UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews
Network
/ 10
October 2009 - The following is a Full-Text Statement of the address
by H.E. Tarja Halonen, President of
Finland, delivered
to the United Nations General Assembly last month at UN headquarters in New
York City:
"As
many colleagues have already underlined, the international climate
negotiations are at a crucial stage. The Copenhagen Summit is a real
possibility for change. We need political determination and solidarity to
reach a new climate agreement which is global, effective and fair. The
responsibility lies with all of us - industrial countries and emerging
economies alike - to take the decisions which will so profoundly shape the
future of humankind.
I wish to thank the
Secretary-General for convening a Summit on Climate Change at the beginning of
this year’s General Assembly. We had a good discussion on issues that still
need to be addressed before December. The meeting delivered a clear message
that we are committed to work hard to seal the deal.
A global climate agreement is a
precondition for comprehensive sustainable development. The poorest are the
most vulnerable when struggling with the adverse effects of climate change.
The new agreement must include elements of solidarity and international
support in coping with the needs of adaptation.
Climate change will affect
especially seriously the lives and livelihood of women, but they are also
powerful actors in combating it. We need to ensure their full participation in
the negotiations and in the implementation of the new agreement.
Gender, food production and
climate change are all interlinked. We know that 70 percent of the world’s
poor are women and girls. We also know that the majority of agricultural
labourers are women. If we really want to combat climate change and avoid a
global food crisis, we need to pay close attention to the role of women,
especially in the least developed countries.
While the negative consequences
of climate change are universal, their impact on the Small Island Developing
States and countries with low-lying coastal areas is particularly grave. These
countries are threatened by the rise of the sea level and by extreme weather
conditions. They need particular attention and assistance.
* * *
In September 2000, we committed
ourselves to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and to reach
the Millennium Development Goals. In the 2005, World Summit we reiterated the
pledge. Now, in 2009, we have to demonstrate our resolution to live up to this
commitment also when faced with a contracting world economy.
The solution of the current
financial and economic crisis should be based on the concept of fair
globalization. Our action, while striving at sustainable economic growth, must
address the goal of decent work for all. It is essential that we keep our
commitments to development in spite of our budget constraints.
In the world economy, the
tectonic plates are in motion and new actors are emerging. We need to develop
a new global consensus on business ethics, integrity and sustainable economic
growth. We must work together so that trust in international financial
institutions can be reestablished.
Let us make them more
transparent, accountable and sustainable.
I sincerely hope that the G20
Pittsburgh Summit will agree on further measures for a global recovery. But we
should make full use of the United Nations to promote inclusive and equitable
cooperation on issues which are truly global.
* * *
While climate change and the
global economic downturn causes problems in many parts of the world, Africa is
the continent that suffers the most. The international community must remain
attentive to Africa's needs.
But I am glad to note that also
positive developments have taken place in Africa. During this decade, the
number of conflicts in Africa has decreased. The African Union is committed to
strengthening the organisation's capacity in conflict prevention. Finland is
contributing to this important endeavour by supporting the build-up of the
peace mediation structures of the African Union.
It would be great if we could
concentrate solely on development issues, but our agenda must include finding
solutions to current conflicts.
The latest developments in the
Middle East Peace Process give reason to careful optimism. It seems that the
parties are willing to take some steps. Countries outside the region are
committed to supporting these efforts. It is my belief that with this
broadening consensus we can activate the peace process soon.
* * *
Finland values highly the UN
Charter and the central role given to the Security Council. We actively
participate in the efforts to make this body more representative and
efficient. Finland is a candidate to become a non-permanent member of the
Security Council in 2013-14. At the same time, we hope that progress on the
Council's reform could be made already during this General Assembly.
Security Council Resolutions
1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security were important achievements. Their
implementation in all countries and in all situations is urgently needed.
The International Colloquium on
Women's Empowerment, Leadership, Development, International Peace and
Security, held last March in Monrovia, adopted a Call to Action on Resolution
1325, and a Call for Action on Gender and Climate Change. As a follow-up to
the Colloquium, Finland and Liberia convened a side-event today here at the
UN. The event, titled "Peace and Security through Women's Leadership:
Acting on 1325 and Climate Change" focused on strengthening partnerships
in implementing Resolution 1325 and integrating gender aspects in the new
climate agreement.
Resolution 1820 strongly
condemns sexual violence in conflicts. We must treat systematic rape as a
forbidden weapon of war. Victims of rape and sexual abuse must have access to
legal processes while the rapists are prosecuted and condemned.
Appointment of a Special
Representative of the Secretary-General on Women and Armed Conflict would in
our view enhance the implementation of Resolutions 1325 and 1820. We hope that
all member states will support this proposal. I want to thank
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for bringing up the question of violence against
women in his opening address at the General Assembly yesterday.
In conflict situations, the
civilian population needs protection. At the UN World Summit in 2005, the
"Responsibility to Protect" was accepted as a general principle
applying to genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war
crimes. Further efforts are urgently needed to save civilians from the
violence, and we welcome the active role of the Secretary-General in reminding
us of this important commitment.
* * *
This morning, the Security
Council had a debate on nuclear security issues. I am pleased that disarmament
is strongly returning to the international agenda. I sincerely hope that this
will lead to real progress.
We have to try to find things
that unite us – and not things that divide us - if we want to be midwives of
the future and not guardians of the past. Finally, I would like to underline
that lasting peace can only be built through open dialogue between cultural
and religious communities, in our countries and worldwide. Finland supports
all the initiatives, such as the Alliance of Civilisations, in stimulating
intercultural communication. I wish these efforts best success in promoting
mutual understanding and peace and promise that Finland will continue tobe
engaged.
~~~~~
