Month: September 2019

“It is absolutely essential to reboot out collective responsibility… and remain mobilized around the Sustainable Development Agenda, as well as the objectives of the UN Charter, Mr. Edmond said on Saturday, welcoming the fact that the Assembly’s current session would be focused on multilateralism, thus pointing to the way forward for achieving sustainable development and peace.

“I hope we all understand the need to move from solemn declarations to concrete actions and initiatives that are commensurate to the level of present and future challenges,” he added, referring to the UN-drafted blueprint to tackle climate change and reduce global poverty and hunger by 2030.

After expressing concern over the number and magnitude of forest fires in recent years and recalling the recent damage “closer to home” caused by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, Mr. Edmond also mentioned the floods that hit his country and asked that special attention be paid to small island developing States that lack adequate means to combat natural disasters and preserve the environment.

The Minister expressed concern over the delays in the combat to end poverty, saying that efforts made thus far were not up to the real needs and that there is “striking gap” between the commitments made, particularly in the context in the 2030 Agenda and other global accords, and what had been achieved.

He also emphasized the importance of quality education as the only way to concretely guarantee respect for human rights, and economic and social progress. Mr. Edmond then cited Haiti’s “immense” needs, saying the pursuit of sustainable development objectives remains “a major challenge”.

The Haitian Government is fully aware of its responsibility to ensure the security, stability and long-term development of the country, said Mr. Edmond, recalling that Haiti had for several months been confronted with “complex political crisis,” compounded by decades-old economic precariousness.

He noted the efforts of President, Jovenel Moïse, to pursue a Haitian national dialogue towards resolving the crisis. However, he cautioned that “Haiti will not be able to recover without substantial, sustained, sustainable, coherent, well-coordinated and effective support from the international community.”

The UN and Haiti

To that end, Mr. Edmond noted the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, which will succeed October 16 to the UN Mission in support of justice in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). Recalling that this mandate will be “essentially to advise the Government on the means to promote and strengthen political stability and good governance”, the Minister hoped that the Office will be given the necessary resources.

He called for “Better coordination of the UN presence” in the country, and asked that all its actions “fit well” within the framework of the priorities established by the Government.

Mr. Edmond also advocated for a “new paradigm of international cooperation,” believing that it necessarily entailed an in-depth reform of UN structures and their functioning.

The United Nations must be more flexible, more open and more pragmatic, he said, explaining that “responsible and timely action by the United Nations could have helped to limit the damage and avoid suffering for the affected population by the cholera epidemic.”

He acknowledged “encouraging progress” in the fight against the disease through the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and all relevant actors, but nevertheless urged t United Nations to redouble its efforts to secure funding for the cholera control strategy in the country.

Because of its geographic location, Mozambique, said José Condugua António Pacheco, “is considered by some scientists as the second most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change”. 

He delivered firsthand knowledge of this “powerful threat to our planet and to humanity” by recalling the aftermath of the “two extremely severe tropical cyclones” that devastated vast regions of the country earlier this year. 

Cyclones Idai and Kenneth not only took 689 lives, but also destroyed “the economic and social fabric in the Central and Northern regions of our country”, he said, adding that the South continues to suffer from the effects of drought and last year’s Cyclone Dindo. 

The Foreign Minister reiterated Mozambique’s gratitude to the UN for its multifaceted support and expressed solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Dorian, which devastated the Bahamas just weeks ago. 

Noting that natural climate-driven disasters have become recurrent phenomena, Mr. Pacheco affirmed Mozambique’s commitment to strengthening adaptation and resilience measures under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. 

Other actions Mozambique has undertaken include strengthening early warning systems and mapping vulnerable areas to prevent natural disasters and mitigate their effects. 

With respect to rural development, biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources, the Foreign Minister said Mozambique created conservation areas covering approximately 25 per cent of its national territory.  

“These actions are reinforced by the continued increase of the use of cleaner and renewable energy, based on natural gas, wind, solar, and hydropower, to provide ‘Energy for All’ to our citizens by 2030”, he maintained. 

Complex development challenges 

According to Foreign Minister Pacheco, “low income; reduced access to education, health, food, water and sanitation; and inadequate socio-economic infrastructures” are all obstacles hindering the development of Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Moreover, the prevalence of actions linked to fundamentalism, violent extremism, arms proliferation “are causes of added concern”, he said. 

The Foreign Minister noted that to “drive our eagerly desired sustainable development”, his country has incorporated the 2030 Agenda into its national governance programme, giving priority to agribusiness, economic and social infrastructure networks, expanded electric grid coverage and ecotourism.  

Moreover, Mozambique is focusing on “protecting and respecting human rights, promoting gender equality and equity, as well as capacity development women, youth and other vulnerable social groups”, according Mr. Pacheco. 

Turning to teh country’s peace agenda, the Foreign Minister lauded the successes of Mozambique’s internal dialogues, but cautioned that they were “shaded by bad actors” in the North who continue to raise concerns as they “spread death and destruction of the socio-economic fabric, and create instability in areas of that region”.  

“The Government has vigorously carried out our constitutional duties to protect our citizens and their property, as well as economic and social infrastructures”, said Mr. Pacheco, adding that the fiscal and monetary reforms underway “have led to an effective recovery of our macroeconomic stability”. 

He concluded by reaffirming Mozambique’s trust in the UN as “a privileged platform for multilateral coordination in the search for solutions to the common challenges facing humanity”. 

Some 900,000 mainly Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have sought shelter in the Cox’s Bazar region in south-eastern Bangladesh following military operations two years ago.

Kyaw Tint Swe, Myanmar’s Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, said repatriations would be carried out in line with a November 2017 agreement with Bangladesh.

“Our priority now is to expedite repatriation and to create a more conducive environment for verified returnees,” he said, highlighting cooperation with Bangladesh, the UN and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), among others.

Qualified returnees to receive citizenship cards

Mr. Swe said displaced people who had been living in Rakhine state “have a different legal status.”

Those who qualify for citizenship will be issued with citizenship cards. The rest will receive National Verification Cards which he likened to the “green card” issued to immigrants in the United States.

Mr. Swe said Government efforts to bring peace and stability to Rakhine state “predate the violent attacks by the ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) terrorist group in 2016 and 2017 that triggered off the current humanitarian crisis.”

Some 300 people have already returned to Myanmar of their own volition “despite obstacles, including killings and threats by ARSA,” he said.

The Minister dismissed demands to establish a “safe zone” in Myanmar as “neither warranted, nor workable.”

He called on Bangladesh to faithfully implement the bilateral agreement, which he described as “the only feasible way to resolve the issue of the displaced persons.”

Military investigation underway

Regarding accountability for the events in Rakhine state, Mr. Swe reported that a military investigation is currently underway.

“A recent announcement suggests that there will soon be a court martial,” he added.

Mr. Swe also addressed an International Criminal Court (ICC) request to authorize an investigation into alleged crimes in Rakhine State.

However, he said “independent scholars have already identified the request is problematic in that it excludes alleged crimes committed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, with deliberate omission of the undisputed fact that their actions precipitated the current displacement.”

Other concerns cited include that the ICC Prosecutor “relies heavily on human rights reports” which contain “factual errors” on both national and international law.

In Mr. Swe’s view, the ICC Prosecutor is focused on the outflow from Rakhine state yet remains “silent” on what he called “the broader picture” behind the displacement, as well as the various parties involved.

“This silence widens the divide between the International Criminal Court and the people of Myanmar who have been made to feel that their concerns are of less import than the perceptions of influential nations and organizations acquainted but superficially with the true situation on the ground,” he said.

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla painted a grim picture of the foreign trade obstacles, banking and financial restrictions, and travel limitations which he said are part of Washington’s “steady and qualitative” increase in hostilities against Havana. 

Meanwhile, he stressed that the US-imposed economic, commercial and financial blockade continued to be the main obstacle to the country’s development.  

With companies transporting fuel, flag States, States of registration, as well as shipping and insurance companies all being “threatened and persecuted” by the US, Cuba has been “facing severe difficulties” and forced to adopt temporary emergency measures. 

He rejected all such target measures, saying the US itself is “drowning in a sea of corruption, lies and immorality.”  He also denounced the country for allocating tens of millions of dollars toward political subversion and denying the First Secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party an entry visa on the basis of “gross slanders”. 

The Americas 

Moreover, Mr. Rodríguez Parrilla pointed out that earlier this week, in its “anti-Cuban obsession”, the US had blamed Cuba for “the failed plan to overthrow the Venezuelan Government.” 

“Bilateral relations between Cuba and Venezuela are based on mutual respect and true solidarity”, he stressed, affirming his country’s support for “the legitimate Government headed by comrade Nicolas Maduro Moros”. 

The Foreign Minister condemned the US for “the encouragement of coup d’etats, assassination of the country’s leaders, economic warfare and sabotage to power generation plants”. 

Noting that the US and a few other countries recently decided to activate the “obsolete” Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, which he said “envisages the use of the military force”, Mr. Rodríguez Parrilla criticized the “absurd decision” as jeopardizing regional peace and security while justifying interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. 

“We reject Washington’s attempts to destabilize the Government of Nicaragua and ratify our unswerving solidarity with President Daniel Ortega”, he continued. 

He said “neoliberal capitalism is…responsible for the increasing social and economic inequality affecting even the most developed societies” and that it “fosters corruption, social marginalization, the rise in crime, racial intolerance and xenophobia”. 

Even under the present circumstances, he said “we will not renounce our determination to develop a civilized relation” with the US, as his country believed that to be the desire of the American and Cuban people living in the US. 

At the same time, the Foreign Minister cautioned that “economic aggression, no matter how hard the threats and blackmail might be, will not extract a single concession from us”. 

Mr. Al-Moualem said terrorists have plagued Syria for more than eight years, causing death, destruction and a humanitarian crisis.  

“The case of Syria has been the clearest example of such foreign investment in terrorism,” he said.   

“Tens of thousands of foreign terrorist fighters have been brought to Syria from more than a hundred countries, with the support and cover of States that are known to all. Even more, these same States deny us the right to defend our people against terrorists, which they consider ‘freedom fighters’ or ‘Syrian armed opposition’, as some like to call them.” 

Mr. Al-Moualem called Idlib the most recent example of this situation, stating that the north-western city hosts the largest gathering of foreign terrorist fighters in the world. 

Their crimes include continued rocket and mortar attacks against nearby civilian areas, using civilians as human shields, and preventing people from leaving via a humanitarian corridor established by the Government, he stated. 

“Would one of your governments stand and watch if faced with a similar situation?” he asked.  “Would you ever forfeit your right and duty to defend your people and liberate your country from terrorists and foreigners?” 

The Foreign Minister added that this Government has engaged in international political initiatives on Idlib, including an agreement by Russia and Turkey on the creation of de-escalation zones.   

“Meanwhile, in the interim, the Turkish regime has failed to fulfill its commitments under these agreements. Instead, it has provided terrorists with all forms of support, including weapons that are more sophisticated,” he stated. 

“The Turkish regime is now rushing, with the support of some Western countries, to protect Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups there just as they have done before.” 

The Foreign Minister reported on his administration’s recent political efforts, such as agreement on the terms of reference for a Constitutional Committee.   

In this regard, he affirmed the Government’s readiness to work with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and “friendly countries”, though stressing that the process must be Syrian owned and led. 

Mr. Al-Moualem said the Government also is making “tremendous efforts” to improve the humanitarian situation. The UN estimates that more than 11.5 million people across Syria require humanitarian assistance.  

He urged “peace-loving countries that uphold international law” to counter what he called an “illegal and inhumane blockade” which has restricted access to medicine, oil for electricity, and other needed items.  

Keenly aware that international relationships are experiencing “particular tension and fragmentation”, he urged UN Member States at the annual general debate to promote “dialogue at every level”, as the antidote to every division. 

On behalf of Pope Francis, he told the General Assembly that the international community’s failure to recognize itself as “a family of nations…is at the heart of today’s manifold challenges facing multilateralism”. 

Painfully aware of the inadequacies of international cooperation and commitment, Cardinal Parolin urged stepped-up efforts to end immense suffering, including of the people in the Middle East, Syria and Yemen.  

Another area of pressing concern involves Venezuela and Nicaragua, where he advocated for “institutional channels” to negotiate solutions to political, social and economic problems, adding that the “recommendations presented by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR)” should also be implemented. 

Turning to the pursuit of peace and security, the Holy See representative encouraged States to rededicate themselves to protecting women and children from sexual violence during armed conflict; including women in preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, humanitarian and other post-conflict processes; and training peacekeepers, national forces and police to better protect them. 

Sexual violence is “degrading, dehumanizing and a grave violation” of rights and dignity, he lamented, stressing that its use as a weapon of war is “absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped”.  

Drawing attention to the plight of children conceived as a result of sexual violence in war, he called both mothers and children “innocent victims”, saying, “no effort must be spared to ensure their full reintegration into society”. 

On weapons proliferation, the Cardinal noted the importance of greater international and regional cooperation, especially among weapon-producing States, warning that otherwise “the cycle of death, destruction and disruption will simply continue”. 

“Greater multilateral cooperation is likewise needed to create the conditions and take steps necessary for the elimination of nuclear weapons”, he said, pointing to the relevant treaties as “important steps toward a nuclear weapons-free world”. 

And multilateralism is also a key to lifting people out of extreme poverty. 

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an unprecedented multilateral commitment to help the more than 731 million people still in extreme poverty not only be freed from that situation of abject deprivation, but continue to rise above the poverty line through addressing the many factors that are necessary for their integral development”, he detailed. 

Turning to the climate crisis, the Cardinal underscored the “clear and urgent need” for more determined political will and greater global cooperation to support climate action.  

Special attention must be given to the Amazon, where fires have devastated the region, the Congo Basin, Southeast Asian rainforests, as well as national forests and vegetation covers, all whose ecosystems and vast biome are facing “serious threats”, according to Cardinal Parolin. 

Finally, he said “the challenges of international migration and forced displacement demand the comprehensive commitment and action of all States”. 

Refugees and migrants, who often experience exclusion and suffering in both countries of origin and destination, deserve “a galvanized multilateralism of assistance and inclusion by the international community”, concluded Cardinal Parolin.