YouSaid · the spoken record

Kausea Natano

lines on the record: 61
first: 2020-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
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 embodying those noble concepts in our actions, we have the potential to create a brighter and more promising future for humankind and our planet. Let us always bear in mind that the choices we make and the actions we take today will echo through countless generations to come. Time is of the essence. The clock is ticking. The sun is setting. It is now or never.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“By pooling our resources, sharing knowledge and standing in solidarity, we can overcome obstacles and accelerate meaningful progress. I would like to conclude by presenting a compelling challenge to this Organization. It is not enough for us to simply acknowledge our unique role; we must also actively demonstrate our commitment to defending and promoting the core values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It is of utmost importance that we remain unwavering in our dedication to collective action and inclusivity, embodying the Tuvalu cultural principles of kaitasi and falepili — the concepts of caring, sharing, being good neighbours and leaving no one behind — all for the sake of the sustainable and secure future we envision to have for our young generation and their children.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The decision to maintain those measures has deprived Cuba of much-needed international development assistance and partnerships crucial for its recovery and future development. For Tuvalu, peace is not merely the absence of conflict, it is the presence of justice, equality and opportunity. It is giving hope to our people by securing a prosperous future. And prosperity, for us. Tuvalu, is not just economic growth. It is the ability to protect the well-being of our people and our planet through social and environmental sustainability. To achieve those noble goals. Tuvalu is unyielding in its commitment to dialogue that entails representation and coalitions. We look at partnerships through this body for international cooperation that can establish tangible outcomes for the most vulnerable.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We must make the necessary arrangements for Taiwan to meaningfully participate in relevant United Nations specialized agencies and mechanisms. Taiwan must be allowed to participate in key United Nations organizations because Taiwan is widely known for being an able, trustworthy and willing partner, greatly contributing to collective efforts that address pressing global issues under the purview of the United Nations agencies. It is unfortunate that the people of Cuba still endure the economic hardships imposed by long-standing unilateral economic blockades. Those blockades not only disregard human rights but also go against the principles of cooperation emphasized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu pays tribute to the importance of preserving the health and diversity of the ocean ecosystems for both its own sustainability and the well-being of the global community. The Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations begins with “We the peoples...”. It is a powerful statement by this body to underscore respect for human dignity and human rights as equal peoples — men and women, boys and girls — of all races and colours. It entails the inclusivity, non-discrimination and oneness of humankind that the United Nations must uphold. Sadly, many people and communities have not been given the same treatment. Tuvalu therefore calls on this body to ensure the participation of everyone worldwide, including the people of Taiwan.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“alongside Vanuatu and other Pacific nations, to negotiate a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, a new instrument that would reduce reliance on fossil fuels, promote sustainable development through accelerating the just transition to renewable energy sources and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Tuvalu, as an island State surrounded by the ocean, is fully committed to the signing and effective implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. Our unison with others to sign the Agreement this week is a testament to our genuine commitment to the values and purpose of that international legal instrument. Given our heavy reliance on fisheries and marine resources, by signing the Agreement.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The aim is to attract greater attention and action from the international community by amplifying the voices of small island developing States and other nations facing similar challenges. Tuvalu expresses gratitude to countries and stakeholders, in particular Germany, who have already shown interest in joining this important endeavour. In addition to the coalition initiative. Tuvalu calls for stronger global action on phasing out fossil fuel production and consumption. At the Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday this week. Tuvalu made a call for countries to join it.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu cannot afford to take a back seat and be a spectator while others manoeuvre to satisfy their own interests in our multilateral process for addressing climate change, particularly sea level rise. On the heels of our successful Rising National Initiative, which we launched this time last year, we have proposed establishing a coalition for addressing sea level rise and its existential threats. The initiative is aimed at bringing together like-minded States and stakeholders to collectively address the pressing issue of protecting statehood, sovereignty, territorial integrity and livelihoods in the face of rising sea levels. Tuvalu believes that the coalition has a unique role in highlighting and addressing the impact of climate change and sea level rise on vulnerable nations.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu has developed a comprehensive long-term adaptation plan. In serving as our flagship survival adaptation project, the Long-Term Adaptation Plan is aimed at addressing the imminent threat of rising sea levels by reclaiming and elevating our land territory. That ambitious endeavour is crucial to ensuring that Tuvalu can provide a sustainable habitat for its population well into the next century and beyond. By prioritizing the Plan. Tuvalu is taking proactive steps to secure the nation’s survival and create a resilient future for its people. I would now like to highlight our specific aspirations and initiatives. As a country whose physical existence, lives and livelihoods are at stake.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“For Tuvalu, the adoption of a digital nation approach will have a profound impact on our ability to address resource-related and geographic challenges. It will enable Tuvaluans to access education, health care and economic opportunities that were previously out of reach. By embracing digital technologies. Tuvalu will equip itself with the tools to implement innovative solutions that address climate and environmental concerns. Overall, the concept of a digital nation and the digital transformation that it entails are pivotal to harnessing progress, inclusivity and sustainability for Tuvalu and the entire world. Despite our vision of a digital nation, it is crucial to acknowledge that our ultimate future as a recognized sovereign State depends on our ability to strengthen our resilience. In pursuing that goal.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We applaud the Secretary-General for organizing the Summit of the Future, as it highlights the immense importance of ensuring a prosperous future for everyone. The world is witnessing a rapid and transformative shift towards a digital era. and we believe that embracing that digital transformation is crucial to the progress of the global community, particularly small island developing States such as Tuvalu. The vision for digital transformation under our Future Now project advocates the idea of creating a digital nation that maps and preserves Tuvalu’s identity and values for us and our future generations. That digital revolution will ensure that no one is left behind, as it empowers individuals and communities with knowledge, connectivity and access to essential services.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Our purpose was to present our arguments and submissions regarding an advisory opinion similar to that of Vanuatu but relating to the obligations of States parties under Part XII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. specifically in terms of protecting and preserving the marine environment in relation to the impacts of climate change, including ocean warming, sea level rise and ocean acidification. Tuvalu urges all Member States to support Vanuatu. Antigua and Barbuda and Tuvalu by submitting endorsements of the advisory opinions’ objectives. It is crucial for us to come together in pursuit of climate justice, as the urgency of the matter cannot be overstated. We eagerly anticipate swift action from the judicial branches of the Organization because justice delayed is justice denied.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“In hindsight, climate justice should be at the forefront of our efforts as we address the urgent need for mitigation, adaptation and support for the most vulnerable nations. We embrace the efforts and collective support for resolution 77/276. championed by Vanuatu, for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice aimed at reinforcing States’ responsibility under international law to safeguard the climate system. It is the hope of Tuvalu that international law will provide the moral punch to enable us to phase out fossil fuels and hold polluters responsible. Furthermore, at this point I would like to mention that just last week, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and I had the privilege of appearing before the judges of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu remains fully committed to the SDGs and acknowledges the importance of forging strong partnerships, particularly through SDG 17. Collaborative efforts with other Member States and international organizations and stakeholders are vital to mobilizing support and resources for addressing Tuvalu’s unique contextual challenges and achieving the shared objectives of sustainable development. By focusing on those central issues and utilizing the SDGs as a guiding framework. Tuvalu aims to build a resilient future while preserving its culture and environment and ensuring the welfare of its people. We commend the Secretary-General for convening the Climate Ambition Summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action. We are not calling for sympathy but rather for solutions.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu applauds the two-day SDG Summit, which served as an important platform for Member States to collectively assess the progress made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and provides an opportunity to recognize and address the specific challenges that every country faces in pursuit of the Goals. As a small island developing State. Tuvalu faces unique and pressing issues in meeting the targets set forth in the SDGs. The greatest challenge to the sustainable development that we are striving to achieve for our people is the fundamental threat of climate change and rising sea levels. As a low-lying island State. Tuvalu is particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, which affect our ability to achieve our SDG targets. Despite those challenges.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We must recognize that we are all interconnected and that the prosperity and well-being of each individual nation ultimately impacts the entire planet. Tuvalu therefore welcomes this year’s theme because it entails rebuilding trust, promoting global solidarity, prioritizing peace-building, fostering prosperity and advancing sustainability, which can help us make significant strides towards a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable future for all. Let me now reflect on the important events of the high-level week that have been taking place alongside the general debate.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“By doing that, we can restore faith in international institutions and cultivate partnerships that will enable us to effectively address the challenges of our time. Similarly, reigniting global solidarity requires us to prioritize peace-building efforts. Peace is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development, as conflicts and instability hinder progress towards the SDGs. We must invest in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction to ensure that communities can thrive and work effectively towards achieving the Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals requires collective effort and collaboration on a global scale.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Tuvalu wholeheartedly embraces the powerful narrative put forth by the President of the Assembly at its seventy-eighth session, as it aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a sustainable future for our nation and the world at large. It is imperative that we demonstrate unwavering commitment to the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and prioritize the wellbeing of our planet and all its inhabitants. To fulfil that theme, we must first focus on rebuilding trust among nations and international institutions. The erosion of trust has impeded global cooperation and stymied progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We must work to repair relationships, promote transparent and accountable governance and foster an environment of collaboration and mutual respect.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Our membership in it gives us confidence in our ability to navigate these uncertain times and reinforces our belief that we are not alone in our pursuit of a prosperous and secure future. I would like to take a moment to express Tuvalu’s heartfelt condolences to all who have been affected by recent natural disasters. Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and the flash flooding in Libya this month, as well as the wildfires in Hawaii in August. We also want to express our sympathy to those who have suffered as a result of the conflicts in Africa and the war in Ukraine. Turning now to this year’s theme.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I express my people’s heartfelt appreciation to the United Nations and its Member States for their unwavering support in recognizing Tuvalu’s independence. That recognition was further solidified 23 years ago. when Tuvalu officially became a Member State of the Organization in September 2000. Tuvalu’s membership in the United Nations serves as more than just a symbolic gesture — it represents a beacon of hope for our country, assuring us of the international community’s commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty, even in the face of multifaceted challenges and existential threats. The United Nations, with its noble values centred around peace, security and prosperity, radiates hope and assurance to small and vulnerable nations such as Tuvalu.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I would like to congratulate the President of the General Assembly. His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis. Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago, as he takes over the helm of this organ at its seventy-eighth session. Tuvalu has full confidence and trust in his leadership in steering our canoe through the rough seas ahead of us. At this juncture. I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing President. His Excellency Mr. Csaba Korosi. for his stellar presidency, dedication and service to the Assembly throughout its seventy-seventh session. In less than two weeks, my island nation of Tuvalu will be celebrating a momentous occasion, the forty-fifth anniversary of its independence. That event has great significance in the history of our nation, symbolizing our journey through self-governance and sovereignty.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Finding the right solution will require statesmanship and empathy, beginning with an acknowledgement that a situation globally caused must also have a globally just and equitable solution. As Pacific peoples, we raise our children to respect the ocean, land and sky as providers of life. Now, through no fault of our own, we will soon have to abandon the oceans, land and sky that have forged our cultures and identities for centuries. We neither castigate nor demand charity, but we do ask for generosity of spirit, support and justice that recognize our reality and our grave concern about the potential eradication of our atoll nations by rising sea levels in our part of the world.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“It must recognize and protect our cultural integrity, our human and economic capital and our sovereignty. It must be co-created and enacted with the Governments and the peoples of island nations, not visited upon us by others. Such a settlement must ultimately include the protection of our rights to our land and ocean and preserves our heritage and sovereign right to govern our citizens. We do not seek to move from our homeland. We seek the fair and amicable treatment of displaced people so that we do not become a burden on others. Equally, however, natural justice also dictates that we not be fobbed off with a wasteland. Economically, we can continue to support ourselves, for example, in the case of Tuvalu, by using the income from the continued sustainable use of the exclusive economic zone around our islands.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“But, with regard to the looming uninhabitability of sovereign States, they say nothing. That is why Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands launched the Rising Nations Initiative, two days ago, to fill the current gaps in awareness, legal frameworks and political commitments. The global community must begin a serious and responsible dialogue that acknowledges both the realities and the rights of Pacific island nations like mine and, more fundamentally, of our citizens. This is about sovereignty, dignity and integrity. We need a global settlement that guarantees nation States, such as Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, a permanent existence beyond the inhabitable lifetime of our atoll homes, irrespective of the onslaught of climate change and sea-level rise.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“This is the first time in history that the collective action of many nations — or, more accurately, the collective inaction of many nations — will be responsible for making sovereign countries uninhabitable. It is an unprecedented crisis requiring radical intervention. Current international instruments such as the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness do not cover our situation, nor do the United Nations various efforts to address climate change. Agreements reached at its annual summits, including the twenty- sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Glasgow last year, cover a wide range of issues like targets for cutting emissions or commitments for international finance to address impacts.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The nation itself becomes increasingly inchoate, legally and spiritually rooted to a shoreline that is disappearing under rising tides. That is how a Pacific atoll dies. That is how our islands will cease to exist. This is not about some future scenario — it is what we are living with now. Inaction entails responsibilities. Tuvalu has not yet reached the end of the process of salination, destruction, degradation and demise, but we are well past the beginning. Despite international agreements and repeated commitments, global greenhouse-gas emissions continue to rise, with many countries still pursuing a future fuelled by coal, oil and gas.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“As the ocean rises, salt water permeates the aquifers that provide our drinking water; now, in many places, our water security is now severely compromised. A rising ocean brings higher tides, and with increasing storm frequency and intensity, our villages and agriculture are devastated. Flooding leaves soil saline, reducing crop yields and severely compromising our food security. Infrastructure, such as homes, roads and power lines, are washed away, and higher land on which to rebuild does not exist. The precious coral that supports our tourism and nurtures our fish-stock perishes as the ocean warms and acidifies. The cost of eking out an existence and maintaining the status quo increases for individuals and the entire country and, over time, becomes too much to bear. Such extreme conditions push citizens to leave.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The existential threat we face is not of our making, but it will remake us. How we will negotiate that remaking is a question that the international community must now urgently begin to address. Major economies, which contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions, cannot be oblivious and do nothing. People everywhere, across all ages and walks of life, are demanding leadership on climate change, especially from those most able to provide it. Tuvalu is an acid test for such leadership because, if the international community allows an entire country to disappear as a result of climate change, what hope will be possible for anyone else? These are unprecedented times. Science cannot tell us exactly when our homeland will become uninhabitable, but it does tell us how.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Other Pacific island countries on the front line of climate change may have a few decades longer, but our final destination is no longer a matter of guesswork. Most societies see climate change as mainly about cutting carbon emissions or mitigating future impacts. We are facing a looming situation far more profound — the near certainty of terminal inundation. Our peoples, in my generation or the next, will be unable to exist on the islands that have nurtured our ancestors for centuries. It is our God-given home. Tuvalu and its Pacific neighbours have done nothing to cause climate change. Carbon emissions combined across the entirety of the Pacific islands amount to less than 0.03 per cent of the world’s total, and even less if we are speaking of historical emissions.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The report issued last year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change makes clear that, with the current global-warming trend, we are destined to miss the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. That clearly means that Tuvalu will be totally submerged within the century. The climate crisis is creating an increasingly uncertain future for people in most parts of the world. Paradoxically, in my region, the Pacific, it is making our future increasingly certain, but not in a way that gives us any kind of comfort. During this century, several Pacific island nations will become mostly uninhabitable. For my country, Tuvalu, which sits halfway between Hawaii and Australia, that could happen in the next two to three decades.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We maintain that the United Nations decolonization process is critical to the protection of human rights, including the right to self-determination, and urge the meaningful engagement of the United Nations with all relevant partners and stakeholders in the decolonization process. Let me now speak of an issue that is of the greatest concern to my country. Climate change and its consequential sea-level rise remain the single greatest existential threat my country faces, underscoring the urgent need to limit global warming to 1.5°C through rapid, deep and sustained reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. With an average land elevation of no more than 2 metres above sea level, my country will succumb to sea-level rise.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Keeping those measures in place has deprived Cuba of the international development assistance and partnerships necessary to recover and build back better. In the same vein, we reiterate the strong concerns of our region about the potential threat of nuclear contamination posed to the health and security of the blue Pacific, its people and prospects, and reaffirm the importance of ensuring international consultations, international law and independent and verifiable scientific assessments. Those principles must govern the deployment and use of nuclear technology and the discharge of nuclear materials and waste into our blue Pacific continent.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Tuvalu strongly supports the readmission of the Republic of China on Taiwan to the United Nations as a founding Member of the Organization, and the restoration of its active participation in United Nations specialized agencies, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We must not sideline Taiwan, which is a vibrant democracy that has made significant progress on all the Sustainable Development Goals and is ready to contribute more to global efforts to achieve the SDGs. It is also regrettable that the people of Cuba continue to face the economic burden of long-standing unilateral economic blockades. The economic blockades neglect the human rights and spirit of cooperation espoused in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“That requires all the partnerships we need to bring about positive changes to people’s lives. It is, however, regrettable that the Republic of China on Taiwan, with its notable partnerships on a wide range of development issues, continues to be kept out of the United Nations system. Tuvalu has significantly benefited from our partnerships in agriculture, food security, public health, medicine and clean energy, including our recovery from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Indeed, we must strengthen our commitment to upholding the core principles of the Charter of the United Nations at this watershed moment. We maintain that the Charter is our shared constitutive instrument for maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. We are indeed encouraged by the priorities of his presidency, and we look forward to working closely with him as we continue to grapple with economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackle climate change and strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global crises have become more complex, interlinked and transboundary in their impacts, demanding global cooperation and solidarity to formulate and implement sustainable solutions.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“On behalf of the Government of Tuvalu, I congratulate Mr. Csaba Korosi on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session. Tuvalu has full confidence in his leadership. Let me also take this opportunity to thank the President of the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session, the Honourable Minister Abdulla Shahid, for a very successful session under his leadership, despite the challenges arising from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We welcome the pragmatic vision of Mr. Korosi’s presidency of the General Assembly at its current session. We applaud him for the theme of his presidency, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Tuvalu is unable to build resilience with hope, as noted in the theme of this 76th Session of the General Assembly, if climate change is allowed to continue on its current trajectory. Finally, Mr. President, Tuvalu reiterates its commitment to multilateralism through unity. The Tuvalu 2021 Independence Day theme, “Unity in Word and Deed,” is a message I bring as a call to all members of the United Nations, to embrace our shared differences and unite in action to address climate change and its rampage on humankind. Working together as the global family of the United Nations, with the full respect for human rights and the needs of the planet, together we can build a sustainable future for planet Earth. I thank you Mr. President. Tuvalu Mo te Atua”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“It is also regrettable that the people of Cuba continue to face the economic burden of a long, unilateral economic embargo. Keeping these measures in place has robbed Cuba of the international collaboration and assistance it has required to recover from the COVID19 pandemic and build back better. The embargo has ignored the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and neglected the human rights and the spirit of cooperation espoused in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. President, As you may realize, I have been talking mainly about climate change. This is not to diminish the importance of other global challenges which Tuvalu also continues to face. Rather, it is because for us, climate change is the single greatest threat to the lives, prosperity, and human security of our people. It is an existential threat.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“It is most regrettable to see the ongoing injustice of Taiwanese people being barred from accessing UN premises for visits and meetings simply because the UN fails to recognize Republic of China (Taiwan) passports, which are, in fact accepted by almost every country in the world. Likewise, Taiwanese media outlets and journalists cannot obtain accreditation to cover UN meetings and events. It is alarming that civic space in the UN and freedom of the press are being restricted. It is also unjustifiable that a person’s access to UN premises now depends on nationality rather than on safety and security grounds. Granting Taiwanese passport holders’ access to UN premises is an essential step for the meaningful participation of Taiwan and the Taiwanese people in the UN system.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We look forward to the implementation of the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit to complement and scale up our existing food security systems and programs to adapt better to climate change and support progress on the SDGs. Mr. President, I thank you for the recognition that to build resilience, we must respect the rights of people and that the UN must be revitalized to uphold the rights of all people of the world — people it was established to serve and protect. On this very note, Tuvalu calls for the recognition of the rights of the people of Taiwan to the UN premises. The UN system was established to serve the public interest of all peoples. Having unhindered access to the family of nations should be a right for all, not a privilege for some.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, I therefore urge you to work to build political commitment and development cooperation with developed countries and major economies, including emerging economies. Mr. President, Revitalizing the United Nations is critical to responding to our increasingly complicated global challenge. In terms of climate change, we applaud the appointment of the UNSG Special Adviser on Climate Change. And we look forward to the streamlining of climate change and security in the work of various UN bodies to build a UN system that is responsive to the needs of those most vulnerable to climate change. COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of our food security systems. For Tuvalu, our food security and agricultural capacity is our bloodline. It is therefore paramount to keep our oceans clean and sustainable for our people and generations to come.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“To our developed countries, major economies, and emerging economies, we urge you to use your leadership roles to make COP26 a success. Climate change is already restricting our capacity to achieve sustainable development goals. Mr. President, Building resilience with hope our United Nations has in place systems and processes to guide our efforts to build resilience and build back better. We have the various international frameworks stemming from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Istanbul Plan of Action for LDCs, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement. It is evident that we also have the resources and the technology that we need. We must strive for strong political commitment. Mr.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“To this end, the Kainaki II Declaration on Climate Change endorsed by Pacific Leaders in Tuvalu in 2019 calls for updated NDCs to keep the 1.5°C target, a global climate finance target of $100 billion and the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund to support urgent adaptation needs and an end to inefficient and harmful fossil fuel subsidies including the phase out of coal. Mr. President, As we move closer to COP26, we make the same call on developed countries and major economies to demonstrate leadership. We need your commitment to fulfil the financial promises made in the Paris Agreement, including aligning global financial flows to be consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The recent IPCC report on the Climate warns that we are inching closer to the point of no return. COP26 will be a make-or-break COP.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“However, we must scale up this support to meet our growing adaptation needs, particularly our major development programmes such as land reclamation and land elevation, to strengthen our resilience to the slow onset of sea level rise which could potentially erase our God-given land from the face of the Earth. Mr. President, The cost of continuous rebuilding after every tropical cyclone and adapting to increasing sea levels leaves little fiscal space for investment in the SDGs. Our global climate actions must focus on the root causes of climate change to break this cycle of costly and continuous rebuilding. The one obvious sustainable solution is to stop and reverse increasing global temperatures.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“On the domestic front, we have streamlined building resilience to climate change, natural disasters, and external shocks into our 10 year national sustainable development strategy, namely, Te Kete 2021-2030. We have continued to enhance adaptation to climate change and sea level rise through the construction of raised reclamation and coastal protection systems and adopting new agricultural systems to respond to climate change and sea level rise. We are grateful for the assistance provided through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other development partners to enhance our resilience to climate change.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“For Tuvalu, we will cope and adapt. Statelessness is not an option for Tuvalu, and I am sure it is also not an option for any of us here today. The international community must now consider solutions to protect the rights of people affected by the impacts of climate change and to avoid chaotic responses to uncontrolled mass climate displacement. In this regard, Tuvalu is spearheading a new initiative that will be advanced by likeminded countries to advance efforts towards protecting the statehood of small atoll island nations facing existential threats from sea level rise and, preserving the sovereignty, rights and heritage of affected nations and their populations.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“With forced displacement due to climate change and sea level rise, what shall we do and where should we go? What about our traditional culture and heritage? What will happen to us? What happens to our human rights? Will Tuvalu remain a member state of the UN if it is finally submerged? Who can help us, and will they help us? Mr. President, These are the valid but difficult moral and political questions we, and millions of people in low lying countries and coastal areas, continue to grapple with. Consequently, these same difficult questions will be asked by those of us who remain ignorant of climate change. Until we have answers to these difficult questions, sustainable development, for us, will only be wishful thinking and a short-term goal running on borrowed time. Not a reality we can accomplish. But hope is not all lost.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I applaud your theme for the 76th Session of the General Assembly. We are yet again reminded that, since the Millennium Development Goals, and now the Sustainable Development Goals, we are not on track on the sustainable development targets we set for ourselves. Two things are clear from the theme. That is, we cannot build resilient and sustainable economies in isolation of, first, the needs of the planet, and, second, the protection of human rights. Tuvalu, with an average land elevation of no more than two meters above sea level, is extremely vulnerable to climate change, sea level rise, and natural disasters. How strong will the next tropical cyclone be? How much longer can our islands support our livelihoods? Is there even a future for us on our islands?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the General Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen, Introduction On behalf of the Government of Tuvalu, I congratulate you on your election as President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly. Tuvalu has full confidence in your presidency. Let me also take this opportunity to thank the president of our 75th session, H.E. Volkan Bozkir, for a successful session under his leadership, despite the challenges to the work of the General Assembly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to express Tuvalu’s solidarity with Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his steadfast leadership in guiding this august body in unprecedented and difficult times given the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. Mr. President, Theme of UNGA76.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Keeping these measures in place robbed Cuba of the international collaborations and assistance to recover and build back better. It neglected the human rights and the spirit of cooperation espoused in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. President, Tuvalu remains committed to multilateralism. Working together as a global family with the full respect of human rights, together we can build a future that is responsive and resilient to health, economic and environment crises. I thank you Mr. President TUVALU MO TEATUA”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)