General Assembly focuses on drug trade, human rights and economic inequalities
The illegal drug trade, human rights, the root causes of terrorism and the deep economic inequalities between rich and poor nations dominated the agenda as the General Assembly's annual high-level debate continued today at UN Headquarters in New York.
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez said his country is making advances in reducing the number of murders, kidnappings and terrorist acts and the production of illegal drugs, but one of its highest priorities now is to restore the confidence of its citizens in national institutions. Without that step, any moves to boost economic growth and stability would be undermined before they began.
Given the deep divisions caused by social and material inequalities, Mr. Uribe Vélez said, it was vital to try to promote strong economic growth that at the same time is shared equitably by all Colombians. He said that, to this end, the Government is subsidizing farmers and peasant associations, increasing enrolments in schools and technical workshops, and spending greater sums on child nutrition programmes. Video
Cyril Svoboda, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, told the Assembly that the undeniably troubled circumstances of Iraq today should not divert the world's attention away from other important concerns, especially Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He stressed the importance of fighting for human rights, citing treaties against the use of State-ordered torture and the worldwide campaign to abolish the death penalty. Video
Guyana's Foreign Minister S. R. Insanally said cultural diversity is often overlooked in the race to help impoverished countries achieve economic development, leading to disastrous results in the long term. Turning to trade, Mr. Insanally said Guyana's sugar industry "has recently been struck a devastating blow" by trade liberalization and the European Union's reform of its trade in this commodity. He urged wealthy nations to give more priority to the needs of poor States. Video
Foreign Minister Rogatien Biaou of Benin said that when his country holds the Security Council's rotating presidency in early 2005, it will hold a special debate on the phenomenon of child soldiers in a bid to find a lasting solution to the problem. Mr. Biaou also urged the countries that have previously pledged to help the world's poorest nations achieve sustainable development to make good on those promises - especially on giving official development assistance - and not just offer hollow words instead. Video
Describing the fight against illicit drugs as his country's "topmost priority," U Tin Winn, Chairman of the delegation from Myanmar, said authorities in his country have over the past decade seized and destroyed drugs worth more than $14 billion. The drug trade is closely linked to much trans-national crime, he said, adding it was important for States to work together if they were to defeat the scourge. Mr. Winn also said allegations of human rights abuses in Myanmar were "aimed at discrediting the Government for political purposes." Video
In his speech, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov spotlighted the plight of the world's least developed countries, saying very few such States were meeting the target of 7 per cent annual economic growth that is necessary to achieve one of the key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - halving the number of people in extreme poverty by 2015. Mr. Martynov offered a robust defence of the United Nations "as the most important collective problem-solving mechanism," adding that while it needs reform, it also needs greater support. Video
Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said the global curse of terrorism will not go away until the breeding ground of deprivation, poverty and injustice is drained. "This fight must go beyond effective regional and international cooperation" to include aggressively tackling the MDGs, he said, or else the inequalities and social injustices will remain. Mr. Oskanian said it was critical that the UN work more closely with regional organizations to achieve these aims. Video
Momodu Koroma, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, said his country was now in a delicate post-conflict phase after civil war split the country between 1991 and 2002. "This is the phase in which the gains of the peace effort should be maximized," he said, adding that traditionally peacekeepers start "pulling out when the guns fall silent." Mr. Koroma emphasized that he does not means that he expects the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), whose mandate currently lasts until June next year, to stay indefinitely. Video
Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Gábor Bródi told the Assembly that it was essential that the rights of national, ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities are protected. "The presence [of such minorities] within the frontiers of a country is not only an asset, but also a source of social and cultural enrichment." Mr. Bródi said Hungary was alarmed by the treatment of ethnic minorities in its neighbour Serbia and Montenegro, and called on authorities there to punish the perpetrators of physical attacks or acts of intimidation. Video
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, said poverty eradication and development must take priority among the eight MDGs. To do that, the world must adopt a fairer system of international trade and cancel the debt burdens of the most impoverished States. Total and general disarmament was also necessary, he added, if there is to be peace and stability. Video
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