YouSaid · the spoken record

Pakalitha Bethuel MOSISILI

lines on the record: 180
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
sittings or episodes: 11
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 will ultimately embrace the need to allow reason to prevail over might. That is the future of our dreams — the future that we owe to posterity.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Let us work together to create a world where the foundations of world peace and security will continue to rest, not on the absence of war but on the international principles of non-aggression, the non-use of force in inter-State relations and the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We will, hopefully, continue to consolidate the foundations of a world where the true definition of peace will manifest itself in harmonious relations among peoples and in mutual respect and understanding between nations. We will continue to build prosperity for our peoples on the basis of the agreed principles embodied in the SDGs, which represent a pragmatic and visionary programme that seeks to free humankind from the bondage of hunger and poverty.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“A fresh initiative is required to restart the process that produced the Oslo Accords and bring an end to the suffering of the communities concerned, which have endured aggression for more than 60 years. Surely, a permanent resolution of that seeming impasse is now overdue and urgent for the benefit of the neighbouring countries as well and the world at large. As I conclude, let me express our hope and expectation that in the next decade, the efforts of the United Nations aimed at accelerating the pace of economic development on a global scale will begin to show tangible results.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We call upon the United Nations to assist the Secretary-General in resuscitating the negotiations on the holding of a referendum in Western Sahara, so as to determine the will of the Saharawi people. We also urge the Kingdom of Morocco to support the process, so as to bring a lasting solution to the matter and facilitate the return of Morocco to its rightful place in the African Union family. By the same token, the plight of the Palestinian people has been on the international community’s agenda for far too long. We call for a new initiative that will buttress all efforts aimed at a two-State solution, with the State of Israel and that of Palestine existing side by side in peace.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“For that reason, I wish to reiterate Lesotho’s well- known position on the reform of the Security Council, in line with the established position of the African Union, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus. We strongly urge that the very important issue of Security Council reform should not be turned into a joke. The sooner it is concluded, the better for humankind and for peace in the world. We furthermore reiterate our position on the one-China policy, a position that will ensure that the people of China are not dismembered and huddled into imaginary geographic segments. The right to self-determination and independence is a God-given right that cannot be taken away arbitrarily. It is for that reason that we have never wavered in our support for the independence of the people of Western Sahara.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“That principle imposes upon us the responsibility to create conditions of peace, security and harmony, while leaving no room for hostility, violence or aggression. We therefore remain committed to supporting actions by the Security Council that include authorization for military intervention where necessary. Our understanding is that the principles in international law on the non-use of force in international relations, respect for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of States, as well as non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, remain paramount and sacrosanct in all instances. We commend the Security Council for its work undertaken in keeping with those principles throughout the years.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We recognize the role of disarmament in the maintenance of international peace and security, and Lesotho remains fully committed to the implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. We therefore call upon all the nuclear-weapon States to start making deep cuts in their current nuclear-weapon stockpiles, with the ultimate aim of finally eliminating them altogether. The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty, which entered into force in July 2009, is a clear demonstration of the continent’s desire for peace and genuine nuclear disarmament. We should all remain true to the principle of the responsibility to protect, which the General Assembly unanimously adopted less than a decade ago.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Lesotho has adopted an innovative, indigenous leadership programme that seeks to galvanize the collective wisdom of all levels of leadership to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS in particular, and to ensure that the health delivery system is affordable, accessible and effective. The programme was launched by His Majesty King Letsie III on 25 August. We also launched a test-and-treat programme in April and revived the National AIDS Commission. Those are just a few of the initiatives that the Government of Lesotho has taken to curb new infections, maternal deaths and new incidences of tuberculosis.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Sustainable Development Goal 9, which enjoins us to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, recognizes the importance of infrastructure, industrialization and technology for the progress and development of countries like Lesotho. Economic development cannot be sustainable without a conscious effort to protect the environment. The adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015 is another milestone in the global effort to safeguard and promote humankind’s continuing progress and survival. We welcome the pledges by developed countries to make resources available for the Green Climate Fund. The threats posed by underdevelopment, climate change and HIV/AIDS have pricked the conscience of humankind for many years.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“With our limited domestic resources, we are looking for innovative ways of pursuing our development priorities and aligning them to the global, continental and regional agendas. To that end, Lesotho has been working with the United Nations country office to conduct sensitization workshops on the SDGs. So far, we have conducted such workshops for the private sector, civil society and members of Parliament. We are in the process of reviewing our national strategic development plan so as to align it fully with the 2030 Agenda and regional and continental development plans. We are convinced that a private-sector-led growth strategy that ensures that that sector contributes to economic growth, job creation, poverty alleviation and sustainable development is vital for competition, the expansion of trade and investment opportunities.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is also a point of entry for young entrepreneurs into the manufacturing and services sectors. In Lesotho’s coalition agreement, we have committed to supporting micro, small and medium- sized enterprises through appropriate regulatory policies and access to finance. The transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the SDGs has not been difficult, as there are many synergies and complementarities between the two programmes. We are also aware of the synergies that exist between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan of the Southern African Development Community. For our part in Lesotho, we have already begun a process to ensure that the three Agendas are mainstreamed into our national policies and plans.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is for that reason that we have promulgated laws that allow them access to land, credit and the resources necessary for their unfettered engagement in community activity. Young people are always at the receiving end of an economic downturn, anytime one occurs. Yet they are endowed with intellect, energy and the exuberance of youth, which can be harnessed for development in the long term. In line with the SDGs, we have undertaken to capacitate youth-owned micro, small and medium- sized enterprises so that they can acquire appropriate skills that will help them create jobs and take advantage of international markets already at their disposal. Special attention is being given to small and medium- sized enterprises, as they form an integral part of industry and are potential employers for unskilled and semi-skilled labour.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As we may recall, the overriding message of the 2030 Agenda is to leave no one behind. The unique and special challenges faced by the least-developed countries, the landlocked developing countries and the small island developing States, as well as those emerging from conflicts, should be paramount in our minds as we consider strategies and steps to be taken to bring the Sustainable Development Goals to fruition. We believe that the inclusion of all stakeholders, especially women and youth, in programmatic and results-oriented action will bring about fundamental changes in the livelihoods and well- being of our societies. In Lesotho women constitute a significant majority of the population and are the backbone of our rural communities. Their human- resource potential must not be underestimated.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) last year and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted at the recent Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are notable landmarks that have cemented the role of the United Nations as the only forum at which collective diplomacy can bear fruit. The theme chosen for the current session, namely, “The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world”, is most relevant and appropriate at this time when humankind is tottering on a precipice resulting from hunger, poverty, disease and the adverse consequences of climate change. The theme highlights the collective desire of the United Nations to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The intractable conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and the tension on the Korean peninsula and in other parts of Asia, as well as the biggest global refugee problem since the Second World War, are some of the challenges facing the United Nations and the world today. Terrorism continues to rear its ugly head — in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia — with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham and other terrorist entities indiscriminately causing great damage to property and the needless loss of lives. World security is indivisible. Threats of conflict, terrorism and famine in one part of the world will always have debilitating repercussions everywhere — the case in point being the influx of refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Asia into Western Europe.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As we prepare to bid him farewell, we do so with pride, as he has indeed discharged his responsibilities with honour and dignity. He will leave an indelible footprint, and his successor will follow in his footsteps, continuing the good work done. The seventy-first session of the General Assembly comes at a time when the United Nations as an Organization has made significant strides in addressing many of the serious challenges facing the international community. It is to the credit of the United Nations that, since the end of the Second World War, no world- wide conflict has occurred, with the exception of localized skirmishes in various parts of the globe. The international community has enjoyed the longest period of sustained peace and development in modern history.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“May I take this opportunity to congratulate the President on his well-deserved election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session. His distinguished career, experience and impeccable credentials assure us of a successful session. Let me hasten to pledge my delegation’s full support and cooperation to the President during his term of office. I also wish to commend his predecessor, Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, for his outstanding leadership during the previous session. Similar accolades go to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, under whose leadership the Organization continues to discharge its mandate with honour and commendable zeal. We may recall that, under his stewardship, the United Nations dealt with several challenges, most of which were handled with great success.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“One simply cannot imagine a world in which peace and the dignity of all could flourish without the United Nations.” (see A/67/PV.1, p. 2) I could not agree more. The responsibility for making the United Nations function optimally rests squarely with all of us. Our shared vision and objectives require much more than the reaffirmation of our commitment to the Organization’s founding principles. Greater political will is an ingredient essential to achieving the ideals that underpin the Charter of the United Nations. We look forward to a rebirth and an injection of fresh energy into the United Nations system, so that its next 70 years can be a period of even greater achievement and success. We must continue to carry out the obligation that its founding Members handed down to us with a solemn sense of responsibility on the part of all.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“By the same token, we applaud the current initiatives aimed at normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States of America and urge that the unilateral sanctions on Cuba be removed sooner rather than later. However much the world may have changed since 1945, the United Nations remains the only universal intergovernmental institution that unites us in a global community of sovereign States. Yes, the Organization may have its shortcomings, but it remains a bastion of hope for humankind. Indeed, the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session was correct in making the following observation: “Yet for all its imperfections, which are, after all, inherent in any institution shaped by the human mind ... the Organization remains critical to addressing the growing needs of humankind.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As we continue to ponder the most pressing issues and challenges facing the international community today, we should not forget the plight of the Saharan and Palestinian peoples. Both the General Assembly and the Security Council have recognized the Saharan people’s inalienable right to self-determination and independence. We support the call for a resumption of direct negotiations between the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco on an equal footing and without any preconditions. Lesotho also continues to fully support the Palestinian people in their decades-long struggle against Israeli occupation and oppression. Peace between Israel and Palestine is an essential cornerstone of the architecture of a comprehensive Middle East peace, a peace that can unlock the creative genius and entrepreneurship of the region.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“For our part, Lesotho has initiated an innovative, indigenous consultative process that seeks to galvanize the collective wisdom and energy of leadership at all 20/55 15-29658 01/10/2015 A/70/PV.22 levels of society, from His Majesty all the way down to local leaders, with the sole purpose of intensifying the fight against HIV/AIDS. That consultative process will ensure the leadership’s ownership and accountability in all our health-service delivery processes. We see great wisdom in redefining the rollout of primary health care, utilizing existing community-based leadership structures so as to realize the goal of health for all by 2030. That comprehensive rollout agenda has all the ingredients so well articulated in Goal 3 of the SDGs. His Majesty is expected to launch the initiative this month.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“However, the United Nations is much more than a peacekeeper and a forum for conflict resolution. The United Nations and its family of agencies are engaged in a vast array of activities that seek to address challenges hindering progress in the improvement of people’s lives around the world. As indicated earlier, today’s challenges include, among others, climate change, food shortages, HIV/AIDS, financial crises, extreme poverty, population growth, urbanization, conflicts, terrorism and mass migration. The common purpose and most complex task within the United Nations family is finding practical and lasting solutions to all these problems.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The General Assembly, in whose name the United Nations was created, is most suited to fulfil that task. It has continued to serve as the principal policy-making, deliberative and most representative organ of the United Nations. It is the only platform on which all countries, big and small, can engage in face-to-face negotiations as sovereign equals to seek solutions to the problems facing humankind. The process of revitalizing the General Assembly must be hastened. The resolutions of this principal organ of the United Nations should no longer be regarded as mere recommendations that can be casually ignored. The need for the manifestation of a universal commitment to the principles upon which the United Nations is based cannot be overemphasized.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We must acknowledge that in its present form and configuration, the Council will have an uphill battle to take our concerns on board. The call for the Council to be more transparent, inclusive and democratic needs to be echoed with even more vigour and clarity. A reformed Security Council that is in line with twenty-first- century geopolitical realities will be reconstructed in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. A Security Council that has the voice of Africa and other marginalized regions in the permanent category will increasingly acquire legitimacy and unconditional acceptance of its decisions. We must continue to pursue a joint and consensual approach in tackling our challenges, taking decisions collectively and sharing responsibilities.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Equally important is the need to acknowledge that we will never achieve real development if some sectors of society continue to be marginalized. The role of children and women and other disadvantaged groups in our communities in advancing the global development agenda must be further enhanced. As this year we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, through which the United Nations strengthened its commitment to improving the lives of young people, let us resolve to adequately address the development needs and aspirations of young people with more vigour. The seventieth anniversary of the United Nations offers a unique opportunity to appeal to the Security Council not to use the International Criminal Court to pursue the interests of its powerful members.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Paris negotiations should be guided by a spirit of frankness, mutual understanding and the willingness to compromise. The Doha Development Agenda is important to developing countries such as mine and deserves emphasis at every available opportunity. We strongly believe that a well-functioning, rules-based multilateral trading system is in our interest. The bilateral arrangements that we are negotiating should follow the preferences and flexibilities accorded to World Trade Organization member States within the multilateral trading system. We therefore make a strong call for the Doha Development Agenda to be concluded quickly, according to its mandate and for it to fully deliver its development objectives.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Even as we remain vigilant against the threat of terrorism, we must move beyond a mindset that this menace can be defeated by force of arms alone. We may strike blows against terrorist networks, but if we ignore the fact that political instability and religious and other forms of intolerance fuel extremism, our efforts to root out that menace will be futile. Climate change is a major challenge facing the world today, and unless it is addressed effectively it will continue to rewrite the global equation for development, peace and prosperity. We should not let the window of opportunity represented by the Paris Climate Change Conference close without collectively committing to action-oriented solutions that can significantly contribute to reducing emissions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As a result of war and the carnage that has exposed the depths of man’s cruelty to man, millions of people in the Middle East and elsewhere are fleeing across international borders on a scale reminiscent of the Second World War. The numbers crossing the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea to reach Europe, despite the attendant risks, are staggering. The refugee problem Europe is facing today will test the limits of the continent’s resolve and generosity. 15-29658 19/55 A/70/PV.22 01/10/2015 Parallel to the migration crisis is the phenomenon of terrorism. Terrorism has increased worldwide, and it has become more brazen and lethal than ever before. Terrorist networks are expanding across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is not yet universal, while the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons regime is at a crossroads, with some nuclear-capable States refusing to sign on. With the ongoing violence in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and some parts of Africa, from the Sahel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the capacity of the United Nations to find lasting solutions to these challenges is tested to the limit. Sadly, the human origin of many of these problems cannot be doubted. Among the most pressing issues for the international community today is the problem of refugees and mass migration.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We appeal to this world body to remain seized of that process and offer the necessary guidance wherever and whenever the need arises so that Lesotho’s dignity can be restored and peace and stability can reign. Despite the laudable achievements made by the United Nations in shaping the form and content of global dialogue and negotiations, the world is still an unequal place, with large areas beset by intolerable poverty and hunger. Thousands still die from malnutrition, while many people still live below the poverty line. Small arms and light weapons continue to be illegally traded. Those weapons are often used in violent terrorist attacks. The lack of political will to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction is obvious to all.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Those are just a few examples of the development programmes Lesotho is committed to implementing in the next 10 years that are in line with the SDGs just adopted. Of greater significance is the reform process that we have emphasized in the Coalition Agreement signed after the February 2015 elections. Lesotho has passed through many political challenges since its return to democratic rule in 1993, which placed us on the agenda of the South African Development Community (SADC) for far too long. Most of those challenges have tested the resilience and relevance of our Constitution to the limit. We are now in agreement, together with our SADC partners, that constitutional reform needs to be urgently addressed as a first step on the road to political stability. The Commonwealth has also thrown its weight behind the need for such reforms.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Coalition Government leadership has made a very ambitious commitment to ensure that Lesotho emerges from the group of least developed countries by 2025. The practical road map under Goal 1 complements programmes already in place in Lesotho. We are humbled by the faith in our country shown by the African Union in nominating His Majesty King Letsie III as the Nutrition Champion, a move that will intensify efforts already under way in my country in the area of nutrition. On the important issue of energy, Lesotho recently launched an innovative energy policy that will ensure a substantial increase in renewable energy production, leading to an increase in the provision of affordable energy to 50 per cent by the end of this Parliament’s term.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“An environment must be created to ensure a culture of religious and political tolerance so as to stop the flow of refugees. Another milestone in the work of the United Nations is the adoption of an ambitious sustainable development agenda for the post-2015 period that epitomizes the Organization’s visionary endeavour to eradicate poverty, address climate change and ensure that prosperity is equitably shared. After frank and constructive negotiations, a few days ago we adopted the consensus outcome document (resolution 70/1). It might not be perfect, but it represents the best hope for future prosperity and stability in the world. Looking at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we draw courage and confidence from the fact that the majority resonate so well with the objectives of the new Coalition Government that I lead.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“For the past 70 years, the Organization has worked tirelessly to buttress the foundations of global security 18/55 15-29658 01/10/2015 A/70/PV.22 and the safety and well-being of the world’s citizenry. As a result of the work of the United Nations, in many countries corrupt dictatorships have given way to new democracies, and millions around the world today breathe the fresh air of freedom. Other notable moments of distinction in the track record of the Organization include its successful conflict-resolution and peacekeeping initiatives, helping over 17 million refugees since 1949 and ensuring that Governments meet their responsibilities to the fugitives in accordance with United Nations conventions. That notable achievement notwithstanding, we firmly believe that the world should not continue to churn out more refugees.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The United Nations was founded on the conviction that the nations of the world can and should cooperate to resolve conflicts peacefully and to change people’s lives for the better. It established conditions for justice, respect for international law and the promotion of socioeconomic development in the world. As the United Nations turns 70, our forebears’ abiding conviction must be steadfastly reaffirmed and their sense of purpose reasserted. In that context, we hail the theme chosen for the seventieth session, “The United Nations at 70: the road ahead for peace, security and human rights”, as most appropriate. As the world’s only truly universal global Organization, the United Nations has, over the years, become the most important and relevant forum for addressing issues that transcend national boundaries.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Allow me to take this opportunity to commend the previous President, His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa, for his outstanding leadership during the Assembly’s sixty-ninth session. My delegation truly appreciates his tireless devotion to the onerous responsibilities entrusted to him during the past year. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the lucid report submitted at this session (A/70/1), which provides valuable insights into the state of our Organization and highlights a road map that will steer us into the future. We further recognize and appreciate the tedious work that our Secretary-General performs throughout the year, dousing flames of discord wherever they occur, and applaud him for sharing the joy of our Organization’s successes.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“At the outset, let me congratulate the President on his well-deserved election to preside over the deliberations of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. His impeccable credentials and experience ensure that we will have success in our deliberations. I also wish to assure him of my delegation’s full support and cooperation during his tenure of office. While turning 70 is an auspicious event in the life of an individual, it has added significance and importance for an Organization that has presided over many of humankind’s trials, failures and successes. We recall with pride that many countries in Africa joyfully attained their independence through the united efforts of the Organization. That is why we make an impassioned plea for the United Nations to now address the unfinished business in North Africa and the Middle East.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“A United Nations that is able to work with its partners, including regional and subregional organizations, and all of its Member States will surely achieve much success in all of its endeavours. With renewed political will and determination, let us commit ourselves to the principles of mediation, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and to the peaceful settlement of all disputes and conflicts.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Similarly, we must explore the possibility of a mediated solution to the problem between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America. The international community has been unanimous in its call for the lifting of the economic and commercial embargo imposed upon Cuba, yet the problem persists. Indeed, Cuba, like all Member States, is entitled to freedom of international trade and navigation. I conclude by pointing out that the crises we face today provide us with an opportunity for introspection and to chart the way forward. The obstacles that lie ahead of us are not insurmountable. We must build a more robust multilateral organization that is responsive to the modern-day needs of our peoples.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The good offices of the Secretary- General in conflict prevention and resolution are an instrument that may be very effective in mediating conflicts. Those offices must be strengthened and given the human and other resources necessary to undertake mediation early enough to prevent conflicts and to deal effectively with those that are ongoing. In that regard, we encourage the mediation efforts of the Secretary- General towards the realization of a free and independent Western Sahara. By the same token, we are convinced that the solution to the settlement of the question of Palestine will be attained through genuine mediation. The stalemate in the negotiations is a source of grave concern to my country. We urge all the parties involved to resuscitate the negotiations between the State of Palestine and Israel without any further delay.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Nevertheless, the opportunity for all stakeholders to work together on consolidating peace in Libya has not eluded us. The African Union road map for peace remains as relevant today as it was at the beginning of the conflict. The United Nations and the African Union must work together to bring about the consolidation of peace, national reconciliation and the establishment of an all-inclusive Government in Libya. The United Nations, and not just a few countries with vested interests, should take the lead in the reconstruction of that country. This transparent and unbiased approach alone can ensure that there is no relapse into conflict in Libya. We must employ all assets at our disposal so as to fully exploit mediation as a tool for conflict prevention and resolution.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Whenever military intervention has been preferred, it has not enjoyed the support of the general membership of the United Nations. Needless to say, the impact of military intervention in conflicts is catastrophic for innocent civilians, and it destroys infrastructure and the economies of countries. In this regard, Libya may be used as a case study. The African Union developed a comprehensive road map that would have led to a peaceful settlement of the Libyan crisis by the Libyan people themselves. Sadly, we witnessed the deliberate marginalization of the AU in the resolution of that crisis. Military intervention was hastily adopted as an option, and the results of this kind of intervention are a matter of record for all to see, and indeed will be with us for a long time to come.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The remarkable mediation efforts of the African Union, with the support of the entire international community, helped in consolidating peace in South Sudan. Indeed, the mediation efforts are continuing in that sister country to ensure the maintenance of peace in the post-conflict period. It is our humble but considered opinion that, where mediation has been given a chance, lives have been saved. The cost in resources, be they financial or human, has been minimal, and the destruction of infrastructure avoided. Above all, reconciliation between the warring factions has been realized. Strangely, and despite having mediation at its disposal, the Security Council has at times preferred military intervention. I may also add that, at times, some members of the international community have unilaterally engaged in military interventions.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It should be recalled that, in Kenya, a group of eminent persons from Africa worked together with the United Nations to broker a peaceful solution to the political stalemate that resulted from the disputed parliamentary and presidential elections of 2007. That solution resulted in the formation of an all-inclusive and stable Government. Secondly, a specific subregional mediation by the Southern Africa Development Community yielded fruitful results in Zimbabwe, as did that of the African 3 11-51360 Union (AU) in Burundi. Furthermore, we witnessed a successfully mediated solution bring an end to Africa’s longest civil war in the Sudan. The world rejoiced together with the people of South Sudan in July 2011 upon their attainment of independence as a sovereign nation.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“However, the Security Council can better discharge this function only if it is more representative of the membership of the United Nations. A more representative Security Council will take into account all our aspirations, and its decisions will command legitimacy. Consequently, we continue to call for the early and comprehensive reform of the Security Council in order to make it more representative of the Member States. It is simply baffling, if not appalling, to see how this all-important issue of Security Council reform is being deliberately stymied. The settlement of conflicts through mediation has been put to the test, and its successes are well recorded in the annals of history. The peaceful settlement through mediation of the conflict in the Republic of Kenya in 2007 is a typical example.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Bias and abuse of military power to influence the outcome of mediation in conflicts will quickly erode the credibility of the United Nations as an honest mediator and will reinforce perceptions of ulterior motives. The Kingdom of Lesotho is a strong believer in the principle of subsidiarity. It is common knowledge that the primary role in the maintenance of international peace and security reposes in the Security Council. However, cooperation and coordination between the Council and regional organizations, in terms of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, is key to resolving conflicts speedily. The United Nations must empower and support the efforts of regional structures and organizations, which in all cases have a comparative advantage in mediating.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“However, the United Nations has not sufficiently used mediation as a tool for conflict resolution. The United Nations is charged with the maintenance of international peace and order through the Security Council. Consequently, the Council is expected to take a leading role in the settlement of disputes through mediation. In so doing, the Council must adopt the multilateral approach. Such an approach is the only way to guarantee transparency, impartiality and ownership of the process by the general membership of the United Nations. Mediation must have as its priority the peaceful settlement of disputes, the reconciliation of the parties and the future sustainability of peace and stability. Peace that is imposed without consulting all parties to conflicts cannot be sustainable.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In some countries, the international community, acting through the Security Council, has been swift and decisive in intervening militarily. In other countries, the same international community has preferred mediation, and in yet still others it has turned a blind eye, at best leaving the mantle to some of its members to unilaterally threaten the imposition of sanctions. It is against this background that we welcome the theme of our general debate, “The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means”. Indeed, the relevance and appropriateness of this theme at the present juncture in international relations is beyond doubt. In addressing this theme, we start from the premise that the peaceful settlement of disputes through mediation lies at the heart of the work of the United Nations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We urge the nuclear weapon States to remain faithful to their commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We further call on those Member States that have not joined the NPT to do so without further delay. However, it would be illogical to ask non-nuclear States to shun the proliferation of nuclear weapons, while States that possess them continue to perfect new generations of such weapons and to threaten their use at the slightest opportunity. Some States Members of this global Organization continue to experience either internal or external conflicts of significant proportions. The international community has not been consistent in its approach to the management of these conflicts.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The promotion of the principles of democracy and good governance, the protection of fundamental human rights, and the abuse of power in international relations continue to present challenges. As if this were not enough, terrorism continues to torment us. Along with the other challenges, this is a fight that we collectively must win. Terrorism is a 11-51360 2 transnational problem that cannot be left to one State alone to confront. All Member States must cooperate in addressing and eliminating this menace. The biggest challenge that we face in the post-Cold War era is to ensure that terrorists do not lay their hands on weapons of mass destruction. In this regard, we reiterate our call for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)