For more than 20 years we
have been talking about rising atmospheric
temperatures, the depletion of the ozone layer, rising
sea levels and the impending inundation of low-lying
coastal areas. Now that the climate change debate has
finally become the rage, those of us who see the
change and worry about the inevitable must
unfortunately still contend with entrenched special
interests who, despite the overwhelming evidence now
available, continue to argue otherwise.
We are focusing our general debate on climate
change, and it is the hope of my delegation that this
will lead to more decisive action by all Member States
so that we can begin to make the changes we believe
are necessary for us to reverse the trends which so far
continue to lead us down a destructive path.
We already agree that negotiations on action to
tackle climate change should be conducted within the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change. We subscribe to the principle that each of us
has a role to play. Those who are the largest polluters
must reverse these trends. Those who are not among
the largest polluters must take the necessary measures
aimed at mitigation, as well as adaptation methods, to
help in reversing those trends.
Developed countries must recognize the special
needs of the most vulnerable, in order to support our
efforts towards sustainable development and to assist
us to make our communities more adaptable to change.
We must develop the capacity to take action. We must
adopt more sustainable practices. For that to occur we
must take specific action to limit greenhouse gas
emissions. It is not enough to say that we will reduce
harmful emissions. We have been saying that since
Rio; we must do it.
The European Union commitment on climate
change is important politically, but we need to move
beyond symbolism to action. Other developed
countries and regions, as well as emerging economies,
must take substantial steps towards mitigation and
develop and share the technologies which result in
low-carbon or no-carbon economies.
In Belize, the symbiosis between our ecology and
our economy is evident. Agricultural production,
fishing, mineral extraction and hydrocarbon
exploration as well as tourism are all subject to the
caprices of the climate. Must we also be subjected to
an uneven playing field in the arena of international
trade, which is fast reaching the crisis level? To mix
metaphors, sometimes a rising tide can swamp
vulnerable boats.
The international community must keep
development in perspective in the current climate
change debate, since, as has been said before,
economic development better enables countries to
tackle climate change. Our focus on the urgency of the
current situation should not, however, detract from the
equally urgent if not dire situation of the development
agenda, resulting from complex factors including
climate change and the failure of the international
economic system to reinvent itself.
At the heart of the crisis is a fundamental distrust,
and no place is this more evident than in the Doha
Development Round. Doha doled out harsh
consequences for developing countries, particularly
those that are commodity and preference dependent.
We ask the question: Is there is a serious commitment
to the survival of the multilateral trading system? If the
answer is no, we can expect to see even more bilateral
and regional arrangements, resulting in a movement
away from the idea that together we are better at
solving our common problems.
The discussions on climate change and the larger
development debate exhibit the need for an effective,
legitimate multilateral system that is fair and balanced
and that operates in a transparent and inclusive manner.
Responsible leadership that adheres to the basic
principles of justice and the rule of law is even more
critical to achieving that system and maintaining its
integrity.
It is in this spirit of respect for law and justice
and of the desire for equity and for the preservation of
human rights that we continue to struggle with the
decision of this body to exclude any true debate over
the inclusion of the right of the 23 million people of
Taiwan to representation in this institution. The desire
of the people of Taiwan is not only to take part in the
deliberations of this institution but, indeed, to be
engaged on the critical issues facing the international
community. We remain steadfast in our support for
their aspirations and will continue to advocate for their
representation, as well as that of the Saharawi people,
who lack a voice in our United Nations.
We continue to monitor the situation in the
Middle East with great concern. The question of
Palestine remains the crux of the conflicts in the
region. In that regard, it is high time that we realized
the vision of two States, Palestine and Israel, living
side by side in peace and security. We join those who
expect that the international meeting to be held in the
near future will yield results substantial enough to
translate that vision into reality.
The United Nations remains the key institution to
facilitate cooperation and build global solidarity to
solve our pressing economic, social and political
problems. Its effectiveness has been challenged. The
United Nations and its Member States have responded
to this challenge by embarking on a comprehensive
reform process to overhaul the system and to ensure
that it is better equipped to meet contemporary global
demands.
We applaud reform that has been achieved in
peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian
assistance and encourage the United Nations to
monitor these developments for their effectiveness and
their compliance with their mandates and with the
Charter of the United Nations. Belize continues to
support comprehensive reform of the Security Council.
In particular, we agree with other Member States which
have called for a more results-oriented debate during
the sixty-second session.
Building trust requires a return to basics. To
advance development, we must return to the basic
principle of equity. In international peace and security,
we must return to the basic principles of the United
Nations Charter and the rule of law.
In the matter of climate change, that greatest
challenge to our civilization, we must look to science
to make those arguments which will diminish the
sceptics. And we must return to the basic principles
enshrined in the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change.
Let us give meaning to the moment. Let us get to
work.