UN General Assembly
1992

Antigua and Barbuda applauds the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) for its very compelling promotion of the rights of women. It takes no special effort for my small island developing country to recognize that successful development requires the unhindered contribution of every able-bodied adult, regardless of gender. The elimination of de facto discrimination against women is therefore of paramount importance in my country and my region. UNIFEM, an active partner in the development process, can rely upon Antigua and Barbuda's solid commitment to its universal objective of empowering women in order to strengthen development and to ensure that justice is gender-blind. The injustices heaped upon the heads of the world's indigenous peoples must also quickly cease. To that end, the United Nations has declared 1993 the International Year for the World's Indigenous People. In December 1993 progress made will be measured by deeds, not words. National legislation and funded projects which are intended to ensure the continued survival of the indigenous peoples that inhabit remote corners of the Earth must be in place.