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| VP addresses sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly/PHOTO:United Nations |
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Your Majesties,
Excellencies, Heads of
State and Government,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I
thank Allah, the Almighty, for making another annual gather of world leaders
possible. Let me first of all, congratulate you, Mr. President, on your
election and wish you success in your tenure as you manage the affairs of this
august Assembly.
Let
me also pay tribute to the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his
tireless leadership and sterling contributions towards the creation of a better
world. Our world continues to be plagued by numerous challenges that can only
be solved through our collective response. Multilateral diplomacy and
institutions offer the best hope for tackling our development conundrum,
protracted conflicts, man-made and natural disasters.
Mr. President,
Peace
and security will always remain a cornerstone of our organisation and for this
reason my delegation welcomes your choice of the theme: “Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or
situations by peaceful means.” As we speak, many conflicts are raging across
the world in ways that challenge the credibility and clout of our organisation.
The
paralysis displayed by our common security mechanisms is astounding. Geopolitical
interests have trampled the good will and humanitarian concerns that should
compel us all to address these raging infernos – be it in Middle East, Asia or
Africa. Our collective security will
continue to be undermined by geo-political considerations unless and until we
find the courage to reform the Security Council. Ongoing conflicts in Mali,
Guinea Bissau and Syria are recent cases in point. The Security Council should
not be the stumbling block in the settlement of disputes by peaceful or other
means.
Mr. President,
My
delegation is fully aware of the need for the peaceful settlement of some of
the conflicts in Africa, but we are equally aware of the need for robust action
in dealing with spoilers and merchants of death and misery in the continent.
ECOWAS is working to find solutions to these conflicts but needs the support of
the international community.
We
see the role of the Security Council as a partner and enabler of decisive
action. Time is running out. The elements of doom have been emboldened by our
inaction. The United Nations and its UNOWA must work decisively to address the
conflicts in Mali and Guinea Bissau without delay. The African Union’s
engagement will be crucial. Terrorists, drug dealers and organised criminal
networks should be stopped in their tracks.
Mr. President,
The
relevance of our organisation has, at times, been questioned but one element
that remains unchallenged is its character of being the best forum for
confronting global challenges. As we convene to discuss the issues of climate
change, economic crises, financial turmoil, food insecurity, conflicts,
fighting diseases, poverty or the special interests of Africa, the convening
power of the United Nations confers legitimacy that is unparalleled elsewhere.
As
developing countries, we believe in the work that this organisation does not
and it is for this reason, Mr. President, that we will support your efforts at
revitalising the General Assembly – as the voice of the voiceless. We also use
this forum to call on the international financial institutions to open up and
embrace overdue reforms. They should be transparent, inclusive and raise the
profile of their smallest members, like the low income countries or Least
Developed Countries (LCDs). We call on them to embrace the Istanbul Programme
of Action.
Mr. President,
The
fate of the Istanbul Programme of Action must not be written in the language of
broken promises, unfulfilled commitments and weak resource mobilization. As
LCDs we are ready to hold ourselves accountable for the implementation of the
commitments we have made in Istanbul. We are equally ready to meet the targets
set out in the programme. It is our hope and expectation that our partners and
the rest of the international community will equally fulfil their commitments.
Let us work together to bring about the graduation of half of the LCDs by 2020.
It is achievable if we all forge the appropriate global partnerships for
resource mobilisation.
Mr. President,
The
scorecard on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) shows that while some
achievements have been made in regard to some of the goals, a lot still remains
to be achieved. My own country has met some of the key elements of the MDGs and
is on track to meet all of them. In view of the fact that 2015 is just around
the corner, we need to do more to mobilise the remaining resources that will
further improve the critical link between the success and failure on the
achievement of the MDGs.
Critical
to the achievement of the MDGs will be the scaling up of resources by enhancing
the global partnership that we have forged for the goals. We must mobilise the
modest resources that are needed so that 2015 would not be another unfulfilled
milestone.
Mr. President,
Rio
+20, has defined the mechanisms through which the sustainable development goals
should be negotiated and agreed upon. It is our hope that the consultations on
the post-Rio mechanisms will be inclusive, transparent and representative.
Beyond managing the depleting resources of the earth, we must all push for
ambitious and realistic goals and targets on sustainable food, water and
energy. We must equally take into account the special situation of LCDs and
other vulnerable groups of countries.
My
delegation is of the strong belief that in the euphoria for sustainable
development goals the drive towards the achievement of the MDGs must not be
compromised in any way. We must hold ourselves accountable to meeting the goals
by 2015 and not try to shift the goal post when the deadline is right before
us. We must equally lay a solid ground for the post – 2015 development agenda.
Mr. President,
For
developing countries to continue to benefit from the appreciable growth they
are experiencing and in order to compromise their capacities to bring education
and healthcare to their peoples, debt
cancellation or forgiveness is still a major option. Debt servicing still
poses a major threat to our ability to attain sustainable growth. It is our
belief that our partners and the Bretton Woods Institutions should consider the
extension of the HIPC initiative further.
Mr. President,
As
we strive in the Sahel to deal with drought and crop failure from the past
year, allow me to thank our partners for the support they have rendered to my
government. We are grateful for their solidarity and humanitarian support. In
view of the perennial nature of food insecurity, it is my humble view that the
international community needs to do more to render more support to the
agricultural sector of our economies.
The
role of the small scale farmer needs to be boosted and we must, through, global
partnerships fast track the numerous agricultural initiatives that have been
announced to support African agriculture. Agricultural systems across Africa
need to be made more resilient in terms of inputs, technological know-how,
scientific research and the setting up of training institutions. The African
farmer ought to benefit from modern farming techniques and technology.
Mr. President,
With
the establishment of UN-Women, the United Nations took a big step forward in
mainstreaming the gender dimension into its work. As an ardent supporter of
women’s rights and participation in all sectors of society, I must commend
UN-Women for the way it has been evolving as we look forward to the
establishment of its regional offices. Upon assumption of our membership of the
Executive Board, we will work with all concerned to advance the promotion of
women’s rights and the rights of the girl-child. Advancing the welfare of women
will always be a priority for my government and it starts with the girl-child.
Mr. President,
Africa
is witnessing a revolution in the information-communication technology (ICT) sector
and it is our view that with the completion of the Africa Coast to Europe
submarine cable there will be even greater transformations in this sector. This
should further help to increase the transfer of critical technology for the
economic advancement of our peoples.
In
this we see a greater opportunity for South-South cooperation as well as
North-south cooperation in ways that will revolutionise education, agriculture
and healthcare delivery. We, therefore, call on our partners to support the
growth of the ICT sector with a view to enhancing our productive capacities
while also generating youth employment. Youth unemployment is one of the
biggest threats to our social and economic advancement. We must therefore
partner across the globe to address this ugly phenomenon.
Mr. President,
Allow
me to address some of the recent conflicts that are threatening the peace and
security of Africa and the world at large. Our youth are being sucked into
conflicts and a life of crime with their productive talents being wasted,” she
said. “Our modest economic gains are being wiped out through instability and
even our societal cohesion is under serious threat.
If
we do not act fast and now, we risk creating more upheavals that will overwhelm
our capacities to contain them. The international community will pay a very
high and dear price if it did not wake up from its slumber and solve the
situations in Mali and Guinea Bissau. In West Africa, our ongoing security challenges
are compounded these situations. ECOWAS should not be left alone to shoulder
the burden of these conflicts. The United Nations Security Council must step up
to the plague and act decisively in cooperation with the African Union and ECOWAS.
The
signals coming from the Council are a bit disheartening for some of us. ECOWAS
is ready to act. The AU is ready to act to salvage the situations in Mali and Guinea
Bissau. The Security Council must act with a sense of greater urgency. We
cannot let terrorists, drug dealers and organised criminal gangs establish a
sanctuary in our backyard.
Mr. President,
In line with our foreign policy, The Gambia stands ready to contribute meaningfully to the settlement of these conflicts. The level of steadfastness shown in solving the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone must equally be shown in Mali and Guinea Bissau.
Mr. President,
The situation in Darfur continues to occupy the
attention of my delegation. We call for more dialogue in finding a lasting
solution to this conflict. We are equally concerned about the lingering conflict
between Sudan and South-Sudan. Dialogue is the only way to solve this conflict.
The parties must implement the recommendations of the AU High Level
Implementation Panel and the Roadmap. We urge our brothers to demonstrate the
same magnanimity and extraordinary statesmanship that characterised the
independence of South-Sudan, as they embark on settling the outstanding issues.
You will forever be neighbours; and as neighbours, you are mutually dependent
on each other for your national security.
Mr. President,
Let me commend
the AMISOM forces, the Unites Nations and the African Union for the progress they
are making in Somalia. The pressure must be sustained until all of Somalia is
liberated and placed under the sole authority of the Somali government.
Insecurity and piracy must be stamped out. The spoilers must be denied
sanctuaries lest they continue destabilising the whole of the Horn of Africa.
Mr. President,
As we dwell on these conflict situations we
are equally
concerned about the various conflicts ravaging the Middle East. Afghanistan has
been in conflict for far too long. It is time that Afghans be given enough
space and capacity to solve their problems. Dialogue and national
reconciliation, that is home-grown and inclusive, is the best way to lasting
peace and stability in the country.
Mr. President,
We
all witnessed the dramatic and historic events that transformed parts of Middle
East and Africa. It is our hope that these transformations will endure and
nurture the ideas of peace, security, development and democracy. We must not lose
sight of some of the negative concomitants of these upheavals as is currently
evident in Syria.
My
delegation believed that the Annan Plan would have brought about stability as
well as provide for space for dialogue between the parties. It seems there is
lack of goodwill and trust between the parties as well as the invisible hand of
external elements hell-bent on achieving one outcome or the other. Syria is now
a deeply divided society and the international community is partly to blame for
its actions or inaction.
We
urge the parties to go back to the negotiating table and revive the Annan Plan.
The international community ought to play a more positive role than it is currently
doing. Innocent lives are being lost for no just cause.
Mr. President,
The
Palestinian situation is deplorable. The situation has deteriorated to the
point that a one-state solution may be inevitable. Israel, the occupying power,
in defiance of international law, human decency and restraint is imposing a de
facto situation on Palestinians through despicable settlement activity and land
grabbing. The sad reality is that it is the mechanisms of the United Nations
Security Council that are constantly invoked to further delay or stifle
necessary action in bringing lasting peace to Palestine. The excesses of
Israel-land grabbing, settlement activity, mass imprisonment of Palestinians,
denial of revenue, maiming, murder of Palestinians by the state apparatus and
many others ought to be halted. Truth is bitter when told, but it is what will
set us all free.
Mr. President,
Let
me also address some burning political issues of our time. The embargo imposed
on Cuba by the United States fifty years ago is still in place for no
justifiable reason. If it ever made sense then, today it does not make sense
keeping it in place! It is shameful that in the 21st century a cold war relic
stands as the only stumbling block between the establishment of good
neighbourly relations and the rejection of empty political cacophony in some
quarters. We call on the United States to totally extirpate the embargo and
throw it in the dustbin of history where it properly belongs.
Mr. President
Mr. President
My
delegation would like to use this rostrum to appeal to the collective
membership of this organisation, including China, to contribute to opening the
avenues for membership of Taiwan in the various funds, agencies, treaty bodies
and programmes. This will only enhance the effectiveness of these bodies for
our mutual benefit. Taiwan is a key player in international trade and politics.
It has enduring ties with China and so what we are appealing for is the
practical extension of the rapport Taiwan has with China to the international
stage. China conducts trade, business and tourism with Taiwan and both engage
in discussing a range of bilateral issues.
The
rest of the international community ought to do the same including the United
Nations. Avenues of dialogue have to be opened.
Mr. President,
Our
stalled reform of the Security Council is disheartening. Year in and year out
we come and make proposals and then we do not get anywhere. I will again refer
to what Kofi Annan said at the time of launching his report, “In Larger Freedom
– Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All” that no reform of the
United Nations is complete without reform of the Security Council, is as valid
now as when he said it seven years ago. The resistance to change should come to
an end. The paralysis of the reform agenda must come to an end. We cannot
afford to be in a state of coma when larger regional interests, especially
those of Africa get shunted around or jettisoned. Africa needs to be at the
table and we will not budge on this demand. It is legitimate and just. Africa
must be legitimately represented on the Security Council. We must reform or
risk delegitimizing the actions taken, and the decisions made, in the name of
our collective security.
Mr. President,
Allow
me at this point to recognise the appointment of H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, as the
new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. We have confidence in his
abilities and experience as an astute statesman. We also know his keen interest
in and around engagement with Africa at various periods in his diplomatic life.
We look forward to advancing the special needs of Africa with him under the
guidance of the Secretary-General.
On
a final note, it is our hope that the next incoming Presidents of the General
Assembly will consider the other themes beyond that of peace and security.
Where possible an intermarriage of themes could also be considered.
I
wish you all a successful General Assembly session.
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