As we meet this
morning to address global concerns and seek ways to
ensure progress and lasting peace, the people of Kenya
are emerging from a terrorist attack that has cost them
many lives and shaken the continent. In expressing our
solidarity with the Government and the people of Kenya
and with the families of the victims, Mauritius would
also like to express its unreserved condemnation of that
abominable and dastardly act of terrorism. The Nairobi
attack should also compel us to revisit regional and
global responses to national and international security
threats, including extending support to countries,
particularly those on the African continent.
Mauritius commends you, Mr. President, for the
theme you have proposed for the sixty-eighth session
of the Assembly, namely, “The post-2015 development
agenda: setting the stage”. The goals we set ourselves
for the sustainable development of our national and
global economies will shape the lives of generations to
come. I would like to say at the outset that Mauritius
welcomes the report of the High-level Panel of Eminent
Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, A New
Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform
Economies through Sustainable Development, and in
particular the recommendation that deliberations on a
new development agenda must be guided by the vision
of eradicating extreme poverty for all in the context of
sustainable development. We also welcome the Panel’s
view that one of the transformative shifts for the post-
2015 agenda should be to bring a new sense of global
partnership into national and international politics.
Climate change should be one of the top priorities for
the global agenda. The report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2013: The
Physical Science Basis, released only yesterday, is
unequivocal. It provides clear scientific confirmation
that we humans are responsible for global warming,
and that it is up to us to take appropriate measures to try
to save our home planet. We cannot and should not any
longer ignore the evidence that we humans are putting
life on Earth in jeopardy.
In our region, we have recently seen an increased
and unprecedented intensity and unpredictability of
weather events. In March, my country experienced
unprecedented flash floods that caused losses of human
life and heavy economic losses. No country is safe from
natural disasters and the damaging effects of climate
change. But for many small island developing States
(SIDS), the foreseeable consequences of climate change
threaten us even more dramatically, in terms of both
human and economic development. For some SIDS,
they pose an existential threat.
We fully support the Secretary-General’s proposal
to convene world leaders to a climate summit in New
York in 2014. We hope that that meeting will provide
an opportunity for world leaders to focus political
attention on climate change and take meaningful action
to mitigate its effects. We must start putting the interests
of our home planet above everything else. The world
needs a global, legally binding agreement on climate
change by 2015. At the Paris meeting of the twenty-
first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, we should
adopt a treaty that is universal and ambitious and that
concretely addresses the concerns of all, including
those of the most vulnerable States.
The international community should also pay more
attention to disaster risk reduction and adopt a more
concerted and accelerated approach to reaching the
goals set out in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-
2015 (see A/CONF.206/6). The time has come to address
disaster risks and climate-change adaptation through
an integrated approach, and to adopt resilience as a
common and shared vision. Mauritius welcomes Japan’s
decision to host the World Conference on Disaster
Reduction in early 2015 to review the implementation
of the Hyogo Framework and chart an ambitious post-
2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
In that regard, the holding in Samoa next year of
the Third International Conference on Small Island
Developing States could not be more timely. We hope
that the Conference will be a landmark in the history of a
more active and collaborative partnership among SIDS
and between SIDS and the international community.
Furthermore, it could be an opportunity to give new
meaning to the concept of global concerns, issues that
are, or should be, the concern of the global community
at large, and not only of those who are more vulnerable
and more at risk. That would be in line with the spirit
of the global partnership that the High-level Panel has
called for.
The prospects for growth in the global economy
remain uncertain, largely as a result of the multiple
challenges faced by developed countries. In such an
interconnected and interdependent world as ours, no
nation is immune to external shocks. Small developing
countries are very concerned about the slowdown
in global growth, declines in international trade,
decreasing job opportunities and rising inequality.
Small States are particularly susceptible to external
shocks, as they are heavily dependent on foreign
markets for trade, tourism and investments. They are
also concerned about energy and food prices, which are
subject to high volatility.
My Government believes that the post-2015
development agenda should include a road map for an
interconnected world economic system, premised on the
assumption that the global economy could very well be
as weak as its weakest links. Of course, the specificities
of some countries or regions and the pace at which the
transformative shifts are implemented may not always
be appropriate for universal targets. But the conceptual
approach to, and the design of, the post-2015 agenda
should, more than ever before, start with the shared
conviction that economies are interdependent.
Eradicating extreme poverty, empowering more
women, providing wider opportunities to young people
for education and jobs, improving health care and the
management of energy, water and food are all universal
concerns. The conventional divides of the past are
no longer valid. We need a common development
framework but with differentiated milestones and
implementation strategies, given the existing disparities
in the levels of development. Actions taken at the
national level are not sufficient; there should also be
reinforced cooperation and partnerships at the regional
and international levels. It is therefore imperative that
the weaknesses and the inequity of the current global
economic governance should be addressed urgently.
We are at a juncture where we have no option but
to revisit the existing global economic governance
mechanisms. An overhaul of the current economic
governance is clearly long overdue. We must have a more
participatory system of global economic governance,
where developing countries would be more involved
in international economic decision-making and norm-
setting. The voice of all nations, big or small, should be
equally heard and taken into consideration.
Mauritius has, on several occasions, reiterated that
the United Nations Economic and Social Council needs
to play a more prominent role in global economic, social,
and environmental issues. We cannot overstate the
importance of coordination and synergy for avoiding
duplication among parallel United Nations processes
and initiatives so as to ensure optimal benefit for all.
My Government is of the view that all the processes
initiated in the Rio+20 Conference last year, including
those relating to strengthening the Economic and Social
Council, sustainable development goals and sustainable
development financing, should converge towards a
single post-2015 development agenda that should be
adopted during a high-level development summit
in 2015. The post-2015 development agenda should
complete the unfinished business of the Millennium
Development Goals. However, it should also go beyond
them and provide for a systemic change and a new global
economic governance. The guiding principles enshrined
in the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted
in December 1986 (resolution 41/133), are still relevant
today and should not be overlooked in the formulation
of a post-2015 development agenda.
My country will follow, with particular interest, the
work of the high-level political forum on sustainable
development, especially since it replaces the
Commission on Sustainable Development, which was
the primary intergovernmental forum for monitoring
the implementation of the Barbados Programme of
Action and the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation.
As we set the stage for the post-2015 development
agenda, we must, as global leaders, define a new global
vision for the world’s oceans. The United Nations system
has played a crucial role in formulating, implementing
and enforcing a new international order relating to the
oceans. Indeed, the adoption of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 will remain
one of the landmarks of the twentieth century.
The jurisprudence of the International Court of
Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of
the Sea has contributed to the settlement of maritime
disputes and the promotion of international peace,
security and equity in a manner not always witnessed in
other areas of international relations. The establishment
of the International Seabed Authority is another
significant example of what international cooperation
can lead to in other sectors. The International Maritime
Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO are also making significant
contributions.
I believe that the United Nations must now take the
lead in formulating a global vision for the oceans that
will, in particular, expand the economic space for small
island States while ensuring sustainable use of living
and non-living resources. The health of our economies
will depend on the health of our oceans. Our vision for
the future must also preserve the inherent values of
the ocean space, to which we are looking for economic
expansion.
Mauritius has taken the initiative of launching a
national dialogue on how to promote the ocean economy
as one of the main pillars of development. We urge the
international community to build on what the world has
achieved so far in relation to ocean-related economic
activities and conservation, and we propose for future
generations a fundamental paradigm shift with respect
to economic space. While such a global vision and
strategy will be beneficial to all nations, it will be of
particular interest to small islands. With limited land
areas, the islands can potentially be large ocean States
and thus overcome some of their vulnerabilities as
small island developing States. As the world realizes
the tremendous potential of marine renewable energies,
we will see the oceans from a different perspective.
The United Nations has a key role to play in
promoting the rule of law at both the national and the
international levels. The rule of law at the international
level must be an integral part of the post-2015 agenda.
Open and participatory democracy, accountability and
transparency are not concepts that should be promoted
only at the national level. The United Nations should
lead by example here. We should focus on reforming
our Organization and on making it more responsive to
the needs and aspirations of its constituents.
In that context, we should work together on the
reform of the Security Council and the revitalization
of the General Assembly and on improving the working
methods of our Organization. Mauritius believes that a
comprehensive reform of the Security Council should
include reform in the membership of both the permanent
and non-permanent categories. We reaffirm our
commitment to the African common position enshrined
in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
We believe that Africa should not be deprived of its right
to permanent representation in the Council. Likewise,
we believe that Latin America deserves permanent
representation in the Council and that SIDS should also
be entitled to a seat on the Council. Mauritius further
reiterates its support for India’s legitimate aspiration to
a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council.
Mauritius also reiterates its firm conviction that the
rule of law should prevail in the resolution of disputes,
in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
We believe that the international community has an
obligation to ensure that, in line with the principles of
the rule of law, nations should submit their disputes to
conciliation, mediation, adjudication or other peaceful
means, both judicial and non-judicial.
The dismemberment of part of our territory,
the Chagos archipelago, prior to independence, by
the then colonial Power the United Kingdom, was in
clear breach of international law and left the process
of decolonization, not only of Mauritius but of Africa
in general, incomplete. Yet, the United Kingdom has
shown no inclination to engage in any process that would
lead to a settlement of that shameful part of its colonial
past. I am confident that the United Kingdom and the
United States of America want to be on the right side
of history. States that look to the law and to the rules
of the comity of nations for the resolution of disputes
should not be frustrated by the lack of avenues under
international law for the settlement of such disputes.
Tromelin, which is also an integral part of our
territory, is the subject of ongoing discussions with
the French Government, and pending a final resolution
of the issue, Mauritius and France have concluded a
framework agreement on the co-management of the
island and its surrounding maritime areas, without
prejudice to the sovereignty of Mauritius over Tromelin.
In our part of the world, we welcome the rise of a
re-energized Africa. The return to normalcy in Mali
and the recent holding of elections there show the
relevance of international partnerships. The situation
in Madagascar and in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo will, hopefully, be resolved soon through
the support of the international community for the
initiatives of the Southern African Development
Community in that regard.
Earlier this year, Mauritius hosted an African
ministerial conference on regional integration. We are
convinced that African nations will benefit significantly
from a greater focus on regional cooperation, and I am
pleased to note that the solemn declaration adopted on
the fiftieth anniversary of the African Union supports
that view.
The tragic events in Syria over the last two years
are of serious concern to the global community.
There is also concern about attempts to bypass the
Security Council and to initiate action in breach of
the United Nations Charter. Respect for the rule of
law at the international level entails compliance with
internationally agreed norms. Mauritius will support
the decisions taken by the organs of the United Nations
under the Charter.
We welcome the Security Council resolution
that addresses one of the issues in the Syrian crisis.
However, the international community needs to go
further and address the issue of political dialogue,
which will enable the Syrian people to live in peace.
Mauritius also supports a Middle East that is free
of weapons of mass destruction. That means that no
country in the region should hold nuclear or chemical
weapons.
Mauritius is convinced that an essential condition
for peace and prosperity in the Middle East is the
peaceful coexistence of the States of Palestine and
Israel. Mauritius wishes to reiterate its solidarity with
the Palestine National Authority and the Palestinian
people in their rightful aspiration to win full recognition
as a State Member of the United Nations.
Mauritius also supports the peaceful restoration
of democracy in Egypt, which has a key role to play
in promoting stability and security in the region.
But the international community cannot condone the
removal by force from office and the detention of a
democratically elected leader.
(spoke in French)
The general debate of the General Assembly offers
us a unique opportunity to highlight the most urgent
challenges that humankind is currently facing. We
must take advantage of this opportunity to review
recent events and to outline new approaches that will
enable us to respond to these challenges in keeping with
the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations. We must address those challenges through a
shared vision of peace, security, interdependence and
respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.
We must remain staunch in protecting the right
to development. We also have the duty to take a
differentiated approach so as to ensure that our
development model is sustainable and allows us to
leave to future generations the values our world holds
dear. Our success will depend on the collective will and
commitment. If we succeed, we will go down in history
as having met today’s challenges and expectations in
terms of the future.
(spoke in English)
To conclude, let me say that we need to act
together, in a spirit of compromise and tolerance. We
should constantly remind ourselves that we are of
one kind, humankind. There are not, and never will
be, ideal solutions that will satisfy all of us. But we,
the leaders of our respective countries, need to look
beyond the horizon and have the moral courage to look
at our common humanity so that we may move forward
towards making our world a better, more prosperous
and safer place for the whole of humankind.