Indian Council of World Affairs

Country

Issues

Political and Economic Development

Security/Terrorism

United Nations/International Institutions

Climate Change/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Argentina

Marta Gabriela Michetti Illia, Vice President of Argentina, on September 20, 2017, said her country was moving towards zero poverty. She also noted that Argentina would host the IV Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour in November 2017. The promotion and protection of human rights was another state policy.

She said Argentina is working towards national action plan against gender discrimination, drug trafficking and establishment of an international court to address organised crime. She condemned terrorism in all its forms. She also called on the international community to support Argentina’s request for Iran’s cooperation on the ongoing investigation into the 1994 attack against the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina.

She emphasised Argentina’s sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime spaces. She expressed the positive hope that the United Kingdom would enter into negotiations and resolve that protracted dispute.

Argentina had presented its candidacy for Security Council membership for the period 2019-2021. She pledged Argentina’s continued support to the  UN Peacekeeping Operations.

She noted that Argentina would host the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in December 2017 and it would take up the presidency of the “Group of 20” in 2018. She expressed faith in the multilateral trading system and hoped  that it could reach everyone.

Venezuela

She expressed regret over the situation being faced by the people of Venezuela and urged the Chavista government to peacefully re-establish democracy in the country.

She emphasised environmental concerns, affirming Argentina’s strong support for the Paris Agreement and pressed for further progress in the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. She said that Argentina presented its first voluntary national review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Belize

Wilfred Elrington, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, on September 22, 2017, said that his government is working on strengthening capacity to improve revenue collection. Belize has experienced a sharp decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) between 2015 and 2016.  As of 2016, FDI flows to small island developing states represented only 0.2 percent of overall global flows. To buck that downward trend, Belize has reformed key institutions to ensure the integrity of its financial services industry and was committed to combating tax evasion.  Despite that progress, Belize remained vulnerable to unilateral declarations labelling its jurisdiction as uncooperative or non-compliant, which undermines the country’s legislative and administrative measures.

He said that his country remained committed to working with Guatemala to finalize a cooperation mechanism for the Sarstoon River in order to minimize the potential for growing tensions along Belize’s southern border.

He expressed the UN is best poised to foster a more inclusive, transparent and consultative process to address issues such as international cooperation on tax matters. He urged the UN to do more to address the unique challenges facing small island developing States and said he looked forward to engaging in discussions on debt swaps for climate action and the expansion of climate risk insurance.  “We depend on the UN to champion and protect the rule of law,” he said.

He noted the injustice perpetrated upon the people of “Taiwan,” Cuba, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Western Sahara, South Sudan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and expressed support to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) position on Venezuela. He also expressed support to the CARICOM’s new approach to combating cholera in Haiti.

He outlined the myriad ways the region and Belize were meeting modern challenges and threats such as climate change, ocean pollution and non-communicable diseases. Belize was tapping into a mix of domestic and international channels “mindful of the inhospitable international policy environment”.

Bolivia

No reference made

Evo Morales Ayma, President of Bolivia, on September 19, 2017, said that any military solution on the Korean Peninsula must be avoided and negotiations resumed.  “We must fight capitalism, colonialism and imperialism,” he said, adding that success in that regard would lead to equality, social justice, peace and development.

He said that the UN had come to nothing. Rather than making progress, the world is slipping backwards. War and violent conflict had persisted. He said the world is also more unjust and unequal.  Inequality is immoral.  Calling for the establishment of universal citizenship, he said the migration crisis is the product of a world order dominated by greed, inequality and the destruction of Mother Earth.  No migrant is illegal and walls ran counter to the history of mankind. There should be no difference between a foreigner and a national.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

He said that the Palestinian cause could not be abandoned, demanding implementation of the two-state solution. 

Syria

He hailed efforts by the Russian Federation, Iran and Turkey towards a ceasefire in Syria. 

Cuba

Urging the US to end its blockade of Cuba, he said new measures announced by President Trump would reverse progress made in relations between those two countries. The US must also provide economic reparations to Cuba and return Guantanamo to Cuban sovereignty, he said.

Colombia Peace Process

Bolivia welcomed the peace process in Colombia and the incorporation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) into political life. He condemned the threats of invasion by the US government and expressed solidarity with Venezuela and its people. 

He noted that 2017 is the hottest year in world history. He emphasised that all countries must comply with the Paris Agreement. He said that it was unjustifiable that the US had withdrawn from it, which is among the main polluters and its government had become a threat to Mother Earth. Water is the lifeblood of Mother Earth, he said, and that resource must be respected, shared and protected for future generations. Bolivia promoted the recognition of water as a human right, he said, noting that its constitution prohibited the exploitation of that resource for profit. He said that water must never be a source of conflict.

Brazil

Michel Temer, president of Brazil, on September 19, 2017, said that Brazil was experiencing a period of decisive and sweeping changes following its unprecedented economic crisis. Since then, the Government had worked to restore fiscal balance and economic credibility, having learned the importance of applying the rule that, without fiscal responsibility, social responsibility was nothing but empty rhetoric.  Human rights violations were a recurring fact, including those that compromised civil, political, economic and social rights.

He emphasised Brazil is taking a leading role in the banning of nuclear technology for non-peaceful purposes. He raised concern over the recent nuclear tests on the Korean Peninsula. He stressed that repeated episodes of cowardly violence and terrorism should not be allowed to weaken tolerance and inclusion. Transnational crime, including the trafficking of people, drugs and money, undermined the security and peace of mind of families.

He said that UN had stood for hope and the possibility of a more just world for more than 70 years. He advocated the need to reform the UN, particularly to expand the Security Council, aligning it with 21st century realities. Brazil is committed to WTO and its dispute settlement mechanisms. Brazil has one of the world’s most advanced laws on refugees and has recently updated its migration law, anchored on the principles of humanitarian assistance. In Europe, Brazil was working to boost trade and investment flows, and in Asia, the country had expanded relations with both traditional and new partners. He said Brazil is working towards a more prosperous and democratic South America, while also seeking greater cooperation and partnership for development in Africa.

Israel-palestine Conflict

He also expressed concern over the Israel-Palestine talks which had come to a halt and that de-escalation of violence in Syria had not stopped the continuing humanitarian consequences.

He said Brazil’s commitment to sustainable development was its foremost priority. Brazil was dedicated to Sustainable Development Goals and advocating the Paris Agreement. Clean and renewable energy in Brazil accounted for more than 40 percent of its energy mix, and the country also served as a leader in hydropower and bio-energy. He expressed pride that Brazil has the largest tropical forest coverage in the world and deforestation was of great concern.

Chile

Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President of Chile, on September 20, 2017, described the challenges facing her country in the establishment of a quota to include women in government. It also continued to reform the education system.

She said that Chile has made decisive progress in extending human rights to vulnerable groups. She vowed to completely eliminate nuclear weapons. She expressed concern over the increasing tension on the Korean Peninsula.

She underscored the “enormous opportunity” in global trade and reaffirmed Chile’s commitment to multilateralism. She also reiterated the need to reform the Security Council.

Venezuela

She called for full restoration of democracy.

She also expressed concern over the conflicts in the Middle East and some parts in Africa.

She said that it is time to take responsibility for climate change and “dare to change our productive models.” She added that the biggest strength of the 2030 Agenda was that all the people of the world must implement climate change together. Chile has established a green tax on carbon emissions in its energy sector and has moved from 6.3 to 17 percent renewable energy. It is also active in pushing forth initiatives like prohibiting the use of plastic bags. She said that Chile has taken steps for sustainable development and protects biodiversity.

Colombia

Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, President of Colombia, on September 19, 2017, highlighted the progress Colombia had achieved in reducing poverty in seven years.

He said that Colombia has undergone a positive change by defeating the military chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  The peace process with FARC has not only culminated in an agreement but achieved something more important:  the saving of thousands of lives.  He paid tribute to the UN Security Council for establishing a special mission to verify and monitor the disarmament of FARC, as well as the ceasefire between the guerrillas and the government.

Korean Peninsula

He condemned the launch of nuclear missiles and tests by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that constituted a global threat to peace and security. He said terrorism should be tackled with military, political, intelligence and international cooperation. He added that the war on drugs had not yet been won and new strategies are needed to include human rights in their policies against drugs.

He expressed concern for Venezuela and the gradual dismantling of its democracy. he called upon the UN Secretary-General and the international community to support the Venezuelan people.

He said Colombia’s vulnerability to climate change had paved the way for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Costa Rica

Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera, President of Costa Rica, on September 19, 2017, pointed to the importance of rethinking the concept of per capita income to determine a country’s development. He stressed the need to pay special attention to productive sectors like family farming, which represents the main source of income for 70 per cent of the poor population worldwide.  He mentioned that Costa Rica, along with other countries, would present during the session a resolution on “the decade of family farming 2019‑2028”.

No reference made

He called on the UN Secretary‑General to promote spaces that would implement working strategies to strengthen the capabilities of developing countries and allow more efficiency when cooperating with middle-income and least developed nations. He expressed support for the International Gender Champions proposal which aimed at reversing gender inequality within the UN.

He recalled that Costa Rica in September 2016 became the first one to establish a national agreement to meet the SDGs, and that it reduced poverty for the first time in the last seven years. Stressing that the fight against climate change requires ambitious positions, he said the leadership of Chile and Costa Rica has caused Latin America to move towards establishing a regional instrument on the rights of access to participation and justice on environmental matters.  He reaffirmed his country’s determination to direct its economy towards carbon neutrality as part of the pre-2020 voluntary action and decarbonize the economy.

Ecuador

Lenin Moreno Garces, President of Ecuador, on September 20, 2017, said much remained to be done for the one billion people in the world with disabilities. He said political will is required in this regard and emphasised the need to eradicate all forms of violence. He has called for a national dialogue to build democracy and create space for a new generation of leaders.

He said that the world is going through a difficult time, including a potential nuclear confrontation. He questioned why only arms traffickers only prosecuted but not the arms producers. He stressed that a commitment must be made to building peace.

He called for measures to combat tax avoidance and evasion.  As President of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, Ecuador is pushing for fair tax action, including the creation of an intergovernmental body on tax cooperation within the UN.

Cuba

He underlined the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states and the principle of non-intervention.

Colombia

He said Ecuador resolutely supported the peace talks in Colombia and welcomed the recent Quito temporary ceasefire agreement between that country’s government and the National Liberation Army Group.

He said it is a common responsibility to combat climate change.  “We have common but differentiated responsibilities,” he noted, emphasizing that those who polluted most must assume greater responsibility.  Underlining his country’s initiative to halt deforestation in the Amazon region, he said more must be made of indigenous knowledge. A new society based on the common good could and must be promoted, he emphasized, adding that a fair international system and a commitment to eradicating poverty and inequality would lead to a world in which everyone lived in dignity.

El Salvador

Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of El Salvador, on September 21, 2017, pointed out his country’s reduction in child malnutrition and development programme which aim to reduce extreme poverty and provide quality education to all. He urged for a multidimensional measure scale for economic and growth, not based solely on GDP. 

He expressed concern that weapons of mass destruction are posing a real threat to humanity. 

He called for an end to the economic blockade on Cuba by the US, adding that it is time to improve relations between the two countries.

He said that the 2030 Agenda has done a great job at boosting dialogue among nations. He also emphasised the need to include the issue of food security in sustainable development initiatives. He added sustainable development also requires an environment of peace and security. He said that climate change is increasingly compromising economic development and the well-being of countries, including in his region.

Guatemala

Jimmy Morales, President of Guatemala, on September 19, 2017, underscored his Government’s increased spending on justice and its commitment to combating corruption and impunity. The government is working hard on a national strategy on malnutrition and collaborating with international partners to end crime, corruption and drug trafficking.

He condemned acts of provocation and destabilization that threaten international peace and security, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear tests are flagrant violations of international law, Security Council resolutions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.  Security for all could only come through a total prohibition of nuclear weapons.

Border Dispute

He emphasised Guatemala’s commitment to resolve its maritime dispute with Belize through the International Court of Justice.

He said that in November 2017, it would submit to its thir(??) universal periodic review before the Human Rights Council. He also said that the agreement between the UN and Guatemala that established the International Commission against impunity in Guatemala is the first of its kind in the world. Guatemala is proud to contribute to UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere in Africa, as well as in Haiti, he said.  It is honoured to continue to participate in the UN Mission in Colombia.

Venezuela

He expressed concern over the political crisis in Venezuela.

He expressed that his nation in 2017 has incorporated the SDGs into its national development plan. Guatemala has also signed and ratified the Paris Agreement, he said, thanking the President of France for proposing a global compact for the environment. 

Guyana

David Arthur Granger, Presdent of Guyana, on September 20, 2017, said “disturbing” developments in that country had roused concerns over the privations of its people. 

Outlining the danger Guyana faced on its borders from territorial claims made by Venezuela, he reiterated the call for a “zone of peace” to be created, stressing that Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory threatened that prospect. The border dispute has persisted since Guyana’s independence 51 years ago and despite an international Arbitral Tribunal settlement in 1899, which Venezuela denounced in 1962 in the Assembly’s Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization). He called for a just and peaceful settlement in accordance with international law.  Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and current Secretary‑General António Guterres had decided, under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, that the International Court of Justice would be the next means of settlement if significant progress was not made by the end of 2017.  To that end, Guyana has worked with the Secretary-Generals’ Personal Representative, and would continue to seek support from the international community to ensure that Venezuela do not impede judicial settlement processes.

The UN is the paramount global instrument for peace and, while ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council, must aim to resolve long‑standing inter-state conflicts.  He expressed support for reforming the Security Council to give greater voice to developing countries.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

He reiterated support for a two-State solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Cuba

He urged to the United States for the withdrawal of the economic embargo against Cuba.

He said that world is facing several humanitarian crises, including death from preventable disease, hunger, gender inequality, poverty, conflict and the refugee crisis. The SDGs represent the collective determination to address those challenges. However, they are being obstructed by human rights violations and the involuntary migration of people due to terrorism and warfare.

Climate Change

He said the phenomenon is not a “fiction or the invention of a few extremists”.  Small island states in the Caribbean and parts of North America have suffered devastating hurricanes, and for which Guyana had provided relief.  Guyana also had signed and celebrated the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2016 and renewed its commitment to its goals. It also has dedicated 360,000 hectares of rainforest in 1989, and 20 years later, entered into an agreement with Norway to reduce emissions and forest degradation.  Noting that his country is part of the “Guyana Shield”, the source of 15 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves, he called on the UN to help protect that area as a global resource.

Honduras

Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado, President of Honduras, on September 19, 2017, said that over the past four years there has been a push to build a “new Honduras” and that today it is safer and more prosperous.  The fight against transnational crime, bolstered by police reform, has brought homicide rates down by 30 per cent and economic reforms made Honduras a more stable investment partner as evidenced by growing exports, he said.  His nation, along with Guatemala, is moving to expand a customs union across the region, he added.  As this union worked to include El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, it would become the seventh largest economy in Latin America. Honduras sought to implement special employment zones to attract new investors, he said.  Those measures would attract foreign workers and improve working conditions for Hondurans while generating some 600,000 new jobs.  Efforts are being made to combat corruption, he continued, pointing to Honduras’ agreement with Transparency International to improve public sector administration.  Those improvements and new investments have transformed it into a modern logistics centre for Central America.

He said that through UN reform, countries are beginnig to tackle the pressing issues of climate change, nuclear proliferation, poverty, transnational crime and terrorism. He said Honduras rejects recent nuclear tests and support Security Council resolutions and diplomatic channels seeking a solution.

He expressed support for UN reform and that it must be guided by the Secretary‑General to accomplish goals of the 2030 Agenda.

His country has made strides in addressing the SDGs, he said, focusing on Goal 1 by creating a programme to assist the most marginalized sectors of its population. While inclusive international approaches to address poverty are needed, the methodologies used by developed countries to determine who needed assistance left middle-income countries in limbo.  Honduras would focus on providing social support mechanisms to avoid any citizen being deprived of basic needs. “Climate change has shown itself to be merciless,” he noted, pointing to the catastrophic hurricanes that has hit the Caribbean region. 

Nicaragua

No reference made

Maria Rubiales de Chamorro, Permanent Reprsentative of Nicaragua to the UN, on September 25, 2017, expressed great concern about the situation in the Korean Peninsula, and called for negotiations leading to the Peninsula’s denuclearization and reunification. She went on to condemn the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act (NICA) of 2016, a bill before the US House of Representatives, saying it would block her country’s access to poverty-alleviation funding from international organizations.  Nicaragua hopes that the US Congress would reject such legislation and approve compliance with a judgment by the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordering the US to compensate Nicaraguans for acts of terrorism committed during the administration of former President Ronald Reagan.

A “re-foundation” of the UN is urgently needed, including reform of the Security Council to ensure that its composition and function reflect geopolitical and economic realities.  She called for more dynamic negotiations in that regard, adding that a negotiating text should be elaborated to ensure reforms advanced during the current session.

Cuba

She said it is a painful to see a revival of US measures against Cuba.

Venezuela

She rejected threats of the use of force against Venezuela by the US President.

Colombia

She extended her best wishes for the successful implementation of Colombia’s peace agreement, and expressed solidarity with the peoples of Puerto Rico, Western Sahara and the Government and people of Syria. 

She said that the 2030 Agenda would have no meaning without political will and a commitment to solidarity. Ambitious action is also urgently needed to combat climate change.  Developed countries must change their unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and fulfil financial and technology transfer commitments. Unilateral coercive measures must be repealed if the SDGs are to be achieved, she continued. It is imperative that no one be left behind and that includes the 23 million people of Taiwan, which has the capacity to contribute to a wide range of UN programmes.

Panama

Juan Carlos Vareal Rodriguez, President of Panama, on September 20, 2017, underscored the need to ensure that politics is seen as service.  Panama is working to recover hundreds of millions of previously misappropriated dollars, and to reform corrupt systems.  As a result, it had improved living standards without increasing a single tax.  Governments are obliged to root out tax evasion, which fostered chasms of inequality, he said, calling on them to distribute wealth in a manner that supported the poorest and most vulnerable.  The fight against corruption should not be measured by the number of people prosecuted by  judicial system, but rather, by the lives that were improved.  “This planet has enough wealth for all of humankind to be able to live decently,” he concluded.

He said that the world stands at a juncture marked by terrorism, organized crime and the increase in forced migration caused by war, poverty and inequality. Condemning all acts of terrorism, he called on the Security Council to strengthen measures to foster lasting peace in such places as Syria and Iraq, and condemned the irresponsible leadership of such governments as that in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which sought to destabilize regions.

He also voiced support for the Secretary-General’s reform efforts to create a UN that would more nimbly respond to the world’s peoples.  Such reforms must centre around enhancing connections between nations, he said, stressing that multilateral cooperation was critical.

Colombia

Welcoming progress in Colombia in that regard, he called on that country to consolidate its national peace process.

Venezuela

He said it would be a serious miscalculation for Venezuela’s government to try to impose a single-party political model. Among other things, such an action would increase outward migration. Amid such challenges, he vowed to remain “on the front line” of efforts to strengthen unity among countries of the Americas and called on Panama’s neighbours to do the same.

Cuba

Recalling the historic rapprochement between Cuba and the US during a summit held in Panama in 2015, he said countries of the Americas must pursue the path of peace.  The region is facing the threat of drug trafficking, he said, warning that “we cannot stand idly by” and allow that phenomenon to condemn people to poverty and challenge the authority of governments.

Middle-income countries such as Panama are well placed to transfer technology to developing nations, he said, adding that Panama has been central to regional responses to recent natural disasters. It was also making progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and was bound by a sense of fairness and equality. 

Paraguay

Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara, President of Paraguay, on September 20, 2017,  said, since 2013, Paraguay has enjoyed full democracy and respects the rule of law and benefited greatly from international investment. It has also joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) advisory committee, among other international bodies.  “Paraguay now goes beyond our own borders,” he stressed, adding that regional integration has benefits for all stakeholders.  Recalling his administration’s three initial goals of poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and allowing Paraguay to take its place in the world, he said the country has changed its national culture to reflect the principles of accountability and transparency.  Strong emphasis has been placed on social investments and reducing inequality.

Terrorism, drug trafficking and other challenges must be addressed collectively, and all stakeholders must do their part. Reaffirming Paraguay’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, he said the prohibition of nuclear weapons is enshrined in its national laws.  At the global level, nuclear disarmament should be carried out under a universal, legally-binding instrument.  He condemned the “irrational”, “provocative” acts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, outlining his expectation that the General Assembly would do the same. Terrorism must be combated through concerted global efforts, he said, voicing support for UN peacekeeping operations, the protection of human rights, and the objective and impartial work of the Human Rights Council.

He said a balance must be struck between the interests of all states in building a world order that develops relationships between sovereign nations rooted in trust and equal opportunity. The efficient work of the UN is crucial in this regard, he said, calling for a more inclusive and representative Security Council. Paraguay is also  working within the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to boost regional economies.

Venezuela

He said that Venezuela would find a peaceful solution to its crisis in the context of sovereignty.

Taiwan

He expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s support to his country, and hoped that the UN would identify the best way to facilitate Taiwan’s participation in its activities.

Encouraging states — especially those bearing the greatest responsibility for the greenhouse-gas emissions — to do their part to implement the Paris Agreement and “save our planet”, he went on to outline a number of national environmental initiatives. He said that Paraguay is committed to the 17 SDGs, having implemented a number of national programmes to advance their implementation.

Peru

Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, H.E. Ambassador to the UN, on September 25, 2017, reiterated his resolve to strengthen institutions and eliminating impunity,which have been identified as key tools for mitigating corruption. 

He condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear ambitions.  The government would work to foster debate that would lead to the peaceful resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He also said that there is need to curb the borderless threats such as terrorism.

He called for more inclusive globalization based on multilateralism and dialogue. He said Peru is preparing to take its non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term 2018‑2019.  The Council would provide the platform for Peru to more actively promote nuclear non-proliferation.

Venezuela

He raised concern over the worsening crisis in Venezuela. Negotiation is the only path to stability in that country and any attempts to intervene would violate the UN Charter.

Peru is working to achieve the SDGs and implementing policies to eradicate poverty, with a focus on access to water and hygiene among its priorities. He advocated that the climate change poses clear challenges to development, adherence to international mechanisms design to mitigate those threats in broader efforts to foster stability.

Suriname

Yldiz Pollack-Beighle, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Suriname, on September 23, 2017, said her country has entered a period of national unity.  Development had to be inclusive, she said. Suriname recognized the “utmost importance” of youth involvement in the public and private sectors.  A “youth-adult partnership” programme has been launched to mentor future politicians and business leaders.  Suriname is also implementing initiatives to ensure the involvement of women at the “highest levels of political decision-making”.

Without the support of civil society, prosperity would be elusive. Suriname is concerned with the rise of right-wing extremism across the world, she said, pointing to her country as a model for diversity and integration. Nuclear proliferation is a great destabilizer, she said, calling on all member-states to follow the example of South America and the Caribbean in remaining a nuclear-free zone.

Being no stranger to foreign intervention, Suriname called for an end to detrimental military incursions across the world. Interventions in the Middle East have only served to foster greater divisions, she said. Through experience, Suriname is aware that dialogue and mutual respect are the roads to peace and recovery. She affirmed Suriname’s full support for the Secretary-General’s initiatives.

Cuba

She called for an end to the unilateral sanctions imposed on the people of Cuba.

Venezuela

She urged dialogue to resolve the situation in Venezuela.

The achievement of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals called for UN reform. Political conflicts are coinciding with the onslaught of adverse climate patterns, she continued. The devastating hurricane season in the Caribbean has shown that some affluent nations have inward-looking policies and ignored truly global problems. Nations have to proportionally contribute on the global scale to mitigate risks. The status of “middle-income country” is hurting Caribbean nations, she said. The classification criteria ignores vulnerabilities posed by climate change. She called for accessible development financing from a diverse array of mechanisms.  Recognizing her country’s reliance on the extractive sector, she said Suriname is investigating initiatives to expand its economy and focus on environmental conservation.

Uruguay

Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, on September 25, 2017, said that millions are affected by armed conflict with hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced today. “We should not get used to standing idly by,” he stressed.

He expressed deep concern over the threat of terrorism, stressing that arms trafficking and trade has contributed to civilian deaths. Thus, he voiced support for the historic Arms Trade Treaty and related international instruments. The Security Council’s permanent members produced 74 percent of the arms exported between 2011 and 2015, and military spending continues to grow. Many needs could have been addressed if those resources had been redirected to social and economic development. Welcoming the international Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Uruguay has just signed, he urged other member- states to do the same. He condemned the recent missile launches and nuclear tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and called on the US to avoid a verbal escalation of violence.  Those “dynamics of antagonism” could make it impossible to turn back

He said strengthened international coordination bodies are needed more than ever, urging respect for the principle of sovereignty. “The UN must become stronger,” and the General Assembly must gain greater prominence. He urged all countries to increase efforts to combat human trafficking, and ensure development and social growth, citing inequality and the persistence of international forces as drivers of those threats.  He expressed hope that an instrument would be negotiated to end attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, reaffirming Uruguay’s support for the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers.

He expressed support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs, noting that Uruguay has recently presented its Voluntary National Report to the Economic and Social Council’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Unprecedented violence, increase in terrorism, cyberattacks, hunger and climate change requires a strong commitment from the international community.

Venezuela

Jorge Arreaza, Minister For Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, on September 25, 2017, said that his country has suffered numerous attacks, including most recently four months of induced political violence intended to displace President Nicolas Maduro.  However, those attempts have been neutralized by the Venezuelan people through their election of a National Constitutional Assembly aimed at restoring peace and stability.  The country has always employed social dialogue to deepen its democracy and he welcomed the decision of the opposition to return to that path and engage in future elections.

He said that while the General Assembly is “the home of peace,” its podium—a sacred space for people who worked for global understanding and equality—has been defamed by the representative of a power intent on imposing its rules of war, suffering and pain on other nations. “The stink of sulphur” in the words of Venezuela’s former President Hugo Chavez is still in the air at the podium. Severe unilateral threats to peace and security remained, with President Donald J. Trump of the US having threatened war and the total destruction of another member- state, judging “as if he was emperor”.  Venezuela’s own people have been directly threatened by President Trump, including with military threats and the imposition of unilateral sanctions intended to make its people suffer for achieving a change in government.  While Venezuela would always deal with the US and other nations on the basis of mutual respect, it was nevertheless prepared to defend itself “in any way”. He thanked the Secretary-General for his role in negotiation in the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, which he hoped would soon be peacefully resolved.

He urged the US to “neutralise its bellicose pretensions” and reverse its threats to multilateralism. He recalled that, in March 2017, the Non-Aligned Movement had condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures by some state in violation of the UN Charter. He condemned all such actions against Iran and the Russian Federation, as well as the criminal blockade against Cuba. He rejected claims that Venezuela should not be allowed to serve on the Human Rights Council, as it is the US that does not deserve to belong to this body because of unjustified wars, clandestine jails, unilateral coercive measures and unacceptable migration policies. The US was also the only country that had ever used nuclear weapons. The US also fabricated reasons to launch wars in Iraq, Libya and Syria. Finally, he said UN reform must aim to create a more equitable world order free from hegemonic aggression, and provide people with the highest degree of happiness, peace and stability. He welcomed progress being made in Colombia’s peace process but voiced concern about drug issues there.

He expressed solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters. He said the responsibility of natural disasters must not fall on developing countries alone; it is especially unfair for the US — the world’s largest emitter — to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.  Venezuela, subject to constant aggression from hegemonic powers that sought to seize its natural resources.

Country

Issues

Economic and Political Development

Security/Terrorism

United Nations/International Institutions

Climate Change/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Antigua & Barbuda

On September 21, 2017, Gaston Alphonso Browne, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Corporate Governance of Antigua and Barbuda, recalled how on September 6, 2017, his two-island state fell victim to the ferocity of Hurricane Irma. He said, “The island of Barbuda was decimated; its entire population left homeless.” Describing the sheer difference in size, he noted that Barbuda is 62 square miles while Hurricane Irma is 375 miles wide.  “Barbuda did not stand the faintest chance,” he said.  “For the first time in over 300 years, there is now no permanent resident on Barbuda.”  The residents are moved to Antigua, whose population increased by 3 per cent overnight. The residents of Barbuda are now anxious to return to their homeland but the island remained unfit for human habitation, he said. There is no electricity, no potable water, and 95 percent of the buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The preliminary estimates has placed the cost of rebuilding Barbuda at about US$250 million, he said, adding “it is simply a stretch beyond our reach.” He continued that his country urgently require assistance from the international community and thanked the first responders, particularly from Venezuela, who “went above the call of duty,” as well as all donors.

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Like many small island states, his developing country was categorized as “high-income” thus denying it access to grant funding, he said, adding that the per capital income criterion is skewed.  He asked:  “Where is the justice in large wealthy countries borrowing on their capital markets at three per cent, while so-called ‘high-income’ small island states are forced to borrow commercially at 12 per cent?”  It is irrational to “graduate” a small island state that could not pay its debts to high-income status. He said that the present international financial architecture is leaving small states such as Antigua and Barbuda behind.  Two Category 5 hurricanes in 12 days hit the Caribbean.  That could no longer be dismissed as “vagaries of the weather”. He stressed the need to make trade more fair, recalling how Antigua and Barbuda won a trade dispute with the US at the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Yet the US has failed to settle, and the loss of trade revenue to his country has risen to $200 million.  Honouring its obligation to Antigua and Barbuda is not a one-sided deal in which the US gets nothing in return.  The US has been the greater beneficiary of trade with Antigua and Barbuda for decades while his country continues to suffer over 13 years of trade losses.

He said that climate change is man-made, and must be attributed to nations that consume 80 per cent or more of the world’s energy and emit dangerous levels of pollution.  All 14  Caribbean nations together produced less than 0.1 per cent of global emissions.

Bahamas

Darren Allen Henfield, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, on September 23, 2017, said recent Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have wreaked havoc on several small island developing states in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, where its southern Ragged Island is now uninhabitable, and where the northern islands of Bimini and Grand Bahama have experienced considerable damage from tornadoes.  He thanked international partners for their support, noting, however, that Cuba has not enjoyed such assistance despite also having been hit by Hurricane Irma.

He said that his country has introduced measures targeting corruption, protecting human rights.

He emphasised the need to move away from using GDP and GNP to measure wealth and economic development. Those one-dimensional instruments prevent those countries most in need from receiving assistance and should be replaced by a more realistic metric. Meanwhile, international banking institutions have pulled out of the Caribbean over fears that they would be fined for being connected to illicit money laundering and terrorist financing.

Cuba

He called on the US to lift legislative barriers and allow Cuba to develop to its full potential.

Recognizing the threat posed by climate change, he said the Bahamas has introduced measures to create a more sustainable and resilient island community.  The government aims to protect the environment through use of renewable energy and smart technologies, including solar energy, and the introduction of sustainable water purification systems.

Barbados

Maxine Pamela Ometa Mcclean, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, on September 22, 2017, said that her country is actively investing in education and health to ensure inclusive development.  Special attention is being given to vulnerable sectors of society, she assured.

She said that LAC countries have declared the region as a “zone of peace,” noting her country’s support for the territorial integrity of Belize and Guyana.

In the light of a devastating hurricane season, she called on the Secretary-General and World Bank to convene a pledging conference to assist affected countries.  While there is a moral obligation to assist, she noted the “persistent challenges” faced by the region when trying to access resources to protect their citizens.  The label of “middle-income country” is also a barrier to much needed assistance, she said. Multilateralism is the path towards combating global threats, she said, adding that transnational crime presented challenges for Barbados. Inclusion of all member-states is at the heart of ensuring the success of the UN.  Reform of the UN has to be fully transparent, she said, adding that international goals would only be met through cooperation and dialogue.

Cuba

She pointed to regional threats to stability, including the long-standing economic embargo on Cuba.

She called attention to the vulnerability of small island nations in the face of unchecked climate change. The Caribbean is at the epicentre of the global climate crisis, she said. For Barbados and other small island nations, climate change has become a matter of “life and death.” She said that the impacts of climate change affected major economic sectors, including tourism.  Damage in the Caribbean extended to the outbreak of diseases and biosecurity has to be a part of emergency response.  Constant cycles of recovery and rebuilding are serious impediments to sustainable development, she said.  To build resilience, Barbados is focusing on developing a resource-efficient green economy. She also added that small island states have to be treated as “special cases for sustainable development.”

Cuba

Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, on September 22, 2017, said that the Cuban people will not cease in pressing their legitimate claim for the lifting and total elimination of the economic, commercial and financial blockade and will continue to denounce the strengthening of that policy. While inequality, the opulence of a few and the marginalization of many are growing in today's world, the Cuban people will keep up their struggle to achieve the most just society possible. We will continue to steadily advance down the path of revolutionary transformations that has been a sovereign choice made by all Cubans to further improve our socialism.

He rejected the threat to “totally destroy” the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, stressing that war is not an option.  Only through negotiation could a lasting political solution be found that would address the concerns of all the parties involved.  He supported the total denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, without foreign interference and with respect for sovereign equality and territorial integrity.  He asserted that the new Cuba policy of the US is “a setback” to bilateral relations as it undermines the basis established two years ago for advancing ties characterized by respect and equality.  He condemned the “disrespectful, offensive and interventionist” statement made against Cuba by that country’s President, reminding him that the US has no moral authority to judge Cuba.  Cuba is willing to continue negotiating all pending bilateral issues on the basis of equality and respect for sovereignty.

He was pressing the UN to establish a new equitable and inclusive world order, with a new financial architecture. The US President has manipulated the concepts of sovereignty and security to his exclusive benefit and the detriment of all others, including his allies. The principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity should be observed, especially as the UN Charter and international law do not allow for reinterpretation. In today’s world, the wealth of eight men equals that of the poorest half of humanity. Seven hundred million people live in extreme poverty and 21 million are victims of forced labour.  There are 22.5 million refugees, with humanitarian tragedies associated with migrant flows worsening an unjust global order. The construction of walls and barriers, and adoption of laws barring refugees and migrants are cruel and ineffective, he said, stressing that xenophobic policies violated the human rights of millions.  Military spending had reached $1.7 trillion, belying those who claim a lack of resources to eradicate poverty.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

He said that the just and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East is based on the exercise of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

Syria

Cuba reaffirms its support for a peaceful solution to the war in Syria and the situation in Western Sahara.

Venezuela

He said that the community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) strongly reject the military threats against Venezuela. It reiterates solidarity with the Bolivarian and Chavista government and its civil-military union led by President Maduro. He expressed solidarity with former President Lula da Silva, a victim of political persecution. It reiterates support for the independence of the Puerto Rican people and Argentina’s claim for sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands.

Industrialized countries have the moral duty — and indeed the means — to do so.  Yet not even they would enjoy prosperity if climate change continued, he said, expressing regret that the US has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. The 2030 Agenda lacks the means for its implementation. He said that the production and consumption patterns of neoliberal capitalism are unsustainable and irrational.

Dominica

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Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Public Service of Dominica, on September 23, 2017, said that he has come to the General Assembly from the front lines of climate change. In the past, his country would prepare for one serious storm a year, and that before the current century, no one generation has seen more than one Category 5 hurricane in their lifetime.  Yet now, two such storms have formed in the Atlantic in only a few weeks.  Neither Dominica, nor the region, has started this “war against nature”, he said, declaring: “This war has come to us.”  There is little time for action.  While big countries talk, small island nations suffer. The Caribbean does not produce greenhouse gases or sulphate aerosols, he said, nor does it pollute or overfish the oceans.  The region does not contribute to global warming, yet it is among the main victims.  The reality is pure devastation, as Dominicans bear the brunt of climate change.  Dominica has come to the Assembly to declare an international humanitarian emergency. The time has come for the international community to take a stand and decide whether it would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those suffering the ravages of climate change. The call for urgent action is increasing and all countries — big and small, developed and developing — must come together to save the planet. He recalled that the Green Climate Fund has been created to help put in place mitigation measures, but much more must be done to help countries bearing the brunt of climate change. The World Bank has established the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility to assist countries impacted by natural disasters, and while helpful, the funds are usually grossly inadequate to rebuild infrastructure or maintain economic and social development gains that have been made following past storms.  Substantially more funds must be made available to vulnerable countries, he stressed, calling on the World Bank facility to recapitalize for greater coverage by using funds already committed from the Green Climate Fund.

Dominican Republic

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No reference made

Miguel Vargas, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, on September 20, 2017, apologised for the absence of President Danilo Medina, who has been compelled to return home to deal with the threat of Hurricane Maria. Expressing deep solidary with the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, he noted that accurate figures for the damages to many Caribbean islands had not yet been determined.  However, it was clear that the damage was substantial, and that recovery would take years, he said.  Valuable lives had been lost. He went on to say that the material losses resulting from Hurricane Irma has far exceeded his country’s GDP. “Our economies, our way of life and our development potential are in danger,” he emphasized, calling upon other nations to join forces in helping the Caribbean region to confront the threat.  “It is not enough to send messages of solidarity or humanitarian aid,” he stressed.  “And it is absolutely not enough to sign agreements on climate change.”  Those agreements must be coherent, move a joint agenda forward, and develop concrete action plans, he said, proposing the creation of a special fund to deal with natural catastrophes while fostering awareness, prevention and resilience strategies. Spotlighting the US as an example to illustrate how economic resources could help to alleviate the damage cause by natural phenomenon, he recalled that in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, that country’s government has dispersed much-needed assistance to its citizens.  However, there is no way that vulnerable and insular regions such as the Caribbean could cope on their own, he said.  “We cannot afford to keep downplaying this reality.”  Appealing on behalf of the children, women, men and elderly people facing “absolute helplessness”, he urged the UN to find ways to help governments unable to rebuild on their own.

Grenada

Elvin Nimrod, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Grenada, on September 23, 2017, said that Grenada has signed tax information exchange agreements with 14 countries since 2010.  “It pains us as policymakers when we expend our limited resources to comply with rules only to face arbitrary punishments when we are quite evidently doing our best,” he said.  Progress has been made with his country’s successful structural adjustment programme.  Besides, investment, both foreign and local, is at its highest levels in recent years.

He condemned the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and pointed out that US$105 billion has been spent each year on nuclear weapons, and called for a shift from destruction to sustainable construction.

Small States like Grenada and other CARICOM countries have to battle with threats to their access to financial markets, he continued.  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently noted that correspondent banking relationships has decreased with a resulting negative effect on global trade and economic activity.  Added to that is also the unilateral and often unfounded blacklisting of the Community’s institutions as money-launderers and those countries as tax havens.

Venezuela

He said that Grenada remains preoccupied with the recent developments in Venezuela. In his capacity as Chair of CARICOM, Grenada’s Prime Minister has offered to help in mediating discussions between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition. He said that Grenada would encourage meaningful dialogue on the premise that the Venezuelan people could come together to safeguard their future.

He implored the international community to recognise, without delay, the collective responsibility to assist all those affected by natural calamities, emphasized that the reality of climate change, as seen in recent activities, could not be disputed.  In fact, 97 percent of climate scientists have agreed that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities.  As Chair of the World Bank’s Small States Forum, Grenada has lamented the recent withdrawal of a key partner in the Paris Agreement.  His country is aiming to be the “beacon of sustainable development” for maritime states around the world, an achievable project due to its small size.  CARICOM has called for measures to develop sustainable ocean-based economies in the Caribbean.

Haiti

Jovenel Moise, President Of Haiti, on September 21, 2017, said Haiti has taken steps to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, having made significant efforts to promote development and political stability.  Noting that corruption has “infected” and shrunk Haiti’s economy, and compromised its political situation, he said it is time that official development assistance (ODA) and domestic resources uphold the interests of the Haitian nation. Corruption has prevented basic resources from being allocated to citizens, depriving them of adequate energy distribution, quality education, drinking water and socioeconomic opportunities. Haiti’s new leaders are waging an unwavering struggle against such behaviour.  Efforts are also under way to guarantee the independence of and increase the effectiveness of the judicial apparatus. His government is determined to provide opportunities to the most vulnerable members of society, to ensure they are not tempted to leave the country, many times under life-threatening conditions. Haiti could not allow institutions to be weakened or corruption to widen the distance between citizens and the State.  Haitians are acutely aware that they are responsible for their country’s development, he continued. Improving Haiti’s health system, including by eradicating cholera, is a priority for his government. Despite some progress, the number of cholera victims stand at 10,000 and continues to grow.  Further, there are tens of thousands of cholera orphans.

He said that Haiti has always spoken out against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and he condemned the blatant desire of countries to acquire and increase nuclear arsenals.

He said that the mission of the UN has never been so important, and thus, it is necessary to adapt the Organisation to modern realities on the ground.  Expressing support for any initiative that could contain crises and seek the peaceful resolution of conflicts, he urged the UN to move along the path of conflict prevention. Addressing two phenomena stemming from the UN presence in Haiti — the odious sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers and UN staff, and the cholera epidemic — he said the Organisation is morally obliged to provide the resoruces to ensure that cholera left the country. The UN must live by and give tangible form to its noble ideals, he stressed, by shouldering all its responsibilities to remedy the situation, which has caused grave harm to the Haitian people.

He also expressed concern about the ongoing crises in Syria and Venezuela, as well as the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Haiti is deeply committed to the environmental facets of sustainable development, he said, and sought to build resilience against natural disasters that have consistently beleaguered its people and brother countries in the Caribbean.  His Government is committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change, and wish to see those countries most responsible for greenhouse gas production contribute the resources necessary for implementing that deal. In the Caribbean, recent climatic events have drawn attention to the ways in which climate affected Haiti.  Such weather phenomena are due to the impact of humans on the environment, he stressed.  In January 2018, when Haiti assumes the presidency of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it would organise a regional conference aimed at establishing an inter-state commission that would devise a strategy for addressing climate issues, such as the availability of climate insurance.

Jamaica

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Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, on September 23, 2017, said that Jamaica is deeply concerned about the heightened menace to international peace and security arising from the threat of nuclear weapons.  Her country has a long-standing commitment to the goal of achieving a nuclear-weapons-free world.  She condemned the recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which posed a grave threat to international peace and security.  She urged that country to immediately and fully comply with its international obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to resume dialogue on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

She reiterated Jamaica’s call for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. That embargo has restricted the ability of a hard-working and self-reliant people to engage in legitimate trade, to travel and to undertake international financial transactions.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

She said the best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis rests on a negotiated political settlement based on a just, lasting and comprehensive agreement that guarantees the security of Israel and provides for a Palestinian State within internationally recognised borders.

She said that climate change is an existential issue, not a philosophical concept. She said she is mindful of the responsibility to strengthen resilience, but the ability to do so is hindered by new catastrophic events that have caused social dislocation and severe misalignment of economies.  She wondered how small states would be able to mobilise the financing required to build climate resilient frameworks.  She called upon the UN to establish a mechanism to provide support and compensation to vulnerable countries affected by natural hazards.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Mark Anthony Brantley, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis, on September 23, 2017, said that the carnage caused by hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria is unimaginable.

Condemning actions that has led to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, he called upon all countries to respect and honour their solemn commitments under international law.  His country joined the international community in demanding diplomacy and dialogue instead of “sabre rattling and war mongering”.

He condemned the “sterile analysis” of GDP per capita that has been used by international agencies to tell small island developing States that they are now middle- and high-income countries, and therefore locked out of accessing developmental assistance or affordable financing.  It is a travesty and a tragedy for the world community to witness such destruction caused by forces entirely out of the control of Caribbean nations, and then refuse to allow those nations access to the necessary resources to rebuild.  There has to be a more sensible and just model which considers the special vulnerability of small island States.

He stressed that oceans continue to get warmer due to the continued abuse of the planet. Warmer oceans feed and create storms like Irma and Maria.  Now more than ever, the world bear witness to the compelling need to support the call for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and all other actions and behaviours that aggravates the effects of climate change.

Saint Lucia

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Allen Michael Chastanet, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service of Saint Lucia, on September 22, 2017, said multilateral discussions to address inequality are critical.  If states indulge in perpetuating differences, inequity would persist as the driving force in the international system and people would struggle to survive.  The global reality increasingly integrates economies, the environment and people. As such, better policies are needed to promote equity. Inequity pervades every aspect of the global order:  the international community has not agreed on a minimum standard of living, and has failed to maintain basic standards for health care, education, housing, security and economic opportunity. Equity would stem the flow of migration, he said, offer opportunity and dull the drive to crime. It must be the foundation for reforming the UN and he expressed support for the Secretary-General’s reform effort. The international community must harness new ideas and technology, invest in people and focus on outcomes, not bureaucracy.  Discourse must be grounded in common respect and a commitment to deliver, respecting the UN Charter.

He said climate change is reshaping the world.  He expressed sadness over the devastation wrought on the Caribbean by hurricanes, and dismay over the “silence of many and the weak acknowledgement” of others of the crisis itself.  “It has awakened in me the fear that we may be on our own to chart a path forward for our region,” he said. It is impossible to avoid the facts of climate change, the impact of which does not discriminate.  Small island developing states have warned that failure to respond would “betray our children and condemn future generations to future doom”, he said, recalling that Saint Lucia, along with most of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is located in the heart of “hurricane alley”. He welcomed the leadership of France, China and Germany on climate change issues, and asked the global community to remember “we exist in one global ecosystem”.  Nobel laureate Sir Derek Walcott spoke of the sense of responsibility to one’s neighbour, a sentiment that was exemplified by Premier Orlando Smith of the British Virgin Islands when he offered solidarity after Hurricane Maria.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on September 22, 2017, said his country has been honoured to host the 2017 Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization, but the “inconvenient truth” is that the decolonization process remained incomplete, including in West Papua.  Intensified efforts would be essential to realizing full self-government and absolute political equality, he emphasized.  He highlighted the international campaign to secure reparations from the former colonial powers which would assist in development.  He also called for addressing the Dominican Republic’s denial of citizenship for people of Haitian descent during the cholera epidemic caused by United Nations peacekeepers in their country.

He said that threats posed by tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Gulf States and the State of Palestine requires persistent and prioritized diplomacy.  Frustration with the pace of negotiation and mediation should not lead to quick military fixes of political problems, or interpretations of sovereign self-interest that justifys trampling the sovereignty of other states, he stressed.

On improving the UN, he reiterated the need for a reformed Security Council with expanded permanent membership, a special voice for island states and radically revised working methods.  The General Assembly and Economic and Social Council must consider reforms to the international financial architecture, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions. He also called for the legitimate incorporation of Taiwan into the UN; and recognition of the national rights of the Palestinian people.

Turning to armed conflict, he emphasised that human suffering in Syria, Yemen and Myanmar demands greater international attention and action.

Venezuela

He said that it is alarmed by “interventionist” threats against Venezuela’s sovereignty by the US and the Organization of American States.

Cuba

Any threat against Cuba would be an “anachronistic throwback to Cold War posturing without any logical justification.”

He said the death and destruction wrought by the 2017 hurricane season are the very manifestation of climate change, and it is a “bare-faced insult to the intelligence and experience of the peoples of island states and coastal areas to call climate change a hoax.” Small island developing states are the most vulnerable to climate change, yet they contribute least to the emissions that cause it, he pointed out, demanding that those contributing the most emissions should do the most to mitigate its effects and assist others. The global community has come together to craft the Paris Agreement, he said, adding that his country views any attempt to disavow its commitments as an “act of hostility”. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines place climate change at the centre of national development strategies and have implemented many regulations and investments to that end, he said, adding that realising the SDGs would require international cooperation and commitment.

Trinidad and Tobago

Dennis Moses, Minister for Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, on September 22, 2017, said his country joins other Caribbean nations in calling for increased access to development assistance, regardless of income classification.  That would have to include debt relief efforts.  For its part, his country is committed to a 30 per cent decrease in transport-related emissions. Inclusive approaches to development requires the active participation of women, he said, echoing the Secretary-General by saying “Women’s rights are human rights.”  Trinidad and Tobago has recently outlawed child marriage, he added.

Migration, nuclear proliferation and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons are among the greatest destabilizing factors of the time, he said. Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to the Arms Trade Treaty and the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

As a “forefather” of the International Criminal Court, Trinidad and Tobago resolutely supports the Court’s mandate and objective to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most heinous crimes.

Cuba

He reiterated his country’s “unequivocal commitment” for an end to the embargo on Cuba. Sovereign equality of states is a cornerstone of the UN Charter, he said. 

He said the Caribbean region is experiencing the impact of climate change on an “unprecedented scale”.  Rebuilding efforts require the resources and collaboration of the international community. Trinidad and Tobago has mapped its development goals in line with the SDGs, he said. As a small island nation, it is focusing on Goal 14 on ocean conservation and the development of a legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.  Properly managed oceans are central to future prosperity.  Achieving the SDGs would require a more “flexible and tailored” UN development system, and reforming it could help ensure coordinated and cost-effective action.