STATEMENT BY
H.E.MR.SRGJAN KERIM, PhD
PERMANENT
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
on
Follow-up to the
outcome of the Millennium Summit
(item 29)
New York, 19 November
2001
Mr. President,
The solemn Declaration of our Heads of State and Government, gathered here in New York in September of last year at the dawn of the New Millennium, reaffirmed inter alia, their determination to establish a just and lasting peace all over the world. Thus, acting in full compliance with the purposes and principles of the Charter considered to be timeless and universal. The fundamental values deemed to be essential to international relations in the twenty-first century are: freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature, and shared responsibility among the nations in the world.
One year hence, world peace has been shaken by the consequences of the unspeakable terrorist assaults of September 11th, thus posing two paramount questions: are we now, a year later, closer to realizing the vision of a better future for the World, enshrined in the Millennium Declaration than we were a year ago. What shall we all do to reaffirm the timeless and universal character of these fundamental values and principles?
Some of the commitments and goals set out in the Millenium Declaration in the eyes of some now seem to carry more weight than others, or, at least, are considered priority issues without questioning the relevance and importance of the long-term goals and perspectives.
The issue is, how to preserve the fine balance among these priorities in the globalized and interdependent world of today, without neglecting or marginalizing others, while coping with the problems they consider a matter of their priority?
To prevent that, we have to act as a global community in all respects. This means confronting terrorism, international crime and money laundering, and combating communicable diseases—like HIV/AIDS and other—building an equitable global trading system, promoting financial stability, preventing deep and sudden crises, and safeguarding the natural resources and environment.
Mr. President,
My Delegation appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-General for the timely and comprehensive Report, “Road Map Toward the Implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration,” as requested under Resolution 55/162. Indeed, most of the targets set out in the Millennium Declaration are derived from various international forums and global conferences from the 1990s and before. However, that does not undermine, in any way, the complexity of identifying and implementing the appropriate strategies for achieving these goals on different levels.
As it is rightly pointed out by the Secretary-General in his report, it is only a sustained political will of the States that will carry out the commitments already given by the World leaders a year ago. Those more fortunate must be courageous in taking the larger share of the responsibility for the betterment of all, and they must live up to their commitments, however unpleasant in the shorter run. Consequently, those less fortunate must do everything in their power to ensure that the efforts of the former are not in vain, but beneficial to all.
Mr. President,
The global fight against terrorism was elevated to the top of the international agenda by the horrific scenes of precious human loss and destruction of familiar, valuable landmarks.
The prompt reaction by the General Assembly and Security Council to the terrorist attacks on September 11th, and setting up the Security Council Committee to oversee implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), are further proof of the indispensable role of the United Nations in the global fight against international terrorism. In this regard, my delegation endorses the strategies to combat international terrorism on the global level, indicated in the “Road Map.”
We are hopeful that the legislative work done in the ad-hoc Committee established by GA Resolution 51/210—elaborating drafts of comprehensive convention on international terrorism and convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism—will bear fruit. We are also hopeful that the ad-hoc Committee will succeed in reaching agreement on the draft-conventions as soon as possible.
In our view, the sustentation of the international response to the global threat of terrorism, has to be measured, not only by exercising effective justice upon all those who committed, perpetrated or supported these heinous acts, but also by manifold action to alter the environment, which was conducive to such destructiveness and depravity.
Particular attention should be attached to:
· Strengthening of the international rule of law and, in particular, supporting States in designing domestic legal frameworks consistent with international human rights norms and standards
· Universal adherence to all major multilateral non-proliferation regimes and strengthening of the implementation and verification mechanisms of the BWC and CWC
· Effective countering of the world drug problem and illicit drug trafficking, fighting transnational crime—including the trafficking and smuggling of human beings—and, in particular, money-laundering, as reliable sources for financing international terrorism
· Concerted action to end illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons, by supporting regional disarmament measures and cooperation; i.e., providing technical assistance and financial support to the countries affected in the fragile regions of the world—one of them being Southeastern Europe
Mr. President,
For more than obvious reasons, the fight against terrorism is a predominant issue throughout the proceedings of the 56th GA. However, the Millennium development goals must remain high on the agenda of the international community.
Broadening the understanding among
civilizations, addressing the regional issues and problems—many of them related
to development—and seeking comprehensive and effective remedies, are essential
on a global scale. If it succeeds to outgrow the divisions and stereotypes
from the past, which are not suited to the present age of globalization and
interdependence, the forthcoming International Conference on Financing for
Development in
Reducing poverty and promoting development are essential to achieving sustained and broad-based economic growth. Cutting the number of people living in extreme poverty in half by 2015, and alleviating hunger, require strong international assistance in creating and enabling political, social and economic environments. We are hopeful that the forthcoming review conference of the World Food Summit will succeed in identifying new strategies on international, national, and regional levels to reach the goals.
The facts that almost one billion people in the developing world still lack access to clean water supplies, and 2.4 billion people will still lack basic sanitation, point to the emergency of addressing these issues as well.
Mr. President,
Of no less
importance is achieving the other developmental goals addressed by the
Millennium Declaration, at the heart of which are the economic, social, and
cultural rights set forth in the International Covenants and relevant
conventions. We are hopeful that the World Summit on Sustainable Development to
be held in
Let me point to one specific issue which is particularly pressing for my country: development and implementation of the strategies to reduce unemployment among the youth, which is now reaching more than 40 per cent of the world’s total unemployed. We welcome the recommendations of the High-level Panel of the Youth Employment Network, formed on the initiative of the Secretary-General in collaboration with the ILO and the WB, and based on a new political commitment and approach given at the Millennium Summit: young people are an asset—not a problem—in building a better world of today and of tomorrow.
Mr. President,
The United Nations, above all, must find the strength to reaffirm faith among nations and people, concerning fundamental human rights, human dignity, and equality for all. All human rights—civil, political, economic, social and cultural—are universal and interdependent, and any violation of human rights is an attack on human dignity. This is the only effective path towards strengthening the relevance of our Organization at the dawn of the New Millennium.
Following this path we will face enormous challenges. We must rise to these challenges for the sake of making a better world for the six billion people on the planet and two billion more who will join us in the next thirty years.
Only a well-coordinated strategy, based on greater policy coherence and close co-operation among the international institutions and agencies within the UN System, supportive interaction between the UN System and their partners on the national level, including NGO’s, civil society and the private sector—can lay the foundation in confirming the commitments toward the noble goals of the Millennium Declaration. This will make the United Nations not only a more effective system but will also create a more suitable environment for the follow-up process to the outcome of the Millennium Summit to become the driving force of the UN itself.
I thank you, Mr. President.