Each and every one
of us knows that there is an urgent need for the
globalization of responsibility. Each of us knows that
this responsibility demands more than just goodwill.
Each of us knows that the globalization of
responsibility demands the creation of the right
environment to reach these objectives. Every year,
these objectives and measures are repeated at this
General Assembly. Every year, the actions to fulfil
them remain weak.
This is the fifth time I have taken part in the
General Assembly, and I must honestly tell you that I
am very concerned about two things. First, I am very
concerned because national interests prevail over
emergencies that affect us all. These emergencies are
closely linked to common interests. It is in the interest
of all of us to address them together. Second, I am very
concerned about the lack of seriousness. A lot of
promises are made, but not a lot of promises are kept.
Today, we are confronted with two major
challenges that could entail major disasters should we
not take them seriously and act quickly. Those
challenges must be the priority of priorities. The first
concerns climate change. The second is the
development of Africa.
Imagine the impact on all the nations and all the
people represented here if the situation worsens. All of
our national efforts will be ruined by earthquakes,
ecological disasters and social disasters. Climate
change creates and aggravates conflicts. The refugees
and victims of climate change will be the refugees and
victims of wars and poverty. We must act today to save
the earth, or this earth will not be ours anymore.
On the other hand, imagine the impact on all
nations and all people if the current situation improves.
It will strengthen the confidence of nations and
investors. If the world were in ecological balance, and
if it were without poverty, there would be a
considerable impact on political and social conflicts.
The two challenges are bound together. Africa
will have either a positive or a negative impact on the
world climate, with enormous repercussions. Our
actions and our decisions will decide. The world
climate will have either a positive or a negative impact,
with enormous repercussions for the development of
Africa. Again, our decisions and our actions will
decide.
Africa only produces one per cent of the world's
solar energy. In Africa, the possibilities for new and
clean forms of energy and for the reduction of carbon
dioxide are enormous.
Madagascar could provide some of its energy
needs through the development of hydropower.
Additionally, half of the island could be reforested. Our
island, called the Red Island, could once again become
known as the Green Island.
There is a strong link between the quality of the
environment and poverty. Many bushfires are the result
of poverty; the destruction of natural resources
increases poverty. It is necessary to quickly step out of
this vicious cycle. Increased international help will
limit the exploitation of natural resources by poor
farmers.
In Madagascar, we have been planning our
development strategies around the concept of
sustainability for some time now. Our vision is called
“Madagascar, Naturally!” It means that our natural
resources and our people are our wealth. We will
preserve our environment and increase its value by
using it responsibly.
We are actively looking for international
investment, but believe that in the long run this will not
amount to much unless we have domestic investors as
well. We can create added value through our successes
in processing our natural products.
We are convinced that economic growth from the
bottom up is the key to success. The most important
message I gave to the Malagasy people at the
beginning of my second term was the necessity of
decentralization right down to the level of the
fokontany. Originally, the fokontany was the traditional
Malagasy village. We are trying our best to restore the
balance between humans and nature.
This is a different approach; this is a Malagasy
approach; this is an approach that encourages the
Malagasy people to take their future into their own
hands; this is not the approach of the donors. With this
approach we strive to forge a partnership with the
international community.
We have described all of this in detail in the
Madagascar Action Plan. Read it, and you will see that
we are already contributing to meeting the challenges
that I have mentioned. We are committing ourselves to
protecting and cherishing the environment, to healing
the injuries of the past and to ending rampant climate
change.
In the Action Plan we came up with a set of very
ambitious goals. We do what we can, despite our
limited resources; we could do so much more if the
international community helped us more.
We are thankful to the donors who have increased
their financial assistance; however, as a whole, these
efforts have fallen far short of our expectations,
especially if we are to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals. The amount of financial
assistance is not even close to the promise of doubled
aid to Africa. The donors are still far from honouring
the numerous promises made here at the United
Nations. They are far from addressing global
challenges. The international approach to Africa lacks
seriousness.
Aid to Africa is still not a success story for many
members of the international community. On average,
results are poor, but Africa is advancing as a continent —
not everywhere, but in an increasing number of
countries.
Once, Madagascar rated amongst the least
effective countries. Today, we are an effective country.
Our economy has benefited from continuous economic
growth: we had 5 per cent economic growth 5 years
ago, 6 per cent over the last few years and 7 per cent in
2007. Poverty rates are dropping dramatically; in 2002,
80 per cent of our population lived in poverty and last
year this rate stood at 67 per cent.
Aid to Africa is as weak as ever. Africa can
absorb so much more and all countries would benefit
from this. The European Union is a good example of a
lot of aid leading to great benefits for many countries. I
am convinced that Africa could advance much quicker
if the international community and the African
countries could come up with a new plan.
A “Marshall Plan” for Africa — I have suggested
this repeatedly over the years and I am saying it again:
We need a “Marshall Plan” for Africa. A crucial
element to this plan should be a new partnership. I
propose to you an ecological partnership between the
industrialized countries and Africa. Such a partnership
could contribute substantially to finding real solutions
to some of the climate problems through a programme
of investment. Other important features would include
nature conservation and the preservation of our
biodiversity.
I am convinced that Africa could supply clean
energy, medicinal and industrial plants and other
natural products in the future. The world will
eventually need more and more of these.
We feel that sustainable policies that emphasize
protection and added value should be high on our
agenda, and should represent our commitment to the
world. Remember though that such policies will also
benefit our country.
In Madagascar, cyclones destroy a large part of
our harvests every year; they destroy houses; they kill
people. The increase in the number and strength of
those cyclones is hindering the whole process of
development. Higher temperatures are reducing
harvests and our unique biodiversity. They also lead to
more and more harmful inserts and illnesses.
All over Africa, we are already seeing the
consequences of climate change. Droughts and floods
are the causes of increased migration and serious
conflicts. An aggravation of climate change will not
only bring fluxes of devastating waters on all
continents, but also fluxes of refugees and waves of
social conflicts.
In short, the world needs Africa to solve the
problem of climate change, and Africa needs a stable
climate for lasting, sustainable development. To
achieve this globalization of responsibility will require
dedicated leadership. We need leaders who can
mobilize their people and get results — fast results and
big results.
At this time I want to congratulate the new
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. I wish him the best of
success in this very important task. We in Africa look
to the United Nations for dynamic leadership — it is
our hope. May his leadership help us to get results —
the kind of results that bring peace and prosperity to
Africa and to the world.