Mr. President
and Co-Chair,
Excellencies ,
We have gathered here
once more to not only take stock of the achievements and shortcomings of the United
Nations at this end of an era but also to chart a new agenda of participation and
collective commitment by evolving a better and more responsive role for our organisation
in the new millennium. As we speak, despite the fifty years of existence of the United
Nations, the international community still remains preoccupied with the same chronic
concerns of survival and advancement objectives
that have always been the subjects of recommendations, resolutions and decisions of
virtually all international meetings. Time and time again, the adoption of resolutions and
the successful attainment of the objectives set continue to either elude us or yield only
meagre reward for our efforts. Why is this so? Why have we been missing golden
opportunities in the past to deal decisively with major problems of common concern? Is it
due to lack of appropriate political will, follow up mechanisms or mere indifference?
Mr. President,
The convening
of this Summit challenges us to take far-reaching decisions relating specifically to the
right to development, the fair and equitable participation of developing countries in
globalisation and liberalisation, practical commitment to poverty eradication, north-south
technical and economic cooperation, and last but not the least, the promotion and
preservation of international peace and security. All these are desirable and achievable
objectives, provided we are prepared to agree unreservedly to commit ourselves, our
Governments and the required resources to their attainment.
Our organisation, Mr.
President, enjoins us world leaders and citizens to combine forces to bring about a
brighter future for humankind by ushering in a more balanced and equitable world devoid of
social injustice, economic deprivation, hunger and diseases as well as senseless wars.
This dream can only
be realised through the establishment of permanent peace and security across the globe. It
is a fact that no democracy, social development and justice can take place in the absence
of peace. International peace and security can bring about economic wonders around the
world especially in Africa. But how do we bring about permanent global peace and security?
This can be achieved only through tolerance, love and caring for each other. We must
ensure an equitable and a just distribution of the world's resources and wealth and
inculcate the spirit of caring and sharing to replace the present world economic order. We
must replace the rationale of "super profit making" with the rationale of super
welfare or super humanity to bring about the narrowing of the gap between the rich and
poor nations of our Global Village.
Mr. President,
Compounded by
the scourges of social and political upheavals, epidemics, under development, the
excruciating debt burden, Africa's economic recovery and social development continue to be
seriously compromised, My delegation therefore fully endorses the proposal for the
Millennium Summit to adopt the target of halving the proportion of people living in
extreme poverty by 2015.
It is disheartening
to observe the proliferation of conflict situations in different regions of the world. To
make Africa's determined effort at conflict prevention, resolution, management and
peacekeeping successful and sustainable, I call on the international community to provide
greater moral and institutional support for the attainment of these noble objectives.
The present
imbalances and lack of fair adjustments in our participation in the process of
globalisation should also be addressed so as to enable developing countries take advantage
of world economic growth by mobilising both domestic and external resources for sustained
economic growth and development.
The environmental
threats faced by the international community as clearly indicated in the Global
Environment Outlook 2000 of UNEP concludes that special attention should be paid to the
unsustainable patterns of production and consumption within the richer segments of all
countries. I would like to reiterate my Government's commitment to the Malmo Declaration
and emphasise the need for development assistance far beyond current levels if we are to
register any success in meeting the goals and targets we have set ourselves.
Mr. President,
The promotion
of peace and democratic values and principles is linked to the development of good
relations between Governments, It is for these reasons that my Government considers the
failure of the United Nations to respect the dignity and rights of twenty three million
Taiwanese to membership of our esteemed organisation as a serious setback to the professed
universality of the United Nations and a gross contradiction to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights.
In like manner, the
economic embargo on Cuba has proven to be very counterproductive and it is my Government's
hope that the international community's recent change of attitude would usher in renewed
cooperation and reconciliation with that great Country.
Mr. President,
The United
Nations has immense potential in serving humanity well within the framework of
multilateralism. Its effectiveness or otherwise depends entirely on the Member States and
what we make of it. Indeed, against the backdrop of fundamental changes at the
international scene, the reforms of the United Nations system, especially reform of the
Security Council, require urgent attention to ensure transparency and fairness, based on
proportionate representation and sharing of responsibilities.
The
United Nations should be the moral standard bearer of humankind ensuring justice,
equality, peace and stability around the world and among nations irrespective of size,
geographical location or economic status in the 21" Century and beyond. It should be
a source of hope for the desperate, solace and succour for the afflicted and inspire
confidence in the down trodden and destitute the world over. In this way the notion of
"We the Peoples" will have relevance to our profession of faith in our common
humanity. Then, and only then, can we claim the 21 st century, strengthened in our resolve
to make this planet a better and more productive one where humankind can live in dignity
and peace!
I
thank you for your attention.
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