I have the honour to join
previous speakers in congratulating you, Sir, on your
election to the post of President of the General
Assembly at its sixty-fifth session; I wish you every
success in that highly responsible post. I would like as
well to thank your predecessor, Mr. Ali Abdussalam
Treki, for his productive work. I also express my
profound respect and gratitude to the Secretary-
General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his
leadership and dedication in reviving the Organization.
 Azerbaijan recognizes the central role of the
United Nations in maintaining international peace and
security, promoting sustainable development and
advocating fundamental freedoms for the people of the
world. Azerbaijan believes that the United Nations has
to be stronger and more capable in engaging in a range
of global issues in every part of the world, as well as in
addressing the aspirations and concerns of each
Member State.
 As a country suffering from the devastation of
war and occupation, Azerbaijan strongly believes that
faithful observance of universally accepted norms and
principles of international law concerning good-
neighbourliness, friendly relations, cooperation among
States and the fulfilment in good faith of the
obligations assumed by States are of the greatest
importance for the maintenance of international peace
and security. The ongoing armed conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan still represents a major threat
to international and regional peace and security. The
conflict has resulted in the occupation of one fifth of
the territory of Azerbaijan and has made approximately
one out of every nine people in my country an
internally displaced person or a refugee.
 It has been internationally recognized that the
Republic of Armenia bears the primary responsibility
for occupying Azerbaijan’s territories, committing the
most serious international crimes during the conflict,
carrying out ethnic cleansing and trying to create a
mono-ethnic culture in the captured Azerbaijani
territories. The Security Council has adopted four
resolutions and has expressed its full support for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and
the inadmissibility of the use of force for the
acquisition of territories. It has also recognized that
Nagorny Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan and has called
for the immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal
of the occupying forces from all occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. The General Assembly and other
international organizations, including the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the
Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, have adopted
similar positions. Unfortunately, despite the
consolidated position of the international community,
Azerbaijani territories continue to remain under
occupation.
 Armenia so far, instead of negotiating in good
faith with a view to finding a durable solution to the
conflict as soon as possible, has preferred escalation,
with unpredictable consequences. Despite ongoing
political efforts towards the earliest possible resolution
of the conflict, activities in the occupied areas of
Azerbaijan are in gross violation of international law
and serve to further consolidate the current status quo
of the occupation, securing the results of ethnic

19 10-54833

cleansing and colonization of the captured territories,
and causing serious obstruction to the peaceful
resolution of the conflict.
 Thus, over the period since the beginning of the
conflict, significant numbers of settlers have been
encouraged to move into the occupied areas
depopulated of their Azerbaijani inhabitants. In 2005
OSCE dispatched a fact-finding mission to the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan, which found
evidence of the presence of settlers there and made a
call to discourage any further settlement of the
occupied territory of Azerbaijan. Measures are also
being consistently undertaken by Armenia with the
purpose of altering the historical and cultural features
of the occupied areas in an attempt to remove any signs
testifying to their original Azerbaijani cultural and
historical roots. As a result, not a single Azerbaijani
historic or cultural monument has been left undamaged
and no sacred site has escaped vandalism in the
occupied territories. Implantation of settlers as well as
destruction and appropriation of the historical and
cultural heritage in the occupied areas, along with
various other forms of illegal activity there, directly
affect the property rights of internally displaced
persons.
 The lack of agreement on political issues, the
protracted nature of the conflict and prolonged
negotiations should not be used as pretexts for not
addressing other problems deriving from continued and
deliberate disrespect for international humanitarian law
and international human rights law in connection with
the conflict.
 The earliest possible resolution of the armed
conflict in and around the Nagorny Karabakh region of
Azerbaijan remains a primary task for us. The OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chair countries are engaged in efforts
to bring peace and stability to the region. Resolution of
the conflict envisages the withdrawal of Armenian
forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories within
a fixed time framework, restoration of all
communications, return of all refugees and internally
displaced persons to their places of origin, international
security guarantees, including peacekeeping forces, and
interim status for Nagorny Karabakh. We are ready to
continue the talks in good faith for finalizing the status
of Nagorny Karabakh within the Republic of
Azerbaijan.
 The step-by-step approach introduced to Armenia
and Azerbaijan in December 2009 by the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs is accepted by Azerbaijan in principle
as a basis for achieving a lasting resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Unfortunately, Armenia is still delaying a definite
answer to the Co-Chairs’ proposal.
 Azerbaijan highly appreciates the principled
stand of Member States on issues of vital importance
for Azerbaijan pertaining to its sovereignty and
territorial integrity. We rely on the continued solidarity
of the international community with the just position of
Azerbaijan and on valuable support for our initiatives
within the United Nations, aimed at addressing the
existing challenges in an impartial, open and
comprehensive manner.
 Despite the unresolved conflict over Nagorny
Karabakh and occupied territories, the Government of
Azerbaijan has succeeded in guaranteeing political
stability, democratic development, economic prosperity
and social welfare in the country. Today, Azerbaijan is
one of the most rapidly developing economies in the
world. Within the last five years alone, Azerbaijan has
nearly tripled its gross domestic product. The strategic
geographic location of Azerbaijan at the intersection of
major trade routes along the emerging East-West and
North-South transport and energy corridors provides an
important asset to turn the country into an energy and
infrastructure hub.
 Azerbaijan possesses considerable proven oil and
natural gas reserves and has good prospects for new
discoveries. Modern infrastructure for transporting
hydrocarbons to international markets has already been
created in Azerbaijan and has been used for exporting
oil and natural gas, which can diversify supply sources
and strengthen international energy security. This is
particularly crucial for gas supplies. With proven
reserves of 2 trillion cubic metres of natural gas and a
potential of up to 5 trillion cubic metres or, and
perhaps even more, Azerbaijan is ready to provide its
own contribution to ensure the stable development of
the world natural gas market.
 Another globally important project, on which
Azerbaijan is working very intensively with its
neighbours is building and enhancing the regional
railroad infrastructure. This railroad connection will
open an enormous opportunity for transporting all
kinds of cargo between Asia and Europe.

10-54833 20

 As a very active member of the Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative, Azerbaijan, in an
open and transparent manner, uses its energy revenues
for the development of the country, particularly in
building human capital and working to eradicate
reducing poverty. Thus, we were able to achieve a
dramatic poverty reduction, from 49 per cent in 2003
to 11 per cent in 2009. And I strongly believe that
through sustainable development Azerbaijan will attain
even more in this field in upcoming years.
 Azerbaijan has always been a place of
coexistence and tolerance among different faiths,
ethnic groups and philosophies. As an active member
of the Group of Friends of the Alliance of
Civilizations, Azerbaijan contributes to the promotion
of inter-religious and intercultural dialogue based on
mutual respect and understanding. Azerbaijan hosted
the World Summit of Religious Leaders, with
participants from 32 States, in the spring of this year
and has put forward an initiative to host a world forum
for intercultural dialogue in April 2011.
 One of the most serious and long-term challenges
that can affect every part of the globe is climate
change. We in Azerbaijan proclaimed 2010 a year of
ecology and adopted various special programmes in the
field of environmental protection.
 Azerbaijan demonstrates full support and
undertakes ceaseless efforts for the promotion of
sustainable development and global prosperity for all,
paying particular attention to addressing the special
needs and vulnerabilities of the developing and least
developed countries, as well as of those who are
recovering from natural disasters. Azerbaijan will
continue to contribute to the realization of the
Millennium development goals and objectives agreed
within the United Nations.


I would like to thank the
President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth
session, Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki of Libya, for his
tireless efforts in taking forward the Assembly’s work
and to congratulate you, Sir, on your election as
President at the sixty-fifth session.
 I would also like at this point to fully align my
country’s positions with those expressed in the
statement of the European Union (EU). It is my firm
belief that the General Assembly would greatly benefit
from arrangements that would allow EU
representatives to fulfil their responsibilities in an
effective manner at formal meetings.
 We can all agree that the United Nations is the
only global entity that commands universal legitimacy
and is the Organization to which we should all look,
and actively support, in order to provide collective and
therefore optimal solutions to the ever-growing array
of multifaceted issues confronting us. It is a fact that
meeting the needs of our peoples increasingly
transcends the abilities of individual nation-States.
That is where the role of the United Nations comes to
the fore, and it is why our discussions on reforming
and revitalizing the Organization are of paramount
importance.
 Climate change is the world’s greatest
environmental challenge. We all know that it will
increasingly affect all aspects of our lives, including
peace and security. We now need to focus all efforts in
order to secure a successful outcome of the upcoming
summit in Cancún.
 The Greek Government is proposing a new
Mediterranean Climate Change Initiative, in close
collaboration with Mediterranean countries that are
strongly committed to climate and energy security. A
formal launch of the Initiative is planned on
22 October in Athens, ahead of the Cancún summit. In
the same vein, the central theme of our Chairmanship-
in-Office of the Organization of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation is “the Black Sea turns green”.
 The recent global economic and financial crisis
has left few countries unaffected. Greece was no
exception, despite the tough and radical reform agenda
we are implementing that is setting the country steadily
back on its feet. Efforts for a more efficient and
concrete global financial regulatory framework are
necessary. In that regard, I welcome the results of the
High-level Meeting on the Millennium Development
Goals, and I commend the Secretary-General for his
timely initiative.
 Greece continues to support all efforts for an
effective and efficient Human Rights Council with
enhanced status, mandate, structures and membership.
Greece will actively defend the relevance of the
Human Rights Council through its candidacy for the
years 2012 to 2015.
 Promoting effective interaction and coordination
between the United Nations and regional organizations
must be one of our key priorities. We consider the
upcoming 2010 summit of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) a major

27 10-55264

milestone in the European security dialogue — the
well-known Corfu Process, launched by the Greek
OSCE Chairmanship in 2009.
 Greece has made a commitment especially to our
region and its people. A key factor for bringing
stability and development to our region is good-
neighbourliness, a fundamental principle that together
with the other principles set out in the Charter of the
United Nations constitutes the cornerstone of
contemporary international legal order.
 The Balkans —our immediate neighbourhood —
is still a sensitive area in terms of stability. The dust
from the dissolution of Yugoslavia has not yet settled.
Greece’s vision for the Balkans is of a region in which
democracy finally becomes the norm, where citizens’
aspirations can finally be realized through peaceful and
democratic practices, where the rights of minorities are
respected, and where Governments are accountable,
economies are transparent and politics allow for the
fullest participation of all elements of society.
 In order to breathe new life into the prospect of
the Balkans’ integration into the European Union,
Greece has put forward a new initiative known as
Agenda 2014. There are still open wounds in our
region — Kosovo being the most pressing — and we
must ensure that this time the European Union will be
present with a strong voice. The European prospect for
our entire region can boost the political process that is
about to begin on Kosovo. At the same time, we need
to keep an open and clear path for Serbia to begin
accession negotiations with the European Union.
 Another open issue in the Balkans revolves
around the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia. That is not a bilateral, pedantic dispute
about historic symbols, as some may try to portray it,
but a regional question with deep historical roots
related to good-neighbourliness. A compromise on the
name issue is needed. Greece has already done its part.
A fair and lasting solution can be based only on a name
with a geographic qualifier to be used for all purposes,
erga omnes. Let me explain why.
 Macedonia is a large geographic region, most of
which lies in Greece. A small part is in the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and a smaller part in
Bulgaria. The part cannot represent the whole, and the
exclusive claims of the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia to the name “Macedonia” cannot be
allowed to fuel nationalism. Any solution must be
universally implemented, because otherwise today’s
situation will simply be perpetuated. We have
intensified our efforts to reach a settlement in the
context of the established United Nations negotiating
process, led by Mr. Nimetz.
 I chose the General Assembly, which is the
natural forum for solving international disputes, to
declare once again Greece’s readiness to reach a
solution, even tomorrow, and to call upon Prime
Minister Gruevski to display leadership and become
our partner for progress, progress that will result in a
bright and prosperous future for our neighbours in the
European Union — a future we wish to see become a
reality soon. Greece is extending a hand of friendship
and cooperation. The time has come for our neighbours
to take that hand.
 The Arab-Israeli conflict is again at a turning
point. The resumption of direct talks was a significant
achievement, but only the beginning. Now our number
one priority is to sustain that dialogue and for it to bear
fruit. Both sides have an obligation to show respect for
that fragile diplomatic process. Actions that threaten its
very existence, like Israeli settlement construction,
must be avoided in order to prevent the negotiations
from becoming one more exercise in futility.
 I would like to thank the Secretary-General and
all those who labour with him for a just solution in
Cyprus, a solution based on United Nations resolutions
for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with one
international personality, one citizenship and one
sovereignty, a solution in full conformity with the
acquis communautaire.
 Cyprus is a tragic example of where our shared
sense of justice — our shared code of values — has
gone astray. Cyprus is the victim of military invasion
and remains occupied by foreign troops. That is the
truth; that is reality, and it must end. We need to move
beyond that situation. It will take courage from
everyone involved. It is a matter of political will,
resolution and determination, such as that displayed by
President Christofias.
 I extend my appeal to the Turkish Cypriots. We
want you near us, in our wider European family. The
participation of a reunited Cyprus in the European
Union means that every Cypriot enjoys safety, equality
under the law, protection of their human rights,
appropriate representation and security under a
European roof. Let me be clear: in the modern

10-55264 28

European environment, relics of the past, such as
guarantor Powers, seem and sound anachronistic and
completely out of touch.
 Turkey can prove its commitment to a lasting
solution to the Cyprus issue by withdrawing its
occupation forces from the island, thus boosting both
the negotiation process and its own European
perspective.
 Greek-Turkish relations are an important
parameter for the stability of the region. Burdened by a
heavy historical past as we are, it is not an easy task to
change course and turn a long-standing rivalry into
good-neighbourliness, free from the threat of the use of
force or unfounded territorial claims. Respect for
international law is the sole basis for a healthy and
peaceful relationship between our two countries.
 We have opened a dialogue, one that is honest,
and although we may and do differ on many issues,
such as how we see Cyprus and how we approach our
bilateral relations, this open approach can only lead to
a progressive resolution of our problems. The Turkish
leadership and the people of Turkey know we are
honest in what we say and in our desire for a new and
peaceful relationship. I strongly believe our mutual
interests can outweigh our political differences. We can
and must resolve these differences through peaceful
means, and a possible way to go is through the
International Court of Justice.
 I do not want to give the false impression that all
our problems have suddenly been resolved. It is most
distressing that a variety of statements and acts still
undermine this very genuine and difficult effort. The
long-standing threat of war, the casus belli against my
country, is unacceptable and has no place in our
European and global family of values and principles.
 There are those who certainly may wish that our
efforts fail, but it is our historical duty to overcome
those difficulties and maintain the momentum in
response to our peoples’ mandate and their desire for
peace.
 We look forward to the day when Belgrade and
Pristina will be an easy bus ride away, when Jerusalem
and Damascus, Athens and Ankara and, of course, the
two parts of divided Nicosia will no longer be
separated by fear and suspicion, but will be joined in
peace. Those were the words used and the vision
expressed by George Papandreou, today’s Prime
Minister of Greece, in his very first address to the
General Assembly as Greek Foreign Minister in 1999
(see A/54/PV.9). Allow me repeat those words and
vision in my first address to this body in the same
capacity. This is a wish and vision that, I think, we all
share.


I wish to
congratulate you, Sir, on your election as President of
the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session. We are
confident that your considerable expertise in the field
of foreign policy and economics will be decisive for
the success of all sectors of United Nations activity. I
also wish to thank the outgoing President, His
Excellency Ali Abdussalam Treki, for the excellent
work carried out during the Assembly’s sixty-fourth
session.
 I would like to express special thanks to the
Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon,
for his energy and extraordinary determination in
leading this Organization. In particular, San Marino
appreciates the interest he has shown towards all
Member countries, without any distinction, regardless
of their size. My Government has particularly
appreciated the Secretary-General’s commitment in the
field of reforms and his constant presence in all
international politically relevant situations and in
emergency situations. His presence in Haiti and
Pakistan in the days following the terrible events that
we all witnessed demonstrates not only the
determination to affirm United Nations presence during
crises, but also a personal and particular sensitivity
towards tragedies deeply affecting people.
 At a time characterized by major global
challenges that the international community is called
upon to face, the United Nations reform process

29 10-55122

becomes fundamental for future world stability and
must remain the target of all our efforts. We have the
duty to guarantee the full effectiveness of the
Organization’s activities, with a view to preserving and
strengthening its essential value as a point of reference
for the international community and for any individual.
We cannot afford to see the role of the United Nations
weakened through inability to reach agreement on the
measures to be taken to improve its functioning.
 I have the pleasure to reiterate again this year the
support San Marino grants to the revitalization process
of the General Assembly. In that regard, I wish to thank
Argentina and Slovenia, Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc
Working Group on the revitalization of the General
Assembly, for the Group’s recently approved report
(A/64/903), which is the outcome of considerable
efforts and many informal meetings with the States
Members of the United Nations.
 This reform is particularly important for my
country, since the General Assembly is the most
democratic body of the United Nations and, as such,
the most effective and sometimes the only forum where
a small State can express its opinions. San Marino
therefore hopes that through this reform, the Assembly
may work more efficiently and improve its relations
with the other main bodies of the United Nations to
avoid duplication of activities and effectively
implement its resolutions.
 The Republic of San Marino has been following
with interest the Security Council reform process since
1994, and it is grateful to the Afghan Chair of the
intergovernmental negotiations on Council reform for
the important work he has carried out this year and for
the wisdom and impartiality with which he has
presided over negotiations aimed at reaching the
broadest possible agreement. San Marino believes that
the reform should lead to a more democratic,
responsible, transparent and efficient Security Council.
The reform should also bring about a more balanced
relationship between the Security Council and the
General Assembly, as well as more effective
cooperation with the Secretariat. Those objectives can
be achieved only through a permanent dialogue among
States and increased flexibility in the respective
positions.
 I wish to congratulate you, Mr. President, on the
choice of the theme for this year’s session — the role
of the United Nations in global governance. That is a
particularly complex subject, since it concerns the
global threats that affect the destinies of our peoples in
an increasingly direct way: climate change and
biodiversity, the economic, financial and employment
crises, food security, public health, disarmament and
the proliferation of weapons, and the fight against
terrorism.
 Today, the theme of global governance is
inevitably linked to a new way of conceiving
multilateralism and to a new form of international
cooperation, one that acknowledges the interdependence
of the problems we face at the international, national and
regional levels. We have learned from the crises of the
last few years that it is necessary to adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach, more efficient
mechanisms for coordinating our policies, and a global
and coordinated course of action.
 San Marino believes that the United Nations has a
duty to be at the core of that process and to play a
leading role in managing global governance, not only
because of its deeply democratic nature, with universal
participation and undisputed legitimacy, but also
because — thanks to the richness and diversity of
cultures and traditions represented here — it can adopt
an approach that harmonizes the interests of the entire
international community and aims at sustainable
development for all peoples.
 Last year, the world economy suffered a
devastating financial crisis, the consequences of which
are still evident to all. Today, unemployment has
reached extremely high levels in many countries.
Increases in the prices of food products and persistent
inequalities contribute to higher poverty rates and
cause high social tensions and violence. The global
economic and financial crisis has severely hit every
country in the world, with no distinctions, thus
becoming one of today’s major challenges for our
Organization as well. Some have been able to
withstand the crisis, while for many others it is
unfortunately still a very immediate problem,
influencing all decisions.
 Despite the gradual recovery of the global
economy this year, it is fundamental that we always
coordinate policies, and coordinate them effectively,
with a view to guaranteeing balanced, inclusive and
substantial growth. In that regard, San Marino
recognizes the essential role played by the Group of 20
(G-20), which in 2009 was able to prevent a global

10-55122 30

economic depression by taking coordinated and timely
action. However, the G-20 decision-making process
should be even more inclusive and transparent, so that
its decisions can translate into effective action at the
global level. That requires developing specific
mechanisms through which the interests, concerns and
aspirations of countries outside the G-20 can be taken
into account, with particular reference to developing
countries, in order to favour G-20 actions
complementary to those of the United Nations.
 Over the last two years, the Republic of San
Marino, well aware of the interconnectedness of global
economic and financial policies, has intensified its
efforts to make its legislative instruments and practices
relating to transparency and international cooperation
compliant with international standards established by
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development and MONEYVAL. Within a short period,
laws to combat money-laundering and terrorist
financing were adopted, banking and financial
supervision services were reorganized and amendments
were made to company legislation, eliminating
anonymous companies.
 The San Marino Government expresses its
satisfaction with resolution 64/289, on United Nations
system-wide coherence, which the General Assembly
unanimously adopted on 2 July. That resolution, the
result of year-long negotiations, is an historic
achievement for the reform process of the United
Nations, in particular for strengthening the entire
system. It provides for a higher degree of coordination,
efficiency and transparency, while avoiding
fragmentation, waste, duplication of tasks and effort.
 A fundamental element of that resolution is the
establishment of the new United Nations Entity for
Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, to be
known as UN Women, which will become operational
on 1 January 2011. The mandates of four existing bodies
concerned with the promotion of women’s rights will be
transferred to this new entity, which will strengthen, in
terms of capability, efficiency and responsibility, the
United Nations system in the field of gender equality
and the empowerment of women.
 The Republic of San Marino pays special
attention to this subject and over the last few years has
promoted several national initiatives making women in
San Marino aware of their rights and of the State
protection mechanisms available to them. At the
international level, San Marino has joined several
campaigns aimed at raising awareness of women’s
rights among the public and national authorities, such
as the Unite to End Violence Against Women
campaign, launched by the Secretary-General in 2008.
 I would like to underline on this occasion the
fundamental importance of the efforts of the
international community, as well as pressure exerted by
civil society, to achieve higher standards of human
rights protection. Moreover, we cannot forget that
women and children are always the most vulnerable
section of society in situations where rights and
fundamental freedoms are violated. In several
countries, women have to face very difficult situations:
many of their rights are often violated and the authors
of the violations go unpunished. The international
community must spare no effort to ensure that the
dignity, rights and fundamental freedoms of all human
beings are duly protected.
 San Marino also believes that the international
community should be responsible for working as
effectively as possible to combat human trafficking.
Today that modern form of slavery still affects millions
of people, the majority of whom are also women and
children. The Republic of San Marino attaches the
utmost importance to the adoption last July of
resolution 64/293, which contains the United Nations
Global Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons.
 The collective commitment to combating
trafficking in persons led to the adoption of that
resolution, the result of long consultations and complex
negotiations. San Marino guarantees its support for this
initiative and will cooperate with all Member States in
order to implement the Plan of Action. This initiative is
particularly important to us, since this year we ratified
the United Nations Convention against Transnational
Organized Crime, its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
Children, and its Protocol against the Smuggling of
Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.
 As underlined in the Secretary-General’s report
“Keeping the promise” (A/64/665), the Millennium
Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals
have brought about a slow but progressive
improvement in the fight against extreme poverty,
hunger and disease and in the promotion of gender
equality, education and environmental sustainability.

31 10-55122

However, the report outlines that progress has been
discontinuous and uneven from one region to another.
 We have recently witnessed a series of severe and
unprecedented crises, including the world economic
and financial crisis, the food and energy crisis, the one
related to climate change, humanitarian crises —
including the recent earthquake in Haiti and the huge
floods in Pakistan — and those caused by the increased
number of conflicts. After having obtained good
results, we are now experiencing a severe setback, and
an even more structured commitment will be necessary
to overcome those obstacles and achieve the Goals by
2015.
 The Republic of San Marino expresses its
satisfaction with the General Assembly’s High-level
Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development
Goals, which recently concluded. The outcome
document of that meeting (resolution 65/1) aims at
developing effective strategies for action and, most of
all, at renewing the commitment and responsibility of
each country to achieving the Goals set.
 In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the strong
commitment of the Republic of San Marino in favour
of the implementation of the ideals of the United
Nations and of the principles enshrined in its Charter.
We will guarantee our support to all initiatives
necessary to reach such an aim.


I
begin by congratulating Mr. Joseph Deiss on his
election to preside over the sixty-fifth session of the
General Assembly, and I also congratulate his entire
Bureau on their election. I also congratulate the
President’s predecessor, Mr. Ali Treki, on the devotion
and skill with which he carried out his mandate, to
great general satisfaction.
 Finally, I pay a heartfelt tribute to the Secretary-
General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his praiseworthy, tireless
efforts to uphold and promote the purposes and principles
of the Charter. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
thanks him for having agreed to be present in Kinshasa
during the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of our
accession to independence. This is proof of his
commitment and that of the United Nations, together with
the Congolese people, in the search for peace, stability
and development. My country reaffirms its determination
to support him in his efforts to bring about a world that is
safer for all of us.
 This session is being held at a time of particular
difficulty for all humanity, which is in crisis, marked
by challenges to the basic principles of international
relations, worsened by the self-interest of nations. The
outcome document adopted yesterday on accelerating
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals,
while being a message of hope, nevertheless gives a
sense of the gap separating the wealthy countries from
the poor countries as we seek better living conditions
for our peoples.
 The food crisis and famine afflict many peoples
of the planet. Endemic diseases that had almost
disappeared are now resurfacing, and new scourges are
appearing. In particular, we see a plethora of natural
disasters in the wake of climate change, which is
proving to be even more devastating.
 The grim picture that I have just painted should
motivate us to be more united in mobilizing our efforts
in a spirit of constructive solidarity in order to find
agreed, comprehensive solutions measuring up to the
vast challenges that we must meet.
 The Democratic Republic of the Congo makes a
pressing appeal to all States to work together at long
last for a better world, while tirelessly trying to bring
peace wherever areas of tension persist.
 The Democratic Republic of the Congo also
commends all the efforts made by a number of States
under the auspices of the United Nations to restore
peace, security, democracy and development to certain
regions of the Middle East, the Balkans, the Horn of
Africa, Central Africa and other regions of the world.
 My country is emerging from a multifaceted
crisis worsened by the various wars that ravaged it
until recently. Like many other African nations, it also
suffers from the harmful consequences of the global
economic and financial crisis. As I told my people on
30 June, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of
our independence, poverty and a precarious situation
are neither inevitable nor irreversible.
 The Democratic Republic of the Congo wants the
next 50 years to be much brighter and more promising.
It undertakes, to that end, to make its contribution to
the forward march of humankind towards a better
world.
 With respect to the global challenges of
preserving the planet, my country, wondrously
endowed and blessed by nature, reaffirms its solemn
commitment to defend its biodiversity in its policies
and its national development plan.
 The Government of my country, whose forests
provide the world with its second set of “lungs”,
believes that the issue of climate change and the
environment will require the establishment of a global
environment authority, which should involve both
public and private institutions, civil society and
scientific circles.
 With respect to establishing and consolidating
peace, my country welcomes the Secretary-General’s
acceptance of our request to establish in Libreville in
the Republic of Gabon a United Nations office for
Central Africa, which clearly will help bring the United
Nations closer and ensure better coordination between
it and the countries of the region. Issues of peace,
security, humanitarian assistance and development will
be considered speedily, and implementation of
measures adopted will receive the necessary urgency.
 It is up to us to consolidate peace everywhere,
through international and regional mechanisms and

17 10-54833

instruments for the maintenance of peace and the
prevention and settlement of conflict.
 The Democratic Republic of the Congo is
resolved to eradicate the phenomenon of foreign armed
groups in its national territory. This is the framework in
which should be understood the military operations
that we have carried out systematically since 2009 to
force such groups to lay down their arms for good. Due
to military pressures and awareness-raising and
outreach campaigns, and also because the were
displace far from their own borders of origin, the
volunteer repatriations have intensified and will
continue to do so.
 The question of the Lord’s Resistance Army is no
longer a matter of defence; rather, it is now a matter of
public order. Nevertheless, given the crimes and
atrocities that it still commits against our civilian
populations, we shall remain mobilized and vigilant.
The ultimate aim is to put that group in a situation in
which it can no longer do any harm.
 Together with our efforts to eradicate the
insecurity in the eastern part of our national territory,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo is working to
strengthen the rule of law, democracy and good
governance.
 With respect to justice in particular, I should like
to dwell a little on the ordeal of Congolese women in
the Provinces of North and South Kivu. The lack of
security is the primary cause of the tragedy. Armed
groups, which benefit from the illegal exploitation of
raw materials, are at the very root of the scourge. We
have decided upon appropriate measures to address this
unacceptable situation.
 The Democratic Republic of the Congo is now
addressing the causes of the violence against women
and the causes of recurrent conflict. At the same time,
it is enhancing its judiciary in order to address together
peace, justice and security. The fight against impunity
continues to be of prime importance in Government
actions.
 My Government is working within the framework
of achieving the Millennium Development Goals to do
its utmost to meet the basic needs of our people:
health, education, food self-sufficiency, basic
infrastructures, electricity and drinking water for all,
not to mention fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS and
poverty. I appreciate the commitment of our partners
who are supporting us in achieving my country’s
development priorities.
 Because of the complex nature of the various
tasks that need to be carried out on our territory of
more than several million square kilometres, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo is a vast building
site, requiring multiple contributions for reconstruction
and modernization. Such contributions are welcome,
particularly in the framework of a partnership that we
want to be respectful and proactive with the private
sector.
 Today the economic indicators are changing in a
positive manner. Several key actions have been
successfully taken. The credit for this success, which
gives us the means for a new start, lies above all with
the Congolese people. It also stems from the valuable
contributions and cooperation of our partners.
 With regard to political and administrative
management, we plan to hold presidential and
legislative elections in 2011. My Government is
making it a point of honour to consolidate democracy
by respecting electoral time frames, ensuring
accountability of the highest order and completing the
establishment of the institutions provided for by the
Constitution within the framework of the
decentralization process.
 My country supports the process of reforming our
universal Organization. The Democratic Republic of
the Congo reaffirms that the Member States should
work resolutely within that trend. United Nations
reform, including Security Council reform, should
therefore be undertaken without delay, because that
would support the achievement of our dreams, given
the new challenges and changes that affect our planet.
 Expansion of the Security Council is a democratic
requirement. This vision needs to be strengthened by
affirming the authority of the General Assembly, in order
to enable its President to play a key role in the quest for
solutions to the problems of our time.
 It is said that nature will give man only those
challenges that are within the reach of his creative
potential, which has produced tremendous inventions.
Despite our diversity, the time has now come to put our
human resources at the service of our collective
creativity.
 We should not leave the controls of the global
economy to unbridled capitalism, which recognizes no

10-54833 18

regulation of movements of capital, and is motivated
only by the profit motive. It is our duty also to
globalize the universal values of justice, solidarity and
altruism that contribute to international peace and
security.
 Together we can give humanity better times, if
day after day we work to achieve the ideals of our
Organization.


I congratulate
Mr. Joseph Deiss on his assumption of the presidency
of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session.
 It is commonly acknowledged that the
international community faces challenges that are
multiplying in scope and magnitude. This raises a
question about whether our ability to respond to these
challenges grows in tandem. We have recently
witnessed climatic and natural disasters on a scale
never experienced in recent history, such as the floods
in Pakistan, the fires in Russia, the earthquake in Haiti
and the landslides in China.
 Environmental degradation and climate change;
rising poverty, food insecurity and the lack of basic
health care for so many of our fellow human beings in
a world with deep social disparities; terrorism; the
visible threat of nuclear proliferation, especially in the
Middle East; and the continuing economic crisis of the
past few years, which has primarily affected millions
of working people and the poor, require effective
regional and global action through the United Nations
and other multilateral organizations.

21 10-54959

 Turning our attention to my own neighbourhood,
the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, I
would like to welcome the relaunching of negotiations
between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and to
express hope for a successful outcome. We all know
that it is a difficult task, but there is no alternative to
dialogue. We express the hope that no unilateral
measure will be taken that would create more obstacles
to the negotiations to reach an agreement. The solution
should lead to the creation of an independent and
sovereign Palestinian State living side by side with the
State of Israel.
 Cyprus, together with Greece, has proposed the
creation of a humanitarian sea corridor to the people of
Gaza, utilizing our proximity to the area and our good
relations with all sides.
 This year, Cyprus is celebrating the fiftieth year
since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and
its participation as a full Member of the United
Nations. The Republic of Cyprus became a Member of
the Organization as soon as it gained its independence
in the hope and with the aspiration of contributing to
the work of the Organization and playing a
constructive role in international affairs through the
promotion of the implementation of the principles of
the Charter of the United Nations. With its unique
geographic position at the crossroads of three
continents, Cyprus held the noble goal of serving as a
bridge for peace and cooperation in its neighbourhood
and beyond.
 Having gained its independence at a difficult
period in world politics, Cyprus took a clear and
conscious decision to join the Non-Aligned Movement.
As a founding member of the Movement, Cyprus
played an active role in the work of the United Nations
and in resolving international problems. We have
always held the view that problems cannot be resolved
through military confrontation but must be solved
through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for the
territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of
all countries and peoples, whether great or small, rich
or poor.
 In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the
European Union (EU) as a full member. Proud of its
traditions, Cyprus preserves its neutrality and seeks to
play an active and constructive role as an EU member
State.
 After Cyprus won independence in 1960, the road
for Cypriots has not, unfortunately, been without
problems. Despite many difficulties and misfortunes,
we have managed to achieve economic growth and a
satisfactory standard of living for our people. In the
political field, however, the first years of independence
were marked by difficulties and a lack of the necessary
political cooperation between the two communities of
the island, which were called to govern the country
together under the Constitution. Those early
differences and difficulties were exacerbated by
foreign interference. The culmination of these
interventions was the military coup of the junta that
ruled Greece at the time, and the illegal Turkish
invasion of July-August 1974. The military occupation
by the Turkish Army of 37 per cent of the territory of
the Republic of Cyprus continues today, as does the
violation of the human rights of all Cypriot citizens,
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
 The people of Cyprus have suffered enough. It is
time to overcome the problems, to achieve
reconciliation between the two communities and to
reunite our country and our people for the sake of
peace and future generations.
 The General Assembly and Security Council have
been addressing the Cyprus problem since the 1960s. A
number of resolutions have been adopted by both the
Security Council and the General Assembly aimed at
safeguarding the independence, territorial integrity,
sovereignty and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. I take
this opportunity to express the appreciation of the
people of Cyprus to the Secretary-General, the Security
Council and the United Nations as a whole for their
continued and unwavering interest in Cyprus.
 In 1977, Archbishop Makarios, the President of
Cyprus at the time, accepted the evolution of the
unitary State into a bicommunal, bizonal federation.
That historic compromise was a brave concession by
the Greek Cypriot community towards their Turkish
Cypriot compatriots. It sought to bring an end to the
foreign occupation and to restore the unity of the
Republic of Cyprus. The composition of the population
and the human geography of Cyprus were such that
conditions for a federation did not exist. The two
communities lived intermingled throughout the island.
It is for that reason that the acceptance of the
bicommunal, bizonal federation by the Greek Cypriots
constituted a historic compromise and a concession
towards our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.

10-54959 22

 After 1977, the Security Council through its
resolutions endorsed the evolution of the Republic of
Cyprus into a bicommunal, bizonal federation with
political equality, defined not as numerical equality but
as the effective participation of both communities in all
organs of Government. The united federal State would
be one, with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship
and a single international personality. The federal State
would respect fundamental human rights and basic
freedoms in accordance with Security Council
resolutions. The principles and values of the European
Union would also be observed.
 Since my election in 2008, I have actively
engaged with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot
community in a Cypriot-owned process within the
framework of the Good Offices Mission of the
Secretary-General in order to reach a mutually
acceptable agreed solution on the constitutional and
other internal aspects of the problem. Two years into
the process and despite the difficulties, some progress,
although not as much as anticipated, has been achieved
on certain issues. At the outset of this process, we
agreed with the Secretary-General that there would be
no artificial deadlines or outside intervention in the
form of arbitration or the submission of ready-made
solutions.
 With the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot
community, we worked through the summer and, in the
past few weeks, have further intensified our meetings.
In order to achieve results soon, I have submitted a
package consisting of three proposals. First, I have
suggested linking the negotiation of the chapters of
property, territorial adjustments and settlers in order to
give impetus to the process. I have also proposed that
when we are close to reaching an agreement on the
internal aspects of the problem, we could hold an
international conference under the auspices of the
Secretary-General and with the participation of the
permanent members of the Security Council, the
guarantor Powers, the European Union, the Republic of
Cyprus and the two communities to discuss the
international aspects of the problem.
 The third element of my proposal concerns
Famagusta. My series of proposals would benefit all
sides and could create the necessary political climate to
drive the entire process forward. Unfortunately, the
new Turkish Cypriot leader and the Turkish leadership
have rejected these proposals.
 I would like to make a special reference here to
our proposal on Famagusta. In 1974, Famagusta was a
city with a population of both Greek and Turkish
Cypriots. As the Turkish Army advanced towards the
city, the Greek Cypriot population was forced to flee.
The town of Varosha has been a ghost town ever since.
The Security Council considers the Government of
Turkey responsible for the area, and in 1984, under
resolution 550 (1984), demanded the return of the town
to the United Nations in order that it might be
inhabited by its legal inhabitants. Even before the
adoption of resolution 550 (1984), the leaders of the
two communities had agreed in 1979 to settle the issue
of Famagusta as a matter of priority, notwithstanding
any political negotiations on other issues.
 My proposal, if accepted, would have benefits for
all sides. In addition to the return of the fenced city to
rightful inhabitants under United Nations control, my
proposal includes the restoration of the medieval part
of the city where our Turkish Cypriot compatriots live,
as well as the opening of the port of Famagusta to
external trade under EU supervision — a measure
directly aimed at benefiting the Turkish Cypriots. Such
a development would also benefit Turkey’s accession
negotiations with the EU and provide an excellent
example of harmonious coexistence and cooperation
between the two communities. From this rostrum, I
would also like to propose that the National Guard and
the Turkish Army again cancel their annual military
exercises this autumn.
 Turkey’s leadership has assured the international
community that it wants a solution of the problem by
end of 2010. We are still waiting for its words to be
transformed into action. The same expectation was
repeatedly voiced by the European Council and in a
recent resolution of the European Parliament. The
European Union calls on Turkey to work on the basis
of United Nations resolutions and to meet its
obligations towards the European Union and the
Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey still fails to
recognize.
 Turkey must respect the independence and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and
contribute to the achievement of an agreement that
would reunite Cyprus and its people. Our vision is of a
reunited Cyprus, common homeland of Greek and
Turkish Cypriots, without any foreign troops or settlers
on its territory and with full respect for the human
rights and fundamental freedoms of all its people:

23 10-54959

Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and
Latins. I would like to reiterate my commitment to
doing my utmost to that end.
 From this rostrum, I repeat my call on the Turkish
leadership to meet with me, in parallel to the
negotiating process, so that I can share with them my
vision for a solution of the Cyprus problem, which
would serve the interests of the Cypriots, Turkey and
Greece, as well as of peace and security in the region.
 The challenges faced by the international
community are increasing. Climate change, poverty,
malnutrition and lack of access to basic health care,
terrorism, wars, the threat of further nuclear
proliferation and nuclear terrorism, the economic crisis
and political instability in many regions of the world
require us to undertake a renewed and more effective
effort to protect humankind’s achievements. The future
is in our hands. We will succeed only if we achieve a
more just distribution and better redistribution of the
world’s natural resources and wealth.


As we
open this session of the General Assembly the world is
still facing problems of peace and security, crises,
conflicts, inequality among States, poverty, hunger and
disease. To those recurrent problems are added new
challenges, such as climate change, natural disasters,
terrorism, piracy, transnational organized crime, human
trafficking, nuclear proliferation and the world
economic and financial crisis. All these many issues by
their very nature call out to the whole of the
international community and demand global,
collective, coordinated solutions.
 The United Nations because of its global nature
offers now more than ever the best framework for
finding lasting solutions. To do that, we need a strong,
reformed Organization that can respond to the new
demands of our time. In this connection, my delegation
welcomes the new entity UN Women and the
appointment at its head of the former President of
Chile, Michelle Bachelet — a brilliant woman, to
whom I wish every success.
 We will need to work with determination to bring
about the reforms necessary to restore to the United
Nations its operation as a global Organization and to
make it a real instrument of world governance. The
process must continue with reform of the Security
Council, both in its membership and its working
methods. Also we should continue to deal with the
matter of how to strengthen the General Assembly and
its role.
 The High-level Plenary Meeting on the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that ended
22 September culminated in the adoption of an
outcome document (resolution 65/1) that exhorts us to
keep our promises. We welcome it. Indeed, we must
unite to attain these Goals. As I said at that time, just
two days ago, Congo’s commitment to reaching the
MDGs remains firm.
 While ten years after the Goals were announced
the overall results in achieving them are mixed,
especially in Africa, it is nevertheless undeniable that
major advances have been made in Africa during that
same period in such other essential areas as peace,
security and democracy. Africa as a whole is
increasingly emerging from a cycle of armed conflicts
that have greatly worked against its forward progress
towards development and prosperity. Today, thanks to
the efforts of the African Union, the backing of the
international community and the involvement of
African leaders themselves, many conflicts have been
or are being resolved. With that in mind, 2010 has been
named a year of peace and security in Africa.
 Despite difficulties encountered here and there in
carrying out electoral processes, in a general way
democracy is undeniably making a home in Africa. In
Gabon and Burundi, to mention only those two
countries, the popular will has expressed itself freely.
We nurture the hope that the elections upcoming in the
next months, notably in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, the
Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, will play out in a
climate of calm. That is likewise our hope for the
referendum to be held in South Sudan, as called for in
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In this
connection we call on the international community to
continue supporting that process until it is completed.
 On the subject of Central Africa, the United
Nations Office about to open will provide an additional
tool, besides existing mechanisms, to promote good
governance and build peace, cooperation and
development. In the same vein of building confidence
and peace in our subregion, from 15-19 November
Brazzaville will be hosting the thirty-first meeting of
the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on
Security Questions in Central Africa. On that occasion
the States of the subregion will seal their commitment
to fight the traffic in small arms and light weapons, by
signing the Kinshasa Convention.
 Since the tragic events that brought such
suffering to my country in the 1990s and early 2000s,
the Congolese Government has invested in the quest
for peace and national reconciliation, and works to
preserve that precious accomplishment. Moreover, our
good neighbour policy — a policy we have always
advocated — is one of the pillars of our foreign policy.
It is evident today in the way in which we are handling
the humanitarian crisis resulting from the arrival in our
territory of over 100,000 nationals from Équateur
Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The signing this past 10 June of the tripartite accord
among the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should make
possible an imminent resolution of the problem and
contribute to stabilizing the situation in our brother
country so in need of peace and security, especially on
the eve of its elections.

10-54965 56

 Here I would like to thank the all the bilateral and
multilateral partners, namely France, Italy, the United
States of America, the World Food Programme and the
Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, for all
the assistance they have graciously given us.
 We have just dedicated a high-level segment to
biodiversity in this year 2010, which has been
proclaimed the International Year of Biodiversity. Yet
another new challenge of our age, biodiversity is
crucial to life on earth and holds especial interest for
the Congo, since we are one of the countries that
houses the Congo Basin, a major carbon sink. We have
no doubt that the results of this segment will resonate
into the upcoming meetings in Nagoya, Japan, in
October and in Cancún, Mexico, in November and
December.
 The President of our Republic, Denis Sassou
Nguesso, holds the question of biodiversity to be of
critical global importance, because tropical forests play
a vital role in regulating and stabilizing the global
climate and generally in providing environmental
services. In this context, the Copenhagen Agreement,
which took into account the process of reducing
emissions from deforestation and degradation, known
as REDD-plus, represented the culmination of major
efforts deployed by the three forest basins, the Amazon
Basin in South and Central America, the Congo Basin
in Central Africa and the Mekong Basin in South-East
Asia.
 With our partners in dialogue and cooperation of
the Forest eleven tropical rainforest countries, the
Republic of the Congo reaffirms its will and
determination to meet the challenges of conservation
and the promotion of biodiversity. Such an effort can
bring about lasting results only if it is supported by
additional financing that is sustainable and predictable.
 The question of human rights is also on the
agenda for this session. My Government promotes
human rights because they are so closely related to
peace and development. With regard to human rights,
the Congo has always acted within the process of
international legitimacy. That is evident in the
philosophy underpinning our Constitution, in what we
do on a day-to-day basis and in our extensive
participation in the relevant international instruments.
 Domestically, besides promulgating a law on the
protection of the child in the Republic of the Congo,
our Parliament will shortly adopt a bill on promoting
and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, which
the Government has just submitted to it. The Republic
of the Congo has undertaken a number of initiatives in
this field, thus taking an important step towards
recognizing, defending and protecting the rights of
minorities. Next November, the Special Rapporteur on
the situation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms of indigenous people will visit Brazzaville.
That will be an opportune moment for dialogue and
consultations on matters related to indigenous peoples.
It should also help us speed up the implementation of
recommendations of the universal periodic review, a
Human Rights Council mechanism of which my
country was the subject from 6 to 8 May 2009 in
Geneva.
 My country is a candidate for membership in the
Human Rights Council for the period from 2011 to
2014, and we thus reaffirm our commitment to
fulfilling our international commitments and to
supporting efforts of the international community to
strengthening those rights. I therefore take this
opportunity to appeal for the Assembly’s support for
our candidacy in the elections, which will be held in
May 2011.
 On 15 August 2010, my country celebrated the
fiftieth anniversary of its independence. The day was
devoted to the theme of remembering, but also and
above all, of responsibilities and action. On that
occasion, the Government announced a number of
socio-economic measures to benefit our people. Those
measures were made possible by the release of
additional financial resources following the significant
foreign debt relief because of Congo’s accession to the
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.
Those measures are part of the Government’s resolve
to move towards attaining the Millennium
Development Goals.
 Such an enabling situation will allow my country
to lay the foundations for an emerging economy.
Indeed, it is President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s
ambition to make Congo a modern and prosperous
State that plays its part in the family of free modern
nations. But that ambition, however legitimate, can be
achieved only in a world that is safer, more just and
with more solidarity.
 More than ever before, we must return to the
ideals that inspired the founding fathers of the League
of Nations and the United Nations. We must place the

57 10-54965

moral values and the deep aspirations of our peoples at
the heart of our work. This is the world that we all
aspire to. This is the world that we should strive to
build in this Hall.


Let me
begin by conveying the warm congratulations of the
delegation of Mexico to Mr. Joseph Deiss on his
election as President of the General Assembly at this
new session. I also wish to express our appreciation to

27 10-55276

his predecessor, Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, for his
work, and our appreciation and support to Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon for his efforts for peace and
development.
 The recent high-level meetings have shown the
magnitude of the challenges that confront the
international community and thus the United Nations.
The obstacles to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals, the economic crisis in all its
manifestations, the disasters associated with climate
change, the continuing threats to peace and security —
in either their traditional or new forms — and the
difficulties in effectively addressing nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation define the agenda
of multilateral institutions and of the policies of our
Governments.
 Nevertheless, the primary responsibility of this
Organization is the maintenance of international peace
and security. Years of war and conflict on every
continent, with enormous loss of lives and significant
economic and social costs, have tested the ability of the
United Nations to prevent, contain and reverse armed
conflicts.
 That is the case in Afghanistan and Iraq, where
after years of conflicts and interventions there is still
hope that those countries will be able to fully assume
their own destiny without outside interference. In
Somalia and the Sudan the prospects for peaceful
settlements and reconciliation still seem to be distant,
requiring the will of the parties and careful monitoring
by the international community to prevent the
escalation, the extension, of the crises and to ensure the
protection of the civilian population.
 In the Democratic Republic of the Congo
impunity prevails, and despite the presence of United
Nations forces, outrageous and unacceptable crimes are
committed against civilians, particularly women and
children. The reconstruction of Haiti after the terrible
earthquake last January, which even affected United
Nations personnel, is taking place under dramatic
conditions.
 The list of challenges is endless, and indeed there
is the risk of a backsliding and escalation of violence
in several critical regions of the world.
 In the Middle East, despite 60 years of conflict
and scepticism due to past failures, there is renewed
hope for peace, thanks to the resumption of direct talks
between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. The creation of a politically and economically
viable Palestinian State, living in peace side by side with
Israel, within secure and internationally recognized
borders, is an essential condition for the establishment
of lasting peace in the Middle East. We particularly
welcome the efforts of the Administration of President
Barack Obama to achieve that goal.
 Mexico expresses its strong support for the
ongoing negotiations. Nonetheless, the hope of a
definitive agreement is marred by the threats and
provocations of extremist forces that seek to derail
direct negotiations. The leaders of Israel and the
Palestinian Authority have an appointment with
history. Let us hope that they are up to the challenge.
To that end they can count on the unstinting support of
States genuinely committed to the peace process.
 The existence of weapons of mass destruction
remains a threat to humanity and increases global
insecurity. In 2010, significant progress has been made
in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation, and
the international community has renewed its
commitment to nuclear safety. The signing of the new
strategic arms reduction treaty between the United
States and Russia, the nuclear summit held in
Washington and the outcome of the Review Conference
of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT) are achievements that must be
commended. We cannot ignore that the credibility and
viability of the disarmament agenda depend on the
universalization of the NPT and the entry into force of
the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The
creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East
would constitute a parallel and decisive step in that
regard.
 With regard to the cases of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea and Iran, it will be
necessary to move forward through dialogue and
negotiation in order to resolve the controversies arising
from their nuclear programmes. The adoption of
sanctions is not incompatible with the recourse to
diplomacy, which is still ongoing.
 However, international security does not depend
exclusively on the elimination of weapons of mass
destruction. It is also threatened by the existence of
small arms and light weapons and their illicit
trafficking, which fuel conflicts, claim the lives of
thousands of people and destabilize our societies. It is

10-55276 28

time to tackle that challenge head on, implementing the
Programme of Action on illicit trafficking in small
arms and light weapons and progressing towards the
adoption of an arms trade treaty.
 With regard to development, the consequences of
the recent international economic and financial crisis,
caused largely by the failure of the regulatory
mechanisms and the excessive indebtedness of the
world’s major economies, are still being suffered
worldwide.
 The failures that led to this crisis must be
addressed, and the United Nations must be able to play
a significant role in that undertaking. The crisis
demonstrated the need to promote international
cooperation schemes that would allow us to act
effectively and efficiently to meet the challenges
arising from it. In particular, it is worth highlighting
the positive work of the Group of 20 in this regard.
However, we also believe that the United Nations
should play a more relevant role in the discussions on
necessary international economic governance reform.
In this sense, we share the objectives set by the
President of the General Assembly.
 In this context, the prospects for achieving the
Millennium Development Goals have been severely
hampered by the crisis. Thus, the commitments in
official development assistance made at the Monterrey
International Conference on Financing for
Development and endorsed at the 2008 Doha Follow-
up Conference have been jeopardized. These
commitments must be honoured. The Millennium
Development Goals can be attained in all countries if
we take appropriate individual and collective action, as
indicated in resolution 65/1, adopted at the High-level
Plenary Meeting held here at Headquarters last week. It
is also indispensable that we progress towards the
successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade
negotiations, fully respecting its linkage with the
development agenda.
 In addition to the traditional challenges, our
Organization faces new challenges that test its ability
to react and adapt. Terrorism, on the one hand, and the
globalization of transnational organized crime on the
other, including drug trafficking, pose new threats to
peace and security that destabilize entire countries and
regions, modifying the traditional notion of
international security. The fight against these
phenomena is not the exclusive responsibility of one
particular country or region; these are global
phenomena that must be addressed and resolved by the
international community based on the fundamental
principle of shared responsibility. We cannot ignore the
fact that the permissive social behaviour in some
countries stimulates illicit activities in others.
 The Government of Mexico has assumed full
responsibility for meeting the challenges posed by drug
trafficking and activities related to organized crime,
restoring State authority in areas where impunity had
prevailed. This fight requires an increased investment
of resources and has unfortunately also led to the loss
of lives. The cost is high, but would be even higher for
our society if the authority of the State remained
impassive in the face of violence, corruption and the
accompanying impunity. Compliance with international
commitments in the area of drug trafficking is
indispensable in order to meet this challenge.
 Migration is a reality of our contemporary world
that cannot be ignored by our Organization. Its
multidimensional nature obliges us to consider its
causes and effects from an international perspective.
The migratory phenomenon should be addressed
through a holistic approach that recognizes the
contribution of migrants to the countries of origin and
of destination alike, among other factors. In November,
Mexico will host the fourth meeting of the Global
Forum on Migration and Development, the outcome of
which will be duly reported to this Assembly.
 The Government of Mexico is committed to the
promotion of human rights of all migrants, irrespective
of their migratory status. We call on all Member States
to ratify the International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families. Unfortunately, the tendency to criminalize
international migration has prevailed. Legislative
initiatives and actions singling out minorities in various
countries unacceptably codify racism and xenophobia,
establishing new barriers between communities and
nations. This is unacceptable.
 Mexico, a country of origin, transit and
destination for migrants, has experienced within its
borders the consequences of the exploitation and
violence perpetrated by organized criminal gangs that
not only smuggle people from different countries, but
have not hesitated to cruelly threaten their lives, as was
the very regrettable case in our country in August. The
competent authorities, in coordination with the

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Governments of which the individuals concerned were
nationals, are investigating this case and establishing
the necessary coordination mechanisms to prevent
similar events in the future and to attend more
effectively to the protection of migrants, regardless of
their origin and legal status.
 Nature also poses new challenges. We cannot
afford to remain idle in the face of the adverse effects
of climate change. The economic and human costs of
not addressing this problem are enormous and
negatively affect the welfare and well-being of present
and future generations. As host of the sixteenth
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the
sixth Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,
to be held later this year in Cancún, Mexico is making
every possible effort in a transparent, inclusive and
responsible manner to achieve concrete and operational
results. In Cancún, we will be able to adopt a broad and
balanced set of decisions for immediate
implementation. One single action or agreement is not
enough to address such a complex phenomenon. The
international regime on this matter should evolve
constantly in response to technological and socio-
economic developments and on the basis of common
but differentiated responsibility.
 The main advantage of our Organization among
the multilateral institutions is its universal character.
Its Charter enshrines the commitments that States have
made in all these aspects. Thus, United Nations actions
are fully legitimate, in accordance with international
law. However, we cannot ignore the difficulties that the
Organization faces without running the risk of its
becoming increasingly less capable of addressing the
enormous challenges facing the international
community. Its decisions, including those that are
legally binding, are difficult to implement and its
resources fall short of meeting the many needs that
arise in the maintenance of peace and in addressing
natural and humanitarian disasters. The Organization’s
budget and scale of assessments do not reflect the
realities of our countries.
 As a result, the comprehensive reform of the
Organization can be put off no longer; if it is, alternative
forums or more selective groups will fill the vacuum
created by our Organization’s lack of effectiveness. Our
Organization requires comprehensive reform, ranging
from the adaptation and representativeness of the Security
Council to greater coherence in activities for sustainable
development. In 2011, the General Assembly will
consider the status of the Human Rights Council, while
the Council itself will review its own working methods.
We must ensure that the outcome of both processes
results in the increased effectiveness of its work.
 With respect to peacekeeping, difficulties on the
ground and the need to adapt operation mandates
require the Security Council and the Organization as a
whole to elaborate pragmatic actions and strategies that
will produce results in the short term. Security Council
reform may be the most urgent. Mexico has
participated in the process of intergovernmental
negotiations, convinced of the need for comprehensive
reform to improve the Council’s representativeness,
transparency, democracy and accountability. This
process is relevant to all States, and Security Council
reform can be neither determined nor addressed in
alternative forums that have an eminently financial
purview. This much-needed and urgent reform will not
be achieved by imposing the aspirations of a few on
the collective will.
 As an elected member of the Security Council for
the biennium 2009-2010, Mexico has been able to
appreciate the constructive role that non-permanent
members can play through their contributions to the
work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies.
Nevertheless, we are also aware of their limitations.
The short duration of their mandates impedes the
consolidation of achievements and affects the
continuity of the work of the Council itself. We are
therefore convinced that the principle of immediate
re-election or of longer-term seats for non-permanent
members are the best options for pragmatic and viable
Security Council reform in the short term.
 Mexico’s participation in the Security Council
has been guided by its conviction of the importance of
the contribution that elected members can make to the
maintenance of international peace and security, in the
understanding that this is a shared responsibility in
accordance with obligations under the United Nations
Charter and not the monopoly of a few. In this sense,
we have been able to encourage mediation and the
peaceful settlement of disputes; promote disarmament
and non-proliferation; preserve respect for
international humanitarian law; ensure the protection
of the civilian population in armed conflicts, with
special emphasis on children; strengthen the rule of
law; and foster activities to promote stability and
reconstruction in States emerging from conflict.

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 This year, Mexico celebrates its bicentennial as
an independent nation and the centenary of its
revolution, the first of the great social revolutions of
the twentieth century. From our own experience, we
are well aware of the difficulties and obstacles facing
the construction of any nation-State in a complex and
changing world. Throughout its history, our country’s
interaction with the world at large has been fraught.
Our country has experienced external interventions,
occupations and even losses of its territory during
periods of political instability. We have been able
nonetheless to forge a national identity and unique
profile in contemporary international relations.
 Today, Mexico is a constructive and open
country, peaceful and fully committed to forging
agreements for a better world. As a founding Member
of our Organization, we have been loyal to its
purposes, consistent with the principles of foreign
policy enshrined in our Constitution. Our adherence to
international law and the contributions of Mexican
foreign policy to various fields are well known. We
have also learned to appreciate the importance of
international cooperation inasmuch as there is no
challenge on the United Nations agenda that can be
tackled in isolation. The survival of humankind, given
the dangers of nuclear war, combating the effects of
climate change, overcoming social regression, and the
relentless fight against new threats to international
security and to our own societies require our greatest
individual efforts as well as coordination among States.
Mexico will therefore remain deeply committed to
multilateralism, of which this universal forum is the
first and foremost expression.


The tragic
earthquake in Haiti, the devastating floods in Pakistan
and the financial crisis have reminded us that the
global challenges of the twenty-first century require
concerted action. The United Nations needs to be at the
centre of our activities. It is the forum of today’s
multilateral system that enjoys the highest degree of
legitimacy. Inclusiveness is its key comparative
advantage.
 However, this moral authority must be matched
by mechanisms and resources to ensure its
effectiveness. Adherence to the rule of law is
fundamental. All multilateral efforts and activities need

23 10-55109

to operate on the basis of clear and predictable rules
that apply equally to all Member States. Member
States, as well as men and women around the globe,
must be able to trust in the United Nations capacity to
turn the promises of the Charter into reality.
 Cooperation with other international actors is
indispensable to the United Nations efforts to deal with
the complex challenges of today. Austria and the
European Union (EU) stand ready as reliable partners
for the United Nations in areas ranging from
development cooperation and humanitarian aid to the
maintenance of international peace and security and to
promoting the respect for the rule of law and human
rights. In this context, we hope that our initiative to
obtain modalities for the EU’s participation in the
General Assembly, reflecting the changes provided for
in the Treaty of Lisbon, will soon be adopted. This
would greatly help to reinforce the productive
partnership of the United Nations with an organization
that is fully committed to the principles and objectives
enshrined in the Charter. Austria is proud to contribute
to the work of the United Nations by hosting the
United Nations Office at Vienna. We will continue to
offer Vienna as a platform for dialogue and
cooperation.
 In our view, good governance is an inherent
element of global governance. The Vienna-based
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is central to
the United Nations efforts to combat corruption and
organized crime by supporting Member States in
implementing international standards, including the
United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Corruption presents one of the major challenges with
dire consequences for the international community’s
efforts to reduce poverty. The recent founding of the
International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria is an
important step towards addressing this challenge. That
institution aims to provide a tool for research,
education and training for professionals from all fields,
including law enforcement officials, judges and
prosecutors.
 The fight against climate change is one of the
central issues of the twenty-first century. Climate
change has a far-reaching impact on the economic and
social development of the entire international
community. We need global consensus now if we want
to achieve the goal to limit global warming to 2°C and
to reverse the trend of rising greenhouse gas emissions
by 2020. Nobody should underestimate the difficulty of
this task. However, the fight against climate change is
also an opportunity. We have the chance to create a
framework for sustainable, qualitative growth at the
global level. Austria is committed to contributing to
this endeavour.
 This week, leaders agreed on concrete actions to
get the Millennium Development Goals back on track
in the fight against world poverty. We now need to
mobilize all our efforts to live up to this renewed
commitment, particularly in addressing the special
needs of Africa in this regard. The Governments of
developing and developed countries, as well as the
private sector and civil society, need to work together
to achieve our ambitious goals by 2015.
 Let me now turn to one of the most urgent threats
to peace and security. These days, our attention is
focused on the recently initiated direct talks between
Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. We
welcome the leadership and commitment of President
Obama, who made this development possible. These
talks offer the first concrete prospects for a sustainable
peace in the Middle East in many years. An agreement
between Israel and Palestine would not only radically
improve the lives of the peoples concerned, but would
also provide the key to a more stable region and a more
peaceful world. We hope that both sides are aware of
their enormous responsibilities.
 The process is still fragile. We believe that the
extension of the settlement moratorium is fundamental
to keeping the talks on track and creating an
environment in which the core issues can be tackled
successfully. It is equally important that the efforts of
the Palestinian authorities to build up functioning
institutions for a future Palestinian State move forward
dynamically. It is ultimately up to the parties to bring
the peace process to a positive conclusion. However,
international actors, in particular the members of the
Quartet, have an important role to play. As a member
of the European Union, Austria is ready to fully play
its part.
 In order to ensure that the United Nations
continues to play a central role in global governance,
we must continue with our efforts towards internal
reform of the United Nations, including the reform of
the Security Council. Both an enlargement of the
Security Council that reflects today’s political,
economic and social realities and a reform of the
Council’s working methods will enhance the Council’s

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legitimacy and the acceptance of its decisions. As an
elected member of the Security Council, we participate
in its work with great commitment and are doing our
best to promote effectiveness and transparency.
 Significant efforts are under way to ensure and
sustain United Nations peacekeeping as an essential
tool for achieving the goals of the United Nations.
Confronted with limited financial and human resources
and the increasing complexity of peacekeeping
operations, the United Nations has started a review of
the whole United Nations peacekeeping system with a
view to adjusting it to the needs of the twenty-first
century. It is of vital importance for the Council to
effectively monitor and oversee the implementation of
peacekeeping mandates, in close cooperation with
troop and police contributors, the Secretariat and
United Nations missions. Austria fully supports the
ongoing peacekeeping reform and stands ready to play
its part in a renewed global peacekeeping partnership.
 We also have to work on making peace
consolidation irreversible. The United Nations
Peacebuilding Commission, together with integrated
peacebuilding support offices, has a key role in
fostering sustainable peace. If we use the
peacebuilding architecture optimally, lasting peace can
be achieved with determination and the political will of
the country concerned, as well as the support of the
international community. Since peacekeeping and
peacebuilding must be approached in an integrated
manner, we strongly support the enhanced interaction
of the Security Council with the Peacebuilding
Commission throughout the conflict cycle, as was
affirmed at the Security Council summit this week.
 Due to the changing nature of conflict and an
increase in the activities of non-State actors, the
protection of civilians in armed conflict constitutes a
core task of a large number of United Nations
peacekeeping missions. The effective protection of
those affected by hostilities and violence has become a
yardstick for the success and credibility of United
Nations missions in the field and the United Nations at
large. Security Council resolution 1894 (2009),
unanimously adopted in November last year, was a
major step forward in the Council’s efforts to better
protect civilians from physical violence, displacement
and violations of their rights.
 However, resolution 1894 (2009) has not yet had
its full impact on the ground. Violations of
international humanitarian and human rights law and
impunity for such crimes continue to pose a major
threat to the rule of law and lasting peace in post-
conflict situations.
 Austria acknowledges the primary responsibility
of States to ensure the protection of civilians, including
the credible prosecution of those responsible for war
crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity or other
serious violations of international law. We support the
use and promotion of mechanisms such as the
International Criminal Court, commissions of inquiry
or panels of experts. Such tools should be seen as a
viable complement and reinforcement of steps taken at
the national level to ensure accountability. The
Security Council has a central role in this endeavour.
Ensuring the implementation of resolution 1894 (2009)
will be one of the key priorities of Austria during the
remainder of its term on the Council.
 Austria also attaches utmost importance to
enhancing the role of women in conflict and post-
conflict situations. Even 10 years after the adoption of
Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women
and peace and security, we can still witness major gaps.
Women continue to be largely absent from peace
processes and conflict-resolution efforts, and crimes
against them all too often remain unpunished. The
latest, shocking mass rapes in the Eastern Democratic
Republic of the Congo demonstrate more than ever that
there is urgent need for action. We cannot afford to
ignore those gaps. The occasion of the tenth
anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000)
will therefore provide a crucial opportunity to work
towards more consistent implementation in promoting
women’s issues in all aspects of international peace
efforts. Those efforts are fully supported by our
development cooperation.
 Austria warmly welcomes the milestone decision
of the General Assembly to establish UN Women,
which will make the United Nations a stronger and
more effective partner in the advancement of women
worldwide. We look forward to working with Michelle
Bachelet towards our common goals.
 Children in armed conflict deserve special
protection. I am very satisfied that the United Nations
system has made concrete progress in combating
serious child rights violations and in fighting the
recruitment and enlisting of child soldiers.

25 10-55109

 Austria reiterates the pivotal role of the United
Nations at the centre of our counter-terrorism efforts.
Respect for human rights and the rule of law is a
fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism. As
Chair of the Security Council Committee established
pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-
Qaida and the Taliban, Austria is committed to
enhancing due process in the Council’s sanctions
regimes. We therefore welcome the substantial
improvements of the listing and de-listing procedures
and the recent appointment of Ms. Kimberly Prost as
Ombudsperson.
 The Austrian candidature for the Human Rights
Council for the period 2011-2014 is a logical
continuation of our long-term work and engagement in
ensuring the respect for human rights, including in the
Security Council. Dialogue and partnerships are crucial
for turning the promises of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights into a reality for all people around
the globe. Austria has consistently worked with all
actors towards narrowing the gap between standards
and their implementation at the national and
international levels.
 To end on a positive note, this past year saw the
most positive developments towards nuclear
disarmament in a decade. Security Council resolution
1887 (2009), adopted just a year ago, provided a
powerful impetus. Although many issues are still
unresolved and require our close attention, the Review
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in May
produced an outcome that restored confidence in the
Treaty. For the first time, a comprehensive action plan
dealing with all three pillars of the Treaty was agreed.
Let me stress here that Austria is honoured to have
contributed to that success. For the first time, a world
without nuclear weapons was accepted as the goal of
all parties, who pledged to ultimately eliminate all
types of nuclear weapons. For the first time, the
catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of
such weapons were recognized — an important step
towards the eventual legal ban of nuclear weapons by
means of a nuclear weapons convention or framework
of legal instruments.
 Although the results of the Conference are
positive, much remains to be done. The action plan
needs to be implemented. The nuclear-weapon
States — which promised to engage among themselves
on a number of vital issues and report by 2014 — must
lead by example. The international disarmament
structures must be reformed. I am grateful for
Secretary-General Ban’s initiative in this respect.
 Finally, we must learn from successful
disarmament initiatives. Let me underline that Austria
is delighted that the Convention on Cluster Munitions
entered into force last month. The Convention is a
positive example of how committed Governments,
international organizations and civil society can work
together to achieve real progress. In order to promote
interaction in this respect in the nuclear field as well,
Austria supports the establishment of a competence
centre for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in
Vienna early next year. Conceived as a platform for
open discussion and independent expertise, monitoring
and advocacy, the centre shall facilitate understanding
and cooperation among all entities involved. I hope
that it will contribute to further progress in nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation.
 We, the United Nations, have shared
responsibility to move forward jointly in order to reach
our common goal of international peace, security and
development for all.