Sommaire: October 4, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN on behalf of the European Union. Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization: Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit, Item 10 and 44 (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Associated Countries - Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, as well as the EFTA country of the European Economic Area: Iceland align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
The Millennium Declaration brought together in a unique manner, demanding, concrete and time-bound goals on peace, security and development as well as goals related to the further strengthening of the UN. The comprehensive implementation of the Millennium Declaration is an overriding priority for the EU. The reports prepared by the Secretary General as input to the debate today underlines the complexity of the challenges we face in achieving the ambitious goals set in the Millennium Declaration
two years ago. Progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals has been significant, but mixed.
Since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration we have made major steps towards successful implementation. In Doha we agreed to a comprehensive development agenda with the focus on integrating the developing countries in the global economy. In Monterrey we firmly established the partnership pact: The clear commitment by all developing countries to take primary responsibility for their own development, ensuring sound policies, good governance, democracy, human rights and rule of law. We would
like to pay tribute to the African leaders who have taken an impressive lead in this regard with the NEPAD initiative. The clear commitment by developed countries to lend support to the development efforts. The commitments were reaffirmed at the World Food Summit in Rome last June. And the circle was completed in Johannesburg, which set additional targets for sustainable development to supplement the Millennium Development Goals, and which called for partnership and implementation. Concrete
action - led by the developing countries - to promote sustainable development and eradicate poverty was called for.
These commitments must be followed through with perseverance. The EU is fully committed to a comprehensive approach and a coordinated strategy addressing the interlinkedes in the efforts to promote sustainable development. Economic development, social development and environmental protection are mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development. The EU stands ready to assist in the efforts for development - at national, regional and international level. We are the greatest trade
partners for developing countries and with the EBA initiative, we are opening our markets for all goods from the least developed countries. EU heads of state and government have pledged to significantly increase our level of development assistance and to ensure implementation of the enhanced HIPC initiative. I would like to reiterate these commitments.
Also a strengthening and enhancement of the UN as an organisation both at secretariat, intergovernmental and country level is a prerequisite for success in implementing the Millennium Declaration and meeting the goals contained therein. The EU is fully supportive of the Secretary General's initiative to strengthen the organization and will do all it can to take this issue forward in the General Assembly. The Millennium Declaration should be the main basis for continued improvement of the
Organization's inter-governmental structure, the Secretariat and the budget- and programmatic process. The EU welcomes that the Secretary General, in his capacity as chief administrative officer of the Organisation, has taken important steps towards modernising the Secretariat.
We also need to point out the necessity to ensure coherence between the follow-up to Millennium Declaration and the other major UN conferences and summits. We must take a holistic approach also to monitoring and evaluation. A coordinated and integrated conference follow-up is called for within the existing frameworks - both nationally and in the UN. This goes both for the agenda of the GA, 2nd and 3rd committees, ECOSOC, for the reporting, the negotiation of resolutions and the follow-up.
This year the Secretary General's report on the follow-up to the Millennium Declaration focuses on two topics that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency: prevention of armed conflict and the treatment and prevention of major diseases, including HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.
As for the prevention of armed conflicts the EU warmly welcomes the extended focus and priority allocated to moving the United Nations from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. The EU hopes that all UN member countries will embrace the conclusions and recommendations made in the Secretary Generals report on conflict prevention. We would support and indeed actively participate in the implementation of all recommendations both within the United Nations as well as in other international and
regional organisations and at national level. The EU has embarked on its own program for the prevention of armed conflicts with clear political priorities for preventive action. The EU will continue to work actively towards a strengthening of UN capacity in peace and security. The EU considers that the Brahimi report offers a unique opportunity to improve the way the international community approaches peace operations, and will continue to contribute to the implementation of its
recommendations.
The ability to provide humanitarian assistance to the millions that suffer as a consequence of conflicts all over the world is also an integral part in establishing and maintaining peace and security. There are serious gaps in the UN humanitarian response to the needs of the millions of internally displaced persons. To complicate things there are still widespread attacks on humanitarian workers. These matters need to be addressed. Protection of civilians and humanitarian workers and
UN-personnel in armed conflict is first and foremost the responsibility of the host state. But an enhanced international effort is also called for - and not the least better coordination between all actors: local governments, civil society and the international community.
In the Millennium Declaration the international community made clear its commitment to assist countries hosting refugees and to promote the return of refugees and displaced persons. We support ongoing efforts to strengthen focus on finding sustainable solutions in the region of origin in the form of local integration or reintegration.
Evidence proves that there is a clear critical link between peace, security and conflict prevention and sustainable development and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This point cannot be stressed enough. The inter-linkage is unquestionable. Both sides of the problem need to be addressed. The task of achieving universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remains daunting. Increased compliance with core human rights instruments and cooperation with human rights
mechanisms are crucial in this context. But the persisting and grave violations of human rights in many parts of the world serve as a clear reminder that further international efforts are urgently needed in order to achieve universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Mr. President,
The report from the Secretary General highlights once again the devastating impact the HIV/AIDS pandemic has had on development in a number of developing countries, especially in the least developed countries and in Africa South of Sahara. The EU will continue and intensify its efforts aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS. We would like to reaffirm the importance we attach to an enhanced and balanced approach in order to address all dimensions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic through strong and coordinated
efforts covering different forms of interventions including prevention, treatment and care. The EU Action Plan on Aid for Poverty Diseases in Developing Countries aims at providing a comprehensive package of interventions for the three major communicable diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The EU member states and the European Commission have committed substantial resources to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria and we continue our commitment to helping the fund establish
itself as an effective mechanism for delivery of essential support to those most in need. The EU underscores the need to implement national and sectoral policies and plans, in which universal access to reproductive health care and services, population and gender issues are integrated, with a focus on adolescents.
Mr. President,
One issue has more than anything been at the top of the international agenda the last year. The fight against terrorism. The EU categorically condemns terrorism whatever its form, motivation and manifestations. But with the same resolve, the EU emphasises that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. We acknowledge the central role of the UN, the Security Council and its Counter Terrorism Committee. And we urge the
speedy signing and ratification of all twelve UN terrorism-related conventions, especially the one relative to the financing of terrorism.
In conclusion, the EU strongly believes in multilateralism. We are ourselves a proof of that. Together we can do more than by individual actions. We welcome the commitment of the Johannesburg Summit to support the leadership role of the UN as the most universal and representative organisation in the world. And we agree with the Secretary General when he states, that the UN is a unique instrument available to the world for dealing with critical global problems and challenges.
Thank you, Mr. President.
| Haut |
Etats Membres de l'Union Européenne
Alertes par e-mail
Envoyer par e-mail
Imprimer cette page