Thirteen years have passed since the adoption of
the Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2), and
the established deadline to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals is rapidly approaching. The world
has changed since then, and we anticipate that, in the
next 15 years, it will change a great deal more.
In that context, the main theme of the general
debate, “The post-2015 development agenda: setting the
stage”, is obviously very appropriate and relevant. We
are convinced that the new development agenda will
provide a clear vision for our post-2015 development. It
should be formulated in the best spirit of the Millennium
Development Goals, with special attention to the issues
of poverty eradication, education and health care, the
economy and employment, governance, agriculture and
food availability, energy, peace and security.
The need for a common agenda is unquestionable.
All countries must enthusiastically embark on the path
of sustainable development. The global challenges can
be effectively met if they are included as core priorities
in each country’s development strategy.
Kyrgyzstan has done its part. That is reflected
in the national sustainable development strategy of
the Kyrgyz Republic for 2013-2017, which identifies
five-year targets and plans for a transition to sustainable
development, culminating in 2017. Our vision is to
form a stable country where human rights, freedom and
security are guaranteed, where a multi-ethnic society
is governed with equal adherence to the rule of law,
and where all prerequisites for sustainable economic
growth and a decent standard of life are the norm. The
tasks ahead are complex, and we believe they should be
addressed in partnership with the United Nations and
the international community.
The main strategic resource for the green economic
growth of Kyrgyzstan is water. The role of water has
increased significantly due to the major challenge of
sustainable development posed by global climate change,
which is already affecting our region negatively. Most
importantly with regard to the state of water resources,
Kyrgyzstan’s glaciers have shrunk by 30 per cent as
a result of global warming. According to preliminary
expert forecasts, unless urgent measures are taken
there will be practically no glaciers or snowfields on
the country’s territory by the year 2100. Those melting
waters are the primary source of the rivers of Central
Asia.
This ongoing negative trend may well lead to a
substantial reduction of river flow in Kyrgyzstan,
and consequently to social and economic tensions in
the region as a whole. We must pursue our work in
the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The relevant
international financial and ecological organizations
must continue to assist the countries of Central Asia in
addressing the problem. That is particularly important
in the transition to a sustainable use of both water and
natural ecosystems resources.
The development of hydro-energy is strategically
important to the sustainable socioeconomic development
of the region. We are convinced that it would contribute
to an integrated solution of many current and future
challenges. We believe that the construction of large
hydroelectric power facilities should be considered one
path to clean development. Harnessing the hydropower
potential of the upstream countries should be considered
part of low-carbon development, and developing water
resources should be considered the core model for
green development in the economic progress of the
region. We are ready to participate in an exchange of
best practices in water management, water use and the
construction of irrigation systems.
More than 90 per cent of Kyrgyzstan is located in
mountainous areas, which play an important role in the
accumulation of water. In that regard, we support the
further promotion of the developmental goals of the
mountain regions, in accordance with the decisions
taken at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development. I am confident that a draft resolution on
the issue, to be submitted to the General Assembly at
this session with the co-sponsorship of Kyrgyzstan,
will enjoy the support of all United Nations Members.
Some mountainous landlocked countries have
special needs for development. High levels of poverty,
isolation, the burden of transportation costs and a heavy
debt are among the basic range of problems that many
mountainous countries face. In such conditions, it is
difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
and to meet the commitments set out in United Nations
documents on sustainable development. We hope that
the special needs, problems and challenges of mountain
countries and communities will be properly reflected in
the post-2015 development programme.
It is well known that mountain ranges provide
valuable ecosystem services and serve as important
indicator of environmental health and a support system
for the snow leopard, a rare and endangered highland
animal. In that regard, Kyrgyzstan is developing a
10-year national protection strategy. We invite everyone
to the world forum on the snow leopard to be held on
22 and 23 October in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The rehabilitation and security of uranium tailings,
which today total more than 8 million cubic metres
on our territory, is very important in Kyrgyzstan. The
situation is aggravated by the fact that most are located
in seismically active mudflow and flood-prone areas
with high groundwater levels, as well near the banks
of rivers that form the basis of the Central Asian water
supply. The potential consequences of ineffective
solutions would have a very negative impact on millions
of people in Central Asia.
In order to raise the international community’s
awareness of the problem and to attract additional
assistance towards its solution, at this session the
Kyrgyz delegation will introduce a draft resolution
under agenda item 19 (j), “The role of the international
community in the prevention of the radiation threat in
Central Asia”. We call on members to support the draft
resolution.
It is well known that development and security are
closely interrelated. Unfortunately, the maintenance of
security and stability and the fight against international
terrorism, religious extremism, and illicit drug and
arms trafficking and trade remain on the development
agenda of Kyrgyzstan and our region. Those issues are
most acute in our region because of the current situation
in Afghanistan.
Despite some progress in the political process in
Afghanistan, the stability and security of the country
remain at risk. Furthermore, the Afghan drug-
production trade, being the largest in the world, is
generating a whole range of threats and destabilizing
both the political and military situation in Eurasia.
Those problems are more critical and significant in
our region than ever before, especially in view of the
upcoming withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in
2014.
Kyrgyzstan, in accordance with its commitments,
has fully complied with its mission in counter-terrorism
operations in Afghanistan. Over the past 12 years,
Kyrgyzstan has provided an important channel for
the supply of military and humanitarian goods to
Afghanistan through the transit centre at Manas
International Airport. We believe that the international
community’s efforts have contributed to the relative
stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan and helped
the Afghan authorities to assume their leadership role
and responsibility in the fields of public administration
and development. We are determined to continue our
strategic dialogue with partners on all issues of mutual
interest. We believe that in the fight against terrorism,
drug trafficking and other security challenges stemming
from Afghanistan, regional organizations have proved
their effectiveness and should be even more involved. I
am talking here in particular of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization. Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship of those
international and regional organizations this year has
once again confirmed the need to have comprehensive
measures in place to stabilize the situation as soon as
possible, both in Afghanistan and in the region as a
whole.
Along with other measures to combat security
challenges and threats, it is necessary to pursue a policy
of industrialization aimed at building a sustainable
Afghan economy in order to achieve socioeconomic
growth in the country. It is also important to involve
Afghanistan in the development of regional cooperation
and the implementation of major joint socioeconomic
and infrastructural projects such as the export of
electricity and the building of roads and railroad
networks.
In that respect, Kyrgyzstan stands ready to expand
its trade and economic relations and to implement
various infrastructural projects, including the export
of electricity to Afghanistan as part of the CASA-1000
project and the establishment of a tripartite — Kyrgyzstan-
Tajikistan-Afghanistan — agro-industrial consortium,
with the assistance of the United Nations.
Today we must take a fundamentally new approach
to solving Afghanistan’s problems, based on a new
philosophy and paradigm of social development: the
right to development.
I should like to take this opportunity to invite
representatives of Government and academia to
take part in the international research conference on
“Afghanistan — 2014”, to be held on 10 October 2013
in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.
We are following developments in the Arab world
with special attention. The continuing two-year armed
conflict in Syria is of great concern. Kyrgyzstan
expresses its serious concern about the numerous
victims of the armed conflict, the humanitarian disaster
it represents and the further escalation of the crisis. We
call upon both sides to immediately call a ceasefire
and resolve the crisis peacefully through a dialogue
between all political forces of the country under the
mediation of the United Nations.
We support the initiative of the transfer of Syrian
chemical weapons and their subsequent destruction,
under international supervision, and Syria’s accession to
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons
and on Their Destruction. We wish to see the restoration
of stability in the country and the preservation of the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, without
external military interference.
The changes occurring in the modern world and
its increasing diversity require the strengthening of the
United Nations so as to ensure that it continues to play its
central role of ensuring global security and the effective
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
That can be achieved through reforming the United
Nations, which should be done in accordance with the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and on the basis of a broad consensus on the
part of States Members of the United Nations.
We believe that all States Members of the United
Nations should strictly comply with the decisions of
the Security Council; we are in favour of expanding its
membership in order to make it more representative,
transparent and democratic.
We attach particular importance to the work of the
Economic and Social Council. Kyrgyzstan therefore
welcomed the adoption last week of resolution 68/1, on
strengthening the role and enhancing the effectiveness
of the work of the Council. We hope that a strengthened
Council will become an effective mechanism for the
implementation of the post-2015 development agenda
and continue to serve as an important platform for
multilateral political dialogue on global social and
economic issues.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the need
to move forward firmly and resolutely by means of joint
efforts and a common resolve on the part of all countries
in order to overcome threats and challenges, maintain
peace and well-being and promote development for
future generations. Kyrgyzstan is fully prepared to
engage in such constructive and effective international
cooperation.