On this auspicious occasion, the seventieth anniversary of the United
Nations, I am honoured to address the Assembly on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia. I congratulate the President on his election to preside over the Assembly, and I appreciate the stewardship of his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa, who ably conducted the Assembly’s affairs at the sixty-ninth session.
This year has registered ground-breaking developments. After 50 years, the United States and Cuba have decided to resolve differences by establishing diplomatic relations. Another milestone was the adoption here, a few days ago, of the post-2015 development agenda, “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (resolution 70/1), by which we committed to implementing measures to transform the lives of our peoples — to lift them from poverty to prosperity — and to preserve the planet. It was this same vision that, 70 years ago, motivated the founding of this global organization to promote peaceful coexistence, economic and social advancement of all peoples, respect for human dignity, and equal rights of men and women and nations large and small. I am proud to say that Liberia was among the founding Members of the United Nations.
The creation of the United Nations came out of a realization that only a global organization, through the support and cooperation of the comity of nations, would be suitable to grapple with the many challenges facing humankind. Today, a reduction in inter-State conflict and cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights and in alleviating global poverty, disease and hunger are the hallmarks of this body. On the other hand, increased intra-State conflicts and international terrorism are seeking to undermine the gains made in reducing human suffering. Protracted and intense conflicts in various parts of the world pose serious threats to global peace and security.
Thus new and emerging challenges call the United Nations to action. Despite commendable efforts, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe still have vortexes of conflict. Migrants and people seeking refuge from conflicts and economic hardship are swirling across Europe. We are haunted by the growing threats of destabilizing forces, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS), and by attempts to reverse democratic initiatives, such as that in Burkina Faso, which invoked an immediate and decisive response from the Economic Community of West African States.
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Climate conditions are changing, and so must we. In many countries of the world, women are still being treated as second-class citizens. As Liberia bears painful witness, weak public-health systems in individual countries threaten global health and well- being. It is not beyond this body to find answers and to respond, and we know that we must. We feel compelled to ask if, at 70, our world Organization is hindered today by inflexible structures and overburdened by bureaucracies. Is the current structure of the United Nations fit for purpose — to play its role in the global transformation processes over the next 15 years? We are encouraged by the introspection that is taking place at the United Nations around these questions.
We commend the foresight of the Secretary- General in directing a comprehensive review of peace operations, which is complemented by a review of the Organization’s peacebuilding architecture and a global study on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women’s participation in peace processes. After the completion of these reviews, we expect implementation to bring further improvements. Liberia can attest, with gratitude, to the nature of United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding functions, which are critical and indispensable for post-conflict countries.
This year, we marked the twentieth anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, and its Platform for Action for women’s empowerment and gender equality. We are also marking the fifteenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), on women’s participation in peace processes. And while improvements have been made in the status of women, much more remains to be done. We must therefore all step up and take further measures, going beyond moralizing gender equality to tangible actions. In 70 years only three women have served as President of the General Assembly — one of them, many years ago, being our compatriot, Mrs. Angie Brooks Randolph. Only a few women have served or are serving as special representative of the Secretary-General, and not a single woman has ever served as Secretary-General.
As we ponder, in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three countries worst hit by the deadly Ebola virus disease, we bear witness to the foundational creed of the United Nations that we can always find it within our humanity to respond even to unknown enemies to our collective progress. Accordingly, we remain grateful to the international community for the outpouring of
support and assistance as we faced down the deadly disease, the greatest modern threat to global public health. We thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who — in partnership with our countries and with support from the African Development Bank, the African Union, the European Union and the World Bank — hosted the International Ebola Recovery Conference to focus attention on, and seek support for, our post-Ebola recovery programmes.
The Ebola scourge undoubtedly leaves indelible marks of grief, sorrow and unimaginable affliction. But it has also caused us to celebrate heartwarming tales of extraordinary courage and leadership across Governments and communities, as well as exceptional regional and international responses. We are now proceeding with implementation of our post-Ebola economic stabilization and recovery plan, with expectations of support from our bilateral and multilateral partners for a regionally approved post- Ebola recovery strategy that the three Mano River Union countries affected have formulated.
We are determined to address our development losses, including by rebuilding better and more resilient health and education systems. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda, adopted in April, offers pathways to various forms of financing, capacity-building and technological exchange in support of our pursuit of our development objectives. We must now forge genuine partnerships in order to move ahead on the road to strengthening peace and security, human rights, socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability. We stand firm in our political will to meet any challenge to our commitment to leaving no one behind.


I bring with me the warm greetings of the people and Government of Nepal and their best wishes for the success of the seventieth anniversary of the world body.
I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark on his unanimous election to the presidency of the General Assembly at the seventieth session. With his proven experience and skill, we are confident that he will guide our deliberations to a fruitful conclusion. My delegation wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to the President of the Assembly at the sixty-ninth session, His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa of Uganda, for successfully guiding the business of the preceding session, particularly in the run-up to the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, which adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) last week. Our tribute is also due to His Excellency Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his outstanding service to the Organization in these challenging times.
The theme of the session, “The United Nations at 70: the road ahead for peace, security and human rights”, appropriately reflects our innate and collective desire for peace, security and human rights. These are the issues that continue to constitute the focus of our national priorities, regional initiatives and international engagement.
I am pleased to share with the Assembly that, after about eight years of rigorous democratic exercise conducted in an inclusive, transparent and participatory manner, Nepal promulgated an inclusive democratic Constitution 10 days ago, on 20 September. The promulgation of the Constitution endorsed by over 90 per cent of the 601 members of the Constituent Assembly marks the logical conclusion of the peace process, as well as the end of the protracted political transition in the country. It has institutionalized the federal democratic republican system of governance in Nepal.
The Constitution exemplifies the victory of peace and non-violence, as inspired by the teachings of Lord Buddha. It reflects the best of democratic principles, norms and values, as befits a country of vast diversity that has known centuries of social harmony and tolerance. The Constitution opens up new avenues of empowerment, progress and well-being for all disadvantaged groups, including women, Tharus, Madhesis, indigenous people, Muslims and dalits, with a resolve to create an egalitarian society by ending all discrimination. It guarantees 33-per-cent representation by women in the national Parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our neighbours, friends and well-wishers in the international community
for their continued support and good wishes during the course of our historic political transformation.
Nepal is fully committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We firmly believe that the United Nations at 70 remains a strong pillar of the international system, as well as the institution of hope and trust. Both the continuing determination of the peoples and the means for attaining the ends envisaged at the time of its inception continue to be an inspiration.
The purposes and principles of the United Nations constitute the solid foundation of international relations. However, a review of the past seven decades of the United Nations also reveals that much more remains to be done on many fronts, despite several far-reaching achievements to its credit. The United Nations continues to confront numerous challenges in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as in the effective employment of international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.
We therefore feel that there is a need for a stronger United Nations that is capable of delivering results based on wider respect for and observance of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and non-interference, as well as of preserving the universal values of peace, justice, equality, freedom and human dignity.
The reforms of the United Nations are needed to strengthen and revitalize its work so that it may better respond to the increasingly complex and profound challenges. The reforms should promote good- neighbourly relations and should contribute to smarter maintenance of international peace and security. The reforms should encourage stricter adherence to the principles and purposes of the Charter. They should serve to promote the economic and social advancement of all peoples and to enhance the dignity of the peoples in a just international order. These are the kind of reforms we advocate, support and aspire to. The reforms should encourage those who can do so to contribute more to the cause of peace and progress. The reforms should instil hope and confidence in those who are marginalized and extend support to those who confront difficult circumstances.
Nepal has been consistently contributing to United Nations peacekeeping for about six decades now.
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More than 120,000 of our peacekeepers have served so far with outstanding professionalism in more than 40 different missions around the globe, and 70 have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. As one of the leading troop-contributing countries, Nepal remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining international peace and security.
Loss of life and injury incurred in the line of duty must be minimized. A strong sense of safety and security enhances the confidence and efficiency of the peacekeepers. Moreover, leadership opportunities should be made available to the member countries commensurate with their contributions. This would make the best use of their experience and would enhance efficiency and inspire commitment. Given its long-standing contribution and experience, both in the field and at Headquarters, Nepal has the ability to make a contribution in senior-level leadership positions in the United Nations peace architecture and is willing to do so.
Nepal fully aligns itself with the United Nations and the international community in dealing with all threats to peace and security. Terrorism is the biggest threat to peace, security and development. It is shocking to see the emergence of various terrorist groups, some of which espouse violent extremism and religious fundamentalism, in different parts of the globe. We unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As terrorism is a multifaceted problem, its solution demands greater unity, solidarity and the concerted collaboration of nations to address its root causes. This is best done under the auspices of the United Nations, and we are in favour of concluding a comprehensive convention on international terrorism at an early date.
Nepal stands for the general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction and against the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons. It wishes to see the world without weapons and would like all resources spent on armaments to be urgently diverted to the cause of development in the interests of meeting the pressing needs of the people.
We consider both the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba and the nuclear deal with Iran to be important indications of forward- looking approaches with positive implications for international peace and security.
We support the call for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and an end to the conflicts in the region. We recognize the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to an independent State based on United Nations resolutions. We recognize the right of every nation in the region to live in peace within secure and recognized international boundaries.
Since their categorization in 1971, the least developed countries (LDCs) have grown in number from 25 to 48. However, only four countries have so far been able to graduate from this status. The rest continue to struggle for development and prosperity. Their struggle has been unfairly long and has also been at the cost of the dignity of their people. An enhanced level of partnership and collaboration is key to addressing the challenges they face. We welcome the Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted in July. Its implementation will be critical for the success of the new Agenda. We look forward to a meaningful review of the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action in 2016.
Similarly, there is a strong need for effective implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action to make a difference in the lives of about 450 million people living in landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). The world needs to ensure unhindered access to the sea by the LLDCs, without restriction on the free movement of people and goods. We stress that the freedom of transit of LLDCs should not be constrained under any circumstances or on any pretext, and that nothing should disrupt the flow of goods and services. The freedom of transit of LLDCs must be fully and unconditionally adhered to by all transit countries.
As a country with many of the highest peaks in the world, as well as fragile mountain ecosystems, Nepal is aware of the hardships faced by the mountainous countries. An enhanced level of international collaboration is essential to conserve and promote the mountain ecosystems for the benefit of all.
Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest development challenges confronting us. For the least developed countries, like Nepal, it increases the cost of development and also causes disproportionate impacts on them. There is an urgent need to translate commitments into concrete actions based on the accepted principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, equity and respective capabilities. The achievement of a binding international instrument in Paris later this year is a must.
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Human rights, equality and human dignity constitute an integral part of the United Nations objectives. We believe in an integrated approach to democracy, development and human rights, and we firmly hold the view that democracy is indispensable for development, as well as for the enjoyment of political, cultural and social rights and the right to development. We underline that the principles of universality, objectivity and non-selectivity must be strictly adhered to. The new Constitution promulgated in our country guarantees the fundamental rights of our citizens. Its ambitious scope has broadened the rights of women, children, the elderly and differently abled persons and of marginalized communities.
The issue of refugees is intricately linked with peace, security and human rights and therefore must be addressed with the seriousness and priority it deserves. Migration has emerged as a megatrend. Migrant workers today represent a significant proportion of the mobile population. In view of the greater vulnerabilities of such people, due recognition and priority should be given to the protection of their rights and dignity.
We in Nepal were overwhelmed by the unprecedented scale of the expression of solidarity and cooperation from the international community in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our neighbours, India and China, fellow members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and all those friends and well-wishers who so promptly extended their humanitarian support and expressed solidarity with us in difficult moments and made us feel that we were not alone. We consider the global outpouring of support and solidarity to be astonishing but significant evidence of the vast scope and potential of the spirit of the United Nations. Nepal looks to continued support and solidarity in the phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on the historic occasion of the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations has generated optimism for a better future across the world. To be truly transformative, the Sustainable Development Goals must embrace everyone and must be implemented in their entirety with the required resources. To this end, guaranteed means of implementation, encompassing finance, technology transfer, capacity and partnership, are critical. Many of the development issues that many
countries face, particularly the most vulnerable ones, deserve more serious attention if we are to strengthen the cause of peace and security.
We want the United Nations and the international community to turn their immediate attention to the issues of growing inequality and dwindling resources and to the existential threat of global warming. Poverty remains a powerful threat to peace, security and human rights. It is a minefield, compounding the woes and sufferings of society. Let us not forget that it is the poor who are constantly exposed to violence, corruption, extortion and the malpractices of the powerful.
I would like to conclude with what Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, the first elected Prime Minister of Nepal, told the General Assembly at the fifteenth session,
“As we look at the world, we find that the economic disparity between countries, as between the rich and the poor people within the nation, is the source of much friction and tension” (A/PV.878, para. 232).
Economic disparity continues to stare at us all, as it did then. Let us commit ourselves to creating a sustainable, equitable and inclusive development in larger freedom to address this problem.
I am confident that the spirit of the United Nations will continue to prevail for the benefit of humankind in the days to come.


Allow me to congratulate you on your election, Mr. President, and to thank His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa for his leadership throughout the previous session. We have great expectations for this session, recognizing that there is an urgent need for action on so many issues and in so many areas of the globe. While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, we sincerely hope that by working together we can turn those challenges into opportunities and make significant progress in achieving some of our common goals.
As we celebrate the 70 years of the United Nations, I find myself reflecting on the past 23 years, beginning in 1992, when Croatia joined the United Nations and has since gone on to contribute to the Organization’s legacy and achievements for almost a third of its existence. During those 23 years, Croatia has transformed itself from a recipient of United Nations assistance and an item on the Security Council’s agenda into an active member supporting the work of our Organization in many areas. Croatia has served on the Security Council and has held the presidency of the Economic and Social Council, and has actively and substantively contributed to our common cause, whether in peacekeeping missions, peacebuilding efforts, arms control, economic and social development, gender equality, strengthening the international legal architecture, or reforming the General Assembly. The United Nations can rest assured that Croatia will continue its efforts and contributions.
Can we truly say that we are doing enough to ensure peace, security and human rights? Are we doing enough to protect our planet, the only one we have? Member States, all 193 of us, should not forget how important membership is, nor how important are the commitments that we have made to ensuring global peace and security. Strengthening the role of the United Nations and promoting international relations and economic order is in the interest of all nations. That is not an empty phrase, but a reality that we must constantly be mindful of.
We must ask ourselves whether we are currently meeting the expectations that people around the globe have of the United Nations and of us as Members. The answer is obvious, and not flattering. Too many armed conflicts persist, too many people are denied basic human rights, too many children go to sleep
hungry every night, and too many women and girls are left behind. We are witnessing a breakdown in basic governance and increasing economic despair in too many parts of the world, with more than 1 billion children worldwide living in poverty. It is heartbreaking just to read the number of children who, according to UNICEF, die each day as the result of poverty — 22,000. This is where a commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (resolution 70/1) is not just necessary, but perhaps overdue. I was inspired by the spirit of our Summit last week and hope that it will materialize swiftly and purposefully into actions and accomplishments.
We live in a world so rich with potential and beauty, natural and man-made alike, and yet we have witnessed one atrocity after another. This year marks numerous tragic anniversaries, among which we note the one hundredth anniversary of the unspeakable Armenian tragedy, the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the twentieth anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica. With regard to anniversaries, we should ask ourselves whether they are personal events intended only for the victims and the survivors, or whether they are general reminders designed to alert all of us to how much we have forgotten since our initial attempt to maintain world peace.
Accountability should always be at the centre of our actions. The fight against impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is not only a matter of justice. It is an equally important element of conflict prevention. No crime should go unpunished, and the effective prosecution of those responsible has to be ensured. We should spare no effort to put an end to the culture of impunity. Croatia is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court. As the victim of aggression in the 1990s, we are proud to be the thirteenth State to ratify the Kampala amendments on the crime of aggression.
Nearly everything can be prevented. Time will, as always, determine who was right and who was wrong, but is that the only alternative to hindsight? Too often, we have to deal with the consequences of our inaction. Too often, instead of solving problems at their source and addressing the root causes at an early stage, we are required to spend more time and resources on the crises after allowing them to spin out of control. That is because we ignored the early signs or we just did not have the time or the courage to get involved. We must change that approach. We must act in time, with
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determination and adequate resources. That is not only the right thing to do. It is smart thing to do. The migrant crisis, which has flooded numerous European States, is a textbook case of paying too high a price as a consequence of inaction.
The challenge of migration is nothing new. It has been a part of human existence since the dawn of humankind. However, with 60 million people on the move worldwide, what is new is the lack of clear guidelines and comprehensive policies. We need sound legal, social, economic, humanitarian and logistical solutions. The current migrant and refugee problem has national, regional and global aspects. It cannot be addressed — yet alone solved — by one State alone. It is a multidimensional problem that requires multilateral solutions, in terms of protection against terrorism, preventive diplomacy and sound development. Whoever wants to avoid that issue, or pretend that it does not exist, will simply not be able to help solve it.
Since mid-September, with almost 80,000 people having entered Croatia, my country has joined a list of European Union and neighbouring South-East European countries that have been heavily burdened by the current crisis. Croatia has to look at that issue from its own perspective, while keeping in mind historical, current and future global policy trends. And finding the right balance of national, regional and global considerations is the hardest task. We must focus on both micro and macro levels at the same time, while keeping in mind what is really at stake: human lives and the future of so many individuals and their families. Here, I ask for consensus within the European Union. Here, I ask for a global response. Here, I ask that we focus on the rule of law and the conventions that we signed at the end of the Second World War.
The solution to the migrant crisis in Europe will have to be addressed at the highest global level in several ways. It is an issue that involves ways of defending against terrorism, which, together with extremism in all its forms, must be prevented and defeated at its core. But it is also an issue that involves providing sufficient financial and material aid to refugee camps in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere in that part of the world. And equally important, it is an issue of efficiently policing and administering international borders. Last but not least, it is an issue that involves combating those who profit from human trafficking and eliminating their networks.
The first thing that always comes to mind is educating our children, our future generations, working harder at achieving global citizenship and building on the United Nations idea of a global classroom, such as the Global Education Initiative, in which Croatia is proud to serve as a champion country. It is important to establish a curriculum on common standards for global citizenship, a curriculum that should become compulsory for all children in their formative years. We need to deliver on the promise of the right to education.
It seems clear that legislation is not enough. We need a change of mindset and behaviour, and that is only possible through education. We must promote education that instils tolerance, trust, compassion, integrity, truth and respect for the dignity of the individual and gender equality. Children are not born with hatred, intolerance, racism, sexism, prejudice or stereotypes in their hearts and minds. They have much to teach us.
The rostrum in front of me bears the logo which 70 years ago became a symbol, not just of the United Nations, but of the better world that we then envisioned for ourselves. Since that time, progress has been achieved in some areas, while there have been alarming developments in others. I am hopeful that our quest for a better, safer and more prosperous world is far from over.
To take one example of the dangers we face, the impact of climate change and global warming on the economy, development, security, political stability and human rights of all countries can no longer be ignored. As we can see for ourselves, the United Nations logo shows the world from the perspective of the Arctic Circle and, sadly, last year’s winter was one of the warmest ever. As the Arctic ice melts and the oceans grow warmer, do we truly grasp the full impact that that has already had on our planet?
We cannot predict the final impact that those changes will have. All over the world, and in Croatia as well, we are recording changes in sea temperature and have witnessed unprecedented changes in the ecosystem. In Croatia’s beautiful Adriatic Sea, we have begun documenting the arrival of new species of fish from tropical waters. That represents a trend that many other countries are witnessing, and there has to be a joint solution on that front. With sea levels rising, many coastal States, like Croatia, will be seriously affected, while the even greater impact that some of our fellow
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Member States may face will be detrimental to their very existence.
It is vital that our actions deal with the interrelationship between climate change, natural resources, prosperity and security. We have to fully understand how those interactions will affect our future prosperity, stability and development. In that regard, we must realize how fragile life is on this planet and that the damage that we have done may not be reversible. We must learn how to change our behaviour and to show more respect for our planet.
The twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a chance that we cannot afford to miss. We should collectively take pride in the fact that we did not miss the chance presented by the Third International Conference on Financing for Development at Addis Ababa. We must remain committed to finding and executing the effective means of implementation for our ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and follow the Addis Ababa Action Agenda to the fullest extent.
Unfortunately, the world continues to be appalled by the brutality of a multitude of violent acts and to face increasingly complex security threats involving non-State actors. In this context of evolving security challenges, the rise of terrorism presents a threat to all of us and calls for a well-coordinated response. Croatia welcomes the work of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and its review of United Nations peacekeeping operations. We hope that its report will provide future guidance for increasing the effectiveness of United Nations peace operations as one of the key mechanisms for ensuring global peace and stability.
In implementing the mandates of peace operations, we stress the importance of giving the highest priority to the protection of civilians, the prevention of atrocities, especially sexual and gender-based violence, and the protection of children. In addition, I would like to welcome efforts made in other review processes, namely the review of the peacebuilding architecture and the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). I am truly confident that all expert recommendations will find a way to be implemented.
We are witnessing fragile peace and security situations in many parts of the world. Under such circumstances, our dedication to security agreements is becoming increasingly important. This is why we
regret that the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons did not produce the much-needed results. Croatia believes that this Treaty continues to be the most effective multilateral instrument for preventing nuclear proliferation and achieving nuclear disarmament. We should therefore spare no effort to uphold and enhance the Treaty in the future.
The uncontrolled spread of conventional weapons represents another significant threat to security and stability. In that respect, Croatia was proud to preside over the first Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which is among the most insidious types of weapons because they continue to be a threat long after a conflict ends. It is no coincidence that the Conference took place in Dubrovnik, a city that suffered attacks from these kinds of weapons in the Homeland War.
As a country with a rich historical heritage with seven UNESCO world heritage sites, Croatia strongly condemns the deliberate destruction of the world’s cultural history and urges the United Nations and everyone to do more to protect and safeguard heritage in areas where it is threatened by conflicts and extremists.
In terms of diplomacy and foreign relations, this year could mark a turning point in bilateral relations and a shift towards global policy. In this regard, I cannot overemphasize the importance of trust, not just trust among Member States and international institutions, but trust and truth at every level.
On the positive side, we are pleased to note the positive outcome of the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme. We congratulate the parties to the talks on their determination and political will to resolve an issue that has been burdening international relations for so long. This is a major victory for diplomacy. We expect in the coming months to see to what extent the removal of the nuclear threat is contributing to the vitally important question of the stabilization of the Middle East and beyond.
Another milestone in international security has been achieved with the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty. This legally binding instrument establishes for the first time minimum standards in the trade of conventional arms at a global level. Croatia is proud to be among the countries that have ratified and put into effect this milestone treaty.
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Croatia is fully committed to promoting peace and stability globally, but even more so regionally. We host the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre, an organization with the important mission of fostering dialogue and cooperation on security matters in South-East Europe, with a focus on harmonizing norms and standards, thus facilitating rapprochement with the European Union and NATO.
The issue of most pressing concern is related to the challenges in Europe, in particular its southern neighbourhood. The challenge of the migrant crisis has somehow triggered a connection between geography and peoples’ destinies and has brought to the fore the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts. As to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and the other crisis areas of the Middle East and North Africa, we share a grave concern about the continuing and growing trend of violence, religious intolerance and terrorist actions. In those countries, we see unspeakable acts of barbarism and terror with such appalling forms of killing as beheadings, we see sexual violence against women and girls and other extremely heinous crimes — against humanity, culture, religion, dignity and, most appalling of all, human life. It is shocking and sickening. It has nothing to do with Islam, a religion of peace, tolerance and understanding.
We urgently need to stand together, face this huge challenge and mobilize all our efforts to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and all forms of intolerance and discrimination. At the same time, we have to find prospects for a peaceful resolution of these conflicts and pave the way for a better life. It is not enough to end human suffering; it is just as important to provide hope and opportunities.
We need to build safe, tolerant and flexible communities that are resistant to radicalization and the marginalization of certain social groups, particularly the most vulnerable ones. To that end, we must expand economic, educational and other opportunities. By so doing, we will eliminate the preconditions for radicalization and violent extremism, which may lead to terrorism. In this regard, we call for the timely implementation of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals.
There is no development without security. And there is no real security without justice, human rights, rule of law and good governance. Sustainable development
rests upon economic, social and environmental pillars and the positive synergy between them. There are few straight lines leading to the final goal; rather, it is a meticulous task that requires connecting all the dots, big and small. The complexity of the 2030 Agenda is testimony to that fact. However, it is the only way forward if we are truly committed to leaving no one behind.
On the European continent, in Ukraine, the implementation and the viability of the peace process have to be ensured. The ceasefire must be respected and the Minsk peace plan adhered to by all parties. Croatia, together with its partners in the European Union, remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as to assisting and supporting Ukraine on its reformist path towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
We emphasize the importance of the stability of South-East Europe and its prosperity. Croatia remains strongly committed to doing its utmost to support the processes of the Euro-Atlantic integration of its south- eastern neighbourhood. We strongly believe that this is the most efficient and constructive way to secure peace, stability and prosperity for this part of Europe. In particular, as we approach the twentieth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we all should support Bosnia and Herzegovina, a politically emancipated State in which decisions are taken for the equal benefit and prosperity of its three constituent peoples and other communities and individuals.
History is more often than not the real litmus test for leadership. The attribute that all great leaders have had in common is the ability to see past the boundaries of their own timidity. That has often been called vision, or perhaps foresight. In any case, I believe that we all of us fail when we are forced to make a distinction between friends or allies and adversaries. Drawing those distinctions and picking sides creates another wall in terms of global policy. It not only blocks vision, but it confines reason. And once that line is crossed, history teaches us that conflict is inevitable. In terms of all the current crises, I have to say that the traditional bilateral diplomacy should be reevaluated in the light of shifting global policy.
Never judge a country, person or problem by its size. Do not look at numbers and do not be limited by vocabulary, legal terms, boundaries or borders. In terms of size, Croatia ranks 124th in the world, but
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we are determined that our international presence and relevance will be far greater than our size. Our geographical location keeps us at the global table, sometimes against our will, but mostly by choice. I, for one, am not going anywhere and will continue to ask real questions. More and more leaders must realize, as I have from the start, that we should, all of us, look on solidarity and membership in multilateral and international organizations as a privilege for our citizens. When we leave New York and return home, we need to evaluate our national and international interests and values. We should talk to friendly States and to adversaries. We should engage in dialogue, ask real questions, build trust and keep our perspective. We, the peoples of the United Nations, have the tools and the means. Now is the time to find the will to use them.


On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I should like to join other leaders in expressing my warm congratulations to the United Nations on the occasion of its seventieth anniversary.
I wish to sincerely thank all countries for their expressions of condolence and solidarity in the aftermath of the bombing in Bangkok on 17 August. Thailand strongly condemns this barbaric act, which took the lives of many innocent civilians. We will never condone such violence. Let me therefore pledge our firm and unwavering determination to work with all countries to uphold peace and stability everywhere.
During the past 70 years, the United Nations has made significant contributions to alleviating the plight and problems of peoples in all four corners of the globe, playing a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security, protecting and promoting human rights and advancing the welfare and well-being of all humankind.
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In the area of peacekeeping, the United Nations has been recognized for its success in preventing armed conflicts from escalating into war. Nevertheless, the United Nations remains duty-bound to shoulder a heavy humanitarian burden and build sustainable peace, which means continuing to carry out development work and assisting people on the ground. Thailand is determined to provide support to United Nations peacekeeping operations, especially in the area of development.
In the area of human rights Thailand has always accorded priority to protecting and promoting the human rights of all groups of people. We proudly served as a member of the Human Rights Council from 2010 to 2013 and as its Chair from 2010 to 2011. During our tenure we advocated ourselves as a bridge-builder among nations and groups of nations with diverging views and ideologies. We uphold the principle of non-discrimination and constructive partnerships, as well as capacity-building of individual nations in their human rights promotion and protection efforts.
In the area of development, the United Nations deserves credit for bringing progress and prosperity to all Member States. Thailand is proud to be a part of this transformative world agenda, which places people at the centre of development in order to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, ensure universal health and well-being, promote good governance and the rule of law, and reduce disaster risks. Climate change will pose a major challenge to the achievement of various Sustainable Development Goals. It is therefore our shared responsibility to ensure that the outcome of the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be both ambitious and viable.
We live in a borderless world marked by a complex interlinkage of problems, and solving them will require a comprehensive approach because we cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all solution. And since each country’s circumstances are different, there ought to be different approaches to addressing common global challenges. Today, close international cooperation and enhanced partnerships are indispensable to tackling the problem of irregular migration, especially persons displaced by conflict, which has created protracted humanitarian crises in many parts of the world. Thailand is also facing this challenge, and we reaffirm our commitment to work closely with all to address this pressing issue.
The United Nations at 70 has a commendable track record in the maintenance of peace and security and
the prevention of human rights abuses. Nevertheless, numerous challenges remain and require a holistic approach, focusing especially on the development dimension. The imperative now is to focus on crafting a truly sustainable solution to peace and security, taking into account the nexus of development and human rights.
Thailand’s socioeconomic success of the past three decades, its ascent to the rank of middle-income country, and its status as a partner for development, owes a great deal to the sufficiency economy philosophy of His Majesty the King of Thailand. Thailand’s approach to development takes inspiration from His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy, which espouses moderation, prudence and resilience. It teaches people to be moral, wise and self-reliant and to live modestly and in harmony with society and nature. This people-centred development is indeed consonant with the United Nations new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy has been recognized internationally. In 2006, His Majesty the King was awarded the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award.
The strategy underpinning my Government’s approach to national development inspired by His Majesty the King’s philosophy is to make the country stable, prosperous and sustainable. The goals include reducing disparity and inequality, promoting the rule of law and good governance, fostering national unity, enhancing economic connectivity with our neighbours and pursuing development that would not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Security and stability, allowing people to live free from fear and free from want, are top priorities for my country, and it is my conviction that Thailand will be stable only when we have developed ourselves into a nation of virtuous, competent and enlightened citizens who live their lives responsibly and for the greater good. The Government has a role to play in the promotion of such a society, in which individuals actively take part in building a stronger and better future for themselves and for the community so that they can be resilient enough to cope with future challenges.
Climate change is a major challenge, and all countries must cooperate to manage the challenge it poses. Thailand reaffirms its commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by between 20 and 25 per
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cent by the year 2030, in line with our commitment under the intended nationally determined contributions. Furthermore, sustainability can be achieved only when we put in place a framework of fair rules for all and promote good governance that in turn leads to greater transparency and accountability. We will stress joint ownership and the collective efforts of all across all sectors because people are the main agents of change, and that change must begin from within.
Thailand is therefore undertaking comprehensive reforms on several fronts to make our country stronger and better in the hope that we will achieve security, prosperity and sustainability, and pave the way towards resilient democracy. Some of these major reforms include amending laws and strengthening the justice system, and improving public-sector efficiency. What we do today will become history tomorrow. Therefore, we must make the best of today so that 10 or 20 years from now we will be remembered for our actions. We want Thailand to be stronger and better and to become more actively involved in the work of the United Nations to shape a brighter future for us all.
We often expect the strongest to help the weakest and the most vulnerable, but given the widening gap between the strongest and the weakest we must not overlook what those in the middle can do. This middle group of countries actually constitutes the majority. They may be strong enough to stand on their own feet while still remaining in touch with the instructive experiences of their growth and development. Therefore they can serve as a crucial link between the strongest and the weakest.
As a middle-income country, Thailand firmly believes that development cannot be truly sustainable when some countries forge ahead and leave others behind. That is why we have pursued the “Thailand- Plus-One” policy for all-inclusive, region-wide economic and industrial development, so that our neighbours can advance alongside us. This includes projects of transport connectivity and the creation of special economic zones along our borders with our neighbours in support of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
At present, the majority of people in developing countries are in the agricultural sector. They currently face a host of challenges, such as trade barriers, competition on the world market, climate change, debt, poverty and a diminishing workforce. All these challenges put the world’s food security at risk.
Therefore, we must join hands to help developing countries, particularly through North-South and South- South cooperation and by strengthening the agricultural sector.
Aside from looking after our farmers, we must also empower other vulnerable groups, such as women, children and the disabled, and those at risk of having their human rights violated and becoming victims of human trafficking, such as workers in the fisheries sector. The Thai Government accords priority to solving the problem of human trafficking because it is a serious violation of human rights and necessitates humanitarian assistance. The comprehensive efforts that we are now undertaking in the areas of prevention, suppression and rehabilitation will contribute to regional and global efforts to tackle this problem.
As regards other major transnational challenges, such as pandemics and drug trafficking, these are issues that require enhanced international cooperation. Thailand stands ready to share our experiences and best practices in areas where we have expertise, namely universal health coverage, infectious disease surveillance and sustainable alternative development. In a few months, we will be organizing the second High-Level International Conference on Alternative Development.
Thailand attaches importance to building a culture of peace. We have also actively participated in the international efforts to address global challenges. It is for these reasons that Thailand has decided to run for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term 2017-2018. We believe that we can constructively serve as a bridge-builder among Security Council members and non-members. We believe that we can play a constructive role in bridging different cultures and beliefs. In undertaking this important responsibility, we hope to be able to promote good understanding and enhance international cooperation in our collective endeavour to achieve the common goals of the United Nations.
As we enter a new era of development, the concept of sustainability should be integrated into all three pillars of the United Nations work. We have been emphasizing for decades how these three pillars are mutually reinforcing, but in reality we have been taking somewhat of a silo approach to peace and security, to development and to human rights. It is time to change all that. Now is the time to converge all three paths so that the road ahead for humanity in the next 70 years will be
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one of promises fulfilled, of visions transformed. Let us make it happen together now and let us turn our road into one that makes a difference.
It is our firm conviction that together we, the States Members of the United Nations, hold the power to change the world for the better. I hereby reaffirm Thailand’s readiness to partner with all Member States in our continuing efforts to address both traditional and non-traditional challenges. We are indeed united in our aspiration to make the United Nations a true beacon of hope for humankind.


It is my honour to represent my country, the Principality of Andorra, before the Assembly, which this year is celebrating its seventieth anniversary.
Over the past seven decades, we have listened to speakers talking from this very this rostrum, year after year, of peace, social justice and, more recently, of sustainable development. If we have talked about those themes for so long, perhaps that is because something has not been going as planned. Perhaps the
international community has not done well and has been unable to make sufficient progress in promoting the values that are part of the philosophy and charisma of the United Nations. Clearly, with the United Nations, the international community has made unprecedented progress. However, to recognize that not all has gone smoothly and that there is much room for improvement is the first step towards meeting present and future challenges in a realistic and effective manner.
The world has changed a great deal in the past 70 years. Seven decades ago, the international community came to an agreement to prevent a third world war that would have devastated the future of humankind. To prevent that, the major Powers were able to choose consensus and harmony over unilaterally imposing their own order, because solutions that are concerted, balanced and fair are much more lasting than those imposed through coercion or the unilateral use of power.
As we heard President Obama say a few days ago before the Assembly (see A/70/PV.13), no country can claim to solve the world’s problems unilaterally, and no country can remain isolated and think that the problems affecting the rest of the world will not affect it. A country as small as Andorra understands, perhaps better than others, the deeper meaning of those words.
Over the past 70 years, Andorra has made the transition from isolation to openness. Seven decades ago, our country was only beginning to overcome its cloistered past. For centuries Andorra was a reclusive country, surrounded by its mountains — both isolated
and protected by its environment. The construction of roads that connected us with the neighbouring regions of France and Spain were the way we overcame our isolation. Thanks to that geographical opening, various sectors developed in Andorra, such as tourism, trade and finance. That provided opportunities to the local population, as well as to the thousands of people from neighbouring countries who sought new opportunities in our country and who have helped enrich the Principality of Andorra and make it greater.
Andorra’s history is the history of its ongoing adaptation to its environment. It is also the history of continuous change. In the 1980s and 1990s, my country aligned its institutional systems to others. That too was a change and an opening. In my generation, our mission has been to open up and harmonize our economic system. Three years ago, we proposed and approved an economic law that removed restrictions on foreign investment and conferred full economic rights to foreign nationals starting on their first day of residency. In parallel with that, Andorra has opted for cooperation and transparency. We have approved a new fiscal model that is in line with others. We have made and will continue to make progress in exchanging tax information, and we have begun to build a network for double taxation agreements.
The world is changing, and Andorra must change with the world. We have chosen to become a more open, more competitive and more transparent country, because we are convinced that increasing economic ties among countries is a way to establish the foundations of a more cooperative, more just and more peaceful world. That was in fact the spirit that guided the construction of the European Union over the past 60 years.
Andorra is currently negotiating an Association Agreement with the European Union that establishes a stable horizon for opportunities and prosperity for our citizens. We do so in the same spirit of cooperation, healthy competition and transparency that we have brought to our economic reforms in recent years. Andorra needs broader horizons than those fixed by our mountains, and that will also happen through the European Union. To opt for a more interrelated and open world, with stronger economic, cultural and social ties among nations, is also to opt for peace and harmony. As President Obama said yesterday, the great challenges of our time, including economic ones, must be addressed jointly, and that is what we our trying to do in Andorra.
Andorra believes that after its first 70 years, the United Nations also should promote a process of reform. That is why we have supported the political declaration on suspending the right to the veto in the Security Council in cases of mass atrocities, an initiative that has been and is being promoted by the French Republic and the United Mexican States. It is important that France, as a permanent member of the Security Council, is part of that initiative.
Here, I would like to commend France’s initiative, as expressed on Monday through President Hollande (see A/70/PV.13). France could retain the major Powers’ right to the veto, but it understands that that right should be moderated under certain circumstances, because institutions are here to serve the values, and not the reverse. And international institutions should be at the service of people and the universal values of peace, solidarity and justice.
In extreme situations, when the survival of thousands of people is at stake, the international community cannot remain deadlocked. The balances that gave birth to the United Nations cannot be used to excuse deadlock in situations that are extreme for humankind. The citizens of this great global city that is the world demand solutions, and institutions must always be part of the solution, not part of the problem. That is why we must address the matter of Security Council reform. We must move the United Nations forward, adapt it to the changing times and reform it to improve it, without making radical changes yet in a resolute, effective way. We need to do that now, without waiting for another humanitarian crisis or a new stalemate to reveal our shortcomings and weaknesses.
In extreme situations such as that in Syria during recent years, the international community must be able to provide effective and fair responses. And, let us say clearly, so far we have been unable to do that. That creates an image of frustration and impotence that we should avoid. When there is a massacre, there is no middle ground: one is either part of the problem or one is part of the solution. The international community must always be part of the solution. The consequence of our failure to respond in time to the crisis in Syria is obvious every day on Europe’s borders, where thousands of refugees arrive in flight from massacres. This is not a migration phenomenon motivated by socioeconomic factors. What we are seeing is an exodus of people fleeing war and fleeing death. They are not seeking a better life; they are seeking simply to live.
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And that calls directly and bluntly to the very essence of the United Nations.
Andorra is committed and sensitive to the situation we are witnessing in Syria. That is why the Government that I have the honour to head has decided to join the effort to host refugees. Our country wants to be faithful to its tradition of hospitality and integration, and we want to be part of the solution — a balanced solution agreed in the European framework because, once again, global problems require global solutions. Andorra, from its modest position, will be part of that global solution. The desperate cry of refugees, wherever they may come from, calls us all. It is sad that the developed countries have taken longer to react than have those less favoured. As we heard on Monday from President Hollande, it is the least developed countries that have most quickly welcomed the refugees fleeing the war and the tyranny of the various conflicts that unfortunately affect many places on our planet.
Because we in the more developed countries have been slower to react, we must move decisively to enact reforms that guarantee that an atrocity such as that in Syria will not be repeated. Governments need to carry out forward-looking policies. In the international arena also, the best policy for promoting peace is clearly conflict prevention. Accordingly, Andorra commends the recent agreement between the United States and Iran on the nuclear issue, which shows that no matter how far apart positions may be, there is always room for cooperation and harmony.
The fact that we are a small country is not in any way incompatible with the fight against atrocities of war. In that connection, Andorra accepted the Kampala amendments, a text that defines the crime of aggression and establishes the conditions in which the International Criminal Court can exercise jurisdiction over such crimes so that they do not go unpunished.
Some years ago, in this very Hall, in speaking about the conflicts in Libya and Syria, we discussed whether effectiveness or justice was preferable in resolving conflicts. That is an open question, but I believe that the way in which events have unfolded demonstrates that it is an artificial debate. We must be both effective and just, because justice, if not effective, is just a pretty word. And effectiveness without justice winds up being ineffective. As His Holiness Pope Francis said from this rostrum last month (see A/70/PV.3), justice is a will that is effective, practical and constant, with concrete steps and immediate measures.
There are no lasting solutions without justice. In that regard, regimes and tyrants who continue to perpetrate massacres and repeatedly violate human rights cannot be part of the solution, because they are ultimately part of the problem. The victims of conflicts cannot live knowing that they have not been taken care of adequately by the international community.
From the time of its founding, the fundamental goal of the United Nations has been the promotion of peace and the prevention of conflicts. The founders soon realized, however, that peace and justice cannot be disassociated from education, opportunities, social rights and the rational and sustainable use of the environment. Andorra has accordingly committed itself to other fields such as education and sustainable development.
Our country has long experience in welcoming immigrants and in dealing with diversity. Proof of that can be seen in our educational system, which incorporates the French, Spanish and Andorran educational systems and has resulted in a trilingual society, prepared for a global world. On that account, our country has become meaningfully involved in the Global Education First initiative, promoted by the Secretary-General, which advocates universal primary education, quality teaching and the promotion of global citizenship. We must always bear in mind the values that are part of that initiative.
The need to tackle problems from a global perspective is more apparent than ever in environmental concerns. There are problems that we can attempt to solve unilaterally, and we might achieve an imperfect and short-term solution. Global warming is not one of those problems. Either there will be a global solution, or there will be no solution at all. That is why we cannot lose sight of the notion of global citizenship within a global village, which President Dilma Rousseff evoked in her opening statement in the Assembly (see A/70/PV.13). Small countries such as ours perhaps better understand the notion of a global village, for Andorra is both a country and a village. Who better than we can act on the slogan that says we must think globally and act locally?
As a small country, it is clear that Andorra needs its natural environment and the help of others to reverse the situation and resolve issues. In Andorra, the effects of global warming concern and affect us in a very specific way. The average temperature in the Pyrenees is rising at a rate of 0.2°C per decade, and precipitation
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has been annually decreasing by 2 litres per square metre. Experts’ calculations predict that by 2050, our water reserves will be reduced by 18 per cent. Those statistics are of particular concern to a country that lives on the tourism of snow and of mountains.
The major climate change agreements must be integrated into the national policies of every country. For some time Andorra has been working in that direction, and in recent years we have seen the improvement of all environmental indicators. But we also know that the reach of national policies is reduced, especially in a country like ours. We need global solutions that can be applied locally. For that reason, Andorra was one of the first countries to make its national contribution to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December. Andorra has committed to reducing its emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 37 per cent by 2030. That metric places us within the global commitment to ensure that the increase in global average temperature remains below 2°C.
We endorse the statement made by President Hollande in urging countries that have not yet submitted their contribution to the Conference of the Parties to do so by December. At the Conference, we must provide the international community with the necessary tools to be able to confront the tremendous environmental challenges of the future and come away with a new paradigm for the energy and environmental policies of every country. At times, within the international community it seems as though there is little sensitivity to national problems and that national policies lack a global vision. As our fellow leader and President of the French Republic said, if in Paris we put off finding solutions, later will be too late. The citizens of the nations we represent are calling on us. We cannot allow failure to reach an effective and definitive agreement in Paris.
Seventy years ago, the world was coming out of a half-century marked by two world wars. It was a world of delicate balances. This is not the time for balances, but rather for firm commitments. It is time to forge more policies among nations and leave behind disunity in decision-making. For seven decades, the United Nations has been the guarantor of peace, human rights, justice and sustainable development. When it is time to take a determined decision, each country and each ruler knows that the international community and the world
are watching. As representatives of the international community, we must also be aware that the world is watching us and that our decisions will be judged by future generations. To those future generations we must leave a more just, prosperous, peaceful and sustainable world.
For 70 years, heads of State, prime ministers and ministers have stood and spoken at this rostrum. They have done so to talk about peace and promoting human rights and justice. There will come a day when we will no longer need to defend those values so vehemently, because we will have made them into a reality.


At the outset, it is my pleasure to warmly congratulate the President and his friendly country, the Kingdom of Denmark, on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. I wish him sustained success in directing the work of the General Assembly and in bolstering the role that the Assembly plays in addressing the challenges that the world and the international community as a whole face today. I also wish to express my appreciation to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the General Assembly at the sixty-ninth session, for all his efforts in conducting the business of that session and for his concrete initiatives aimed at attaining our common goals.
I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the hard work of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who spares no effort to improve the effectiveness of the Organization in the face of the increasingly complex problems and crises in the world. I commend his comprehensive annual report on the work of the Organization (A/70/1) and the important steps that he has taken to address the numerous challenges on issues, including sustainable development, climate change, conflicts, humanitarian disasters and the refugee crisis, in addition to the deadly diseases, poverty and hunger in many developing countries.
At this juncture, I wish to totally submit myself to the will of Allah and express our heartfelt condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to the Muslim nation as
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a whole, following the tragic stampede that occurred during this year’s Hajj a few days ago. We highly value the great and historic role played by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its blessed efforts as guardian of that holy land and as servant of the guests of the sacred shrine, dedicating all means necessary to the organization of the Hajj and Umrah and their rites. Anyone who denies that fact ignores the scope of the responsibilities that the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia discharges so ably. We strongly deplore the false allegations made by President Hassan Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran in his statement before the General Assembly (see A/70/PV.13) and reject any offense against or belittling of the tremendous efforts made over the years by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A few days ago, the General Assembly took an important step for the welfare of humankind by adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). We made it a point to participate in the process, which is consistent with our full support for United Nations actions aimed at furthering development goals and with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s record of achieving remarkable results in the fields of education, health, youth empowerment, poverty alleviation, literacy and the enhancement of human rights, as documented in international reports.
Bahrain, as a pioneering country, has been classified in the United Nations Human Development Index as being among the countries with a very high level of human development. It has scored a 5 per cent economic growth rate over the past five years, thanks to the reform process instituted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain and his profound interest in meeting the aspirations of the people of Bahrain at the political, economic and social levels. We shall persevere in our development efforts by devising plans and programmes for the implementation of the new post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
In the context of our efforts to enhance the Sustainable Development Goals contained in the new Agenda, my country will host, on 6 and 7 December, the Ministerial Conference on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Arab States. It will be the first regional conference to be held anywhere following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The world testified to the success and excellent record of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of sustainable development when, here in New York, the
International Telecommunication Union conferred an Information and Communications Technologies in Sustainable Development Award for 2015 on His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, thereby confirming the esteem in which the Kingdom and His Royal Highness are held, as evidenced by a series of distinguished awards in the recent past.
Given that the environment is one of the three dimensions of sustainable development, we want to stress the importance of solidarity and joint action to address the major challenges of climate change. We look forward to the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held later this year in Paris. We hope that the session will result in a binding and ambitious agreement to deal with that dangerous phenomenon and its repercussions, especially on small island developing States.
The current session of the General Assembly coincides with the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, an Organization that we all cherish, whose indispensable role we all appreciate and which, for us, is indispensable. We shall relentlessly endeavour to attain its goals, especially in the light of the tragedies and hardships faced by humankind at the end of the Second World War, with its huge toll in lives, the displacement of peoples and the obliteration of a great number of cultural monuments in many parts of the world. All of that should make us firmly united, cooperative and transparent, so as to avoid the recurrence of such past tragedies and to lay strong foundations for international cooperation leading to safe future for humankind.
It is no secret that the Organization’s noble humanitarian goals have not been fully attained, yet we still maintain the hope of achieving them, thereby closing a painful and cruel chapter and inaugurating a new era without wars. Our region has had its share of wars — war after war, albeit of various types and objectives — and all were destructive. We have seen confrontations with occupiers. We have seen opposition to foreign interference that has sought to impose hegemony, undermine national sovereignty and exploit extremist groups and organizations as well as those financing them in order to jeopardize any national gains, destroy cultural heritage and obliterate national and regional identities.
Taking on those challenges is not easy, nor is the way carpeted with flowers. Rather, it is a long and
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arduous road, requiring uninterrupted work, persistent efforts and collective confrontation with the difficulties that need to be overcome. Paramount among them is the disregard by some – Iran, for example — of the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and of good-neighbourliness. There is also the exploitation of extremist groups, the provision of safe havens to fugitives, the opening of training camps for terrorist groups and the smuggling of arms and explosives. My country has experienced that directly. Bahraini citizens and expatriates, the security personnel protecting them, and the nation at large have been the targets of murder and other criminal acts that have claimed the lives of 16 security personnel and injured some 3,000 people.
Those dangerous criminal acts go even further. Barely two days ago, the security authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain discovered a cache of locally made bombs in the heart of a densely populated area. The cache included some 1.5 tons of highly explosive material destined for use in the manufacturing of such potent explosives as C4, RDX and TNT, together with other chemical substances and a number of explosive devices ready for use, automatic weapons and guns, hand grenades, ammunition and wireless equipment.
For that reason, I would like to state that the Kingdom of Bahrain and a number of sisterly countries in the region have attempted, through various ways and means, to invite Iran to seek normal neighbourly relations based on respect for the sovereignty and independence of nations and non-interference in their internal affairs. The security and stability of a State cannot be detrimental to those of another State. Iran would be better advised not to squander the resources of its people on foreign adventures but rather to use those resources to achieve development and progress and build bridges with its neighbours, so that all may live together in peace. Iran has responded in a negative manner, however, and we were left with no choice but to recall the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Iran and declare the chargé d’affaires of the Iranian Embassy a persona non grata, as part of the measures we have taken to protect our people and interests.
The Kingdom of Bahrain and its sister countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have not hesitated to support Yemen in response to a request by His Excellency Mr. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President of the Republic of Yemen, that we help the brotherly people of Yemen, who have been confronted
with rebel groups that benefit from Iranian support. Those groups failed to live up to their commitments and took over the institutions of the Yemeni State. Our aim was to curb the deterioration in the security and humanitarian situation there. The position taken by the GCC in support of Yemen is a matter of principle and a long-standing position arising from our conviction that Yemen’s security and stability constitute an integral part, not only of the security of the Arabian peninsula but also of the entire region at large.
That has inevitably led to military confrontation, as we had no other choice available to us. All roads were blocked by the obstinacy of the rebel groups and their belligerent designs with regard to the people of Yemen and the region. To paraphrase my brother, the late Prince Saud Al Faisal, we are not warmongers, but when the war drums are beaten, we will be ready. I say that to show that the GCC countries are, and have always been, advocates of peace, not war.
We are steadfast in our efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the Yemeni people, and we shall remain faithful to our position until those who have taken up arms have laid them down, until those who have overthrown the legitimate Government have abandoned their greed and put an end to the occupation of the State institutions, and until those who have broken the 2014 peace agreement have come back to their senses. Only then can the situation be conducive to bringing together all the factions of the Yemeni people through a constructive national dialogue based on the GCC Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcome of the comprehensive national dialogue and the Riyadh conference and the unconditional implementation of Security Council resolution 2216 (2015), which provides the basis for a settlement of the Yemeni crisis.
We welcome the efforts of the United Nations in that respect. While we appreciate the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations in favour of Yemen and its people and the remarkable role played by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre in Yemen in conjunction with assistance provided by the GCC and other friendly countries, we urge the international community to intensify its assistance and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
We regret that many States have become a breeding ground for terrorist groups and organizations, which have expanded under the cover of various sectarian and religious affiliations with the sole purpose of advancing
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their own agendas aimed at controlling nations and obliterating the will of peoples. The Syrian experience is an abiding example. That country has become an arena for confrontation among terrorist organizations such as Daesh, Hizbullah and others, which has led, inter alia, to the destruction of ancient cultural sites in the country.
As Syria goes down this treacherous and slippery slope, we call for an end to the situation and the return of that sisterly country to its previous condition of unity, harmony, security and stability. To that end, foreign military intervention must cease, and a unanimously accepted political settlement, consistent with the final communiqué of the Action Group for Syria (A/66/865, annex), must be reached.
Reference to Syria automatically draws our attention to a related humanitarian crisis that requires all Member States to take concrete and tangible action to address it. I speak now of the crisis of the Syrian refugees and displaced persons. It represents the worst ramification of the current situation in Syria and is a major humanitarian disaster, unprecedented since the Second World War.
The GCC member States have not remained idle in the face of that tragic situation. They have taken comprehensive and practical humanitarian action by hosting around 3 million Syrian brothers and sisters and granting them permits to stay, with all the attendant rights, such as free education, health care, the right to employment and an acceptable standard of living. In that respect, we also appreciate the major contribution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is providing Syrians with care and opportunities for a decent life. We also call for concerted efforts to support Jordan and to share the great burden that it has taken up. I should also mention the considerable efforts of Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey in bearing that humanitarian burden.
With regard to the sisterly country of Iraq, we hope that the great efforts of Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to unite the Iraqi people and overcome the challenges facing his country at this critical juncture will be crowned with success and that stability, security and peace will be restored. We call for the protection of Iraq’s territorial integrity, an end to foreign interventions, especially by Iran, and the preservation of Iraq’s stability. We call for an all-out war against terrorist groups such as Daesh and other armed militias that have found in Iraq favourable conditions for their activities.
Libya is not immune to the threats posed by international terrorist groups, and the situation there has deteriorated, as we all know. The only way out is for all of the parties to the Libyan crisis to commit to giving precedence to the highest interest of the nation in order to restore its security, stability and unity. We welcome the text for the framework to create a Government of National Accord so as to put an end to the fighting and bloodshed in this sisterly country.
We reiterate the consistent position of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which rejects terrorism in all its forms, regardless of its motivations or the entity backing or financing it. Terrorist acts by Daesh are unprecedented and constitute crimes against humanity. Such terrorism will stop only if a collective effort is made at all levels to destroy its sources of financing. That is consistent with our commitment to combating that threat, which jeopardizes the security and safety of our countries, as well as our shared humanity.
The Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with the countries of the region and with the support of our allies, will work to defeat that threat. To that end, we have ben participating in the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, militarily, logistically, intellectually and in the field of communications.
In that context, in November last year, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the Manama Meeting on Combating the Financing of Terrorism. This November we will host a conference on the protection of civil society institutions against the risk of being exploited as channels for funds intended for terrorists. In the near future, we will also organize a conference on protection against improvised explosive devices, which are the favourite and most frequently used weapons of terrorist groups all over the world.
What is taking place today in Al-Quds Al-Sharif offends the feelings of all Muslims around the world, as they witness the violations committed by the occupying Israeli authorities and Israeli extremist groups against the sanctity of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound. Such illegal and inhuman acts run the risk of wrecking any chance for peace. Instead they create an atmosphere filled with more tension, violence, extremism and hatred, all of which do not contribute to building the human relations and mutual respect that all religions advocate.
Nor do such acts contribute to building peaceful societies that preserve national dignity and a culture
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of peaceful coexistence. To quote Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s iconic phrase before the Israeli Knesset, “no one can build his happiness at the expense of the misery of others”.
Attaining that happiness will be possible only when the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are granted through the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the borders of 4 June 1967. Occupation, coercive practices and the construction and expansion of settlements should come to an end. The right of Palestinians to return to their towns and villages, consistent with the relevant international resolutions, the two-State solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, must be acknowledged.
In that connection, we welcome the raising of the Palestinian flag at United Nations Headquarters as a first step of great symbolic value, underscoring international support for the right of the Palestinian State to full membership in the United Nations, which we look forward to in the near future.
We want to reaffirm the importance of the agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group on the Iranian nuclear programme. We hope that it will contribute to security and stability in the region. However, we believe that the agreement does not eliminate all sources of tension resulting from Iran’s attitudes towards the countries of the region. It covers some future issues, but it does not touch on the real problems that we face today, since Iran will attempt to destabilize the region and its security by providing support to terrorist organizations, including by smuggling weapons and explosives, as I mentioned earlier in detail. Iran is also openly interfering in the internal affairs of our States. It has occupied the three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates, namely, Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and refuses to end that occupation either through direct negotiations or by accepting arbitration by the International Court of Justice..
In that context, we reaffirm the importance of a Middle East nuclear-free-zone, including the Arabian Gulf region, as well as the need for Israel to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to place its nuclear facilities under comprehensive safeguards if the International Atomic Energy Agency. I regret that no agreement was reached at the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, recently held in New York .
The Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its full support for the Arab Republic of Egypt and the tireless efforts of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to achieve development, progress and prosperity for the Egyptian people, consolidate the foundations of a modern State and combat terrorism. The building of a new Suez Canal and the other major projects decided at the Sharm El-Sheikh Conference to support the Egyptian economy clearly demonstrate the determination to enhance genuine development so that Egypt, the land of civilization, will remain a source of security and prosperity for all and a pillar of the Arab world. In that way, it can continue playing its leading role in our common Arab endeavours to defend our cause and our national security.
Similarly, we would like to put on record our consistent and principled position vis-à-vis the Moroccan Sahara question. We express our support for the territorial integrity of Morocco and the efforts of the United Nations to find a negotiated political settlement accepted by all parties on the basis of the Moroccan initiative on self-government.
Confronted with such daunting challenges to our region’s long-term security and stability, we need more than ever to reflect deeply and seriously on how to create a mechanism for collective action that can bring all Middle Eastern States together with a view to consolidating security and stability. We need to discuss among ourselves, with clarity and transparency, all those issues and reach solutions to build confidence through practical policies and steady progress. We would then be able to preserve what we have already achieved for our peoples and countries in terms of construction, comprehensive development and mutual understanding and cooperation. Such a mechanism would preserve the sovereignty of our countries and their territorial integrity and ensure non-interference in their internal affairs.
Better relations would also ensue, based on mutual respect for the principles of good-neighbourliness and the non-use or threat of use of force. We would be able to build on the common characteristics that unite us, including our religious and cultural heritage and our diversity. That would allow for better management of our collective resources so as to achieve food and water security, build a genuine and lasting peace for all and achieve economic and development progress in the context of peaceful coexistence.
I want to conclude by stating that the many achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain confirm our
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confidence in our approach and our persistence in our policy of perpetual improvement and comprehensive growth, while enhancing our country’s security and preserving our identity. We defend ourselves with one hand and work to build a modern State with the other, a State based on justice, the rule of law and plurality, and popular participation in the decision-making process, without exclusion or discrimination. Our foreign relations are wide open and are built on strong foundations and principles, most notably respect for the Charter of the United Nations, efforts at the regional and international levels, and cooperation with our brothers aimed at achieving a peaceful life and a lasting and comprehensive peace for all.