YouSaid · the spoken record

Fredrik Reinfeldt

lines on the record: 44
first: 2009-09-24
most recent: 2013-09-24
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

“It is our duty to strive for a society and a world that gives everybody the possibility to create his or her own future. That is what every woman, every man, every girl and every boy deserves. Let me underline that it is in the very interests of every country, because people are the real wealth of a nation. The Millennium Development Goals have been very successful in coordinating and focusing our efforts on the areas where progress has been most urgent. Now we need to prepare for tomorrow. In doing that, Sweden is convinced, the United Nations will play a very important role. We will continue our strong support to the Organization.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Climate change continues, leading to extreme weather conditions in many parts of the world and the loss of lives and very high costs for society. The European Union’s and the United States’ emissions are falling, but overall global emissions are increasing. That is why all countries need to contribute to the international efforts in the fight against climate change. The European Union and the United States cannot solve the problem of climate change on their own, when they only account for around 25 per cent of today’s emissions. The international structures we have to deal with climate change commitments are unfortunately obsolete. We need a new agreement that ensures that all major emitters make commitments that are sufficient so that we can reach the two-degree target.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Sweden is one of the countries within the European Union working the hardest to get the transatlantic deal in place. Freer trade and openness also mean that new impulses and trends affect a country faster. That puts pressure on reform in countries and companies to meet global competition. Sweden is an example of that. Trade has made it possible for us to double our economic output. Our companies have learned that they must consistently take on new trends and technology in order to stay competitive. If they did not, our gross domestic product and standard of living would fall significantly. Let us also remember how important trade is for peaceful relations. To put it very simply, no sales person wants to start a war against a country where he has customers. That would be a bad business strategy, so trade promotes peace.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“When competition was introduced for mobile phone companies in some countries, the cost of calls fell by 30 to 50 per cent. Studies show that lowering service barriers by one third under the Doha Development Agenda would raise developing countries’ incomes by approximately $60 billion. Unfortunately, progress in the Doha Development Round has been slow. But the good news is that many countries are doing what they can to liberalize trade through regional agreements instead, because they know that that will benefit their economies. The two free trade agreements now being negotiated — between the United States and the European Union and between the United States and a number of countries in Asia and Latin America — will cover two-thirds of world trade. That will create jobs and growth.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Sweden is one of biggest donors to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We are trying to help out though humanitarian assistance for the crisis in Syria and by receiving refugees. This year alone we have welcomed 16,000 Syrians to Sweden. Let me mention a third area that we need to focus on in the post-2015 development agenda, namely, trade and competition. Protectionism is very expensive. It raises prices and lowers standards of living. Let me illustrate this by a striking example. According to the World Trade Organization, consumers and Governments in rich countries pay $350 billion per year supporting agriculture. That is enough to fly their 41 million dairy cows first class around the world. Allow me to mention some other, maybe more down- to-earth, examples.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Those responsible for systematic violations of human rights, including those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, must be held accountable. The conflict must, however, be handled within the United Nations system. There is an urgent need for a political solution to the conflict and a transition to a free and democratic Syria. It is time for a new era in which countries in conflict can join the rest of the world in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. For that, we need a strong United Nations and a well-functioning Security Council. I want to thank all peacekeepers and peacebuilders of the United Nations for their efforts and sacrifices. Sweden will further contribute to and participate in those efforts. We also give strong support to the areas of democracy, human rights and freedom from violence.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Only with democratic principles can we ensure freedom from conflict and violence. Violence and oppression in all their forms are among the main threats to the development of people and the development of societies. We know that it takes, on average, seven years to fight a civil war, and 17 years to recover from a war. That is why conflict is sometimes called “development in reverse”. As we speak, there are several major ongoing conflicts, resulting in death and suffering, hunger and disease, and rape and sexual violence. Those conflicts are depriving men, women and children of their right to a prosperous life and a future of hope. A focus on fragile States will remain necessary. The civil war raging in Syria for more than two years must come to an end.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“With the growing economic power in many developing countries comes an opportunity and a responsibility to use that power wisely and for the common good of everyone. Every person’s human rights must be respected, regardless of origin, religion, handicap, gender, sexual preference or transsexual identity. Only then will society reap the benefits of all human resources. Only when people can freely express their political opinions and freely participate in a thriving civil society can they truly participate in the lives of their communities. That also applies to freedom on the Internet. Only with functioning courts do people feel safe to make investments and develop their businesses. Only with respect for the rule of law can we tackle organized crime and corruption.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Increased participation by women in politics and business leads to clear improvements for the public good and to less corruption. The inclusion of women in peace processes makes peace easier and more stable. Let me be very clear: it is simply neither acceptable nor very smart to discriminate against women and girls. To achieve sustainable development, we need a democratic governance that encompasses all individuals. We need a system that covers not only the State, but also the private sector and civil society organizations. We need a governing system that is accountable and transparent with regard to its actions. Nevertheless, nearly one third of the world’s population lives under authoritarian rule, a serious barrier to development.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“For many women the idea that a Government would have more female than male ministers, like in Sweden, seems utopian. Many of those women are not even allowed to vote. Against that background, Sweden was one of the countries that gave strong support to creating the entity UN-Women and is today one of its biggest donors. It is our firm belief that by ensuring gender equality one also improves a country’s productivity and economy and the rule of law. Educating girls and women leads directly to an increase in a country’s economic output. Educated mothers place higher value on schooling for their children. Closing the gap between male and female employment rates increases a country’s gross domestic product substantially.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I want to raise that issue once again, because that challenge is as present and as urgent today as before. Gender equality is first and foremost a question of ensuring the same human, economic and social rights for half of the world’s population, something that should be self-evident. Every year, 1 billion women are still subject to sexual or physical violence. Women are still refused equal access to health services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. Every day 800 women still die from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Legal restrictions still exist preventing women from owning, inheriting and acquiring property in many countries. Many girls and women are still refused access to schools and education.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In addition to the existing Millennium Development Goals, we must also work to establish a strong post- 2015 development agenda, with the objective of eradicating extreme poverty, raising standards of living for everyone and offering equal opportunities to everyone. In that regard, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the three areas that I believe are central to human and economic development: gender equality, democracy and free trade. Those areas have the capacity to influence developments in many other areas at the same time. When I addressed the General Assembly two years ago (see A/66/PV.19), I spoke about the most important human rights failure of all — the one that affects the largest number of human beings, namely gender inequality.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“But challenges are still abundant, and it is crucial that we intensify our efforts to achieve the existing Millennium Development Goals. Sweden continues to contribute 1 per cent of its gross national income to official development assistance. Sweden is a firm believer in multilateral organizations, in international cooperation and in the United Nations. The United Nations plays a key role in coordinating our efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals. We believe that together we can become hopeful instead of helpless. Therefore, Sweden contributes approximately $1.2 billion yearly to the United Nations system. That makes us the second biggest contributor per capita to the United Nations in the world — that is something we are very proud of.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The world economy is growing. This year, developing and emerging countries’ share of the world economy will surpass the share of developed countries. In 10 years’ time, they will dominate the growing world economy. We see the same pattern in expanding global trade flows. The share of developing countries’ exports has grown substantially and now accounts for almost half of all exports in the world. That creates jobs and growth for everyone and increases global equality. Technological change is also rapid. Seeking information from the other side of the globe is now part of everyday life for many people, not only for the privileged few. As an example, the number of mobile phone users has risen from fewers than 1 billion to more than 6 billion.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The world is constantly changing and the pace of change is increasing every year. The world is a very different place today compared to 10 years ago when the Millennium Development Goals were set. But it is important to understand the nature of the changes and to draw the right conclusions, because only then will we be able to have an influence and shape our own future. We are seeing the fastest reduction in poverty in human history. Child death rates have fallen, meaning that 14,000 fewer children are dying every day. Deaths from malaria and tuberculosis are decreasing. New HIV infections are declining. People are living longer. One hundred years ago, the average life expectancy in Sweden was less than 60 years. Today, many children born in my country will live to celebrate their 100th birthday. Those are truly amazing developments.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“This week we commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the Swedish Secretary- General Dag Hammarskjöld. He played an important role in reforming and shaping the United Nations as we know it today. Let me conclude with these words from Dag Hammarskjöld: “The pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks, can never be relaxed and never abandoned”. That was true then and it is true today.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Sweden will do its utmost to support a strong United Nations through substantial contributions to humanitarian and development assistance and to its work for peace, security and human rights. We also want to help revitalize the work of the United Nations on disarmament and non-proliferation. Together with Mexico we will, as co-Chairs of the seventh Conference Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, work hard on advancing the Treaty’s entry into force. We have also presented our candidature for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the period 2013-2015. As a member of the Council, Sweden would contribute actively to making it a more efficient and active body and to promoting the universal enjoyment of human rights — making rights real.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We know what we need and we have known it for some time — further reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not achieve that, we are simply not going to be able to reverse the trend of global warming. These are turbulent times. Some countries are suffering from financial and economic crises; others are suffering from the severe consequences of global warming; yet others are building new societies as freedom and democracy have replaced dictatorships and repression. More than ever, there is a need for a well-functioning global arena for international cooperation and conflict resolution and for the pursuit of sustainable economic, social and environmental development. The need for a strong United Nations, based on political legitimacy, justice and human rights, is as strong as ever.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Disasters such as those in Haiti, Pakistan and now in the Horn of Africa show the central importance of the United Nations in humanitarian action. The United Nations needs our full support to further improve the international response capacity. In a globalized world, we are not just interconnected online; together we share a planet with finite resources. And yet we consume as if there was no tomorrow. I believe that sustainable development requires global solutions. In this respect, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held next year in Brazil will be very important. I am really hoping for a strong renewed political commitment to sustainable development. We are also looking for concrete progress at the Durban Climate Change Conference in November.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“And when the new Governments turn to the crucial task of establishing democratic principles, the rule of law and respect for human rights, we will be ready to continue our support and do more to see the Arab Spring turn into a blossoming summer. The European Union is firmly committed to Israel and a Palestinian State living side by side with each other in peace and security. We all want to see the peace process resume. Violations of international law 43 11-51185 must cease. Only then can a true and lasting peace be achieved. The Horn of Africa is suffering its worst famine in 60 years. We are faced with a huge humanitarian disaster. The international community must respond faster and better, now.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“This year, we have witnessed courageous people in North Africa and the Middle East taking to the streets to fight for their dream; to fight for freedom, openness and democracy. For this, they must have our support. When there are threats of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity — when autocratic rulers, as in Syria, turn their guns on their own citizens — then the international community has a responsibility to protect civilians. Sweden hopes to play its part in this decisive phase in the region. We are contributing to the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011) in Libya. We are providing substantial humanitarian support to several countries in North Africa and the Middle East.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression recently concluded that there must be as little restriction as possible of online freedom of expression. He called it an enabler of other human rights. Sweden, together with 40 other nations around the world, strongly supports his conclusion. We want to build an alliance for the freedom of the Internet, and we have launched a special initiative for democratization and freedom of expression so that we can urgently support human rights activists and agents of democratic change. The Internet is the new front line in the fight for freedom across the world. In many countries, my own included, we take freedom for granted. In other countries, it is still a dream.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“But in one minute, we can also get a first-hand report on the situation in troubled parts of the world. We can get first-hand access to pictures of abuse and violence, taken by hidden mobile phones and for the whole world to see. Today, ideas of freedom and democracy are spreading at the speed of sound. We have seen it in North Africa. We are seeing it in the Middle East. The Internet and new technology have laid out a high-speed motorway heading towards democracy and freedom. We can see that some are trying to put out roadblocks; repressive Governments try to quash the rights they fear. The United Nations must play a leading role in embracing and maintaining those new roads to democracy and freedom.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Moreover, when women play a greater part in society by shaping institutions or taking leading roles in politics or business life, there are clear improvements for the public good, and corruption is lessened. When they are present at the building of peace, results improve. In short, I see gender equality not only as a crucial human rights issue, but also as a question of smart economics. I would urge all representatives sitting in this Hall today to imagine what it would mean in terms of economic growth for their countries if women were allowed to participate fully in society. As technology develops, the world is changing. In one minute I can use my mobile phone to get hold of a friend on the other side of the globe or my children back home in Sweden. That is, of course, amazing.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Closing the gap between male and female employment rates would have huge implications for the global economy. It would boost the United States gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 9 per cent, the eurozone GDP by 13 per cent and Japanese GDP by as much as 16 per cent. But increased gender equality does not merely have immediate economic benefits; it is also an investment for the future. The evidence from a range of countries is clear. When women take greater control of household income, more money is spent on children’s needs, such as food, health and education. Children grow taller, are ill less often and are likely to get better jobs.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It is about giving all individuals, irrespective of gender, 11-51185 42 the same possibilities of education, economic opportunity and participating in society. In 2011, there are women who still do not enjoy equal rights. They are refused the rights to vote, to inherit, to work and even to drive a car. And at the far end of the spectrum, women are subject to gender-based violence and rape as a weapon of war. But gaps in these rights are not only a loss for the women affected; they are a loss to society as a whole and, I must say, very bad economic policy for the countries concerned. Not least in these times of global economic crisis, it seems obvious that we should realize the full potential of all human resources. I will give a few examples.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Seventy per cent of the world’s poor population are women or girls. Every day, approximately 1,000 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. That adds up to about 350,000 deaths each year. This week we witnessed a historic step in the history of the United Nations, when Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff became the first woman ever to open the general debate. At the same time — standing here, mid-2011 — there are still countries that do not allow women to vote. And only in 28 countries has women’s parliamentary representation reached a critical mass of 30 per cent or more. Only 19 women lead their countries as elected Heads of State or Government. This is not fair. It is not just. And, frankly, it makes no sense. To me, gender equality is first and foremost a question of ensuring equal rights for women and men.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Today I would like to focus on one key area where progress is still very slow. But since it affects half of the world’s population and half its human resources, it is of crucial importance. I am referring to maybe the most important human rights failure of all, or at least the one that affects the largest number of human beings. I am referring to the unmet human, economic and social rights of 3.5 billion women and girls. They make up half of the world, but they are not allowed to fulfil their potential as powerful drivers of economic development as well as of peace and security. Let me just fill members in on the situation we have today. Women perform 66 per cent of the world’s work and produce 50 per cent of its food, but they earn only 10 per cent of its income and own one per cent of its property.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“More than 10 years ago, we decided to set eight concrete goals to free humankind from extreme poverty, from hunger and disease, and from illiteracy. We called them the Millennium Development Goals. These Goals have been powerful. They have helped the international community to monitor and mobilize resources for development cooperation. And important progress has been made. We have seen poverty decline in many countries. By 2015, the global poverty rate is expected to fall below 15 per cent. We have seen some of the poorest countries make the greatest strides in education. Child mortality has been reduced. New HIV infections are declining steadily. Access to clean drinking water has increased. But we still have a long way to go in other areas in order to raise standards of living and offer equal opportunities to people around the globe.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In that common endeavour, the European Union will remain a reliable partner on security, development and human rights, always contributing actively to improving and strengthening the United Nations, always continuing to refine the instruments needed to deal with opportunities and threats alike, and always willing to do its part in helping to create a better world to live in for future generations, everywhere.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As a friend of the people of Burma/Myanmar, we will tell the military leaders that only democracy and human rights can bring peace and stability to the people that they say they represent. The Swedish statesman and former United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld once said that the pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks, can never be relaxed and never abandoned. That was true then and it is true today. The people of the world need to know that uniting nations is a work not of the past, but of the future, carried forward by shared values and by mutual respect and ever more relevant with increased globalization.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In that regard, the European Union fully supports the United States efforts to resume peace negotiations and to stand ready to actively contribute to their success. The future of both Israel and Palestine lies in that cooperation. As a friend of the people of Iran, we are concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation and the violent crackdown on popular protests. The Iranian nuclear issue represents a major challenge to international peace and security, to regional stability and to the non-proliferation regime. Iran must regain the trust of the international community, comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and contribute to peace in the Middle East.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Therefore, it is crucial to continue to assist Pakistan in its efforts to develop the rule of law and to build a more stable and more democratic society. As a friend of the people of Israel, we tell the Israeli Government to reach out for peace, to end occupation, to respect international law, to work for a two-State solution, to immediately end all settlement activities on occupied land, including East Jerusalem, and to end the isolation of Gaza. As a friend of the Palestinians, we expect them to stop all violent acts against Israel, to continue to build viable State institutions and to develop democracy and the rule of law. We will continue both to provide financial support to the Palestinian Authority and to assist in capacity-building on the ground.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Afghan children show the same curiosity as children all over the world, including my own, longing for knowledge, wanting to take part and full of excitement over what life has to offer. In order to invest in the future of Afghanistan and in human development, we cannot let their light be shut out. As a friend of the people of Afghanistan, the European Union is committed to assisting them in stabilizing, democratizing and developing their country. Education, also for young girls and women, is indispensable. In the years ahead, we need to do more to ensure that this is the way forward for Afghanistan. 49 09-52179 As a partner of Pakistan, we know that what happens in Pakistan influences not only the Pakistanis, but the development of the region as a whole.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The Global Political Agreement and the formation of the Government of National Unity were important steps forward. However, implementing the Agreement requires commitment. It requires a spirit of cooperation. In that regard, much remains to be done. Europe is a union of many cultures. Our openness to the world around us is evident in the fact that Christians, Jews and Muslims, those who believe in God and those who do not, can live side by side in mutual respect. The European Union wishes to enhance its interaction with the Muslim world through the Alliance of Civilizations and through cooperation in education and development by providing opportunities for the young. In that way, we can create an environment that will allow us to focus on what we have in common rather than on our perceived differences.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The European Union provides support to Africa when needed. Our naval operation Atalanta, off the coast of Somalia, protects vessels delivering humanitarian aid and provides support to the African Union Mission in Somalia. We have for many years cooperated with the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We speak out on injustice on the African continent. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of intimidation and terror is appalling. The attacks on women and girls in eastern Congo and other places are unacceptable. To protect we must empower; and so, to empower women in conflict situations, Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) have to be implemented. We wish to see a free, democratic and prosperous Africa. That is especially true in the case of Zimbabwe.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The European Union stands ready to continue working with the United Nations in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. We also conduct our own peacekeeping efforts, often in close cooperation with the United Nations. The transfers of responsibilities in Chad and in Kosovo are examples of that. Twenty years after the end of the cold war, peace and security are still threatened by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and by the fact that those weapons risk falling into the wrong hands. We strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to renounce nuclear weapons, and we stand ready to engage in that matter. We also welcome the global nuclear security summit that will take place next year. Europe and Africa are close in geography, but also through globalization and strong partnership.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The European Union will continue to call for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances. We will continue to stand up for the empowerment of women and gender equality. Without that, it will be impossible to draw on all those talents that are needed for a nation to move from poverty to development and prosperity. To uphold those fundamental values, we need security. We cannot let war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity go unpunished. Therefore, the work of the International Criminal Court is fully supported by the European Union. We cannot allow anyone, by threat or use of force, to act against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The rules of international law apply equally to all States, large and small.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The European Union will continue to promote global financial stability and sustainable world recovery, firmly committed to taking comprehensive, targeted and coordinated action to support developing countries, especially the poorest and the most vulnerable; determined to reach a comprehensive agreement at the Doha Round, making sure it contains elements of real value for developing countries, particularly the poorest; and continuing its efforts to lift more people out of poverty in reaching the Millennium Development Goals and to achieve our respective official development assistance targets. Human rights are universal. Human rights are indivisible. The European Union is a voice for human rights. We believe in democracy. We believe in the rule of law.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We will reduce our emissions. We will promote low carbon growth, contribute our fair share of financing and support adaptation worldwide. And we will remain committed to playing a lead role in bringing about a global and comprehensive climate agreement in Copenhagen in December. What started out as the pursuit of easy money, unhealthy risk-taking and, in some cases, pure greed 09-52179 48 escalated this past year into a financial roller coaster. The effects on both human security and development have been severe.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“They need our help to pay the bill that we, through our emissions, have contributed to. That is why the European Union last week agreed to start discussions on how much climate financing is needed in developing countries. That is why we are taking concrete steps. That is why we are putting one more brick into the negotiations, and urge other developed countries to do the same. At the meeting of the leaders of the G-8 and the Major Economies Forum in Italy this summer, there was agreement on the two-degree target. Now, we need to see increased commitment and concrete mid-term targets from developed as well as developing countries. If we want our children and their children to experience nature as we know it, we must act now. And every nation or group of nations has to do its part. The EU is willing to do its part.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“This opens the door to a promising new era in international cooperation. We are facing one of the biggest challenges of our generation. Our world has a fever, and the fever is rising. In the most vulnerable of the world’s nations, the consequences of climate change will be alarming. Starvation, severe flooding and climate migration will be a reality even if we keep to the two-degree target set by the United Nations. No doubt, developed countries will have to lead the fight against climate change. By 2020, we will have to reduce emissions by 25 to 40 per cent from 1990 levels. But if emissions are to peak by no later than 2020, to be reduced by at least 50 per cent by 2050 and to continue to decline thereafter, our efforts alone will not be enough. The developing countries need our help.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It helps us to understand the ways of other parts of the world. At the same time, globalization means that one nation’s problems will also come knocking at the doors of other nations. Pandemics, food crises, organized crime, trafficking in drugs and humans, terrorism and violent ideologies are no longer limited by borders and no longer only one nation’s problem. And so, we have to manage the risks and threats that follow. In this work, we need the United Nations broad- based legitimacy for international actions and norms to coordinate our efforts. And the United Nations, for its part, has to adapt in order to stay relevant and to be able to address the issues before us. The European Union wishes to contribute to these efforts. We welcome the declared wish of the United States to work together with others in multilateral institutions.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In the beginning, there were 51 nations committed to international peace and security, sharing the common goal of developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Today, the 51 nations of the first session of the General Assembly have become 192. Today, the General Assembly really is the town hall meeting of the world. On behalf of the 27 States members of the European Union (EU), I bring a message of cooperation and partnership — a message that our Union is open to the outside world. Globalization is good. Through globalization, hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty; information, ideas and inventions shared; goods and services provided. It all moves quickly from one country to another. We prosper from this. It enlightens us.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)