YouSaid · the spoken record

Sergey V. Lavrov

lines on the record: 43
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2008-09-24
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

“The obvious global effects of the crisis in the Caucasus show that the world has changed for everyone. There are now fewer illusions and fewer pretexts for refusing to respond to the most urgent challenges of modern times. That is precisely why we hope that the international community will, on the basis of common sense, finally manage to develop a programme of collective action for the twenty-first century.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Distortions of reality hamper international efforts to settle conflicts and crises and revive the worst practices of the cold- war era. If we wish to prevent the truth from becoming the first casualty of war, we must draw the appropriate conclusions, in particular in the light of a provision of the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which states that States have the duty to refrain from propaganda for wars of aggression. That is in line with the Guidelines on protecting freedom of expression and information in times of crisis, recently adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. I propose that the United Nations also issue a statement on that issue, this time in a universal context.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That is also the way in which we intend to develop our relations in other regions of the world: openly, on the basis of international law and without any zero-sum games. Those principles were set out in the foreign policy concept approved by President Medvedev in July this year. Russia is consistently implementing its network diplomacy and promoting cooperation in various formats: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India and China — partnership mechanisms with the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the League of Arab States and regional organizations in Latin America. The developments that occurred in August gave us yet another occasion to think about the responsibility to report events accurately.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“First and foremost, along with the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, we will continue to develop the integration processes within the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community in order to preserve and promote our common heritage of culture and civilization, which, in a globalizing world, is a major resource of the Commonwealth and of each of its member States. That is why we have a particular interest in cooperating with those countries, and it is also why they view Russia as an area of special interest. We will therefore base our relations on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, respect for and consideration of one another’s interests and compliance with existing agreements, in particular those on the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The international development assistance mechanisms being established in Russia will help us to increase the extent and effectiveness of our participation in international efforts to fight hunger and disease, to promote broader access to education and to overcome energy shortages, which will be our additional contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is only natural that, in so doing, we should pay particular attention to assisting nearby countries. All countries have partners with which they share traditional friendly relations 08-53129 4 based on a common history and geography. It is wrong to artificially undermine such relationships for the benefit of geopolitical schemes and against the will of the people. We will continue to work together with all our neighbours.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“From this rostrum, the President of France has put forward important initiatives aimed at a cooperative search for ways to revitalize the international financial system that involve the world’s leading economies. In that context, we support the further development of partnerships between the members of the Group of Eight and key States in all developing regions. The Economic and Social Council could also play a role here. Russia will continue to participate responsibly in the work of various bodies of the United Nations system and in other contexts to help find an equitable solution to all those problems.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We reiterate our proposal that a consultative council of religions be established under United Nations auspices, taking into account the increasing role of the religious aspect in international life. That would assist in strengthening moral principles and incorporating them into international affairs. Among the priorities of United Nations activities, a number of urgent issues have recently appeared on the Organization’s agenda, including climate change and food and energy security. Those problems are global and interrelated, and they can be addressed and resolved only through a global partnership at a qualitatively new level, with active involvement by Governments, the scientific and business communities and civil society. In particular, the current financial crisis requires urgent attention and synergy of efforts.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In order to keep up with the times, the United Nations requires further rational reform to be able to gradually adapt itself to existing political and economic realities. On the whole, we are satisfied by the progress of the reform, including the initial results of the activities of the recently established Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. With regard to expansion of the membership of the Security Council, we will, of course, welcome proposals that do not divide United Nations Member States but rather facilitate the search for mutually acceptable compromises and lead to a broad-based agreement. Of increasing importance in the reform process is the promotion of dialogue and partnership among civilizations. Russia supports the Alliance of Civilizations and other initiatives in that regard.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Only now, after the cold war has ended, can the United Nations, created on the basis of a polycentric vision of the world, fully realize its potential. Today as never before, it is important that all States reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations as a global forum, to which there is no alternative and which possesses a universal mandate and generally recognized legitimacy, and as a centre for open, candid and frank debate and coordination of world policies on a just and equitable basis free from double standards. This is an essential requirement to ensure that the world regains its equilibrium. The multitude of challenges that humanity is facing require comprehensive strengthening of the United Nations.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“This would be a process in which all parties would reaffirm their commitment to fundamental principles of international law, such as the non-use of force; peaceful settlement of disputes; sovereignty; territorial integrity; non-interference in internal affairs; and the inadmissibility of strengthening one’s own security by infringing upon or endangering the security of others. We also need to consider together new mechanisms to ensure compliance with those fundamental principles. Naturally, such a treaty should organically fit into the legal framework of the United Nations Charter and its principles of collective security. The cold war distorted the nature of international relations and turned them into an arena for ideological confrontation.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Medvedev, of Russia, speaking in Berlin on 5 June, proposed an initiative on developing a Euro-Atlantic security treaty, a type of “Helsinki II”. This work could have been started at the Pan-European summit with the 3 08-53129 participation of all States as well as all organizations working in the region. The treaty which we are proposing is meant to create a reliable collective security system that would ensure equal security for all States and set out, in legally binding form, the bases of relations among all participants, with a view to strengthening peace, ensuring stability and promoting integrated and manageable development efforts across the vast Euro- Atlantic region.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“One cannot invoke the duty to defend in the abstract, and then be outraged when that principle is used in practice — and in strict conformity with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and other norms of international law. In South Ossetia, Russia defended the highest of our common values, the most essential human right: the right to live. The existing security architecture in Europe did not pass the test of recent events. Attempts to adjust it to the rules of a unipolar world led to a situation where that architecture proved incapable of containing an aggressor or preventing the supply of offensive weapons to it, contrary to all existing relevant codes of conduct. We propose that this issue should be addressed in a comprehensive manner. President Dmitry A.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“It has become absolutely clear that the solidarity demonstrated after 9/11 must be revived through approaches untainted by geopolitical expediency and built on the rejection of double standards when fighting against any violations or breaches of international law — whether on the part of terrorists, political extremists or any others. The crisis in the Caucasus has proved again that it is impossible to resolve the problems we face when blinded by the mirage of a unipolar world. The price we will have to pay in terms of human lives and destinies is too high. We cannot tolerate any attempts to resolve conflict situations by violating international agreements or by the unlawful use of force. If we allow that to occur once, then we run the risk of unleashing it in the future.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I believe that everyone here has tired of playing the role of extras for the Georgian regime, whose words contain not a shred of truth and whose foreign policy is aimed exclusively at provoking confrontation throughout the world in the pursuit of their own objectives which invariably run counter to the objectives of the Georgian people and to the goal of ensuring security in the Caucasus. Today, it is necessary to analyse the crisis in the Caucasus from the viewpoint of its impact on the region and the international community as a whole. The world has changed yet again.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“However, the current Georgian leadership has pursued a persistent policy of undermining those mechanisms through relentless provocation, and finally nullified the peace process by launching a new murderous war on the night of 8 August. This problem is now closed. The future of the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has been reliably secured by the treaties between Moscow and Tskhinvali and Sukhumi. With the implementation of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan, to which we are strongly committed, the situation around the two republics will finally be stabilized. It is important that this plan should be strictly and unswervingly implemented by all parties. We are concerned, however, by the attempts to rewrite it after the fact.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Russia’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was the only possible step to ensure not only their security, but also the very survival of their peoples, considering the previous record of chauvinism of the Georgian leaders — starting with the Georgian leader Zviad Gamsakhurdia who, in 1991, under the slogan of “Georgia for Georgians”, ordered the deportation of Ossetians to Russia, abolished the autonomous status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and later unleashed a bloody war against them. That war was brought to an end at the cost of innumerable human lives, and peacekeeping and negotiation mechanisms were established with the approval of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The emerging syndrome of complete permissiveness that developed led to a rampage on the night of 8 August, when aggression was unleashed on South Ossetia. The bombing of the sleeping city of Tskhinvali and the killing of civilians and peacekeepers trampled under foot all existing settlement agreements, thus putting an end to the territorial integrity of Georgia. Russia helped South Ossetia to repel that aggression, and carried out its duty to protect its citizens and fulfil its peacekeeping commitments.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We ended up with a privatization of the international community’s efforts in the fight against terrorism. The inertia of the unipolar world also revealed itself in other spheres of international life, including unilateral steps taken in anti-missile defence and the militarization of outer space as well as in attempts to bypass parity in arms control regimes, expansion of political-military blocs, and politicization 08-53129 2 of the issues of access to and transport of energy resources. The illusion of the existence of a unipolar world confused many. For some people, it generated a desire to place all of their eggs in one basket. In exchange for absolute loyalty, there was an expectation of carte blanche to resolve all problems, using any means.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“And why are the international contingents that are present unwilling to engage in the fight against the proliferating drug threat that causes increasing suffering in the countries of Central Asia and Europe? These and other factors give us reason to believe that the counter-terrorism coalition is faced with a crisis. Looking at the core of the problem, it seems that this coalition lacks the requisite collective arrangements: equality among all its members in deciding on strategy and, especially, operational tactics. But in order to control the entirely new situation that evolved after 9/11, which required genuine cooperative effort, including joint analysis and coordination of practical steps, mechanisms designed for a unipolar world began to be used; decisions were taken in a single centre of power, while the rest merely had to follow.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“A painful blow to the unity of the anti-terrorism coalition was delivered by the war in Iraq, when — as it turned out later, under the false pretext of the fight against terror and nuclear arms proliferation — international law was violated. The deepest crisis was thus created in a completely artificial way and even today it is far from being resolved. Ever more questions are being raised about what is going on in Afghanistan. First and foremost, what is the acceptable price to pay in terms of the loss of civilians’ lives in the ongoing counter-terrorism operation? Who decides on criteria for determining proportionality in the use of force?”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“On 11 September 2001, the world changed, and it rallied together in the fight against the threat of terror, a threat that was common for all and knew no boundaries. I am referring to threat of terrorism. The world displayed an unprecedented level of solidarity by rejecting old phobias and stereotypes. It seemed that the global counter-terrorism coalition became a new reality that from then on would define the development of a system of international relations free from double standards and beneficial to all. The cohesion in the face of the deadly threats emerging from Al-Qaida and other elements of international terrorism made it possible to achieve tangible success during the initial stage. But later, problems began to appear.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In the course of reforming the United Nations in accordance with the dictates of the time, it is incumbent upon us all to reaffirm by action our commitment to the world Organization, which draws its strength from our trust in it and in its unique legitimacy. Without the United Nations and its Charter to rely upon, it would prove impossible to ensure a more reliable and democratic system of collective security that would respond to the dictates of our time.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We have also increased our contributions to other international development assistance mechanisms, including through United Nations institutions and funds and the Bretton Woods institutions. Today, I cannot fail to express my sincere appreciation and praise to the Secretary-General Kofi Annan. For many years, during the most difficult times for world politics, he has carried out his duties with dignity. Thanks largely to the efforts of Kofi Annan and to his ability to take the lead while remaining a realist in the face of severe challenges, we have managed to make progress in strengthening the United Nations. Today the United Nations is relevant as never before. We do not have to create it anew.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With that in mind, we are prepared to engage in collective discussions and support further joint pragmatic steps with a view to improving the efficiency of the social and economic activities of the entire United Nations system. The Russian Federation realizes its responsibility as one of the fastest growing economies of the world, and is devoting increasing attention to development assistance. Thus far, Russia has written off or has undertaken to write off $11.3 billion of the debt of African countries, including more than $2.2 billion within the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative. New steps are planned in that area. Russia now ranks third in absolute figures of debt relief and first in terms of the ratio of debt relief to gross domestic product.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“At its heart is an expanding military alliance. Such virtual arms control becomes meaningless as it turns into a one-way street. It is also necessary to revitalize multilateral disarmament approaches. That agenda should include the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty, non-deployment of weapons in outer space, conclusion of a fissile material cut-off treaty and ensuring information security. Nuclear-weapon-free zones play an important role, and we welcome the creation of such a zone in Central Asia. The overall task is to reinvigorate the efforts of the international community in the area of disarmament and arms control, within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament and other relevant United Nations bodies. The 2005 World Summit unanimously reaffirmed that peace, security and development are inseparable.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We support the consistent development of the United States-Russian bilateral disarmament process, as was stated by our Presidents in Saint Petersburg in July. Closely related to that are issues related to anti- ballistic missiles, in particular within the context of the existing plans of the United States. In that context, there is a need for complete transparency and for an analysis of the consequences for strategic stability. The situation surrounding the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe continues to cause grave concern. The old Treaty, based on the realities of confrontation between military blocs, has lost its relevance, while NATO is blocking the entry into force of the Agreement on its adaptation. At the same time, reconfiguration of the military architecture on the European continent is under way.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is absolutely necessary to eliminate the loopholes in the non- proliferation regimes, but that should be done through clear and non-discriminatory approaches, without creating grounds for suspicion regarding the existence of some hidden agenda. Stagnation in the international disarmament process does not help to resolve non-proliferation problems. Here again, we need concerted action, for this is a matter of collective security. In the area of strategic arms, the United States- Russian agreements play an enormously important role. Their significance goes far beyond the framework of bilateral relations, considering that virtually all members of the international community benefit from strategic stability.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Putin’s initiative to establish multilateral centres for nuclear fuel-cycle services, along with similar ideas proposed by the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and proposals put forth by United States President George W. Bush, have found support among G-8 leaders. We are confident that the development and practical implementation of such approaches — in cooperation with all countries with an interest in modern and safe nuclear energy — will make it 06-53005 30 possible to resolve non-proliferation issues in a non- confrontational manner. As in other areas, the obsession with sanctions — applied without calculating their consequences — might produce unpredictable results.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The feeling of a lack of predictability and stability in the area of security is becoming ever more pronounced. Against that background, the growing interest of many States in nuclear energy may give rise to concerns, given the trend towards the global proliferation of sensitive technologies. Apart from current resolute steps to find negotiated solutions to individual problems — such as the Iranian nuclear programme and the problem of the Korean peninsula — there is a need for an urgent effort by the entire international community to systematically strengthen non-proliferation regimes on a generally acceptable basis, while ensuring that the benefits of peaceful atomic energy are legitimately accessible to all States. President Vladimir V.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That is particularly true as regards efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in Iraq, where attempts to contain wanton violence and chaos have thus far proved unsuccessful. Dozens of people, mainly civilians, continue to die in Iraq every day. Five officials of the Russian embassy in Baghdad have also fallen victim to that barbarous massacre. A resolution in Iraq will be possible only through concerted efforts. That requires the involvement in the political process of all major Iraqi interests and the implementation of the plans of that country’s Government to reach genuine national accord, with the concerted support of the international community, including all of Iraq’s neighbours. We are, unfortunately, now witnessing growing significance of the use of force in world affairs; that undermines non-proliferation regimes.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That presupposes the involvement of all countries and parties. Without their participation it will be impossible to reach any viable negotiated solution. It is also clear that the road to comprehensive peace will not be an easy one, but now is the time. The initiative of the League of Arab States to convene an international conference should contribute to finding the proper framework for that undertaking. The Quartet of international mediators should also make a key contribution to the process. A breakthrough on a Middle East settlement could provide the positive momentum so wanting in the region. It could also facilitate the solution of other burning problems in the region and in neighbouring countries.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In that connection, I should first like to mention the truly global challenge posed by the need to prevent a schism between civilizations. We welcome the emerging prospects for a national agreement in the Palestinian territories, as well as for the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli talks. It is important to continue to encourage the parties to meet their respective obligations, with the clear understanding that any progress towards the objectives set out by the international community will inevitably be gradual and that any attempt to act in an all-or-nothing spirit will be counterproductive and could once again plunge the region into confrontation. The recent war in Lebanon demonstrated the great fragility of the situation in the Middle East and the acute need for a comprehensive approach along all tracks.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is encouraging to see a more active role being played by Africans themselves in peacemaking operations in Africa — an undertaking spearheaded by the African Union and supported by the United Nations. In a number of crisis situations conditions are gradually emerging for a transition to post-conflict reconstruction. It is our hope that the Declaration on Cooperation and Future Action in Stabilization and Reconstruction adopted at the Saint Petersburg G-8 Summit will help us complement the efforts of the United Nations and regional organizations at this critically important period of transition to peacebuilding. A comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict remains a central task for the world community. Many of today’s threats have come together in that region, and the key to resolving them is most often to be found there.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Russia-United States global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism, which was launched at Saint Petersburg by Presidents Vladimir V. Putin and George W. Bush last July, should be an important tool in preventing a linkage between weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. That initiative invites interested States to act collectively. The ever-growing demand for the unique peacekeeping capabilities of the United Nations also calls for a collective effort. Not all of those capabilities 29 06-53005 have been utilized to the fullest. Utilizing the capabilities of the Military Staff Committee, as well as those of regional organizations, on the basis of the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter would be helpful.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In the course of Russia’s presidency of the G-8, the Second Ministerial Conference on Drug Trafficking Routes From Afghanistan was held, where additional measures were approved aimed at mobilizing the international community to counter the terrorism-related drug threat originating from Afghanistan. Another international meeting will be held in Moscow next November to focus on developing modalities for government- business partnerships in countering terrorism. What is needed today are more proactive measures to prevent lethal weapons from falling into the hands of non-State actors, as well as the consistent implementation of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) and other counter-terrorism resolutions of the Council.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Collective efforts are also needed to further develop international law, primarily within the context of countering new threats. The United Nations Global Counter-terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288), which was recently adopted by consensus, is an important contribution in terms of strengthening the legal basis for the anti-terrorist coalition and ensuring a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism. It is not only about countering all terrorist manifestations and ideologies, it is also about eliminating the problems that give rise to terrorism. The next step will be to agree upon a comprehensive anti-terrorism convention. It is necessary to secure the achievements that have been made by taking practical steps.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Europe, of course, is not outside the common trend towards collective examination and resolution of common problems. In that connection, we also see growing awareness of the fact that security and prosperity are indivisible. We expect NATO to transform itself from a defence alliance into something more contemporary that would be in line with principles of transparency and collective response and based upon a universal legal foundation. We have been watching with keen interest the emerging foreign policy and security mechanisms of the European Union. Russia is prepared to cooperate with multilateral structures in the Euro-Atlantic space and other regions of the world. In fact, we already have effective common mechanisms with many of them.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Further substantive and resolute efforts are being made in the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which developed and launched and initiative to establish a partnership network for multilateral organizations in the Asia- Pacific region. Development patterns in that region will largely determine the future contours of our planet. Multilateral institutions in Latin America have also become stronger, and the development of the African Union is gaining momentum. At their recent Summit in Havana, heads of State of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement expressed their support for a collective search — within the context of the central role of the United Nations — for agreed solutions to problems confronting the world community.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Regional organizations and cooperation and coordination between those organizations and the United Nations have also strengthened in maintaining international peace and security. Issues pertaining to that were discussed yesterday at the special ministerial meeting of the Security Council (see S/PV.5529). Once again, we are dealing here with an important dimension of collective action by the international community. The Commonwealth of Independent States has made a significant contribution to such interaction. To address common problems, specific actions have been taken within the Commonwealth area, primarily within the Eurasian Economic Community and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“During Russia’s presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8), there was greater interaction between the G-8 and other leading countries and international organizations. Over 06-53005 28 the past 12 months our dialogue partners have actively contributed to Saint Petersburg summit documents on every main agenda item, including global energy security, education and controlling infectious diseases. A new and genuinely collaborative type of interaction between the G-8 and Africa is now emerging in this era of globalization, as the needs of the continent are reflected in the mainstream of world development rather than being viewed as issues divorced from overall trends. The G-8 does not have a monopoly over the decisions taken at Saint Petersburg. All States are invited to participate in their implementation.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is important that all our further work be based upon the fundamental principle of the universality of the United Nations. Patterns contrary to the Charter of the United Nations that exclude individual States or groups of States from participating meaningfully in the activities of the Organization or that introduce a single system of values into the work of the Secretariat are unsustainable. Let us not forget that the United Nations belongs to us all. Moreover, administrative reform should not lead to the bureaucracy taking over the management of the Organization, thereby jeopardizing the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations. A trend towards collective action has also spread beyond the structures of the United Nations.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Finally, it is a manifestation of historical continuity, because we are revisiting the same objective as the founding fathers of the United Nations were determined to pursue by enshrining in the Charter the principles for a system of collective security. It is precisely such an approach, firmly grounded in international law, that can ensure the world’s sustainable development in this era of globalization. That requires a strengthened central role for the universal Organization in every area of international life. We must of course continue to adapt the mechanisms and methods of the United Nations to the new environment. Much has been done as follow-up to the decisions of the 2005 World Summit: The Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council have been established, and the reform process has been extended to management.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Traditionally, the General Assembly session provides an opportunity to conduct a review of the current situation in the world, identify major international issues and determine the role that the United Nations could play in resolving them. I believe that we have every reason to conclude that there is a prevailing trend of growing awareness of the need to strengthen the collective foundations of international politics, as well as of the fact that there is no alternative to tackling problems through multilateral diplomacy. That trend is based on objective facts, for it reflects the realities of an emerging multipolar architecture of international relations. It is logical, because answers to global challenges and threats can only be found collectively.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)