Suriname

− President of the General Assembly, − Secretary-General of the United Nations, − Excellencies, − Heads of Delegations, − Ladies and Gentlemen, • Mr. President, this General Assembly, is of historic significance, as we embark, • on a process, of recalibrating, international relations, and establishing, a more effective, multilateral framework. • I therefore, extend, my heartfelt congratulations, to you, Mr. President, • on your election, to preside, over this esteemed body, and allow me, to congratulate, • the outgoing chair, of Trinidad and Tobago, on a job well done, under difficult circumstances. Mr. President, this organization, was founded, after two, devastating world wars. • Its original purpose, remains relevant today, to save current, and future generations, • from the, disastrous consequences, of wars, and armed conflicts, and foster peace, and political stability, for sustained, prosperity for all. • We, however, observe instead, that the world is marked, by a complex, political and security crisis, • weakening, our global, multilateral framework, of collective solidarity; international law; and respect, for humanitarian law. • The conflicts, that divide us, are not isolated incidents. • They are symptoms, of deeper, systemic challenges; rising inequality; environmental degradation; and the breakdown, of global trust. The time has come, to dare, to make bold decisions, revisit, our global, governance architecture, • and to recommit, to the original goals, of the United Nations. • Mr. President, • with statistics, showing that countries, are off track, on the 2030 Agenda, for Sustainable Development, • while projections, estimate, that almost 600 million people, will continue to live, in extreme poverty in 2030, • it is incumbent on us, to close the gap, between aspiration, and financing. • I wish to emphasize, the urgent need, for accelerated reforms, and coordination, within, the international financial architecture, • especially the international financial institutions. The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), offers a comprehensive, and inclusive framework, that goes, beyond traditional metrics, • to capture, the true complexity, of the vulnerabilities, of small island developing, and low-lying coastal states. • We urge, that the MVI, is embedded, in the operations, of the international, financial institutions, • Especially, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. • Apart from the MVI, we see other, financial obstacles in place, that have a major, negative impact, on our ability, to generate development. • Especially, de-risking measures, of international banks which, • are based, on general assessments, and do not consider the countries reality and, the severe impact, on development objectives of the country. This, must be addressed head on, if we want, to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. • Suriname can attest, to the importance, and urgent need, to reform, the global financial, and political system, • and to build greater trust, in the multilateral system. • Because of our ranking, we were not eligible, for several, global financial instruments, to the detriment, of my people. • Since taking office, in July 2020, my government has successfully, started a policy, of financial-economic reforms, • Including, restructuring the debt portfolio, supported, by an IMF program, and international, financial institutions. • The impact, of the various crises, and national efforts, to reform the economy, • has not been easy, for the population, but we are, on the road, to recovery now, macroeconomic stability, has been achieved. • We established, a social safety net, and increased several, social benefits, • all meant, to make sure, that we did not forget, or excluded, that part of our population, from restoring, a healthier economy. • Mr. President, 2024 statistics, reveal that progress, in the area, of climate action, is inadequate, • with global, greenhouse gas emissions, still rising, despite the need, for reductions. • Climate action, can no longer, be postponed, nor ignored. • Soon we will meet, in Azerbaijan for COP 29. • Will we, be repeating ourselves, with empty promises, and pledges? Or will we, take decisive action, to save this planet, from extinction. • Mr. President, Suriname is committed, to the Paris Agreement. • Suriname has also, submitted ambitious, nationally determined, contributions, • and has recently, started the process, of carbon credit trading. • Suriname aims, to remain, a carbon negative country, with a high level, of biodiversity, and more than, 90% forest coverage. • With this conscious choice, to limit deforestation, we sacrifice, economic development, for our people. • For this we are not compensated, while everyone, benefits, from our decision. • Carbon negative, and carbon neutral countries, must be supported, for maintaining that status. We are in favor, of a just transition, to a carbon-less economy, over the coming decades, • but we also expect, to be allowed, to develop, our natural resources, • in an environmentally, friendly and balanced manner, in compliance, with international standards, and practices. • In fact, we have already, embarked, on such a development path, • by introducing, more renewables, to our energy grid, utilizing, technological innovations, • to reduce, our carbon footprint, even further. • Suriname delegates has had, over the past, hundred years, industrial production of bauxite, • onshore oil, gold, as well, as agricultural production. • Despite these activities, Suriname is among, the three carbon, negative countries in the world. • At the same time, Suriname is among, the seven most, vulnerable countries, with respect, to the effects, of rising sea levels. • Mr. President, • not only, have the international pledges, for climate financing, not materialized, in the way pledged, • but access, to the available resources, is an enormous challenge. • Simplification, of the application, and appraisal procedures, • must be put, in place, to have the required impact, at a local level. • Regretfully, we also observe, that a large part, of these funds, finds their way, in time consuming and expensive studies, consultancies, and advisory services. • In the meantime, the situation on the ground, in the affected regions, and countries, is deteriorating. • Often, the requested assistance, comes too late. • Mr. President, to transform, the well-being, of our communities, • we must embrace, diversity, and work, toward social justice, and inclusion. • That is, what responsible leaders, do. • Making sure, no one, is left out, or excluded. • We must practice, what we preach! • Mr. President, while the humanitarian, and security situation, in the Republic of Haiti, remains of concern, • we are pleased, to note that, also through leadership, of the Caribbean Community, a road map, towards free, and fair elections, has been initiated and, a transition government, with a clear mandate, has been installed. • We cannot leave Haiti, and its people, alone and behind. • Haiti fatigue, is not an option. • We urge, the international community, to financially, and technically, supporting Haiti, on its path forward. • Suriname will contribute, to the MSS, with security personnel, and remains committed, to assist, in whatever, way we can. • We urge, and call, for a more effective, coordinated and coherence approach, • and the transparent sharing, of information, regarding the different initiatives, to serve more effectively, the objectives, • of facilitating peace, security, and prosperity in Haiti, and the Haitian People. • Leaving no one behind, should also include, lifting the longstanding, economic embargo, against Cuba and its people. • Adopting, the Pact of the Future, represents an opportunity, to redirect, a new path, for humanity, • to address, current challenges, while laying the groundwork, for sustainable solutions. • We need to foster, collaboration, and strengthen partnerships, • to address, the long-term global issues, as climate change, social inequality, • and access, to affordable health care, and quality education for all. Small nations, need the support, for digital transformation, • providing the tools, and capacity-building initiatives, needed, to fully integrate, into the global, digital economy. • We must, Mr. President, utilize technology, in a positive, and constructive manner, to facilitate, financial inclusion for all, • access to general education, and skills training, but also, to tele-medicine and treatment, • as well, as instant Government services. • Mr. President, 2024 marks, the fifth time, for me, to address, the General Assembly. • In 2020, I made, my maiden address virtually, through the optimal use, of modern technology. • At that time, I remarked, that multilateralism, came under attack, on several occasions. • And four years onwards, we still have, a long way to go. • We must work, collectively, and with a sense, of urgency, and positive attitude, • Towards, a renewed commitment, to a multilateral framework, that is more inclusive, more equitable, more accountable, • with the ultimate goal, to create a better, safer, and more productive planet, for our people now, and in the future. • In conclusion, Mr. President, the theme, “Leave no one behind”, is a call to action, but is also, a challenge. • For smaller countries, like Suriname, the global system, often continues exclusion, sometimes in new version and style. As we continue, our renewed commitment, to building, • a more just, inclusive, and equitable international system, where accountability is important. • Together, we must ensure, that no nation, no community, and no individual, no women and no children is excluded, or left behind, • from the promise, of peace, prosperity and dignity. • Let’s live up, to the spirit, of “one for all, and all for one”. • I thank you, may God bless you! ***