front line for which the threat of climate change is no longer a matter of speculation but one of survival, and therefore of great urgency. There is a tendency in much of the world to view climate change as a distant and gradual process whose harmful effects are remote possible and not worthy of much attention.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Every year, we gather in this General Assembly Hall to take stock of our achievements in the pursuit of a more peaceful, more secure and a better world for all citizens of the global community. As it emerged from the ashes of devastating world wars, the United Nations heralded a new era and a new world order of international cooperation in the pursuit of international peace and security. It is premised on the principles of sovereign equality and peaceful coexistence. Taking stock of what we have achieved since then, we can say today that we have been successful in preventing many of the scourges that have challenged humanity, including world wars and widespread disease. But as we rid our global society of those injustices, new and emerging forms of injustices now threaten our global security.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The United Nations will and must continue to play a significant role in the new world order, particularly in mobilizing the political will and the necessary action and resources required to implement it. Copenhagen will be the test of the political will and commitment that we have declared over the past few days as leaders. It will determine the fate of the most vulnerable and eventually the whole of humanity.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Given the impact of climate change and the demands of aviation safety and security on its development and the well-being of its people, we now appeal for the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the work and activities of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In concluding, in the face of the common challenges facing the global community, it is encouraging to hear leaders call for a new global order in which our interests as fellow citizens of the planet override our national interests, particularly where global human security and lives are under serious threat. This goal reaffirms the principle of collective responsibility for the common challenges that we face.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We believe that the United Nations should be an inclusive Organization, particularly for States such as Taiwan that make a contribution to world harmony and have demonstrated time and again their willingness and ability to contribute positively to international cooperative efforts. Taiwan has demonstrated its commitment to international peace and security through its contributions to national, regional and international development programmes. It is only fair and fitting, therefore, that Taiwan should be allowed to 09-52463 28 participate meaningfully in meetings and activities of the United Nations organs.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Assistance provided to the least developed countries helps us at this point in time in our efforts to address challenges we face as a nation. To lose that assistance would be detrimental to our efforts and to the livelihood of our people. We reiterate our call to the United Nations to reconsider the listing for the graduation of Kiribati and other countries in the Pacific. On the issue of global governance, the United Nations is undergoing change to adapt to the realities of our time. It must maintain its relevance if it is to address the security challenges that the world continues to face.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“At the Pacific Islands Forum in Australia last month, the leaders of the Pacific adopted the Pacific Oceanscape initiative, aimed at promoting collaboration and exchanges between marine protected areas in the region and with other partners. We call for support for this initiative from the international community. The impacts of the climate crisis, the international financial crisis and the food and energy crisis have ended our efforts to achieve sustainable development and our way forward towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The particular economic and environment vulnerability of Kiribati as a small island developing State should be taken into account when considering us for graduation from least developed country status.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is our contribution to international efforts to significantly reduce biodiversity loss by the year 2010. Even now as we confront the possibility that our islands will become uninhabitable within this century due to rising sea levels, we recognize the value of protecting something that we firmly believe to be the common heritage of all mankind. We are indeed encouraged to see the emergence of ocean conservation and management initiatives in the Pacific. Such initiatives include the Micronesia Challenge, the Coral Triangle Initiative and the Nauru Agreement. Kiribati and the Pacific are committed to the sustainable conservation and management of its oceans.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It has been called many things — a new world order, the grand bargain, a new green deal — but Copenhagen gives us the opportunity to enter into a global compact for action on climate change between developed and developing countries, North and South, East and West. This might be our last chance. If we do not act now, who the hell is going to do it? We have declared the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), the largest marine protected area in the world, covering more than 400,000 square kilometres of ocean area. It constitutes something like 11 per cent of our exclusive economic zone. PIPA is a collective partnership between my Government, Conservation International and New England Aquarium. The preservation of the Phoenix Islands and the surrounding ocean is our gift, our statement to humanity, in the face of climate change.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“That Summit provided us with the opportunity as leaders to talk face to face and to agree on a way forward for the climate change negotiations. I also thank my fellow leaders for their understanding, compassion and political will collectively to address this crisis and its impacts. It is now absolutely necessary that we capitalize on this collective political will. We must direct our negotiators to act accordingly to ensure that our common resolve as leaders is in fact given effect. I know that we will not be able to agree on all issues, but at the same time I am sure there are some fundamental issues that we cannot afford not to agree on. Let us not waste any more time on diplomatic talk, language, drafting of amendments, posturing and empty platitudes. We know what needs to be done.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Over the past few days, I have been deeply heartened to see leaders’ strong commitment to tackling this common challenge together, to hear leaders resolve to look beyond national interests and focus on the global interest, and by their understanding of the predicament of those on the front line of climate change. To be able to see leaders’ strong determination to seal the deal in Copenhagen — a deal that, among other things, will address the plight of the most vulnerable — has given me hope and restored my faith in humanity and in the relevance of our global community and our global leadership. I take this opportunity to strongly commend the Secretary- General for his initiative in organizing the high-level Summit on Climate Change.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Resolution 63/281 on climate change and its possible security implications is a landmark decision of the General Assembly that acknowledges the link between climate change and security. I commend our Pacific ambassadors in New York for initiating and driving that resolution, and I thank the sponsors for their support. I appreciate that reaching consensus in Copenhagen will not be an easy task, but I do believe that it is possible and that it is imperative that we do so. If we can mobilize trillions of dollars to address the challenges of the global economic crisis, then we must be equally capable of taking the action necessary to 27 09-52463 deal with the challenges of the global environment.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“On previous occasions, I have referred to existing initiatives with our regional development partners, and I wish to say again that I am grateful to the Governments of New Zealand and Australia for their support through the Pacific Access Category scheme, the Kiribati Australia Nursing Initiative and the Australia-Pacific Technical College programme. These are models that we believe can be implemented more broadly as a win-win option for all concerned. Pacific leaders have agreed to work together to address climate change through the 2008 Niue Declaration on Climate Change. Internationally, the declaration adopted by Alliance of Small Island States leaders a few days ago outlines the issues of importance to small island developing States and calls for action on climate change, particularly leading up to Copenhagen.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“However, with the inevitable decline in the ability of our islands to support life — let alone increasing populations — due to rising sea levels, we must also provide opportunities for those of our people who wish to migrate to be able to do so on merit and with dignity. Our approaches will be time-relevant, responding to the different levels of threat and impacts of climate change on our islands and our people as time goes by. We expect greenhouse gas emitters to take appropriate action to mitigate these negative effects. We ask for assistance with our adaptation efforts and we ask those who might need our labour to be able to open their doors. It is important to stress that these options are not mutually exclusive. The President returned to the Chair. Our relocation strategy requires the support of the international community.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We gather as leaders to find solutions to these challenges that will ensure the survival of humanity not just today but tomorrow and beyond. Climate change is indeed the greatest moral challenge to humanity in our time, and I fear that our children and grandchildren will look back and ask us the question: “How is it that they knew what they knew yet they did so little?” We simply cannot afford the consequences of inaction. The people of my country are already feeling the impacts of climate change, which will only worsen over time. We, together with those of other low-lying States, will become victims of climate change. I have been advocating a combination of pragmatic adaptation strategies for my people. It is our overwhelming desire to maintain our homeland and our sovereignty.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I am indeed honoured to address this body on behalf of the people of Kiribati, but let me start by congratulating Mr. Ali Treki on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at this session. The tasks ahead of him and indeed ahead of us all are challenging. I am confident, however, that with cooperative efforts and commitment from all of us and with the President’s able leadership of this session, we should be able to rise to the challenge before us. I also take the opportunity to thank the President’s predecessor, Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann, for his commendable leadership during the previous session. Every year, we gather in this Hall to deliberate on the daunting challenges that continue to confront us as citizens of the international community.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We call upon the United Nations to take the lead in addressing those challenges, especially in funding, supporting and facilitating the implementation of practical solutions to the security challenges that threaten the very existence of peoples and nations, which in turn poses a threat to international peace and security.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“While we commend the United Nations for the many initiatives put forward in addressing the needs of its Members, it is regrettable that it has continued to deny the 23 million people of Taiwan equal rights as international citizens to participate fully in world affairs. We believe that Taiwan has made an active contribution that has enriched the lives of many in their collaborative efforts in building and securing international peace and security. We believe that the people of Taiwan should be accorded the same fundamental right to participate as fellow citizens of the international community and to be allowed to contribute meaningfully in various sectors of the Organization’s activities. The challenges that we face are global in nature, and therefore require global solutions.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The report outlines weaknesses and strengths in the overall development efforts and in meeting the MDGs. We believe that we are on track with our progress on most of the Goals, but we also admit that we are behind on some of them. The main reason for that is the lack of data to measure our progress so far and our limited resources to implement strategies aimed at achieving the Goals. We will continue to exert efforts in meeting the targeted Goals by 2015. At this time, I wish to express our deep appreciation to our development partners, who have accompanied us on this journey and have contributed meaningfully to the realization of our development aspirations.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In that connection, I wish to commend my Pacific colleagues who have advocated the need to reform the application of the rule of graduation. We reiterate that call and urge the United Nations to reconsider the graduation rule in the light of the special economic 08-51845 22 situation and the vulnerability of those island nations to climate change and external shocks. On the Millennium Development Goals, many of my fellow members will be familiar with, and share, the genuine desire to promote the development aspirations of our peoples, which is our priority. Even with our limited capacity, we are committed to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. In that regard, I am pleased to report that Kiribati has launched its first report on the Millennium Development Goals.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)