YouSaid · the spoken record

Jacob Zuma

lines on the record

105

first

2009-09-24

most recent

2017-09-24

sittings or episodes

7

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un-general-debate

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1. “At its sixty-eighth session the General Assembly will undertake critical work for the future of our people. Let us tackle the work ahead in such a manner that when future generations look back on this moment, they will be able to say that the leaders of this generation laid the foundation for the eradication of poverty, for building a global society of equality, and for world peace. Let me borrow from the words of our former President Nelson Mandela on his inauguration day in 1994 when he said: “We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation-building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

2. “As we celebrate our freedom and democracy, we remain mindful that our struggle is not complete until the people of Palestine and Western Sahara enjoy their rights to self-determination. Just as the United Nations stood by South Africa, we would like to see the Organization be at the forefront of efforts towards self- determination for the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara. We are deeply concerned about continued illegal settlement activities in the West Bank in violation of international law. Such illegal settlement activities jeopardize the realization of the two-State solution. The Cuban people also hold a special place in our hearts because of that country’s sacrifice for African peoples in their quest for freedom. We will therefore continue to struggle with them for their economic liberation.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

3. “We also take this opportunity to thank the United Nations and the international community for their support during the recent hospitalization of our beloved founding President of the free and democratic South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Nelson Mandela. We thank them for all for their support and good wishes. The United Nations declared 18 July, his birthday, as Nelson Mandela International Day. That has become a catalyst promoting service to humankind worldwide. We thank the United Nations for that gesture. Our revered former President continues to respond to treatment at his home. His family and our people have warmly welcomed the support he continues to receive from the global community. We are humbled and very grateful for that support.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

4. “The international community has an opportunity to use the Syrian experience to ensure that matters of this nature are handled correctly going forward, using existing instruments within the multilateral system of global governance. Next year South Africa will celebrate its twentieth anniversary of freedom and democracy. We will forever be grateful to those in the international community, including the United Nations, who stood beside us in our long struggle for liberation. We look forward to celebrating our anniversary of freedom with the United Nations and to strengthening our partnership. A strong partnership with the United Nations is critical for the future we want for the people of South Africa.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

5. “When discussing the Security Council, the matter of the Syrian Arab Republic comes into focus. We have expressed our dismay at the use of chemical weapons in Syria. There is no cause that could justify the use of weapons of mass destruction by anyone under any circumstances. It is, however, our strongly held view that any political transition in Syria must come about as a result of the will of the Syrian people and not through the force of arms. We welcome the recent positive developments, such as the decision by Syria to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the ongoing bilateral consultations between the Russian Federation and the United States. We support all of the diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a solution to this matter.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

6. “Allow me, therefore, to register once again our serious concern that the Security Council, almost 70 years since its establishment, remains undemocratic, unrepresentative and unfair to developing nations and small States, and disenfranchises the majority of the States Members of the United Nations, which form the majority in the General Assembly. We cannot remain beholden indefinitely to the will of an unrepresentative minority on the most important issues of international peace and security. There has been too much talk about the need for reform, with too little action. We would like to challenge the Assembly today by saying “Let us set ourselves the target to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations in 2015 with a reformed, more inclusive, democratic and representative Security Council!”.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

7. “Attempts to delegate some of those historical responsibilities to new emerging economies in the South are unacceptable and unworkable, as such emerging nations have their own historical challenges and backlogs to deal with. Furthermore, any commitment we make to the future beyond 2015 must build on existing agreements, which include Agenda 21, the MDGs, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the outcome document of the Rio de Janeiro Conference on Sustainable Development. In the case of Africa, they must build on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. Development and security are two sides of the same coin. The best way to ensure both is through good governance and the promotion of democratic values in all societies.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

8. “While those issues are important for Africa and developing countries and need to be attended to, the manner in which they have been crafted restrains economic development, as they are used as obstacles. We also wish to emphasize our expectations that the developed North and developing South will continue to engage in a genuine partnership. In that regard, the developed North countries should stand ready to meet their commitment to contribute 0.7 per cent of their gross national income to official development assistance. We are aware of the challenges in the North caused by the economic meltdown, but we are of the view that investing in development in the South, especially in Africa, is of primary importance as a source of much- needed sustainable development and stability in the world.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

9. “We also wish to emphasize that any development agenda beyond 2015 must be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in order to equalize the international playing field. We raise this point out of our concern that the global economic meltdown seems to have brought about new developments that are detrimental to the developing world, especially Africa. Some of the new developments include the tendency to renegotiate the rules of the game. New issues are being introduced as prerequisites for development and partnerships and have, in fact, become huge non-tariff barriers. They include the green economy and clean technology.”

   2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

10. “The full implementation of the MDGs remains the key priority on the development agenda for the next two years. A development agenda for beyond 2015 should allow individual regions and States the space to address the development needs peculiar to their circumstances and priorities. For Africa in particular, the future development agenda should address poverty eradication, income inequality and job creation. We furthermore believe that the new development agenda can be effective only if it is focused on all three dimensions of sustainable development, namely, the eradication of poverty through economic development, social development and environmental sustainability.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

11. “We express our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Kenya and to all those families who lost loved ones, and wish the wounded survivors a speedy recovery. We continue to support the efforts of Kenya and the international community aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia. The theme for our debate this year, “The post- 2015 development agenda: setting the stage”, is most appropriate. In the year 2000, the commitment was made by world leaders in the Millennium Declaration to eradicate extreme poverty and adopt the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are measurable and achievable targets that were specifically crafted to address the most pressing development needs of the most vulnerable countries.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

12. “It is an honour and a privilege for me to once again address this body. South Africa attaches the utmost importance to the General Assembly as the most representative and democratic organ of the United Nations serving the international community. We congratulate President Ashe and the Republic of Antigua and Barbuda on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session. We also thank Mr. Vuk Jeremi. for the splendid way in which he presided over the Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. Let me begin by reiterating our condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack over the weekend in Kenya, in which a number of civilians, including a South African national, were killed.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

13. “We are called upon at this sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly to choose peace by reforming and strengthening the United Nations so that it can play its rightful role and deliver peace, security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world. As the foremost multilateral forum bringing together all nations of the world, the United Nations is best placed to play this role. It requires our support as Member States at all times, both for our sake and for that of future generations.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

14. “In Durban last December, South Africa had the honour of hosting the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. Member States must ensure that agreements are implemented. In that regard, the Durban Platform offers an opportunity for progress that we must utilize to move forward. Today’s timely debate is a reminder that, ultimately, peace is a choice. Peace is achievable. The wise and brave choices we have the power to make can deliver lasting peace to every corner of the world.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

15. “Racism and racial discrimination continue to be an affront to the very basic founding principles of the United Nations and must be fought relentlessly. We should shun any idea in any part of the world that seems to suggest that there is a superior race or human being on the basis of skin colour. The danger of such ideas is still fresh in our collective memory. We have learned from the evils of colonialism, two World Wars and the system of apartheid. We should all renew our commitment to continue to build on the solid foundation laid by the Durban Declaration and the Plan of Action that we adopted more than a decade ago at the end of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

16. “We would like to express our appreciation to those development partners that continue to stick to their 0.7 per cent official development assistance commitment despite their financial difficulties at the domestic level. We support the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons to focus on the acceleration of the implementation of the MDGs, and would urge that much of its focus be on assisting Africa in meeting all its targets. However, we wish to caution against prejudging the review outcome and prematurely setting in motion processes that would undermine the ideals of the MDGs. The protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms should be at the centre of our collective desire to resolve international disputes by peaceful means.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

17. “The Heads of State also committed themselves to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women as effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and disease and to stimulate truly sustainable development. We urge the United Nations to continue promoting the achievement of the MDGs and other instruments whose tenets advance the human rights of women. We are concerned that sub-Saharan Africa is unlikely to meet the targets for the MDGs. Awareness of that possibility should not make us give up; in the next three years, we must accelerate the implementation of the MDGs. We appeal to all who have made financial commitments to Africa for the achievement of the MDGs not to renege on those commitments.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

18. “Poverty, underdevelopment, lack of opportunities and competition for scarce resources contribute to some of the conflicts in the developing world, including Africa. Therefore, the promotion of sustainable development and the fight against poverty cannot be divorced from the quest for peace. In 2015, the United Nations will be 70 years old and will also reach the target year for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). World leaders committed themselves to eradicating extreme poverty, facilitating universal primary education, attaining gender equality, improving maternal and child health, reducing the burden of disease primarily by combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, protecting the environment, and mobilizing global partnerships for development by 2015.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

19. “We should also remember that so long as some States are allowed to operate outside internationally agreed norms, such as those of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, it will be difficult to expect others to operate within them. South Africa supports the long-standing call for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. In that regard, the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue is very important. Let me use this opportunity to reiterate our support for the ongoing struggle for self-determination by the people of Western Sahara. We urge the international community to support their quest for freedom, human rights and dignity. We also reiterate our call for the lifting of the economic and financial embargo against the people of Cuba in order to help the Cuban people to gain their economic freedom.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

20. “In further promotion of the peaceful resolution of disputes, we believe that the sovereign right of States to nuclear energy for peaceful and civilian use should be respected in accordance with international law. We have taken note that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency has been able to draw the conclusion that all declared nuclear material in Iran is used for peaceful activities. Clarification of the nature of undeclared materials will enable the international community to have full confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. South Africa therefore encourages Iran to continue its cooperation with the Agency.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

21. “Any act of aggression or violations of international law should be condemned unequivocally by the United Nations at all times. As the United Nations, we cannot be seen to be strong in condemning some acts while being soft on others. As South Africa, we remain committed to the two-State solution based on the 1967 borders, with Palestine and Israel coexisting side by side in peace. Let me also emphasize that South Africa fully supports the application by Palestine for full membership of the United Nations. It is unacceptable that, even today, Palestine remains outside the membership of the United Nations. We trust that that matter will soon be positively concluded.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

22. “Those principles must not be used, amongst other things, to justify the notion of regime change. They exist to prevent mass atrocities, war crimes, genocide and ethnic cleansing.We should continue the debate on them in order to develop norms and standards for accountability when actions are taken. It is also of critical importance for the United Nations to closely guard its impartiality, independence and objectivity and not allow itself to be dragged into a conflict to take sides with any party under the guise of protecting civilians. The situation in the Middle East, in particular the Palestine-Israeli question, continues to be of concern to us. The United Nations should play a central and decisive role in efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict in that region.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

23. “We wish to congratulate the Somalis and their leadership on choosing the path of peace, democracy and prosperity. The international community and the United Nations must continue to give the people of Somalia all the necessary support. Africa is indeed making progress and, with United Nations support, that could go further. To promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, we also wish to emphasize that the Security Council should carry out its Charter mandate within the confines of international law. Any Member State or international body that implements Council resolutions should be accountable to the Council, so as to ensure that we avoid the abuse of internationally agreed principles such as the responsibility to protect and the protection of civilians.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

24. “In that regard, we urge closer collaboration with the African Union (AU) peace and security mechanisms, especially given the progress being made by the AU in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in some parts of the continent since its formation 10 years ago. Therefore, cognizance should be taken of Chapter VIII of the Charter, in particular when dealing with African issues.That is why South Africa piloted resolution 2033 (2012) during our rotating presidency of the Security Council in January. Currently, the AU continues to address one of the longest outstanding conflicts on the continent through one of its mechanisms, the African Union High-level Implementation Panel on the Sudan. Together, as the international community, we recently celebrated the creation of the State of South Sudan.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

25. “It remains unrepresentative and undemocratic in both its composition and decision-making. We would like to see a more meaningful representation of Africa in the Security Council. About 70 per cent of the Council’s agenda is taken up by issues from the African continent. The Security Council has to be expanded in both categories, with at least two seats for Africa in the permanent category and five in the non-permanent category. In addition to seats for the continent in the composition of the Council, the United Nations should also fully recognize and appreciate the role of regional organizations working with the United Nations in conflict management and resolution.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

26. “We have seen a divided Security Council unable to muster the collective courage to say “no more” to warring parties in the interest of peace. That brings to the fore the need to continue and deepen the reform of the United Nations and its organs to make it agile and nimble in addressing the contemporary challenges facing humanity. The debate on the reform of the United Nations and its organs, in particular the Security Council, has been going on for the past 18 years. However, there has been no significant movement forward. I would like to focus in particular on the Security Council. Given its mandate, the Council has to be legitimate, democratic and transparent. Its current composition has a propensity for deadlock and paralysis even in the face of crisis.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

27. “The theme reminds us that peace is a choice. We can either choose peace as Member States or choose the path of conflict. The founders of the United Nations made that choice 67 years ago. They decided that the United Nations must lead the world to peace. It is important for the United Nations and its organs, especially the Security Council, to execute the Organization’s mandate of working for peace without fear or favour. We must not steer away from the founding objectives of the Organization. The United Nations faces immense pressure when the world sees the unprecedented loss of lives, as it now does in Africa and the Middle East. It is of concern when it appears as if the United Nations were unable to act and assist, and when it comes across as paralysed in certain instances, due to the actions of some Member States.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

28. “Let me repeat the words our leader and international icon, President Nelson Mandela, uttered in his very first address to the General Assembly, in 1994, the first by a democratically elected leader and Head of State of our country. He said, “The millions of our people say ‘Thank you’ and ‘Thank you again, because the respect for your own dignity as human beings inspired you to act to ensure the restoration of our dignity as well.’” (A/49/PV.14, p.7) The theme of this session is most appropriate as it takes us back to the basics — to the founding principles of the United Nations. The founders intended the United Nations to be the foremost multilateral forum entrusted with bringing hope, peace and order to the world. Indeed, the United Nations enjoys universal membership and is at the centre of global governance and multilateralism.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

29. “In 1966, the General Assembly labelled apartheid a crime against humanity in resolution 2202 A (XXI), which ultimately led to the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, later known as the Apartheid Convention. The United Nations defined the crime of apartheid as “inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them” (resolution 3068 (XXVIII), annex, article II). The Apartheid Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 30 November 1973 and set the tone for vociferous action against apartheid around the world.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

30. “I thank you, sir, for the opportunity to address the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh general debate. Let me start by congratulating Mr. Vuk Jeremić and the Republic of Serbia on his election to preside over the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly. We also acknowledge the contribution of the President of the Assembly at its sixty-sixth session, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. South Africa fundamentally believes in the principles and purposes contained in the Charter of the United Nations, and correctly so, given our nation’s history. This year, we are proudly celebrating 100 years of our people’s self less struggle for freedom, led by the African National Congress movement. We recall with great appreciation the immense contribution of the United Nations to the creation of a free and democratic South Africa.”

    2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)

31. “It inspired many in the African continent to fight for their freedom and independence from colonialism. The United Nations declared apartheid a crime against humanity and in that way endorsed the struggle against racial oppression in our country. The centenary of the ANC recognizes the immense contribution of the United Nations and the international community in working to eradicate racism and racial discrimination in the world. We will, tomorrow, host a symposium on South Africa’s contribution to the fight against racism and racial discrimination. Working together, let us remain committed to multilateralism and cooperation in this session of the General Assembly and beyond, and promote the realization of a more equitable and just world.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

32. “At this session, we will be commemorating the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action — the outcome document of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which was held in Durban in 2001. Racism and racial discrimination continue to pose a challenge to humankind and to negate the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We should continue to work together to eradicate the scourge of racism. On 8 January 2012, the African National Congress (ANC), the oldest liberation movement in Africa, will mark 100 years of existence since its establishment in 1912. The ANC spearheaded the struggle against racial oppression, colonialism and apartheid in South Africa.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

33. “The people of Somalia still need more support, and we urge the world to focus its attention more sharply on Somalia and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa. 11-50702 24 It is commendable that the Millennium Development Goals and their realization by 2015 continue to feature on the agenda of the General Assembly. We now have four years to go before we reach the target date. It is clear that many of the Goals will not be attained on time, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We call on the international community and the United Nations to redouble efforts to assist countries that are lagging.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

34. “The success of the Conference is highly dependent on the willingness of all parties to reach an agreement. It does not depend on South Africa alone. As leaders, we are accountable to the global citizenry, the ordinary people that suffer daily from the impacts of climate change. They hold high expectations of their leaders to be responsible and to find effective solutions to the threat that climate change poses to their livelihood, quality of life, dignity and, in many cases, their very survival. We dare not fail them. We are witnessing the catastrophic effects of famine in Somalia and neighbouring countries. Our response should not be left to the United Nations alone; it requires united action from all of us. South Africa has been humbled to contribute in a small way to the alleviation of human suffering.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

35. “Recent international developments have made more urgent our efforts to intensify the reform agenda of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, as well as the Bretton Woods institutions. No reform can be complete without the substantive reform of the Security Council, whose membership must be consistent with the principle of equitable geographical representation. In this regard, we reiterate our call for Africa to be represented in the category of permanent membership of the Security Council. South Africa is preparing to welcome the international community and all stakeholders to the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, in November and December this year.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

36. “The Palestinian Authority, backed by the League of Arab States, has stated its intention to seek United Nations membership for the State of Palestine. South Africa fully supports this position. It is a decisive step towards achieving lasting peace, economic cooperation and prosperity for the millions of people in the Middle East, and we urge that it be viewed favourably. We also support the ongoing struggle for self- determination of the people of Western Sahara. We urge the international community to support their quest for freedom, human rights and dignity. We reiterate our call for the lifting of the economic and financial embargo against the people of Cuba in order to help them gain their economic freedom. All Member States have a duty to safeguard the future and relevance of the United Nations.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

37. “It may pose a serious challenge affecting the entire subregion if it is not adequately attended to. We also urge the new Libyan authorities to ensure the protection of migrant workers, especially those from sub-Saharan African countries, who number approximately 2.5 million. Immediate measures should be taken to put an end to the killing, arbitrary arrest and detention of migrant workers and black Libyans. We will fully support the people of Libya as they go through the transition towards a new, united and democratic Libya that protects human rights, human dignity and freedom. South Africa continues to support international efforts to assist the people of Palestine and Israel to find lasting peace. The decades-old struggle of the Palestinian people for a sovereign State of their own has now reached a turning point.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

38. “Military actions were preferred over peaceful means. Nonetheless, the AU continues to be seized with the Libyan conflict, as it should be. South Africa, through the AU and the United Nations, will work with the National Transitional Council, the representative of the Libyan people, as it proceeds to form an inclusive transitional Government that will take the Libyan seat in the African Union. During this period of working towards normalcy in Libya, we call for a cessation of hostilities and an end to the NATO aerial bombardment. We also call for the lifting of the no-fly zone, whose imposition was necessary for the protection of civilians. The proliferation of arms in Libya is a major concern. The transitional Government will need to be supported in addressing this security issue.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

39. “The Charter of the United Nations itself provides for the role of regional organizations in cooperation with the United Nations. This role of the regions must always be enforced and enhanced, and not undermined. In our continent, the African Union (AU) continues to play a significant role in mediation and the resolution of conflicts, trying at 23 11-50702 all times to produce African solutions to African problems, of course with the support of the world. This year, the world witnessed the so-called Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East. With regard to the situation in Libya, the AU played a crucial role in seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis, in line with its mandate of working for peace and stability in the continent. However, it is a matter of record now that the AU efforts were never given a chance.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

40. “The role of mediation as a tool for the settlement of disputes has renewed relevance today, given the number of conflicts in the world. We should defend the independence and impartiality of the United Nations and promote the principles of its Charter during conflicts and crises. The United Nations should never take sides in any conflict but should always maintain its impartiality. The United Nations must not allow itself to be used by any country, regardless of its history or size. All citizens of the world should feel confident and secure in the knowledge that the United Nations is above all partisan interests and serves only those of the citizens of the globe. We are of the view that regional organizations play a crucial role in the resolution of conflicts and in regional mediation processes.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

41. “This month, the United States and the world marked the tenth anniversary of the horrendous terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, which affected the United States and 89 other countries. That horrific incident united the international community and strengthened its resolve to cooperate in the fight against terrorism. We pay our respects to the victims of the tragedy and their families. We reaffirm our commitment to working with other Member States to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The theme of this session — “The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means” — is timely and well chosen. The Charter of the United Nations mandates the Organization to utilize mediation as one of the tools to prevent and resolve conflicts across the globe.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

42. “On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on his election as President of the General Assembly. We wish him a successful tenure in the stewardship of this body and assure him of our delegation’s full support. We also congratulate his predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss, for the diligent manner in which he guided the work of the Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. I would further like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ban Ki-moon on his re-appointment as Secretary-General. It is also an honour for South Africa to welcome the Republic of South Sudan to the community of nations as the 193rd State Member of the United Nations.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

43. “We look forward to hosting the peoples of the world, who will enjoy unique African hospitality and vibrancy. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing President of the General Assembly for his leadership at the sixty-third session of the Assembly. I thank the General Assembly and representatives for the opportunity to address this esteemed gathering. Working together as a global family, we can do more to create a better and just world.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

44. “Scores of people engaged in a minimum of 67 minutes of voluntary action in the service of humanity, in honour of our icon, President Mandela. The Non-Aligned Movement has joined the call for this General Assembly to declare 18 July Nelson Mandela Day. This would be in recognition of President Mandela’s contribution to the struggle for democracy and the cause of humanity, and to promote community service across the globe. In this regard, we hope that the General Assembly will adopt a consensus resolution in support of Nelson Mandela Day. South Africa is privileged to host the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup in the middle of next year, which will be the first time that the tournament has been held on African soil.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

45. “The United Nations must continue to be at the centre of multilateralism, but it needs to be reformed if it is to carry out its mandate effectively, efficiently and transparently. We remain committed to the view that no reform of the United Nations can be complete without the fundamental reform of the Security Council. It must be representative of the international community and reflect the geopolitical realities of today. If the Security Council is not reformed and does not have permanent representation for Africa, the legitimacy of the Council’s decisions will continue to be questioned. South Africa continues to advocate an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. Let me express our appreciation to the world for the celebration of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July this year.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

46. “We must therefore strike a balance between adaptation and mitigation. Our goal should be to significantly reduce emissions across the globe without constraining development in the countries of the South. Ms. McClean (Barbados), Vice-President, took the Chair. Developed countries must make ambitious, quantified and legally binding emission reduction commitments that are in line with science and that address their historical responsibilities. At Copenhagen, there needs to be agreement on new, additional, sustainable and predictable financing for adaptation. This should be for programmes that reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to the effects of climate change. In a world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent, international problems can be resolved effectively only through multilateral cooperation.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

47. “Let us take up this new momentum and utilize the opportunity of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to recommit ourselves to the full implementation of obligations under the NPT. We should ensure a balance among the objectives of disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. For Africa, the impact of climate change is devastating and will severely undermine development and poverty eradication efforts. We need to act now to ensure that there is an inclusive, fair and effective global agreement on this critical challenge. The agreement must recognize that solving the climate problem cannot be separated from the struggle to eradicate poverty. Developed countries bear the greatest responsibility for climate change and its impact.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

48. “We are convinced that urgent and concrete steps are needed to resolve the situation in Western Sahara. We must work with similar urgency towards the achievement, through negotiations, of peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. This must be based on the creation of a viable Palestinian State, existing side by side with Israel, within the 1967 borders, which must be secure and internationally recognized. We also call for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. We also appreciate the recent pronouncements by some nuclear-weapon States on their intention to reduce their nuclear arsenals.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

49. “In this regard, we call on the General Assembly to align itself with resolutions of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community that do not recognize Governments that come into power by force or other unconstitutional means. The search for global peace, stability and security cannot be separated from the pursuit of justice, self-determination, human rights and economic development. We need to constantly reaffirm the inalienable human rights of all people. We call for the full and effective implementation of the outcomes of the World Conference against Racism and the subsequent Durban Review Conference. It is of 21 09-52228 concern that at the close of the first decade of the twenty-first century there are still nations that find their lands occupied and their peoples oppressed.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)

50. “Over the past 20 years, Africa has made much progress in working to end conflicts and to promote democratic practices and institutions. However, some pockets of conflict persist. For its part, South Africa has been engaged in mediation, conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the continent, in, among other places, Burundi, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The African Union has the political will to resolve conflicts on the continent. However, it lacks resources to run effective peacekeeping interventions and conflict prevention mechanisms. We appeal for support for African peacemaking efforts, and for greater cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.”

    2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)