YouSaid · the spoken record

Somsavat LENGSAVAD

lines on the record: 142
first: 1996-09-24
most recent: 2005-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“On behalf of the delegation of Laos, I would like, Sir, to convey to you my congratulations on your election to the presidency of this fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. The current session is taking place at a time when Member States have entered the third year of the process of implementation of the Development Goals adopted at the Millennium Summit. During the past two years, satisfactory progress has been made towards those objectives, yet much more needs to be done. It is our view that the war on poverty deserves our greatest attention, for poverty causes millions of deaths and does not allow for sustainable development. Furthermore, our planet is facing the scourge of terrorism in its various forms. Our Government will work in a spirit of solidarity with the world community in the combat against that scourge.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The first year of the twenty-first century has witnessed new challenges that pose anxiety and concern for all people worldwide. However, the twentieth century has created institutional foundations for strengthening the legal and cooperative framework, modern technology and partial reform of our Organization. In addition, dialogue and cooperation between countries in the economic, social and cultural fields and in other areas as well continue to be a general trend in the world. In this spirit, I believe that the United Nations, a unique and truly universal Organization, reaffirmed by world leaders at the Millennium Summit last year, should play a significant role in addressing these new challenges so that we can turn our world into a peaceful, happy and prosperous one.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“All this was reflected in the solemn celebration of the twenty-fifth founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the successful conclusion of the Seventh Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. These historic events have profoundly enhanced national patriotism, a sense of self-reliance, self-resilience and ownership for the Lao people. In carrying out our mandated task, we have concentrated all our efforts and untapped strength to achieve the goals of poverty reduction by halving the number of families currently living under the poverty line, stopping slash-and-burn practices, fully eradicating opium production by the year 2005, and creating an environment that will enable the country to quit once and for all the status of least developed country by the year 2020.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As a result, in the course of just three years, between 1998 and 2000, opium-cultivated areas have been reduced from 26,000 hectares in 1998 to 17,000 hectares in 2000. The aggregate opium production has also declined from 140 tons to 117 tons for the same period. Moreover, on 12 October 2001, the Lao Government launched a National Anti-Narcotic Campaign, chaired by the Prime Minister, with a view to ensuring that Laos is a drug-free country with a social order and a bright future for the next generation. In general, over the last year, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has enjoyed firm political stability and progressive development in all sectors, especially in food security.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Also, a ministerial meeting between four countries — China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand — was held in August this year with the objective of curbing drug production and trade and the importing of chemical precursors in the subregion. In an effort to achieve the goals established by the Political Declaration of the General Assembly special session held in 1998 and to fully eradicate opium production, the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has mobilized the people and, together with donors and international organizations, has taken various measures through tailoring projects involving crop substitution, preventive education, drug-addiction rehabilitation and law enforcement.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It is our hope that the international community will take necessary drastic measures, including through the provision of additional and sustained resources, to implement the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, adopted during the last special session of the General Assembly. Another issue of global concern is narcotic drugs. The production and abuse of drugs have increased and have become a cause of crime affecting many social dimensions. Realizing their own responsibilities, ASEAN Governments and China convened an international conference in October 2000 in Thailand, where a plan of action to make ASEAN a drug-free zone by 2015 was adopted.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in its capacity as Chairman of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, would like to appeal the General Assembly to endorse the recommendation made by the fifth Meeting of Governmental Experts from Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and the donor community to convene in 2003 an international ministerial meeting of landlocked and transit developing countries and the donor community on transport cooperation, with the objective of addressing the special problems and needs of the landlocked developing countries. In this connection, we wish to welcome the Government of Kazakhstan’s offer to host the meeting. By the end of 2000, there were 36.1 million people worldwide who had tested HIV-positive, of whom 90 per cent live in developing countries.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We very much hope that the international community will make joint efforts to achieve the development objectives enunciated in that plan of action. For many years now, the international community has recognized that the landlocked developing countries are one of the three vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of developing countries. Their vulnerable and disadvantaged condition is attributed to lack of access to the sea, remoteness from world 11 markets and prohibitive transport costs, averaging 14 per cent of export earnings, compared to only 8.8 per cent for other developing countries.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in China was a historic rally of unity in the fight against terrorism and in setting goals for economic recovery. The Summit of ASEAN members plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, held in Brunei early this month, stressed the need to combat terrorism in all its forms, overcome economic recession and promote development cooperation. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic notes with satisfaction that the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in May this year, adopted a more realistic plan of action to enable the least developed countries to emerge decisively from abject poverty and be integrated into the global economic system.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned about the situation prevailing in the region and hope that under the wise guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the peaceful unification of an independent Korea will be achieved so as to meet the fervent aspirations of the Korean people and to contribute to peace, stability and cooperation in East Asia and throughout the world. In South-East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, several outstanding activities to promote peace and cooperation have gained prominence in the region and throughout the world. In Hanoi, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum reaffirmed the importance of preventive diplomacy, confidence-building measures and avoiding military confrontation.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic appeals to the United States and Cuba to jointly reach a rapid solution in the interest of the peoples of the two countries, which would contribute to promoting peace and developmental cooperation in the region and the world. On the Korean peninsula, several events have marked the progress made towards the unification of Korea, such as meetings and exchanges of visits of leaders at all levels, reunions of families long kept apart and humanitarian assistance. The Lao Government has followed these developments closely and commends the positive results.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The situation in the Middle East has recently reached levels of increased violence, causing loss of life, destruction, damage to property and deep sorrow and a desire for revenge among both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic reaffirms its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State and for respect for Israel’s right to existence. That would contribute to guaranteeing long-lasting peace and security in the Middle East. Almost every year, the General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on lifting the commercial and economic embargo against the Republic of Cuba. However, those resolutions have not been effectively implemented.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“At that same Summit, we also pledged our commitment to ensuring that the United Nations adapts to new areas and strengthens its capacity to deal with the challenges of maintaining world peace and promoting the development of all countries. Several issues inherited from the last century failed to be addressed. Although the Open-ended Working Group on Security Council reform has spared no effort to fully carry out its mandate, the key issues of the reform of the Council remain unsettled. Therefore, we reaffirm our position in favour of the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council. Equally, we support the efforts to address the issue of the right of veto and to find a solution acceptable to all Member States.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic views the current situation with great concern and considers that it is high time that our Organization played a growing role, in conformity with the United Nations Charter, in the combat against terrorism and for the peace and security of the peoples of the world. Since its inception, the United Nations has made an important contribution to the maintenance of world peace and international security, as well as to cooperation and development in all areas of human endeavour. Last year, at the historic Summit, the world leaders reaffirmed the relevance and importance of our Organization in the new, globalized world.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The general debate of the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly was not able to proceed as planned, as a result of the terrorist attacks of 11 September, which caused thousands of deaths. In the wake of this tragic event, the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic condemned the terrorist acts while reaffirming its consistent policy of cooperating with the international community in the fight against terrorism in all its forms. In this respect, in late October, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic decided to become party to five international conventions on the fight against terrorism. 10 This tragedy has generated a set of ensuing events.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“On behalf of the delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, allow me to join previous speakers in congratulating you, Sir, on your well-deserved election to preside over the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly. It is a tribute to the important contributions your country, the Republic of Korea, has made throughout the past years to the work of our Organization. I should also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his outstanding and effective leadership of our Organization. The prestigious Nobel Peace Prize conferred on him is both a recognition of his personal achievements and an affirmation of the great and legitimate mission undertaken by the United Nations. We wish him well and much success in his second term as head of the United Nations during the next five years.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The international community is therefore duty-bound to increase its cooperation in all possible areas so as to ensure that the objectives of the United Nations Summit Declaration are achieved and to bring benefits to peoples throughout the world, as well as guarantees to new generations of a better life and a more prosperous future. In this spirit, I wish the present session great success.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Many are obliged to undertake painful structural reforms that are not compatible with their realities and have an undesirable negative impact that impedes their integration into the world economy. Against this backdrop, there is a need to build a favourable environment that would enable the developing countries to compete in the world trading system and to fully benefit from globalization. The United Nations has a crucial role to play in helping to make this happen. As we bid farewell to the twentieth century, humanity is still yearning for a world of peace, a world free from want and misery, a world governed by international relations based on respect for the national sovereignty of States, cooperation for development and peaceful coexistence between peoples.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Thanks to the policy of renewal consistent with the mechanisms of the market economy, the development of the people's right to self-determination and an open- door policy in our international relations, we are 7 convinced that the Lao People's Democratic Republic will be able to emerge from underdevelopment in the near future. Globalization has had an uneven impact on the development of every country, because each nation is at a different stage in the development process. While some developing economies are making use of the increasing economic opportunities, a large number of developing countries continue to be marginalized and are therefore not in a position to benefit from this process. Most countries in the developing world continue to face problems of access to markets, capital and technology.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Over this period, the Lao people have upheld the spirit of patriotism, self-sufficiency, and strength and have attracted assistance and cooperation from the international community. They have made tremendous accomplishments in national construction. As a result, their living standard has gradually improved. The most outstanding achievement, attained for the first time in the country's history, is that we have reached self-sufficiency in rice production and even have a surplus for export. The socio-economic infrastructure has been continuously expanded, the State is governed by the rule of law and freedom and democracy are respected and constantly promoted. The solidarity of the Lao people of all ethnic groups has been further strengthened. These are all fundamental factors in ensuring political stability and social order.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The Lao People's Democratic Republic is following closely the situation in the Korean peninsula. We welcome the outcome of the Korean Summit between Chairman Kim Jong 11 of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea, who met in Pyongyang last June and laid down an important foundation in response to the aspirations of the Korean people for the peaceful reunification of Korea and the settlement of the problems in the Korean peninsula through peaceful negotiations, which contributed thereby to the promotion of peace, stability and cooperation in the region. On 2 December 2000, the Lao People's Democratic Republic will commemorate its twenty- fifth anniversary.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The two parties should seize this opportunity to write a new page of history based on peaceful coexistence and economic cooperation among the peoples in the region. In this perspective, we look forward to seeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian State and of respect for an existence of all States in the region, thus ensuring durable peace and cooperation between the nations, in particular between the Arab States and Israel. The economic, commercial and financial embargo applied against the Republic of Cuba continues to cause enormous difficulties and damage to the Cuban people. In compliance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, we urge that an end be put to this restrictive commercial practice, which runs counter to the principles of the Charter, international law and the present world trend.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“It is our hope that the international community will lend a strong helping hand in order to help us to overcome our difficulties as soon as possible for the bright future of our children. While the world is entering the new millennium, a number of regional conflicts have been satisfactorily settled, thus responding to the aspirations of the affected nations. However, at the same time, many other regional conflicts remain unsolved and continue to cause pain and suffering to the people directly involved. In the Middle East, durable peace has not been ensured: the inalienable national and fundamental rights of the Palestinian people have not yet been exercised. We welcome the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Lao Government has implemented, with the cooperation and assistance of friendly countries and international organizations in particular the United Nations International Drug Control Programme a number of projects with a view to remedying the effects of drug abuse. Experience has shown that people involved in poppy cultivation continue to remain poor. Therefore, in order to definitely solve this problem, it is imperative to carry out alternative development projects, ensure food security, enable people to earn more by cultivating crops other than poppies, as well as traditional cultivation. The Lao Government is determined to continue its efforts in drug control and supervision.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Moreover, they are subject to exploitation 6 for the purpose of pornography, prostitution and drug addiction, that destroy their own future, their families, the society and, subsequently, becomes the source of international terrorism. Similarly, the gender issue is also of great importance. Although equality between women and men is respected and women's participation in social life has increased, poverty and violence continue to be the major obstacles that affect women's life. To successfully tackle this problem, countries around the world should help each other and devote the necessary resources to this domain. Drug abuse continues to be a subject of major concern for the international community.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Overall, all these issues need to be seriously dealt with together between the North and the South, so as to meet the challenges and make use of favourable opportunities that will lead to a North-South cooperation based on equality and mutual interest, as explicitly expressed in the Havana Declaration. The achievements of humankind in the past century are of immense value. We believe that, if these achievements are correctly used, happiness and prosperity will be brought to the new generation of the next century. Nonetheless, we are still yet concerned over the challenges that the new generation has to face. Today many young girls and boys worldwide have not enjoyed happy lives and lacked opportunity for education.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The South Summit of the Group of 77 and China, which was held in Havana in April this year, rightly identified the positive and negative sides of globalization and put forward a collective guideline for future action. The conference was of the view that the unsolved problems are the well-known issues of the growing debt, the unfavourable world trade measures imposed on goods from the developing countries in particular, the least developed ones as well as human resources that have not yet been developed to cope with new technologies and others.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The main objectives of those assemblies were to solve the multifaceted problems that have occurred in the world, with the hope that the new millennium will face minimal risk in every area and that humankind will concentrate its intelligence and resources on developing the economy, civilized culture and prosperity in equality, in a just and peaceful environment free from violent confrontation, with concern for poverty, disease and others. However, the objectives set forth by these conferences have not lived up to our expectations. In addition, new challenges that are far more complex have erupted in the light of globalization.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“However, this same past century has brought enormous calamities and left manifold complex problems as we enter the twenty-first century. Certainly, we have to accept the responsibility for resolving them and in order to succeed in addressing this daunting task, we must lay down sound basic foundations aimed at encouraging and building peace and international cooperation for development. This is the lofty goal of our new age that we should all strive to achieve. In preparation for the new millennium, a number of international conferences were held on different issues under the auspices of the United Nations, such as the World Summit for Children in New York, the Earth Summit in Rio, the World Social Summit in Copenhagen, the World Conference on Women in Beijing, UNCTAD X in Bangkok and other international conferences of equal importance.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“At the outset, I would like, on behalf of the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, to congratulate you, Sir, on your well- deserved election to the presidency of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly. We are confident that our Assembly stands to gain a great deal from your able leadership and from your wide knowledge of international affairs. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the outgoing President, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Namibia, for the guidance he provided to the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly. The twentieth century has been an epoch of great technological and scientific discoveries and achievements. This is indeed one of the positive things about the past century that we all can be proud of.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In this respect, my Government has made great efforts to reduce the annual production of opium and is carrying out a vigorous battle against drugs, the results of which have been greatly appreciated by the international community. At this time, in cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), we are working out a strategy for a substantial eradication of opium production over the next six years. In this connection, I appeal to the international community to contribute to the Fund UNDCP in order to achieve those objectives. Saving future generations from the scourges of war, poverty, hunger and sickness remains an essential objective enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Aware of this highest goal, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will spare no effort to make its modest yet positive contribution.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This achievement has helped soften the effects of the economic and financial crisis in 4 the region. Throughout the country, political stability and social harmony, important conditions allowing us to promote sustained national socio-economic development in keeping with the policy of renewal, continue to be ensured. At the international level, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is continuing its efforts to strengthen and extend its external relations and cooperation, particularly with neighbouring countries, and it is cooperating with other members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action and of the Vision 2020 for the progress and the prosperity of the region. The question of drugs continues to be a major concern in the daily life of South-East Asia.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“This huge task requires support and assistance from the entire international community in order for our countries to meet our particular needs. It is more than urgent that the recommendations adopted last August in New York at the fourth meeting of governmental experts from landlocked and transit developing countries and representatives of donor countries, and financial and development institutions, be wholly translated into reality as soon as possible. In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic over the past year, the multi-ethnic Lao people has strongly unified itself and is actively working for national development, particularly in the area of agricultural production. This has made it possible for us not only to achieve self- sufficiency in rice production, but also to have something of a surplus in reserve.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In that context, we consider that the special follow-up meeting that will take place in 2000 will give the international community an opportunity to review the situation and to take the measures necessary to attain the noble goals set at the Summit. For years, the special problems of landlocked developing countries have been discussed at various international conferences and meetings. Although many measures have been taken both at the national and at the international levels, those problems are still far from being resolved. The President took the Chair. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which has the honour of chairing the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, is cooperating actively with the other member countries to establish and maintain an effective and self-sustaining system of transport and transit.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the light of that crisis and of the fact that countries large and small, industrialized and developing, are becoming increasingly interdependent, the international community must work together to find an effective solution to the crisis, to promote worldwide growth, and to bring about sustained social and economic development. Since the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, the struggle against impoverishment has been bolstered. But it is clear that developing countries, especially the least developed among them, cannot accomplish this huge task on their own and without the necessary support and assistance of the international community.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The Lao People’s Democratic Republic reaffirms its consistent position that Taiwan is an integral and inalienable part of China, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal and legitimate representative of the entire Chinese people. Over the past two years, the financial crisis affecting the whole of South-East Asia has quickly made itself felt, to varying degrees, in other regions — indeed, throughout the world. In some countries there are today signs of an economic upturn, but nothing indicates that the world economy is yet on the road to solid recovery.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“We consider that the United States ought to put an end to that operation, which runs counter to the present world trend towards international economic cooperation for development. Peace on the Korean peninsula remains fragile. We appeal to all the countries concerned to show maximal restraint and to continue their dialogue with a view to restoring mutual understanding, and together to seek solutions that would meet the aspirations of the Korean people for the peaceful reunification of the two parts of Korea, and that would contribute to the consolidation of peace, stability and cooperation in the region. Since 9 July 1999 we have seen renewed tension in the Taiwan Strait.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Convinced of the importance of peace in the Middle East, my country is pleased that Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have resumed serious negotiations, which led to the signing of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum on 4 September 1999. It is essential for the parties directly concerned to continue those negotiations in order to settle their problems on the basis of existing resolutions and agreements. This would open the path to peace, cooperation and peaceful coexistence among the peoples of the region. Among the glaring injustices in the world, we cannot forget the economic, trade and financial blockade that has been waged for more than 40 years against the Republic of Cuba.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“As we all know, the question of Council reform is not a simple one. We need to be patient, to continue the debate and to take advantage of the momentum we have created, so as to attain the 3 goal of giving that organ greater transparency, legitimacy and, above all, credibility. True to its consistent policy of peace, friendship and cooperation, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic considers that the use of force against a sovereign independent State without Security Council authorization, no matter what the pretext, runs counter to international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that all conflicts, no matter how complex, should be resolved only through negotiations.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In speaking of United Nations reform we cannot pass in silence by the delicate work under way in the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council, where a number of interesting initiatives have been put forward. Our position on this matter is well known, and was set out at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly: we favour an increase in both the permanent and the non-permanent membership, in line with the principle of equitable geographical distribution and taking into account the prominence of the country in question. As part of the effort to attain that goal, some countries — such as, in particular, Japan, Germany and India — could become permanent members of a restructured Security Council.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“To guarantee peace, to promote the development of all countries, and to adapt to a new world situation, the Organization must be reformed so that it can fulfil its mandate and achieve its purposes. Here in the United Nations, all countries have equal standing, in conformity with the principle of the sovereign equality of States. And here in the United Nations, we extol the principles of the non-use or threat of use of force against the independence or sovereignty of States, of the peaceful settlement of disputes, and of non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Here, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, along with the other countries members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), signed the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, which entered into force in 1997. It also endorsed the joint declaration of 9 June 1998, subscribed to by the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia, South Africa and Sweden, the objective of which was to revitalize nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. Such positive steps will help us together gradually to build a world free of nuclear weapons, thus creating meaningful guarantees for the survival of mankind.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the face of this situation it is more urgent than ever for the international community to adopt concrete collective measures to enable the United Nations to devote more of its resources to social and economic development in order to build a better life for all the world’s peoples, in particular for the poorest among them. If it is to take up these challenges, the United Nations, as the only universal international organization, needs the capacity to act and to adapt to a new and changing world situation. With the end of the bipolar world, many countries, especially developing countries, had hoped that the nuclear era would end as well.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“As this century of rapid change fades away, we are confronted with challenges, but also presented with many opportunities. Globalization has become a problem throughout the world. While technological progress and the globalization of production and finance have brought prosperity and modernity to many countries, particularly in the developed world, the great majority of people are still living in conditions of persistent poverty. The protection of the environment, the eradication of poverty and the struggle against drugs and all forms of terrorism have also become urgent problems requiring concerted action at global level.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The unanimous election of Mr. Gurirab to the presidency of the General Assembly at this fifty-fourth session is a warm tribute to Namibia and its heroic people, who are well- known for their victorious struggle against foreign domination and for their tireless defence of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. As I am familiar with his skill and broad experience of international relations, I believe that under his wise leadership the work of the General Assembly at this session will be crowned with success. I should also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere congratulations to Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of our Organization, for his work to reform and revitalize the United Nations, as well as for his steadfast commitment in the service of peace and development throughout the world.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In so doing, we are giving the incipient reforms a chance, and in the final analysis we would be infusing energy into our Organization so that it could discharge its lofty mission as it confronts the challenges of our times.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“To be able to fulfil its mission in this new era, our Organization needs to restructure itself or to reorganize itself to be more effective. In this connection, we would like to express our great appreciation to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the reform initiatives he presented last year. Of course, these reforms which must, inter alia, stress the strengthening the role of the Organization and the promotion of development, represent an ongoing and difficult process. But in order for them to succeed, a solid financial basis must be assured. In that vein, it is high time that, in conformity with the United Nations Charter, all the Member States, particularly the main contributors, fulfil their financial commitments in full and on time.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Thus, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, my Government has officially announced the establishment of a national committee to commemorate this day solemnly on a wide scale with the sole purpose of publicizing the contents of the Declaration among the 14 multi-ethnic Lao people and to promote harmony and mutual respect in our society. The world today is confronted with numerous challenges. World peace remains fragile. Under- development, poverty, hunger and disease are among the priority problems that must be resolved. With the purpose of consolidating peace and achieving development throughout the world, the United Nations, our only universal multilateral forum, must make an important contribution.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In this connection, the Government of the Lao Peopleâs Democratic Republic has taken the necessary measures with a view to reducing production and banning the illicit trafficking in drugs, opium in particular. The results of these measures are satisfactory. However, the illegal introduction of synthetic drugs from abroad is still our main concern. In this connection, we welcome the unanimous adoption by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session of the Political Declaration and a programme of action, and we express the hope that the international community as a whole will mobilize itself and marshall the necessary financial resources to implement this ambitious programme. The question of human rights is no less important in my country.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“But, resolutely basing policies on the principle of self-reliance and enjoying external cooperation, the Lao Government has mobilized all of its capacity in human, intellectual, natural and material resources to reduce to the minimum the adverse effects of this crisis on our society and to achieve normalization. While some can gain in this era of globalization and economic liberalization, the fact is that most developing countries, particularly the least developed, have been largely marginalized and exposed to enormous difficulties and risks. In this context, the developed countries must do everything possible to render the necessary assistance to these countries so that they might catch up in their lagging development and have a share in the progress of the times. Drug abuse continues to figure prominently on the international agenda.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)