YouSaid · the spoken record

Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez

lines on the record: 71
first: 2015-09-24
most recent: 2018-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“Panama’s success benefits not only Panama’s people, but everyone. I wish to express today before the entire General Assembly and the world my commitment to continue working as a responsible citizen of the world, together with my people and all nations, to strengthen the United Nations system and all its bodies so that the citizens of our beautiful planet always remain the focus of our struggles and efforts. In conclusion, I share with members the pride that I feel in having contributed to strengthening my country’s vocation as a bridge of peace, dialogue and social justice.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Accordingly, we are developing a monorail with Japanese technology, a subway with French trains, technical higher education based on the Singaporean model and electric power plants fuelled by natural gas with North American technology. In pursuing our vocation to be a bridge linking the world, Panama will host World Youth Day in January 2019, to be attended by Pope Francis, which will bring together hundreds of thousands of young people from 192 countries and will be focused on the shared goal of achieving peace to build a better world and overcome cultural and religious barriers. I bid farewell to the General Assembly with a peaceful conscience, knowing that I have used the political power bestowed upon me by the people solely for their benefit, while unwaveringly leading the struggle.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“While respecting different systems of government, I believe that politics in future will be not only about how to obtain power but also how to use it for the good of the people. Based on our firm belief in the need to build a fairer and more peaceful world, Panama is working to broaden its bilateral relations with countries of South-East Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and with Australia and China, as a means of getting closer to the world and of fulfilling our role as a builder of bridges. Over the past 10 years, I have had opportunities to visit more than 40 countries and become acquainted at first hand with best practices, technology and cooperation programmes, which we have been able to use in my country. Such is the nature of diplomacy — using our abilities to help, and not destroy, one another.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In the fight against drug trafficking, Panama will refocus its strategy to go beyond drug interdiction and criminal arrests to rebuild communities and support people in cutting ties with illegal groups and living as loyal citizens of the State. We reaffirm our commitment to be among the leading nations that work together with multilateral organizations for a better world. In that regard, in November we will inaugurate, in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Central America and the Caribbean, the Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. Panama is putting its connectivity at the service of the region to respond to natural disasters and emergencies across the continent.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I call once again on Nicaragua’s Government and civil-society actors to restore peace through political dialogue. In 2015, Panama served as host for the historic rapprochement between Cuba and the United States. I take this opportunity to reiterate the call for a return to that path and for recognition of the steps taken by the Government of Cuba to open its economy for the benefit the Cuban people and the island’s economic and social development. I wish to stress that, although our continent is at peace, the political crisis in Venezuela, rising drug production in Colombia, the corruption affecting so many economies in the region and the tense situation in Nicaragua are challenges calling for the region’s political leaders to redouble their efforts to seek compromises to restore peace to those societies.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Our countries bear a responsibility to develop policies to manage migratory flows in an orderly manner with respect for human dignity. In the coming days, Panama will announce humanitarian measures to support the Venezuelan families residing in our country. Panama is a great melting pot, comprising citizens from the world over who came and made a new home in our beautiful land. We have learned to live in peace, respecting all religious beliefs, political ideologies and philosophies. In this age of communication and social networks, there is no room for discrimination of any kind. We are all citizens of this planet. This is our home. Reported violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the brotherly people of Nicaragua risk triggering yet another migratory flow in Central America.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The lessons learned from these migratory crises compel us to call vigorously once again on the Government of Venezuela to restore political dialogue and a peaceful society based on democracy, so as to avoid further mass migration and the humanitarian crisis of Venezuelans seeking to meet their basic needs. Such migratory flows can be stemmed only by eliminating the reasons for which citizens leave their countries, risking their safety and that of their families. That represents a significant challenge for the United Nations. We actively participated in the development of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, to be adopted under the auspices of the United Nations this year, with the aim of contributing, based on our experience, to the global framework for tackling such crises.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Once in Brazil, they were forced to migrate yet again as a result of the economic crisis there. Many lives were lost along the way. I recognize the leadership displayed by Chile in solving this human tragedy by opening its doors. I see the tragedy of migration in the face of Juan, a 7-year-old African boy who now lives alone in Panama because he lost his mother as they walked across the mountains between Panama and Colombia. That child forged in the depths of my heart a commitment that countries must better manage migratory flows, in a more organized manner, while respecting the rights of all human beings to seek better living conditions. Thousands of migrants from other continents cross our border with Colombia through the dangerous Darién jungle, risking their lives in the hope of realizing their dreams.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Through our efforts in recent years to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, we have lifted more than 150,000 Panamanians out of poverty, which means a reduction of 5 percentage points, from 25 to 20 per cent, and maintained average annual economic growth of 5 per cent. We are strengthening the social protection system for the elderly and students. We have made major improvements to hospital infrastructure, education, school attendance, access to drinking water, education and housing. We have also extended a dignified welcome to tens of thousands of citizens from other countries who have come to our land seeking a better future for their families. We witnessed the migratory crisis whereby more than 100,000 Haitians left for Brazil following the big earthquake in January 2010.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“This interoceanic link was restored to the people of Panama thanks to the Panama Canal treaties and the courageous decision of a simple human being, former President of the United States Jimmy Carter, whose commitment, I publicly acknowledge today, changed the course of our nation’s history. While we have experienced difficult situations that have affected our national image, we have been able to move on based on the principle that justice becomes unjust when it ceases to protect the innocent. We have demonstrated to the world that our country and its economy have succeeded thanks solely to the honest work of our people.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“For the first time, all responsibility for the financing of media campaigns will lie with the State. We continue to strengthen our status as a connected country, with excellent aviation links, strengthened by a new airport; maritime connectivity, enhanced by the expanded Canal and new ports; and human connectivity, whereby our geographical position and facilities such as a new convention centre and cruise port will play an important role. We have a logistics and financial platform at the service of global trade, and we defend and protect it so as to ensure that it is not used for illicit activities. We have seen the successful expansion of the Canal, which reflects the principles of our country: our ability to unite the world, our permanent neutrality and our openness to global trade.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I have held true to the words I spoke on my first day in office by fighting corruption head on and ensuring that no one is above the law. Many challenges remain ahead. The judicial system still faces significant challenges to ensure that there is no impunity. We have worked tirelessly to strengthen our institutions and consolidate our young democracy, respecting and supporting the elected authorities from all political parties and their communities, and boosting their economic capacities. Next year, Panama will hold its seventh democratic elections, with an electoral body that has proven an effective guarantor of transparent democracy. Thanks to the far-reaching electoral reforms that we have pursued, the forthcoming campaign will be the fairest, shortest and most transparent in our history.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We lead Latin America in terms of investment in urban mobility, with 2,000 kilometres of new roads, and 22 kilometres of metro about to become operational and construction beginning on a further 26 kilometres. We have cut insecurity by 50 per cent, rescued thousands of young people from criminal gangs, and strengthened the capacities of law enforcement. Today’s Panama is very different from the country whose leadership I assumed in 2014. Before all Panamanians and the entire world, today I can say with my head held high that we have succeeded in transforming politics into public service and in rebuilding our democracy to be one that works for future generations. I have governed my country in peace, using dialogue and consensus, invoking the power of the State only to protect the people, not to thwart them.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Through a massive health census, we have identified the principal diseases affecting our citizens, allowing us to provide preventive health treatment. We are transforming the Panamanian education system, making it bilingual and more equitable. More than 6,000 Panamanian teachers have been trained abroad to teach English and more than 3,000 new classrooms are being built for our students. Moreover, we have strengthened the system of higher technical education. I am very proud to share with the Assembly the fact that, as we speak, a team of Panamanian instructors is teaching English to Syrian refugee children in the Za’atari camp in Jordan. Thanks to record investments, we are providing modern sanitation systems to several cities across the country and building new water-treatment plants to markedly expand access to drinking water.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The Organization was founded on the conviction that world leaders should be able to forge a path to resolve disputes by peaceful means. As we attend this annual gathering, we bear the responsibility to realize that dream of peace and brotherhood. Peace is threatened not only by weapons but also by injustice, poverty, hunger, inequality and the lack of opportunity experienced by our people. Therefore, as part of our commitment in adopting the Sustainable Development Goals as national policy, our Government has, over the past four years, made steady progress towards attaining them. We have rebuilt entire cities, and more than 100,000 Panamanian families will have new homes so that their children may lead a life of dignity.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Over these years, I have borne witness to the deliberations and efforts of the United Nations aimed at fostering harmony in the world. Some of the leaders I have listened to in this Hall are no longer with us; some left in peace and others in violent circumstances. We have achieved ambitious goals, from the approval of the Sustainable Development Goals to the commitment to fulfilling them by 2030. Many challenges remain, such as achieving peace in Syria. The theme of the present session spurs us to reflect on the following question: are we as leaders doing enough for the Organization to have a real impact on people’s lives? The answer lies in the commitment of those of us entrusted with the leadership of our countries as we enter the future.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I extend my greetings to the President of the General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, whom I wish to recognize as the first Latin American woman to serve the United Nations in this capacity. I also recognize Secretary-General António Guterres for his renewed commitment to the Organization. To the people of Panama, I express once again, from this rostrum, my gratitude for having been given the opportunity to serve them. As I return to the General Assembly for the seventh time, I am drawing to a close my chapter as Head of State. In just a few months, I will open a new one as a citizen of the world, but one who is determined to continue supporting the efforts of this institution, fighting for peace and social justice and following the example of great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The most important value for the inhabitants of the Earth is peace. It is our responsibility to ensure that our actions are always aligned with the pursuit of that goal. May God bless us all and guide us in our work towards a better world.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The fight against corruption is not measured by the numbers of those who are prosecuted and convicted by the judicial system, but rather by the numbers of those who benefit from a transparent administration of State resources, so that they are recovered for the State’s use. That is important. Rulers have to defend their countries’ economies and the jobs and projects that benefit the people. Panama is committed to the security and protection of its logistics platforms and financial systems. We continue to work responsibly to prevent illegal activities that undermine the common good. In a world that is constantly talking about justice, we Heads of State and Government must keep in mind that justice means giving all of us what is rightfully ours. Our planet is rich enough for all human beings to have a decent life.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It is Governments’ duty to take action against tax evasion, which affects the ability of the State to help the poorest and deepens inequality. Rulers must implement public policies and develop programmes that allow the State to distribute resources equitably, so that the most vulnerable are equipped with the tools to contribute to development and use resources sustainably. Countries have to be accountable in the interests of achieving transparency in the administration of State resources. However, it is important to ensure that the misdeeds of the political classes and their supporters in business do not hurt innocent people.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We are working towards those objectives with a sense of responsibility and transparency, without increasing any taxes, and moving forward steadily towards fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals. That is the value of an honest Government, which, bound by social justice and equality to distribute the riches of the people, represents a road to a peaceful society, a decent quality of life and a fairer world in which we are all treated equally. All human beings deserve a decent life, which takes everyone’s efforts to build and is achieved only when the basic needs of our citizens for food, shelter, health and education are met. That is why it is important to ensure that every citizen pays taxes to the State, as the working and professional classes do.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Thanks to the honest Government that I lead, the increased revenues from our broadened Canal and the sustained economic growth of the past few years, we are improving the living conditions of all Panamanians. We have significantly increased the salaries of civil servants, police officers, educators, doctors and nurses. We have reviewed the money going into pensions and scholarships and strengthened conditional monetary assistance. We are also laying thousands of kilometres of roads, investing in major basic health projects and water-purifying plants, and building tens of thousands of houses for our poorest citizens, as well as modern, bilingual schools, sports and cultural centres, new metro lines and a modern mass-transport system.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We are willing to build facilities for a centre for regional humanitarian assistance that will enable us to provide timely support, when it is needed, to countries in the region that are dealing with natural disasters, as we did recently with the air and maritime bridges bringing aid to countries affected by Hurricane Irma, which struck Cuba, the Caribbean and the United States. As President of the Republic of Panama, I have two clear goals: to make politics a service and ensure that my country continues as a functional democracy. We are recovering hundreds of millions of misappropriated dollars that belong to the people, and we are investing that money in the people, using the State’s resources to benefit all Panamanians.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Those reforms must ensure that the United Nations unites us more effectively and connects Heads of State with the pain of people suffering from war, natural disasters and organized crime. Multilateral cooperation is vital to that process, which is not a question merely of economic resources but also of the transfer of capacity and best practices. Middle-income countries such as Panama can contribute to the transfer of knowledge and technology, generating tangible benefits for populations and contributing to peace. Panama’s commitment to that path is unwavering. We therefore call for the establishment of a United Nations regional headquarters in our country.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Today I respectfully call on the countries that are members of the Security Council to strengthen their measures and decisions promoting sustainable peace in places such as Syria and Iraq. I must also strongly condemn irresponsible leaders, such as those in North Korea, who seek to destabilize peaceful coexistence in the world. Panama believes that a strong multilateral system can be used to achieve the objectives we set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and we are ready to continue playing a leadership role. That is why we support the Secretary-General’s process of reform designed to make the United Nations more transparent, efficient and better able to respond to the needs of a world of more than 7 billion people. If we can share the wealth of our planet, no one will be left behind.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In that regard, Panama is willing to play a front-line role, building bridges of understanding and dialogue that can make our region stronger and more united. I call on the Heads of State of the Americas to go to Lima with that vision of unity so that we can ensure that the hemisphere makes steady progress towards development. We live in a world that is being battered by acts of terrorism, natural disasters and organized crime. There is no time or space for us to waste effort fighting over temporary ideological differences. Countries must unite their capacities to address the evils affecting peoples beyond their borders. Panama strongly condemns all acts of terrorism anywhere the world, which can never be justified.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We must stop the clashes that have provoked unnecessary violence, hurting all Latin Americans. It is urgent that we recognize that to resolve the conflict, both sides must seek a path to understanding and agree on a defined road map for free and transparent presidential elections in 2018. It would be a grave error if the Government of Venezuela insisted on installing a one-party political model by force. That would aggravate its social and humanitarian crisis, increasing migratory flows that could result in complex situations in neighbouring countries. We should all stand with the Venezuelan people to help them overcome this crisis. Our continent must emerge united from the Summit of the Americas in Lima if we are to combat inequality and drug trafficking together.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Drug trafficking condemns our people to poverty; affects State budgets; makes us invest resources in security instead of education, health, housing and transportation; challenges the authority of Governments; and subverts the loyalty of those whose duty it is to comply with and uphold the rule of law. Panama reaffirms its commitment to combating drug trafficking head-on. We will dedicate the full force of our efforts and resources to helping the region to eliminate that scourge. Moreover, we appeal to the leaders and Heads of State of the countries that produce and consume drugs to support us in this fight. Every dollar generated by drug trafficking represents death in our region. The political crisis in Venezuela is having a profound impact on the region.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In his recent visit, Pope Francis delivered an important message about the consolidation of the process — which benefits everyone, not just the Colombian people — that we must accept the mistakes that have been made, correct them and seek reconciliation. However, our continent is facing a problem that transcends borders — the growth of drug production and trafficking. It is vital that the leaders of the Americas unite in joining forces to tackle that challenge, one that threatens the peace of our peoples, particularly in the northern triangle. We cannot allow drug trafficking to disrupt the peace that has been restored at such cost in Central America and Colombia.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“At the Summit of the Americas, which took place in Panama, there was a historic rapprochement between two countries that had held divergent positions for more than half a century — Cuba and the United States. They began a frank conversation about putting an end to their estrangement. As we near the next Summit of the Americas, in Lima, we must approach it with a constructive spirit and an openness to dialogue to analyse the problems of the region and uphold peace and unity across the Americas. The Americas and the world are happy to see that Colombia is successfully continuing to implement its Peace Agreement.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In 2015, in his opening remarks to the seventh Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis said, “Panama’s geographic position in the centre of the American continent, making it the meeting point between North and South, between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is surely a call, pro mundi beneficio, to generate a new order of peace and justice and to promote solidarity and cooperation while respecting the just autonomy of each nation.” I have always borne in mind Panama’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and understanding. Ours is a country of unity at the service of the international community. We stand ready to cooperate as a strategic ally and to contribute our resources in the interest of addressing the common problems afflicting the region and the world at large.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Such humanitarian policy has been the lodestar of my leadership of Panama for the past 39 months, as I have sought to build a nation where justice and equality prevail, without making innocent people pay the price or causing unnecessary conflict. Democracy is not just about electing Heads of State in free and fair elections. Rather, it is about those of us who are elected understanding that the power bestowed on us should be used only to serve those who elected us; about managing the wealth of the State with transparency, fairness and social justice for the benefit of the people; and about leading our countries peacefully, on a basis of dialogue and consensus.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Against that backdrop, the theme of the Assembly at this session — “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet” — will encourage Heads of State and Government to engage in dialogue and reach agreement on concrete actions that we can take to bring about peace in the world. Peace is a human construct, the fruit of coexisting respectfully and meeting the basic needs of individuals, responsibly, all the while preserving the planet thatis our home. The most effective and appropriate way to resolve the problems that currently affect the Earth’s inhabitants is to ensure that human beings are always central to our decision-making.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would like to congratulate you, President Lajčák, on your election to steer the debates at this session of the General Assembly, and to extend warm greetings to Secretary-General António Guterres. In my capacity as President of the Republic of Panama, I pledge the support of my Government and country. From this rostrum, with respect and affection, I would also like to send my warmest greetings to the people of Panama, who have given me the opportunity to serve them. For a fourth consecutive year, I am returning to the Assembly as the world is beset by challenges such as organized crime, terrorism and natural disasters that affect all our populations. Another major challenge we must tackle is the increase in migration flows driven by war, poverty and inequality.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would like to begin my remarks by extending my condolences and solidarity to the people and the Government of Mexico for the victims of the earthquake that struck yesterday, as well as to the peoples of Cuba, the United States and the nations of the Caribbean for the deaths and heavy material damage left in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey and now being inflicted by Hurricane Maria, especially in Dominica. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. Such natural disasters send a clear message that we must continue to forge ties of solidarity and that our countries’ protective and security capacities should be used solely to help each other, not to create conflict.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Yet what is most important for me as President is that the Government I lead should prepare us in such a way that this connection is more than merely logistical, and encompasses values and principles that strengthen governability in all nations and guarantee social peace in the world. My Government is committed to its country and to its people, and my nation is committed to placing its riches, capabilities and geographical position at the service of all the world’s inhabitants. This is Panama — the route that unites the world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“This event will bring together more than 500,000 young people from 190 countries and will be a great opportunity to sow the seed of peace among young people in Central America, exchanging violence, mourning and pain for peace, faith and hope. This will promote and consolidate family values, security and the common good. In the globalized world in which we live, threatened by armed conflict, terrorism, organized crime and humanitarian crises, responsible countries represented in the Assembly must unite to confront these global threats and strengthen the United Nations system. Our canal has expanded, as have our ports and airports. In this way, Panama is each day more prepared to be the great connection.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“With Europe, we increased our air connectivity with direct flights to five cities on that continent. With the United States, we have strengthened cooperation in security, and with the countries of our Latin American region we have adopted migration and trade policies that contribute to the development of economic relations and encourage integration. Two months ago, the Holy See and His Holiness Pope Francis acknowledged our country’s commitment to playing an active role in strengthening unity and peace in the world and guiding young people so that they may continue advancing along the path of education, work and progress. Panama has been chosen to host the next World Youth Day in 2019.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“During the 27 months of our Government, we have achieved a significant reduction in crime of more than 40 per cent after having launched a successful security plan to prevent and combat crime in Panama, offering more opportunities for young people at risk and a firm hand against delinquency and organized crime. In accordance with our security strategy, we have managed to seize tons of drugs and dismantle networks linked to organized crime. In the first years of our Government, we reached out to the countries of Asia. With the support of Singapore, we are developing higher technical education in our country, and through the technical assistance and financing of the Government of Japan, Panama will build a 27-kilometer monorail that will benefit hundreds of thousands of Panamanians in the west of our capital city.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We congratulate the Government of Colombia and President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón for his determination in the pursuit of peace, and we call on the demobilizing rebel groups to fulfil their obligations, as laid out in the Agreement, in order to consolidate a peace that is so desired and deserved by the Colombian nation. In this context, I acknowledge the Secretariat for its decision to become actively involved in supporting the peace process through to its successful completion. Despite this great step forward, the region is threatened by increased drug production and trafficking. Panama will therefore continue to strengthen its capabilities and professionalize its public forces in order to protect our homeland and support the countries of our continent in the front-line fight against drug trafficking.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We believe that the inclusion of the Holy See as a mediator of the process would be very positive, and we reiterate our position that any end to tensions between the political forces of that brotherly nation must be achieved through democratic means and dialogue in order for social peace and respect for human rights to prevail. On 26 September, we shall accompany the Government of Colombia in the signing of the Final Peace Agreement in that brotherly nation, which we commend and fully support. Our presence at that historic event will not be only to support the Agreement, but also to honour the memory of thousands of members of the Colombian public forces who have died and the thousands of innocent lives lost throughout the conflict.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I call on all countries of the hemisphere to endorse the successful completion of the electoral process in Haiti and the strengthening of its democratic institutions and economy. The rapprochement between the Governments of Cuba and the United States is an example of what diplomacy can achieve in order to contribute to the regulation of migration flows, and we expect this new dimension of the foreign policies of both countries to continue developing until the normalization of full diplomatic relations is achieved. Panama supports the dialogue that is taking place in Venezuela.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Yesterday, we Heads of State had the opportunity to discuss in depth the issue of irregular migration flows in our region, which in our case principally involves Haitian citizens who risk and even lose their lives crossing vast distances, rivers and inaccessible territories en route to northern countries in the hope of a better future. We stress our position that all migration policies and measures must be based on the protection of the inherent human right to life. Convinced that controlled migration contributes to justice and equity in the world, Panama therefore reaffirms its commitment to providing humanitarian treatment for migrants, applying strict health and safety controls.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In recent years, we have witnessed the intensification of terrorist attacks that threaten the peace and security of humankind on a recurring basis. I wish to recognize the men and women fighting terrorism and to express our solidarity with the families of those killed in these attacks. I thank those who are deployed on humanitarian missions around the world, assisting those who flee violence caused by terrorism and armed conflict. Panama energetically condemns the recent attack perpetrated against a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria. I take this opportunity to call on the great Powers to maintain their diplomatic channels open and pursue dialogue within the framework of the Security Council in order to achieve peace in Syria and the cessation of other armed conflicts in the world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Therefore we cannot allow differences of opinion among two or more countries on a single topic to jeopardize the progress that can be achieved on other bilateral and multilateral issues of common interest and mutual benefit to our peoples. The world witnessed significant progress made at the Paris summit. This week, Panama will deposit the instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Our country is moving aggressively to play its part. With the same resolve and commitment, I call on States Members of the Organization to join forces against climate change, pool their efforts and do everything in their power to find comprehensive solutions to the issue of irregular migration flows, and to continue taking solid steps that will allow us to defeat terrorism and organized crime, inequality and poverty.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As I told the Assembly last year (see A/70/PV.19), some weeks ago we reaffirmed our commitment to transparent financial systems and fiscal responsibility with our announcement that Panama will become party to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and we are going to do that. We will continue to work with the international community to lead efforts to prevent financial systems from being used for purposes that do not represent the common good. In addressing the serious threats and major challenges that are the purview of the Assembly, we must not forget that relations among States are global.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“With the same determination with which we committed to completing the expansion of the Canal and protecting our logistical services, ports and airports from organized crime, we in Panama have accepted responsibility for upholding our financial system and moving forward with the exchange of tax information. Our Administration has enacted important legal and institutional reforms so that we can adopt top international standards in order to comply with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing and related activities.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In addition, we have developed a set of major reforms and exemplary actions aimed at strengthening our democracy and ensuring transparency and accountability within a framework of respect for the separation of powers and the rule of law. With every passing day, our country comes closer to meeting the SDGs. The range of world-class international services that form the basis of our growing economy makes us ever more committed to being responsible citizens of the world. As a serious, responsible country, Panama is willing to comply with the obligations of international law and to cooperate as a regional partner and strategic ally on trade and security issues.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“By 2019, we will have built more than 300,000 basic sanitation units in Panamanian homes and housing projects for more than 100,000 families nationwide. We are building 10,000 new classrooms and renovating more than 3,000 public schools across the country. Right now we are making progress in adding another 50 kilometres to our mass transit metro system, which will benefit more than 1.5 million people. Our plan also includes long- term planning for the construction of new hospitals, roads, water treatment plants, aqueducts and sewage and wastewater treatment plants. All these efforts in public investments are being implemented with full fiscal responsibility, an added value of an honest and transparent Government.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In the area of education, in a strategic alliance with the private sector, we are allocating the funds needed to develop an educational model with 100 per cent high school attendance, an extended school day and bilingual education, alongside the construction of new, modern higher technical education institutes that can enable our young people to get the well-paid jobs that our growing service economy is generating. With the support of more than $3 billion in foreign investment in the energy sector, we are diversifying our energy mix with renewable, cleaner types of energy. We have set ourselves the goal of recovering 50 per cent of our deforested areas in the next 20 years and protecting our biodiversity and our oceans.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)