YouSaid · the spoken record

Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo

lines on the record: 29
first: 2010-09-24
most recent: 2011-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“We would also not neglect combating the 25 11-51372 scourges to which I referred earlier, as well as new threats to international peace and security. Togo’s noble ambition can only come to pass if we have the support of delegations for our candidacy. It is my hope that all Member States will wish to provide their invaluable support for our candidacy. I wish very much to thank them in advance for their support.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“However, I would like to ask all delegations to bear in mind the need to see emerge, after the elections, a Security Council that is balanced and representative of all the major regions in Africa, especially West Africa. My country has participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations for many years. We are currently involved in the missions in Côte d’Ivoire and the Sudan, and will soon participate in the one in South Sudan. We wish to sit on the Council in order to make a contribution, however modest, to the work of the organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. If elected, Togo will focus on the importance of preventive diplomacy in the peaceful settlement of conflicts and the link between peace and security, on the one hand, and social justice and development, on the other.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“With regard to the process of replacing non-permanent members of the Council, the Assembly will elect five new members in October to replace those whose terms will end on 31 December. Togo is among the candidates from the Group of African States that are seeking the votes of Member States in those elections. Contrary to the practice observed today in Africa with respect to elections to the Security Council, three candidates are in the running this year for the two seats that go to Africa. Togo, whose candidacy enjoys the endorsement of the Economic Community of Western African States and the African Union, of course attaches great importance to the sovereign right of each State to apply for a seat on any United Nations body.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“While it is widely acknowledged that nothing can replace the Organization, it is just as true that, 65 years after it was established, the United Nations needs to be reformed. My country therefore calls on Member States to pursue and conclude the process of Security Council reform, which began more than 15 years ago. Like the majority of Member States, Togo hopes that this General Assembly session will provide us an opportunity to take decisive steps with regard to Council reform. In so doing, we have the opportunity to correct flagrant and unacceptable injustices and to make the Security Council truly representative of all the regions of the world, thereby making it better placed to resolve the crises and conflicts that we face.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Those crises and conflicts, as well as new threats to international peace and security, such as maritime piracy, cyber crime and drug trafficking, which undermine efforts to build peace throughout the world, require the international community to rethink the role of the United Nations in the context of security and socio-economic development. At a time when the West African subregion is witnessing an increase in violence due to drug trafficking and terrorism in the area, we cannot allow our shorelines to be taken hostage by pirates, as was recently the case in the waters off Benin and Togo. I call for stricter cooperation among all countries to effectively combat this new phenomenon. As I just said we need to rethink the role of the United Nations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We are fundamentally convinced that the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a national State and those of Israel for sustainable peace and security are not contradictory, but complementary, objectives. Despite the many efforts and determination of the United Nations to eradicate terrorism in all its forms, that scourge is gaining even more ground and is compromising the chances for building a world of peace and security. This year, as we commemorate the tenth anniversary of the tragic attacks on 11 September 2001, the international community and all States must continue to work synergistically so that humankind will not again experience such indiscriminate and wanton attacks as those of 9/11 or those that recently victimized the peaceful people of Norway and the headquarters of the United Nations in Abuja.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Those legitimate movements contribute to the blossoming of democracy for the people concerned. In addition to delivering on their legitimate expectations, they also help to avoid any risk of wavering in the medium term that might jeopardize peace and national unity. That seems to be true for all conflicts, because we believe that no sustainable solution is possible outside of negotiation. With regard to the Middle East, my country therefore firmly believes that the parties to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict and the international community must continue to seek a political solution to that old conflict. The Middle East must know peace. Israel and Palestine must coexist in two States with well-defined borders, in peace and security.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“With respect to resolving conflict and promoting peace and security throughout the world, which is the theme of this session, it is encouraging to note that significant progress has been made. That is particularly in the case in Africa, where peace and security have been restored in Côte d’Ivoire, thereby enabling the relaunching of socio-economic activities in that country. The peaceful resolution of the lengthy conflict in South Sudan, which has become the Organization’s 193rd Member State, gives us reason to hope that any conflict can be resolved acceptably and sustainably so 11-51372 24 long as the parties concerned work in good faith to achieve that goal. Also as we meet here, parts of the world continue to face waves of demonstrations and uprisings, especially in Africa.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Among other things, those various measures have allowed us to successfully conclude our participation in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative and to benefit from about $1.8 billion in debt cancellation. The broad ongoing programme to improve and rehabilitate road infrastructure throughout our national territory is an illustration of the effective implementation of this reform. On behalf of the Government and the people of Togo, I would like to thank all our partners that have assisted in our process to improve governance. This meeting is taking place at a time when Africa is again threatened by famine such as we have not witnessed in 20 years. All countries, as well as the United Nations, must take urgent measures to confront that exceptional situation if we wish to avoid a large- scale humanitarian tragedy.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“My country will therefore tirelessly continue the work already begun in order to strengthen the gains of democracy and peace, while making greater efforts to implement the Millennium Development Goals. In terms of economic governance, Togo is pursuing reforms for better management of its public finances, in order to optimize domestic revenues. We are working for a more robust financial sector, privatizing public banks, operationalizing the Court of Auditors and instituting a new public tendering code that is fully aligned with international standards. All that is in addition to the steps we have taken towards membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In terms of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Government of Togo has made commitments to increasing State capacities to protect individuals and property and guarantee fundamental freedoms in order to prevent Togo’s young democracy from losing ground with regard to the progress made in shaping its identity, as well as to avert any exploitation of differences. In that regard, Togo has just provided the governing body of the Human Rights Council in Geneva with its national report in connection with the universal periodic review that will take place in a few weeks. Togo would like to reaffirm its determination to honour its international commitments. We will continue to combat all types of human rights violations and to take action against their perpetrators.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, launched two years ago with the task of promoting national reconciliation, is currently at the critical stage of holding both public and closed hearings, according to witness preference. That is an opportunity for all Togolese men and women to talk to each other about the most painful moments of their history and to speak truthfully in order to ensure justice and reconciliation, thereby making it possible to turn the page once and for all.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Based on its desire to strengthen the gains made in the area of democratization, the Government of Togo supports the implementation of the recommendations made by the European Union election observation mission, including institutional and constitutional reforms, especially against the backdrop of the local and legislative elections to be held in 2012. In that respect, faithful to the policy of openness and cooperation initiated by our head of State, the Government has renewed its dialogue with all political and civic stakeholders under its permanent framework for dialogue and cooperation in order to pursue discussions on all subjects concerning the management of governmental affairs.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“23 11-51372 In order to address those various challenges, Togo has for several years endeavoured to relaunch its economy to achieve sustainable development for the well-being of its people. We have made strengthening national unity and good governance, reviving economic growth and combating social injustice our rallying cry. In terms of political governance, Togo remains faithful to its new vision of sharing its victory with all stakeholders of goodwill, including political parties that have lost in elections. Above all, this is about emphasizing the peoples’ victory and not that of any political party. In our opinion, that concept of power should inspire all leaders who seek greater stability following elections.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“My country, Togo, welcomes the election of the President of the Assembly to direct the work of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. On behalf of the Government and people of Togo and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our warm congratulations to him. We wish him every success in accomplishing his noble and exhilarating mission. Today more than ever, the ever increasing number of challenges facing the planet call for greater solidarity to provide an effective global solution worthy of our peoples’ aspirations. When world leaders bringing forth their nations’ ambitions meet in this forum to reflect upon the main issues of the hour, it is to give their people hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The purposes and principles for which the United Nations Organization was created are noble, but 65 years after its birth the work that remains to be done is immense because the social situation of the inhabitants of the planet does not always follow the development that our world has achieved. Poverty and destitution are not mere words; they are oppressive realities experienced day by day. They lead to violence, instability, conflicts and other scourges that we, today, are not fighting successfully. Only international solidarity will allow us to overcome the evils of this world.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“They are obligated to find the best way to fight this phenomenon. In this regard, prevention, protection, prosecution and punishment, as well as international cooperation, must remain the main focus of State action. While Member States struggle to find a definition of terrorism in order to better fight it, the scourge is affecting an increasing number of countries because of the support that terrorists receive, particularly from drug trafficking networks. In West Africa, all leaders have become aware of the threat posed by drug trafficking and are engaged in a fight to the death against the phenomenon. I call on wealthy countries to help fight drug trafficking in my subregion in order to prevent it from becoming an unstable zone of unrestrained violence.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Although the international community can welcome the fact that the number of armed conflicts in the world has fallen, we cannot forget that several peacekeeping operations of the United Nations are still under way. That is undeniable proof that we are still far from the ideal of international peace and security that the founding fathers of the United Nations envisaged. Civil wars and terrorism continue to plunge many families into mourning throughout the world. More than wars, terrorism today is the most murderous form of violence inflicted upon people because it attacks indiscriminately, killing children, men, women and the 43 10-54965 elderly. The eradication of terrorism in all its forms is a long-term task and the responsibility above all of States and the international community acting in solidarity.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The modest results my country has achieved with respect to the MDGs could have been better, and we would have been closer to attaining them within the deadlines set if we had not been deprived for far too many years of the precious help afforded by development aid. The peaceful political climate being enjoyed by my country will also enable us to effectively pursue the improvement of the management of our public finances so that we are able to devote more domestic resources to achieving the MDGs. However, the efforts undertaken by poor countries to consolidate the bases of sustainable development will be a genuine success only if developed countries provide them with their various forms of assistance and if they honour their commitments. Let us not close our eyes to this fact. We need better aid in terms of quantity and quality.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Despite this threat, we still hesitate to reach agreement, as was demonstrated recently by the Copenhagen Conference on innovative and proactive strategies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to pursue discussions to adopt as soon as possible a schedule for concluding a new agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The time for speeches is over; the time to act is now. The High-level Plenary Meeting that we have just held here on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals revealed once again the intrinsic link between aid and development, on the one hand, and development and political will, on the other, at the national and international levels.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Although there are some positive signs of the recovery of the world economy, it is no exaggeration to say that the path to stabilization and the suppression of the disturbing effects of the crisis is still long, perilous and uncertain. The new problem of climate change has brought in its wake catastrophes linked to rainfall phenomena, such as floods, drought and landslides. Without a doubt, all of these phenomena will have a negative impact on global economic growth in general and, more specifically, a tragic effect on the least developed countries in particular.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Moreover, the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, which seeks to promote reconciliation among the Togolese people by shedding light on the political violence that took place in Togo between 1958 and 2005, is currently in the depositions phase. My country will work tirelessly to consolidate the achievements of democracy and peace, while devoting increasing efforts and energy to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to bring human and sustainable development to the entire population. Now that Togo has reconciled with itself, I have faith in our capacity to fully renew our relations with all of our bilateral and multilateral partners and to open up new horizons in the vast field of solidarity that is international cooperation.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“That is a challenge we have to take up, particularly in our young democracies, and especially the African democracies, so that the post- electoral period is no longer a nightmare or a source of division among our peaceful populations. Notwithstanding his outstanding victory, and faithful to his policy of reaching out to his opponents, President Faure Gnassingbé appealed to all persons of good will to take part in the building of the Togolese nation. It was in this vein that an historic political agreement was concluded in May between the presidential majority and the Union des Forces de Changement, the main opposition party in Togo, which, with seven ministerial posts, has for the first time joined a Government after 40 years of political fighting.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I reiterate here the profound gratitude of the Government and people of Togo to all of our partners, 10-54965 42 to regional and international institutions, and to the friendly countries that supported us throughout the electoral process, making it a success and a good example. Our gratitude goes to the United Nations for its many forms of support throughout the process of democratization and consolidation. I would also encourage the United Nations to invest even more in preventive democracy by, inter alia, beginning to envision mechanisms that could lead all parties to accept the results of elections that are recognized as credible and transparent by the international community.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The Government has since initiated political and economic reforms leading to the adoption of a statute of the opposition and of a law on the financing of political parties; the consensus appointment of members of the National Independent Electoral Commission; and the creation of a security force for the presidential elections, the members of which are trained according to universally recognized standards and have maintained security throughout the electoral process in an exemplary fashion. All of these efforts naturally allowed Togo to hold, on 4 March 2010, a presidential election that was democratic, peaceful and widely praised by the international community.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In August 2006, this commendable initiative led to the signing of the Comprehensive Political Agreement among the main political actors in Togo and to the establishment of a Government of national unity and the holding in October 2007 of legislative elections that were universally recognized as free and transparent and, for the first time, without violence. These elections, which established a pluralist National Assembly, are without a doubt the emblem of our democratic renaissance.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The theme implies that the United Nations must remain at the heart of multilateralism and that the institutions of our Organization must therefore be reconsidered, beginning with the long-awaited reform of the Security Council, in order to bring greater democracy and equity and, above all, to respond more effectively to the many challenges to our world. In its own search for better governance and the well-being of its people, my country, Togo, has tirelessly and irreversibly continued its march towards greater democracy, freedom and justice in an environment of peace and stability. Seeking to turn the page once and for all on the dark years of our democratic deficit, the Head of State has established a new policy of openness.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I would like to renew my personal support and that of my country to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the dynamism he has shown over the course of the past four years at the head of the United Nations. I also take this opportunity to congratulate him on the important report that he introduced to us yesterday on the work of the Organization (A/65/1). The theme that the President of the General Assembly has proposed for the current session, “Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance”, eloquently translates the aspirations of our States, particularly the developing countries.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“At the outset, allow me to extend my congratulations and those of the Togolese people to Mr. Joseph Deiss on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session and to wish him every success in the accomplishment of his great task. My delegation will spare no effort in working at his side towards the successful achievement of his mandate. Like him, we are firmly convinced that the values that lie at the heart of the United Nations remain very relevant today to successfully meeting the challenges facing humankind. I also congratulate his predecessor for his invaluable efforts during his term of office to advance the agenda of the General Assembly in many diverse and different areas, in particular those of peace and security, human rights and the development of our nations.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)