I thank the President for
raising for discussion at this year’s general debate
a very pertinent subject, namely, “The post-2015
development agenda: setting the stage”. Shaping our
planet’s future after 2015 is indeed a crucial task ahead
of us, as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described
very impressively in his presentation this morning (see
A/68/PV.5). While we remain fully committed to the
full implementation of the Millennium Development
Goals, the post-2015 agenda has started.
One idea that has caught my particular attention is
to upgrade the eradication of hunger from an indictor
to a goal in that new agenda. More still needs to be
done, and everyone must contribute a fair share: States,
international organizations, the private sector, academia
and civil society alike. Let me assure the Assembly that
Austria will contribute its share as well.
The international community currently faces major
threats in its search for global security. The Middle
East remains exposed to fundamental challenges. We
welcome the agreement reached between the United
States and the Russian Federation on a framework for
the destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal.
We believe that the Security Council should refer the
situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
Accountability is, and remains, necessary to stopping
the atrocities and prevent future crimes.
The path to democratic participation and a new
beginning in Syria — the actual goal of the civilian
protests that started two and a half years ago — remains
crucial. Unfortunately, the parties seem to be firmly
set on a military solution to the conflict. However, it
should be clear that the best way to achieve a sustainable
solution can only be a political, negotiated one. That is
the Austrian position.
By now the civil war in Syria is greatly affecting all
neighbouring countries. The conflict is a Syrian one,
but the consequences go far beyond its borders. It has
indeed become international.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to have
been overshadowed by the upheavals in the region. I
have followed events there for almost 40 years. I am
convinced that what is needed for a solution is the
willingness not only to negotiate in good faith but also
to take into account the needs and sensibilities of the
negotiating partner: the other side. I, for one, cannot
believe that the value of the new settlements to Israel
outweighs the damage they cause by being an obstacle
to peace and reasonable conditions.
We welcome that the new United States
Administration has devoted its full attention to that
long-standing question and that direct negotiations
resumed at the end of July. What we need now is decisive
leadership. We are convinced that a breakthrough in
the central conflict would also mean a decisive step
towards stabilization of the entire region.
While we continue to support the ongoing transition
processes in the Arab world, recent developments
in the region have cast a shadow on the democratic
gains achieved so far. Progress on the difficult path to
democracy will greatly depend upon whether all parts
of society are included.
Vienna and its United Nations headquarters
serve as a platform for the discussion on sustainable
development. Austria is very pleased that the Office of
the Special Representative for the Sustainable Energy
for All initiative in Vienna started its activities on
1 July. We welcome the initiative’s cooperation with
thematic and regional hubs, as well as with other
specialized organizations like the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization.
Austria is also the host country of the newly
established International Anti-Corruption Academy.
This international organization and centre of excellence
has already undertaken several successful activities in
fighting corruption — a major obstacle to reasonable
development in all areas of society. I thank the Kingdom
of Thailand for hosting the second Assembly of Parties,
scheduled to take place in December. Furthermore, I
would like to invite all States that have not yet done so
to become members of the Anti-Corruption Academy.
This year’s Forum of the United Nations Alliance
of Civilizations took place in Vienna in February, with
the forward-looking theme of “Responsible leadership
in diversity and dialogue”. More than 1,500 participants
from Government, civil society, the private sector and
the media, as well as a youth forum of 150 outstanding
and highly dedicated participants, provided most
valuable input for the discussions of the Forum.
In that context, I am also pleased to report that the
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre
for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue was
inaugurated in Vienna on 26 November 2012. The
Centre — a joint initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of
Austria — serves as an interactive platform for religious
leaders, experts and civil society alike.
Multilateral cooperation can deliver solutions
to global problems. The historic accomplishment of
the Arms Trade Treaty is an important example in
that regard. We look forward to its earliest possible
entry into force. At the same time, the international
disarmament and non-proliferation regime is being
challenged, day after day, by alarming developments.
We were, and still are, deeply shocked by the use of
chemical weapons in Syria. We observe North Korea’s
continued development of nuclear weapons and missile
capabilities with concern. And we have new hope
that the Iranian nuclear issue will be resolved by
negotiations, which, after the election of a new Iranian
President, should be resumed shortly.
Similarly, the continued reliance on nuclear weapons
and the limited progress towards nuclear disarmament
are of great global concern. Nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation efforts can be achieved only when
they go forward together. Nuclear weapons should be
stigmatized, banned and eliminated. The humanitarian
consequences of nuclear weapons have to be put at the
centre of our attention.
While some might believe that there is a
contradiction between respect for cultural and religious
differences on the one hand and the universality of
human rights on the other, I am convinced that they
reinforce each other. If people and nations can count on
human rights being protected, they will show respect
for the other side.
The Human Rights Council, with its universal
periodic review mechanism and special procedures,
has, within a few years, developed into an effective
instrument to address human rights violations and
crisis situations in many instances. Austria, as a current
member of the Council, is contributing to those efforts
with targeted initiatives for the safety of journalists, the
protection of religious minorities and the promotion of
the rights of the child.
We welcome the continuing trend towards the
universal abolition of the death penalty, which is a
longstanding interest of mine. However, too many
countries still maintain a retentionist policy with regard
to that cruel and inhuman form of punishment. Our
diplomatic efforts therefore have to be reinforced.
We are worried by the increasing number of
human rights violations based on sexual orientation or
gender identity. The 1993 World Conference on Human
Rights in Vienna and the 2005 World Summit firmly
placed human rights at the centre of United Nations
activities. Respect for human rights is an indispensable
prerequisite for peace, security and development.
Last year, the High-level Meeting of the General
Assembly on the Rule of Law provided an excellent
opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the
rule of law at the national and international levels.
The Austrian Government is considering setting up an
Austrian rule-of-law trust fund, designed to support
international actors in strengthening the rule of law
and to offer legal expertise and deploy legal experts
free of charge to developing countries, at their request.
International law and the rule of law are the foundations
of the international system. Austria strongly believes
that only an international system based on the rule
of law can lead to lasting peace, security, economic
development and social progress. Obviously, that is
particularly true for the use of force, which should
occur only in self-defence or when authorized by the
Security Council.
In that spirit, let me confirm that Austria remains
fully committed to an effective United Nations system.
In that connection, I especially want to thank Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon for his tireless efforts and his
commitment to peace, the rule of law and human rights.