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

“President, At a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges exacerbated by COVID 19, it is more important than ever, that the world remains united in its efforts to bring peace and unity among all peoples regardless of race, gender and religion. As a post conflict country our people keep striving to maintain unity within our diversity. It is for this very reason that my Government is proud to have contributed 12 police officers to the United Nations African Mission in Darfur, Sudan. We stand ready to deploy more officers for UN peacekeeping duties in other UN peacekeeping missions especially during these critical times. Mr. President, Graduation from the category of Least Developing Countries is an important milestone in the development trajectory of a developing country.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We are actively working towards the completion of the delimitation of all our maritime zones and have only one remaining maritime boundary left to conclude. In this regard, my Government welcomes the work that is being undertaken by the International Law Commission on the questions of sea level rise and sovereignty. It is my government’s position that once national maritime zones are deposited with the United Nations, they should not be subject to change despite sea level rise. Solomon Islands is an Ocean State, the Country’s sovereign territory should not change due to the effects of climate change and sea level rise. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“On matters pertaining to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, my Government remain committed to negotiating a legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. My Government looks forward to an Agreement that is fair, comprehensive and provides the capacity building for small island developing states such as Solomon Islands to fully implement it. We note the challenges that COVID-19 has posed on the ability of states to conclude the negotiations in 2020, however, we must not lose this momentum. We must continue to strive to complete negotiations by the earliest possible date. Ensuring sovereignty over our maritime zones remains important to my government.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mr. President, As a large ocean state with an area of 1.5 million square kilometres, the conservation and preservation of the Ocean and its resources remains a priority for Solomon Islands. The lives of our people and the economy of our country remains deeply connected to the ocean. The Solomon Islands tuna industry generates around $60 million in revenue on an annual basis for the economy and provides employment for 2,000 Solomon Islanders. Sadly, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing within our maritime jurisdiction remains a threat to our tuna resources. Almost $150 million worth of direct economic value to small island developing states including Solomon Islands is lost as a result of IUU in the Pacific. I call on distant water fishing nations to reduce the incidences of IUU in our waters.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This 15-megawatt hydropower project will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by 70 per cent. Despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19, our efforts to have the project commissioned by 2024 remains on track and we continue to call on development partners to remain with us on this steady trajectory. I wish to remind us all, that in our collective efforts to combat the coronavirus, we must not lose sight of the need to address ongoing challenges brought about by climate change. I once again reiterate my Government’s call for more action by those with a greater means of implementation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, I call on all states to set ambitious nationally determined contributions. Let us adhere to what the science is telling us and strive to maintain the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Climate Change has resulted in changing weather patterns that have caused anomaly weather events of epic proportions. Additionally, climate change has resulted in warming global temperatures which are melting the ice caps and causing sea levels to rise. Both sea level rise and abnormal weather events have wreaked havoc on our infrastructure and homes not to mention threatening our food security and lives. Just earlier this year, we experienced the traumatic effects of Tropical Cyclone Harold. Allow me to thank our development partners who stepped in to assist us during this disaster. Solomon Islands for its part, remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint and doubling on our nationally determined contributions through our ongoing work on the Tina Hydropower project.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Solomon Islands is no exception, we are going through a difficult period, however, we have launched an Economic Stimulus Package to reset and boost our economy. Let me thank all our partners who have supported our economic initiative. We have also launched the Development Bank of Solomon Islands which aims to provide sustainable financial services targeting development in the rural areas, especially to small and medium enterprises that primarily engages in commerce and industries. Mr. President, Whilst dealing with a pandemic of global proportions, Solomon Islands continues to battle with the incremental effects of climate change and the negative impacts that it has on the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of Solomon Islanders.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I take this time to thank all host countries and transit countries for their goodwill and understanding in accommodating our citizens as they wait to be repatriated. I also wish to express heartfelt thanks to our development partners including, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Peoples Republic of China, the United Arab Emirates, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations agencies and in particular, the World Health Organization, and our regional institutions for your kind assistance and generosity, through financial support and timely donations of medical equipment for our health sector. Your unwavering support is deeply appreciated and will continue to be needed as we continue in our efforts to combat the spread of the virus. COVID-19 has closed borders and negatively impacted on the global economy.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Our number one priority is to protect our country by keeping the virus from breaching our borders. The second objective is to keep our economy afloat. We are confident that should the virus breach our borders we can contain and manage it at our quarantine stations. So far 11 repatriation flights have been undertaken. More than 1000 people have entered our borders, 80 per cent of whom are repatriated nationals and 20 per cent foreign nationals. We have scheduled more flights to repatriate more of our nationals abroad. COVID-19 has brought Solomon Islands closer with its partners. We have made new friends, the latest being “Philippines Red Cross”, who are doing a fantastic work in testing and looking after our students in Manila. We are grateful to the excellent work the Red Cross continue to do for our nationals.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I also informed our public through my weekly address to the nation which is broadcasted live on air and televised. This is to ensure that our people are kept informed on the steps the Government is undertaking to protect the country. My Government continues to focus on building the necessary health infrastructure within our hospitals in preparation to accommodate any persons that may contract the virus. In addition, we also have in-country testing capacity. This was only possible through the assistance of People’s Republic of China and Australia, which if I may add is a manifestation of our theme. That said, we have put in place standard operating procedures for different sectors to guide us in dealing with this global pandemic. Our objective is two-fold.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Nine other Pacific Small Islands Developing States share the COVID-19 free status. However, we have not remained complacent. My government has responded to the pandemic by undertaking the following steps. Firstly, a COVID-19 Oversight Committee comprising of all relevant government agencies was quickly established to coordinate the Government’s response to the pandemic. Furthermore, resources were swiftly mobilized to address gaps within our healthcare system and secure entry points on our borders. On the economic front my Government has created a stimulus package to cushion the negative impacts that the virus has and will continue to impose on our fragile economy. The public have been kept informed about the virus through talk back shows with the COVID-19 Oversight Committee.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The theme you have chosen for the 75th session renders us this timely opportunity to once again, turn our eyes towards the strengths of multilateralism to address the multiple and complex challenges that our world faces today. Mr. President, In the space of a few months, COVID-19 has resulted in more than 30 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including over 900,000 deaths, according to the latest official World Health Organization statistics. In the health sector the virus remains a novelty to many of our scientific and medical professionals worldwide and as such, its long-term health repercussions to those who have recovered from it are either unknown or poorly understood. I am pleased to inform the Assembly that Solomon Islands remains one of the 12 COVID-19 free countries without a reported case.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I highly commend his efforts in ensuring the work of the assembly progressed in spite of the restrictions faced by the United Nations Secretariat and member states missions. I wish him every success in his future endeavors. Mr. President At the outset, allow me, on behalf of the government and people of the Solomon Islands, offer sincerest condolences to all who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. We stand in solidarity with you all, during these sad times. Never before has there been a time when the collective action of all UN member states is so greatly needed then right now, a time when the world faces the global, deadly pandemic of COVID-19.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mr. President, On behalf of my Government and people, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Your wealth of experience will serve this organization well, as you lead us through our agenda, particularly during these unprecedented and challenging times, as the world navigates its way through the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Let me assure you of Solomon Islands support and cooperation during your tenure in office. Let me also use this occasion to commend your predecessor, His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, for his excellent leadership of the General Assembly over the past session.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Despite having only one national at the Secretariat, we have not been invited to sit the young professionals’ exams for two years in a row now. We nevertheless remain steadfast in our support and encouragement of action for a strong and effective United Nations, and we stand ready to support the Secretary-General’s noble efforts to transform the Organization, including the Security Council. The United Nations is still the town hall of our global village. People know what it does but do not see much value in it. It is inevitably imperfect. As the Organization’s second Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld, famously said, “The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell”. The Organization’s imperfections, however, only mean that we need to work harder to make it better. So let us do that.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“As a small island developing State and least developed country with inherent structural capacity constraints, we greatly rely on the United Nations system to support and augment our national efforts in implementing national development programmes. It is our hope that this expectation will be met by concrete and measurable deliverables on the ground by our United Nations partners. My delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s reform agenda and applauds his vision for repositioning sustainable development at the heart of the United Nations. Its guiding framework, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its pledge to leave no one behind, is indeed our boldest agenda for humankind. For my country, it will have to include fair representation in the recruitment of staff to the United Nations Secretariat.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“If our region is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we will have to intensify efforts and increase support and cooperation to end violence against women and girls. The Solomon Islands Family Protection Act of 2014 was a national response to the urgent need to curtail the increasing rate of domestic violence. It was aimed at ensuring that homes in Solomon Islands, as important units of the community, are peaceful and safe for all members of a family. The Act covers any type of abuse that happens in the home between perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. Yes, we have made big strides in not just counting women, but more importantly, in making women count.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would therefore encourage Indonesia to engage in more constructive dialogue, including with West Papua, to find a way forward in addressing the aspirations of the people of West Papua. I urge the United Nations to proactively engage in those dialogues as well. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide, my country and region included. Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality, economic opportunities and livelihoods. The final Pacific Regional Millennium Development Goals Tracking Report, published in 2015, highlighted the fact that violence against women was an impediment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Failing that, we as a family of nations will become complicit in perpetuating suffering and being blind to injustice, missing yet another golden opportunity to remain true to the idea of leaving no one behind. At the seventy-first session, a group of Pacific Island nations called for the General Assembly to address the human rights violations in West Papua. Today, I stand before the Assembly on behalf of my people and those of the Pacific region to reiterate that same call to address the plight of West Papuan women, children and men. Our people are watching, West Papuans in West Papua are watching, praying and hoping for a brighter future. They have come in numbers to express their hope for a better future. We as leaders have the responsibility to leave no one behind.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Our Sustainable Development Goals, which promote the notion of no one being left behind, will be empty promises unless we in the United Nations take active steps to address the plight of the peoples of West Papua. Indeed, we left them behind some 50 years ago when, as a family of nations, we noted their plight without adding much. Since then, the peoples of West Papua have never been allowed the proper act of self-determination guaranteed by the inalienable right to self-determination, as expressed in United Nations human rights covenants. Only the international action of individual countries and the leading organizational bodies of the international system, especially the General Assembly, can pave the way for the recognition of a people whose right to self-determination has been denied for nearly 50 years.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Thanks to that Article, the people of New Caledonia will hold a referendum in 2018 whereby they can finally decide, without fear or favour, on their political future. I wish them all the best. I must thank and commend the administering Power for working closely with the Special Committee on Decolonization (Committee of 24) on the issue of New Caledonia. I hope that the same level of cooperation will also be shown on French Polynesia and that a visit by the Committee of 24 will occur soon. The position of Solomon Islands on the issues I have mentioned is premised on principles that we have consistently upheld. In this connection, Solomon Islands condemns the consistent human rights violations in West Papua.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Despite its contributions to the well-being of the citizens of the world, we continue to ignore Taiwan’s right to self- determination; as such, it is high time that the Assembly gave due recognition to Taiwan as a legitimate member of the family of nations. Article 73 of our Charter also speaks powerfully on fundamental human rights. In the 1960 Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, the General Assembly stated: “The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and cooperation” (resolution 1514 (XV), para. 1).”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“And yet the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires global partnership and the joint efforts of all stakeholders to mobilize all available resources. Taiwan is ready, willing and able to engage in and contribute to the wide range of substantive United Nations programmes for the welfare of humankind. If we are to focus on people and promote peace and sustainability, let us give Taiwan and its 23 million people a chance. Let us not contradict the principles that the United Nations was established to represent and allow the rules to change based on whose best interests are at stake. Taiwan has been actively involved in United Nations programmes and specialized agencies.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“There must also be some recognition for a funding mechanism that can adequately support the implementation of the proposed instrument. The Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations speaks powerfully of our mission to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. This language clearly articulates the principle of universality for all peoples and nations, regardless of their size or population. However, as we in the Assembly speak of leaving no one behind, we are at the same time shutting the door for the people of Taiwan in participating in this universal process. We are thereby contradicting our own principles by leaving 23 million people behind.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“However, we were not given the opportunity to address the amendments proposed by the Commission, despite their serious implications for our submission, nor were we given the reasons for the amendments despite our repeated requests. We therefore have no option but to consider making a revised submission. A related issue is the negotiations on an implementing agreement under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdictions. The current negotiations undermine the fundamental principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and are grossly inadequate when addressing the principle of adjacency, the integration of traditional knowledge, and transboundary and cumulative impacts as they relate to small island developing States.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I currently have an issue with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the joint submission by Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands concerning the Ontong Java plateau. Solomon Islands notes with serious concern that the Commission, in its deliberations, has overturned the understanding that we had reached with the Sub-Commission on the connection of Duff and Anuta Islands to the continental margin of the Ontong Java plateau. The Sub-Commission and our joint delegation reached mutually acceptable conclusions that were the result of comprehensive interactions over two years.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The communiqué from that dialogue shows an inclusive and clear consensus on our priorities for sustaining peace. I therefore look forward to Solomon Islands being formally declared eligible for peacebuilding support from the Peacebuilding Recovery Facility. I must also thank the Board of the Green Climate Fund for approving $86 million for the Tina River Hydro Project when it met in South Korea early this year. The project will create more than 200 jobs and offset more than 44,000 tons of carbon dioxide per annum in diesel emissions. It will also provide renewable energy, at a more affordable cost, to more than 100,000 people in and around our capital city of Honiara.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“My Government is also very supportive of the Pacific islands leaders’ communiqué from the forty-eighth Forum meeting, which calls for a comprehensive expansion and updating of the Declaration. We believe that a Biketawa-plus that takes into consideration the security challenges the region faces today, as well as our collective responses to them, will help to keeping the Pacific islands region peaceful. Like other post-conflict countries, Solomon Islands will continue to face many challenges. Sustainable peace will require more than just effective policing or a functioning public service. It will require social and economic development initiatives that address the underlying causes of the conflict. In that regard, I must thank the Peacebuilding Commission for facilitating our national dialogue on peace and sustainable development.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The efforts could be made more effective if the United Nations Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes could be integrated into predeployment and in-theatre training for all peacekeepers. The mandate of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands ended on 30 June. On behalf of the people of Solomon Islands, I would like to sincerely thank members of the Pacific Islands Forum for coming to our aid to save us from ourselves. At this juncture, I would like to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Mission and to thank their families for their loved ones’ services. I am also deeply grateful to Australia and New Zealand for their excellent leadership role in the Assistance Mission, which was premised on a regional security framework, the Biketawa Declaration.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“As a fellow Pacific island country, we congratulate Fiji on its upcoming assumption of the chairship and look forward to discussions on effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Regarding peace and security, Solomon Islands has contributed a contingent of five police officers who have just completed their 12-month tour of duty in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, in our first humble contribution to the maintenance of world peace. Another eight police officers, two of whom are women, are all set to go as soon as they secure their visas for the Sudan. The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur was set up to protect civilians in areas where militia groups continue to be active and intercommunal violence still occurs.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That is why the Pacific small island developing States have been requesting that the Security Council also address the issue of climate change. While useful, the building of sea walls and wave-breakers to mitigate some of the effects of climate change is a mere Band-Aid solution. We call on all major greenhouse-gas emitters to meet their national determined contributions for reducing emissions. We strongly urge the United States of America to reconsider its position on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Let us all stand together in solidarity to face the defining challenges of our time. With regard to the twenty-third session of the Conference of the Parties, Solomon Islands pledges its full support to Fiji as Chair.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In Solomon Islands, we have lost six islands to the effects of climate change. What was once a playground for children is now inundated with water. For many of our peoples, talk of a sustainable world is becoming increasingly unattainable. We are in survival mode. The horrors of the impact of a nuclear attack are undeniable, but the slow onset of tragedy caused by the adverse impact of climate change is just as cruel. If it has not happened yet, it will shortly. An unstable climate and people’s subsequent displacement and relocation can exacerbate some of the core drivers of conflict, such as migratory pressures, the clash of cultures and competition for resources. Those are threats to humankind’s very existence and could very well morph into threats to global peace and security.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The maintenance of our ocean, given its importance to global food security, should be in all of our interests. In that regard, Solomon Islands reaffirms the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the peaceful use of ocean spaces. While the threat of nuclear warfare is a genuine concern to us all, for our small island developing States the effects of climate change that we are currently witnessing at an alarming rate on our shores present a clear and present danger. The concentration of carbon dioxide in our oceans now stands at 400 parts per million. It has passed the safe level of 350 parts per million and at 550 parts per million will soon begin to dissolve our corals. For Pacific nations like ours, climate change continues to be our enemy. We are constantly invaded by that enemy, every day.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We too would like to echo the global call to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide by the relevant Security Council resolutions. The recent testing of ballistic missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific. We are ocean people. The sea is our sanctuary. It is the foundation of our heritage and where our people source their food and income. We therefore denounce any pollution or contamination of the ocean that our Pacific peoples depend on for their livelihoods. As the Assembly is well aware, we in the Pacific supply approximately 60 per cent of the world’s tuna market, underscoring our region’s global significance. Maintaining the health of our ocean is therefore not merely in our own interests.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“For us in Solomon Islands, it was only a month ago that we celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of Guadalcanal, a significant battle of the Second World War. For many, that war ended in 1945, but for us its repercussions continue. Between 2011 and 2017, approximately 37,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance, weighing some 152,000 metric tons, were destroyed. I thank the Governments of Australia and the United States of America for their assistance in that exercise, which continues today. Today, we are also continually threatened by global power posturing attempting once again to dictate our fate as a region. However, we refuse to remain silent. It is on that note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The international community must continue to stand firm in its fight to prevent crimes against humanity. I stand here with pride in saying that today we in the Pacific continue to enjoy the world’s most peaceful corner. Although we play a minor role in the geopolitics of the world, we are now once again caught up in the midst of a global power play. History shows that global events have often dictated those in the Pacific region. They were events beyond our control that were imposed on us. They have had lasting effects on our peoples, many of them negative. From bygone world wars to nuclear tests, to the current instances of military provocation, we continue to deal with the remnants of those foreign-imposed events.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I believe that the theme can effectively be summed up in three simple yet powerful words — peace, humanity and equality. However, I am afraid that the status quo in the world today does not reflect them. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 65.6 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of last year. Those statistics are the result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations — the consequences of human actions. Sadly, the majority of the displaced are women and children. They are the most vulnerable to the evil designs of their fellow human beings. They must therefore be protected. The protection of people is in the DNA of the Organization. My Government therefore reaffirms its support for the responsibility to protect.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I thank him for a marvellous job done. Our world is going through difficult times. The year 2017 has been dominated by intentional provocations and natural disasters. As such, the choice of our theme — “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet” — is not only appropriate, it is perfectly timed. On that note, on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the recent natural disasters, in particular Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. We would like to express our sympathies to the families who lost loved ones in the recent earthquakes in Mexico. Whether we are talking about tsunamis, cyclones, flooding or earthquakes, Solomon Islands knows well the pain of having to live through such ordeals. Our hearts and prayers are with the victims.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would like to add to those of others the congratulations of my delegation to Mr. Miroslav Lajčák on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. His great experience and wisdom as a diplomat will guide our work going forward in this session. I assure him that for its part, my delegation will try to lighten his burden by providing him with full cooperation throughout the proceedings of the Assembly. With regard to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson, what can I say? Not only was he the first Fijian to hold the office of President of the General Assembly, he was also the first Pacific islander to assume that prestigious office. Among his many achievements was his championing of the 1,350 voluntary commitments made at the Ocean Conference held here in June.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We urge the Assembly to build on the work carried out at the previous session to make the Council more accountable, representative and transparent. Solomon Islands and fellow SIDS continue to seek a dedicated seat for SIDS in the non-permanent-seat category in the Council. In conclusion, the journey to implement the SDGs has begun. The Assembly will be measured by our success in unlocking the means, tools and resources to transform our peoples’ lives and ensure them a sustainable future. Let us not fail our people.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“On South-South cooperation, I would like to register my appreciation to Cuba for the medical scholarships offered to our students, and I am pleased to see the growing number of graduates returning to serve our people. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains a source of guidance and inspiration on gender equality and gender empowerment. Solomon Islands remains committed to the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the Platform for Action, which should enable the realization of gender goals and targets under the Sustainable Development Goals. In April of this year, my Government welcomed the entry into force of the Family Protection Act. My Government’s continued legal-reform programme will result in laws that complement the functions of the Family Protection Act. A reform of the Security Council remains elusive.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Solomon Islands adds its voice to those of other Member States and civil-society organizations that are concerned about human rights violations in the Papua and West Papua regions of Indonesia. As the Chair of the MSG, which includes Indonesia as an associate member and the United Liberation Movement of West Papua as an observer, Solomon Islands affirms the need for constructive engagement with Indonesia and looks forward to cooperating with Indonesia to address the violations of human rights in West Papua. Solomon Islands welcomes the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States of America. Solomon Islands continues to call on its friend and partner the United States of America to work towards completely lifting the embargo.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Solomon Islands is gravely concerned about the human rights violations against Melanesians in West Papua. Human rights violations in West Papua and West Papua’s pursuit of self-determination are two sides of the same coin. The many reports of human rights violations in West Papua corroborate the practice of direct violations of human rights by Indonesia in its attempts to smother any form of opposition. The principle of sovereignty is paramount in any institution whose core rationale is the respect for sovereignty. If, however, the justification of sovereignty rests on a series of decisions that are questionable, then there is a case to challenge the legality of the argument for sovereignty, as outlined in the Agreement signed in New York on 15 August 1962 and the Act of Free Choice.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The new agreement, once signed by the five States, will deepen and tighten economic integration among the member States. The Group continues to follow the question of New Caledonia, which is on the United Nations agenda. We wish the people of New Caledonia all the best as they prepare to decide on their political future in 2018. Solomon Islands reaffirms its support for the inalienable right of the people of the territory of French Polynesia to self-determination, pursuant to the annual resolutions of the General Assembly, beginning in 2013 (resolution 67/265). Solomon Islands continues to request the Administrative Power to work and cooperate with the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization on the question of French Polynesia, and we hope that the Special Committee will visit the territory soon.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“There have always been two political systems along the Taiwan Strait. The reality is that the world works with one and turns a blind eye to the other. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for all hands on deck. Let us put the interests of humankind first and work with all, including Taiwan. The year 2016 is Solomon Islands’ second year as Chair of the five-member Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The Group has established the subregional Humanitarian and Emergency Response Coordination Centre so as to be able to respond to disasters in our subregion. The increasing occurrence of severe tropical cyclones requires timely international and regional responses in order to complement nationally led disaster- management responses. The Group recently concluded negotiations on a new MSG trade agreement.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Solomon Islands recognizes the fundamental rights of the Republic of China on Taiwan and its 23 million people to participate meaningfully in the United Nations specialized agencies. Solomon Islands finds Taiwan’s limited and restricted participation with the World Health Organization system regrettable, especially at a time when the spread of infectious diseases is impacting our children, and we need everyone to assist. We call for Taiwan’s open and free access to all World Health Organization meetings. Similarly, Taiwan remains unjustly on the fringes of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decision-making processes, Taiwan manages more than 1 million flights, equalling 58 million passengers, through the Taipei Flight Information Region. We also call for Taiwan’s predictable and certain participation in ICAO meetings.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I am pleased to note that one of Solomon Islands’ four continental-shelf claims submitted to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf is now awaiting decision by the Commission. The joint claim of the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to the Ontong Java Plateau was considered by a subcommission in August. Solomon Islands would like to acknowledge the efforts of the joint delegation and thank the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for its assistance from its trust fund. We encourage all who are blessed with resources to contribute to the fund. I also thank the Commonwealth Secretariat for the technical support rendered to the joint delegation, and hope that similar support can be extended to the remaining claims.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Tuna has served to integrate the economies of the Pacific into global markets. This year the Pacific small island developing States (SIDS) celebrated Tuna Day here at the United Nations. I hope that it becomes an annual event, and we will explore the possibility of bringing a draft resolution to the General Assembly to declare 2 May as World Tuna Day. Solomon Islands is a party to the Nauru Agreement on Cooperation in the Management of Fisheries of Common Interest. We believe in a rights-based approach to fisheries management that guarantees resource owners their fair share of the benefits. The Vessel Day Scheme is one such rights-based mechanism. It has significantly increased the economic returns from our tuna.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Initiative affords us a coordinated approach to marine and coastal management with Government leadership and a focus on people-centred natural-resource management We are mindful of the growing global attention to the oceans and welcome the Assembly’s decision to convene a United Nations conference on oceans and seas next year. Solomon Islands also supports the establishment of a new agreement to deal with biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. There is no single ocean entry point in the multilateral system, and I call for the establishment of a world ocean authority. Such an authority would coordinate all ocean-related treaties, entities and programmes, and move beyond the current sectoral approach to a single holistic and comprehensive framework. Fisheries contribute significantly to the economies of the Pacific.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We are currently undertaking legislative and land reforms, including nation-building economic investments. We are committed to unifying our culturally richly diverse population. On the issue of the oceans, I am pleased to inform the Assembly that Solomon Islands is developing a national ocean governance framework that will rationalize and enhance coordination and the implementation of all ocean-related legislation. Solomon Islands has some of the world’s most diverse marine species and is a member of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI).”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)