YouSaid · the spoken record

Christian Ntsay

lines on the record: 35
first: 2019-09-24
most recent: 2020-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“Such an approach, which we hope will be more focused and dynamic, will enable us together to regain confidence in ourselves and breathe new life into the ideals of solidarity and multilateralism that bring us together within the Organization. Today more than ever, it is the responsibility of every Member State of the Organization to adhere to the ideals of the Charter on which the UN was founded and strengthen its standing as the ideal framework for international cooperation to resolve major global problems, such as COVID-19. That is the basic condition necessary for successfully building the United Nations that we need in order to achieve the future we all want. I wish every success to the work of the seventy-fifth session, and thank you for your attention.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the limits of multilateralism in terms of cooperation in the area of public health, which, as I mentioned earlier, must be imperatively rectified in a number of various and important spheres so that achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda is not entirely jeopardized by the pandemic’s effects. In the light of our shared challenges, Madagascar calls for a new universal multilateral initiative through the adoption of a post-COVID-19 global agenda under the auspices of the United Nations. Such an initiative, which could have a specific timeline, would be geared towards better delegating and coordinating all our multilateral commitments and actions to counter the major socioeconomic risks posed by the current health crisis, particularly on the most vulnerable economies.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Despite the impact of COVID-19 on our country’s resources, respect for the rule of law and the advancement of a responsible democracy are providing us with the momentum to hold senatorial elections in December 2020 as senators’ terms will end in January 2021. Economic development and social progress remains our country’s the number- one priority, as only shared prosperity can beneficially effect the social welfare of our people and ensure a better future for our children. Today, the international community stands together with us as a partner in our many initiatives to meet the important development challenges facing Madagascar. I take this opportunity to thank our partners for their full commitment to Madagascar and its people.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Given the global health challenge posed by COVID-19, those proposals could be realized only through unprecedented cooperation among nations, the scientific and medical research community, the pharmaceutical industry and multilateral partners. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Madagascar intends to catch up in terms of its development. Within that framework, large-scale priority measures are being taken in several areas, such as strengthening the fight against corruption, particularly at the level of public administration. As guarantors of good governance, the security and justice sectors are also being strengthened.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In that regard, it has become imperative to: develop and promote a new concept involving new innovative response instruments fostering global, regional and local initiatives to come up with medical solutions, in particular treatments and vaccines; strengthen international cooperation in the area of health care to enhance the comparative advantages of every country in the multiplicity of models adapted to the level of technology and innovation of the countries concerned and advocate universal access to innovative practices and scientific data; and establish mechanisms for financing health-care systems.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Our findings show that the spread of COVID-19 is under control in Madagascar, as the recovery rate of confirmed cases is 93 per cent, with a 1.2 per cent mortality rate. May the entire Malagasy people also be warmly thanked for their conscientiousness and understanding throughout this difficult ordeal and sacrifice combined with patriotism that they have shown during this dark page of the history of the country and all other nations of the world. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Madagascar believes that we must urgently make up for the time that the world has lost with regard to collective and synergistic deliberations and actions to deal with the effects of COVID-19.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“During this ordeal, Madagascar did not struggle alone but benefited from the precious and substantial support of the international community and scientists from all walks of life, and I would like to express to all of them here, without exception, the deep gratitude of the Government and the people of Madagascar. Finally, on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic, I pay tribute, in particular to the entire medical corps in Madagascar, the defence and security forces, all the volunteers and all those involved in providing essential public and private services for their sacrifice and tireless service in caring for and treating the sick and protecting our fellow citizens and their property, while sometimes risking their own lives.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Indeed, Madagascar has stood out with the development of CVO, which is the result of important research carried out by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA) — a logical consequence Madagascar’s recognized status as a sanctuary of world biodiversity with an extremely varied and rich traditional pharmacopoeia. With its preventive and curative qualities, CVO undoubtedly enabled Madagascar to avert a human tragedy, as opposed to what tragically unfolded in many countries around the world with the spread of COVID-19, as Madagascar implemented the wide-scale distribution of the treatment in tandem with other multiple health-care and social measures.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Furthermore, the State has decided to help the private sector to safeguard jobs and the means of production through unprecedented tax cuts to support the various affected sectors so that they can better cope with the consequences of the health crisis through a range of various kinds of assistance, such as the provision of seeds and agricultural inputs to farmers and food packs to affected workers; ordering more than 5 million masks from free-enterprise and small private companies; the launch of a major public investment project for infrastructure; and supporting research and innovation in producing Covid-Organics (CVO), as an modified traditional remedy to effectively combat COVID-19.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The response was rapidly rolled out with the adoption of major measures, such as the establishment of the Operational Command Centre at the national and regional levels and the deployment of multiple forms of social assistance to support families affected by the health crisis and vulnerable families.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Since the official March announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic in Madagascar, our country has very quickly implemented a multisectoral response strategy to better meet the challenges and their social, economic and environmental repercussions. The national response was based on the following three main goals: first, to contain the spread of COVID-19 to contain the pandemic; secondly, assist vulnerable populations and effectively meet their basic needs; and, lastly, safeguard and stimulate the economy, while maintaining human capital and facilitating recovery. In that regard, our major efforts were focused on establishing and strengthening governance in combating the pandemic, shoring up measures related to social protection and supporting economic resilience.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“That brings us back to the obvious need to rethink the scope and reach of the multilateralism that we are promoting so that all countries of the world can enjoy a shared source of resiliency with the appropriate tools for dealing with myriad crises like COVID-19 and avoid undoing decades of collective work within our Organization and various regional communities. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Madagascar has addressed the pandemic to the best of its ability and with all means available in terms of awareness raising and taking action in order to optimally safeguard its population and strengthen national resilience in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“COVID-19, a shared threat, does not discriminate according to age, gender, religion or race. The profound economic imbalances and social inequalities that we have continued to fight within the Organization have been aggravated by the health crisis. The situation with regard to peace, international security and human rights has further deteriorated in some parts of the world. Several national elections have had to be postponed because of the destabilization of democracy. The economic crisis is widespread and the resulting social vulnerability has been significantly accentuated for millions of our peoples. The unforeseen outbreak and virulence of COVID-19 has shed light on our collective shortcomings to deal with a common threat.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In the context of the uncertainty enshrouding our shared planet, where it is undeniable that individual pursuits and gains have hit a wall with regard to common sense and effectiveness, we should become aware of what is most important in the shared values of the Organization, such as unity, solidarity among peoples and cooperation among nations. We should therefore reaffirm both our commitment to what brings us together and our rejection of what divides us. We could overcome the COVID-19 pandemic through solidarity and cooperation. Therein lies the vision and true and beneficial message that we could provide and receive from multilateralism. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, As at the very beginning of its 75-year history, the immediate challenges facing the United Nations remain immense, as we celebrate its milestone anniversary.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen, Given the seriousness of the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and its incomparable impact on all humankind, which, among other things, has led to almost 1 million deaths worldwide, including 216 in my country, I would like to convey from this rostrum a message of solidarity, compassion and encouragement to all the nations and peoples of the world. Indeed, we are celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations in exceptional circumstances, separated from one another by distance, and we should see the manifestation of the world’s vulnerability as an opportunity to come closer together in our common faith in our collective future based on the human values of shared peace and prosperity, which inspire the Organization.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, I express my sincere congratulations on your election and wish you every success in leading this very special session, given the highly symbolic nature of the celebratory anniversary, as I said earlier, and the exceptional situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the whole world is currently experiencing and fighting. I also reaffirm our support for our Secretary-General in succeeding in carrying out his important mission in the service of the Member States.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mister President, Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of State and Heads of Government, Mr. Secretary General, Ladies and gentlemen, Madagascar feels honoured at this moment when I take the floor to address our august Assembly, on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Andry RAJOELINA, President of the Republic of Madagascar, on behalf of the Malagasy People and on my personal behalf, on the occasion of this 75th General Assembly of our United Nations, during which we also celebrate its 75th Anniversary jubilee. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The recent electoral process was a major step that illustrates once again the determination of an entire population to catch up on its development. Before ending my statement, let me say that we have a common mission, which is to find, together, a model of mobilization, partnership and cooperation that strikes a new balance so that, together, we can achieve our common goal of sustainable development. We face the same challenges and we will have to work together, as our best interest is the same, namely, our shared planet. I believe that this is a unifying vision that will constantly guide our steps and inspire each and every one of us to strive for a better, fairer and more forward-looking world, a world of dialogue, cooperation and shared prosperity.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The upcoming round table on the implementation of the integrated development strategy for the South, with the United Nations co-chairing alongside the national authorities, will undoubtedly constitute a concrete commitment to enhance the value of global partnership. In dealing with national challenges, my country strongly supports the promotion of the values of peace, social justice, human rights, responsible governance, inclusiveness and the fostering of pride and dignity among the entire Malagasy population. All this is the basis for our long-awaited emergence. The United Nations is a major partner for Madagascar and has always been an indispensable ally in the course of my country’s contemporary history.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“However, Madagascar is aware of its responsibility and is now showing firm political will in the collective effort to mobilize against climate change. In that context, Madagascar is relentlessly pursuing efforts to preserve and conserve biodiversity and existing natural and environmental resources while committing to the implementation of a bold and ambitious reforestation programme covering an area of at least 200,000 hectares over five years, by planting 20 million trees each year, so that Madagascar can return to its former self, namely the Green Island. It is worth pointing out the multiple consequences of climate change in the south of the country and the Government’s strong political will to provide structural and ambitious responses to them.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“However, one cannot but note that all the contributions to which the signatory countries have so far committed themselves are not sufficient to achieve the objectives set out in the Agreement. Based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, I call on the signatory countries to assume their responsibilities so as to ensure that the necessary efforts and resources are mobilized with a view to reverse the current trend, because the most vulnerable countries are often the ones that bear the brunt of climate change. Despite being responsible for less than 1 per cent of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions, Madagascar is feeling the full impact of climate change, including increasingly frequent and violent tropical cyclones, drought, flooding and disruptions to the agricultural calendar.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Madagascar genuinely seeks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. My Government is working to ensure the effective use of methods and approaches and the efficient use of resources. The State made the decision to rely on its own strength to mobilize domestic resources to fund its development plan. Nevertheless, Madagascar also relies on international solidarity, support and opportunities in order to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The third major challenge is the environment. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change enabled all signatory countries to make a concrete commitment to combating rising temperatures through nationally determined contributions.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Based on a five-year strategic framework, Madagascar essentially seeks to double its electricity production by developing its renewable energy capacities; develop 100,000 hectares to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production; support a diversified industrialization programme to ensure added value in priority value chains, such as tourism, transport, mines, agroindustry, fishing, animal husbandry and cultural industries; promote entrepreneurship among women and young people; build 50,000 new homes across the country; build and rehabilitate roads, including in rural areas, ports, airports and markets throughout Madagascar; provide the population with access to drinking water and sanitation; build new sports and cultural infrastructure; promote decent work for all, with social protection mechanisms for all workers, and constantly improve the business climate, while ensuring that savings are passed on not only to private investors but also the people and the State.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“With that conviction, Madagascar therefore aims to put an end to the paradox of being a country with recognized potential but marked by unprecedented poverty, insecurity and inequality. Making up for lost time in our national development process, which the country has endured for nearly 60 years now, lies at the heart of the vision and commitment of President Rajoelina. The Madagascar plan for the period 2019 to 2023 will lead our country in its structural and dimensional transformation to accelerate its economic growth.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In addition, Madagascar is now voluntarily committed to making health care accessible to all, by building new local hospitals, improving the quality of medical facilities and services through existing training in health-care, recruiting health-care personnel, strengthening the skills of medical teams and improving the management of the public health system, in particular by implementing the universal health coverage policy. The second challenge faced by emerging economies is that of ensuring inclusive economic growth that seeks to reduce poverty and inequality. Our Government firmly believes that economic development is possible because human capital remains a priority and is now at the heart of all our initiatives and actions. Madagascar is a young, dynamic nation, led by a strong, visionary and inclusive leadership.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“To ensure that every citizen can participate in the life of the nation, the Malagasy Government is committed to ensuring education for all. Inclusive, equitable and high-quality education for all is an inalienable human right. It is also a measure of a society’s harmonious and sustainable development and the stability of a country. We are committed to ensuring that all girls and boys, equally, complete quality primary and secondary education, which guarantees that their education was genuinely useful. With that in mind, we took the decision to build new local schools across the country, continue recruiting and training teachers, provide students with textbooks and tablets and continue the school-canteen programme for vulnerable schools to ensure good school retention rates.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Multiple initiatives and actions have been taken, in particular through the reform of the security sector, the redeployment of security forces, along with the construction of new local operating bases, the improvement of equipment for intervention units, the development of a bovine microchip programme, providing location-tracking devices for cattle, an export ban on zebus and the construction of new prisons to meet international standards for better prison conditions that are respectful of human rights. In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, education and health are also among my country’s national priorities. Madagascar recognizes that its development capacity is based on its capacity to educate.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Government’s action is therefore in line with the need to guarantee the safety of the people and property and ensure equitable justice for all. We strongly condemn all forms of violence, regardless of the source, perpetrated outside of the law, and all forms of abuse of authority. That is why any deviation from those standards, in particular by some law enforcement officers, has led to criminal, administrative and disciplinary sanctions. Prevention is also one of the pillars of our peace and security policy.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“One of the first measures taken by the current Administration was restoring peace and security, in particular to protect those living in rural areas from the scourge of the dahalo, bandit fighters who steal cattle in the remote areas of Madagascar. Dahalo use deadly and unacceptable practices, and nothing stopped them until recently. They attack villages, rape women and girls, kill men and boys and steal herds to fuel an illegal zebu-trafficking network. It must stop. Fortunately, law enforcement officers are shouldering their responsibility to protect the lives and possessions of the population by making the ultimate sacrifice to win that fight. I reaffirm the full commitment of the President of Madagascar and the entire Government to respect and promote human rights.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“To that end, the Malagasy Government is working assiduously to ensure that such issues are addressed appropriately and responsibly, both in terms of one-off news events and of fundamental issues related to the political and strategic dimensions of the issue of respect for human rights in Madagascar, such as security in rural and urban areas, the judicial and prison system, decentralization, the health-care and nutrition system and the education system. That involves complex undertakings that require new strategic guidelines and innovative and coordinated initiatives, as defined in our general State policy.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Government is committed to and is implementing a policy of promoting and respecting individual and collective freedoms, respect for the separation of powers and the emergence of a responsible and dynamic civil society in which young people and women play an active role. Since the beginning of his term, the President of the Republic of Madagascar has deemed governance issues a national priority — based on the promotion of democracy, human rights, the fight against corruption, and social justice. That is clearly stipulated in our new general State policy, the urgency of which is undisputed. That is why the Government fully supports and takes action to implement it. The State acts today as institutional guarantor to ensure respect for human rights in Madagascar — one of its main policy areas.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“With regard to my country, Madagascar, it is integrating ways of meeting the global challenges, with which it is familiar as a Member of the United Nations, within its own national ambitions and projects. I therefore reaffirm that, under the leadership of His Excellency President Rajoelina, Madagascar has set for itself the major goal of achieving emerging country status in the coming years in order to close the development gap. Madagascar faces considerable challenges. Major structural and sectoral reforms are currently being launched, which we will pursue with unprecedented commitment and determination. The first challenge is that of consolidating the democratic process and governance and strengthening national unity.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We will need to strengthen and coordinate our efforts to combat climate change, the consequences of which have become increasingly felt, and which unfortunately greatly worsen poverty and inequalities among peoples today. Compensating for decades of hesitation, and even inaction, is a responsibility incumbent upon every one of us. Beyond words and statements, it is our obligation to do as much as humanly possible in terms of our initiatives and work. We will have to walk together to breathe new life into multilateralism, in which we believe, so that we, the peoples of the United Nations, can continue to always know what we stand for through the Organization, its values and, above all, its work.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Our world has been torn apart for several decades by unprecedented crises, conflicts and ever-increasing inequalities. Every day, our planet is incrementally further threatened by our reckless excesses and irresponsible actions. Of course, we are committed to marshalling our strength to end all forms of poverty, combat inequality and address climate change, while also ensuring that no one is left behind. We have undeniably worked hard at all the major summits and conferences to achieve equitable and lasting human and economic development. However, the reality is that that is no longer enough. Together we will need to redouble our efforts to eradicate poverty and promote and ensure quality education and inclusion.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I am honoured, on this occasion, to represent His Excellency Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, and the entire Malagasy people. Taking the floor before the General Assembly is both a privilege and a duty, as our exchanges and contributions will forge the way forward and the future of our shared vision of a world of peace, prosperity and a United Nations of peoples. I join those who spoke before me in sincerely congratulating the President of the General Assembly on his election. I am convinced that his conviction in the merits of, and commitment to, multilateralism will ensure concrete progress in addressing the various challenges that face the Organization, in line with the main theme of the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly. Let us no longer bury our heads in the sand.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)