At the outset, I would like
to congratulate the President on his assumption of the
high office of President of the General Assembly at its
sixty-second session. I would also like to convey
Myanmar’s appreciation to his predecessor, Her
Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, for her
able stewardship of the previous session. The annual
report of the Secretary-General reflects the significant
work done in the past year by the United Nations in
meeting the challenges we face. We congratulate
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his successful first
year in office and welcome his timely initiative with
regard to such pressing global issues as climate change.
The High-level Event on Climate Change has reignited
the international community’s interest in climate
change, and rightly so. Climate change remains the
most critical challenge that the international
community faces today. The adverse effects of climate
change, such as sea-level rise, hurricanes, floods,
drought and desertification, particularly in recent
years, are a stark reminder of the negative impact that
climate change has on the long-term economic and
social development of the global community,
particularly the developing countries.
To address the adverse impacts of climate change,
we need concerted action at the national, regional and
international levels. We need to be mindful that climate
change is not merely an environmental issue, but also a
sustainable development issue. Accordingly, an
integrated and coordinated approach is required. For its
part, Myanmar is pursuing a national environmental
policy based on the sustainable utilization of natural
resources. In 1991, we adopted the Myanmar Agenda
21, which serves as an important guideline for both the
public and private sectors.
Myanmar also pursues a system of sustainable
forest management. We have implemented a
nationwide programme of afforestation and
reforestation. As a result, we have been able to retain a
forest cover of 50 per cent in the country. Myanmar
was among the 12 nations that took part in the Asia
Least-cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy in
cooperation with the Asian Development Bank. The
inventory of greenhouse gas emissions taken under the
Strategy confirms that Myanmar is more of a sink than
a source of carbon dioxide emissions. The baseline
projection of the 2020 national greenhouse inventory
also shows that the forestry sector will continue to be a
significant sink in Myanmar in the future.
The economic activities undertaken by developed
countries, both historically and currently, are mainly
responsible for the emissions of greenhouse gases that
affect the global climate system. The developing
countries, which are least responsible for contributing
to climate change, face the greatest risk from its
adverse impacts. Addressing the challenge of climate
change requires an integrated approach to economic
growth, social development and environmental
protection. Concerted action must be taken within the
framework of the internationally agreed United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and its
Kyoto Protocol, based on the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities. It will require developed
countries to provide new and additional financial
resources to developing countries and to fulfil the
commitments made at various international
conferences.
The impact of climate change is particularly felt
in developing countries and has adversely affected
national development prospects. In order to effectively
meet the challenge of climate change, we would also
have to address poverty alleviation; then and only then
would the developing countries be able to achieve
internationally agreed development goals, including
the Millennium Development Goals. It is, therefore,
incumbent on the developed countries, whose
development process rely heavily on the natural
resource acquired from the developing countries, to
provide the necessary financial resource.
Underdevelopment and mass deprivations lead to
economic, political and social hardships in developing
countries. Development provides an environment
conducive to democracy. I would like to call upon the
entire international community to work together for
poverty alleviation.
The scourge of terrorism knows no boundaries.
Combating terrorism is the common endeavour of the
entire international community. I would like to stress
here that terrorism in any form or manifestation must
be rejected. It is the innocent people who bear the
brunt of terrorist activities. To combat terrorism
effectively, we also must address its root causes.
Poverty, grievances and underlying political, economic
and social conditions provide fertile ground for the
spread of terrorism. These root causes of terrorism
must be addressed.
Friendly relations among nations should be based
on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-
determination. Countries should show goodwill,
practice tolerance and live together in peace and
harmony. Nations have various historical backgrounds,
differing cultures, and different religions and customs.
Nations are not identical. However, respecting those
basic principles and practicing friendship and goodwill
will effectively contribute to our common endeavour to
combat terrorism.
Today, the world is facing diverse problems and
daunting challenges. The United Nations, which
represents the world community, is called upon to
resolve them. Our Organization was formed in order to
maintain international peace and security, develop
friendly relations among nations and promote
cooperation in solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character. In
order to effectively address the full range of
challenges, the reform of the United Nations, as called
for by our leaders in the World Summit Outcome, must
be successfully implemented.
I am confident, Mr. President, that under your
able leadership we will make significant progress in
the United Nations reform process, taking into
consideration the position of the vast majority of the
membership.
We are greatly disturbed to witness
neocolonialism rearing its ugly head in recent years.
The strategies employed are obvious. As a first step,
the neocolonialists conduct media campaigns against
the targeted country and spread disinformation that the
country concerned is committing gross human rights
violations. They portray these campaigns as a fight for
democracy. Secondly, they impose sanctions, which
hinder economic development and cause poverty
among the people. Here I would like to stress that
economic sanctions are counterproductive and can only
delay the path to democracy. As a third step, they
provide political, financial and other material support
in order to create unrest in the country. Finally, under
the pretext that a country is undemocratic and unstable
and that it poses a threat to international peace and
security, they intervene directly and invade the country.
Current events clearly show that such a course of
action can only result in conflict and untold suffering
for the people of the country.
My country is currently subjected to such courses
of action. The international community should also be
wary of those neocolonialist attempts. Here it must be
stressed that the destiny of each and every country can
only be determined by its Government and its own
people. It cannot be imposed from outside. On our part,
we are determined to proceed resolutely towards
democracy along our chosen path.
In the life of every nation, there are times when it
must face challenging situations and overcome them.
Myanmar has gone through such a challenge recently.
The situation would not have deteriorated, if the initial
protest of a small group of activists against the rise in
fuel prices had not been exploited by political
opportunists. They sought to turn the situation into a
political showdown, aided and abetted by certain
powerful countries. They also took advantage of
protests staged initially by a small group of Buddhist
clergy demanding an apology for the maltreatment of
monks by local authorities. The security personnel
exercised the utmost restraint and did not intervene for
nearly a month. However, when the mob became
unruly and provocative, they were compelled to declare
a curfew. Subsequently, when protestors ignored their
warnings, they had to take action to restore the
situation. Normalcy has now returned to Myanmar.
The rule of law is a fundamental principle
accepted by nations. Without it there can be neither the
orderly conduct of the day-to-day affairs of State nor
the enjoyment of human rights and democracy by the
people.
Myanmar is a multi-ethnic and multireligious
society. It is home to over 100 national races who have
lived together in weal or woe over the centuries.
National unity is of paramount importance to us. We
have, therefore, been striving to strengthen the fabric
of our nation. In keeping with the aspirations of the
people for democratization, a seven-step road map was
declared, and a national convention was held to lay
down the principles for a new constitution. Work was
concluded on 3 September 2007, adopting by
consensus the fundamental principles for the new
constitution. Based on these principles, a draft
constitution will be drawn up by legal experts. All the
remaining steps will be implemented phase by phase.
This process is applauded by the people. To date,
people in 11 townships have convened rallies in
support of the successful conclusion of the national
convention. Townships all over the country are
expected to hold similar rallies.
Recent events make clear that there are elements
within and outside the country that wish to de-rail the
ongoing process so that they can take advantage of the
chaos that would follow. They have become more and
more emboldened and have stepped up their campaign
to confront the Government.
The Myanmar Government is fully aware of its
responsibility to lead the nation in the process of
transformation to a disciplined democracy. We have
laid out a road map and will work conscientiously to
achieve our goals. Significant progress has already
been made. The process can be successfully completed,
sooner rather than later, if no obstacles are placed in
our path. In this regard, the international community
can best help Myanmar by showing greater
understanding. They can begin by refraining from
measures which would result in adding fuel to the fire.
One area where the international community can
demonstrate good faith and objectivity is to
acknowledge the good work done in Myanmar in
combating the scourge of narcotic drugs. As a result of
our efforts to rid our country of those drugs by the year
2014, the production of opium has plummeted to
unprecedented levels. In the World Drug Report 2006,
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported
that in 2005 the total area under opium poppy
cultivation showed a decrease of 26 per cent when
compared to that of 2004. The World Drug Report 2007
confirms that in 2006 the total area under opium poppy
cultivation was approximately 21,500 hectares,
representing a decrease of 34 per cent compared to
2005. Here, I would like to stress that in terms of
opium production, the decline is 88 per cent over a
span of eight years, declining from 2,560 tons to an
estimated 292 tons.
Myanmar regards the eradication of narcotic
drugs as a national priority. We have enhanced our
enforcement capacity and have been providing
alternative livelihoods to farmers to encourage them to
end their dependence on opium poppy cultivation. We
are also taking effective measures with regard to the
emerging threat posed by methamphetamine-type
stimulant drugs. Myanmar neither produces nor
imports the precursor chemicals required for the
production of those drugs.
Cooperation with the United Nations is a
cornerstone of Myanmar’s foreign policy. It is in this
spirit that we continue to cooperate with the Secretary-
General with regard to his good offices role mandated
by the General Assembly. We have agreed to the visit
of his Special Adviser, Under-Secretary-General
Ibrahim Gambari, who is presently in my country. We
will continue to work closely and cooperate actively
with the United Nations.