Marshall Islands
Statement by H.E. Mr. Jackeo
Relang, Ambassador Permanent Representative of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands to the
United Nations at the Fifty
Fifth Session of the General Assembly of
the United Nations
September 21, 2000
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General
Excellencies,
Distinguished
Delegates,
I
would like first of all to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption
of the office of President of the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations
General Assembly. I wish you every success in this difficult and inspiring
task. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to your predecessor,
His Excellency Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, for his exceptional leadership during
the fifty-fourth session. Allow me to include in this tribute the Secretary-
General of the United Nations for his efforts and crucial role in maintaining
and promoting the role of this organization, and his inspiration to strengthen
its effectiveness and credibility towards peace, security, justice and development
in the World.
I
wish to add a few comments to the statement made earlier by the Distinguished
Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia on behalf of the Pacific
Islands Forum countries.
Mr. President,
Let
us pause at this moment to recognize the contribution of the founding fathers
and framers of the United Nations and its Charter. They produced a document
which, in large measure, has contributed to an ever-increasing consciousness
of the pre-requisites necessary for world peace. Today, we ought to celebrate
the existence of the United Nations and its accomplishments, both of which
offer us the opportunity to reflect over how collectively we may better chart
our path and articulate our goals more clearly for the next millennium. In
His Excellency President Kassel Note's address to the Millennium Summit, the
adherence and commitment of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the principles
enshrined in the Charter for the collective good of all people was reaffirmed.
I
take great pleasure to reiterate Marshall Islands' warm welcome to the Government
and peoples of Tuvalu as the 189th member of this organization. Indeed, the
admission of new Member States adds to the legitimacy of the United Nations.
On the other hand, the denial of membership in this organization of the twenty-three
million people whom have significant and meaningful contribution to international
development is not only contrary to the true spirit of the United Nations
Charter, but also its principle of universality and the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. In our efforts toward strengthening the vital role of the
organization to achieve the goals of conflict prevention, maintenance of peace,
regional stability, to promote fundamental human rights, development of democracy
and international progress, and the aspiration to self-determination and engagement,
the United Nations is the only organization that can bring the shinning light
to the twenty-three million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Furthermore,
the United Nations is the only forum for Member States to build mutual trust
and to resolve issues through peaceful dialogue. The guiding principles of
democracy, respect for human rights and the right for self-determination of
peoples in conformity with the principles of justice and international law
must continue to underpin our collective aspirations and require our concerted
action in this new millennium.
Mr. President,
The
Republic of the Marshall Islands applauds and commends the unprecedented
efforts made by the leaders of the People's Democratic Republic of Korea and
the Republic of Korea by engaging in dialogue that may chart the course toward
lasting peace in that peninsula. Also, I wish to convey the encouragement of
the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the leaders of Israel
and Palestine to seize the historic opportunity, within reach, to peacefully
conclude a framework agreement toward lasting peace in the Middle East. I wish
to commend the efforts of the United States of America in this regard.
Mr. President,
The
immutable law of change necessitates the need for the United Nations to continue
to critically examine its performances and structures in search of practical
solutions to the needs of time. This it must certainly do. The current political
landscape is vastly different from fifty years ago. It is characterized by
more than a threefold increased in the number of nations with membership in
the United Nations, and an increase in the generous desire of the civil society
and corporations to become more active players in the change process. It is
imperative, therefore, that those elements and structures which are antiquated,
those which have ceased to promote the welfare of nations, and those which
no longer minister to the needs of a continually changing humanity, should
be swept away and relegated to the currents of history. A more comprehensive
review and restructuring of the Security Council in line with the spirit of
achieving a broader base for decision making through consensus and confidence
building is clearly long over due. Other critical issues in the reformative
process deserve further examination toward restoring its dignity and legitimacy,
and to strengthened the confidence and trust of the international community.
Regarding its enlargement, both categories of permanent and non-permanent
seats, with an equitable geographical distribution, seems to be the way forward.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands remains committed to support the efforts
by the Secretary-General and others to reform and streamline the mandates
and activities of the United Nations and its other organizations and agencies.
While the peace keeping and general fund scales seems-to be outdated, the
process of reformation must take into serious account the small island developing
states', like the Marshall Islands, limited responsibility and capacity to
sustain their obligation in both categories. Also, now that this organization
stands at 189 member states, 14 of them from the Pacific Region, the reconfiguration
of our electoral grouping should be an additional matter to be placed on the
table. It may be a complex one, however, through our collective inspiration
it can be an achievable goal to be considered without further delay.
Mr. President,
The
Republic of the Marshall Islands is keen to further develop its ongoing active
role and co-operation with the United Nations Specialized Agencies and Programs.
In the view of the Marshall Islands, the efforts to make their operational
activities more effective and responsive to the special needs of Small Island
Developing States will undoubtedly play a key role as we enter the new millennium.
The expansion of the resident coordinator's program closer to home, where
it belongs, is a point in view.
Mr. President,
In
acknowledging the human rights achievements over the fifty years since the
proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there is a sense
that much remains to be done before the world can truly claim that the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights has become the common standard of achievement.
The Millennium Summit is a significant acknowledgement of the need for all
States to work together in a spirit of unity and cooperation to ensure the
fruits of global development are shared and made more equitable and just for
the benefit of humanity at large. Within the mandate of its Charter to promote
economic, social, peace and security, sustainable development and prosperity,
the United Nations is the only fully representative organization capable of
harmonizing our collective aspirations for a peaceful, stable and prosperous
global village. The Republic of the Marshall Islands embraces Secretary-General
Kofi Annan's Report, "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations
in the 21st Century."
Mr. President,
At
the turn of the century achievements have been realized and should be encouraged.
Yet, we are living with threats. Acts of terrorism does not recognize national
boundaries, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis
are posed to spread quickly throughout the World. Therefore, our decisive
and collective response is more than ever required. In many developing countries,
poverty and deprivation of basic human rights, especially by women and children,
seems directly links to and escalates crime. We must also strive toward the
elimination of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons. The
universality of NPT-and CTBT is a major concern. In as much as they are a
major challenge, traffic in drugs and small arms constitute a major threat
to small islands, like the Republic of the Marshall Islands, due to its geographic
isolation and its lack of required resources and capability to combat them.
Our collective effort toward the creation of effective global response to
address all of these threats is urgently required.
Mr. President,
We
realize that the global environmental degradation is our own. creation. The
issue of "hot air" is a real threat to all, particularly Marshall
Islands and all Small Island Developing States. The survival of populations and
cultures is undoubtedly at stake. Increasingly, Marshall Islands has already
lost meters of usable and habitable land due to climate change and sea level
rise. It is a matter of life and death. The implementation of the legally
binding commitments agreed in the Kyoto Protocol is the only significant step
forward on the path of ensuring effective global action to combat climate
change. It would be a terrible tragedy unless there is international
cooperation. For whatever reasons, how will displaced populations be able to
enjoy and sustain their basic human rights for generations to come? Will their
cultures and livelihoods be able to survive for the benefit of future
generations?
Mr. President,
Education
and health are of paramount importance to every country in the World. Education
is the key to the progress of any nation. It must be our collective effort to
ensure that an educated population makes up a healthy and prosperous society. I
am pleased to report to this august body that the Government of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands has taken some bold steps by allocating the greatest
amount of its limited resources toward the improvement of its education and
health systems. However, I wish to take this opportunity to appeal for the
interest and support of the international community to join us in this
endeavour. I am particularly please to convey the deep appreciation of the
Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the Government of Italy
for its generous support to the Marshall Islands efforts as it strives to
implement the Barbados Program of Action. The implementation of the first phase
of the Marshall Islands solar energy project would not have been realized
without its support through the United Nations Trust Fund for New and Renewable
Sources of Energy. The interest and support of the international community
toward the implementation of the other phases of the project would be highly
appreciated.
Mr. President,
The
Marshall Islands' National Nutrition and Children's Council has been very
active since its inception. In addition to the establishment of Task Forces
of Food and Nutrition, Suicide Prevention, Substance and Neglect Abuse and
Disability, the Agriculture Food and Nutrition Policy is its other significant
contribution as the Marshall Islands strives to meet its obligations under
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Existing policies, specifically
aimed at the rights of the child, are under review toward making the Convention
becoming a part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands' legal system. A wellrepresented
Commission on Sustainable Development has been established with the mandate
to see to it that the Barbados of Program of Action is implemented in all
its aspects. Other legislations to
curb-illegal financial transactions will soon be introduced in the Parliament's
current session.
Mr. President,
These are some of the Republic of the Marshall Islands' efforts as it strives toward meeting its treaty obligations and enhancing the life of every citizen of the country. We cannot do it alone, and the call for the international community's support is again appealed.
Let's have a United
Nations that will meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Thank you very much.