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

“This sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly once again provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the overall situation in the world. The world continues to experience numerous challenges. The target date for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals is fast approaching, yet the world continues to be overwhelmed by unending hurdles on the path towards their achievement. Despite globalization, the least developed countries are yet to be fully integrated into global markets. Rapid environmental degradation, compounded by the effects of climate change, continues to adversely affect ecosystems, agriculture, water resources and energy supplies. HIV and AIDS have not relented in decimating whole nations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“At the very outset, allow me to congratulate Mr. Al-Nasser on his well-deserved election to the office of President of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. I assure him of my delegation’s full support during his tenure. Let me also pay fitting tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss, for the commendable manner in which he led the work of the General Assembly during the sixty-fifth session. Mr. Ban Ki-moon also deserves our heart congratulations on his reappointment as Secretary- General. His unanimous re-election was a true reflection of the confidence that all Member States have in him. I also wish to express my profound joy at witnessing the Republic of South Sudan join the ranks of the Members of the United Nations. We welcome this new Member and extend our hand in friendship.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Let us remember that might can never be right and can never defeat collective resolve. It is only then that collectively we shall be able to promote progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“At the same time, they must not abandon their primary responsibility as Governments to protect all their citizens. In conclusion, it is my considered view that all these challenges can be overcome, if we accept that the United Nations is a place where a better and more secure life for humankind must be championed. But its structures should be reformed to efficiently fulfil this noble mandate. Multilateral diplomacy should supplant the traditional unilateral path in the resolution of disputes. The United Nations must not be held hostage to the desires of any single country or group of States. Its actions should reflect as wide a consensus of Member States as possible. Let us continue to reaffirm the central role of the United Nations in global governance.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“While the international community has registered some successes in consolidating peace in some parts of the world, a significantly large number of conflicts remain unresolved. Some of these conflicts are in Africa. As African leaders, we purposefully declared 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security in Africa. We resolved to find African solutions to African problems. However, we have acknowledged our shortcomings in terms of capacity in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Consequently, we look to the international community to complement our efforts and resources in this regard. Conflict-affected countries must also have the necessary political will to accommodate and facilitate legitimate external intervention that is intended to resolve conflict.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“One of the fundamental conditions for maintaining international peace and security is our commitment to the disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. More than six decades after the founding of the United Nations, disarmament sadly remains a major challenge for the international community. Today we see a steadily growing list of de facto nuclear-weapon States. Proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction must stop. So must the development of new generations of nuclear weapons by nuclear-capable States. We must strive for a nuclear-weapon-free world. It is the responsibility of those States to stop threatening the use of nuclear weapons as an option in the pursuit of their foreign policy interests. Lesotho will continue to join hands with all peace-loving nations to support international disarmament and non-proliferation regimes.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Terrorist groups are benefiting from globalization by decentralizing their operations, building new partnerships with armed groups, and using advanced technology to further their cause. This menace will not be eradicated until we address the root causes, not the symptoms, of terrorism. Religious intolerance is closely related to terrorism. We must acknowledge that religious tolerance is a prerequisite to international peace and stability, and that the world’s diversity of cultures and religions must be respected and tolerated, as it represents the strength and collective heritage of humankind. Cultivation of the culture of religious tolerance must be inscribed high on the agenda of the international community.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The just-ended High-level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals confirmed to us that the recent economic and financial downturn has disrupted our strategies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Despite this fact, we appeal to our development partners to fulfil their 25 10-55122 official development assistance commitments to help accelerate our progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The world is still grappling with terrorism. For as long as this menace exists, there will not be peace on Earth. Terrorism knows no boundaries and does not respect human life. There is neither a country nor an individual who can claim immunity from terrorism.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Planet Earth is the only world in which we can live in shared prosperity and peace. In the wake of the devastating effects of climate change, we all converged in Copenhagen with optimism, but left with mixed feelings following lack of international consensus and the necessary political will. In the meantime, climate change continues to wreak havoc, particularly in those vulnerable developing countries that do not have the means to adapt to or mitigate the impacts of global warming. Lesotho signed the Copenhagen Accord because we believed that it represented a step forward, even though it did not fully satisfy our aspirations. It is our hope that, the forthcoming Conference in Cancún, Mexico, will achieve international consensus, leading to a legally binding regime on the management of climate change.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Sustainable peace can only be based on justice and the protection of basic freedoms for all. By the same token, Zimbabwe must be freed from unilateral sanctions, as her people work together under the unity Government to determine their own future under the leadership of their own choice. In addition, external interests must not be allowed to take precedence over the desire of the people of Madagascar for democracy and stability in their country. Somalia is a festering wound on the African continent. Let us rise to the appeal that was made by the President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to the Assembly a few days ago. He urged us to assist the people of Somalia to join the international movement for the achievement of peace, the rule of law and the Millennium Development Goals (see ).”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The founding fathers of the United Nations were right when they affirmed the centrality of the United Nations in global decision-making and governance. We must admit that great injustices are being committed during our times and that human rights are being trampled upon as we stand by silently. In this regard, for decades now, the people of Western Sahara, Cuba and Palestine have been calling on this august body for help in reversing the injustices, humiliation and atrocities that are visited upon them by colonialism, unilateral economic blockades and brutal occupation. Even today, the people of these territories are still calling. They are calling to you. Will you listen and respond, or will you look or walk away? Surely we cannot condone injustice and yet hope for peace.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Let the events of the first decade of this millennium be a lesson for all of us to learn and treasure. We have learned a lesson in the futility of unilateralism, intolerance and war; that selfishness in world relations is suicidal. We have learned a lesson in the value of collective decision-making and inclusive development, if our planet and its inhabitants are to survive. These lessons say to us that mankind must turn away from the path of self-destruction. The route to peace and stability is clear to all of us, yet we continue to lose ourselves in the wilderness of instability and poverty, because we are blinded by ulterior motives. If we value the lessons of the past decade, we must accept that war is brutal, destructive and unacceptable.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It was driven by the desire to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, the rule of law and, not least, to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. For the past 65 years, this Assembly of nations has been convening here every year in pursuit of the lofty ideals of the United Nations. Yet for 65 years, the achievement of these ideals has eluded us. Unilateralism and war remain the order of the day. Disrespect for international law, vast economic inequities, injustice and suppression of basic freedoms are the challenges we face today, just as we did 65 years ago. In addition, we have climate change, financial and economic crises, terrorism and religious intolerance to contend with. Needless to mention, such challenges have heightened threats to world stability and international peace and security.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Allow me, Sir, to congratulate you on your well-deserved election to the office of President at the sixty-fifth session of the 10-55122 24 General Assembly. Your career as a leader and diplomat speaks for itself. I assure you of my delegation’s support during your tenure of office. I should also commend your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, for a job well done. The choice of theme for this session of the General Assembly, namely, reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance, is not only apt but inspired. The founding of the United Nations was propelled by the determination to save future generations from the scourge of war.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Lesotho shall continue to support the call for the lifting of the economic embargo against the people of Cuba as a matter of principle and of urgency. I wish to conclude by saying that no obstacle can beat the might of the United Nations. We must continue to pursue and indeed to cherish the purposes that have brought us together. The responsibility to secure the future of mankind relies heavily on our ability to use a collective approach to resolving the challenges of the world. We cannot ignore our responsibility to build a better and more united world, for the future generations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The struggle of the Saharan people is a struggle for self-determination based on the principles of decolonization and sovereignty of nations. Both the General Assembly and the Security Council have recognized the inalienable rights of the Saharan people to self-determination and independence. We urge the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco to continue with their negotiations on an equal footing and without any conditions. The aspirations of the Saharan people to self-determination must take paramount priority in these negotiations. We also hope that the positive signals of engagement between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America will bring an end to the unfortunate financial and economic embargo imposed on the Republic of Cuba.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We call on Israel to cease all settlement activities, including the so-called natural growth in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. By the same token, we call on both sides to cease all acts of hostility and attacks. In particular, Palestine must halt the indiscriminate launching of rockets on Israeli civilians, while Israel must desist from the use of disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians. We welcome the intensified efforts of the Quartet, the Arab League and other members involved in brokering peace in the Middle East. We are mindful of the fact that the quest for peace in the Middle East should be the responsibility of all of us. We express our solidarity with the people of Palestine. At the same time, we reiterate the inviolability and, indeed, the right to exist of the State of Israel.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“This development has had a negative impact on maritime security and safety. There is a need for the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach to tackling the phenomenon of piracy off the coast of Somalia and beyond. In this regard, Lesotho joins the voices of the heads of State and Government of the African Union in calling for the convening of an international conference to discuss the adoption of an international convention on the phenomenon of maritime piracy and to eradicate its underlying causes. I would be remiss not to refer to the plight of the peoples of the State of Palestine, the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic and the Republic of Cuba. These are peoples who continue to experience untold suffering, ranging from war to political, economic and social injustices.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It safeguards the rule of law in the 31 09-52586 international arena and is therefore well placed to complement the implementation of the principle of the responsibility to protect. Consequently, we should, as the international community, unconditionally extend our support to the Court. We must preserve its integrity and independence. There should be no State or organ of the United Nations that interferes with the Court’s processes. Most importantly, the Court must uphold the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and fairness. Lesotho supports the principle of universal jurisdiction. However, we reject selective application of that noble principle because it erodes its acceptability and credibility. During the past year, we witnessed a resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We remain disappointed in those countries that are engaged in the testing of nuclear weapons. We must, however, reiterate the right of every country to the development and use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The peaceful use of nuclear technology can be beneficial to all mankind. We are delighted that the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has adopted the agenda for the 2010 Review Conference. This historic achievement strengthens our optimism that our commitment to the disarmament process will gain renewed momentum and enthusiasm. In 1998, the Statute establishing the International Criminal Court was adopted in Rome. The Court is, inter alia, an answer to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The intergovernmental negotiations that were held during the sixty-third session of the General Assembly have advanced the reform process a step or two. However, more still needs to be done and rather urgently. The United Nations was formed on the ashes of the two World Wars. Its main purpose was and still is to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold misery to mankind. But the continuing possession and development of nuclear weapons cast doubt on whether this objective can indeed be realized. At a time when the world is hungering for nuclear disarmament, why should some countries be testing, modernizing and producing new generations of nuclear weapons? It is our obligation as the international community to strive for a world free of nuclear weapons.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Unfortunately, the Council, as presently composed, is not capable of exercising effective leadership in this area. The Security Council reflects the situation that obtained 64 years ago. It is not a true reflection of the current membership of the United Nations. Its composition is therefore irrelevant and undemocratic. For all intents and purposes, the Council lacks legitimacy. For as long as it remains undemocratic, it will continue to fail the vulnerable and defenceless. It will continue to use double standards and remain a tool of the foreign policies of certain States. The desired multilateral path will continue to give way to the unilateral one. It is imperative, therefore, to hasten the United Nations reform process.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is true that the scope of the principle is narrow and limited to genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. I would nonetheless discourage any reopening of the debates on paragraphs 138 and 139 of the World Summit Outcome Document (resolution 60/1). I find a linkage between this principle and other critical issues that continue to feature on our international agenda. Among these are reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, disarmament and the International Criminal Court. Needless to say, the principle of the responsibility to protect is meaningful only if it is grounded in multilateralism and collective action by the international community. The forums through which the responsibility to protect may be achievable is the Security Council and, beyond that, the General Assembly.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“And sadly, the Security Council, in whose purview the power to act is centralized, has failed to act, thereby incapacitating the international community’s ability to act also. In our resolve never to fail any population again, we adopted the principle of the responsibility to protect at our 2005 World Summit. This principle seeks to restore the confidence of populations in the United Nations system. In July, the General Assembly held a debate on the Secretary-General’s report on implementing the responsibility to protect (A/63/677). Lesotho welcomes that balanced report, especially the proposed practical measures for its implementation. We view the report as a good basis for negotiations in the General Assembly on how to implement the principle.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“This challenge is a matter of utmost interest to my delegation, for it reminds Governments of their obligation to protect their peoples from mass atrocities, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity. I am referring here to the principle of the responsibility to protect. The Rwanda genocide is still fresh in our minds. Though the wounds may have healed, the scars remain pronounced and serve as a painful reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. They also serve as a sad reminder of how the international community can fail a people. Beyond Rwanda, and I dare say even post-Rwanda, we have witnessed mass atrocities committed with impunity against the most innocent and vulnerable populations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We must never forget that at the forefront of those most affected by the impact of climate change are the poor and the innocent. Our call for the industrialized nations to help improve developing countries’ capacity for mitigation and adaptation is therefore not misplaced. Those who are responsible for causing pollution of the environment have the responsibility to make cuts in harmful emissions and to help those adversely affected. We acknowledge that climate change may not be our collective fault, but it is surely our collective responsibility. 09-52586 30 Another challenge confronting us is that of international peace and security.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I further appeal for the requisite political will to complete the Doha Round of negotiations as a matter of urgency. These negotiations are the anchor of our hope for the dawn of a fair and equitable international trade regime. I congratulate the Secretary-General on convening the just-ended Summit on Climate Change, at which we were unanimous in our belief that the challenges posed by climate change are beyond the capacity of any individual country to deal with alone. Response to the impact of climate change must be a top priority for the whole of mankind, for at stake here is the preservation of the very elements responsible for the sustenance of human life on our planet. Lesotho is hopeful that the Copenhagen Conference will usher in a new global agreement that will result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Demand for textile exports has dropped dramatically, resulting in unprecedented loss of livelihoods and erosion of the gains we had made in eradicating poverty. However, all is not lost. I note in this regard the efforts of the Group of Eight, which has pledged a stimulus package of $1.1 trillion, the major part of which will be made available to developing countries. My concern is that this initiative seems to have stalled and it is unclear how the funds will be distributed. It will be fair only if the disbursement is informed by the needs of individual countries, and I hasten to add that the disbursement should be free of quotas and conditions. While I remain optimistic that the pledge will see the light of day, I appeal for the fulfilment of commitments that have been made regarding overseas development aid.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I shall not revisit the deliberations of that Conference. Suffice it to say that it seems obvious that Governments can no longer abdicate their responsibility of oversight and regulation of the global financial systems to financial institutions. The least developed and developing countries have been the hardest hit by the financial crisis. Their exports have been severely reduced and their capital flows choked. The impact of the crisis is felt in all aspects of life, be it in the increase in unemployment, illiteracy or the incidence of HIV- and AIDS-related deaths due to the unavailability or unaffordability of drugs. Lesotho, as a small economy, is highly vulnerable to external shocks and is therefore one of those adversely affected by the financial crisis.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Mr. President, the theme that you have chosen for this session of the General Assembly — “Effective responses to global crises: strengthening multilateralism and dialogue among civilizations for international peace, security and development” — is both timely and relevant. We meet against the backdrop of some of the most serious challenges mankind has confronted in a long time. The financial and economic crisis, climate change and issues of international peace and security are but some of these challenges. No other organization is better placed than the United Nations to find solutions to them. In June, your predecessor, Mr. President, convened a high-level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis. We all had the opportunity then to identify and agree on the causes and effects of and solutions to this crisis.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“He leaves a legacy for this august body which every one of us must emulate in the best interests of the peoples we represent and serve. It is therefore befitting to pay tribute to him and to wish him and Mrs. Nane Annan a well-deserved rest and a future filled with happiness. He will, needless to say, be inundated with our calls for his wisdom and advice in the service of mankind. Our standing ovation and the declaration made in honour of His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan during the last African Union Summit held in Banjul, Gambia, said it all. With typical eloquence, he delivered a few days ago in the Assembly before the world’s leaders a rich statement filled with emotion. No wonder that even the world leaders accorded him a standing ovation. His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan has run his lap with excellence. He deserves a medal of honour.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Failure to agree on a definition, however, cannot and must not be used as an excuse for not decisively confronting the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Following the adoption of Security Council resolution 1696 (2006) on 31 July, and the subsequent response by the Iranian Authorities, it is our fervent hope that all parties to the issue will constructively engage in seeking a lasting solution to avert possible economic and diplomatic sanctions and to guarantee Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme. Last but certainly not least, this session marks the end of tenure of office for an illustrious son of the African soil, a distinguished diplomat and statesman, in the person of His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Yet they are still so cheap and so easily accessible that, in some remote villages, they are exchanged for chickens. Terrorism continues to pose the greatest threat to human security. In this regard, I wish to welcome the adoption by the General Assembly of the United 06-53005 14 Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288). However, it is unfortunate that the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on International Terrorism has still not been able to conclude a comprehensive convention on an international response to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The fact remains that Member States have a moral obligation to overcome their long-standing differences on the definition of terrorism.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The coup de grâce, however, is the failure to agree on an outcome document of the 2006 United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons In All Its Aspects, adopted in 2001. Thus, Member States should not run away from the blatant truth that, during the sixtieth session of the Assembly, the stalemate that, over the past four years, has characterized negotiations regarding non-proliferation and disarmament, finally became abundantly clear to all nations. For small arms and light weapons remain the weapons of choice that are indiscriminately used in conflicts, as well as in other forms of violence, including criminal behaviour.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“These conferences discussed at length the importance of economic, technological and medical developments to subdue and defeat HIV/AIDS in affected countries. It is now time for words to be followed by concrete actions targeting, in particular, infected and affected groups and lowering infection prevalence rates. My delegation regrets the paralysis that has befallen the United Nations disarmament machinery. Also regrettable is the failure of the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to produce a consensus substantive outcome document. Equally regrettable is the absence of a section on non- proliferation and disarmament in the 2005 Summit Outcome Document.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The suspension of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations was a disquieting development for some of our countries. While Africa had on various occasions expressed concern on the limited progress made in negotiations on issues of major interest to the continent, our faith in the negotiations never wavered. We truly believed, and we still do, that there is a common understanding that trade is the most effective route out of poverty, and that the prosperity and security of all nations, rich or poor, strong or weak, are dependent on, inter alia, free and fair trade. Much has been said about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Its consequences are now commonly understood. Conferences at the highest levels have been held, subregionally, regionally, continentally and globally.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The realities of globalization, liberalization and interdependence have demonstrated the inadequacies of the traditional modes of financing for development, such as official development assistance, foreign direct investment, trade and other forms of capital flows. If all Member States are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, certain measures must be undertaken. First, official development assistance must be doubled. It must also be timely, predictable and dependable. Secondly, all partnerships with New Partnership for Africa’s Development must be linked to the Millennium Development Goals and other agreed upon development goals and targets. Finally, there must be complete debt cancellation, not just for the highly indebted poor countries, but for the least developed countries as well.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“My delegation hopes that at its current session the General Assembly will, among other things, finalize all details regarding the convening of a review conference on the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus. Furthermore, we hope that all stakeholders will reaffirm their commitment to the full implementation of the outcomes of the recently held high-level meetings on migration and development and on review of the implementation of the 2001 Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries. There is definitely an inherent global benefit, for all countries, in the pursuit of development cooperation based on genuine partnership and mutually beneficial arrangements.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“13 06-53005 It is past time for the General Assembly to suggest concrete actions on how to, among other things: fulfil the commitments to address the special needs of Africa; seriously address the uneven progress made by the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); address issues relating to trade, agricultural subsidies and the transfer of vitally needed resources to developing countries; and fully implement the global partnership for development as set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus, the Johannesburg Plan of Action and the 2005 World Summit Outcome.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Hence the call at the 2005 World Summit for a timely and full realization of development goals and objectives agreed upon at major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields. My delegation is deeply concerned that Member States were largely divided between the South and the North regarding how to follow up on the development section of the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document (resolution 60/1). We are indeed disheartened that, due to a divergence of views on this important issue, the General Assembly was not in a position to suggest concrete actions to implement commitments made at the relevant conferences and summits.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“My delegation also notes the efficient manner in which the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs responded in some countries that faced major man-made or natural disasters over the past year. That can be attributed to the newly established Central Emergency Response Fund. It is our hope that the Fund will continue to live up to the expectations of Member States. The United Nations was founded on the interlinked and mutually reinforcing pillars of development, international peace and security and human rights. The issue of development deserves the undivided attention and commitment of Member States, just as do the issues of peace, security and human rights.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We express our solidarity with the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara in their struggle for self- determination and their quest for everlasting peace. Surely, things do not have to deteriorate to the level of the Israel-Lebanon conflict before the international community snaps into action in these two volatile situations. Following the 2005 World Summit, and in the context of the reform of the United Nations, my delegation notes with satisfaction the creation of the Human Rights Council, the operationalization of the Peacebuilding Commission and the establishment of the Central Emergency Response Fund, among other achievements. These are timely events that continue to prove the relevance of this Organization in the twenty- first century.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is our hope that with continued assistance from the United Nations, particularly from United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other partners, the second round of elections, scheduled for 29 October 2006, will proceed peacefully. We likewise commend the people of Burundi on the signing of a peace agreement between the Government and the Forces nationales de libération (FNL). This should enable them to focus on the development issues of their country. Furthermore, we congratulate the Government of the Republic of Uganda on the initiative aimed at finding a political solution to the protracted war with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). That war has taken its toll on the people of Uganda and has contributed to instability in the region.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With regard to Somalia, the efforts of the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development to broker an agreement between the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts must be complemented by the international community, specifically, the United Nations. There is also an urgent need to lift the arms embargo so that the Transitional Government may be able to function. We congratulate the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who, following decades of undemocratic rule and civil war, recently exercised their inalienable right to elect a Government of their choice.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is against this background that the African Union, through its Peace and Security Council, resolved to hand over the Darfur mission to the United Nations. It is our hope and earnest plea that the current misunderstanding between the United Nations and the Government of the Sudan will be resolved as a matter of urgency. The United Nations, particularly the Security Council, cannot afford to be a helpless spectator to yet another genocide. My delegation calls for concerted efforts by the international community, and by the United Nations in collaboration with the African Union, to find a lasting solution to the crises in Somalia and Côte d’Ivoire.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The delay by the Security Council in reacting to the Israel-Lebanon conflict graphically demonstrated the Council’s extreme inadequacy in responding urgently, with prompt and decisive action, to international armed conflicts. It is precisely such 06-53005 12 failures that lend credence to the call for reform of the United Nations, in particular, reform of the Security Council. In this regard, the well-known position of the African Group has never made more sense than it does now. The African continent still experiences internal armed conflicts. The African Union (AU), without usurping the powers of the Security Council, has taken the initiative to resolve some of those conflicts. However, the African Union’s resources and capacities are limited.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“My delegation associates itself with the compliments extended to Ms. Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, on her election to the presidency of the General Assembly, to her predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, and to the Secretary- General. It would be remiss of us if we did not express our delight at the fact that our proceedings are being led by a lady President this year. We meet in the aftermath of the worst conflict in the Middle East. This conflict has brought untold misery and has resulted in unnecessary loss of life, displacement of people and wanton destruction of property. In the midst of all this, the Security Council remained pitifully helpless.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Hence, our call for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and complete withdrawal from their occupied territories, the independence of the Saharawi people, the lifting of the unilateral economic embargo against the people of Cuba and the end to armed conflicts, particularly in Africa. These matters must be addressed and resolved urgently, comprehensively and honestly, without fear or favour, and without malice to anybody.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In the area of human rights, we support the elevation of the Commission on Human Rights to a Human Rights Council, a body that would be apolitical and insist on the protection both of civil and political rights and of economic, social and cultural rights. For my delegation, the flaws of the Commission lay mostly in its focus and not necessarily in its size. It is in this twenty-first century that peace, security, the right to self-determination, respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms must be guaranteed as the norm rather than the exception.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Needless to say, the sanctity of Article 51 of the Charter should be preserved. The Kingdom of Lesotho considers it the responsibility of the international community, with the United Nations playing the central role, to put in place effective measures aimed at preventing genocide, ethnic cleansing and the atrocities perpetrated on women and children caught up in armed conflict. Consequently, my delegation considers the enhanced role of the major organs of the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly, to be of paramount importance. One of the major constraints of the United Nations is that it lacks a mechanism designed to avoid State collapse and the slide into war, or to assist countries in their transition from war to peace. It is within this context that Lesotho supports the proposed establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)