YouSaid · the spoken record

Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini

lines on the record: 56
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
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

“By the same token, my delegation reiterates and maintains its call for Africa’s voice to be heard loud and clear in the Security Council. This appeal has been on the agenda for the past 15 years and has been specifically articulated in the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus adopted by the African Union Heads of State and Government. My delegation believes that the permanent representation of the African continent in that United Nations organ can contribute tremendously to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to the universal push to transform our world. Finally, once again, we wish the United Nations a prosperous future as it addresses the multiple challenges that we are faced with in many parts of the world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“That inclusiveness should also be extended to Member State representation in all bodies of the United Nations. According to the Charter of the United Nations, the Organization’s mission is to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. Accordingly, the 23 million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan should enjoy the same fundamental rights as any other people. Taiwan is mostly unable to attend the meetings and activities of United Nations specialized agencies. Thus the welfare of its people and, by extension, all humankind, is adversely affected. There is no doubt that their membership will add value to the family’s universal push to transform our world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We furthermore urge those entrusted with the responsibility of bringing about peace in Syria not to fight with one another. They should instead concentrate their efforts on restoring peace in the country. They should also speak in one voice and adopt a tone and strategy that gives hope to the Syrians, who desperately need peace. The Kingdom of eSwatini would like to emphasize that the push to transform our world will not be effective or adequate if some individuals, communities, countries, regions or continents are left behind. We must never forget that every individual has a part to play in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and, subsequently, in the push to transform our world. That means that there is a need for universal partnerships at all stages and levels throughout the world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We call that gathering the Sibaya, or the People’s Parliament. It is a national consultation process that affords every Swazi citizen an opportunity to contribute to the development of the country. Such an inclusive process serves as a springboard for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and provides a push to transforming our Kingdom, and by extension, our world, in a peaceful manner. The conflict in Syria continues to be a great cause for concern for us all. We call upon all parties involved to immediately find an amicable solution to the impasse. Many lives have been lost, and thousands of Syrians have become refugees in many parts of the world. We therefore urge the United Nations to address the problem in order to create suitable living conditions for the people of Syria.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“One of the key elements to facilitate the successful implementation of the SDGs involves consultation. Since time immemorial, the Kingdom of Swaziland has infused consultation into its way of life. It is a process that is appreciated, accepted and embraced by every member of the general populace at all levels. It is a forum made available to all citizens of the country where they may literally contribute to the way we address all economic, social, political and environmental issues that arise. The Kingdom’s consultation process is unique. Simple and transparent, it accommodates people of all ages, genders, social status, educational backgrounds and political inclinations. It was only last month that the nation convened for days at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence to discuss issues of national significance.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Kingdom of eSwatini is also party to a number of trade integration arrangements, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, the ongoing negotiations of the Continental Africa Free Trade Area and the Economic Partnership Agreements. Those trade agreements have opened up preferential market access opportunities for our country to maximize its trade at the regional and international levels. Those trade arrangements are also expected to boost the production capacity of countries in the region and add value to primary products, which will lead to industrialization, job creation and, subsequently, poverty reduction. In other words, regional cooperation and integration work to reinforce the implementation of the SDGs and the push to transform our world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Kingdom of eSwatini has been given the task of leading the SADC for one calendar year, which we accepted with dignity and humility. The SADC Summit theme is in line with all of the Sustainable Development Goals, but most particularly with Goal 7, which is to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”, Goal 9, which is to “build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, and Goal 8, which is to “promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all”.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Kingdom of eSwatini has continued to be an important and active player in promoting regional and continental integration, particularly in the economic sphere. We are a member of several integration arrangements at the regional level in southern and eastern Africa, as well as at the continental level. Last month, the Kingdom of eSwatini hosted the thirty-sixth SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. The theme of the Summit was “Resource Mobilization for Investment in Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for an Inclusive SADC Industrialization for the Prosperity of the Region”. That theme is congruous with the theme of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and is a building-block that augments the push to transform our world at the regional level.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We have to come together — in our different sizes and with our diverse cultures, traditions, economies and political and social inclinations — to cooperate and become a formidable family ready to address any challenge and achieve any objective we set for ourselves. Integration has succeeded in helping nations work together for common objectives as regions and continents and as the global community. Many countries have succeeded in developing their economies by collectively observing common regional rules in order to promote a regional agenda. Countries have agreed to open their markets in order to facilitate a high degree of economic activity, which, inter alia, boosts trade and creates jobs. Peaceful societies have been created through integration, which is one of the key ingredients that propels the push to transform our world.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“A high proportion of our economic activity is agro-based. Therefore, the country has continued to feel the harsh effects of climate change at the levels of subsistence farming and commercial agriculture. It is against that backdrop that the Government of the Kingdom of eSwatini declared the drought a national disaster. Integration has become a universal subject that transcends all aspects of life. It has been proved that any development achieved by individual countries is the result of their citizens having deliberately worked together as a collective entity. That is also true with the United Nations family, where the basis of all our success is togetherness and unity in diversity.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The country fully participated in all the negotiations that culminated in the adoption and subsequent signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The negative impact of climate change has become a thorn in the side of the eSwatini economy. It has depleted our limited financial resources, killed an alarming number of our livestock and destroyed most of our ecosystems. The drought has led to a serious reduction in the water 16-29811 13/52 supply, which is required for crop production, human use and consumption, the sustenance of remaining livestock and for slowing or stopping the disappearance of ecosystems. The drought has exacerbated food and nutrition insecurity for many of our people, not only in the Kingdom but throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and across the entire African continent.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Furthermore, the country will increase its rail network from 300 to 429 kilometres, as well as establish a rail-safety regulator, and will further explore the possibility of making rail transportation competitive with road transport. The Kingdom of eSwatini will continue with the implementations of such programmes, as they are key to our development agenda. We have also made significant improvements in a variety of sectors, but other challenges are reversing the gains we have made in past years, particularly with the issues of HIV/AIDS and climate change, which are among the plethora of challenges that we face as a developing nation. The Kingdom is committed to addressing the scourge of climate change.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Under thematic area 5, the country has prioritized the construction of infrastructure, which will ultimately eradicate the hurdles associated with being a landlocked country. To that end, the Government has prioritized road construction and the maintenance of roads and buildings, civil aviation, sustainable energy, research and technology development, safe water supply and sanitation, water-resource development, housing and human settlements, communications, the environment, climate change and disaster management. Those priorities of the Government of Swaziland link to goals 7 and 10 of Agenda 2063 and SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Health care is one of our top national priorities, which is in line with thematic area 4, which focuses on good health. And that thematic area links directly to goals 1 and 3 of Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, and 6. Under that thematic area, the strategies prioritized for the country’s health sector include promoting health throughout one’s life, disease prevention, prompt and efficient management of medical and related conditions, rehabilitation and influencing health-related activities in the relevant primary sectors. The country will specifically strengthen health-care financing and investment and fast-track the establishment of a national health- insurance system to ensure the equity, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of health services.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is against that backdrop that we have revised the national development strategy with a view to emphasizing linkages between the national development agenda, the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. For example, education and training are aligned to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4, and 5. That thematic area is also linked to goals 1, 2, and 18 of Agenda 2063. The country will improve the quality of education by enacting policies that will revolutionize the education system in the Kingdom. The State will direct efforts towards the introduction of science, technology and innovation, as well as the redesign and presentation of technical and vocational training and education in entrepreneurship at the primary-school level so as to inculcate a culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship at a tender age.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Furthermore, as expected, the process is faced with teething challenges owing to limited human, technological and financial resources, to name but a few. The Government has translated the national vision, Vision 2022, into practical and feasible targets to expedite economic growth and focus the country’s efforts on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We have established procedures for tracking progress in the attainment of first-world status. The indicators set cover eight focal areas: economic prosperity, education, health care, service delivery, infrastructure, agricultural and environmental sustainability, governance and corruption.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Furthermore, appropriate institutional arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the implementation of the Goals is properly monitored at all levels. Both the executive and legislative arms of Government are fully involved, and the progress achieved is periodically reported to the Cabinet and Parliament. Our purpose is to achieve all-inclusiveness in the implementation of the SDGs. In that way, we seek to infuse the spirit of ownership into every citizen, so that they understand and appreciate the importance of the SDGs and why they need to participate in the implementation of the Goals, because we do not want to leave anyone behind. It is important to underline that the implementation process is at its infancy stage.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We also congratulate the United Nations staff for the remarkable work that they do in many parts of the world, in which they promote peace and create a conducive environment for humankind to live in, sometimes under very difficult situations. The theme of this session — “The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world” — calls upon all of us to contribute to the development of our respective countries and continents. This theme is indeed a cross-cutting subject that covers every aspect of life. We are pleased to inform the General Assembly that the Kingdom has done a lot to mainstream and popularize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through public-awareness campaigns, education and training at all levels. The Kingdom of Eswatini has also integrated the Goals into the national development framework.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I bring warm and fraternal greetings from His Majesty King Mswati III, Head of State and iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Queen Mother Indlovukati and the entire Swazi nation. His Majesty would have loved to join everyone for this eminent occasion. However, owing to other pressing engagements, he has delegated me to represent him and deliver the national statement of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Our Kingdom is committed to contributing to global issues that affect humankind in the universe. Allow me to express our sincere congratulations to the President on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session and to commend the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, outgoing Secretary-General, who has performed a sterling job as leader of the Organization for the past 10 years.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We call on all those who are fighting to find a lasting, peaceful solution to their problems through dialogue and not through the barrel of a gun. In conclusion, the Kingdom of eSwatini would like to commend the United Nations and related agencies for being a key factor in helping to overcome the many complex challenges facing the world today. We reiterate our call for peaceful solutions and dialogue in all conflict situations so that the United Nations may achieve its noble objectives. We take pride in and reaffirm our commitment to the principles and ideals contained in the Charter of the United Nations. May the Almighty God bless us all.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“My delegation hopes that the agenda will also take into consideration the special plight of middle-income countries, where the majority of the world’s poor reside. The Government of the Kingdom of eSwatini is pleased to note that the Republic of China on Taiwan continues to contribute to global issues, and the positive developments taking place in that region are encouraging. We encourage their full participation in all United Nations structures. As we meet here, in some parts of the world people are living in fear as every day thousands of human beings, especially vulnerable groups, are losing their lives to terrorists. We encourage the United Nations to take a leading role in promoting peace and coexistence in the world.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The continent abounds with investment opportunities in different sectors, such as infrastructure, information, communication, technology and energy, to name but a few. That will, no doubt, have a huge impact on the sustainable development programmes for the continent. It will also contribute handsomely to job creation, particularly for the youth. We should ensure that the post-2015 agenda is cognizant of the special development needs of developing countries, particularly those in Africa. We also give particular recognition to those developing countries that have special challenges due to their geographical position, such as small island developing States and landlocked developing countries.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We are confident that, with United Nations support, that approach will accelerate Africa’s regional economic integration agenda and help realize it, facilitate integration in the world economy and ultimately improve the continent’s living standards. Africa is home to the majority of the world’s fastest- growing economies, and trade remains an integral part of the development agenda. Focus is now on sustaining that growth through boosting intra-African trade and establishing the continental free trade area. It is important, however, that access to the global markets remain open to mutually beneficial conditions that promote the United Nations ideals of increased international cooperation and trade. We are encouraged by the renewed commitment for the economic development of the African continent as resolved in different summits.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“However, there is a great need for value addition to our products in order to maximize our food-production initiatives. The Kingdom of eSwatini continues to set aside a sizeable budget for agriculture. Due to the negative effects of climate change, we have a programme to construct dams for irrigation throughout the Kingdom. Assistance to subsistence farmers with farming inputs has also been increased with the intention of increasing their yields and thus increasing food production in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of eSwatini fully supports the African Union’s road map for development, Agenda 2063, which is critical to attaining the Millennium Development Goals.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The Kingdom of eSwatini is pleased that the framework for the post-2015 development agenda has taken into account those Millennium Development Goals that have not yet been met, especially the eradication of poverty. As we begin a new era, let us not forget our previous commitments, and let us continue to emphasize the urgency for the developed partners to honour their official development assistance commitments. Food security remains a critical challenge for the African continent, and we wish to reiterate our call for the provision of adequate financial resources, the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and technical assistance to developing countries if we are to achieve our development goals. We have abundant resources on the continent.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is a clear indication that we are transcending the era of the Millennium Development Goals, entering a new chapter of the development agenda. As we set the stage for the post-2015 development agenda, my delegation is heartened to see that we have not forgotten our collective inability to meet all the Millennium Development Goals. I commend the co-Chairs of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals for the manner in which they ably guided the proceedings of the Group. We welcome the outcome document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (A/68/970) and the goals and targets contained therein.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We are pleased that the Summit was able to mobilize sufficient political support for guiding the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Lima in December. The issue of climate change is crucial for many of our developing economies, especially on the continent of Africa. It has a direct effect on our national objective to produce enough food for ourselves. The unpredictable weather conditions continue to be of great concern to our farmers. We shall continue to call upon the United Nations to expedite the issue to prevent further adverse effects on our lives. The theme of the General Assembly at its sixty- ninth session is “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”. It resonates well with our call for a development agenda that is inclusive.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Last week the General Assembly held its twenty- ninth special session, on follow-up to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development beyond 2014. My delegation was pleased to participate in that event. We reaffirm the Kingdom’s commitment to the Programme of Action, which is as relevant today as it was twenty years ago. This year the regular session of the General Assembly was preceded by the Climate Summit, at which Heads of State and Government deliberated on issues of environmental protection. Those issues are critical to the achievement of sustainable development, particularly for the developing countries.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That disease is claiming hundreds of lives and diverting focus and resources from essential development initiatives. It is also a serious drawback to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and is a threat to humankind. We urge the United Nations and its Members to spare no effort in providing all the necessary assistance at its disposal to curb the disease and prevent any further loss of life. My delegation takes this opportunity to thank the General Assembly for convening the high-level plenary meeting known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. It was particularly opportune, as indigenous knowledge and practices substantially contribute to the sustainable development agenda.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is a great honour for me to address the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Head of State of the Kingdom of eSwatini. I convey the congratulations and best wishes of His Majesty the King and the people of the Kingdom of eSwatini to the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session, a son of Africa. We commend the Secretary- General and his staff for the good work they are doing in creating an enabling environment for all humankind to live in peace despite the multiple challenges facing the world. As we gather here, we are very mindful of the new challenge that confronts the global community following the outbreak of Ebola in some parts of the African continent.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Finally, on behalf of His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the Queen Mother, the Government and the whole Swazi nation, I am proud to take this opportunity to reaffirm the Kingdom?s commitment to the ideals and aims of the Charter of the United Nations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Peace and stability among all nations, promotion of sustainable development for all, and the hope of future prosperity and security for all our peoples: these are the wishes and expectations of those we represent here. Our peoples look to this Organization to create the right conditions for these things to be possible. We cannot let them down. I give my assurance that the Kingdom of Swaziland will work hard to support the Secretary- General and his staff in their efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations operations. We are deeply grateful for the assistance given by the United Nations in support of the initiatives we are undertaking in our country.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We support all moves to bring the perpetrators to justice and to prevent the spread of the use of terrorism tactics. In this regard, the Kingdom of Swaziland welcomes the establishment of the International Criminal Court following the Rome Conference. We believe it to be well timed and justified, and we are of the view that the international nature of terrorism and drug-trafficking make it essential that they be included as crimes that will fall under the jurisdiction of the Court. We are confident that the General Assembly will give urgent priority to the establishment of the Preparatory Commission so that the Court itself will become operational in the shortest possible time. The United Nations remains the only global forum in which the world can have any hope of achieving the goals we all strive for.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We recognize, though, that the drug trade is cross-border and international in nature, and we are working closely with our neighbours and regional partners to share ideas and resources in a combined effort to prevent the spread of the drug trade. The Kingdom of Swaziland condemns international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We believe there can be no justification for the type of outrage that was witnessed recently in Nairobi, Kenya; Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; and Cape Town, South Africa. The deaths of so many innocent people can surely bring no credit to — and win no support for — those who planned and committed the deeds. Our prayers are offered again for the victims and their families and to all whose lives have been affected by the evils of terrorism.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We join the rest of our fellow members in proposing a review of this issue, with full regard for the change in circumstances since the decision was taken in 1971 which led to the expulsion of the Republic of China on Taiwan from our Organization. The problem of drug abuse and trafficking is a relatively new phenomenon among the people of Swaziland, but it is fast becoming a major threat to the development of our country, particularly among our youth, who seem to be the easiest target. The Kingdom of Swaziland welcomed the special session of the General Assembly on drugs, held in June this year, as a timely and necessary initiative. We therefore have high expectations of the recommendations that emerged from the special session, and we commit ourselves fully to their implementation.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The principle of universality, as contained in our founding Charter, provides that all citizens of the world have the right to be heard in these chambers, and yet it is a fact that as I speak the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan are not represented here and therefore cannot contribute their resources and expertise for the benefit of the international community through the medium of the United Nations. The Republic of China on Taiwan has shown itself to be a peace-loving nation, with a high level of political, economic and social development. It has an excellent record of supporting development activities throughout the world. The Kingdom of Swaziland believes that the time has now come to restore its rightful membership of the United Nations to the Republic of China on Taiwan.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“It is unfortunate to note that, even as we celebrate 50 years of existence of the Universal Declaration of Human 12 Rights, there is one nation of 21.8 million people that we believe is denied the right of membership of the United Nations. I am referring to the question of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The Kingdom of Swaziland continues to raise this issue because of our conviction that the United Nations Charter provides for the representation of all nations of the world. Furthermore, the Republic of China on Taiwan has shown very clearly that it is a nation with the willingness and capacity to play a prominent and responsible role in global development affairs, and yet it remains excluded from the activities of the one truly global development organization.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Kingdom of Swaziland appreciates the efforts of the United Nations to integrate human rights issues into all its policies and programmes. The Kingdom of Swaziland has taken and continues to take seriously its obligations to its people on human rights issues. Furthermore, we support all initiatives aimed at improving the status of women, youth and children. They have a vital role to play in the development of a nation in all aspects of life. The ongoing constitutional review is, inter alia, promoting the debate on human rights issues.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We look forward to working with our partners in areas that our people have chosen as their development priorities, in an atmosphere of trust and openness, and free from the imposition of conditions that can impact negatively on our capacity to improve. The process of globalization is now well advanced. The Kingdom of Swaziland believes that a good deal more time and preparation are needed before we in the developing world are ready to cope with the additional responsibilities that globalization will bring. The United Nations provides the ideal forum for discussion of these matters; let us make full use of our Organization, in an atmosphere of true respect between partners, so that the positions of all may be understood and appreciated.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The crisis in Asia has had a devastating effect on the people of that region, and now all the indications are that the economies of the rest of the world will also be adversely affected. The two certainties are that the worst is yet to come, and that it will be the developing world that will be hardest hit. In this interdependent world of ours, the Kingdom of Swaziland recognizes the importance of the concept of partnership between nations. We agree that no nation can afford to remain isolated and that there is an obligation — and an economic necessity — for the more developed countries to support and assist those of us in the developing world. We believe that the underlying principle of any partnership should be one of mutual respect and understanding of each partner?s views, beliefs and position.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The “El Niño” phenomenon has resulted in a series of natural disasters, the latest example being widespread flooding throughout the Americas, Asia, Africa and parts of Europe. Meanwhile, ironically, we in southern Africa must wait once more to see if we will receive sufficient rain for our crops this year. The establishment by the United Nations of the Office of Humanitarian Affairs could not have come at a more opportune time, and the Kingdom of Swaziland gives its full support for its operations. We hope that its role will include assistance to Member States to develop emergency relief mechanisms so that we may all be better prepared to cope with disasters of all kinds in the future. The Secretary-General recently gave warning of the deteriorating global economic situation and the widening gap between rich and poor nations.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We in the Kingdom of Swaziland reaffirm the view of the Non- Aligned Movement that there can be no moral justification for the ownership, manufacture or use of such weapons. We join the majority of States Members of the United Nations in calling for real commitment by all countries to global disarmament and to the creation of a world that will be free and safe for future generations. In this respect, we urge all nations that have not done so to become parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It may be said that the crises we have mentioned so far have been the result of man?s worst qualities and therefore unnecessary and avoidable. The same is not true of the many natural disasters that have struck hard at nations across the globe, irrespective of development status.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“11 In this regard, we support the concept of an integrated approach to conflict resolution on our continent as a way of enhancing closer cooperation between Africa and the rest of the world and making the best use of the resources at our disposal. The Kingdom of Swaziland is already engaged in efforts to become more involved in conflict resolution. To this end, we have welcomed the support of the United Kingdom and of the United States of America towards the preparation of our defence force for participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa and around the world. Of particular concern has been the evidence in the past year of the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and their use as instruments of aggression and intimidation.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We also commend those who have contributed to the process, and we salute especially the people of Northern Ireland, who chose to take their destiny in their own hands and voted for peace. This provides an excellent example of what is possible when there is true commitment to peace from all sides in a dispute. Our continent?s fresh crises have shown once more that Africa needs to be better prepared to head off potential conflicts through timely dialogue and negotiation, and to have available a pool of peacekeepers to act where necessary. The Kingdom of Swaziland welcomes the Secretary- General?s report to the Security Council regarding the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Kingdom of Swaziland believes that the United Nations has a role to play as peacemaker to complement the efforts of SADC and the OAU. In all cases, we pray that a solution may be found to end the bloodshed, establish a lasting ceasefire and allow negotiations between the opposing sides. We pray that sustainable solutions may soon be found to all of Africa?s conflict situations and that all our fellow Africans may be free from the sufferings endured by so many for so long. The Kingdom of Swaziland applauds the remarkable progress made towards a lasting settlement in Northern Ireland. We know there is still a long way to go, but, given the centuries-long history of the Troubles, the achievement has been all the more impressive.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Meanwhile, on our continent of Africa, the conflicts in areas including the Horn of Africa and in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Lesotho and Guinea-Bissau, are challenging to the full the diplomatic skills of all of us in the international community who hope to bring lasting peace to our continent. Of particular concern to us in the southern African region has been the renewal of civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the resumption of hostilities in Angola and the very recent disturbances in Lesotho. Our fellow members will recall the efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), among others, to find a solution to the distressing situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, which are hampering cooperation between member States of the community.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In this respect, we urge the international community to continue to improve its response mechanisms so that appropriate action is taken quickly and decisively to prevent conflict and to repair the misery caused by it. In a similar vein, the stalling of the peace process in the Middle East continues to frustrate the efforts of those who desire a genuine, lasting peace in that troubled region. The Kingdom of Swaziland applauds those nations which are working hard to get the process back on track, and we continue to urge those involved to respect the terms of the Oslo peace accord as the only basis on which to rebuild the atmosphere of trust which is so necessary for the process to move forward.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Furthermore, there are many instances of situations where internal conflicts have spilled over borders, creating the potential for regional instability. The situations in the Kosovo region of Yugoslavia, and the heightened tension on the border between Iran and Afghanistan, are just two examples which are of great concern to the international community. This worrying trend has resulted in valuable global resources being channelled away from economic and social development priorities, and has undermined our collective efforts to achieve peace and stability throughout the world. All too many of our fellow human beings are caught up in a spiral of seemingly unending violence, with millions forced into exile from their own homes, thus becoming the latest statistics among the unfortunate numbers of refugees.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“We recognize that, with the global economic situation deteriorating and the gap between the developed and the developing countries widening, the task of creating jobs is becoming more and more difficult. In response to this, we have introduced incentives to attract investment from both internal and external sources, and we have established an investment promotion authority to act as the catalyst for rapid investment growth. Such national initiatives are aimed at creating favourable conditions for our people to gain a decent standard of living and to continue to enjoy the peace and stability with which we have been blessed throughout our history. We have noted with regret that the past 12 months have seen an alarming rise in situations of internal conflict and external aggression among many of the Member States.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The whole nation is engaged in this vitally important exercise, and I am pleased to inform our fellow Members that substantial progress has been made over the past 12 months. The end result will truly reflect the will of the people themselves, and we are confident that we will have in place a Constitution that will serve the best interests of all Swazis for many generations to come. We have been most grateful for the support we have received from the United Nations towards these important nation-building processes, and we value highly the continued support and encouragement from many of our friends and partners in the international community with respect to our development efforts. 10 In common with almost every country, we find that the issue of unemployment remains our greatest challenge.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)