YouSaid · the spoken record

Arthur Peter Mutharika

lines on the record: 100
first: 2011-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
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 are adopting the Gender Equality Act: Implementation and Monitoring Plan 2016-2020 as well as improved gender- sensitive data-collection approaches. On trade issues, investment and market access, Malawi continues to open up the economy and offer numerous investment opportunities. We have opened up to investors in the mining, manufacturing, agriculture and adding value, tourism, transport, water, energy and financial sectors. We are rapidly improving our business climate. We are ready to do business with the world. I therefore invite the global community to patronize the annual Malawi Investment Forum, to be held in Lilongwe on 10 and 11 October. It is imperative that regional and global markets be free of distortions such as subsidies, tariffs and non-tariff barriers.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We are among the few countries on the African continent that have successfully rolled out the test-and-treat programme. We are managing the pandemic. But we need concerted efforts to manage non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. On gender equality, Malawi is taking proactive measures to reduce the vulnerability of women and adolescent girls to violence and abuse. Consequently, we are focusing on addressing gender-based violence and balancing reproductive and productive roles in order to enhance women’s participation in decision-making. This work entails collaboration with traditional leaders, in order to tackle retrogressive traditional practices that harm our women and the girl child. We have also enhanced legal and policy reforms and improved our law enforcement mechanism in that area.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In 2016, we endured just the opposite, as yet again half of the country was affected, this time by a scorching drought. When we consider climate change, let us remember that there are real souls out there suffering the effects. We, as a country, will do our duty to humankind. This afternoon, I will sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change here at Headquarters and commit my Government to the ratification and implementation of that crucial document. Malawi has already adopted a climate change policy, which will guide our domestic implementation of the Paris Agreement. We are taking action on climate change. Let me also put on record that Malawi is making exemplary progress in the health sector. We are pioneering innovative approaches to the management of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Although inflation has been negatively affected by the food shortage, bulk maize importation should help to reduce inflation and consequently improve lending rates. Our domestic and foreign debts are within sustainable levels. And the economy is progressively generating much-needed jobs, particularly among our youth. Moving forward, the combination of robust fiscal and macroeconomic reform programmes that the country is implementing is projected to lead to further GDP growth, single-digit inflation and low lending rates, which will in turn lead to increased confidence, greater investment, more jobs and improved incomes. Our only major setback in the last two years was the effects of climate change. In 2015, we experienced terrible floods that affected over half of the country.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We have been sending peacekeeping forces to various parts of Africa and beyond for a long time. I am happy to report that Malawi’s record in peacekeeping is illustrative and outstanding. In that regard, we are committed to the work of the United Nations. As a beacon of peace, we also actively pursue the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 project “Silencing the guns by 2020” — and silence the guns we must. On the economic front, Malawi continues to register steady but considerable progress, despite the attendant challenges. The country registered a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 3.2 per cent in 2015, as compared with the global average of 3 per cent, and is expected to reach 5 per cent in 2016.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The sustainability of our pursuit and the attainment of our goals depend upon our common understanding and our walking together as a community of humankind. Malawi is doing its part and will continue to do its part. We continue to guarantee basic human rights because we can progress only with people who are free. We offer every care to our brothers and sisters who seek refuge in Malawi because we have a duty to humankind. We ensure peace, stability, security and tranquillity for everyone because we must create an environment for progress. We govern with the principles of democracy and the rule of law because humankind is safe only when everybody is accountable. And we pledge to continue living in peace with all of our neighbours because we value peace and harmony. Malawi’s commitment to international peace and security is on record.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Everywhere, global warming threatens our existence with hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes, wildfires, extreme flooding and droughts, dangers that threaten the fragile economies of Africa and the Third World everywhere. Africa, and the rest of the developing world, is suffering from dehumanizing poverty, the pain of hunger, disease, inequalities and gender imbalances. Most of these are tragedies and challenges of our own creation. And the solutions lie in our hands. The choices for human destiny around the world lie with us in the Assembly. Those challenges must be resolved by us, for nobody else can resolve them. It must be done here, or nowhere else. It must be now, or never. We have risen to the occasion of our times and begun the journey of conquest with the adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. But we have only just begun.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“But our generation faces mountains of challenges. Our world stands in great peril. Innocent souls continue to suffer from the tragedy of wars. Many lives are maimed, mutilated or cut short. Political instability continues to shake the foundations of our dreams. Conflicts have scattered communities and driven them from their homes in endless migrations. We are caught in unending cycles of suffering, violence, terrorism, radicalization, extremism, abductions and human trafficking. That is a story that we can have no pride in recounting to the next generations. Our world is living a story of indignity and shame. Our planet is in great danger.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I have also noted with appreciation that the process of selecting the Secretary- General has, for the first time in the history of the United Nations, begun to address issues of transparency and democracy. If our job is to promote the political virtues of transparency and democracy around the world, we must indeed also be the first to show ourselves to be transparent and democratic. We have engaged in a unanimous drive to transform our world. We have agreed that our road to a better world must follow the signposts of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which show us the road to ending poverty in the world. Today, we gather to look back on the road of progress and to renew our commitment to pursue those Goals to the end. The mission of every generation should be to leave our world a better place for subsequent generations.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I am delighted and happy to be addressing the General Assembly today, and I would like to join my fellow leaders in congratulating the President on his election as its leader. The world has shown its confidence in him, and we are confident that he will steer the ship to the shore of our dreams. His election also testifies to our belief in the equality of our Member States, irrespective of their size. I would also like to sincerely commend His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his exceptional leadership during his tenure of office. We wish him every success in his future endeavours. I believe we will find an equally competent person to replace him.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Our Government has therefore always been committed to fighting corruption, fraud and theft. It is against that background that we are pursuing and prosecuting suspects for the theft of public funds. May god bless the United Nations family.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“With improved and increased access to higher education, the world will strike a massive blow at poverty. In fulfilling its national and international responsibility, my Government recognizes the cross- cutting role of respecting and protecting people’s 15-29431 39/51 A/70/PV.16 29/09/2015 human rights and the rule of law. My Government will continue to promote human rights, inter alia, by enhancing awareness of human rights, promoting equitable access to opportunity and strengthening legal protections. The full enjoyment of people’s human rights cannot be achieved in a society full of fraud, corruption and theft of public resources. Those vices must be dealt with in order to protect people’s human rights and ensure the delivery of expected services from their Government.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As a champion of higher education in Africa, I wish to reiterate in no uncertain terms that all of the brilliant resolutions and decisions coming out of this great forum, and many similar ones across the world, will fall flat if countries ignore the task of educating the people, especially young people and, even more so, girl children. In that vein, I am pleased to note that Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning”. However, it does not fully capture the centrality of higher education in achieving the wider Sustainable Development Goals and targets. Allow me to express gratitude to those partners that continue to stand with us to promote higher education in Africa.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Malawi also took advantage of the forum to host a side high-level event to share perspectives on demographic dividends and investing in youth, which we hope will successfully lead to improved coordination, commitment and support for youth empowerment and development for Africa. We have expressed the desire for shared prosperity and well-being and unity and integration, for a continent where the full potential of women and youth are realized with freedom from fear, disease and want. As others taking the floor earlier have noted, two days ago we adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That was brilliant. However, allow me to highlight SDG 4, which speaks of education.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Let me commend President Xi Jinping of China, and the Secretary-General, through the Office of UN-Women, for organizing on the margins of this session the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Commitment to Action, under the theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: step it up for gender equality”, to which a number of leaders, including Malawi’s, made national commitments. My Government is committed to the “He For She” campaign to address gender inequality, end gender- based violence, promote women’s political participation and facilitate women’s economic empowerment. It has therefore been singled out as one of the core priority areas of our revised Malawi Growth and Development Strategy — the blueprint of Malawi’s development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Having said that, let me also reiterate what I have always maintained — that all of the aforementioned wonderful programmes will be realized when we, as a global family, do not leave our youth and women behind. In Malawi and, I believe, in almost all developing countries, young people and women constitute the majority of the population. It is therefore only natural that they be adequately represented at all decision-making levels of society. The late President Mandela of South Africa once said, “As long as a nation refuses to acknowledge the equal role of more than half of itself, it is doomed to failure”. That is a fact and I could not agree with it more.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As we look to the sustainable development agenda, we must commit, as the international community, to putting an end to AIDS as a public health threat and finishing the business of HIV/AIDS by 2030. My Government has already committed to doing so, and current evidence shows that Malawi is well on the way to achieving that goal. Together, we can end AIDS by 2030, but it will require conducting business “as unusual” and fast-tracking HIV responses, in line with the evidence of what works. But more importantly, it will require continued shared responsibility and global solidarity in financing HIV programmes and enhancing the capacity of developing countries such as Malawi to manufacture the drugs and make them more accessible to our people.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“It is therefore imperative, as we move to implement the new global development agenda, to be mindful of the important role that global partnerships can play in effective development cooperation, thereby ensuring the successful implementation of development programmes in the developing countries. We in Malawi are also glad to reiterate the fact that, as we look to the Sustainable Development Goals, we can draw international pride and inspiration from our collective achievements on MDG 6, which involves halting and reversing the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Under that goal, we aimed to put 15 million people on treatment globally, and today we can stand here and boldly declare that we have met that target.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Despite varied progress among Member States, and developing countries in particular, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have proved that unity of purpose is critical to transforming the world into a better place for our children and future generations. My Government is grateful to development partners that have worked to help Malawi achieve four of the 38/51 15-29431 29/09/2015 A/70/PV.16 eight MDGs: reducing child mortality, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. It is evident that as a country we are embarking on the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda with unfinished business.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Let me now touch on another important issue that has been on the agenda of the United Nations for quite some time, that is, reform of the Security Council. I have followed with keen interest the intergovernmental negotiations on how the Security Council can be reformed to make it more representative, democratic, effective, transparent and accountable to all. The Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration are our guiding principles in that endeavour. Our quest for peace and security should be hinged on sustainable socioeconomic development for our people that has true meaning and reflects the lives of our people.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I would like to mention just a few of those issues demanding our attention as members of the United Nations. First, peace operations should be guided by a focus on political solutions, in which the emphasis should be on conflict prevention through political means, with a bias towards people-centred solutions as well as the protection of civilians. Secondly, there is a need for comprehensive peace and security partnerships that involve the Security Council, regional actors and national mechanisms. Thirdly, the world, through the United Nations, should find a way to compensate people who have suffered abuse. Fourthly, there is a need for greater political will on the part of all actors in peace missions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“However, during the same period, we have lived in fear and uncertainty, in a world tainted by the conflicts, poverty and violence that have endangered our very existence. As we live in this imperfect world, the pursuit of peace should be our main goal if we are to shape a promising life for our future generations. I would therefore like to commend the Secretary-General for convening the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, aimed at reviewing current United Nations operations and considering emerging future needs in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. The Panel’s report (A/70/95), submitted in June, has highlighted some important issues that I feel that we, as part of the global family, should consider and take seriously.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The theme of this year’s general debate, “The United Nations at 70 — a new commitment to action”, comes at a very opportune time, for it fittingly summarizes the core business of the United Nations at its inception, today and in the future — that is, the maintenance of international peace and security. The United Nations was created on the understanding that peace is not just the absence of war; it comes with the struggles, compromises, sacrifices and choices we make as nations and as individuals for the benefit of humanity. We cannot realize a complete sense of peace without justice, dignity and freedom. We can rejoice that in the 70 years of the work of the United Nations, we have collectively averted another world war.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mr. Mogens Lukketoft on his election to preside over the General Assembly at its seventieth session. His credentials are impeccable, and I am confident that he will steer the Assembly’s affairs to a successful conclusion, with all his objectives and aspirations fulfilled. I would like to assure him of my delegation’s support. I would also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa of our sister country Uganda, the outgoing President of the General Assembly, for his untiring efforts during his presidency. His dedication to the work of the United Nations is commendable. And I reiterate Malawi’s support for the Secretary-General as he strives to realize the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Malawi will use its position as Chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation to help realize that cause.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Secondly, 40 per cent of the continent’s children under 5 are stunted in their growth. Thirdly, Africa’s share of global child mortality amounts to 50 per cent. Finally, 50 per cent of Africa’s children are not in school. I urge that the post-2015 development agenda give priority to those challenges for redress. Africa has already spoken clearly about its priorities through the Common African Position on the post-2015 development agenda and through the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aspires to achieve a prosperous, peaceful and integrated Africa. In that vein, I wish to call on all stakeholders to join the global partnership for effective development cooperation principles by implementing and delivering on a transformative post-2015 development agenda.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Only by expanding the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the Council and by including developing countries in both categories will we be able to solve some of the legitimacy deficits under which the Council is currently labouring. In conclusion, I would submit that the centre of the post-2015 development agenda should be to address the plight of hitherto disadvantaged groups, such as women, girls and persons with disabilities. It is a well- known fact that the ugly face of poverty manifests itself through women, girls and persons with disabilities. It is sad that Africa, the continent to which Malawi belongs, shares the following worrisome statistics in terms of human development. First, its share of global poverty is as high as 30 per cent.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is also encouraging to note that the sustainable development goals that emanated from the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals have incorporated the development concerns of both the developed and developing world. With respect to Security Council reform, the year 2015 will mark, as the General Assembly is aware, the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. As such, it will be an occasion for all of us to bring new energy into the Organization and carry out the important reforms that we have been calling for since its inception. For instance, the limited representation in the Security Council is a source of great concern, particularly in the light of the challenges of the twenty- first century.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Malawi is looking forward to a framework that is shared, but differentiated enough, where developing countries, depending on their special needs and unique characteristics, will have flexibility in implementing programmes. My delegation is pleased with the tremendous progress made thus far in defining the post-2015 development agenda. It is in that context that I would like to reiterate and confirm Malawi’s commitment to achieving sustainable development in three interconnected dimensions, namely, economic development, including the end of extreme poverty; social inclusion; and environmental sustainability. I am convinced that Member States gathered here today will own the outcome document of the post-2015 development agenda and will be committed to its full implementation.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Commitments made by development partners have been unpredictable and have often gone unfulfilled. To achieve delivery of the post-2015 development agenda, the global community should not repeat that mistake. More importantly, accountability and transparency, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, should be promoted. It is therefore imperative that, as we move closer to welcoming the new global development agenda, we should all be mindful of the importance of global partnership for effective development cooperation. That would ensure the agenda’s successful implementation in developing countries. The post-2015 development agenda should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all global development framework.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The MDGs provided a common framework for monitoring progress, highlighting areas of achievement as well as challenges. Malawi is on track for achieving four of the eight MDGs, namely, reducing child mortality; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development. However, we are unlikely to meet the other four goals, namely, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal access to education; ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of women; and improving maternal health. Malawi will therefore be proceeding to the post- 2015 development agenda with unfinished business from the MDGs. One reason why developing countries like Malawi have failed to achieve all of the Millennium Development Goals is inadequate resources.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The post- 2015 development agenda should reflect the needs and priorities of the developing world. It is important that the next global development agenda draw lessons from the successes and challenges of the current blueprint being used, namely, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Rather than seeing 2015 as an end point, we must think of it as the beginning of a new era, an era in which we eradicate extreme poverty, protect the environment and promote economic opportunity for all. The MDGs have played an important role in concentrating our efforts around the common purpose of eradicating poverty. They have raised public awareness about the unacceptable levels of poverty and have helped mobilize action towards a fairer world.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The fight against poverty, hunger and inequality constitutes the greatest challenge of our time. The theme further augurs well for the future in relation to the plans and aspirations of the people of Malawi. Malawi appreciates the consultative nature of the process followed in designing the post-2015 development agenda. Let me therefore commend the Secretary-General’s initiatives to ensure an inclusive process that will lead to the post-2015 development agenda. With financial and technical support from the United Nations, more than 50 countries have conducted national consultations, in which people provided input and direction on the post-2015 development framework. I am pleased that Malawi was one of the countries selected for those national consultations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“On the same subject, in the Middle East, Malawi has always been disheartened and disappointed by the continuing violence and loss of life and property resulting from the conflict between Israel and Palestine. That cannot go on forever. We trust that the two-State solution to the conflict, with Israel and Palestine living side by side, in peace and harmony, is the only viable way to achieve lasting peace in the region. We encourage both sides to the dispute to renounce violence, exercise utmost restraint and employ dialogue as the sure tool to reach a political settlement. As for the post-2015 development agenda, the choice of “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda” as the theme for the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly could not be more appropriate.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The SADC group, as well as the international community, is pleased with the success achieved in getting the Mouvement du 23 mars and other negative forces to leave the country and surrender. In Madagascar, SADC played a crucial role in bringing back constitutional normalcy in the country. In terms of international peace and security, I would like to inform this gathering that Malawi has always supported the disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction. To that end, we have supported resolutions in the General Assembly aimed at nuclear disarmament. Over and above that, a couple of months ago, my country held an in-country workshop to come up with mechanisms to implement Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) at the national level to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As the Assembly is aware, Malawi was the chair of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) from August 2013 until August 2014. During our term of office, we strove as a region to achieve long-lasting peace and stability in our countries. In that vein, let me commend my country, Malawi, and the countries of Madagascar and South Africa for holding peaceful and credible elections. The SADC group has been undertaking a number of efforts aimed at ending the cycle of conflicts and violence in the region. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, SADC deployed the Force Intervention Brigade, comprising troops from Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, under the auspices of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as authorized under Security Council resolution 2098 (2013).”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As we commemorate the 50 years of peace, law and order, we have tasked ourselves with taking stock of the development that the country has registered since 1964, as well as the challenges that the country faces today. Much of the country has made some progress in diverse sectors of our national development, but there is still more to be done in order to uplift the living standards of the many Malawians who continue to remain below the poverty line. They too dream of a better future, which is possible only if we work with unity of purpose. In a quest to take development to the micro level, my Government has embarked on a journey to transform Malawi so as to ensure the delivery of satisfactory services to Malawians, especially the poor and the marginalized.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“On 20 May, my country held its first ever tripartite elections, which enabled Malawians to choose their political leadership through a democratic and peaceful process. The elections ushered me into office as the fifth President of the Republic of Malawi. I would therefore like to inform the Assembly that, despite a few challenges, the elections were free, fair, transparent and credible. In that vein, let me seize the opportunity to thank all the electoral stakeholders, both local and international, for their dedication to ensuring successful elections in my country. Malawi has come out of the election much stronger than before. On 6 July, Malawi commemorated the golden jubilee of its independence.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Allow me to begin by congratulating Mr. Sam Kutesa on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. I have no doubt that his election at this juncture will bring to the notice of the world some of the problems and opportunities that exist in Africa. Malawi and Uganda have enjoyed cordial relations for a long time and my Government and my delegation will do all we can to support him in that very important position. Let me also take the opportunity to congratulate his predecessor, Ambassador John William Ashe, for guiding the work of the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly with skill and pragmatism. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the steady manner in which he continues to guide our global Organization.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I therefore would like to endorse Africa’s common position, known as the Ezulwini Consensus, that two permanent member seats and five non-permanent seats in the Security Council should be given to Africa.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It is an issue that obviously we must address because it is an important one. Finally, my Government attaches great importance to the role of the Security Council. There is no question that the Council has played an extremely important role since the creation of the United Nations in 1945. However, I think it is obvious to everybody that the structure created in 1945 is no longer applicable to the present situation. We need therefore to make sure that the Security Council is democratized. We need to make sure that majority of countries, especially those most affected by the Security Council, like Malawi and others in Africa, are given a role to play in the Council.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I want to urge the international community to make sure that by the end of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism — from 2011 to 2021 — all the territories under colonial domination will be free and independent. I think that self-governance is a very important concept. The self- determination of colonized peoples is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Of course, there is another element of self- determination which the United Nations obviously has to address, namely, that of self-determination outside the colonial context. It is an extremely complicated problem that needs to be addressed and studied. First of all, what does self-determination mean within the context of non-colonial States? What are peoples within the context of non-colonial States?”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“There are movements of people who are bent upon bringing about unconstitutional changes of Government, thereby causing instability. In the case of Malawi, we are committed to maintaining peace and security. We are also committed to democracy and good governance. In this regard, Malawi has, for example, instituted a number of bodies, such as the Malawi Human Rights Commission, an ombudsman, an anti-corruption bureau and the Department of the Auditor General. All these institutions are institutions of good governance aimed at improving the governance in our part of Africa, and certainly in Malawi. Another issue that is of importance to Malawi in particular and to Africa in general is the issue of self- determination. We still have over 2 million people in different parts of the world living under colonial domination.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I know that countries like Malawi have not contributed to the 11-51670 34 incidence of climate change. Nevertheless, we feel we do have a collective responsibility to make sure that the issue of climate change is addressed. I hope that the upcoming seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to take place in South Africa, will address this particular problem. The third area to which my country attaches importance is the issue of peace and security. As we are all aware, no matter how much development we achieve, it will be meaningless if there is no peace and security in our countries. Unfortunately, in our countries, especially in Africa, we now face a lot of challenges.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We face problems of floods, heavy rains, droughts, earthquakes, heavy winds and hurricanes almost every day. Such developments have the effect of turning back the progress made with respect to the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, I would like to invite the international community to set up mechanisms in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world that can assist us in managing disasters. My country also attaches importance to the issue of climate change. Climate change has become an extremely difficult issue in Africa, where crops are destroyed because there is either too much rain or too little rain, too much wind or too much sunshine. All these possibilities are due to climate change. Therefore, I encourage the international community to come up with mechanisms to manage climate change.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In that context, I congratulate the African Union, regional organizations and other international organizations for the mediation work they have done, especially in Africa. I would like to encourage developing countries, especially African States, to make sure to adopt the practice of resolving disputes in universities and to train people at regional and local levels in dispute settlement and resolution techniques. There are a number of issues facing the United Nations and the world, but my country has identified five that I hope will be put at the forefront of the United Nations agenda at this and future sessions. The first issue is that of disaster relief and management. Disasters have now become a major problem in most of our countries. They strain the resources of the least developed countries, particularly in Africa.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I therefore wish them well. The theme of this general debate is “The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means”. I consider this an opportune time to discuss that particular issue because today we are faced with new problems, including inter-State and intra-State problems. There is a new phenomenon of people who become divided over ethnic, linguistic, religious or cultural differences within States. Methods must therefore be found to resolve disputes within States. I therefore wish to commend the United Nations and to encourage the establishment of durable mechanisms to ensure that disputes between and within States are resolved in a peaceful manner.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The people of Mwandama village anxiously await his return, and they have sent word through me to ask him, whenever he has time, to come back to Malawi. Let me take this opportunity to join other speakers in congratulating our brothers and sisters of South Sudan for achieving their independence. I am particularly excited about this because, when South Sudan gained its independence, Malawi was Chair of the African Union and played a small part in its emergence as an independent State. I am very excited about that. The emergence of South Sudan is, I believe, a good manifestation of the importance of mediation and negotiation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. There is no question in my mind that the remaining issues that exist between South Sudan and the Sudan will also be resolved in a peaceful manner.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Joseph Deiss, the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session, for his effective leadership during his tenure. I had the opportunity of working with him in Istanbul, and he was very helpful to me personally as a new participant in those international activities. He also showed much interest in Africa. I hope that, whatever he does in future, he will continue to show interest in Africa. Let me also take the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ban Ki-moon on his unanimous reappointment as Secretary-General. His endorsement has demonstrated the international community’s confidence in his leadership. I remember his visit to Malawi this past year, when he came to visit the Millennium Village.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“First of all, let me say how pleased I am to come before the General Assembly and to address it on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi. The President was unable to attend due to other State commitments, but he sends his greetings to you, Sir, the Secretary-General and all the peoples of the United Nations. At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly. Your election is a manifestation of the confidence that the people of the United Nations have in your leadership. I wish you well as you lead this body in the next several months. Allow me also to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)