I come from Chile, a country in the extreme south of the Americas and a place that has been called the end of the earth. I come from a land of poets, the land of Pablo Neruda, a dry land fresh with the smell of flowers, of pollen and of mortar. I come from the new world, a world that has not given up its dreams of a better future.
I have come to participate in the name of the people of Chile in this Millennium Summit of the United Nations, in the belief that together, all the peoples of the earth can turn our dreams into reality in this millennium now unfolding.
Because we are from a country that is separated from the rest of the world by the reality of our geography, we embrace with enthusiasm and optimism the phenomenon of globalization that makes us all part of a shared time and space.
We know that this is a revolution that impacts on the economy, technology, politics and culture and which affects the daily life of people everywhere on the planet. We in the south of the world are not afraid of this great transformation. Quite on the contrary, we embrace it full of hope.
In a little over ten years, we have managed in my country to double the size of our economy,. drastically reduce poverty, strengthen our democracy and create a culture of respect for human rights, based on the upholding of the truth and respect for justice.
I want to say to you that these successes have been linked to our international insertion, at both the regional and global levels. We have opened up our economy, our communications and our culture and are pleased with the results. The case of Chile is proof that globalization is a source of opportunities for the peoples of the world, especially in small countries such as ours on the margins of international flows.
Globalization carries with it responsibilities and Chile has assumed its responsibilities without hesitation. As evidence of this, we have committed ourselves to disarmament policies; to United Nations peacekeeping forces; to the International Criminal Court; to regional and universal instruments for the defense of human rights and democracy; to the fight against racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination; to the protection of the environment; to the fight against drug trafficking and organized transnational crime; and to the promotion of free trade at all levels. Chile has been and will continue to be present on all the fronts of globalization.
But just as it is a source of opportunity, globalization can give rise to glaring inequalities and grave risks. The international financial crisis of the past few years has revealed the vulnerability of our nations to events that we do not initiate and over which we have no control. We have also seen how in the name of globalization local cultures and environments are being destroyed. Situations of violence, human rights abuses and war are also arising which the international community is powerless to prevent or resolve. And we note with dismay how the gap between the haves and the have-nots continues to grow to the point at which it has become the gravest threat to the new global society.
All of this means that we must reflect on the course which globalization is taking and adopt the necessary measures to guide that course.
We believe that the ways in which our countries participate in globalization will determine the outcomes for each of our countries. This places a great responsibility on our peoples and our governments and we cannot therefore suffer injustices alone or in silence, nor can we blame others for what we ourselves fail to do.
Accepting globalization, however, does not mean accepting the law of the jungle or anarchy, and thereby renouncing the capacity of humans to govern the world in which we live. Globalization will not have a human face if we do not establish global norms and institutions to regulate it in the different areas: financial, technological, legal, environmental, trade and so on.
No automatic mechanism will reduce the inequalities, instability and crises that come with globalization. What is needed is the political will that can come only from the States that are gathered here. And permit me to add that this will must be based on a people-centered approach: people must always come first.
But there is another error to which I must refer, coming from a small country that has been on the periphery of global power. The elaboration of norms and institutions must not be the preserve of a small and exclusive group of nations, with other countries being relegated to the sidelines.
Our peoples wish to be citizens of the global world and not mere spectators. Civil society will demand an increasingly important role in the globalized world and that is why in Chile we consulted with civil society as we prepared for this Millennium Summit. And that is why we are seeking to create spaces in which we can all participate in redefining the world that is emerging with the new millennium. Chile will support any initiative in this field.The United Nations is the best forum in the world in which to voice this fundamental concern and to undertake this task. As the repository of the hopes of mankind, it must fulfil this moral duty. And to this end, it must be strengthened, based on its Charter, its history of accomplishment, its resolutions and the commendable work of its Secretary-General. Chile's support for the work of the United Nations, of which we are proud, will remain resolute.
Mr. President, this is the message which, on behalf of Chile, a distant and small country, but with a proud and decent people who do not fear the challenges that confront them and who have succeeded in restoring their democratic tradition and finding the path to prosperity, I have come to offer hope to this Millennium Summit.
Thank you very much.-----