I come before the General Assembly today from Palestine to sound the alarm concerning the grave dangers of what is happening in Jerusalem, where extremist Israeli groups continue with their systematic and repeated incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Those incursions are aimed at imposing a new reality and at temporarily dividing Haram Al-Sharif by allowing extremists — under the protection of Israeli occupying forces, Ministers and Knesset members — to enter the Mosque. In so doing at specified times, they prevent the access of Muslim
worshipers from freely exercising their religious rights. The Israeli Government is pursuing that plan in direct violation of the status quo of 1967. The occupying Power is thus committing a grave mistake, because we will not accept such actions. The Palestinian people refuses to accept the implementation of an illegal plan that is an affront to the sensitivities of Palestinians and Muslims throughout the world. I call on the Israeli Government, before it is too late, to end the use of brutal force aimed at desecrating the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and, in particular, to halt its actions directed against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, for such actions will transform the conflict from a political to a religious one and create an explosive situation in Jerusalem, as well as in the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.
It is my honour to come to speak on behalf of the State of Palestine in the General Assembly at its seventieth session, which coincides with the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, which has made the promotion and protection of international peace and security and the preservation of human rights its primary goals.
The question of Palestine was one of the first just causes brought before the United Nations, dating from the time of its inception. Yet, to date, regrettably, it remains unresolved. The Organization and its Members remain unable to end the injustice inflicted upon our people or to assist it in exercising its right to self- determination and freedom in its own independent and sovereign State.
I ask the Assembly to reconsider the history of the question of Palestine and the relevant United Nations resolutions in order to realize a self-evident truth. A historic injustice was inflicted upon a people who had lived peacefully in their land and made genuine intellectual, cultural and humanitarian contributions to humankind and their homeland. That people does not deserve to be deprived of its homeland, to die in exile, to be swallowed by the sea or to spend its life fleeing from one refugee camp to another. Yet, regrettably, its just cause remains at a standstill after these many years.
Our people have placed their hopes in the countries of this Organization to help them to gain their freedom, independence and sovereignty, so that their wish and their right to their own State, which is the aspiration of all peoples of the Earth, can be achieved. That entails a just solution for the Palestine refugee issue
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in accordance with resolution 194 (III) and the Arab Peace Initiative. Is that too much to ask?
We are calling for justice, peace and what is right. Palestine was partitioned into two States, and Israel was established 67 years ago. But the second part of resolution 181 (II), of 29 November 1947, still awaits implementation. Palestine, which is an observer State in the United Nations, deserves full recognition and full membership. In the light of all the enormous sacrifices that we have made, our years of patience in exile and suffering, and our acceptance of peace in accordance with the two-State solution, which should be based on international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet road map, it is unconscionable that the question of Palestine has remained unresolved for all these decades.
The continuation of the impasse is unacceptable, because it means yielding to the logic of the brute force that is being inflicted upon us by the Israeli Government. That Government continues its illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, especially in occupied East Jerusalem. It continues its blockade of the Gaza Strip, deepening the immense suffering of our people there, in defiance of United Nations resolutions and the agreements signed by both sides under international auspices. In that regard, we recall the words of the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1976, when he stated that Israel would become an apartheid State if it continued its occupation of Palestinian territory. He described the Israeli settlements on Palestinian land as a cancer. That is what Yitzhak Rabin said. Why do they do that to us?
The persistence of the issue forces us to ask the following questions. Do the votes of democratic countries against Palestine-related resolutions and the legitimate rights of our people serve peace and the interests of those who believe in the two-State solution? Or do they serve and encourage extremists, thereby fanning their hatred and racism and making them believe that they are above the law, to the point that they committed the crime of burning a Palestinian family in the town of Duma in the West Bank, a crime which claimed the lives of an infant, Ali Dawabsheh, his father and mother? What is left of this family is an orphan child, Ahmed, a 4-year-old, who teeters between life and death in hospital as a result of his burns, while the killers remain free because they have not yet been arrested. Where is justice? Where is fairness? Where
is democracy? Where is the democratic State that lays claim to democracy and the rule of law?
This was not the first crime of this type. On previous occasions, they had burned alive and killed a Palestinian child, Mohammed Abu Khdeir, in Jerusalem, and another, Mohammed Al-Dura, in Gaza, and before them thousands had been killed in Gaza and the West Bank. We still remember the Deir Yassin massacre of 1948 and all other crimes committed against our people. All of these crimes have gone unpunished. Until when will Israel remain above international law and without accountability?
Owing to time constraints, I shall not be able to discuss in detail how many Israeli violations have been committed against our people and how many repressive laws have been issued by successive Israeli Governments, the latest of which is the official governmental instructions given to fire live ammunition at and arrest and repress peaceful Palestinian demonstrators. Why is this happening?
We do not respond to the hatred and brutality of the Israeli occupation with hatred and brutality. Instead, we are working to spread the culture of peace and coexistence between our peoples and in our region. We are eager to see the day when our people and all peoples in our region will enjoy peace, security, stability and prosperity. This cannot be achieved with continued occupation, settlement, colonization, the wall, the burning of people, places of worship and homes, the killing of youth, children and infants, the burning of crops, and the arrest and detention of people without charge or trial.
How can a State claim that it is an oasis of democracy and that its courts and security apparatus function according to the law and yet also accept the existence of so-called price-tag gangs and other known terrorist organizations that terrorize and intimidate our people, confiscate their property and insult their holy sites? All of this occurs under the watch of the Israeli army and police, who do not deter or punish the gangs, but rather provide them with protection.
Is it not time to end these injustices? Is it not time to stop this suffering? Is it not time for the racist annexation wall to be torn down? Is it not time for the humiliating and degrading checkpoints and barriers set up by the Israeli occupying forces in our land to be removed? Is it not time for the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip to be lifted so that our people can
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move in freedom and dignity in their own homeland and beyond? Is it not time to end the racist, terrorist, colonial settlement of our land, which is undermining the two-State solution? Is it not time for the 6,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails to see the light of freedom and live among their families and communities? Is it not time for the longest occupation in history, which is suffocating our people, to come to an end? These are the questions we ask the international community.
Despite all the obstacles imposed by the occupation, since the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority and until this moment, we have worked tirelessly to build the foundations of our State, its infrastructure and sovereign national institutions. We have made real progress on the ground, as has been affirmed by several international bodies, in particular the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. With the support of our brothers and friends, we will continue our efforts and work together to strengthen our State, which is committed to upholding international standards, the rule of law and transparency as a democratic and modern State. In this context, we highly value the efforts of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, under Norway’s chairmanship, and urge donor countries to continue to support a better life for our people and our efforts to develop our State institutions.
Our membership in international organizations and our accession to treaties and conventions are not directed against anyone; rather, they are a measure aimed at safeguarding our rights, protecting our people, harmonizing the laws and regulations of our country with international standards, and strengthening its international legal status and identity. Is this a mistake?
With respect to the internal Palestinian situation, we are determined to preserve the unity of our land and our people. We will not accept temporary solutions or a fragmented State. We will not allow this to happen, and we will not let those who are trying to make us do this prevail. We will instead seek to form a Government of national unity that functions according to the programme of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and we will proceed to hold presidential and legislative elections.
Palestine is a country of holiness and peace. It is the birthplace of Christ, the messenger of love and peace, and the home of the Isra and Mi’raj, the ascension to
heaven and night journey of Mohammed, peace be upon him, who was sent as a gift of mercy to the world. Palestine is still looking for peace, and its people want to live in their homeland in safety, security, harmony, stability and good neighbourliness with all peoples and countries of the region. This is attested to by their cultural, humanitarian and spiritual contributions to humankind all along, from the start.
Just recently, on 17 May, two nuns from Palestine, Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas and Mariam Baouardy, were canonized as saints by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican in the presence of tens of thousands of the faithful from around the globe. On that occasion, the flag of Palestine was raised at the Vatican, whose recognition of the State of Palestine is documented in the agreement signed between the Holy See and the State of Palestine. It is our hope that those that have not yet recognized us as a State will do so as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing the independent State of Palestine take its rightful place among the community of nations. We are confident that it will actively contribute to achieving the economic, cultural and humanitarian progress of civilization, with positive results for our people, the region and the entire world.
Peace will be achieved by and through Palestine. Those who wish to seek and promote peace, I repeat, those who wish to seek and promote peace and to fight terrorism, should start by resolving the question of Palestine. That is the beginning and the end of it.
I take the opportunity to express, on behalf of my people, our thanks to all those who, on 10 September, voted in favour of resolution 69/320. Its adoption has enabled us to raise the Palestinian flag at United Nations Headquarters. The day is not far off when, God willing, we will raise the Palestinian flag in East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine.
I wish also to pay tribute to various recent decisions in European parliaments. Some of these have clearly condemned Israel’s settlement activities and affirmed the right of the Palestinian people to sovereignty and independence in their own State, side by side with the State of Israel — which we recognize even though Israel does not recognize our existence — and some have established a committee on relations with Palestine. A number of European countries have also affirmed their recognition of the State of Palestine, thereby endorsing our natural right to independence. In that regard, we wish to thank the Kingdom of Sweden for having the
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courage of its convictions and recognizing the State of Palestine.
All who say they support the two-State solution must recognize both States, not just one. If one supports the two-State solution, how can one not recognize the other State? Today I call on those countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so. We are fully confident that they will do so out of conviction that our people and cause are deserving of justice. From this rostrum at United Nations Headquarters and against the backdrop of the religious holidays, I extend a sincere call on the people of Israel for peace based on justice, security and stability for all. I also call on the Security Council and the General Assembly to shoulder their responsibilities before it is too late. I sincerely hope that they will fulfil their responsibilities before it is too late.
All those present are well aware that Israel has undermined the efforts of the Administration of President Barack Obama, and mostly recently the efforts undertaken by Secretary of State Kerry, to reach a peace agreement by means of negotiation. The polices and practices of the Israeli Government and the stances adopted by its Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers lead to a clear conclusion, namely, that they are doing their utmost to sabotage the two-State solution that we have been seeking based on resolutions of international legitimacy. There can be no other explanation.
We welcome the international and European efforts, including the French initiative calling for the formation of an international support group on achieving peace. The Arab States, at their recent summit, confirmed their support for a Security Council resolution to reaffirm the key parameters for a peaceful two-State solution, based on the pre-1967 borders, with a time frame for ending the occupation.
As it is pointless to waste time negotiating just for the sake of it, what we require now is to mobilize international efforts and establish a framework to oversee an end to the occupation, in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy. Until that is done, I appeal to the United Nations, and particularly the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, to provide international protection for the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law. We need protection — we need international protection. We cannot maintain the status quo. We are being assailed on all sides. Acts of
aggression are being committed against us on all sides. We have no protector. Our last resort is the United Nations. We are therefore appealing to the Assembly, we are begging the Assembly, to provide us with international protection.
We have tried to bring pressure to bear on Israel to implement the signed agreements and to negotiate in conformity with the two-State solution through direct contact with the Israeli Government. Yes, we do maintain direct contact with the Israeli Government, as well as indirect contact through the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United Nations, the Quartet members and other parties. However, the Israeli Government persists in undermining the two-State solution and in entrenching two regimes on the ground: the current apartheid regime imposed on the State of Palestine and against the Palestinian people, on the one hand, and another regime of extensive privileges and protection for Israeli settlers, on the other hand. Our occupied Palestinian territory reflects two systems: the apartheid system and the other system that extends extensive privileges to the Israeli settlers. How is that possible? In what way is it admissible? That is the question that we pose to the United Nations.
The transitional Oslo accords and annexes and the subsequent accords signed with Israel stipulated that the agreements should be implemented within a time frame of five years, which ended in 1999. What was the outcome to be? It was to be full independence for the State of Palestine and the end of the Israeli occupation. But Israel stopped withdrawing its forces from the areas classified as “B” and “C”, which represent more than 60 per cent of the West Bank territory, including East Jerusalem. Instead, Israel intensified its settlement activities everywhere, in breach of all of the signed accords, some of which were signed by the current Israeli Prime Minister.
In 2009, in his speech in Cairo, President Obama called for the cessation of the settlement activities. What was the response on the part of Israel? The Government increased its settlement activities by at least 20 per cent in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, thus violating its obligation not to undertake any illegal or unilateral action that could be considered permanent. Moreover, the occupying Power has repeatedly encroached on the area classified as “A”, which is supposed to be under full Palestinian security jurisdiction and in which we have
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established the institutions of the Palestinian State. Let me repeat that, yes, Israel has also violated that area.
At the same time, Israel refuses to review the economic agreements that control the ability of the Palestinian economy to develop and become independent. It is determined to impose dominance on the Palestinian economy, similar to its military and security dominance, and it rejects the right of the Palestinian people to development and to the exploitation of their natural resources. In so doing, Israel has undermined the foundations on which the political and security agreements are based. Those agreements have also been eroded by the measures taken by successive Israeli Governments, measures that have negated the transitional phase leading to the independence of our State. All these gross violations of the agreements have made the situation intolerable.
Given that background, we declare that as long as Israel refuses to commit to the agreements it signed with us, thereby ensuring that we are a pro forma authority without real powers, and as long as Israel refuses to cease its settlement activities and to release the fourth group of Palestinian prisoners in accordance with our agreements, Israel leaves us no choice but to assert that we will not remain the only ones committed to the implementation of those agreements, while Israel continuously violates them.
We therefore declare that we cannot continue to be bound by those agreements and that Israel must fully assume all its responsibilities as an occupying Power, because the status quo cannot continue and the decisions of the Palestinian Central Council last March are specific and binding. As long as Israel does not commit to the signed agreements and instead undermines them all, we, for our part, renounce our commitment to those agreements, and Israel must bear full responsibility for the situation. This is a decision taken by the Palestinian Parliament, and I affirm it right here and now. Our patience has run out. It seems that Israel is deaf to the truth. Israel will have to resume its role as an occupying Power and bear its responsibilities accordingly.
The State of Palestine, based on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, is a State under occupation. Yes, we are under occupation, just as many countries were during the Second World War. It should be noted that our State is recognized by 137 States, which is four times the number of States that recognized Israel at its foundation, and the right of our
people to self-determination, freedom and independence is recognized globally as being inalienable and indisputable. I further recall resolution 67/19 of 2012, which accorded to Palestine observer State status and reaffirmed that the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization would be the interim Government of the State of Palestine and that the Palestine National Council would be the Palestinian Parliament of the State of Palestine. Given all that, why does Israel not recognize the State of Palestine?
I must reiterate that the current situation is unsustainable. We shall start implementing the declaration I have just announced by legal means. We shall not resort to violence; we shall use peaceful and legal means to implement it. Either the Palestine National Authority will be a transitional power and move the Palestinian people from occupation to independence, or Israel must fully bear its responsibilities as the occupying Power.
At the same time, and based on our commitment to the principles of international law, the State of Palestine will continue to accede to international conventions and to join organizations — all international organizations. That is our right and is fully in line with our status under international law. Palestine will move forward in the defence of its people under occupation through all available legal and peaceful means, including as a High Contracting Party to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Yes, Palestine is a State party to the International Criminal Court. Those who fear international law and international courts should stop committing crimes. We do not like having to seek justice from the International Criminal Court, but aggression forces us to do so. We will seek support from all international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.
All that notwithstanding, my hand remains outstretched for the just peace that will guarantee my people’s rights, freedom and human dignity. I say to our neighbours, the sons and daughters of the Israeli people, that peace is in their interest and in our interest and in the interest of their future generations and our future generations. Maintaining a narrow viewpoint is unhelpful and destructive. Focusing only on oneself is unhelpful and destructive. It is my sincere hope that those neighbours will consider the dangerous reality on the ground and look to the future and accept for the Palestinian people what they accept for themselves.
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Then, they will find that the achievement of peace will be possible, and they will enjoy security, safety, peace and stability. These values are the aspirations that we also seek to realize for our Palestinian people.


We are at a historic junction for the United Nations, which will turn 70 next month. This occasion is an opportunity for stocktaking of the Organization’s past achievements, missed opportunities and challenges ahead. The United Nations has been making outstanding efforts in paving the road ahead for peace, security and human rights. At the same time, profound changes have taken place in these seven decades. The United Nations has been successful in adapting to some, whereas it lacked creativity, political will and flexibility to effectively face others.
Ten years ago, leaders met here in New York with a vision to increase and promote international security and advance human rights and development with a bold plan known as the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, which led to the establishment of the Human Rights Council and Peacebuilding Commission. We collectively endorsed the concept of the responsibility to protect human beings from mass atrocities and systematic violations of human rights. We have also committed to reform the Security Council, as well to revitalize the General Assembly, as part of a comprehensive, overall reform of the Organization. The United Nations has to continue to adapt to new challenges, and it would therefore be important to make progress in that respect. We have the mandate and responsibility to act, based on global solidarity and the vision of a fairer and more secure international community.
We welcome the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1). However, by the end of
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the year, at the twenty-first session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference, in Paris, we will need to adopt an ambitious, durable, universal and legally binding climate agreement that addresses mitigation, adaptation, financing and technology development in a balanced and cost-effective manner.
Slovenia remains strongly engaged in protecting the environment and in ensuring its sustainability, both in national and international contexts. Based on our extensive experience with beekeeping, and in view of multiple threats to bee populations, we wish to raise awareness of the critical importance of bees for sustainable food production and biodiversity. The Slovenian Government therefore decided to propose the proclamation of “World Bee Day”, for which we will seek the endorsement of the United Nations.
There can be no security or economic and social development without respect for human rights, and vice versa. I wish to express our support for the excellent work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, and to encourage him to continue to exercise his leadership in the field of human rights. Almost a quarter of a century ago, when Slovenia gained independence, respect for human rights was a pivotal founding principle of our newly formed State. Since then, our commitment to promoting human rights, especially by protecting the most vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, has intensified and represents one of the core elements of our foreign policy. Slovenia will continue to advocate a progressive approach to human rights issues and strive to enhance international norms and standards. We are confident that we can also successfully contribute to that goal by serving as a member of the Human Rights Council from 2016 to 2018.
This year is particularly significant for women, since it marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Just a few days ago we participated in the event commemorating it and reaffirmed our commitment to gender equality, human rights and the empowerment of women. And in October we will mark the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), the first resolution to stress the role of women in peace and security. But while we acknowledge the progress that has been achieved, our quest for gender equality must continue.
Respect for the rule of law and international law is an essential condition for nations’ development and peaceful coexistence. One of the aims of the United Nations, enshrined in its Charter, is that of working to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained. Slovenia believes firmly in the paramount importance of international treaties. It is through them that we can enhance universality, ensure reliability and provide accountability. Every society should make justice, truth and reconciliation a major focus and strive to attain them by every possible means, including international courts and tribunals. We continue our strong support to the International Criminal Court, which plays an important role in affirming the rule of law. Slovenia will continue to advocate for a strong and independent Court as well as for the universality of the Rome Statute and the Kampala amendments, and we call on States to cooperate fully and promptly with the Court. But the primary responsibility for prosecuting international crimes rests with States. Slovenia is actively engaged in efforts to ensure mutual legal assistance and extradition agreements between States for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, through the initiative in that regard.
Time and again, no matter how often we insist that mass atrocities and systematic violations of human rights should not be repeated, we still witness events that shock the conscience. In the past few years we have witnessed war in Syria and raging conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Gaza, Yemen, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and elsewhere, with spillover effects in their immediate neighbourhoods and consequences felt around the world. Such situations have been worsened by the escalating violent extremism and crimes committed by Daesh and other terrorist groups and organizations. This must be stopped. We call on the Security Council, and its permanent members in particular, to overcome their divisions and find a way to deal more effectively with the deteriorating situation, in line with the Council’s primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Nor has Europe as a continent been spared. The conflict in Ukraine goes on and its sovereignty and territorial integrity remain under threat. We therefore call for the full and timely implementation of the Minsk agreements.
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These wars and conflicts have dramatically increased the displacement of people on a large scale, reaching levels unprecedented in recent history. We are faced with immense humanitarian challenges. Refugees and migrants are fleeing their homes in massive waves, and hundreds are dying in their quest for a better life. The magnitude of the current humanitarian crisis requires a determined and immediate response on the part of the entire international community, based on the common principles of solidarity, humanity and shared responsibility. We should help these people in need. We should increase assistance to countries that are hosting large numbers of refugees. We should also act more decisively in refugees’ countries of origin by pushing for sustainable political solutions to ongoing conflicts and by countering the spread of radical ideologies.
Slovenia is committed to conflict prevention and peaceful conflict resolution. Wherever possible and applicable, we should opt for diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention. The recent historic agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue proves that even the most complex issues can be resolved peacefully. Considering that positive outcome, we hope that the Middle East peace talks will also resume soon, with a view to bringing stability and security to this tormented region.
With regard to disarmament and arms control, I would like to welcome the early entry into force, last December, of the Arms Trade Treaty and to call for its full implementation. That will enable us to regulate the international arms trade effectively, and thus make a substantial contribution to international peace and security. My country also remains committed to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
I would like to conclude by underlining that Slovenia will continue with activities aimed at bringing the global community closer to achieving universal standards of human rights and a decent life for all. We will remain a strong supporter of an environment in which every human being can feel safe. We will continue to advocate for strong partnerships, inclusive dialogue and constructive cooperation. We are determined to work with all partners to ensure that the Organization delivers tangible, meaningful results that can advance peace, security and human rights for all. Slovenia will do its share in shouldering its responsibility to act.


The seventieth anniversary of the United Nations offers us an opportunity to renew our commitments to the ideals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Today, those ideals and principles are threatened in so many ways around the globe. We are witnessing the largest displacement of people since the Second World War. As of last year, nearly 60 million people were displaced by war, conflict or persecution. Violent extremism is on the rise, with terrorist groups demonstrating new levels of brutality and barbarity. In the twenty-first century, women and girls are sold in slave markets by the criminals of Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) and abused in unspeakable ways. We have entered an era where the most primitive and brutal executions coexist with the most sophisticated information warfare, hybrid warfare and cyberwarfare.
The Charter of the United Nations has been breached in the middle of Europe, with no consequences. Last year, Russia annexed Crimea, and the Kremlin seeks to rewrite history and redraw the borders of post-war Europe. Even in the context of the multiple crises and security challenges the world is facing today,
the annexation of Crimea and military aggression in eastern Ukraine stand out because of their implications for the future of international peace and security. These acts strike at the very core of international law and at universally accepted norms of behaviour that have allowed the world community to survive without world wars for seven decades.
We cannot pledge respect for the Charter of the United Nations and ignore its breaches at the same time. Our collective failure to stand up for the underlying principles of the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine will have far-reaching negative repercussions for international order. The occupied territories of Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova are full of red lines that we ourselves have drawn but never acted upon. Again, we are reminded that if one closes one’s eyes to crimes, they do not disappear. They spread, grow and finally they take over. That is why it is our duty to uphold international humanitarian and human rights laws and to seek accountability when these laws are violated. Vetoing a Security Council resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica massacre or to set up a tribunal for the downing of Flight MH-17 is unjustifiable and is an insult to the memory of the victims. It also raises questions about the relevance, in the twenty-first century, of the Security Council as it is today.
For the Council to maintain its credibility, the least it can do is put an end to the use of the veto in cases of genocide, atrocity crimes, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Where would we be today had the Council been able to secure proper humanitarian access in Syria, had it taken measures to stop the use of barrel bombs and ensure accountability for gross human rights violations and abuses? The Security Council failed to do so, and millions of Syrians had to flee. By protecting the criminals, the four vetoes of resolutions pertaining to Syria did nothing to resolve the situation.
As a result, today we have the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. It is a global crisis that requires a global response. Unless we address the causes that make people flee their homes — such as lawlessness, repression and grave human rights abuses, corruption and poor governance, massive inequalities and marginalization — these flows of refugees will not stop. Conflicts will continue. Lawlessness breeds the worst of the worst — extremism, radicals and terrorists. We simply cannot afford for this to happen.
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We live in an era when challenges and threats are enhanced by new ones. At 70, the United Nations must adapt to the realities of the twenty-first century and have the tools necessary to operate. The United Nations must do much better, tackling the underlying causes of the problems and conflicts at hand, and not merely the symptoms. It must be equipped and staffed to operate in environments of asymmetric and hybrid warfare, information wars and the growing threat of terrorism. It must also do a lot better at prevention and mediation, in order to save lives, as well as resources.
In the twenty-first century the world will need a strong United Nations that has been renewed in every sphere. Either we act now and shape globalization through cooperation and partnership, or the crises and conflicts of the globalized world will force us to respond at a much greater cost to all of us. The United Nations will cease to exist if people stop believing in it. Through our activities, 70 years after the founding of the United Nations, we must show that we continue to believe firmly in this Organization, which we all share.


Seventy years have passed since the United Nations was founded, and we are gathered here today to recall together the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. My country was among the founding signatory Members in 1945.
We all realize that the United Nations came into the world in the wake of two world wars that resulted in enormous financial and human costs, something that makes us understand the importance of upholding the principles of the Charter, aimed at establishing security and stability in our world. Paramount among those principles is that of preventing new destructive and lethal wars and conflicts. We should not forget
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that the main principle and goal is the maintenance of international peace and security. That can be achieved only by promoting justice, equality and respect for international law among our nations, and in particular the principle of State sovereignty, in accordance with the Treaty of Westphalia of 1648, which established State independence and sovereignty as the basis of modern international relations.
The Palestinian question has become a permanent item on the General Assembly’s agenda. Today, despite all the initiatives and opinions that have been put forward, the Palestinian people continue to suffer and to be deprived of their right to live in dignity, in flagrant defiance of the rules of international law and internationally legitimate resolutions. We are in urgent need of a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, based on the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the Arab Peace Initiative, which was promoted by my country and adopted 13 years ago by the Arab and Islamic worlds and has garnered wide international support. Its aim is to establish an independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. That is why we repeat our denunciation of Israel’s violations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which have exacerbated the conflict, as well as extremism and violence in the world.
The crisis in Syria has now entered its fifth year. The international community continues to be incapable of taking decisive steps to save the Syrian people from the machinery of killing, destruction and forced displacement operated by Bashar Al-Assad, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 300,000 people and the displacement of 12 million Syrians and the destruction of the country in one of the worst humanitarian disasters we have seen in our times. The only way to resolve this crisis is through a political solution based on the Geneva I final communiqué (A/66/865, annex), in order to maintain Syria’s national unity and preserve its State institutions, both civil and military, and to create a transitional council on which Bashar Al-Assad and those who have Syrian blood on their hands have no place. We will continue to push for such a solution and will be among the first countries to support the Syrian people and to contribute to alleviating their suffering.
The legitimate coalition forces accomplished much in Yemen. Chief among their achievements was the liberation of the city of Aden and of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which secured international maritime freedom. The military option was a last resort following the
coup d’état staged by the Houthis and Saleh in which they seized power and laid siege to the presidential palace and residence in Aden, thereby threatening the legitimate President. In response, we initiated a military intervention on the basis of a demand by the legitimate Government of Yemen and in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Our aim is to find a political solution based on the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, the conclusions of the national dialogue, and Security Council resolution 2216 (2015). Although we recognize that the Houthis are part and parcel of the social fabric in Yemen, that does not give them the prerogative to own militias outside the framework of the State of Yemen or at the expense of the rest of the Yemeni people.
Certain parties are trying to exacerbate and escalate the crisis in Yemen through incitement and arms smuggling, as when an Iranian ship laden with arms for the rebels was intercepted on 26 September. Our Kingdom and our partners are intensifying efforts in order to mobilize international humanitarian assistance to Yemen. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has provided assistance to the brotherly people of Yemen. His Majesty, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is striving to improve the conditions of the Yemenis who live illegally in the Kingdom by providing employment, education and health care.
Convinced that the realization of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations should focus on the maintenance of security and peace the world over, we were in the vanguard of the nations calling for a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. That is why we welcomed the recent agreement between the P5+1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. We call on Iran to renounce its meddling in Arab affairs, which we will firmly resist in our desire to build good-neighbourly relations with Iran, based on mutual respect, good neighbourliness and non-interference in the affairs of other countries. We also call on Iran to end its occupation of the three islands in the Arabian Gulf belonging to the sisterly United Arab Emirates.
We are among the States targeted by terrorism and extremism. We continue to fight terrorists and are determined to find a way to eradicate the grave phenomenon of terrorism. We were among the first countries to combat terrorism in all its intellectual and ideological aspects and to seek to cut off its financial
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resources. We denounce the attempt by terrorists to attribute their crimes to Islam, the religion of love, peace, moderation and tolerance.
We attach primary importance to development issues, especially in developing countries. Successful development hinges on the international community’s respect for a nation’s specificities, whether historical, ethnic, religious or cultural. The achievement of sustainable development should therefore take into account the specific aims of each individual country and its particular level of development. For that reason, we have been actively and directly involved in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals.
In closing, I wish to stress the role of the United Nations and its bodies in our changing world. The challenges we face in various fields make it incumbent upon us to enhance the role of the United Nations and to reinvigorate its bodies, pushing ahead with the reform of the Organization so that it can keep pace with the changes in the international arena.


Let me begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. You have the full support of Finland in your important task.
We are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. The Charter of the United Nations was written in a world that lay in ruins after the Second World War. Today, we must face our challenges with the same determination our predecessors had in 1945. By adopting the ambitious new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) we are taking equally, or even more important steps, for humankind.
This year also marks the sixtieth anniversary of Finland’s membership of the Organization. Finland joined a family of countries that care and shoulder their responsibilities. We felt this concern when Finnish national composer Jean Sibelius passed away in 1957. The General Assembly decided to honour him with a moment of silence. The President of the Assembly at that session, Mr. Leslie Munro, described how Sibelius belonged to the whole world. We also understood what shouldering responsibility means by participating in the first United Nations peacekeeping operation in Suez.
We are now facing an extremely dangerous crisis in Syria, Iraq and parts of North Africa. We are also witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe unlike any other since the Second World War. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its horrendous terror are a direct by-product of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. It threatens the peace and stability of the Middle East, Africa and even Europe. We are facing a new era of migration, largely due to wars and conflict. Around 60 million refugees, the largest number since the Second World War, clearly attest to this.
The current refugee situation in the Middle East, in many parts of Africa and in the Mediterranean is unbearable for everyone. Although neighbouring countries bear the heaviest burden, the refugee crisis is causing serious political tension in Europe. Finland is also receiving a very high number of asylum-seekers. Not providing assistance is not an option for us, but we have to find more effective and sustainable ways to help those in need. Resolving the conflict in Syria and elsewhere is essential to any lasting solution. The international community must show that it cares. The Security Council and the countries in the region in particular must work together to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria. Finland welcomes all constructive efforts that pave the way for realistic, workable and lasting peace within a framework of international cooperation. Finland also remains committed to the work of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
The conflict in Ukraine has not been resolved, although an agreement to this end has been approved. We welcome the steps taken towards the implementation of the Minsk agreement. All illegal measures, such as the annexation of Crimea to Russia, cannot and must not be accepted.
These conflicts are not the only ones. Last year alone, there were 42 armed conflicts that resulted in approximately 180,000 fatalities. Wars and their consequences continue to threaten stability far beyond the war zone itself. United Nations peace operations are at the very heart of its efforts to maintain international peace and security, yet the scope and complexity of today’s violent conflicts have surpassed the ability of the international community to address them properly. Critical thinking, flexibility and decisive action are needed to manage and resolve those crises. The initiative to carry out major reviews of the United Nations peace and security architecture was therefore most timely.
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I very much welcome the excellent report produced by President Ramos-Horta’s High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (A/70/357). It rightly stresses the primacy of politics; political solutions must always guide the deployment of United Nations peace operations. The United Nations prevention and mediation capacities must be strengthened and sufficiently funded. Finland is proud to have contributed to that shift of paradigm, especially by co-chairing the Group of Friends of Mediation, together with Turkey. The Group of Friends will continue its efforts to advance the recommendations of the Panel. Since the beginning of its membership, Finland has contributed 50,000 men and women to United Nations peacekeeping operations. In per capita terms, we are the second-largest contributor in Europe, and we will further increase our contribution. We will shoulder our responsibility.
Let me add that this year also marks a major success of international diplomacy — the historic agreement reach on the Iran nuclear programme. We look forward to the swift implementation by Iran of all the nuclear measures and its full engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve all outstanding issues.
Humankind faces the need for profound change. We cannot continue business as usual, which is a way of life transcends our planet’s boundaries and exhausts the Earth’s resources. We have all the facts at our disposal. For example, on global warming, it is up to us to act. We can choose or lose our future. I believe that we are on the right track. We have just adopted the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1), which has the potential to transform the world. For the very first time, we have a real programme for sustainable development binding all Member States. Now it is up to us to implement that ambitious agenda.
I urge the United Nations to once again demonstrate its convening power. We must get everybody on board to make the commitments a reality. The private sector and civil society are in a key position to take the Agenda forward, together with Governments. Even individual persons have a role to play. Another vital step in tackling global challenges is yet to take place; I refer to the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December. Let us make it a success. We must care for our children and their children.
The post of the Secretary-General has been called the most impossible job in the world. Actually, it is not only a job — it is an institution of which the whole United Nations membership should feel a sense of ownership. Strong political leadership is required, especially in cases where the international community is unable to find common views. I very much welcome efforts to enhance the transparency and inclusiveness of the selection process of the next Secretary-General. As a nation that has championed gender equality throughout its 60-year United Nations membership, my country, Finland, expects to see many excellent female candidates for the position. It is high time that the other half of humankind took up that challenge.


In this seventieth anniversary year, it is fitting that we reflect on the profound hopes of the founders of the United Nations.
This universal Organization has already achieved historic goals of universal significance. First, for seven decades our planet has lived without world wars. Secondly, we have witnessed large-scale decolonization. Seventy years ago, the United Nations was established by 51 States at a time when the majority of the world still consisted of colonies and dependent territories. Today, the world community includes 193 independent countries. Thirdly, the United Nations has become a universal platform for dialogue, which is essential for the sake of security and development. In the United Nations, humankind recognizes its unity in diversity and the need for shared participation in shaping the fate of our planet. The generation that founded the United Nations was wise enough to look far into the future. The world today is reaping the benefits of their dreams and hard work.
Kazakhstan supports all initiatives aimed at restoring trust in international relations and strengthening peace and security on the basis of international law. For seven decades, the world community has tried to find an effective formula for resolving military conflicts. However, the number of conflicts has not decreased. Rather, conflicts are often transforming into more sophisticated and complex forms of international terrorism, as may occur in a climate of State collapse.
Humankind needs to shift its focus from routine conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation to a new development strategy that would make such conflicts meaningless. To that end, we should find the courage to look beyond the present to the time when the United Nations will celebrate its centenary. I believe that, in the next thirty years, the civilized world will find the necessary wisdom and will to cut through the Gordian knot of wars and conflicts. Our central task in the twenty-first century should be to implement a strategy that will, once and for all, eliminate the threat of war and its causes. To that end, I propose that, for the centenary of the United Nations, agreement should be reached on a 2045 global strategic initiative plan, whose core idea will be to launch a new trend in global development based on equitable conditions in which all nations have equal access to global infrastructure, resources and markets and accountability for human development is comprehensively maintained.
First, I propose that the Economic and Social Council be transformed into a global development council. Membership of the new body would consist of Member States elected by the General Assembly and the heads of all the United Nations specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund. The new Council should be tasked with becoming a global economic regulator. Global projects carried out by such a Council would aim to promote worldwide economic growth. That would go a long way towards decreasing the risks of global crises and to ensuring responsible behaviour by States, while enabling them to maintain their national economic and social policies.
We consider the idea of a world anti-crisis plan, the draft of which is being actively discussed on the margins of the Astana Economic Forum, to be very timely. The most pressing and serious global challenges — terrorism, the implosion of States, migration and other negative issues — are the result of the economic crisis, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
To tackle the global crisis, we need to start with clear rules for the issuance of and trade in the world’s reserve currencies, because they do not now meet the criteria of justice, democracy, competitiveness, effectiveness and international control. In the twenty-first century, our world needs new, high-quality financial instruments. States Members of the United Nations need to join forces to create a new supranational currency that should be relevant to the targets and tasks of global sustainable development and prosperity.
Secondly, in the year of the seventieth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I urge that a world without nuclear weapons should become the main goal of humankind for the twenty-first century. I propose that we adopt, under the auspices of the United Nations, a universal declaration aimed at achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan was the first country in history to close down a nuclear test site, renouncing the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, and has contributed to the creation of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in Central Asia. It is essential to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones in other regions of the world, particularly in the Middle East. The nuclear Powers must provide guarantees of the non-use of force to all countries that renounce possession of nuclear weapons.
In 2013, we initiated two rounds of talks on the Iranian nuclear programme in Almaty. We welcome the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. It is essential today to guarantee the right of States to peaceful nuclear energy and access to nuclear fuel. That is why we supported and signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the establishment of a low-enriched uranium fuel bank in Kazakhstan. That was an event of global significance. The world should acknowledge it as an important measure for the safe and peaceful use of the atom, as it means that countries wishing to develop nuclear energy no longer need to enrich uranium themselves. Moreover, we consider the creation of a global anti-nuclear-weapons movement an important task. Every person on the planet can and must contribute to a nuclear test ban.
Thirdly, a further danger for us is the erosion of international law and the weakening of the role of global institutions. It is important to remember that the Charter of the United Nations was written with the blood of millions of victims of world wars and armed conflicts. Any violation of its articles, especially with respect to ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, may cause humankind to repeat the tragic mistakes of the past.
It is crucial to prevent the arbitrary imposition of sanctions, which contradicts both the Charter and international law. I am convinced that the right to impose international sanctions, which can adversely affect the well-being of millions of people, should remain the exclusive prerogative of the Security Council. Failure to comply with that principle undermines the
foundation of the modern world order and is a relic of the Cold War. I would like to stress that there is no alternative to the United Nations as a universal Organization. Moreover, countries’ compliance with their international obligations remains the cornerstone of the modern world order.
Kazakhstan has consistently advocated a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and the full implementation of the Minsk agreements by the parties to the conflict. Today it is vital to make every effort to restore dialogue, mutual understanding and trust in international relations. I therefore propose the convening in 2016 of a United Nations conference at the highest level with the aim of reaffirming the basic principles of international law.
Fourthly, the threat of terrorism and religious extremism has become global in scale. I propose the establishment, under the auspices of the United Nations, of a unified global network to counter international terrorism and extremism. To achieve that objective, it is necessary to develop and adopt a comprehensive United Nations instrument on combating terrorism.
Fifthly, in support of the United Nations initiative on sustainable energy for all, we will hold, in 2017 in Astana, an international exhibition on the theme of the energy of the future. We invite all States to participate fully in the exhibition. Looking to the future and using the infrastructure to be put in place for Expo 2017, I suggest opening in Astana an international centre for the development of green technologies and investment projects under the auspices of the United Nations.
A major step in realizing the 2045 global strategic initiative plan could be the development, under the auspices of the United Nations, of the concept on which a new future is to be based. Seventy years after the founding of the United Nations, we need to clearly define the goals of the next stage in the evolution of humankind. I believe that that new future will be about ways to deliver nuclear energy and water, address food security, build trust and mutual understanding and carry out reforms.
Kazakhstan has been and will continue to be a mediator in efforts to help conflicting parties in Eurasia to find a peaceful solution. The directions and principles I have outlined constitute the core of our campaign to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the biennium 2017-2018. I call
on all those participating in the seventieth session to support our country’s candidacy.
Seventy years ago, when the United Nations was established as a replacement for the defunct League of Nations, which had been located in Geneva, the decision was made to establish its headquarters in New York. That was connected to the fact that, at the time, the role of the Western hemisphere in international affairs was still in the ascendant. The centre of economic development had also moved from the Old World of Europe to the New World of the United States, in New York.
Our world has changed a great deal since then. In the twenty-first century, the pole of global growth is shifting to Asia, the world’s largest continent, where two thirds of the planet’s population lives and where enormous resources are concentrated. The powerful rise of Asia’s developing economies has introduced a new reality into global processes. We need to use that historic change and opportunity to give a new boost to relations between States. With that in mind, I propose that Member States consider the possibility of transferring United Nations Headquarters to Asia. I am hopeful that this and Kazakhstan’s other proposals will be acceptable to the community of nations.


First and foremost, I bring greetings and best wishes from His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh Babil Mansa, President of the Republic of the Gambia, who has also directed me to read out his statement on his behalf, as follows.
“I wish to first and foremost praise the Almighty Allah for granting me this opportunity to once again be part of this 2015 General Assembly with
leaders from around the globe. I also pray to the Almighty Allah to guide us throughout this session and provide us with the necessary wisdom, courage and blessing for the fulfilment of our objectives.
“But before speaking any further, please allow me to first extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Mogens Lykketoft in his new position as the elected President of the General Assembly at its seventieth session and to further wish him all the best in his official endeavours throughout his tenure. The entire Gambian delegation and I are pleased to support his presidency during the course of these deliberations. By being entrusted with such a special responsibility, it is fair to say that the world has, in a position of consensus, identified his exemplary qualities and abilities as the perfect person to oversee the current global agenda for the building of a more caring world free of war ravages and underdevelopment.
 “I also wish, on behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf, to convey my special thanks to his predecessor, Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, for his remarkable performance during his tenure in office. We are very proud of him and will continue to wish him the best and give him all our support in his future undertakings.
“Last but not least, I wish to register our special commendation to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and members of his entire supporting team who,

despite difficult challenges, continue to perform their duties with notable success.
“There has never been a moment better than this for our Organization collectively to reflect and resolve to respond with a special sense of urgency to the increasing complexities of global challenges that threaten to derail hundreds of years of peace, progress and prosperity for humankind. It is therefore imperative that, as an agent of change, the United Nations not fail to account for and cement the implementation of critical resolutions designed to assist our Member nations and, indeed, the entire universe for the improvement and sustainment of a better quality of life for all.
“In order to effectively achieve the goals set forth by this world body for the stability and maintenance of world peace, all Member States, be they big or small, must be promptly and strongly reprimanded or censured for violations that are in direct conflict with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1).
“I remain firm in my constant recommendation for the whole world to stand together against the continued barbarism and brutality of indiscriminate terrorism perpetrated against innocent men, women and children, causing undue suffering and losses that often render the victims helpless, homeless and hopeless. As genuine Muslims worshipping the Almighty Allah, whose message in the Holy Koran repeatedly draws our attention to the need to live together in peace for our common humanity, we the majority must not remain indifferent or silent with respect to those particularly sadistic sons of Satan who are committed to desecrating Islam itself with only one objective and inclination — to wreak havoc on their fellow human beings.
“Let me say again as I have said in this forum and many others elsewhere that the propaganda and propagation of these Satanic ideologies are not only a fraudulent misrepresentation of Islam — a noble religion indeed — and a mockery of democratic ideals, but an insult to the Almighty Allah himself, making it ever more necessary to nullify their existence by all means possible. Their baseless claims and increasing attacks on peaceful regions require the United Nations in particular to come together to exterminate these barbaric monsters, as
they have no regard for the sanctity of human life in the first place.
“Countries that are caught at the crossroads and are embroiled in conflicts with terrorism deserve our unfettered and unmitigated support. I therefore call upon Member nations to fully commit to the Organization’s basic tenets regarding the solidification of enduring solutions that protect and sustain all human life. As true Muslims and Allah- worshipping people, we must understand that these are unconscionable acts that should be subjected to the toughest penalties.
“In recognition of the need for world peace, my Government respects the recent landmark agreement on the Iran nuclear issue, outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in which Iran has agreed — along with the United States of America, Russia, China and Germany — to limit its nuclear programme as specified. My Government believes that it is an important achievement with the right measures, particularly if they are put in place, for monitoring and accountability purposes.
“While we welcome the Iranian agreement to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the need remains to address perennial conflicts with a high human cost to our youth, women and children, and to defuse persistently tense situations with high potential for escalation into a nuclear conflagration. I therefore call upon this global institution and regional organizations charged with the responsibility of conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding to firm up our commitment to international peace and security. That is imperative in order to end the dangerously escalating acts of violence, terrorism and banditry in simmering trouble spots the world over.
“The continuation of these conflicts calls into question the efficacy of the United Nations in executing the principal function for which it was first created. Paradoxically, however, their persistence constitutes highly valued gains for some unscrupulous enemies of peace, as the belligerents and opposing factions are supported by States, entities and individuals for geopolitical, economic and military strategic interests based on greed and hatred for the rest of humankind.
“I would also urge that the United Nations address the post-Ebola 2014 virus epidemic, which
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claimed and maimed thousands of lives, mostly in the hardest-hit West African subregion. While the sizeable monetary, medical personnel and supply contributions had a huge impact on its containment and treatment, there are invariably vast rippling effects for almost the entire continent. The slow reaction times for response efforts, human fear and media reports have had a wide-scale negative economic impact on a large number of countries. As a result of continued reductions in trade and foreign investment, border closures and flight cancellations, the United Nations Development Group has projected that West Africa stands to lose more than $3.6 billion annually over the next three years. As the virus still poses a threat to the world, there are a number of solutions that the United Nations could support to contain and prevent the disease from re-emerging and spreading.
“Critical among such approaches is the need to invest in awareness campaigns, education and vaccinations to ensure the safety and security of the whole world community. Obviously, we cannot but continue to express our sincere appreciation for the timely and effective intervention of the Cuban Government, the Russian Federation and the United States Government, whose rapid deployment of the necessary logistics, including medical teams, to the worst-affected areas helped immensely in stopping the spread of the disease.
“Despite persisting challenges, Africa and the Gambia continue to make effective gains in achieving many aspects of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals. To begin with, protecting our environment must emphatically remain a major priority for this global body because registered climate changes over the course of history have significantly impacted negatively on our planet Earth and demand our immediate and permanent attention. The planet is, after all, our only home, which we must passionately protect for the benefit of present and future generations.
“That, in essence, demands from all of us the steadfastness to soundly manage our natural resources for both economic and social development. We can no longer continue to pretend not to know or live in denial of the challenges faced by humankind from the adverse impact of the depletion of our natural resources, as manifest today in the form of desertification, drought, land degradation and
ocean acidification though activities of State-owned and multinational companies, mostly from the West and the developed world.
“This body must act with greater commitment and resolve to establish sustainable conservation programmes, with production patterns aimed at effectively combating climate change, restoring our ecosystems, promoting forest management and reversing desertification and land degradation. It is also the obligation of the United Nations to be resilient in ensuring the reduction of the risks of man-made disasters that often cause massive pollution to our seas, oceans and fresh water sources.
“Therefore, my Government continues to reiterate the significance of how Security Council reform bears on the global interests of all Member States and the enduring interests of the Organization as well. As clearly articulated in decision 62/557 adopted by a consensus of Member States, we, the stakeholders, all support the laudable idea that the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform should be driven by Member States themselves and that the positions of Member States should form the foundation of the negotiations in the first instance.
“We are, however, yet to realize a reflection of such principles and consensus in the Council’s general approach and framework document. In order for the Security Council’s multifaceted reform to realize its desired objective of increased efficiency and effective representation in an atmosphere governed by democratic working methods, top priority should be given to increasing the representation of African countries in particular, which will provide us with better opportunities to participate in the Council’s decision-making process.
“We must bear in mind that African nations represent more than 1 billion people in this body and constitute 54 sovereign States here, making it ever more important and more qualified for the allocation of the two permanent and two non-permanent seats that Africa rightly deserves. But our calls have never heeded despite persistent appeals, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, among others.
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“It has been 15 years since 2000 and the initial development of the Millennium Development Goals, and, though progress in various degrees has been accomplished among Member States, with broader, more reliable and sustainable goals we must continue to build on proposed motions so as to ensure the real achievement of the goals that we set for ourselves.
“Despite the marked evolution in human diversity, there are some tenets with respect to people’s religious beliefs and values that are sacred and no country, big or small, should be allowed to insult another country or bully it for honouring the traditions that govern its people. To do so is both disrespectful and dangerous. Whereas materialism, terrorism, crime, obsession with weapons of mass destruction, and deviant lifestyles seem to be the order of the day, we must make no mistake that there are still right and wrong deeds, and positive and negative consequences. As much as some behaviours are clearly in violation of laws and societal norms, there are others that are a direct insult to our respective religions. I maintain that all of the aforementioned behaviours are displeasing to the Almighty Allah and against the principles that govern peaceful and loving Muslims and Christians alike.
 “For 70 years since the founding of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has continued to maintain the same language as the mainstay of literally every United Nations resolution and conference that has to do with the family, namely, that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society. So that spirit has excluded and still should exclude any international acknowledgement of relationships between persons of the same sex to signify a family, as in the case of homosexual civil unions and so-called same-sex marriages. Therefore given the natural structure of human nature and society, we must not allow ourselves to depart from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights norm by entertaining deviant beliefs that reduce the family to Government approval of adult sexual and emotional desires, instead of recognizing them as central agents to achieve the common good of spouses, children and society at large.
“I wish to shift attention to the great continent of Africa, whose human and vast natural resources have always been the target of trespassers who have trampled our economic, social, political, and human rights. Although there has been a steep learning curve with regard to becoming self-sufficient, there has always been and will always persist a desire for Africa to remain forever independent of colonial rule and subjugation.
“In fact, my Government and other States have made an iron-clad promise to our citizens that this is our time and our era. It is time for Africa to reap the benefit of its divine inheritance. It is time for Africa to dispel the myths and falsehoods about its history and people. It is time for Africa to stop people from taking advantage of our glorious and rich natural resources, and to stand up for what it believes in, what it is interested in and what is better for its people. No longer will we as a continent be robbed of our very means to progress and prosperity.
“It is heartbreaking to live with the sad reality that the United Nations cannot gain much traction in arresting the state of incessant violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, which is evident as a result of the continuing policy of settlement expansion and the climate of impunity relating to the activities of the settlers. Although there is an overwhelming increase in the number of areas of conflict in the Middle East, which in many ways has impacted the priorities of the United Nations there, our attention must never be distracted from the suffering of the Palestinian people. Their right to a State with secure borders and East Jerusalem as its capital will not be compromised. This long overdue exigency, which is backed by myriad United Nations resolutions — not least, the recent resolution 66/225, of 29 March 2012 — continues to be my Government’s position on this particular issue.
“The fight against drug and human trafficking should be seen as linked to international security because it is a serious threat to all societies. We know that the use and sale of drugs are deeply rooted in violence and organized crime. We also know that drug trafficking is linked to terrorist activities and other crimes, including money-laundering and the sale and trade of arms. Wide-scale corruption exists within organized groups with pervasive
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criminal mindsets. Therefore, the inherent threats of drug trafficking and its related problems require urgent action on the part of this international body.
“At the current rate, drug trafficking is likely to become an epidemic that no country can escape because it is steadily rising to become a borderless threat. I therefore strongly urge that we approach this threat much more aggressively, with a comprehensive plan that involves accountability, full international commitment and support. Moreover, not just tougher laws and penalties are necessary; critical efforts are also vital to containing the spread of the use of drugs, as is the need for adequate rehabilitation measures for enduring solutions.
“I must underscore my Government’s gratitude to the Russian Federation for sponsoring the Moscow-Africa Anti-Drug Dialogue, held in the Gambia on 23 July with the objective of mapping out the best means of approaching the hazard in the African continent and the world over. The meeting was a resounding success, and once again I stand to sincerely extol the special part played by the leaders and Government of Russia for a job well done.
“In conclusion, at the forefront of our agenda we should aggressively discuss how we can cope with the evolution of enduring issues that coexist in our societies, such as trespassers and pillagers on free soil, willing to take what does not rightly belong to them. For centuries, the African continent remained the target of intrusion, theft and enslavement by foreign Powers. Nevertheless, increased terrorism threats, hunger, poverty, crime and disease continue to expand faster than our intelligence, resources and might. Global peace, it would therefore seem, depends on our efforts to take corrective measures against rampant injustice.
“It is with this serious concern in mind that I suggest that, on the basis of the brutality and inhumanity of the slave trade, the lingering influences and effects of colonialism, the pervasive destruction of human capital, and the theft of native African resources that are often rare and existing only on that extraordinarily diverse continent, this Organization should now consider remitting an invoice of reparations to the entire world and made payable to the sovereign Governments of Africa.
“But Members should know that such action alone is not enough to compensate for the untold loss of life, limb, talent and resources that are vital for Africa to become a more developed and sustainable nation. It would, rather, amount to a fairly acceptable gesture of restoration and justice for what Africa cannot reclaim.”


It is an honour to address the Assembly on this very important occasion, as we commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the international Organization, and we have entered a new phase related to the future of humankind by adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1).
There is no doubt that the challenges that lie before us are enormous, and consequently we have need an Organization that is ever more democratic, participatory and effective. We must move forward in the still-pending reforms of the Organization. We must work with renewed vigour on that task, especially with regard to the Security Council. The adoption of the new Agenda imposes on our countries numerous challenges to which we are committed, but it also imposes challenges on the Organization, particularly with regard to providing us with timely support to fulfil the historic responsibility that we have assumed.
We have concluded a stage in world history marked by important progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. However, that progress has
not been sufficient. The fight against poverty and inequality goes on. Economic and financial crises have aggravated the vulnerability of the poorest. In addition, the proliferation of conflicts throughout the world and natural and human-made disasters have had an impact on the living conditions of many people in various parts of the world. Those conditions demand that we bring about a genuine and sustainable global transformation, which must include the restructuring of the international financial architecture, as well as a rethinking of cooperation mechanisms with a view to transforming them into transparent and efficient mechanisms that meet the needs of human development.
I believe that we must pay special attention to the issue of sovereign debt. The negative impact of debt servicing on development needs and on the effective enjoyment of human rights in our countries is enormous, because it directly affects the capacity of the State to generate public investment and stimulate private investment. That in turn impedes the fulfillment of the goals related to development. It is therefore a priority to establish a debt restructuring mechanism that promotes a just and shared distribution of responsibility between debtors and creditors by adopting an approach centred on human needs.
We know that for the success of the Sustainable Development Goals, a new vision of international cooperation is required. To that end, we must work to change the current structure of development financing and strengthen South-South cooperation without delay.

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My country recognizes the importance of the fact that in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1), adopted by the Sustainable Development Summit, special mention is made of migrants as a vulnerable group, and of their undoubted contribution to sustainable development in the countries in which they live. El Salvador insists that the international community, the organizations involved in migration issues, those defending migrants and human rights in general — but especially the United Nations — should take up the challenge with courage and guide the actions of their agencies, resources and programmes to strengthen cooperation initiatives in the field of international migration in all its facets. In the various migration crises we face, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are dealing with human beings, whose rights and development we should guarantee.
I take this opportunity to highlight the special contribution that Latin America and its regional organizations have made to multilateralism. Their valuable proposals and initiatives have contributed to promoting and making progress on issues that are very relevant to the international agenda, such as migration, the environment, disarmament, human rights, gender empowerment and equality, and sustainable development, among others. All of the efforts that we have undertaken as a region have been extremely valuable in the progress of the multilateral agenda, and they have been aimed at strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the peoples of the world.
In that context, we should mention the regional efforts made by the Central American Integration System, particularly in the area of security, which complement the regional efforts and the national efforts undertaken by each of our countries.
In the area of security, as members know, El Salvador is waging an unprecedented war against organized crime through its El Salvador Seguro plan, which, like the Central American Security Strategy, has four main components: crime prevention, crime prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration, and the strengthening of the institutions that fight crime. We have committed a major part of our national resources to this effort, but the scope of the challenge forces us to come to the international community to request its strong support and solidarity, so that we may win this good fight against criminal groups that threaten the peace of our families.
Moreover, in relation to the global drug problem, I wish to emphasize the coming special session of the General Assembly on drugs, to be held next April in this Hall. The special session in 2016 will give us an opportunity to revitalize the dialogue and exchange good experiences so that we can assess the progress made in complying with our international obligations to combat drugs and to work at the same time on the challenges to be overcome at the global level.
El Salvador is pleased and honoured, as the coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, to have the opportunity to represent the Latin American region at meetings of the preparatory committee for that event. We will seek close and effective coordination so that the debates and dialogues move towards the definition of a comprehensive vision of an international policy against drugs based on the welfare of the individual and respect for his or her rights.
Furthermore, in the context of the importance that my country attaches to controlling the arms trade as an effective means of reducing the violence plaguing Central America, El Salvador supportsrelevant international regulation to combat organized crime so as to prevent the human suffering caused by irresponsible transfers of weapons. I fervently appeal to the international community to work together on the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty and its universalization. Let us not forget that decisive action in that area means nothing less than the difference between life and death for thousands of individuals in the world.
At the same time, El Salvador, as a country that has benefited from peacekeeping operations, recognizes that mechanism as a legitimate and effective measure for ending conflicts in countries and regions. On that count and as part of our staunch commitment to peace and international security, my country will continue to participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions through its contributions of military and police personnel. We will continue to work to strengthen our participation by deploying units under their own flag. We also support all the initiatives aimed at ensuring the participation of women in the various contingents, as provided for in Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent Council resolutions.
In conclusion, I wish to recall the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We
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must be aware that they are still valid and should be respected by all Member States in the process of change that we have begun.
In that context, we should also mention the process of detente that has begun between Cuba and the United States of America, a process that has had a positive impact not only on the relations between the two countries, but also on the continent as a whole. El Salvador is pleased with the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States of America and trusts that in the current favourable climate, the will expressed to lift the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba will become a reality as soon as possible.
I am convinced that with a will and with effort, we can all build an international order based on promoting peace, security and sustainable development, protecting human rights, eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities. E1 Salvador stands ready to face that challenge and is committed to working to that end.