I believe we should appreciate the fact that the theme of this year’s general debate deals with global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies. It is comprehensive and provides food for thought on the direction in which our world should develop — and this international Organization along with it.
Global leadership is, first and foremost, a great responsibility. In order for us to achieve sustainability and standards  of  living  that  uphold  the   principle of dignity for every human being on the planet, it is absolutely crucial that we demonstrate our commitment and unity as we face the challenges of our time. I am convinced that we are all aware that we need to act with determination and unity in sharing the responsibility to ensure peace, equality and the  sustainability  of our communities.
The Republic of Bulgaria has worked constantly and actively to sustain a world order based on the rule of law and to reaffirm the principles of multilateral cooperation. That is why I would like to highlight that it is the destiny of the United Nations to play a central role in that effort, and we therefore actively support the Organization in its efforts.

The main global challenges, such as conflict resolution and peacekeeping, strengthening global security and stability, countering climate change, terrorism and ever-deepening inequality, cannot be addressed by one country alone. Those challenges require shared responsibility and everyone’s contribution.
Global peace and security depend on the stability and sustainable development of the various parts of our globalized world. Every country, large or small, has the responsibility and capacity to make a significant contribution to security and prosperity in the region in which it is located. For example, this past Monday, at the high-level event on the global drug problem organized by President Trump, every participating country made a firm commitment to fighting that global scourge. It was not by chance that Bulgaria was one of the co-hosts of that event. We have already pledged and proven our commitment to fighting the drug problem  through our actions. Even as we speak, Bulgarian customs authorities and prosecutors have managed to seize hundreds of kilogrammes of drugs, making my country a positive example. In order to achieve peace, security and stability, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, we all need to take more actions of that kind.
The United Nations plays an integral part in promoting the fair use of global opportunities for the benefit of all. Inclusive and sustainable global growth underpins the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which are universal in nature and closely interlinked, is the key to addressing our current global challenges.
During the first half of this year, the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) invested considerable efforts in achieving marked progress and consensus among member States on the main goals of the 2030 Agenda. We are proud that during our six-month tenure of the presidency, the European Union adopted a mandate to start negotiations for the signing of a new partnership agreement with 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The negotiations seek to achieve a modern, dynamic partnership with those countries as an important instrument in tackling global challenges, ranging from poverty and inequality to the promotion of peace and sustainable development for all.
Allow me to highlight some of the idiosyncrasies of the region in which my country, Bulgaria, is situated.
This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, which serves to remind us of the importance of the Balkans in the past as well as the relevance of the region in the present day. The Balkans have often been the source of conflicts and to this day the embers of some in that area continue to burn.
Despite the circumstances and obstacles they face, the countries of South-Eastern Europe, especially those in the Western Balkans, have managed to make remarkable progress on important and much debated issues. It took several decades to reach the current state of affairs, which is why we should not hesitate any further to offer the international community’s unequivocal political support to every State or initiative that deserves support.
Compelling proof of the progress made by the Western Balkan countries can be seen in the recent signing of agreements  between  Sofia  and  Skopje,  as well as that between Athens and Skopje. Those agreements are crucial steps towards stability and security in South-Eastern Europe and towards the Euro- Atlantic prospects of the Western Balkan countries. The agreement between Podgorica and  Pristina  on the border demarcation, which just came into force, is also a significant milestone. Those documents not only show but also help to create the new spirit of relations between and among the countries of that region.
I will provide one more example. Based on the historic opportunity that the rotating presidency  of the Council of the EU offered us, Bulgaria initiated a process that put the Western Balkans back on the agenda of European politics. Opportunities for cooperation and the participation of countries from outside the region in the construction of the new Balkan infrastructure have already started to attract interest and investments.
An  important  and emblematic  expression  of that process was the Leaders’ Summit of the States members of the EU and the Western Balkan countries in our capital, Sofia, in May this year. That was the first meeting of its kind since the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003. Connectivity in all its dimensions was the focus of the discussion, as was the joint response of the young and relatively small Balkan States to the common challenges to security that we all face, such as irregular migration, organized crime, terrorism, hybrid threats, cybersecurity and misinformation. The Sofia Declaration adopted at the Summit reaffirmed the

European prospects for the region and made them an achievable goal.
We are aware that that is just the beginning of a new path that is encouraging but neither easy nor quick. However, the stakes are high, not only for the citizens of those countries and for their EU neighbours and friends, but also for the global processes aimed at economic and political strengthening and development. We cannot leave blank spots marked by lagging development, weak economies and societies susceptible to the present global threats.
In two days’ time, the citizens of  our neighbour  to the south-east, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will have to take a landmark decision about their future — whether to endorse the unprecedented compromise achieved with neighbouring Greece, which will clear their path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. It is a truly historic moment and shows exactly why we should support the citizens of that country as they take that new decision for their country.
Two of our other neighbours face a very difficult dilemma. We support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and we welcome their determination to move forward in normalizing bilateral relations with the help of EU mediation. At the same time, we deem the potential re-tailoring of borders a non-viable solution, not just in this case but in general.
Important elections for Bosnia and Herzegovina are coming up in October. They will serve as a key test of the country’s unity and determination to progress further along the path of European integration. As we can see, the situation in that part of Europe is very dynamic and fraught with important events that for many years to come will determine the direction of the region’s development and, to a large extent, the state  of the EU. What we have  managed to achieve so  far as a result of our work within the main priorities of Bulgarian foreign policy is part of our contribution to peace and security on the European continent and the world beyond.
However, the generally optimistic prospects for the Western Balkans and South-Eastern Europea are in drastic contrast to the conflicts that surround them on three sides — in Ukraine to the north-east, in the Middle East to the south-east and in Libya to the south. Migration flows and the increasing threat of terrorism are the direct consequences of conflicts around the world. I will address those topics in due course.
First, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. In the past four and a half years, according to data from the United Nations, the total number of victims in the conflict has exceeded 10,000, and the number of wounded stands  at 24,000. There is special cause for concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and environmental situation in Donbas. In addition to such dire statistics,  there has been no real progress in implementing the Minsk agreements, which, in our view, represent the only way to a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict. The existing differences with regard to the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in eastern Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations continue. We, the leaders of the States Members of this international Organization, share the responsibility to establish a peaceful, fair and sustainable world order that rests on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. I call on the Assembly to redouble its efforts to achieve peace and stability in Ukraine without infringing on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The situation in Syria remains  tragic.  Despite  the efforts of the international community, military activities in the country continue, resulting in increasing numbers of casualties among the civilian population, as well as thousands of new migrants. As a country that is geographically close to Syria, Bulgaria supports efforts to prevent any further escalation of the military conflict. To that end, we support the continuation of political dialogue and intra-Syria negotiations, with the aim of finding a permanent political solution to  the crisis.
We support the launch of international initiatives to create conditions that are conducive to restarting the Middle East peace process through bilateral talks. We believe that that is the way to achieve a final agreement, based on the principle of two States coexisting in peace and stability. That is why we greatly appreciate and strongly support the efforts of Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
With regard to Libya, Bulgaria supports the United Nations Action Plan for Libya and the efforts  of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, whose primary task is to stabilize the country and reach national conciliation in the context of the existing political and institutional fragmentation. We support

the agreement reached by the four key political leaders for conducting presidential and parliamentary elections.
It is impossible to end all conflicts, but I would nevertheless like to say a few words about another important issue related to peace and security in the world, especially after some of the  statements  we have heard from Mr.  Abbas,  Mr.  Netanyahu  and  Mr. Rouhani. We are of the opinion that in the current context, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on  the Iranian nuclear programme continues to be a key element in the international  security  architecture. We also support all efforts for the full, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace in North- East Asia.
Migration flows and refugee crises are a global phenomenon, the result of a myriad political and socioeconomic factors, and of conflicts in various parts of the world in particular. Let me underscore clearly and right from the start that irregular migration is a serious challenge to our societies’ security and stability. That is why we need to strengthen cooperation among all the countries concerned, including countries of origin, transit and destination, in order to reach a sustainable and permanent solution. It must fully guarantee human rights and the sovereign right of States to ensure the security of their borders.
The efforts of the international community should focus chiefly on the main causes of migration, which are political, socioeconomic and natural —  that  is, the result of natural disasters. We should pay special attention to the various dimensions of development and the integral link between development and security. However, if we do not support those efforts with active mediation and peacekeeping and do not manage to resolve current conflicts and prevent future ones, our chances for success are doomed. That is where I see the crucial and unique role of the United Nations, which can and should be strengthened if there is sufficient political will on the part of Member States.
During its presidency of the Council of the European Union, Bulgaria took an active part in the process of negotiating the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Finalizing the language of the compact is an achievement based on multilateral cooperation, and I am confident that its adoption at  the Intergovernmental Conference in Morocco in December will lay the groundwork for the successful
implementation of the first-ever global framework for cooperation in the area of international migration.
We in Bulgaria also welcome the completion  of the consultations on the text of the global compact on refugees, which constitutes a comprehensive response to the problem of large-scale migration flows, based on the principle of shared responsibility. We have recently seen an increase in the numbers of terrorist attacks all over  the world, as well  as in the number   of innocent victims of terrorism. Irregular migration waves have enabled the infiltration of our countries and communities by former fighters from Syria,  Iraq, Afghanistan and other places, including trained members of terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaida.
Bulgaria categorically condemns all forms and expressions of terrorism, no matter what cause they claim to support. They undermine peace, security and the social and economic development of States. That  is why an effective response to the problem requires the coordinated efforts of the entire international community. That is also why we support the United Nations in its capacity as a  universal  organization that possesses the full range of instruments to  lead and coordinate the process, along with facilitating the exchange of experience among regional organizations and national agencies and assisting in streamlining their efforts.
We support the work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the specific steps taken to intensify the Organization’s operations in that regard, including support for the organization of the High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States. One priority is taking measures to protect young people from being radicalized or joining terrorist groups, as well as to neutralize the influence of persons and organizations instigating terrorist attacks.
This year we mark the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and for the first time  Bulgaria  will  present its candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council. We rely on the support of Member States. That is not an end in itself for us but  rather an expression of our consistent policy of working for the protection and affirmation of human rights in Bulgaria and at  the global level. Our presidency of the Council of the European Union also gave  Bulgaria the  opportunity to showcase its contribution to various aspects of the

protection of human rights. We intend to continue to share our best practices as a member of the Human Rights Council. The values that give meaning to any political effort subsume the past, the present and the future. That is also what allows us to better comprehend and appreciate our present efforts.
There is a moment in Bulgaria’s history of which we Bulgarians are justifiably proud. Seventy-five years ago, in some of the darkest years of the Second World War, Bulgaria’s citizens, Church and enlightened leaders and intellectuals stood up to attempts to deport nearly 50,000 Bulgarian Jews to the death camps. They managed to prevent that from happening. Bulgarians achieved that at a time when Nazi Germany had subordinated and occupied almost all of Europe. Bulgaria is proud of the people who managed to save nearly 50,000 Jews.
I share the story about the saving of Bulgarian Jews because it carries a very strong message that is relevant to the present day and to all who feel threatened. It shows that humaneness and courage can triumph over power and irrationality and save lives. It reminds us that we should never stop fighting for human life and the right causes. The salvation of the Bulgarian Jews is a much-needed example that can reassure us that values are not a forgotten notion but offer a chance for a better future.
The Bulgarian example should become more widely known to more people so that it can give courage to others around the world who are fighting to defend their lives and those lives of others and to protect dignity and human rights. It is our mission at present not to allow xenophobia and anti-Semitism to return or to permit a disregard for the right to live based on race, ethnicity or other factors. We Bulgarians know that it is possible and that it has happened before.
Our main task is to guarantee peace and prosperity around the world. I am convinced that that is attainable, not through arms or battles but rather through a greater sense of humanity and responsibility. We also need more than ever to strengthen the  role  and  authority of the United Nations in its global operations. I am confident that, with effort and good will on  the part of all Member States, that grand goal can be achieved.


First of all, I would like to say a few words to Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés and congratulate her on her election as the President of the General Assembly at its seventy- third session. I assure you, Madam  President,  that you can count on the full cooperation of my country, Guinea-Bissau, in performing your important duties. I would also like to thank your predecessor, Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, for his excellent work during his term.
Furthermore, I would  like to highlight the work of our current Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, in particular his innovative leadership  of the Secretariat and the new momentum that he has instilled in the Organization to better face global challenges and strengthen multilateralism. His vision of the Organization’s unifying role in affirming and applying the principles enshrined in the  Charter of  the United Nations and the collective responsibility of every Member State for the establishment of lasting global peace strengthen our conviction that, under his leadership, the United Nations will be better prepared for and more capable of contributing to the advent of a more just and equitable world in the coming years.
On 24 September we celebrated the 100th birthday of President Nelson Mandela — Madiba — and had the opportunity to reflect on the life and accomplishments of that great humanist (see A/73/PV.5). The late former South African President was an example of courage, abnegation and tolerance. Mandela fought for freedom, justice, democracy and a society in which all people might live together as equals in harmony. That is a great lesson that will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for us and future generations.
In his latest report on the work of the Organization (A/73/1), the Secretary-General reminds us that, for many peoples, peace remains a difficult goal to achieve. As our much-missed former Secretary-General, the late Kofi Annan, said, peace is a suspended dream. Many conflicts persist around the world, and many people continue to suffer the destruction brought on by war, Many have been killed, including children. Millions  of people have been forced to abandon  their homes and their cities, leaving behind their families and the possessions they acquired through a lifetime of work, in search of asylum. We cannot remain indifferent to the suffering and despair of the thousands of people, including children, seeking protection and asylum, particularly in Europe.
The situation in Palestine, as well as in Yemen and Syria, continues to be a source of great concern for the international community. On the African continent, internal tensions caused by the activities of terrorist groups persist, particularly in the Sahel, spreading fear among populations and preventing their Governments from focusing on development and on creating the best possible living conditions for their citizens.
Climate change has caused an increasing number of severe droughts and floods in many parts of the world. Many island countries face the risk of disappearing, owing to rising sea levels. Those challenges require greater efforts, new attitudes and increasingly responsible behaviour on the part of all of us. Above all, we must rigorously meet the commitments stipulated in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
I believe that we all have an obligation under the Charter, to which we all subscribe, and that we must respect it regardless of the circumstances, because the principles enshrined therein are the foundation and basis for a rules-based world order. Specifically, the principle of the peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and multilateralism are the cornerstone for building international peace and security. We live in a global village in which we all are responsible not only for what happens within our own territories, but, given the interdependence of countries, one country’s national policies may gravely affect many other countries. That requires shared responsibility.  In that regard, I would be remiss if I did not address the issue of Security Council reform, particularly with regard to the increased representation of the African continent, which would enhance the legitimacy of that principal United Nations organ.

I would like to take this opportunity to briefly update the Assembly on the current political situation in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the  results  achieved. Last April, in Lomé, Togo, within the framework of  an extraordinary summit convened by the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community  of West African States, we reached an important decision aimed at permanently overcoming the political and constitutional impasse that has prevailed in my country for more than three years. As Head of State and in order to build peace and stability in my country and the subregion, I have sought to implement the recommendations that resulted from the summit, namely, the appointment of a consensus Prime Minister and the scheduling of a date for holding legislative elections, namely, 18 November. Those recommendations have been fully implemented, with the following results: the formation of a Government of inclusion in accordance with the Conakry Agreement; the reopening of our National People’s Assembly; the extension of the terms of Assembly members; the election of the members of the National Electoral Commission; and the approval of the Government  programme  and the  general State budget.
Recent political, social, and economic events bear witness to the fact that the people of Guinea-Bissau, together with our armed forces, said “no” to instability and embarked upon a path of peace and development. The process for the holding of our elections on 18 November is under way, and we began registering voters on
19 September, despite delays due to technical and financial issues. Please note that, for the first time in the history of our democracy, a legislative session has been completed without any interruptions caused by coups d’état or other incidents. Accordingly, on 30 August, the Security Council noted (see S/PV.8337) the positive developments concerning the political stability in our country. I also note that in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2018/771), as in his previous reports, we were commended on the republican attitudes of the armed forces, which have displayed a notable sense of civic duty in recent years. In the name of justice and national harmony, I take this opportunity to appeal to the international community and to the members of the Security Council, of which sanctions are the exclusive prerogative, to lift the sanctions imposed on officials of our armed forces. That long-anticipated decision would certainly help consolidate our democratic institutions and bring about lasting peace in our country.
Peace is essential  for  successful  development, but peace is not just the absence of armed conflict. There can be no peace when a large portion, if not the majority, of the population, particularly women and youth, are not sufficiently valued; when their education is considered less important; when their contribution to the economic growth of our country is not recognized or fairly compensated; or when women are not on par with men in positions of influence and are ignored as the pillar of society. We recently took significant steps in my country towards ensuring equal representation for men and women. The Parliament of Guinea-  Bissau adopted a law that guarantees a minimum representation quota of 36 per cent for women in high- profile positions, particularly in the National People’s Assembly and the Government. As President of the Republic and guarantor of  national equity and unity, I am particularly pleased by and grateful for those national advances.
I would like to conclude my remarks by reaffirming Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and to the important, unique and irreplaceable role played by the Organization. We must join forces to better manage globalization, eradicate poverty and hunger, and combat major endemic diseases, as well as to ensure education and the provision of potable water for all in order to implement the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Let us stand in solidarity and demonstrate our compassion for those who are fleeing persecution, war and misery, particularly migrants and refugees who are victims of political crises and natural catastrophes and are desperately knocking on our doors. In a solidary and brotherly world, we will be in a better position to build a better future for future generations.


I extend my greetings to the President of the General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, whom I wish to recognize as the first Latin American woman to serve the United Nations in this capacity.
I also recognize Secretary-General António Guterres for his renewed commitment to the Organization. To the people of Panama, I express once again, from this rostrum, my gratitude for having been given the opportunity to serve them.
As I return to the General Assembly for the seventh time, I am drawing to a close my chapter as Head of

State. In just a few months, I  will open a  new one as  a citizen of the world, but one who is determined to continue supporting the efforts of this institution, fighting for peace and social  justice  and  following the example of great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan.
Over these years, I have borne witness to the deliberations and efforts of the United Nations aimed at fostering harmony in the world. Some of the leaders I have listened to in this Hall are no longer with us; some left in peace and others in violent circumstances.
We have achieved ambitious goals, from the approval of the Sustainable  Development  Goals  to the commitment to fulfilling them by 2030. Many challenges remain, such as achieving peace in Syria. The theme of the present session spurs us to reflect on the following question: are we as leaders doing enough for the Organization to have a real impact on people’s lives? The answer lies in the commitment of those of us entrusted with the leadership of our countries as we enter the future.
The Organization was founded on the conviction that world leaders should be able to forge a path to resolve disputes by peaceful means.  As  we  attend this annual gathering, we bear the responsibility to realize that dream of peace and brotherhood. Peace is threatened not only by weapons but also by injustice, poverty, hunger, inequality and the lack of opportunity experienced by our people. Therefore, as part of our commitment in adopting the Sustainable Development Goals as national policy, our Government has, over the
past four years, made steady progress towards attaining them. We have rebuilt entire cities, and more than 100,000 Panamanian families will have new homes so that their children may lead a life of dignity.
Through a massive health census, we have identified the principal diseases affecting our citizens, allowing us to provide preventive health treatment.
We are transforming the Panamanian education system, making it bilingual and more equitable. More than 6,000 Panamanian teachers have been trained abroad to teach English and more than 3,000 new classrooms are being built for our students. Moreover, we have strengthened the system of higher technical education. I am very proud to share with the Assembly the fact that, as we speak, a team of Panamanian instructors is teaching English to Syrian refugee children in the Za’atari camp in Jordan.
Thanks to record investments, we are providing modern sanitation systems to  several cities  across the country and building new water-treatment plants to markedly expand access to drinking water.  We  lead Latin America in terms of investment in urban mobility, with 2,000 kilometres of new roads, and 22 kilometres of metro about to become operational and construction beginning on a further 26 kilometres. We have cut insecurity by 50 per cent, rescued thousands of young people from criminal gangs, and strengthened the capacities of law enforcement.
Today’s Panama is very different from  the country whose leadership I assumed in 2014. Before all Panamanians and the entire world,  today  I  can say with my head held high that we  have  succeeded  in transforming politics into public service and in rebuilding our democracy to be one that works for future generations. I have governed my country in peace, using dialogue and consensus, invoking the power of the State only to protect the people, not to thwart them. I have held true to the words I spoke on my first day in office by fighting corruption head on and ensuring that no one is above the law.
Many challenges remain ahead. The judicial system still faces significant challenges to ensure that there is no impunity. We have worked tirelessly to strengthen our institutions and consolidate our young democracy, respecting and supporting the elected authorities from all political parties and their communities, and boosting their economic capacities.

Next year, Panama will hold its seventh democratic elections, with an electoral body that has proven an effective guarantor of transparent democracy. Thanks to the far-reaching electoral reforms that we have pursued, the forthcoming campaign will be the fairest, shortest and most transparent in our history. For the first time, all responsibility for the financing of media campaigns will lie with the State.
We continue to strengthen our status as a connected country, with excellent aviation links,  strengthened by a new airport; maritime  connectivity,  enhanced by the expanded Canal and new ports; and human connectivity, whereby our geographical position and facilities such as a new convention centre and cruise port will play an important role. We have a logistics and financial platform at the service of global trade, and we defend and protect it so as to ensure that it is not used for illicit activities. We have seen the successful expansion of the Canal, which reflects the principles of our country: our ability to unite the world, our permanent neutrality and our openness to global trade. This interoceanic link was restored to the people of Panama thanks to the Panama Canal treaties and the courageous decision of a simple human being, former President of the United States Jimmy Carter, whose commitment, I publicly acknowledge today, changed the course of our nation’s history.
While we have experienced difficult situations that have affected our national image, we have been able to move on based on the principle that justice becomes unjust when it ceases to protect the innocent. We have demonstrated to the world that our country and its economy have succeeded thanks solely to the honest work of our people. Through our efforts in recent years to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, we have lifted more than 150,000 Panamanians out of poverty, which means a reduction of 5 percentage points, from 25 to 20 per cent, and maintained average annual economic growth of 5 per cent. We are strengthening the social protection system for the elderly and students. We have made major improvements to hospital infrastructure, education, school attendance, access to drinking water, education and housing.
We have also extended a dignified welcome  to tens of thousands of citizens from other countries who have come to our land seeking a better future for their families. We witnessed the migratory crisis whereby more than 100,000 Haitians left for Brazil following the big earthquake in January 2010. Once in Brazil,
they were forced to migrate yet again as a result of the economic crisis there. Many lives were lost along the way. I recognize the leadership displayed by Chile in solving this human tragedy by opening its doors.
I see the tragedy of migration in the face of Juan, a 7-year-old African boy who now lives alone in Panama because he lost his mother as they walked across the mountains between Panama and Colombia. That child forged in the depths of my heart a commitment that countries must better manage migratory flows, in a more organized manner, while respecting the  rights of all human beings to seek better living conditions. Thousands of migrants from other continents cross our border with Colombia through the dangerous Darién jungle, risking their lives in the hope of realizing their dreams. The lessons learned from these migratory crises compel us to call vigorously once again on the Government of Venezuela to restore political dialogue and a peaceful society based on democracy, so as to avoid further mass migration and the humanitarian crisis of Venezuelans seeking to meet their basic needs.
Such migratory flows can be stemmed only by eliminating the reasons for which citizens leave their countries, risking their safety and that of their families. That represents a significant challenge for the United Nations. We actively participated in the development of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, to be adopted under the auspices of the United Nations this year, with the aim of contributing, based on our experience, to the global framework for tackling such crises. Our countries bear a responsibility to develop policies to manage migratory flows in an orderly manner with respect for human dignity. In the coming days, Panama will announce humanitarian measures to support the Venezuelan families residing in our country.
Panama is a great melting pot, comprising citizens from the world over who came and made a new home in our beautiful land. We have learned to live in peace, respecting all religious beliefs, political ideologies  and philosophies. In this age of communication and social networks, there is no room for discrimination  of any kind. We are all  citizens of  this planet.  This  is our home. Reported violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the brotherly people of Nicaragua risk triggering yet another migratory flow in Central America. I call once again on Nicaragua’s Government and civil-society actors to restore peace through political dialogue.

In 2015, Panama served as host for the historic rapprochement between Cuba and the United States. I take this opportunity to reiterate the call for a return to that path and for recognition of the steps taken by the Government of Cuba to open its economy for the benefit the Cuban people and the island’s economic and social development.
I wish to stress that, although our continent is at peace, the political crisis in Venezuela, rising drug production in Colombia, the corruption affecting so many economies in the region and the tense situation in Nicaragua are challenges calling for the region’s political leaders to redouble their efforts to seek compromises to restore peace to those societies.
In the fight against drug trafficking, Panama will refocus its strategy to go beyond drug interdiction and criminal arrests to rebuild communities and support people in cutting ties with illegal groups and living as loyal citizens of the State.
We reaffirm our commitment to be among the leading nations that work together with multilateral organizations for a better world. In that regard, in November we will inaugurate, in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Central America and the Caribbean, the Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. Panama is putting its connectivity at the service of the region to respond to natural disasters and emergencies across the continent.
While respecting different systems of government, I believe that politics in future will be not only about how to obtain power but also how to use it for the good of  the people. Based on  our firm belief  in the need  to build a fairer and more peaceful world, Panama is working to broaden its bilateral relations with countries of South-East Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and with Australia and China, as a means of getting closer to the world and of fulfilling our role as a builder of bridges.
Over the past 10 years, I have had opportunities  to visit more than 40 countries and become acquainted at first hand with best practices, technology and cooperation  programmes,  which  we  have   been  able to use in my country. Such is the nature of diplomacy — using our abilities to help, and not destroy, one another. Accordingly, we are developing a monorail with Japanese technology, a subway with French trains, technical higher education based on the Singaporean model and electric power plants fuelled by natural
gas with North American technology. In pursuing our vocation to be a bridge linking the world, Panama will host World Youth Day in January 2019, to be attended by Pope Francis, which will bring together hundreds of thousands of young people from 192 countries and will be focused on the shared goal of achieving peace to build a better world and overcome cultural and religious barriers.
I bid farewell to the General Assembly with a peaceful conscience, knowing that I have used the political power bestowed upon me by the people solely for their benefit, while unwaveringly leading the struggle. Panama’s success benefits not only Panama’s people, but everyone. I wish to express today before the entire General Assembly and the world my commitment to continue working as a responsible citizen of the world, together with my people and all nations, to strengthen the United Nations system and all its bodies so that the citizens of our beautiful planet always remain the focus of our struggles and efforts.
In conclusion, I share with members the pride that I feel in having contributed to strengthening my country’s vocation as a bridge of peace, dialogue and social justice.


I bring greetings from the people  of  the  Eastern  Republic of Uruguay, a country in the Southern cone of the Americas that is small but nonetheless has strong democratic institutions, social and economic stability and clearly defined values and principles, and that is making tangible progress in all  areas. Of  course, it   is not and never will be perfect — do such countries exist? — but it works humbly day after day to make progress while leaving none of its inhabitants behind. That is the meaning of development, a multidimensional and dynamic process aimed at achieving the well-being and prosperity of all citizens. In the World Economic Forum’s Inclusive Development Index 2018, published in January, Uruguay is ranked as one of the 10 most inclusive emerging countries in the world and second in Latin America, owing to efficient public policies that enable us to use economic growth to reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion and equity among generations.
Despite that, we admit that we still have a lot to do. In that regard, there is a specific issue affecting several countries, including our own, that I would like to briefly discuss. In our view, the criteria  and  methodology that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development applies to assess countries’ development according to their per capita income represents a grave injustice. As a result, Uruguay, like other countries in the region, has been considered a high-income country since 2013, and starting this year, no longer qualifies for official development assistance. The recognition of our progress is encouraging, but we do not agree with the new classification for a fundamental reason, which is that while growth and development are linked, they are clearly not the same thing. Uruguay has enjoyed significant economic growth over the past 15 years that has enabled thousands of its citizens to emerge from poverty. But structural gaps persist.
Development in transition is not an arbitrary concept. It is the most accurate description of the situation of countries that, like Uruguay, are on a path to development but still need the support of reconsidered and reoriented cooperation. There is no question that we have made progress, but the road  ahead will still be difficult. Paradoxically, it seems that no good deed goes unpunished, and we hope that this criterion will be reviewed soon. In addition, we are also of the view that in the life of countries not everything is about economic development and the  distribution  of  resources.  We in Uruguay know that and have advocated nationally and internationally for an agenda oriented towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, approved by the Assembly in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Such an agenda should put special emphasis on the transformation of the energy matrix towards renewable sources and adaptation to verifiable climate change; on making progress in the irrefutible responsibility to protect our environment; and, as members are aware, on the fight for the health of our people, which is the struggle for

life, the main human right that all the beings on this planet have.
As a result, we have implemented strict policies for the control of tobacco consumption and the prevention of non-communicable diseases, one of humankind’s worst afflictions, in addition to active participation    at the international level. That includes  co-chairing the World Health Organization Independent High- level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases and hosting the Global Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases in October 2017, where the Montevideo Road Map 2018-2030 was approved, wherein we reaffirmed the commitment to undertake bold actions to reduce by one third the number of premature deaths from such diseases. There is much left for us to do.  There  is also much to be done to combat the mortal agent that is tobacco, which kills more  than 7  million  of the planet’s inhabitants per year, much more than the number killed by the two world wars of the twentieth century. That is why we invite every country to apply the measures established in Montevideo by the World Health Organization.
Those and other elements — such as the universal digital agenda, for which we we have developed our Ceibal and Ibirapitá plans, which we do not have the time to go into further detail about here — give an account of a small, modest and self-confident country moving in a concrete direction. That direction could be described simply as improving the quality of life of all the country’s inhabitants without discrimination of any kind.
Uruguay also belongs to the region and the world. In that vein, we reaffirm our historic commitment to  a more participatory, fairer, balanced and multipolar international system that translates into the basic principles of  our  foreign policy  that  has  existed  for decades. That includes, for example, first, the commitment to the maintenance of peace, international disarmament and security, as well as the participation of our armed forces in peacekeeping operations; second, our country’s firm rejection of terrorism, organized crime and all types of violence and discrimination, which unfortunately are rampant in the world; third, support for the peaceful settlement of disputes  and  for the sovereign equality of States regardless of their geographical size and number of inhabitants; fourth, unimpeded dedication to, and respect for, international law, which is the greatest guarantee for the sovereignty of peoples and their peaceful coexistence; fifth, our
unwavering commitment to the promotion and the protection of all human rights; sixth, adherence to relevant notions such as non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, respect  for  sovereignty  and the self-determination of peoples; and, seventh, the promotion of multilateralism in all its facets, political, economic, cultural, et cetera, as the best way to face the global challenges facing humankind.
In a turbulent international context where the world resembles an asylum run by its own patients, we assert more than ever the values and principles I just mentioned. In that context, we call for a joint, committed effort to strengthen and modernize the international system and the United Nations. Those are not just words. In practice we worked intensely as non-permanent members of the Security Council during the 2016-2017 biennium, and now we are doing the same in the Economic and Social Council. We put forward our country’s candidature as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021. Uruguay is committed to pacifist ideals, solidarity and global peace and security.
From this place, where we can speak about any number of issues of interest to humankind, I wish to conclude my intervention by mentioning one that, humbly, we consider it a priority to address before everyone here. I am speaking of environmental degradation and the consequences of climate change. The crisis that we are experiencing at the global level must be handled decisively by the leaders of each of the nations represented here. This is everyone’s fight. It is the struggle for life. We ask the powerful world leaders to respect international agreements to protect the environment and to try to avoid ills that are suffered essentially by the world’s poorest people. We have to take active measures to protect all people in our world, especially the poorest, who suffer the most. The world is also suffering, just as a living being suffers, from various risk factors that destroy it little by little, day after day. This world is our only home for now and for future generations. This world suffers from wars, from the unbridled desire for indiscriminate profit by industries that kill humankind, as the tobacco industry does, which have no regard for the environment, pollution or the consequences of the savage consumerism that we are experiencing.
Just as our behaviour directly affects our health, and it is the duty of the States to fight for the lives of their inhabitants, it is the duty of all of us who inhabit this planet to fight for the place in which we live and

that we will have to leave for  those who  will follow  us in this life. That is the case of the December 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, concluded within the framework of the 1994 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As it is the best possible hope for global survival and security, as well as a commitment that is essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda, we reaffim our commitment to that Agreement. We once again urge the powerful leaders of the countries of the world to respect and comply with those Agreements. Agreements are signed in order to be carried out — and this one especially must be complied with. We also join the call to all those States that have not yet ratified it to do so as soon as possible. On that issue, as in so many other areas of life, we need not rush; however, we must not be late either. Humankind does not have much time to consider those agreements, which are necessary to protect the environment.
In conclusion, we are convinced that the United Nations system is humankind’s best possible opportunity to approach confidently and optimistically the problems that the present and the future pose, and to act accordingly. We are all necessary to this shared task. Member States can count on us, and we know that we can count on all Member States.


It is  an honour  to deliver this statement on behalf of my President,  His Excellency Mr. Desiré Delano Bouterse. My country sincerely applauds the election of Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés as the first woman of the Latin American and Caribbean region to preside over the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. In the course of this session, the membership stands to gain greatly from her outstanding personal qualities and wealth of experience as a professional diplomat at the helm of our General Assembly. Suriname pledges its unwavering support for her efforts to make our Organization relevant again for the entire global community, in particular the disadvantaged and the marginalized, including women and young people.
As we remember the legacy of the late former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, we honour his tireless efforts to make the world more peaceful and humane by fighting against inequality and injustice, combating diseases and resolving conflicts with all of the means at

our disposal, while making the United Nations the focal point of multilateralism.
As honoured as I am to address this gathering  that brings together so many world  leaders,  I  am also disheartened by the sombre tone expressed by Secretary-General Guterres in the presentation of his annual report on the work of our Organization (A/73/1). As the Secretary-General noted, thetargets set last year have not been met. We have to ask ourselves if we will make the same appeals this year, with the same attitude of “business as usual” with regard to outcomes, whether or not they will be effective.
Suriname concurs with the assessment of the Secretary-General that the fundamental issue confronting the international community today is the lack of trust among nations. In that regard, as a small nation, my country firmly commits to upholding internationally accepted principles that clearly define who we are and provide for predictable actions in our international relations, thereby creating a climate of trust, understanding and respect. We underscore the need for a rules-based world order with the United Nations at the centre. That is required in order to create the necessary platform to address global concerns, including the mobilization of funds to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Being a low-lying coastal State, Suriname is among the most threatened countries directly impacted by sea- level rise. Approximately 80 per cent of our population resides in coastal areas, and our main production activities are also concentrated in that area, resulting in an existential threat. As we have witnessed in recent days, the forces of nature have struck once again — not only in our sister Caribbean nations but also elsewhere in the world. We are being urged to move beyond rhetoric and to take immediate action.
My country is strategically located on the Guiana Shield. My country has an abundance of natural resources, unique biodiversity and an impressive forest cover of more than  90  per  cent.  Moreover,  our population, including indigenous peoples, tribal communities of African descent and various other ethnic groups, descends from all the continents of the world. All express and enjoy exceptional tolerance, religious freedom and respect for one another’s cultures and backgrounds and are equally entitled in terms of access to social programmes, including health care and education. We have used that diversity, inherited from
our colonial past, to our advantage by rejecting the divide-and-rule of yesteryear. We are indeed proud that our people, coming from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, can live in peace and harmony with one another, forging bonds conducive to nation-building and working towards the well-being of all citizens — both young and old.
With regard to our economic challenges and policy measures, my country, as a commodity-based export economy, is highly vulnerable to commodity- price shocks. The sharp downturn in gold and oil prices three years ago and the closure of the century- old bauxite operation in 2016 have led to a sharp recession and a severe loss of Government revenue. The economy contracted by a combined 8 per cent, while the Government lost more than a third of its fiscal revenue in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). That required unprecedented fiscal and monetary policy adjustments in order to stabilize the exchange rate, reduce domestic demand and re-establish a viable balance of payments position. Our monetary authorities moved to a flexible exchange-rate regime and sharply curtailed credit creation in the country. Since October 2016, the exchange rate has been stabilized, monthly inflation rates have fallen to less  than  1  per  cent, and there is no longer a current account deficit in the balance of payments.
The fiscal responses, usually a more difficult undertaking, began early in August 2015 with a massive contraction in Government expenditure and increases in taxation. While the crisis continued to erode revenue in terms of GDP, expenditure was cut from more than 30 per cent of GDP in 2015 to less than 23 per cent in 2017. As a result, the unsustainable deficit of 10 per cent of GDP that emerged during the crisis years has already been reduced to an estimated 5 per cent of GDP in 2018. Looking ahead, the Government also put in place significant reforms to limit the impact of future export-commodity shocks. Institutional reforms will help to promote foreign direct investment aimed at diversifying our economy, moving it away from its heavy reliance on extractive industries. Fiscal reforms aimed at reducing reliance on direct tax income and broadening the tax base are at the top of our priorities. The establishment of a sovereign wealth fund will stabilize income derived from the extractive industries and help to mitigate the fiscal impact of future shocks. The International Monetary Fund and international rating agencies have commended those efforts and

predict a continued improvement in the macroeconomic
performance of Suriname.
Our efforts have indeed borne fruit, and the Government is committed to continuing fiscal policies aimed at restoring the primary fiscal surplus. Those efforts to steer us on the right path towards development are hampered by  obstacles that  are  unjustifiable  and not of our making. First of all, I would like to mention the matter of Suriname’s classification as a middle-income country — an issue to which I alluded from this very rostrum last year (see A/72/PV.21) but which remains unresolved. Our classification, like that of many other developing countries, including those in the Caribbean, is based on GDP per capita, which does not reflect our vulnerabilities. We strongly reject that unrealistic classification, which disregards various factors and creates  great  challenges  for  us. It is a matter that should be addressed with urgency. Access to concessional financing for our development is critical to the implementation of programmes that benefit all our citizens. Correspondent banking and de-risking, further aggravated by unilateral actions, including blacklisting and the arbitrary seizure of funds, without due regard for the severe consequences to the community, including businessmen and families, remain obstacles over which we have no influence. An atmosphere of trust and political will is crucial and should lead to dialogue and cooperation in order to address all matters of concern.
Although Suriname contributes significantly to the mitigation of the effects of climate change through its high level of forest cover and low  deforestation rate, regrettably, we must acknowledge that global commitments, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, have yet to materialize in the form of tangible results. Suriname is one of 11 countries with a high level of forest cover and a low deforestation rate, representing 20 per cent of the Earth’s remaining tropical forests and storing 18 per cent of tropical forest carbon. Yet we are not able to fully benefit from global arrangements associated with sound forest management. At the twenty-third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change last year, Suriname pledged to maintain its forest coverage at  93 per cent. We also made the conditional commitment to sustain our leadership position as one of the most carbon-negative countries. That pledge, subject to scientific, technological, technical and financial
support, extends beyond national benefits into the realm of global gains for humankind. It is against the backdrop of that reality that Suriname will host a high- level conference on climate finance mobilization in February 2019. The conference will seek to initiate and implement new economic models of ecosustainability aimed at improving the quality of life for all.
The scourges of illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and terrorism, as well as trafficking in arms and persons, place an unprecedented burden on the financial and human-resource capacity of small developing countries, hampering their ability to implement policy measures aimed at achieving development objectives. Drug abuse and drug trafficking destroy families, disrupt communities and rob our youth of a productive future. Our open borders compel us to strengthen cooperation with adjacent, neighbouring and other countries in order to effectively combat transnational organized crime and its negative consequences. Such cooperation must yield results, and we will join others in the fight against the world drug problem. We need more than lip service today. We need to join one another in taking action. Likewise, we solicit international cooperation to protect our unique biodiversity, which is under threat, owing to illegal poaching and trade in endangered species.
With regard to our collaboration at the bilateral, subregional and multilateral levels, Suriname continues to stand for international peace and security. We advocate for dialogue in the resolution of any existing conflict and uphold the  internationally  accepted  principles  of  non-interference,  non-intervention  and  respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Suriname respects and protects all human rights. However, we strongly reject using human rights for political gains. All conflicts that arise are a consequence of departing from those valued principles. That is why  I  would like to reiterate that those valued principles form the bedrock of Suriname’s foreign policy. In the same vein, my country applauds those who have chosen the path of dialogue to resolve their disputes. In that regard, allow me to mention the rapprochement between countries in the Horn of Africa and on the Korean peninsula.
Our geographic location positions us as a strategic hub. As such, Suriname has strengthened its bonds with neighbouring and adjacent countries and with those with whom we enjoy remarkable historic ties. As we strengthen partnerships based on mutual respect and benefit, we seek to advance our national development

objectives with a focus on agriculture and tourism through foreign direct investments, South-South cooperation and regional partnerships. Suriname, with its human capital as its greatest asset and an abundance of natural resources, such as fresh water, oil, gold, bauxite and other minerals, maintains warm and friendly relations with many countries. We focus on reinforcing existing partnerships and initiating new ones. As a result, many friends from all corners of the world are seeking to forge durable partnerships, based on mutual respect and benefit.
The Latin American and Caribbean region  has not been spared from tensions resulting from existing differences of opinion on various issues. The 2014 Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace has certainly contributed to ensuring that there is no room for military adventures. We strongly appeal for dialogue where there are differences. We must prevent outside forces from imposing their agenda on us, which run counter to our own interests as a region. Let us focus on what binds us and not on what divides us. It is reprehensible that some economically powerful countries resort to applying unilateral sanctions when they encounter ideological and political differences. Such economic warfare does not augur well for solving disputes. On the contrary, positions are hardened with far-reaching consequences for regional and international stability, peace and security. Suriname strongly rejects such coercive economic and trade measures, as they are  counterproductive and create an atmosphere of distrust, rendering the peaceful resolution of disputes practically impossible. In that regard, we disapprove of the continuation of the economic, financial and commercial embargo against Cuba and its people. Time and again, the majority of nations has taken a stand against that embargo. Is it not now time to honour the demand of the majority of the international community and end the blockade?
The current arms race is deplorable and consumes tremendous amounts of resources. Imagine what we could have achieved in terms of making the world more humane if those resources had been channelled into combating disease and hunger and improving food safety and security. Who would not aspire to those sustainable goals? Like many other countries, Suriname calls for an end to the arms race, while also rejecting the militarization of outer space and research in the area of artificial intelligence for warfare purposes.
Multilateralism remains essential for undertaking joint actions aimed at achieving sustainable development and addressing matters of global concern, such as maintaining peace and security, combating terrorism and transnational organized crime and  addressing the issue of climate change. Suriname supports those initiatives, as we seek to reinforce the validity of multilateralism based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
We are convinced that the United Nations remains the most important body for discussing all matters concerning the international community, with the aim of finding solutions and taking into consideration the interests of Member States. It is therefore essential to make this institution more relevant by making it more democratic, transparent and accountable. Continued efforts to reform the  United  Nations  remain crucial if we wish to reflect the realities of  today’s  world.  For example, the process to reform the Security Council must be comprehensive, inclusive, balanced and consensus-based, while taking into account the interests of both developed and developing countries and further promoting, preserving and strengthening international peace and security.
The President’s priorities for the seventy-third session have been noted, and Suriname is fully supportive, as we work together to make the Organization relevant once again. We have to ensure that our youth is engaged and participates in a structured manner in the affairs of this world body, recognizing the fact that they are unique and innovative in their own way. As lead head in the Caribbean Community for youth development, Suriname wholeheartedly supports the views expressed earlier in the debate advocating for the creation of a United Nations agency dealing with youth. I expect that the recently launched United Nations Youth Strategy will be inclusive and deliver on the aspirations of the world’s young people.
In the final analysis, when Suriname speaks, we speak to give strength to the voices of all nations, whether small or big, developed or developing. We must globally recommit to the principle of dialogue and the cause of lasting peace. That recommitment, which I call on all of us to embrace, is the inherent right to a decent life and protection for all who are born on this planet. Through our Organization, we have at our disposal all the means needed to take on that responsibility. We have no one but ourselves do that for us.

Let me conclude by saying  that,  if  there  were  no United Nations, today we would be calling for its creation. Therefore, as I said before, let us decide to focus on what binds us rather than on what divides us.


Allow me to start by extending my congratulations to Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés and wishing much success to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy- third session. Let me also assure her that, by working with Member States and the United Nations family, we look forward to advancing the seven priorities set out in the agenda of the General Assembly at its seventy- third session.
From this rostrum, I would like to provide the General Assembly with the latest regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the gains, opportunities and challenges that my nation faces at this critical juncture, in addition to our views on other key global challenges.
The record of accomplishments by this institution over the past 73  years  demonstrates  that,  wherever it might be and whoever it might impact, we cannot escape the ripple effect of, or de-link ourselves from, the global, national, communal and human connections that bind  us, whether  in relation  to  the environment,

the climate, international finance or even the cyber and technology arenas. It is therefore critically important to go beyond just words, the duplication of effort or ineffective models that intermingle and, at times, spur countervailing or lopsided interests.
As Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them”. Whether we are addressing hunger, acute poverty, climate change, overpopulation, terrorism, conflict, displacement, inequality or organized crime, we all share and own bits and pieces of  the problem in the same way that we collectively benefit or learn from the solutions. As a result, we need to explore  new means and identify new tools for reaching a wider consensus through more thoughtful dialogue and results-oriented actions.
To this day we do not have a globally and officially acceptable definition for terrorism, a nefarious phenomenon used by a rogue or politically connected criminal, State or non-State actor using religious, ideological, economic or psychological cover to disrupt the status quo, upend the global and nation State order and reach a particular set of radical goals through the sheer use of indiscriminate violence that no religion in its undistorted form condones.
While we are determined to fight with vigour against newer versions of terror presenting themselves as remnants of Da’esh in a few pockets inside Afghanistan, we are still struggling to fully comprehend the role that terror breeding grounds, sanctuaries and funding pools, in many cases tied to criminal and illicit drug networks, play in the use and spread of terrorism. We are still trying to figure out how to render terrorism impotent as a policy tool used by some to further specific agendas.
For example, for almost a quarter of a century, Afghanistan experienced the loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives and major infrastructural damage. It is partly due to geography and partly due to shortsighted strategies and regional agendas that have generated an umbilical reliance on non-State actors, used to keep others unstable through violence and  the  promotion of extremism. It has resulted in complacency and impunity; therefore, we need to do more and go beyond ineffective norms to bring about change and accountability. We have asked our neighbouring States, especially Pakistan, to help targeted societies, including their own, to deal with this menace. We are looking forward to the timely and effective implementation of
the recently agreed Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity.
All stakeholders need to agree to treat all shades of terrorism as one, shut down the breeding grounds and sanctuaries and prosecute or repatriate the violators. The response thus far has been sparse and insufficient. We are working with all countries, near and far, to bring about better results. On that basis, Afghanistan stands for the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and non-compliance must be seriously addressed as well. My country has also begun a process of structured cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism, and we are supportive of regional initiatives through forums that focus on such priority concerns. We will continue to engage in work with regional stakeholders in that regard.
Since we last met, Afghanistan turned a page and made unprecedented overtures to the Taliban to be part of a credible, Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process that could lead to a just and comprehensive political settlement through talks and reconciliation. On several occasions, we have pledged our commitment to unconditional intra-Afghan dialogue and the restoration of all rights and privileges for those who agree to end the cycle of violence. We even announced a unilateral ceasefire earlier this year, which was agreed to by the Taliban for a three-day period and gave Afghans a glimpse of what peace can look and feel like. Unfortunately, extraneous agendas prevented us from replicating a second ceasefire more recently, but we will not rest. We will have to pursue both what is right and attainable.
I want to express my sincere thanks to all nations, especially the United States, other concerned nations and parties — including the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of Indonesia, both of which recently hosted United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) gatherings — the United Nations and others for  encouraging all  sides to set the stage for a process that would lead to talks and a just and comprehensive negotiated settlement. Looking at the 25-year record, a prerequisite for talks is to learn from the history of peace engagement. We see that a dual approach is necessary to make sure that we win peace, but also protect and preserve our people’s gains and hard-earned achievements, which include constitutional order, freedom of expression, human and gender rights and creating economic opportunities.

I want to pause here and pay tribute to Afghans who continue to suffer as a result of violence, as well as to our valiant National Security Forces for their steadfast defence of our nation and for standing tall and strong on the front line against terrorism.
There are two important popular tests on the horizon  for  Afghanistan:  parliamentary  elections are slated for  next month and presidential elections for next year. Drawing on past experiences, both President Ashraf Ghani and I agree that political legitimacy is derived from the will of the people. While we pursue peace efforts and deal with security and governance challenges, we are reminded that, given our circumstances, eventually we must make sure that the electoral process is trustworthy and that the electorate can agree to a fairly credible and legitimate outcome. Regardless of who wins or loses, Afghanistan’s future rests on nurturing a national consensus that provides unity of purpose aimed at peace and political stability that derives legitimacy from foundations that are pluralistic, inclusive and democratic.
In that regard, I wish to  thank  the  United Nations — UNAMA in particular — the European Union and all other contributors and donors for helping us move the process forward. Furthermore, we look forward to the upcoming Geneva ministerial conference on Afghanistan in November. It will be an excellent occasion to evaluate our work and the path ahead since we last met with donors.
On the humanitarian front, Afghanistan also faces daunting tasks associated with an impending drought, refugee resettlement and internal displacement caused by climatic and national abnormalities, food insecurity and security threats. Those are estimated to impact two thirds of the country and the livelihoods of more than 4 million people, with the potential to force 1 million more into migration. We sorely need to attend to their humanitarian needs. I want to thank the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, other United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and donors for their contributions and hard work on the ground; however, we urge the international community to fully fund the 2018-2021 Afghanistan humanitarian response plan.
The peaceful settlement of disputes and the protection of oppressed people are core principles of the Charter of the United Nations, benefiting the promotion
and preservation of international peace and security. As a war-ravaged country, we sympathize with and feel for the people of Syria, Yemen and other victimized communities around the world. Likewise, we stand for the basic right to protection for the Rohingya population in Myanmar. Afghanistan stands in  full support  of all United Nations and other international efforts aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the question of Palestine, including the General Assembly’s call for an international protection mechanism for civilians.
Moreover, United Nations peacebuilding activities should provide due focus on the principle of national ownership, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the promotion of greater coherence among the relevant United Nations entities and agencies working on development.
With regard to the reform agenda, we stand in full support of efforts aimed at strengthening the role of the United Nations in the context of the Secretary-General’s initiatives. The establishment of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs is a welcome move, as is the setting up of the Office of Counter- Terrorism. We look  forward  to  the  implementation of the resolution adopted on the repositioning of the United Nations development system and believe it will enhance our achievements in the establishment of One UN for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s active role within the United Nations system is currently more pronounced than ever. Our chairmanship of the Third Committee during the seventy- third session comes at a crucial time, as we have aimed to initiate and adopt several draft resolutions on shared themes, including victims of terrorism and the threat of improvised explosive devices, in addition to refugee and migrant issues, the rights of children, women’s empowerment, human rights, social development and other relevant Committee agenda items.
Furthermore, Afghanistan’s election to the Human Rights Council for the first time in 2017 marked our commitment and showcased our achievements in that regard. We remain party to major international protocols and conventions on human rights. I am pleased to inform the Assembly that Afghanistan recently passed a set of national laws on prohibiting cruel and degrading treatment, endorsed the law on prohibiting torture and combating human and migrant trafficking and adopted a code prohibiting child recruitment into our security

forces. With regard to the latter, we are working closely with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
I want to leave this rostrum by presenting a bold concept, also recently mentioned by President Ghani, that can form a new, visionary paradigm for my country and our region as we strive to end four decades of conflict and enter a new phase free of violence and the forced implementation of  stagnant ideas and spoiler habits. It is a  concept that dwells  on  Afghanistan becoming a platform of cordiality for regional and hemispheric cooperation over the next few years, in sharp contrast to being pushed and pulled towards becoming an area of instability and confrontation.
Our people, who pose no danger to anyone, are demanding a fundamental change in which they can play a constructive and collaborative role across boundaries and help turn their country into a roundabout of people, goods, services, communications, cooperation and ideas across the wider region. I believe that, with the help of the international community, we can turn this concept into a reality. I hope to further engage our regional partners in helping us bring this vision to fruition. I hope that the Assembly and all concerned Member States will play a supportive and positive role to put an end to years of agony and open up a new path leading to durable peace, stability and prosperity.


I would like to begin by congratulating Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on her election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy- third session and to wish her success in fulfilling her important mandate. Furthermore, I would like to thank Mr. Miroslav Lajčák for the fruitful actions he carried out in his capacity as President of the General Assembly during the previous session and to wish him success in his future endeavours.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the late former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a true leader and promoter of United Nations values, who will remain in the memory of the Organization as one of the most distinguished and dedicated supporters of humanitarianism and global peace.
For more than 70 years, the United Nations has been at the centre of multilateral diplomacy,  playing  a primary role in global processes from international peace and security to the promotion of human rights and sustainable development. While the international environment continues to evolve, now is a crucial moment in which the United Nations must adapt itself in order to meet the challenges of the modern world. Hence we welcome the initiatives of Secretary-General António Guterres, which he has been carrying out since his first day in office. In particular, we welcome the reform aimed at enhancing the performance of

the Secretariat in the  area  of  international  peace and security by focusing on conflict prevention as a top priority. Furthermore, we support the efforts to reform United Nations management by streamlining functions and increasing the accountability of all of the branches of the Secretariat in the fulfilment of their mandate. Finally, the recent decision to reposition the United Nations development system by enabling it to effectively contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which were agreed three years ago, is particularly important.
Undoubtedly, those initiatives are very complex and will bring systemic changes across the entire Organization. In order to ensure that those reforms yield the expected results in the medium and long terms, transparent and constructive dialogue among United Nations management and States Members of the Organization must continue.
The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will definitely be a milestone in the work of the Organization for years to come. The reform of the United Nations development system comes at a time when the implementation of that Agenda must be accelerated at all levels in a joint effort of the United Nations system and Member States.
We welcome the new reform vision by which the private sector will be more actively involved in the achievement of sustainable development at the global, regional and national levels. That partnership has the potential to provide a new impetus for progress and innovation, including for financial mobilization aimed at filling the funding gaps that the Organization is currently facing.
Bearing in mind the Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Government of the Republic of Moldova has developed, through an inclusive and participatory process, a vision of a new development strategy called Moldova 2030, which is fully aligned with its international commitments, including the Moldova-European Union Association Agreement. That new development strategy highlights the well-being and human rights of our citizens and the protection of the environment, as well as cultivating an inclusive society, as its top priorities.
There are several ongoing projects aimed at realizing those objectives. We are currently implementing an ambitious national programme to rehabilitate the road infrastructure across the country in order to improve
the connectivity and mobility of people, goods and services. We are introducing greater innovation and technology in public services for greater accessibility, better quality and transparency and in order to eliminate corruption.
We have taken an important step forward towards the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European energy market by signing an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the financing  of  the  largest  energy  project  in the Republic of Moldova  since  its  independence.  The country’s energy independence is crucial to its sustainable development and social stability. We are working actively with our international partners, including United Nations agencies and programmes  in the area of the environment, to continually develop renewable energy and reduce gas emissions in accordance with our international commitments. Given the complexity of the 2030 Agenda, we are pursuing several other initiatives as part of our comprehensive sustainable development vision, which we are implementing together with the United Nations and our partners, in line with the new integrated approach.
While the United Nations  managed to  establish  a vision for reform in  the  field  of  development  in the General Assembly resolution adopted last May (resolution 72/91), in the security sphere, where political factors are more predominant, deficiencies persist. The effectiveness and relevance of the United Nations in that area cannot be fully achieved simply through the internal restructuring of its Secretariat. The delay in the reform of the Security Council over the past 25 years has not contributed to respect for the Charter of the United Nations, international law or the maintenance of international peace and security, which are the core prerogatives of the Organization.
We follow with great concern the violent conflicts that are taking place in various parts of the  world  with severe consequences for the civilian population. The inability of the Security Council to take effective measures in those situations raises a legitimate question about its relevance as a decision-making body for international security. From that perspective, reform is key to restoring the relevance and authority of the Security Council and, by extension, that of the entire United Nations, in matters of international peace and security. The Republic of Moldova supports the vision of an effective, representative, democratic and inclusive Security Council that is capable of swiftly responding

to complex security challenges. Furthermore, as we have stated several times in the past, we advocate for the designation of an additional non-permanent seat in the Council to the Group of Eastern European States. And we hope that the membership of the General Assembly will come to an agreement on outstanding reform issues sooner rather than later.
The Charter of the United Nations requires the Organization to play a proactive role in maintaining international peace and security and in ensuring respect for Member States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. By bringing matters arising from challenges to their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security before the General Assembly, Member States do not seek confrontation or the politicization of the work of the Assembly. It is only natural for such States to turn to the United Nations for assistance in promoting and encouraging solutions based on the strict observance of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
During the high-level segment of the seventy- second session of the General Assembly, I reiterated, from this high rostrum, the calls to the United Nations to focus meaningfully on a grave breach of international law and the Charter of  the United Nations, namely,  the continued presence of Russian military forces and armaments on the territory of the Republic of Moldova without our consent and against our express wishes (see A/72/PV.15). I also appealed to Member States to support the inclusion of an item focused on that pressing political, legal and security issue for the Republic of Moldova in the agenda of General Assembly. I am pleased to note that the General Assembly adopted a resolution that declared in a straightforward manner the incompatibility of the political preconditions that underpin the Russian Federation’s continuing refusal to withdraw its military forces and armaments from Moldovan soil with the norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nations (resolution 72/282). By adopting that resolution, on 22 June, the General Assembly also unequivocally stressed that the Russian Federation’s non-compliance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations has led to a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and that Russia must withdraw its military forces unconditionally, completely and without further delay. The resolution is a first and important milestone for consolidating the support of the United Nations for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of  the Republic of  Moldova.  In that context,
I would like to express our deep gratitude to  all  of  the Member States that sponsored that resolution or supported its adoption.
Last week, following the recommendation by the General Committee, the General Assembly decided by consensus to include in the agenda of the seventy-third session a new item entitled “Complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territory of the Republic of Moldova” (see A/73/PV.3). The Government of the Republic of Moldova welcomes that important decision, which comes at a time when internal and subregional security has worsened owing to the repeated, unlawful and destabilizing activities undertaken by the foreign military forces and the unconstitutional power structures in the eastern part of the country. The military exercises conducted jointly by the operational group of Russian forces in Moldova, which are stationed illegally on our soil, and the paramilitaries of the unconstitutional power structures have increased in scope and frequency, which represents a continued violation of the 1992 Moldovan-Russian ceasefire agreement, which includes an explicit legally binding commitment on the part of the Russian Federation to ensure the neutrality of Russian military forces during the process of their withdrawal from the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The illegal joint military exercises are aimed at upgrading the military-offensive capacity of the unconstitutional power structures and at undermining international efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the protracted Transnistrian problem. Other States members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have echoed the Republic of Moldova in its repeated expressions of deep concern with regard to those unlawful and ongoing destabilizing exercises, which run contrary to the obligations undertaken by the Russian Federation in the framework of the 5+2 international settlement format.
From this rostrum today, we appeal once again to the Russian Federation to discontinue those illegal and provocative activities and to resume, unconditionally and without further delay, the process of withdrawing its troops and armaments, in accordance with its legal commitments under the 1999 OSCE Istanbul summit outcome document and in observance of its obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
The  complete   and   unconditional   withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territory of the Republic of Moldova will undoubtedly facilitate the

process of settling the Transnistrian conflict and help reintegrate the country. Despite the many difficulties encountered in the settlement process, the Moldovan authorities are determined to find a political solution to the protracted, externally generated conflict in the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, within the 5+2 negotiating format. For us, it is extremely important that that solution be based on full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, with the provision of a special status for the Transnistrian region, as stipulated in the relevant OSCE documents.
I would now like to refer briefly to the goal of European integration, which guides the reform agenda of my country, particularly through the application of the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU). By aligning the Republic of Moldova with EU principles and standards and by harmonizing Moldovan national legislation with European legislation, we aim to bring our country closer to the EU and to ensure the sustainability of the modernization process.
The extent of our cooperation with the EU is broad. It includes several dimensions, including engaging in constructive and intensive political dialogue, creating a free and comprehensive trade zone, promoting intersectoral cooperation and taking stock of opportunities for collaboration within the Eastern Partnership. In economic terms, the Association Agreement is a big step forward for the economy of  the Republic of Moldova, as the European Union has become the country’s main trading partner. Several positive results have been achieved that facilitate trade in key sectors, including increasing the competitiveness of our goods and services, and opening up new opportunities for local producers. I am convinced that the implementation of the Association Agreement is the best and most viable option for ensuring prosperity and sustainable development for the Republic of Moldova and will warrant making the path to EU integration irreversible.
I would like to conclude by reaffirming the commitment of my country to continuously promoting respect for Charter of the United Nations and to contributing to the achievement of internationally agreed United Nations goals. I would also like to express the hope that the initiatives recently launched to strengthen the Organization’s capacities will contribute to achieving improved performance in terms of development and international peace and security.
We shall remain true to United Nations ideals and will work to uphold the Organization’s capacity to ensure respect for international law.