Mr President,
My participation in this General Debate, like that of over 100 Heads of State and Government, confirms both the importance of the choices we must make to meet the challenges facing our States and the United Nations' key role in deciding on the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
More than ever, the General Assembly must be a “centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends,” as defined in Article 1 of the Charter.
To remain this vital centre, the UN and its General Assembly, the body most representative of the community of nations, must give better consideration to the interdependence binding our destinies and the opportunity for our sovereign States to offer our compatriots a common vision marked by moral value.
Mr President,
The financial upheaval that swept the world a year ago has generated too much suffering and wreaked too much havoc in the global economy at a time in our history when we are confronted with major challenges - the climatic crisis and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. We have no choice but to acknowledge its inevitable consequences.
In another year, we will meet again in this same auditorium to assess the progress achieved in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.
The date of 2015, which seemed compromised even before this multidimensional crisis, requires for us to define a global vision for the future of humankind.
Some may call it solidarity or moral awareness.
In all events, we must define and implement the MDGs that satisfy all human beings' vital needs.
Although eliminating poverty remains our priority, we must strive to fill our obligations.
Indeed, it is the most destitute who are also hungry, suffer from malnutrition, have no access to water and benefit from no basic social or health services.
These victims are mainly women and children, 25,000 of whom die every day according to UNICEF.
Several hundred thousand people benefit today from my country's efforts in international aid in the sectors of health, education and the fight against poverty.
This is why I asked that our effort be pursued to devote 0.7% of our GDP to public aid for development by 2015.
We cannot sacrifice this because of the current economic and financial situation.
On the contrary, we should reinforce it at a time when the most vulnerable are even more in need.
Such aid for development must be accompanied by long-term investments aiming to reinforce developing countries' capacities, in particular through the transfer of appropriate technologies in view of respecting the imperatives of sustainable development.
In this perspective and in the light of the recent food crisis, it is essential to restore its rightful place to agriculture since it alone can provide food security. Today, we have the duty to forge a new destiny, a “new deal” for future generations.
We evolve from being donors, to becoming partners in a green revolution in Africa where food production must adapt to this continent's specific conditions to facilitate the autonomization of local populations.
In turn, restoring the place of farming in the heart of our civilizations raises the crucial issue of water.
Whether for its access for the survival of populations, or for food or energy production, it is vital to be able to guarantee security with respect to water.
Consequently, integrated management of water resources is essential.
We must be aware of the potential catastrophes and conflicts that such a failure would trigger and the hazards linked to poor sanitary conditions that could favour the appearance of infectious diseases or pandemics.
Mr President,
Such phenomena as desertification, drought and even acidification of the seas and oceans are intensified by climate change caused by human activity.
This is why it is inconceivable for the negotiations in Copenhagen to fail. My commitment yesterday alongside my counterparts from the world over, at the Summit for Climate Change convened by the Secretary General, is unequivocal: together we, the developed countries, countries with high CO2 emissions and developing countries, must strive to define a post-Kyoto system to prepare resolutely a future with low carbon emissions.
We have remained deaf to the warnings of scientists for far too long. Over 20 years have already elapsed since the World Meteorological Organization founded the IPCC.
At the World Climate Conference-3 that I attended in early September, it was decided to set up a global framework for climate services, in order to help populations meet this increasingly pressing challenge.
This global framework that we support unconditionally aims to optimize management of the consequences of variability in climate change as well as adaptation on all levels, through development and inclusion of scientific information and forecasts in planning policy and processes.
Unprecedented mobilization of public opinion is forcing us to adopt innovative measures to slow the process of global warming whose serious implications may reach catastrophic proportions.
The Trade and Development Report recommends profound structural changes that will be possible only if we agree to reconsider our modes of production and consumption. Instituting a green economy must be the foundation of this process. Our role as policy makers is to make certain the necessary technology, which already exists, is put in the service of reducing greenhouse gases.
Sustainable development requires the globalization of green technologies and environmental goods.
On behalf of the Principality, I want to emphasize our declared ambition to become carbon neutral and our determination to achieve a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of 20% by 2020, 60% by 2050.
Mr President,
In recent months, the global economy has been seriously shaken. Despite the emergence of signs of recovery, we must draw the lessons of this dismal year. Globalization of the economy and the resulting interdependence make it indispensable to reform the international financial and monetary system.
Founded just ten years ago, the G20 organized the first meeting of Heads of State and Government last November, thereby recognizing the urgency of the measures to be taken to save the global economy from a catastrophe exacerbated by panic in the financial markets.
Monaco recognizes that this Group, which represents two-thirds of the world's trade and population and nearly 90% of gross world product, has specific responsibilities to the international community as a whole.
We have confidence in the G20's capacity to lay the groundwork, starting tomorrow in Pittsburgh, for a new era encompassing in particular financial regulation, the remuneration of market operators, governance and the resources allocated to international financial institutions. The G20's ability to federate all States will give rise to the legitimacy necessary for a return to growth.
My Government has been striving for several months to fulfill the obligations we have taken to comply with OECD standards for improving transparency and the exchange of information on banking and tax matters.
This is why my Government has already proceeded with signing twelve bilateral conventions and undertaken to conclude other similar agreements. From today, Monaco has seen its efforts recognized by the OECD on whose “white list” it is now included.
But we must make no mistake: the crisis of confidence that arose from the financial collapse makes its necessary, more than ever, for the measures taken within the G20 to bring together all member States without discrimination. A consultation structure could help thus ensure the legitimacy of the decisions made.
Together, we must rebuild solid foundations for capitalism with a heart to boost growth and social development. Current circumstances provide an opportunity for us to create a ‘green economy' combining job creation and dissemination of new technologies for a sustainable recovery.
Mr President,
The role of the State and the expression of its sovereignty must adapt to changing conditions ceaselessly to continue guaranteeing the security and social well-being of populations. Our Organization can be no exception to this evolution.
The United Nations has worked from its beginnings towards maintaining world peace and security thanks to operations conducted under its banner and it also has an eminent federative role with respect to disarmament and non proliferation.
The material and human resources for peacekeeping operations have reached thresholds that were inconceivable just a decade ago. The necessary reflection engaged both within the Security Council and the Secretariat as well as with member States is a priority that we support.
It is as much of a priority to reinforce the rule of law and democratic institutions that guarantee sovereignty and peaceful coexistence between States.
In this respect, I wish to reiterate my country's support for implementing the “responsibility to protect”, a symbol of the reinforcement of multilateralism in the service of populations.
Such responsibility to protect does not affect responsible exercise of sovereignty that places emphasis on individuals.
Monaco will continue working with our partners, by which I mean each and every one of you, to implement best practices regarding protection, international assistance and reinforcement of capacities with the sole objective of saving human lives.
The Principality will also continue responding through solidarity to emergency humanitarian situations, in particular for the benefit of women and children whose vulnerability is manifest, unfortunately, in the context of crises.
Mr President,
In 2010, we will be celebrating the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and the Year of Biodiversity.
These themes symbolize, at the start of the 21st century, the harmony we must seek both between our peoples in the acceptance of our differences and between the human species and all the living species present on Earth that we have the duty to protect and save from extinction.
I can assure you that my country will persist in its unflagging commitment in favour of processes able to build and reinforce the ties between our societies in order to promote dialogue and cultural and religious entente based on mutual respect, like the Union for the Mediterranean and the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
I am convinced, Mr President, that your great experience with the UN and your role in the creation of the African Union are major assets for the success of your delicate mission.
Thank you,
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