What and where
is global power? I say that global power is here in this
Hall, and it is ours if our countries work as one. That is
the great promise of the General Assembly. The times
demand that we exercise that power now and to the full.
In my region, the challenges have grown significantly
since I spoke here last year (see A/68/PV.5). Those
who say “This is not our business” are wrong. The
security of every nation will be shaped by the fate of
the Middle East. Together, we can and must undertake
urgent humanitarian and security measures, create
durable solutions for today’s crises and provide new
opportunities for dialogue, reconciliation, prosperity
and peace.
The terrorists and criminals targeting Syria, Iraq
and other countries today are extreme reflections of
a global threat. Our international community needs a
collective strategy to contain and to defeat those groups.
My country is at the forefront of that effort. We are
leading a number of initiatives to counter extremism.
As the representative of the Asia-Pacific bloc on the
Security Council, we seek a strong outcome of the
Security Council summit on threats to international
peace and security caused by terrorist acts, to be
chaired by President Obama this afternoon.
Another critical global focus must be a decisive
affirmation of mutual respect within and among
religions and peoples. The teachings of true Islam
are clear: sectarian conflict and strife are utterly
condemned. Islam prohibits violence against Christians
and the other communities that make up each country.
Let me say once again that Arab Christians are an
integral part of my region’s past, present and future.
I call on Muslim and other leaders to work together
against falsehoods and divisive actions.
Jordan is honoured to have spearheaded global
interfaith and intrareligious initiatives. Building on
that, Jordan will introduce a draft resolution covering
the general proposal that a new international offence,
falling under the crimes of genocide and crimes against
humanity, be considered on the basis of the aberrant
new crimes against religious communities seen recently
in Syria and in Iraq.
Together, let us also address the conditions that
extremists exploit. Radicalization thrives on injustice,
insecurity and marginalization. The Assembly’s
transformative development agenda can give the
world’s people a better way forward through concrete
programmes and investments that will change lives.
We must also work actively for consensus-driven
political solutions to regional crises. The security
situation in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon must be addressed
comprehensively. Jordan supports a united and stable
Iraq with an inclusive national political process. In
Syria, there must be a political solution based on
reforms that give all communities a role in rebuilding
their country. International influence is vital to bring
the moderate opposition and the regime back to the
negotiating table immediately.
The heavy flow of Syrian refugees continues. My
country is sheltering nearly 1.4 million Syrians. We
are now host to the world’s third-largest number of
refugees, and that is placing an overwhelming burden
on Jordan’s people, infrastructure and already limited
resources. The refugee crisis is a recognized global
responsibility and demands a global solution. To date,
the response has not kept pace with the real needs.
There must be a concerted effort to get humanitarian
assistance flowing inside Syria and to support host
countries and communities, including Jordan.
We cannot address the future of my region without
addressing its central conflict: the denial of Palestinian
rights and statehood. This year, yet again, we have
seen a dangerous halt in the progress towards peace
and a Palestinian State. Instead, in Gaza, we have seen
another violent detour into conflict. How shall we heal
the families who have lost so much? How shall we offer
hope to young people whose futures are at risk? A first
imperative step is to mobilize international efforts to
rebuild Gaza. As we do so, we must also marshal the
united global response needed to achieve a once-and-
for-all lasting settlement. Such action can create the
environment necessary to relaunch the final status
negotiations on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative.
That approach offers a clear path — the only
path — to a comprehensive settlement based on the
two-State solution, international legitimacy and the
terms of reference. For Israel, it offers security and
normal diplomatic and economic relations with Arab
and Muslim States and, for Palestinians, a viable and
independent sovereign State, within the 1967 lines,
with East Jerusalem as its capital. Unilateral actions
that seek to pre-empt negotiations must end. Jordan
strongly opposes threats to the Arab, Muslim and
Christian identity of Jerusalem. As the Hashemite
custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian Holy
Sites, I will continue to oppose any violation of the
sanctity of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The people of Palestine seek what all humans
seek. It is the common cause of the General Assembly:
justice, dignity, opportunity and hope. That is our
global responsibility. It is in our global power, and we
must make it our global reality. Jordan stands ready to
do its part.