I would like also to pay tribute to our Secretary-general, for his relentless efforts and dedication at the service of the United Nations' purposes and of world peace.

Mr. President,

The current session of the General Assembly takes place in a complex international situation characterized by mounting threats that imperil the status and role of our Organization.

Indeed, recent developments marked the opening of a new phase of instability and uncertainty highlighting the dangers arising out of the sidestepping of our Organization in the conduct of world affairs.

More than ever before, the Organization's irreplaceable role is thus brought to the fore, as a universal forum responsible for bringing about an international order based on peace, security and cooperation for development.

The community of Nations finds itself squarely faced with the duty to restore its cohesion and mobilize its means and energy towards full rehabilitation of the United Nations, through the upholding, by all, of the Charter's purposes and principles, which constitute indispensable foundations for a civilized international society.

We have to revive the strong momentum gained as a result of the Millennium Summit, and further carried forward thanks to the role played by the United Nations in organizing a collective response against terrorism in the wake of the September 11 barbarian attacks.

Addressing peace, security and development issues is at the core of the mission of our Organization and requires today a renewal of the commitment to international cooperation, especially since we live in an increasingly interdependent world, where problems are also closely interrelated.

We strongly hold the view that the United Nations remains the best place where member states should join in collective endeavors in their quest of the common good. We should cooperate within the framework of our Organization, work together to promote development and abidance to international law, in order to lay the foundations for a stable and secure world rooted in solidarity.

Therefore, strengthening our organization and improving its efficiency stands as a collective task and a shared responsibility of all Member States, and a duty stemming from their commitment to preventing crisis situations, addressing threats to international peace and security, and ensuring conditions for sustainable development.

Mr. President,

Among the challenges faced by the international community, I will dwell with terrorism first, because preventing and combating terrorism still require a high level of vigilance, mobilization and multifaceted cooperation at the national, regional and international levels. At the risk of repeating ourselves, we will continue to warn against all misconceptions and the tendentious association of terrorism with a religion, a civilization, or a geographical area. Equally, we need to agree upon an accurate definition of terrorism so as not to affect liberation struggles and the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination. Such a clarification should be brought forward as part of the draft global convention against terrorism currently on the international agenda. Launching a genuine dialogue among cultures and civilizations will help, on its part, the rapprochement and understanding among peoples, by combating prejudice and narrow-minded perceptions.

Situations of tension still persist wherever peoples are deprived of their rights, and denied freedom and dignity.

It is the case in Palestine, where the Palestinian people are still being denied the enjoyment of their right to exist, despite the universal recognition of their national rights today.

The prevarication, delaying tactics and systematic repression used by Israel for decades, to defer the settlement of the Palestinian problem, have led to an explosive situation that seriously threatens regional and global peace and security.

The international community should step in a more decisive manner to put an end to this spiral, and firmly urge Israel to fully cooperate for a global, just and lasting solution, which necessarily includes the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State with EI-Qods Echarif its capital city, and the withdrawal from the Lebanese and Syrian territories remaining under occupation.

In the same sensitive region, the Iraqi people's tragic predicament endures, highlighting the urgent need to help them establish their own institutions, exercise unhindered control on their economy and natural resources, and impose the withdrawal of all foreign forces, as soon as possible. We consider that only the United Nations Organization can legitimately and efficiently accompany the institution building and reconstruction of the country, and its role in these processes is of paramount importance.

In our neighborhood, the Western Sahara, twenty-eight years after the withdrawal of the former colonial power, the people of this territory still wait for exercising, in freedom and without constraints, their inalienable right to self-determination, in compliance with international legality.

Algeria has consistently lent its support to the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, as evidenced by its support to the Settlement Plan and the Houston agreements signed and accepted by the Parties to conflict, the Kingdom of part, the rapprochement and understanding among peoples, by combating prejudice and narrow-minded perceptions.

Situations of tension still persist wherever peoples are deprived of their rights, and denied freedom and dignity.

It is the case in Palestine, where the Palestinian people are still being denied the enjoyment of their right to exist, despite the universal recognition of their national rights today.

The prevarication, delaying tactics and systematic repression used by Israel for decades, to defer the settlement of the Palestinian problem, have led to an explosive situation that seriously threatens regional and global peace and security.

The international community should step in a more decisive manner to put an end to this spiral, and firmly urge] Israel to fully cooperate for a global, just and lasting solution, which necessarily includes the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State with EI-Qods Echarif its capital city, and the withdrawal from the Lebanese and Syrian territories remaining under occupation.

In the same sensitive region, the Iraqi people's tragic predicament endures, highlighting the urgent need to help them establish their own institutions, exercise unhindered control on their economy and natural resources, and impose the withdrawal of all foreign forces, as soon as possible. We consider that only the United Nations Organization can legitimately and efficiently accompany the institution building and reconstruction of the country, and its role in these processes is of paramount importance.

In our neighborhood, the Western Sahara, twenty-eight years after the withdrawal of the former colonial power, the people of this territory still wait for exercising, in freedom and without constraints, their inalienable right to self-determination, in compliance with international legality.

Algeria has consistently lent its support to the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, as evidenced by its support to the Settlement Plan and the Houston agreements signed and accepted by the Parties to conflict, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front. By accepting the "Peace Plan for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara" unanimously endorsed by the Security Council, last July, Algeria displays once again its availability to bring its full contribution to the settlement of the conflict, in compliance with the right of the people of Western Sahara to decide in sovereignty on their destiny through an impartial and free referendum of self-determination, to be organized and monitored by the United Nations

Mr. President,

The challenges facing the world in the fields of peace, security and economic and social development are particularly acute in Africa.

This continent has endeavored, over the last few years, with resolve and determination to settle the conflicts affecting several of its regions, thus generating an encouraging peace dynamics.

To achieve its peace and development goals, Africa must above all rely on the enhancement of African endeavors. No doubt, however, that it also needs increased international cooperation and support.

NEPAD's strategy aims specifically at an optimal mobilization of both African and international resources, and the harmonization of these contributions through a partnership based on mutual commitments and balanced interests and responsibilities.

The G8 and European Union Member States, as well as other countries and organizations partners of Africa have already taken steps to focus their Africa-related policies and programs on support to NEPAD. Such a partnership should be intensified to help Africa, which is still lagging behind, increase the pace of its development to catch up in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, particularly that of halving poverty on the continent by 2015.

Mr. President,

Enhancing international cooperation is also an urgent task in order to ensure the basis for sustained growth of the world economy, and integration of developing countries into the flows of production, technology and trade.

Basically, there is a need to ensure the necessary conditions so that globalization offer genuine opportunities for all. This implies promoting equitable rules of the game in the fields of trade, finance, investment, and technology transfer.

In this connection, it is a source of concern to us that the recent WTO ministerial meeting held in Cancun has not managed to draw a framework for negotiations to revitalize the Doha round, which was already well behind schedule.

We remain convinced that the reactivation of these negotiations and their successful completion in conformity with the Development Agenda focus holds to a large extent the key of the growth prospects of the world economy. It is therefore of critical importance to redouble efforts to overcome remaining difficulties on the basis of an approach that takes into account the interests and concerns of all parties , as well as the need to restore the multilateral trading system's integrity, and implement effectively the special and differential treatment afforded to developing countries.

Adequate international action is also required to address the growing phenomena such as speculative flows, money laundering, financing of terrorism, illicit payments, as well as harmful practices in the field of corporate governance.

This is needed to stimulate productive investment, and ensure sustained long-term growth. It is therefore important to tap the huge investment opportunities offered by the developing world in particular, which eventually will benefit to the world economy as a whole.

A significant increase in ODA flows, greater resolve in bringing about solutions to the external debt burden of developing countries, and improved access to world markets for the products of developing countries, would go a long way towards enhancing the investment climate in these countries, and increasing their share in world trade, which remains the ultimate objective pursued for the achievement of sustained financing for development.

What is at stake is the establishment of a new international partnership, based on the equitable sharing of responsibilities and benefits.

To conclude, let me, once again put on record our full confidence in our Organization, whose mission in favor of world peace and economic and social development for all peoples, remains more valid than ever. We shall therefore continue to call on all Member States to contribute to enhancing its authority and provide it with the means necessary to live up to its responsibilities.

Thank you.