YouSaid · the spoken record

Chandrikapersad Santokhi

lines on the record: 36
first: 2020-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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 conclusion, together let us harness our collective strengths, knowledge and determination to create a world where resilience and inclusivity are not just aspirations but realities. Only through joint efforts can we build a future where no one is left behind and where the Sustainable Development Goals become a shining beacon of hope and progress for all. We owe that to our current and future generations. I appeal to all of us to work constructively and collectively towards a new and better world order and to recommit to the original goals of the Charter of the United Nations, only now with more dedication, passion and love for one another.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We are doing that to finance our committed transition to an economy based primarily on renewable, non-carbon-based energy generation by 2060. With a certain degree of pride. I would like to announce that we recently registered our carbon credits for the first time on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change registry. That was done with our own. albeit limited, capabilities. We shall see how the market responds to those new resources. All of those commitments are being made to contribute to saving the planet and life on Earth. I call on all heavy polluters to start that process as well and not to try to manage, tax or punish environmentally friendly production in developing countries, which are the least responsible for the climate crisis. Real change must come from the more developed countries in particular.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Suriname has undergone a financial and economic reform process in which my country’s citizens had to sacrifice in many ways. Coupled with the coronavirus disease pandemic, the impact of climate change, the effects of the war in Eastern Europe and a high debt burden, the impact on our people has been even worse. I want to assure the international community that my Government is committed to remaining a carbon-negative country with an enormous biodiversity pool and a low deforestation level. During the Amazon Summit held last August in Belem do Para, in Brazil, we and seven other countries committed to better management of the Amazon region. We even committed to stopping deforestation by the year 2030. We are committed to the application of high international environmental standards so that the impact on the environment can be minimized.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Many of us have raised the issue of urgent and comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture as the most critical action needed to address the economic, financial and environmental challenges facing developing countries. An integral part of that reform process must be the discussion of new ways to classify countries. I ask all of us to contribute to the proposed multidimensional vulnerability index. My country. Suriname, is on the cusp of promising commercial development of newfound oil and gas resources. Those developments and capital generation will enable us to provide our population with a social, health and education system that will facilitate increased production in other sectors, creating a sustainable future for our current and succeeding generations. Over the past three years.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We cannot go to Dubai in less than two months and hear the same analyses, stories, policies, speeches and promises with noble goals, only to have nothing happen after that. Yes. it takes too long to make the required decisions that will have a meaningful impact and improve our living conditions. We need easier access to climate financing to implement mitigation and adaptation policies. We must walk the talk where loss and damage are concerned. We must join the efforts that call for compensating highly forested countries for so- called removal credits, because so far those countries have been acting as carbon sinks for the whole world without any compensation.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Suriname is currently experiencing extraordinarily high temperatures, resulting in challenges with regard to the availability of drinking water. Our inland areas are increasingly flooded by heavy rainfall, and our coastal areas are threatened by sea level rise. As a consequence, the people living in remote parts of our vast interior are deprived of work, education and basic utilities, and food security is under threat. As one of the only three carbon-negative countries in the world. Suriname remains committed and continues to play its part in protecting the planet through national actions but also by engaging in strategic international public and private partnerships that will help to ensure that we remain carbon-negative now and in the future.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“At the same time, the Haitian stakeholders, who are divided into opposing groups, must demonstrate the will to engage in dialogue and reach a consensus for a way forward in the shortest time possible. Another climate conference, the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is on our doorstep as we experience the reality of the increased intensity of the devastating global impact of climate change. It is regrettable to admit that, despite some efforts, the world is still far from reaching the required decrease in emissions to prevent irreversible damage to our global environment and society. And we are bearing the brunt of that.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The reach and impact of digital technologies will only continue to increase in the coming years, and it is crucial for the benefits of those innovations to be leveraged to ensure an accessible, transparent, safe and secure digitally transformative environment. To implement that comprehensive strategy in a coherent manner, my country recently designed and adopted a national digital strategy for the period 2023-2030. The political. humanitarian and security environment in Haiti is deteriorating. While I appreciate the efforts made to date to assist in finding an immediate solution, many more political efforts need to be made to translate those intentions into real actions. The people of Haiti are looking to the regional and international community for assistance.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I remain of the view that the earmarked transformation envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains both possible and essential. As we know, food security is a major challenge. Just a few days ago in Cuba. I stressed the importance of science, technology and innovation for increasing food production and optimizing the inputs needed to make agriculture more productive. During my visit. I personally experienced the negative impact of the longstanding embargo — one that does not achieve what it was meant for. The Caribbean Community’s food security programme is an example of efforts to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and promote local production with modern technology.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The multiple global and national crises, such as the debt burden, the domestic effects of climate change, the financial-economic downturn following the coronavirus disease pandemic and the impact of the war raging in Ukraine, have put tremendous pressure on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on a major scale. Limited financial and technical resources had to be allocated for many emergencies just to make sure that no one was left behind. Let us remember that building resilience and leaving no one behind is not a choice. I want to reiterate that, for small developing countries with low-lying coastal areas, the fiscal pressure due to other crises beyond our doing is a real and daily problem. However.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“It is therefore of the utmost importance to transcend national interests and look to our common goals. We must put aside ideological differences in order to constructively deliver for the prosperity of our people and the protection of our planet. We simply cannot expect durable solutions in a rapidly changing world if we do not reset the buttons. As world leaders, we have stressed that upholding firm commitments to international principles and international law. the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and effective multilateralism are a sine qua non condition for addressing those global challenges and threats. The United Nations role in defending and upholding those principles through dialogue, constructive engagement and concrete action remains crucial. A strong, determined and united United Nations is therefore a must.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We express noble goals, but their delivery is poor. That cannot go on. Business as usual cannot be our mantra. No country is spared the effects of those crises, especially developing countries, such as my own country. Suriname. And no country can solve those challenges alone. It is worth mentioning that we humans are responsible for those crises, and we must take responsibility for them. We must also exercise collective leadership to solve those problems effectively. A new approach to conceptualizing our relationships is needed to adequately address those crises. We need a new kind of multilateralism that is more just and effective and that compels us to unite — one that will demonstrate respect for. and commitment to. international law and cooperation.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I am proud to observe that this organ is under the dedicated leadership of our Caribbean sister nation Trinidad and Tobago and that a distinguished citizen and experienced diplomat of that country is at the helm of the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session. This is my fourth statement to this global organ, and I am afraid to conclude that not much has changed for the better in that time with regard to the essential elements of peace, prosperity and climate in our world. On the other hand, the challenges and crises have increased and deepened. I do not need to mention those crises, because we know them all and refer to them every single time we speak to an international or regional audience. The more important and relevant matter at hand is to decide what to do about them. We make promises that are often not kept.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“National solutions to resolve global problems have time and again proven to be ineffective, and at times dangerous. Global solutions with adapted local or national implementation will enable us to achieve the future we want. We can, will and must do that together. Together we are stronger. God bless everyone.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Seeking to prevent further hardship and bring some relief to our population, we decided to re-engage with the IMF in order to consider where the implementation of our programme can be adjusted based on the current realities in the world and how to minimize its social cost. We appreciate our bilateral and multilateral partners, who have expressed solidarity and provided valuable support to my country and people during these challenging times. In addition, our goal is to attract investment and improve productivity and capital allocation, which are critical for growth and poverty reduction. In conclusion, effective and consensus-based multilateralism is the only option for solving the interlocking challenges our world faces today.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Since I took office two years ago, my Government has made efforts to bring the economy back on track and guide our country’s development away from an extremely unsustainable position onto the right path. Even though we have a homegrown recovery plan, a 36-month extended fund facility of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a national multi-year development plan currently under implementation, my Government continues to face economic challenges and capacity constraints, owing to external and unforeseen shocks. The impact of several crises, coupled with economic reform measures, has brought great hardship to the population. International support is therefore of critical importance.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In that regard, I would like to congratulate the Secretariat on the establishment of Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. As lead head of the quasi-cabinet of the Caribbean Community responsible for regional youth development, I was pleased with the interactions among the region’s young people at the most recent meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Suriname. I commend the young people of the region for shouldering responsibility and inspiring their peers to not only demand a seat at the table but also show up consistently. For my part, I have pledged 10 hectares of land in Suriname to set up an innovative campus to facilitate research and development studies conducted by students and start-ups from the region.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Conflicts and violence are currently on the rise globally in all regions, leading to hostilities and displacements and resulting in paralysing levels of poverty and food insecurity. As States Members of the United Nations, we should take responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The achievement of sustainable development is inextricably linked to upholding democratic values, good governance and respect for human rights. We must allow countries to develop sustainable economies, without obstacles. In today’s world, differences must be resolved through dialogue and cooperation. Therefore, in our view, the long-standing embargo against Cuba and the Cuban people must be lifted. I believe that young people are valuable and undeniable partners in every aspect of development and in shaping the future.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I therefore welcome the appointment of the High-level Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. We look forward to finding solutions to address the obstacles to realizing the index, particularly the lack of reliable data. The political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Haiti remains of great concern to the region and requires the attention of the international community. In my capacity as the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I am committed to taking every effort to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders in Haiti with the aim of safeguarding peace and security. It is of the utmost importance that any support for resolving the situation in Haiti be based on a Haitian- initiated and -owned plan.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We also call for the establishment of a loss-and- damage facility under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that would provide SIDS with resources to finance the losses and damage resulting from climate change. In that regard, I commend the Secretary-General for his efforts to make the Adaptation Fund more accessible to the countries affected by climate change through his adaptation finance initiative. Financing is the backbone of sustainable development. The time has now come for a real reform of the global financial architecture, which must take into consideration the unique and inherent vulnerabilities that hamper the ability of small and vulnerable economies to overcome economic, environmental and social shocks.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“That is why it is time to act now. We must deliver on the $100 billion commitment to climate finance for adaptation. In that regard, we call for support for establishing a research agenda that will help the region understand the cost of climate change for different sectors and economies and for scaling up the means of implementation, including financing, particularly adaptation financing, capacity-building and technology transfer — without technology-dumping. We call for a scaling-up of finance for adaptation and responses to loss and damage, in a way that prioritizes the access of Caribbean and small island developing States (SIDS) to grant and concessionary financing, in particular through bilateral channels.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Such action will bring us closer to achieving our shared objectives in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and keeping our promise to leave no one behind. No country is immune to the climate crisis. Over the past few months, Suriname, has been affected by excessive rainfall, resulting in floods in many parts of the country. Owing to the inflow of salt water, fertile agricultural land has been adversely affected, causing economic loss and impacting food security and rural livelihoods. The Secretary-General, who visited Suriname in July, witnessed first-hand the effect of climate change on low-lying coastal States. He lauded our nature-based solutions, such as preserving mangroves, rainforest and other essential ecosystems, and stated that the Caribbean is ground zero for the global climate emergency.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Are we ensuring that the most vulnerable in our societies are being lifted out of poverty and hunger, and have we provided for their needs? Are we taking enough action together as one? We can all conclude that we are not ready and have not taken all the necessary measures. And as the leader of Suriname, a small country and one of only three carbon-negative countries in the world, I appeal to everyone today to ensure that we all uphold our firm commitment to international principles and international law when addressing global challenges and threats. Today I urge the United Nations to exert its important role and place in defence of those principles by using meaningful dialogue and constructive engagement as tools.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Meanwhile, the threats have been adding up: economic recovery from the coronavirus disease pandemic has slowed; the climate crisis is worsening, with extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and collapsing ecosystems; poverty and hunger are on the rise; and there is definitely a humanitarian crisis. The global community is faced with escalating consumer and fuel prices that have risen substantially, damaging living standards, particularly for the vulnerable. I therefore want everyone here to take a moment to ask themselves the following questions. Have we treated the Earth in a sustainable way? Are we better prepared for the next pandemic? Has access to climate financing improved? Have we addressed the root causes of the humanitarian crisis and unregulated migration?”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to preside over the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly and assure you of my country’s full support during your presidency. At last year’s general debate (see A/76/PV.6), I called on leaders to build a better world for those living today, and even more so for the generations yet to come. Today I would therefore like to take everyone back to 1992, when Severn Cullis-Suzuki spoke at the Earth Summit — the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro. She appealed to everyone to help stop the destruction of the Earth’s resources. Now it is 2022, and the world in its current state does not need any more wake-up calls. It is time for real action. While some progress has been made, we have not yet succeeded in overcoming the challenges we face.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“It is particularly this hope that will give the upcoming generation of leaders the strength to elevate this global Assembly of World Leaders to a place where, collectively, the nations of the world should find ways to make a better life possible for all of the global community, for the next 75 years. I congratulate all of us with reaching this milestone anniversary. Let us all in unity, respect and solidarity strive to make the next 75 years even better and save for our future. I thank you.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, Developing countries and nations in the South should not be passive in their quest for development. Consequently, South-South cooperation, not to the exclusion of North-South relations, should be further explored and expanded in articulating and promoting the collective economic and business interests. This is in essence what our people elect us for. This is what the international community expects of its leaders, to be examples of inspiring leadership and vanguards of hope for our common humanity. It is the same hope that allows us to break down walls of mistrust, which may take the form of intolerance, fear, or violence. It is the same hope that leads us to strive for peace and prosperity as our predecessors did.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Suriname will focus strongly on generating investment and business opportunities. It is mainly for this reason that my Administration will develop and act on the widest implementation of SDG Number 17, by the promotion and facilitation of clean and corruption free Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Reform of the international system Mr. President, In the past years we have realized reforms of the United Nations system, but much remains to be done. Participation of developing countries, especially the small economies, in the global financial and trading system is one of the long overdue reforms that has to take place. I believe that global strategic collaboration and complimentary financial — economic approaches are required. This can be achieved through closer partnerships between the IMF, World Bank and the WTO. The way forward Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“As a country with 239 miles of a low-lying coastline, Suriname is among the top 10 of most vulnerable countries with respect to the disastrous effects of sea-level rise as a result of global warming. Despite this position, Suriname has taken the lead as the country with the highest forest cover and low deforestation rate, to advocate for the mobilization of financial resources in support of our sustainable development, while making a significant contribution to mitigating global warming. It is estimated that our standing forests store 12 gigatons of forest carbon per year. Not a small contribution at all, I believe! However, these national commitments may only serve particular domestic concerns, but to maximize their impact strong international engagement is necessary with ambitious and attainable targets.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, a multilateralism that necessitates us to recommit to the vision of the UN Charter. In this regard, we call for the lifting of the longstanding unilateral economic, financial and commercial embargo against the Republic of Cuba and its people. Multilateralism for climate change Mr. President, While the focus of the international community is currently on managing and containing the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, we should continue to dedicate our attention to other challenges of equal or even greater impact on the sustainable development of countries and the entire planet. Addressing the impact of climate change is one of these challenges.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“A multilateralism, that acknowledges all nations, irrespective of their size and development level and place in the global order, as equal and with respect. A multilateralism where compliance by every state with international law and internationally accepted principles forms the bedrock of our interactions; A multilateralism, based on international cooperation to confront the many global challenges and seizing the common opportunities, that promotes a culture of inclusiveness and equality. Unilateral actions have always proven counterproductive and will never lead to achieve any defined objective. Nevertheless, dialogue and the active involvement of all countries, taking into account international principles, is what we should strive for. More importantly, Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Can you imagine that we have been elaborating for more than two (2) decades about reform of this main Organ! It is therefore fitting to ask ourselves if this organ is still relevant in its current form. Does it answer to the questions of today’s challenges and aspirations? I hope, Mr. President, that we don’t have to ask ourselves this question again in 75 years! It is therefore of utmost importance that multilateralism adapts to these changing times. I call on the international community of nations to embark on a strategic assessment of the existing multilateral framework. Let us, based on the current realities, and challenges, dare to create a new multilateralism that fundamentally focuses on peace and prosperity of all nations and allows for the increased efficiency in the supporting institutional framework.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“At the same time, the UN has been instrumental in bringing the world together to defend human rights, democracy and democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and good governance, sustain peace and security and advance the path towards realizing the 17 sustainable development goals. Despite considerable progress made in global discussions on a variety of matters — from climate change, sustainable development, migration, refugees, terrorism, cyber-warfare to nuclear proliferation — we have experienced that multilateralism has occasionally come under attack. Since the founding of the United Nations 75 years ago, the geopolitical field has changed drastically. The Security Council membership and its working methods need a structured evaluation.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This compels us as an international community to embrace multilateralism as an effective way to win this battle and our best defense against future global threats, and to continue seeking effective means to support small and vulnerable nations. The theme of this years’ session of the General Debate is therefore opportune. Mr. President, The United Nations remains the premier international multilateral organization and should exert its eminent role and place in the development and furthering of the principles pertaining to international relations, international law, international peace and — development.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We salute your predecessor, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, for his skillful leadership of the previous session and wish him well in his future endeavors. To Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, we wish to pay tribute for his sterling efforts in guiding this organization. Mr. President, The COVID-19 pandemic is, apart from the human toll, turning food supply chains upside down, paralysing economies and eroding consumer purchasing power. And the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid 2020 report, has confirmed what we as leaders and communities have experienced, that the pandemic has unleashed a health and economic crisis unprecedented in scope and magnitude.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Your Excellency Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly Your Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations Excellencies, Colleagues, Ministers and Permanent Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen, Introduction Mr. President, We are indeed at an unprecedented time during the historic anniversary for this global body of Nations. It would have been an honour for me to personally deliver my maiden address at the rostrum of the General Assembly. The onset and continued prevalence of COVID-19 has prevented this. Thankfully we can make optimal use of modern technology. As President of the 75th session of the General Assembly you will undoubtedly face challenges in the conduct of international relations and conference diplomacy. Please allow me to pledge our full support in the successful discharge of your duties.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)