UN General Assembly
2002

United Nations follow-up conferences held this year will have to be implemented. The difference in positions of various countries poses a threat to international peace and security, especially with regard to the consequences of trade liberalization for developing countries. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals must be our first priority, and this achievement should not be jeopardized by an increase in defence expenditures. We welcome Iraq's recently announced decision to allow the return of United Nations weapon inspectors into the country; we also applaud the recently agreed peace plan that aims to achieve, by 2005, a final settlement towards a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the Middle East. If we want to guarantee international peace and security, we have to live up to the challenge of creating a world fit for children; a world without child-soldiers; a society for all ages, where people are no longer starving, dying of famine, drought or living in extreme poverty; where there is respect for human rights, the rule of law and international law; where there is fair trade, sustainable development, good governance; and