YouSaid · the spoken record

Wavel Ramkalawan

lines on the record: 38
first: 2021-09-24
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

“Together, we can accelerate action on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, creating a world that embraces diversity, respects nature and ensures a future of peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The challenges we face are interconnected and transcend national boundaries. No nation can solve them in isolation. Therefore, we must strengthen our bonds of solidarity, cooperation and mutual support. That includes sharing experiences, knowledge and best practices, as well as providing assistance to those most in need. The principle of leaving no one behind should guide our actions, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us receive the support they require. Let us rise above our differences and work together for a better world. Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity is not just an option; it is the only way forward.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We must promote gender equality, empower youth and create opportunities for marginalized communities. Inclusivity is not just a goal; it is the cornerstone of a just and equitable world. In conclusion, rebuilding trust is paramount. Trust is the foundation on which nations cooperate, and it is through trust that we foster meaningful partnerships and collaborations. We must rekindle trust among nations, between Governments and citizens, and across various sectors of society. That requires transparent and accountable governance, bolstered by an unwavering dedication to the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. By doing so. we can restore the faith of our people and mobilize their active participation in the pursuit of sustainable development. Our success hinges on global solidarity.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Seychelles, as a nation uniquely positioned amid the vast Indian Ocean, knows first-hand the significance of global cooperation in addressing climate change, ocean conservation, sustainable development and maritime security. Seychelles remains committed to its pioneering role in marine conservation, protecting vast areas of our ocean and marine ecosystems, but we cannot succeed alone. We call upon the global community to prioritize sustainability, transition to clean energy and preserve our ecosystems for the prosperity of all. Last but not least, as we rebuild from the pandemic, we must do so with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity. No one should be left behind. We must invest in health-care systems, education and social safety nets that guarantee the well-being of every citizen.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Belize. Cabo Verde and Samoa, is mobilizing support for ambitious biodiversity targets. That is clear evidence that SIDS continue to lead by example — doing more than their fair share to alleviate the pressure being exerted on our planet. It is through such trust-building cooperation that we will obtain impactful outcomes, as demonstrated by the recent adoption of the High Seas Treaty. To achieve the SDGs and ensure peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all. we must embrace the interconnectedness of our world. Climate change knows no boundaries, poverty respects no borders and the quest for peace requires a collective effort.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“as major emitters, must take decisive action to lead in combating climate change. The establishment of the loss and damage fund is a positive step, but its operationalization is crucial to compensate those most at risk. Nature-based solutions, exemplified by Seychelles’ pioneering of blue bonds and the blue economy, showcase the potential for sustainable development. Transparent ocean governance offers opportunities for development and environmental protection. In that context. I pay tribute to the bold actions of SIDS such as Bermuda and Tonga, which have purposefully moved to harnessing wave energy as feasible solutions to independent and clean energy futures. Seychelles will continue the same ambitious approach as we assume the presidency of the SIDS dock from Tonga. Furthermore, the SIDS Coalition for Nature, launched by Seychelles.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“If we are to make progress on our development agenda, we can no longer call what we are facing climate change. The point at which lives and livelihoods are lost with frightening frequency owing to environmental disasters means that we are living through a climate crisis. Addressing the climate crisis is no longer optional. It is an immediate necessity. As the Secretary-General said, the era of global warming has transitioned into an era of global boiling, and leaders must lead to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C. Seychelles is committed to renewable energy and energy efficiency, but as a small island developing State, it lacks the capacity and infrastructure to develop those solutions fully. The countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Group of 20.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Seychelles firmly believes in the critical importance of adopting a multidimensional vulnerability index that fully responds to the needs of small island developing States (SIDS). Thirdly, we need to leverage effective financing mechanisms, such as impact investments, public private partnerships and debt relief, to yield greater results for development agendas such as Agenda 2063 and the forthcoming outcome of the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in 2024. The Secretary-General’s SDG stimulus, aimed at transforming the global financial system, is commendable, and international financial institutions must collaborate to support our collective ambition for a sustainable future. Redressing those imbalances and advancing the SDGs will be achieved only if we work together.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Seychelles, through processes like the African Peer Review Mechanism and the voluntary national review, seeks to consolidate gains from prevailing political and socioeconomic successes. We stand ready to share our experiences and strengthen cooperation with other countries. However, rebuilding confidence in the SDGs requires transforming words into concrete actions. First, development partners must deliver on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda by scaling up financing and the means of implementing the SDGs. Secondly. international institutions should embrace reform to ensure that the unique needs of vulnerable countries are considered in access to development financing.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We must foster an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusive economic growth, while also addressing the root causes of inequality, poverty and environmental degradation. Furthermore, we must harness the power of partnerships. The achievement of the SDGs requires collaboration among Governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations. By forging strategic alliances, we can leverage resources, expertise and influence to catalyse change. South- South cooperation, in particular, holds great potential for knowledge exchange and mutually beneficial development. We must also reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, as the United Nations serves as the cornerstone of our collective efforts towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 paints a sombre picture of lost progress or regression on more than 30 per cent of the targets, with vulnerable countries facing inequality, poverty, hunger and environmental degradation. Addressing those imbalances and advancing the SDGs can be achieved only through collective action. To accelerate action on the SDGs. we must prioritize implementation at all levels. That necessitates the alignment of national policies, plans and strategies with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It requires robust institutions, capable of driving progress and delivering results. It demands innovative financing mechanisms, as well as increased investment in sustainable infrastructure, technology transfer and capacity-building.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“At the heart of our discussion lies the 2030 Agenda, a transformative blueprint for sustainable development. It serves as a road map for eradicating poverty, promoting human rights, protecting our planet and ensuring that no one is left behind. However, as we review our progress, it is evident that we are falling short of our targets, and the global pandemic has further exacerbated the challenges before us. Now more than ever, we must renew our commitment to the SDGs and take decisive action to fulfil our promises. We are lagging behind. At the midway point for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is crucial that we accelerate our joint efforts to make transformative advancements on achieving the SDGs.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“As the challenge to global peace, security and prosperity takes on new dimensions, the lessons of the past become even more relevant. The world stands at the brink, facing conflicts, wars and human-induced disasters, while countless people continue to struggle for a decent existence. Disunity and distrust threaten to paint a bleak future, devoid of hope and possibilities. Overcoming that predicament demands that we find common ground amid division. As we gather here today at the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly, we are confronted with the urgent need to rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity in order to accelerate action on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Only through collective action can we achieve the vision of a better world for all.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“First of all. I wish to congratulate Ambassador Dennis Francis on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session and to extend our best wishes for success in his tenure of office. We also thank his predecessor. Ambassador Csaba Korosi. for his steadfast leadership over the preceding session. Trust and solidarity form the bedrock of a functional multilateral order. Seventy-eight years ago. the United Nations was founded with the aim of preventing future global conflicts, promoting international cooperation and maintaining peace and security among nations. The lessons of history are clear: an unwavering commitment to meaningful cooperation and dedication to global peace and security are essential to enhance human existence and prevent the recurrence of past tragedies.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Let us be reminded of our moral responsibility as world leaders to take bold and decisive steps that will truly bring about transformative solutions. We share only one planet, and our fates are indivisible. Let us secure a better future together.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In that regard, the Republic of Seychelles strongly supports the call of the Chair of the African Union and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission urging the parties concerned to establish an immediate ceasefire and to resume negotiations in order to preserve the world from the consequences of planetary conflict and to find a permanent and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict. We must find common ground for the sake of humankind and our planet. In attempting to utilize this critical moment in history as a turning point to bring about real positive change, the choice is clearly with every one of us to decide whether our actions will lead to shared prosperity or mutual destruction.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Beyond the preservation of our natural environment, such holistic measures can be applied to the myriad interlocking challenges that we are facing as a global community. It will take our combined will, conclusive action and uncompromising respect for the founding principles of the United Nations to secure a better future for all. Last but of no less importance is the situation in Ukraine. The Ukraine-Russia conflict is of great concern to us. It poses a grave threat to global security and world peace, with serious ramifications for the entire community of nations. My country’s stance on the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy is universally recognized.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The marine spatial plan exemplifies how climate action, ocean conservation, sustainable development and building resilience can be achieved by a SIDS, with immutable special circumstances, in an integrated manner. Building on that, Seychelles has committed to protecting at least 50 per cent of its seagrass ecosystems by 2025, and 100 per cent by 2030, greatly contributing to ecosystem preservation and carbon sequestration. We call on other littoral and oceanic States to be as bold in their ocean commitments. As we progress in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, it is imperative that we invest in science’s best approaches and forge the strong partnerships needed to achieve a better understanding and protection of the ocean.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“If the world is to achieve the framework’s ambitious targets, ensure that the SDGs are met and tackle the interrelated planetary crisis, we must invest in the means of the framework’s implementation. Related to that is the issue of the oceans that surround us. Healthy oceans are critical to life on Earth. As a foremost proponent of the blue economy paradigm, Seychelles has taken bold steps to sustainably harness its ocean for the benefit of its people. By implementing our marine spatial plan, we have not only set aside 30 per cent of our exclusive economic zone for protection and sustainable use, but also have helped consolidate progress towards our commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the SDGs and the Convention on Biological Diversity.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I am nonetheless heartened that a historical agreement to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee with the mandate to forge an international, legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution was achieved at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. Hopefully, that will raise ambitions in other areas of environmental protection, including in the protection of biodiversity. The pressure that human activities are exerting on biodiversity are tipping the scale towards mass extinction across the globe. Therefore, the fifteenth meeting of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity will be critical for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“As floods, heat waves and fires in the Western world dominate the news and our social media feeds, let us not neglect or forget that the impact of slow-onset events like sea-level rise pose an existential threat to small island developing States. We need bold actions, not unfulfilled promises and pledges. In defining this watershed moment, individual interests must converge into collective benefits. We must also confront the gross injustice of having citizens of States least responsible for the unravelling climate-induced disaster pay for the loss and damage caused by others. Even as we bear the impact of climate change, our environment is suffering immensely from the consequences of pollution. Seychelles can attest to that fact, as our shores and sea have become encumbered by plastic waste.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Food and energy security must be apprehended within the context of climate change. We are at the cusp of an ecological collapse spurred by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, largely instigated by irresponsible human activities and unfettered emissions — a situation that greatly threatens the inalienable right of all humans to a healthy environment. The reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made clear that the window of opportunity to effectively address climate change is rapidly closing, with dire consequences for humankind and ecosystems. Failing to act decisively and urgently now will lead to untold costs, with those least responsible for the calamity having to bear the heaviest price.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The current food and energy crisis, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, poses a threat to sustainable growth globally, necessitating integrated systemic responses. The challenge for us in Africa is how to guarantee that trade contributes meaningfully to food security. In that regard, the African Continental Free Trade Area has a vital role to play by stimulating intra-trade among ourselves by ensuring that we redistribute food produced from regions with a surplus to regions facing deficits. The solutions to our food security can be achievable. We firmly believe that harnessing the potential of the blue economy by tapping into fisheries and aquaculture resources can be a viable option for addressing food and nutrition insecurity that prevails at the moment.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We need the international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to look beyond the gross national income benchmark. There is broad consensus that a multidimensional vulnerability index offers a specific approach that will complement and improve the efficacy of development cooperation, permitting countries in vulnerable situations to access concessional financing and address their needs. I therefore welcome the interim report of the High-level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States and hope that progress on universally accepted and inclusive indicators that capture the vulnerabilities of all developing States can be accelerated ahead of the 2023 deadline.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Time and again, small island developing States (SIDS) have consistently reiterated the call for a globally accepted vulnerability assessment put forward at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Our island nations have experienced the greatest economic loss from the pandemic, with economic contractions averaging 7 per cent. Yet very few of us were able to access the meagre 6 per cent of coronavirus disease funding allocated to developing countries. We cannot continue to rely on temporary solutions to address the systemic faults within the existing development cooperation mechanisms. If this is to be a watershed moment, we must put into practice real solutions that focus on addressing vulnerabilities and building resilience to ensure socioeconomic sustainability.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We have reached an inflection point that compels us to question the trajectory of our multilateral order, as the perils to our collective well-being are acute and numerous. Faced with a multiplicity of interrelated challenges that many of us are least responsible for but most affected by, the plight of States in vulnerable situations has never been more pronounced. Many of us in the developing world have had to revise our 2030 aspirations, owing to lost progress. Economic inequity is the biggest impediment to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The blueprint for a better and sustainable future requires financial resources that many of us simply do not have or are unable to access, since development cooperation modalities fail to consider vulnerability as a barrier to durable development.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Seychelles congratulates you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session. We also extend our profound appreciation to your predecessor, Mr. Abdullah Shahid, for his leadership during the preceding session. I would also like to express our gratitude to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his efforts to pursue a common agenda for the United Nations at a time when faith in the multilateral system needs, more than ever, to be restored. We perhaps need to be reminded that multilateralism gives each one of us the opportunity and the means to solve complex challenges that we cannot overcome on our own. Never have we faced challenges of such magnitude: a world in deep crisis, climate inaction, the aftermath of the pandemic, food insecurity, the rising costs of energy and the war in Ukraine.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Let us rebuild trust in one another by bridging the inequality gaps within and between nations, reducing marginalisation, eradicating racism, xenophobia and all other forms of discrimination, and instilling tolerance among our peoples. Never have we, as a community of nations, been beset with challenges of the present magnitude. But there is hope. Hope that we can overcome them. There is hope that we can overcome the challenges that we face through collective action, global solidarity and with political will. As the leader of one of the smallest nations of the world, I strongly believe in the capacity of our people, especially our youth. I believe, above all, in the capacity of humanity. I believe in our capacity to do good. Together, as the representatives of our planet we can do what is expected of us. We can do good! Thank you.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Mr President, The pandemic and worsening climate crisis have added to the other difficult tasks of the United Nations. We must more than ever renew our commitment to multilateralism and reinforce the functions of United Nations. Let us be guided by the UN Charter as we move together to rebuild a greener world, leaving no one, particularly the most vulnerable, behind. I believe in the founding principles of the United Nations; that multilateralism is key to ensuring prosperity and lasting peace. Let us restore hope and belief in the UN, by restoring hope and belief in ourselves and in international solidarity.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“And we owe it to future generations to find lasting solutions to protect this planet. But despite the enormity of the peril that we face, I remain hopeful that together we will find solutions. It requires practical solutions from around the globe that would lead us towards a sustainable, greener world powered by a clean energy economy. However, pledges and commitments are just not enough. They must be respected and honoured. In the light of the upcoming COP26, Seychelles calls on the international community, particularly the larger emitters and economies of the G20, to increase their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to a level that meets, if not surpasses the requirements of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and averts the global catastrophe that threatens all of us.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The review of the criteria to measure development support and access to funding is still being debated incessantly in countless fora, with no end in sight. Lack of effective and appropriate global support for SIDS will have systemic consequences on our progress on practically all Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, SIDS continue to be disproportionately affected by what can be best termed as environmental injustice as a result of climate change. We are the least responsible for it, yet we pay the heaviest tribute. The challenge we face to climate change and our response to it will continue long after we have brought COVID-19 under control. We are morally obligated to those who have lost their lives to the calamitous climate and biodiversity crises. We are accountable to those who face constant existential threats.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“An approach and a strategy, which take into account our vulnerabilities and characteristics, would bolster our own efforts to weather the present crisis and to strengthen our capabilities to recover and rebound from the economic fallout caused by the pandemic. The application of the Vulnerability Index, therefore, remains for us, the only coherent and viable approach and strategy to resolving our current predicament. Most SIDS have achieved middle to high-income status through hard work and commitment for the betterment of our peoples, but it appears that we are being penalised for our success, penalised for our achievements and hard work. Are the international financial institutions taking our vulnerabilities into consideration?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“For us, this meant forgoing some of our hard-earned economic gains in order to implement contingency plans, focused on protecting our population. The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the inadequacies in responding to it, underscore the urgent need for stronger collective measures among member states of the United Nations. It is imperative that we work together to build consensus and cohesion in respect of the plight of those facing threats of an existential nature, most notably SIDS. Our vulnerabilities are well known and they need not be expounded on here. What needs to be stressed, however, is that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to debt relief and concessionary financial flows is certainly not the most appropriate for us.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“COVAX, striving as it is against all odds, can fulfil its mandate only if pledges and commitments made by the richest nations are honoured and not used as short-term leverage in one form and another. Mr President, The world’s resilience to this pandemic, or to potential future ones, goes beyond the health of our people. Our efforts should also tackle economic imbalances and inequalities. In this regard, Seychelles urges the international community to assist the world’s most vulnerable economies in enhancing their resilience to future shocks. Seychelles’ economy, like that of many other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), was brought to its knees just a few months after the pandemic hit, as we witnessed the near total collapse of our tourism industry.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Statements, good intentions and pledges are woefully inadequate. The facts speak for themselves. Of 554 million doses pledged by the world’s richest nations, only 91 million, or 16 per cent, have been delivered. In Africa, less than 3.5 per cent of people across the continent have been vaccinated against Covid-19. The figure is far short of the African CDC’s official target of 60 per cent of Africans. It is a disgrace! And it points to a sobering fact. There is a virus far more terrible, far more harrowing than COVID19. It is the virus of inequality! And while the pandemic rages on and the debate continues unabated, and travel advisories of all shades and hues are being issued, humanity is the first casualty. Especially Africa and many other less developed parts of the world. It is true that no one is safe until we are all safe.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“In recalling our commitments to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related treaties, let us remind ourselves that the most vulnerable people — those living in dire conditions and facing seemingly insurmountable crises — require special attention and help. Indeed, while the pandemic has brought about untold suffering, devastated global health systems, severely impacted the world economy and impoverished entire communities, the crisis at hand presents an opportunity to reinvigorate our collective will to bring about positive changes, with emphasis on equitable, sustainable, and inclusive governance. Our recovery depends on it. Central to global recovery is the availability and distribution of vaccines. Central to the health and well-being of every human being is solidarity.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The pandemic has claimed millions of lives, depleting economies, and shattering communities while disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. The past two years have been a stark reminder that the global community has failed to adequately address some of the most pressing issues of our time: effective and equitable access to health-care, glaring inequalities, climate change and environmental degradation, the arms race, endless conflicts, the plight of refugees ... to name but a few. And here we are, the leaders of the world, standing on this platform today to reflect on how to build back better, stronger and greener. As we enter the second year of the UN decade of action, it is imperative that we, as a community of nations, take deliberate, collaborative and decisive actions to guarantee a future that leaves no one behind.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Mr President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Secretary-General of the United Nations, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I congratulate you on your election as President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly and convey our deep appreciation to your predecessor for his able leadership during the preceding session. I wish also to congratulate Mr Antonio Guterres, on his reappointment for a second term and for his leadership of the United Nations during these unprecedented times. As we approach the two-year mark since the first case of the COVID-19 virus was recorded, the world continues to struggle with the painful impact of this pandemic.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)