YouSaid · the spoken record

Choummaly Sayasone

lines on the record

30

first

2010-09-24

most recent

2015-09-24

sittings or episodes

2

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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

1. “I believe that it will mark an important milestone in realizing the aspiration of humankind to live in peace, security, prosperity and social justice, while protecting the environment and promoting the sustainable development towards a brighter future for current and future generations. To that end, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will contribute actively to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets that world leaders adopted a few days ago.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

2. “We hope that such valuable support and cooperation will continue in the coming years. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic attaches great importance to promoting and protecting human rights and has become State party to seven of the main international human rights instruments. In its desire to contribute to the work of the Human Rights Council, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has presented its candidature for membership to the Human Rights Council for the period 2016-2018. We look forward to receiving the support of Members States and the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Human Rights Council. 14/33 15-29568 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.20 This year is of great historical significance to the international community, especially because of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1).”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

3. “The Lao People’s Democratic Republic takes this opportunity to call upon those countries that are not yet party to the CCM to accede to that universal Convention. At the same time, we encourage friendly countries and international organizations to continue to provide funding and technical support in that endeavour. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of Laos as a State Member of the United Nations. Throughout the years, we have actively participated in the work of the United Nations in various areas. Moreover, cooperation between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the United Nations has steadily grown. The financial and technical support that have been provided by United Nations agencies, funds and programmes have all contributed significantly to the socioeconomic development of our country.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

4. “Although the Indochina War ended four decades ago, the legacy of that war continues to pose serious obstacles to our national development, especially to agriculture, employment, infrastructure development and investment programmes in areas that remain contaminated by unexploded ordinance. Removing those remnants of war will take a long time and require considerable resources. Aware of that serious impact, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has actively promoted the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which can prevent the further victimization of humankind. Earlier this month, the First Review Conference to the Convention on Cluster Munitions was held in Croatia to take stock of the progress and shortcomings in the implementation of that important Convention.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

5. “Indeed, we are moving in the right direction in our national development. In addition, in the coming months, coinciding with the eighth five-year national socioeconomic development plan for 2016-2020, the Lao Government will adopt a 10-year socioeconomic development strategy for 2016-2025 and the Vision 2030 programme. Nevertheless, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will undoubtedly continue to face numerous challenges in undergoing socioeconomic development. Those include, among others, the impact of the regional and global economic and financial crises and natural disasters. I therefore call on our development partners and the international community to maintain their support for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic so that we can achieve our sustainable development foals in the coming years.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

6. “The achievements of the past 40 years can be attributed to many factors, but the most crucial have been political stability and social order, which have provided a conducive environment for economic growth and steadily improved the livelihood of the people. The Lao Government has maintained its tireless political will to fight poverty, create benchmarks for raising the country’s status from that of least developed country, and pursue the path of sustainable development through a three-level development programme known as sam sang, which identifies provinces as strategic entities, districts as comprehensively strengthened entities and villages as development entities. The programme will strengthen my country’s cooperation with development partners and pave the way for the industrialization and modernization of the country.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

7. “I hope that the international community, especially the ASEAN dialogue partners, will continue to support ASEAN- led mechanisms, in which ASEAN plays a central role, so that it can become a community based on the ASEAN way and continue to be a regional grouping that contributes to the maintenance of peace and enhancement of cooperation with other regions and the world at large. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Over the past four decades, we have gone through a period of healing the wounds of war and advancing our national development through the implementation of five-year national socioeconomic development plans, especially the seventh five-year plan for 2011-2015, which will be completed by the end of this year.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

8. “The South-East Asian region, which is now in the process of economic integration through the various cooperation frameworks of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a view to building an ASEAN community by the end of this year, has continued to enjoy peace, stability and constant economic growth. ASEAN has broadened its external relations with different countries and regional groups at various levels, as well as with the United Nations. 15-29568 13/33 A/70/PV.20 30/09/2015 In 2016, the first year of the ASEAN community, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will have the honour to chair ASEAN for the second time.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

9. “Climate change and severe natural disasters, which are occurring more frequently, have had a huge impact on the development of countries, especially the developing and least developed countries, which are most vulnerable due to their limited infrastructure and insufficient technological, financial and human resources to respond to and address those phenomena. It is therefore incumbent upon the international community to help such vulnerable countries through, among other things, long-term capacity-building to tackle such challenges. We hope that the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Paris later this year, will be able to adopt various measures to address climate change in the coming years.”

   2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

10. “The Lao People’s Democratic Republic welcomes the recent re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba, which has opened a new chapter in the history of relations between the two countries, which had been at a standstill for many years. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic hopes that the re-established relations will be further enhanced, leading to an end of the embargo and thereby bringing genuine benefits to the people of the two nations, the region and the world as a whole.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

11. “In addition, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has always hoped that the issue of Palestine, which has been stalled for many decades, will be resolved through peaceful means by the parties concerned with a view to creating two independent States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace, based on the Arab Peace Initiative, and within recognized borders, as stipulated in the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic therefore urges the international community to redouble its efforts to help restore Palestine to normalcy as soon as possible. In the era of interdependence, cooperation and engagement are key factors for peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

12. “It is therefore important to find solutions and to restore peace and development to those regions. In that context, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has consistently supported the peaceful settlement of conflicts. I therefore praise all parties concerned for reaching an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, which is of historic significance. It is testimony to the value of dialogue as the best way to address a conflict, which should be taken as a model for resolving hot issues globally.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

13. “I take this opportunity to welcome the successful conclusion a few days ago of the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, at which the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) was adopted with a view to further addressing the major challenges the world faces today, including any Millennium Development Goals that have yet to be met. Indeed, the new development Agenda is the outcome of open and inclusive intergovernmental negotiations. If we are to achieve the set Goals and targets within the next 15 years, we need to honour our political commitment to strengthening global partnership and cooperation at all possible levels. Conflicts are being waged today in many regions of the world, which have caused major concern for the international community.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

14. “I am therefore of the view that we must enhance our political will, mutual assistance and cooperation under the banner of the United Nations in order to collectively address the challenges facing us. To that end, the United Nations must improve its working methods. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic hopes that, on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations this year, the international community will collectively make serious efforts to conduct a comprehensive reform of the Organization so that it can respond to emerging challenges in a more effective manner.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

15. “Its main objectives are to promote international peace and security and development cooperation, aimed at ensuring that all humankind lives in peace and in an environment conducive to 12/33 15-29568 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.20 development. Despite the conflicts and challenges that have occurred in different parts of the world, in general peace, security and development cooperation among all nations remain the prevailing trends of this era. That has been an important achievement of the United Nations in fulfilling its mandate enshrined in its Charter. Nevertheless, the international environment continues to face numerous challenges, such as armed conflicts, terrorism, poverty and hunger, infectious diseases, climate change and natural disasters, which have in turn posed major threats to peace and development.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

16. “At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft on his election as President of the seventieth session of the General Assembly. I am confident that, with his extensive diplomatic experience, he will guide this session with great success. I would like to assure him of our full support and cooperation in the discharge of his noble duties. I would also like to sincerely commend His Excellency Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa for his successful completion of his tenure as the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations since its establishment following the Second World War.”

    2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)

17. “I am convinced that only through genuine partnership will we be able to ensure that the world is secure, peaceful and prosperous.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

18. “However, due to the uncertainty of the state of today’s global economy, like other developing countries, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is still vulnerable, and thus requires the assistance and support of the international community in addressing the impact of the crisis over the long term. Such assistance will help the country overcome any future problem resulting from the current crisis, enable us to 33 10-54965 achieve the MDGs and, ultimately, leave the status of least developed country by 2020. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic reiterates once again its firm commitment and willingness to work closely with the international community to build a peaceful world under a just and more democratic new order, based on cooperation with all countries, in tackling the various global challenges facing us.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

19. “The economy has grown at an average rate of seven per cent annually, poverty has continuously declined, and the living standard of the multi-ethnic Lao people has gradually improved. All that success has been due to the right policy and the timely measures undertaken by the Government. The decisive factor in creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is political stability and social order that our nation has enjoyed over the past three decades. Nevertheless, to a certain extent, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic remains challenged by the global financial and economic crisis, and that is contributing to the decline of our economic growth. Against that backdrop, the Government has adopted immediate measures that have helped to alleviate the impact of the crisis.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

20. “In that context, the ten-year review of the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs, to be held in 2011, is crucial. We will assess whether the seven commitments that we endorsed together in 2001 have been fulfilled. In that connection, I commend the Secretary-General for setting up a group of eminent persons on least developed countries to advise on support for LDCs. The year 2010 is of great significance for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Our country has completed the implementation of the Sixth Five Year Socio-Economic Development Plan and has already started the preparation for the Seventh Plan, for 2011- 2015. Over the past years, our socio-economic development has been steadily progressing.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

21. “Furthermore, the ASEAN Master Plan on connectivity will be adopted at the Seventeenth ASEAN Summit, to be held in Hanoi in October 2010 to support the ASEAN Free Trade Area. The successful cooperation within ASEAN has contributed to the effort to narrow the development gap within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and other countries. It also helps the ASEAN countries attain the MDGs. While the world is facing a financial and economic crisis, coupled with various natural calamities, the most impacted are the least developed countries (LDCs), the poor and the vulnerable in the society. The international community’s main objective in attaining the MDGs is to ensure that the lives of the poor and disadvantaged are improved and that the number of LDCs is reduced. That would demonstrate that we can achieve the MDGs.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

22. “Therefore, in order to respond to the legitimate interests of the two countries and peoples — Cuba and the United States — the embargo should now be lifted. The cooperation among South-East Asian countries has been steadily expanding. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has set the objective for 2015 of building our community with three pillars, namely, the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. To attain that objective, ASEAN has laid an important socio- economic foundation, including the Free Trade Area among ASEAN countries as well as Free Trade Areas between ASEAN and China, ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, ASEAN and Japan, and ASEAN and Australia-New Zealand.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

23. “It is my fervent hope that the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Palestine, with the participation of the United States, will lead to a solution and the realization of the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and within internationally recognized borders, as stipulated in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The Republic of Cuba is a sovereign and politically stable State that has enjoyed peace and security for several decades. Nevertheless, for over half of a century, the people of Cuba have been affected by the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed on them by the United States. Indeed, such an embargo constitutes a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

24. “The First Meeting of States Parties will offer us an excellent occasion to chart a clear vision and adopt appropriate mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention. On that note, once again I would like to extend my Government’s cordial invitation to all United Nations Member States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to participate and play 10-54965 32 an active part in the discussions and ensure the successful outcome of the Meeting. Regional peace and security remain critical for ensuring global peace. We share a common concern over the situation in the Middle East, which has caused great suffering and immense loss of lives and property in the region, especially for the Palestinian people.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

25. “As the country most affected by unexploded ordnance, especially cluster munitions, it is a great source of pride for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to have played an active part in the Oslo process, which led to the adoption of this Convention. We will continue to cooperate closely with the international community to ensure that it is fully implemented. In that context, it is a great honour for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to host the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane from 8 to 12 November 2010. That event that will be an important milestone for the Oslo process and provide an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its strong determination to address the challenges caused by cluster munitions.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

26. “The legacies of the Indochina war include a huge amount of remnants and unexploded ordnance, which have continued to kill and injure innocent people. That is a major obstacle to the possibility of an ordinary daily life for the Lao people. Over 30 per cent of Lao soil is heavily contaminated by unexploded ordnance, and that is a major constraint and challenge in the country’s efforts to achieve its national socio-economic objectives and to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on 1 August 2010, is a result of the close cooperation and shared commitment of the international community to put an end to the serious impact of cluster bombs and to thus free people from that danger.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

27. “The results of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons held in May this year did not by any means meet our expectations in addressing the non- proliferation of nuclear weapons and making our world free of nuclear weapons. Consensus is far from being reached due to manifest suspicion and distrust. Therefore it is time to build trust and confidence in order to create an enabling international environment for a nuclear-free world. The use and proliferation of weapons of all forms undoubtedly have a long-term impact on the lives of people and impede national socio-economic development efforts. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is still badly suffering the consequences of wars that ended several decades ago.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

28. “Against that backdrop, it is time for us to fully realize all the promises and commitments that we have made. The United Nations reform process, which has been pending through past decades, should continue in a more concrete manner with a view to ensuring mutual benefits for all Member States. The reform should also seek to ensure a relevant and effective role for the United Nations as the only universal body addressing global challenges. To achieve those objectives, it is critical that all Member States enhance cooperation in a sincere and trustworthy manner and avoid taking advantage of one another. Peace and stability are still threatened by weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

29. “Global and regional peace and security are threatened by conflicts and armed confrontation. Severe and unprecedented natural disasters have become a regular phenomenon that we have to live with. The tragedies caused by natural catastrophes, such as in Haiti, China, Pakistan and elsewhere, have intensified and are coupled with the economic crisis that we are already facing. No one can deny that those calamities and challenges are mostly the result of our own human action. National challenges have gone beyond national boundaries and become matters of international concern, matters that a single country or even a group of countries cannot overcome alone. Therefore it is the full responsibility of the international community as a whole to tackle them.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)

30. “At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Joseph Deiss on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. I am fully confident that with his vast experience he will be able 31 10-54965 to lead this session to great success. May I also commend His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdulssalam Treki, President of the Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, for his effective leadership. I would also like to applaud Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership in fulfilling effectively the various duties and tasks mandated to address the current emerging challenges and constraints. The global state of affairs today has undergone rapid change and become more complex, offering both opportunities and challenges.”

    2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)