YouSaid · the spoken record

Ernest Bai Koroma

lines on the record: 93
first: 2008-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
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

“In my capacity as Chair of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council, I must emphasize that reform of the Council is urgently required for the wider United Nations membership to fully benefit from the Council’s purposes and primary objective of maintaining international peace and security. There is an increasing need for the Security Council to be more representative, inclusive and democratic, as well as for an improvement in its working methods and its relations with the General Assembly. The status quo is increasingly unacceptable and has the potential to undermine the legitimacy, effectiveness and efficiency of the Council’s work in maintaining international peace and security.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Our commitment to international peace is evidenced by our transformation from a nation that received one of the largest ever United Nations peacekeeping missions in the late 1990s to a country that today contributes troops and police officers to peacekeeping missions in Darfur. We have also developed a proposal to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia. At the same time, we acknowledge with gratitude the enormous impact that the United Nations family has had on the maintenance of peace, governance and economic and 11-51191 4 social development in my country since our admission to the Organization, 50 years ago.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Sierra Leone is a nation with a relatively small territory and population, but our aspirations to democracy, prosperity and international peace are as big as any nation’s, and our commitment to those ideals has been visibly demonstrated in the course of our 50 years as an independent nation. We are proud of the distinctive contributions we have made to the United Nations over the past half-century in areas such as decolonization; training and research; the international civil service; disarmament and non-proliferation, including small arms and light weapons; peacemaking and peacekeeping; the development of international law; and, currently, reform of the Security Council. It is worth mentioning that, soon after our admission to the United Nations, we contributed a small peacekeeping contingent to the United Nations Operation in the Congo.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I am honoured to address the Assembly once again. Let me, first of all, congratulate the President on his election to his duties of directing the affairs of the Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. I would like to assure him of our full support and cooperation throughout his tenure. And I commend his predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss, for a job well done. We appreciate the Secretary-General’s important contribution to the work of the Organization and congratulate him on his recent appointment to a second term. On behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, let me take this opportunity to welcome the Republic of South Sudan, the newest Member of the United Nations family and our continental organization, the African Union. We congratulate them on this achievement and wish them well.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I wish to conclude my statement by saying that the moment has come for us to address the historical injustice inflicted on Africa by allocating the continent no less than two seats, with all their attributes and privileges, and two additional seats in both the non-permanent and permanent categories of the Council. I do not need to emphasize that at the inception of the United Nations, most of Africa was not represented and that as a result Africa remains to this day the only continent without a permanent seat in the Council. To ensure greater relevance of the Security Council within a revamped United Nations system, Africa demands permanent representation on the Security Council, with all the requisite attributes.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“No one continent should have an exclusive monopoly over membership of the Security Council. There is no justification for a discriminatory allocation of seats, nor can we debate endlessly and ignore the realities of our rapidly changing global circumstances. While the fifth round of talks has not truly led to a compromise-oriented solution, distilling all positions into a single negotiating document has been a significant step in the right direction. We in Africa look forward to and support a process that will allow the text to evolve during the next session of the General Assembly in an open, inclusive and balanced manner, towards a solution that can garner the widest possible political acceptance by Member States. We urge all delegations to muster the political will required for progress.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The prevailing global recession resulting from the economic and financial crisis that struck developed economies has further compounded that challenge. In this context, my Government believes that the United Nations remains the crucial hub for norm-setting and harmonizing the actions of nations for the maintenance of international peace and security and for the attainment of our development goals. The Assembly, meeting at the turn of the millennium, decided that reforming the Security Council and making it more accessible, transparent, equitably representative and accountable was long overdue. That brings me to the crucial issue that has led us in Africa to consistently reiterate that there can be no meaningful reform of the Council without allocating permanent seats to the continent.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We support the United Nations more than any other organization as a centre of global governance. It has the unique characteristics of a global mandate and universal membership. Those characteristics make it an indispensable and neutral catalyst for the achievement 10-54833 40 of international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character. The centrality of the role of the United Nations in global governance cannot be overemphasized. The recently concluded High-level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals revealed that progress has been uneven and that developing countries, particularly those in Africa, continue to be most vulnerable to the effects of globalization.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“A new configuration of interdependent relationships, economic, social, political and ethnic in nature, has emerged from those historic circumstances. There are fears that globalization nurtures the dominance of power politics, a growing disparity between the North and the South, intolerance of different values, a tendency to resort to force to solve international conflicts, and neglect of the environment. At the same time, globalization has led to a multilevel system of governance that is beginning to address global issues ranging from economic interdependence, migration, financial crises and drug trafficking to the pandemics of tuberculosis, avian flu, HIV/AIDS and malaria. It is in recognition of the imperative to promote multilateralism and build synergies with both State and non-State actors that I commend the choice of theme.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Most importantly, we are not oblivious to the imperative of consolidating peace through enhanced political dialogue, tolerance and ensuring a free and fair electoral process. With those elements and our political resolve, we will make further progress towards peace, security and a stable and open democracy. I shall now turn to the theme of the Assembly’s sixty-fifth session: reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance. It could not have been better timed, at a moment when the global community is grappling with myriad challenges facing the international system. The end of the cold war, together with an explosion in information and communication technologies, gave rise to a new paradigm of flexible or loose functional coalitions involving State and non-State actors.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We have made great strides in attracting large-scale private sector investors from international companies, following the Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Forum in London last year. Furthermore, to maintain macroeconomic stability and make those achievements sustainable, my Government also remains firmly committed to the fight against corruption. Despite that progress, many challenges remain. I am proud of what Sierra Leone has achieved so far. But we need to further enhance our capacity to promote and protect human rights, establish good governance and managerial capacity across the whole public sector and fight corruption and trafficking in narcotic drugs. For all that, our country will need further technical assistance and cooperation, private capital investments and technology transfer.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“My Government is also delivering results on the key priorities in my Agenda for Change to improve the lives of all Sierra Leoneans. We have launched free health care for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under five, for the first time in our history, improving access to around 300,000 women and more than a million children. We have also begun the serious commercialization of agriculture, the mainstay of our economy, particularly through smallholder farmers, for whom we are facilitating improved mechanization, irrigation and the establishment of farming cooperatives. We have successfully made significant progress on road construction and the rehabilitation of electricity supply in key provincial cities and towns, to generate economic activity across the country.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“My Government is determined to ensure effective implementation of the action plan, particularly in addressing gender-based violence as well as enhancing women’s participation in politics and the public sector. My Government’s commitment to free media is equally strong. No journalist has been imprisoned in my country since I assumed office. We have transformed the Government-owned broadcasting services into what is only the second independent public service broadcaster in Africa, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon witnessed the launch of this historic, groundbreaking initiative in June. It is the beginning of a new era of access to independent, unbiased and impartial information in our country.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We have put in place comprehensive justice sector reforms in response to both national and global demands, to ensure that the rights of citizens are preserved, and that they have access to justice for all. And the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone 39 10-54833 has assumed a lead role in advising my Government on building a culture of human rights. It ensures that the Government ratifies international treaties and protocols and fulfils its reporting obligations. A case in point is our recent validation of the common core document that forms the basis for all reporting on international treaties. Sierra Leone is among the few countries emerging from conflict that have formulated a comprehensive action plan for Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008).”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“A recent International Monetary Fund review shows improvement in our public finances, with our 4 per cent annual economic growth rate higher than the average rate of 2 per cent for sub-Saharan Africa. We have also made steady progress in our rankings on doing business, corruption perception and democracy. In addition, earlier this year I was the proud recipient on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone of a peace prize awarded by ACCORD, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes. And only last week my country received a Millennium Development Goal Award for showing outstanding leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. My Government has also continued to emphasize the protection of the basic rights of the people of Sierra Leone.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In my statement I would like to talk both about the successes that my country has achieved with the help of the international community and about the reforms we now need to make in the way we interact and govern ourselves globally. My Government is sincerely grateful for the international community’s engagement with Sierra Leone’s efforts to put the country on a path to sustained economic growth and development. Building on this engagement, our country has significantly improved our international standing in many areas. The Global Peace Index now ranks Sierra Leone as the fifty-third most peaceful country in the world. The Mo Ibrahim Index records that we are one of the five crisis-affected countries that have made a significant leap forward in democratic governance.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Once again, it is a great honour and pleasure for me to address this distinguished Assembly. Let me start by congratulating Mr. Joseph Deiss on his assumption of the presidency at the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly and assuring him of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. I would also like to convey my sincere appreciation to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, for his efficient and effective conduct of the previous session. My gratitude also goes to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive account of the work of the United Nations and his analysis of the challenges facing our global community.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We in Africa have consistently demanded that the historical injustice that is rooted in our underrepresentation and non-representation in the non-permanent and permanent categories of the Council be addressed 09-52320 20 without any further delay. It is in this respect that we have continued to negotiate in good faith and mutual trust. I am hopeful that the outcome of these negotiations will lead to a meaningful reform of this, the principal decision-making organ of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We in Africa stand ready, willing and prepared, as always, to resume negotiations during this session. Let us promote multilateralism and strengthen our collaborative efforts to contain the rising threats to our planet.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In the bid to promote effective multilateralism, my Government has continued to urge the international community to effect various reforms aimed at strengthening our intergovernmental organizations, including the Bretton Woods institutions, with a view to making them more inclusive, transparent and democratic in their decision-making processes. An effective, legitimate and democratic United Nations cannot be achieved without a true reform of the Security Council. The ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on, and increase in the membership of, the Security Council and other matters relating to the Council have progressed through three informal plenary rounds at the last session of the General Assembly.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As I intimated before the Assembly at the sixty- third session, we have come a long way, thanks to multilateral and bilateral efforts in favour of our survival as a nation. The ongoing peacebuilding efforts, spearheaded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, continue to strengthen the peace-consolidation process in the country. I am pleased to announce that, in return and in a spirit of reciprocity, Sierra Leone has joined the ranks of the troop-contributing countries of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Multilateralism is vital for international cooperation and for responding to global crises.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Against this background, I wish to reiterate that collaborative efforts among members of the international community are crucial to addressing our global problems, and that international support remains critical for the consolidation of hard-won gains by nations emerging from war. It is our hope that the United Nations and our development partners will continue to be our steadfast allies in our ongoing struggle for economic progress and development. In this regard, I urge that we continue to forge enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, as well as subregional organizations, cooperation that goes beyond rhetoric and translates into concrete efforts.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“A final threat critical to the future stability of nations around the world is the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which, as former Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently emphasized, are tantamount to weapons of mass destruction in slow motion, capable of destabilizing countries and entire regions. Given that many African countries routinely face political instability and violent threats, we need to strengthen the national, regional and subregional conflict-resolution mechanisms through which it becomes possible for Africa to control small weapons. Peace and development can be achieved in Africa, in part, by exploration of the peace and security architecture evolving within the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the Southern African Development Community and the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We believe that in addition to the necessity of investing in clean development mechanisms, the world’s developed countries must take a leadership role, providing adequate and predictable financial and technical support for less developed countries to foster effective adaptation as well as mitigation measures. We share the Secretary-General’s vision that the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen represents a unique and powerful opportunity at a critical moment in human history to steer humankind towards a safer, more stable and more sustainable future.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Drought, hurricanes, floods, changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and low crop yields rank high among the key challenges facing the world’s poor. Unfortunately, those nations with the least resources are the most unprepared for such challenges. It is our obligation to reverse the alarming rate of environmental destruction and depletion of our natural resources. It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Africa’s common position on climate change, which, among other things, urges developed countries to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 40 per cent. This is certainly not an ambitious goal. It is the least that we, the most vulnerable, deserve.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I would like to address another issue my delegation takes very seriously, one that is interwoven with the financial crisis, poverty and development — the serious threat that climate change poses to human development in general and African nations in 19 09-52320 particular. Despite the scientific consensus that the earth is warming at an alarming rate, progress in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and limiting global warming to below an increase of 2 degrees Celsius per year has proved elusive. Today, the poorest nations, which contribute the least to the phenomenon, are the most vulnerable. The recent torrential rainfall in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, left scores of people dead, homeless or seriously injured.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“On 18 and 19 November of this year, we are organizing a Consultative Group Meeting on Sierra Leone in London to dialogue with investors, donors and other partners, and to mobilize support for our efforts in tackling the many challenges facing our country. We see the Sierra Leone conference as a problem-solving dialogue; we aspire to a conference that will build an action-oriented multilateral framework for meeting the challenges we face. My country believes in multilateralism; we believe in dialogue among nations as the most effective means of tackling our problems. We call upon all countries to ensure that the current financial crisis does not deny the many African nations only recently removed from violent conflict the security and prospect of prosperity that we have all worked so hard to achieve.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Worldwide indicators show that we have made extremely fast progress in political stability. Our economic growth remains strong at 6 to 9 per cent. My Government has firmed up the aspirations of our people in an Agenda for Change that sets out four clear priority areas: agriculture, energy, infrastructure and reforms to improve delivery of health and education services. We are already delivering results in our priority areas. Key roads are under construction, we have completed a hydroelectric project that is supplying clean, affordable power to Freetown for the first time, and our reforms have ensured that we are the best performer among neighbouring countries according to the Doing Business Index. My Government could not sustain these results without multilateral support.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Our economy continues to be vigorously challenged by the falling prices of our exports in the international market. This includes diamonds and cash crops. The effect of this intractable problem is that we are not able to garner enough foreign exchange to meet the basic import requirements for our sustenance. We are on the threshold of the tenth year of the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and yet the prospects for achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 remain dismal for Africa. Many countries in Africa, including mine, have in the last few years registered important improvements in the essential areas of governance and economic and social indicators. My country, Sierra Leone, is putting in place mechanisms to ensure a stable democratic regime.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Among some population groups, that impact may be on the size of their bonuses; among others, it may be on whether they acquire a second car or not. But for the vast number of people — particularly in Africa — the impact of the crises is creating life-threatening situations. Years of conflict had increased the number of poor and vulnerable people in my country. However, stable economic growth, remittances and international financial and security support were increasing prospects for ameliorating the situation, but the present global crisis has suddenly decreased those prospects, pushing greater numbers of our people into extreme poverty. We in Sierra Leone are saddled with the effects of trade imbalances in international commerce.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Climate change; the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and swine flu pandemics; the food and fuel crises, including the present global economic meltdown; terrorism; nuclear proliferation; and drug trafficking are all beyond the capacity of any of the world’s civilizations to tackle without international cooperation. While the major causes of those challenges may arise from particular regions, their impacts are global and affect the lives and fortunes of peoples of all civilizations. Dialogue among civilizations will create the synergies required to tackle the causes and impacts of the global crises. My Government fully subscribes to and supports the promotion of dialogue, as well as the facilitation of mechanisms that will help to ameliorate the impact of the global crises.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is only through dialogue among the various 09-52320 18 civilizations of the world represented in this deliberative body and the strengthening of the institutions and architecture responsible for promoting such dialogue that we can effectively meet the challenges posed by the current global crisis. Dialogue promotes understanding; understanding enhances cooperation; and cooperation gives vitality and legitimacy to the institutions and mechanisms that have been structured to meet our common challenges and goals. Civilizations began as magnificent blueprints for meeting challenges that were specific to particular regions of the world, but advances in technology and communications have made problems no longer specific to particular regions.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I feel highly honoured to address the Assembly once again. I would like to start by congratulating Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session and to assure him of my delegation’s support and cooperation as he performs the demanding task of presiding over our deliberations. Through him, I would also like to convey my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Monsignor Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann for the efficient and effective manner in which he conducted the previous session. In addition, my appreciation goes to the Secretary- General for his comprehensive account of the work of the Organization and his analysis of the challenges facing the global community. The theme for this year’s session is apt and timely.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to the ideals and principles of the United Nations and will continue to be a constructive partner and member of this Organization.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Despite the enormous difficulties on the development front and in achieving the MDGs, we are resolved to improve the lives of our people and to respond constructively to their needs and aspirations. International support remains crucial, however, if we are to consolidate hard- won gains. It is our hope that the United Nations and other development partners will continue to be our steadfast allies in our ongoing struggle for economic progress and development. The mission of the United Nations — to serve the cause of peace, to advance development and to protect the human rights of all — is more important than ever. The United Nations is a unique forum where the weak and the strong, the poor and the prosperous can have their voices heard.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“War and deadly conflicts have social and economic consequences long after the fighting has ended. A peaceful country requires more than the absence of war. Development remains the foremost need of all Sierra Leoneans. Moreover, it is the foundation of security, and it makes political rights meaningful. One can be secure only if one has food, shelter, clean water and protection from disease. That is why the monumental task of poverty eradication is one of the national priorities of my Government. My Government is completing a second-generation poverty reduction strategy to guide us in the process. We have also developed a comprehensive strategy for the nation’s development over the next five years, called the Agenda for Change. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are also central to our work.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The facilities of the Special Court in the heart of our historic capital, Freetown, will be inherited by Sierra Leone, and we will explore the best possible use for them. In recent years, Sierra Leone has made real progress in consolidating democracy and good governance by conducting successive free, fair and non-violent presidential, parliamentary and local Government elections. We are on the right path. On behalf of all Sierra Leoneans, I would like to thank 08-51845 26 members of the international community for their invaluable contribution to our electoral process, and particularly for their logistical and technical support that enabled the various institutions to perform their respective tasks. But we are the first to acknowledge that much more needs to be done to achieve sustainable peace and development.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have made extraordinary contributions to establishing the rule of law and fighting against impunity so that the people of Sierra Leone can put their tragic past behind them and look forward to the future. Without reconciliation, tolerance and the rule of law, there will be no true and lasting peace. The Special Court has established legal principles that will endure beyond its anticipated closure in 2010. I want to commend the efforts of the Special Court to engage both my Government and the international justice community in making preparations for any residual issues that might remain following its closure.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Africa, with 53 countries constituting about a quarter of the United Nations membership, deserves permanent representation in the Security Council. We believe that the Security Council should be enlarged sooner rather than later. The United Nations has had an important role in global peace and the development of justice. Sierra Leone’s peace and stability are due largely to United Nations peacekeeping, a visible and an important aspect of the Organization’s work. The Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and other United Nations agencies are helping us in critical ways to achieve our development priorities and to meet the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We are convinced that a more representative and effective United Nations will strengthen the loyalty and commitment of Member States and make the Organization more responsive to the needs of our time. It should be recognized that reform efforts have achieved some modest successes. However, one of the most critical and urgent issues on our current reform agenda — reform of the Security Council — remains unresolved. We need to make the Security Council more representative of today’s realities. The current composition of the Security Council contradicts basic principles of democratic representation. Africa has outlined its collective position in the Ezulwini Consensus. Africa will negotiate in good faith, and we expect others to do the same in the best interest of the Organization. The status quo is not an option.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“If that problem is going to be resolved, it is essential to end the agricultural subsidies and trade barriers that impoverish African farmers. I have had the privilege to coordinate the African Union committee of 10 heads of State and Government charged with the mandate to promote the African Common Position on the Reform of the United Nations. In that capacity, and as Head of State of Sierra Leone, I welcome the theme “the need to democratize the United Nations” as part of this year’s work of the General Assembly. The need to democratize and reform the Organization is of vital importance. However, reform is not an end in itself but a means to an end. We support a strong and effective United Nations that can meet the ever-increasing and complex array of challenges in the twenty-first century.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“African farmers need to adopt higher-yielding land practices, with increased use of seeds, fertilizers and irrigation. In that connection, we welcome the work of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, chaired by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Alliance recognizes that massive investment in agriculture is the key to a long-term solution to the continent’s food crisis. That will enable Africans to grow enough of their own food and become less dependent on handouts from donors. Sierra Leone, like many other countries in Africa, is suitably positioned to benefit from such investment because of its vast arable land, abundant water resources and the fact that over 70 per cent of its population is engaged in farming or farming-related activities.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The people of Sierra Leone know the value and relevance of the United Nations and appreciate its continuing support as we reconstruct our society from war to peace and work with determination to build a better future. 25 08-51845 The theme for this general debate, “The impact of the global food crisis on poverty and hunger in the world as well as the need to democratize the United Nations”, is important and timely. Africa has a disproportionate share of the world’s poor and hungry, and the need for urgent and concerted action is compelling. The rising cost of food has had a negative impact on our resources and poses a threat to our national stability and the stability of other countries in West Africa. It is vital that Africa increase food productivity and achieve food self-sufficiency.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“It is an honour for me, as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to deliver my first speech to this Assembly. I wish to congratulate Mr. D’Escoto Brockmann on his assumption of the high office of President of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session, and to assure him of Sierra Leone’s support and cooperation as he undertakes the challenging responsibility of presiding over our deliberations during this session. I should also like to express my gratitude to his predecessor for the efficient way in which he guided the Assembly during its last session. The sacred duty of this Organization to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war was tested in fire in Sierra Leone, but today my country demonstrates what the United Nations can achieve when its Members work closely together.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)