YouSaid · the spoken record

Manasseh Sogavare

lines on the record: 154
first: 2001-09-24
most recent: 2022-09-24
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 must foster friendship and solidarity through genuine and durable partnerships. We must commit to working together, with one other, to ensure we can leave behind a legacy of a more peaceful, more just and brighter world for the younger generations that will come after us. The key questions we must all ask ourselves are the following. First, what legacy do we, as leaders today, leave behind for those that will come after us? Secondly, how do we wish to be remembered by the generations that will follow? I am sure that we would all wish to be remembered as the generation of leaders that uplifted our world and united our people and our countries to live together in peaceful coexistence. If we can leave behind a legacy that safeguards the survival and freedom of our future generations, we will have done our jobs well.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands is also extremely grateful for the employment opportunities provided by Australia and New Zealand through their respective labour mobility programmes to accommodate some of the 20,000 unemployed youth who enter our labour market every year. Let me conclude by once again thanking the President of the General Assembly for the theme for this year’s session. Our world is at a crossroads and is feeling the strain of divisive elements that can divide us. We must not allow that to happen. We have been weighed down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are feeling the negative impacts of geopolitical conflicts and wars. The time has come for our world to rally and focus on what unites us, rather than what divides us, for the world will always be stronger if we are together.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands subscribes to the contents of the draft resolution contained in document A/AC.109/2022/L.22 and supports the call to all relevant parties to ensure that the next steps for the self-determination process are transparent and inclusive. In relation to our successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, including Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, the United States of America, United Nations agencies, the World Bank and other multilateral agencies that stood with us. They provided us with tremendous support and much-needed vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, as well as bilaterally.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We join the international community in reiterating the call for the lifting of the economic embargo imposed on Cuba. We commend Cuba’s resilience and urge the United States of America to take the initiative and normalize relations between those two close neighbours. I also wish to convey my deepest appreciation to Cuba for the training of our medical students. More than 100 Solomon Islands medical doctors have graduated from Cuban medical schools over the years. Solomon Islands also closely follows the outcome of the third referendum in New Caledonia, which took place in December 2021 in an atmosphere of uncertainty.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands embraces the promotion and respect for human rights as a fundamental freedom for all. We subscribe to resolution 60/251 in that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that all human rights must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis. Now, I am pleased to inform the Assembly that Solomon Islands has successfully deposited its instrument of ratification to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. We will be submitting our instrument of ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict within the coming weeks.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands also commends the Vanuatu-led initiative requesting support from the United Nations to ask the International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion on climate change, which has also been strongly supported by Pacific leaders. As the world continues to combat climate change, we ask all parties going into the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) to set more ambitious nationally determined contributions that would put our world on the pathway to 1.5°C. We would also like to see a road map for ease of access to and timely disbursements of the $100 billion earmarked for adaptation financing by 2025. The discussions on loss and damage demand a standalone agenda at COP 27 aimed at establishing a loss and damage financing facility.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Global financial mechanisms for disaster recovery need to be established to ensure the economic burden of recovery and building back better and stronger following rapid onset and climate-related disasters are not borne solely by countries that are in serious need of support. Considering those challenges, the Pacific region has declared a state of climate emergency. Sadly, we are seeing more resources spent on wars than on combating climate change. This is extremely unfortunate. Pacific countries have also established a Pacific Resilience Facility — a financing mechanism that aims to build the resilience and reduce the vulnerability of Pacific populations to the negative impacts of climate change. A pledging session for the Facility will be held during the current session, and we call on all partners to support the Facility.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The onset of extreme temperatures, heatwaves, droughts, flooding and sea-level rise has increased the vulnerability of Pacific countries to the negative impacts of climate change. For least developed countries like Solomon Islands, vulnerability is a key hindrance to sustainable development. Currently, indicators to measure vulnerability are inadequate. Solomon Islands therefore calls on all States and partners to support the development of the multidimensional vulnerability index and looks forward to its finalization and adoption. Pacific Island countries, including Solomon Islands, are in a constant mode of recovery from disasters.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The geographical reach of the submarine cable will be expanded with the installation of approximately 170 telecommunications towers under a Belt and Road Initiative that will link 80 per cent of Solomon Islands and provide our rural populace with much-needed access to reliable, accessible and affordable telecommunications services. We also acknowledge with appreciation the ongoing support from our bilateral and multilateral partners, including Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the Green Climate Fund and others, for our infrastructure projects by building new roads, bridges, airports, wharves and hydropower dams. I stand here in solidarity with my Pacific island brothers and sisters to continue our fight against climate change.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The 2023 Pacific Games infrastructure has transformed our capital city and has opened new opportunities for our youthful population. Solomon Islands has embarked on a digital transformation journey to enhance and modernize our telecommunications infrastructure, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 9, to link its more than 900 inhabited islands distributed over 1.2 million square kilometres of water. Together with Australia and Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands commissioned its first submarine cable in 2019.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands is a post-conflict country and our work to address the underlying causes of that conflict is still a work in progress. Sadly, in November 2021, that progress was seriously hampered by civil unrest and rioting that exposed the country’s security and economic fragility. We welcome any assistance in addressing our post-conflict challenges. On a brighter note, Solomon Islands will, for the first time, be hosting the Pacific Games in 2023. The event will strengthen the unity of our nation and will contribute to our nation-building and peacebuilding processes. I take this opportunity to thank our partners who have assisted us thus far in our preparation to host the Games, including the People’s Republic of China, which funds the bulk of the Games’ facilities; the Republic of Indonesia; Australia; Papua New Guinea; and Japan.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I am pleased to inform the General Assembly that Solomon Islands has now legally formalized the delimitation of all five of its maritime boundaries with Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, France and Fiji. With the completion of all five maritime boundaries, our rights and obligations are protected under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in perpetuity. In that connection, the Solomon Islands Government supports the ongoing work undertaken by the International Law Commission on the question of sea level rise and sovereignty. The position taken by Solomon Islands is that once the signed instruments are deposited with the United Nations, our boundaries have achieved permanent status. That also upholds the principles of stability, security, certainty and perpetuity enshrined in UNCLOS.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands joins other countries in the blue Pacific continent that are signatories of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty for maintaining a nuclear-free Pacific. We encourage nuclear-power States that have signed the Treaty to take the steps to ratify it. The Treaty is aligned with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We reiterate our call for the total elimination of nuclear material, nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered military assets in our blue Pacific. Solomon Islands also echoes the concerns expressed by other Pacific countries about Japan’s proposal to discharge water treated by the advanced liquid processing system at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean, because of the potential transboundary and intergenerational implications.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, climate change, the impact of global conflicts and domestic civil unrest have jeopardized our progress on delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They have undermined our ability to graduate out of least developed country (LDC) status in 2024. Solomon Islands has experienced negative economic growth owing to the closure of our international borders since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic more than two years ago. Those circumstances have changed the landscape for our progress and sustainable development. We will collaborate with partners to undertake an in-depth assessment of our readiness to graduate out of LDC status in 2024.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Looking at the wider region, the Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s busiest trading routes used by international shipping. We call on all countries to be sensitive and not inflame tensions that could threaten the unity and security of any country. Any miscalculation could threaten international peace and security and have disastrous consequences on global trade. Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Solomon Islands calls for maximum restraint by all the parties and a de-escalation of the conflict. We continue to hear words of war in this Hall of peace. We must be united in our resolve to seek peace and urge all parties to pursue a diplomatic solution to the conflict, based on the spirit and purpose of our Charter of the United Nations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I am reminded of the wisdom conveyed by the late President Nelson Mandela during an interview with Ted Koppel, which is relevant to our situation: “One of the mistakes which some political analysts make is to think their enemies should be our enemies. Our attitude towards any country is determined by the attitude of that country to our struggle.” Solomon Islands has no enemies — only friends. Our struggle is to develop our country. We stretch out our hand of friendship and seek genuine and honest cooperation and partnership with all. Mutual respect for the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of any country is universal and paramount. As a sovereign nation, we embrace and zealously guard those principles.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Our decision to establish a relationship with the People’s Republic of China is consistent with resolution 2758 (XXVI), observed by most of the countries in the Assembly, and which also articulates the One China policy that Solomon Islands respects. I reiterate the call for all to respect our sovereignty and democracy. Solomon Islands has adopted a “friends to all and enemies to none” foreign policy. In implementing that policy, we will not align ourselves with any external Powers or security architecture that targets our or any other sovereign country or threatens regional and international peace. Solomon Islands will not be coerced into choosing sides.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The right to establish diplomatic relations between sovereign nations is a universal principle shared by all members of the United Nations. Solomon Islands has been unfairly targeted since it formalized diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China just over three years ago. We have been subjected to a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticisms, misinformation and intimidation that threaten our democracy and sovereignty. Solomon Islands has been vilified in the media since formalizing its relationship with China. That decision was reached through democratic processes by a democratically elected Government.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The shifting international system has generated renewed strategic interests in the corner of the world that we regard as our home — the Pacific — with superpowers and middle Powers coming together seeking to strengthen their presence in the blue Pacific continent. Solomon Islands sees the global system as interlinked and interdependent. The recently adopted 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, approved by Pacific leaders and launched here in New York yesterday, defines the Pacific region’s priorities and strategic interests. The Strategy offers opportunities that can be leveraged to benefit our people. The large ocean island States that inhabit the blue Pacific continent share a common sense of identity and purpose. All partners that wish to work with Pacific countries must align with that strategy.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Solomon Islands is a member of the family of Commonwealth countries and a realm State; therefore, on behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, I express our profound grief over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and convey our heartfelt and deepest condolences to His Royal Highness, King Charles III, the royal family and the Government and people of the United Kingdom. Her Majesty will always be remembered as an inspiration and a figure of stability, dignity and grace. May God bless the reign of King Charles III as Head of the Commonwealth and all realm countries.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“On behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, let me first convey my warmest greetings to the President and the members of the General Assembly. It is indeed very humbling to stand here today to address the Assembly at its seventy-seventh session as sovereign equals. I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Csaba Korosi on his election as President of the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly. I assure him of Solomon Islands’ support and cooperation during his tenure in office. I also commend and thank his predecessor, Mr. Abdulla Shahid, for his assertive leadership of the Assembly during an unprecedented period in our history.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“More than 4.7 million lives have been tragically lost, and millions continue to be affected by its ongoing onslaught. Let us take time to pause and to reflect, on how this virus has changed our lives and the way we do business as we look at ways, we can collaborate better to alleviate its impacts. As we continue to confront the problems and challenges that our world faces ranging from climate change to the deteriorating health of our planet and the COVID-19 pandemic; we must remember, there is more that binds us together as a human race than divides us. We must dig deep and reach out to each other with a hand of friendship, and we must embrace multilateralism as an important tool to confront global challenges. Mr President, Fellow leaders of our world, I thank you for your attention.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, Allow me to conclude by commending you again on the theme for this year’s General Assembly session. It could not have come at a more critical time when we find ourselves facing the deadliest pandemic that has affected our world under our watch. The COVID-19 pandemic will shape our legacy as leaders of our countries and our world. Our responses to the pandemic will be remembered for ever by those who had lost loved ones, by those that believed we could have done more but didn’t, by those that felt betrayed by their leaders, and by those that were appreciative of the collective efforts all countries of this world had undertaken to fight an invisible enemy that is only visible in the suffering and agony of those affected and those left behind.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“More than ninety Solomon Islands medical doctors have graduated from Cuban medical schools. We note with concern the 60-year-old economic embargo imposed on Cuba remains in place and we reiterate the call for the lifting of the embargo within the spirit and purposes of the United Nations Charter. Mr. President, Decolonisation remains an ongoing issue Solomon Islands follows at the UN. In this regard we note the ongoing UN referendum process taking place in New Caledonia. The first referendum occurred in 2018 and then again in 2020. The third referendum is scheduled for 2022 and we once again urge that the process conforms to universally accepted principles and practices of self-determination defined by resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Finally, Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Through this report Solomon Islands reiterated its commitment to strengthening its human rights mechanisms including through the establishment of national human rights reporting mechanism that would allow for the timely submission of human rights reports. Solomon Islands is also committed to ratifying UNCRC Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution, child pornography, and several other Human Rights Conventions. On the domestic front, Solomon Islands continues to review our national frameworks that will further promote and protect the human rights of all Solomon Islanders, in particular, the most vulnerable such as our women, children, and people with disabilities. Mr. President, I also wish to offer my deep thanks to Cuba for the training of our medical students.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“It has been sixteen years since world leaders called for early reform of the Council, we hope negotiations could shift into text-based negotiations at this session. Mr. President, Solomon Islands recognizes the importance of Human Rights and subscribe to the principles of UN Charter and believes genuine partnership can further promote and protect the rights of all. Solomon Islands supports the role of the Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review mechanisms as a platform through which countries can engage in mutual dialogue on human rights concerns. Furthermore, I am pleased to inform this Assembly that Solomon Islands has presented its National Report for the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“It is the view of my government that the date of graduation should be delayed due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic the least developing countries. I take this opportunity to call on our development partners to also align their support and priority programs with the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy to assist Solomon Islands achieve our development objectives. Mr. President, On UN reform, Solomon Islands aligns with call from countries for a reform in one of the principal organs of the UN that is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security — the UN Security Council. The UN Security Council will need to adapt to today’s realities and support an expanded Council with a SIDS-dedicated seat.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Solomon Islands is committed ensuring the Pacific region remains a peaceful region where its people can live free and worthwhile lives. We do not support any form of militarization in our region that could threaten regional and international peace and stability. Mr. President, Solomon Islands is in its transition phase of graduating from the Least Developing Countries category and is scheduled to graduate by 2024. In preparing for our graduation, we have so far concluded several regional and bilateral trade agreements within the Pacific, with the European and the United Kingdom of Great Britain. We have a non-reciprocal trade arrangement with China. However, with the impact of COVID-19, an in-depth analysis on the health of the Solomon Islands economy will need to be done. We hope to complete this before the next the triennial review.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Once considered these claims will further expand Solomon Islands sovereignty. We look forward to working with the Commission to finalize consideration on the stated claims. Mr. President, Solomon Islands is a party to the 1985 the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, we therefore would like to keep our region nuclear free and put the region’s nuclear legacy behind us. The ocean remains the life blood for our survival and would like to work with everyone in keeping it blue and healthy. The United Nations was established out of the ashes of World War II. As a peace-loving state, Solomon Islands will do its part to build bridges of cooperation and highways of friendship and partnership in our region and beyond.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We continue to work towards the completion of the delimitation of all our maritime zones in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In this regard, my government supports the ongoing work that is being undertaken by the International Law Commission on the question of sea level rise and sovereignty. It is my government’s unwavering position that once national maritime zones are deposited with the United Nations, they should never be challenged. Rights must be respected irrespective of sea level rise. This proposal preserves the principles of equity, fairness and justice of the Convention and recognizes UNCLOS principles of legal stability, security, certainty, and predictability. Twelve years ago, Solomon Islands submitted four continental shelf claims with the UN Commission on the Limits on Continental Shelf.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The devastating impact of plastic pollution on our fragile marine ecosystems demands a global binding agreement to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans. We support the establishment of such an Agreement. As an ocean locked state, Solomon Islands remains committed to negotiating a legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. My government looks forward to an Agreement that is fair, comprehensive and one that provides capacity building for small island developing states such as Solomon Islands to fully implement. We must strive to complete these negotiations as soon as possible. Protecting the sovereignty of Solomon Islands’ maritime zones remains important priority of my government.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Markets and non-market negotiations need to be concluded and Loss and Damage solutions to be operationalized. Further support is needed for the Warsaw Mechanism and an Adaptation Fund should serve and support the Paris Agreement. The time for action is now. Mr. President, Solomon Islands is a large ocean state. Its’ total Exclusive Economic Zone covers an area of just over 1.5 million square kilometers. Together with 21 other countries and territories our total EEZ is almost 40 million square kilometers of Ocean. The Solomon Islands tuna industry generates around $60 million in revenue on an annual basis and provides employment for 2,000 Solomon Islanders. Our people have a multidimensional relationship with the ocean. We recognize the climate-ocean nexus and call on the global community take stronger climate action to protect our oceans.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The IPCC Report further stated that limiting global warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C above pre-industrial levels “will be beyond reach” in the next two decades, without immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. We strongly call on all major greenhouse gas emitting countries to cut emissions and take more ambitious action place the world on a ‘below 1.5°C pathway’. Sadly, the current trend is driving humanity towards a ‘3°C world’, which we can all agree is not world we wish to bequeath to our future generations. COP26 in Glasgow to be held in November this year, presents an opportunity for the world to operationalize the Paris Agreement, and conclude negotiations on the Paris Rulebook. The establishment of a common time frame for Nationally Determined Contributions is needed.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, As a Small Island Developing State, Solomon Islands continues to battle with the incremental effects of climate change and its negative impacts that threaten the livelihoods, security, and well-being of our people. The Pacific Island countries and territories have identified Climate Change as the ‘single greatest threat’ to our people and to the planet. It is a global issue that needs a global solution. We remain deeply concerned that we are falling behind in our commitments under the Paris Agreement. Already global the temperature has increased above preindustrial level to 1.1 °C. The most recent Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered the starkest warning yet about the deepening climate emergency.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“To keep the economy afloat my government introduced immediate recovery measures. We implemented ‘economic stimulus packages’ to drive the productive sectors. We launched our ‘Umi Tugeda tourism” initiative. We drove several transformational and ‘game-changing’ national projects to boost the economy and provide employment opportunities for our people as we try to stabilize our economy. The Pacific Labour Scheme Solomon Islands has with Australia, New Zealand and Canada has provided needed employment for many of our youths. We have reached new heights in our partnership with Australia in labour mobility for which we are thankful. These partnerships put human faces to our relationships with Australia, New Zealand, Canada in the labour mobility front. They contribute to our economic recovery efforts. Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“On that note, I commend and thank our very hardworking healthcare workers and all our frontline agencies who had worked tirelessly to protect our nation against this deadly disease. Your sacrifice and dedication are greatly appreciated. Mr. President, The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy had been significant. By mid-2021 our balance of trade deficit was around $96 million; $24 million higher than the previous month. This is a substantial amount for our small economy. This negative outcome stemmed from a larger fall in exports by 13 per cent against a marginal decline in imports by 1 per cent. Restrictions on international travel into the country has also impacted heavily on the tourism industry forcing tourism operators to drastically scale down their operations.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We have set ourselves a target of at least 90 per cent fully vaccinated coverage of our eligible population before we consider re-opening our borders. Mr. President, Providing accurate information regularly about the disease and the progress in combating it has enabled our public to be better prepared and participate in our fight against COVID-19. We keep our public informed through talk back shows and my regular public address to the nation which is broadcasted live on air and televised. In the long term, the Government is in the process of finalizing its Public Health Bill that will provide a legislative framework to effectively respond to any Health crisis that may face the country in future.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Your support ranging from direct financial contribution to the provision of vaccines, equipment, medical and other operational equipment, and supplies has enabled my government to protect our people thus far from COVID-19. Your unwavering support is deeply appreciated and will continue to be needed as we go forward. Vaccination is our best defence against the virus. We associate with the voice of reason that ‘no one is safe until everyone is safe’. Cooperation in combating COVID-19 must be based on the unity and solidarity. The world must act together to combat COVID-19. We cannot afford to be divided in our approaches. We look forward to working with all our partners going forward. Our vaccination rollout program is moving in the right direction although not as fast as we want it to be.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We have expanded our COVID-19 testing capability. The pandemic has enabled us to improve our health system and healthcare facilities throughout the country. On this note, I express my government’s sincere gratitude to our development partners that have assisted us in our response to the CVID-19 pandemic. I thank all donors and partners to the COVAX Facility. I thank the governments of Australia, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and the People’s Republic of China. I also thank the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations agencies and in particular, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and the World Health Organization, and our regional institutions for their kind assistance and support.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, Solomon Islands has so far successfully controlled the spread of the virus. To date, we have recorded 20 imported COVID-19 cases on our shores. We have managed to eliminate the infections in our border quarantine facilities. I am pleased to announce we have not had an active case of COVID-19 for the last five months. My government is delivering on its two overarching policy objectives during these trying times which are, (i), to protect all Solomon Islanders and other nationals living in the country against the COIVD-19 virus, and, (ii), to drive and keep the country’s economy afloat. We are achieving these two objectives. Mr. President, The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in our health system and overall response capacities. My government is addressing this and has put in place measures to secure our borders.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We stand in solidarity with you all in the face of adversity during these unprecedented times. Eighteen months after the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared, the battle against this contagious disease has never been more important, complex, and challenging. More than 216 million people worldwide have been infected by this virus. More than 4.7 million people sadly died from the virus. While science has given us a breathing space through vaccines, several contagious and more lethal variants of the disease including the delta variant are causing new waves of infection in many countries around the world. Concerted collective action by all UN Members using all forms of partnerships bilaterally and multilaterally is needed now, more than ever, to help us to collectively address the challenges all our countries are facing today. Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Allow me to assure you, Secretary-General Guterres, of Solomon Islands support and cooperation as you endeavour to lead this august body to address the important issues and challenges that confront our nations and which we must all work together to address. Mr. President, The theme for the 76th Session of the UNGA — “Building resilience through hope — to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations” — aptly summarizes the challenges facing our world today and the collective hope that we all share to overcome these challenges. At the outset, I offer my sincerest condolences on behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands to all who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I highly commend his efforts in ensuring the work of the assembly progressed despite the challenges faced by the United Nations Secretariat and member states’ missions. I wish him every success in his future endeavours. Let me also use this occasion to extend my congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands to His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres on his re-appointment as the United Nations Secretary-General. The United Nations is confronted with many challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and sea level rise and peace and security to name a few. Tackling these global challenges effectively calls for a strong multilateral system of genuine and durable partnerships and cooperation between countries.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, On behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, let me take this opportunity to congratulate your Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid and the government and people of Maldives on your election as President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I am confident that through your able leadership, you will proficiently lead us through our agenda and serve this organization well. I assure you as a fellow Small Islands Developing State, of Solomon Islands’ support and cooperation during your tenure in office. On this note, I must also commend your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir, for his sterling leadership of the General Assembly over the past session.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Now is the time for us to act collectively to address the needs of everyone including the most vulnerable among us! Together we can and together we will go far. I thank you Mr. President.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“It could not have come at a more critical time, when we find ourselves facing the deadliest pandemic to affect our modern world in the most horrendous of ways. So many lives have been tragically lost and many continue to be affected by its ongoing onslaught. May we take the time to pause and reflect, on how this virus has changed our lives and look at ways we can collaborate together to alleviate its impacts. As we continue to confront the problems that our world faces; from climate change, to the deteriorating health of our planet to the coronavirus; we must remember that they can only be addressed through collective action by each and every one of us. As the old African proverb says ‘if you wish to go fast, go alone. If you wish to go far, go together’.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, Solomon Islands recognizes the contributions that our frontline health workers make in the fight against COVID-19. In this regard, allow me to offer my deep thanks to Cuba for the training of our medical students. More than eighty Solomon Islands medical doctors having graduated from Cuban medical schools and a further eight more have graduated this year. We note with concern the 59-year-old economic embargo imposed on Cuba remains in place and we reiterate the call for the lifting of the embargo within the spirit and purposes of the United Nations Charter. Finally, Mr. President, Allow me to conclude by commending you on the theme for this year’s General Assembly session.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We are seeing increasing numbers of undernourished children and over nourished adults. In addition to this, the report also highlighted the vulnerability of our economy to external shocks and natural disasters. These coupled with the impacts of COVID 19 will continue to affect Solomon Islands for the foreseeable future. Solomon Islands believes in the importance of Agenda 2030, the Istanbul Program of Action and the SAMOA Pathway in charting the course for sustainable development. We have factored these into our national development strategy as the path forward for a sustainable future for our people. I urge all development partners to remain committed to working with us to achieve our aim of sustainable development. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, Solomon Islands presented its first ever Voluntary National Review Report on the implementation of Agenda 2030 in July this year. Despite the technological challenges, we were able to highlight some of the achievements we have made to date. Solomon Islands continues to see an increase in number of children enrolled in the formal education system. Secondly, we are proud to have established a National Financing Framework for Development which underpins the financing of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The report also highlighted the challenges we face in terms of our health sector and particularly on our rates of non-communicable disease cases. Seven out of ten deaths in Solomon Islands are caused by non-communicable diseases. It remains the largest single cause of death in the country.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Solomon Islands is in its transition phase of the graduation and is scheduled to graduate by 2024. However, both times that Solomon Islands underwent the triennial review, it did not pass the vulnerability criterion. Our vulnerability has become glaringly obvious now that COVID-19 has exacerbated the preexisting challenges faced by Solomon Islands and made the pathway towards sustainable graduation and smooth transition extremely difficult. I welcome the Committee on Development Policy’s intention to factor, the impacts of COVID-19 on all sectors during the next triennial review in 2021. I further encourage them to work closely with us to ensure that their next report paints the true picture of Solomon Islands development path as we continue to navigate our transition roadmap in these uncertain and challenging times. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)