I congratulate you,
Mr. President, on your election as President of the
General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session, and I thank
your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Ali Treki, for his
excellent stewardship of the Assembly at its sixty-
fourth session. I seize this opportunity to convey to you
the warm greetings of the Honourable
Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of
Mauritius.
We are meeting this year against the backdrop of
the triple blow of food, fuel and financial crises, which
have significantly slowed the social and economic
progress of many, particularly developing, countries.
Although we are now witnessing signs of gradual
recovery, we are nonetheless aware of the fact that the
world is still mired in the consequences of the
recession.
These crises have exposed the deficiencies of the
international financial and governance structure and
made us realize that the pre crisis status quo has to be
challenged, if we are to ensure a better future for our
people. While we acknowledge the pre eminent role
that the Group of 20 is playing in addressing the
financial and economic crisis, the widening and
acceleration of global integration and
interconnectedness dictate the necessity of
democratizing the international economic and financial
decision-making processes in order to ensure that the
future development of our global economy is balanced
and equitable.
It was therefore reassuring to hear the Managing
Director of the International Monetary Fund,
Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, stating last Monday,
“To regain momentum, we need a sense of shared
responsibility among the various actors — the
developing countries themselves, the advanced
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economies and, in part, the international financial
institutions.” (A/65/PV.3)
The statistics are eloquent regarding the negative
impact of the multitude of crises on the progress
achieved on the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). As global economic output has declined, the
ranks of the poor have swelled with the newly poor.
A week ago, from this very rostrum, an
impressive number of world leaders reaffirmed their
commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.
In our drive to enable the less fortunate to lead a
dignified life, it is imperative that we have closer
cooperation and collaboration between Government,
civil society and the private sector, supplemented by
innovative thinking, cutting-edge knowledge and path-
breaking initiatives.
Success in achieving the Millennium
Development Goals is inextricably linked to the
broader agenda of climate change. The effects of
climate change and global warming threaten the very
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
While climate change is affecting all countries, it is
abundantly clear that the small islands and low-lying
and coastal States are the most affected by its
consequences.
We therefore urge that the small island
developing States be given simplified access to
financing from the $30 billion of fast-start funding
pledged in the Copenhagen Accord and similar access
to the longer-term funds proposed for the Copenhagen
Green Climate Fund. That adaptation funding should
be in the form of grants and not loans.
We hope that the forthcoming Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change, to be held in Cancún later this
year, will build on the 2009 Copenhagen Accord to
ultimately arrive at a legally binding agreement on
limits to greenhouse gas emissions based on the
principle of common but differentiated capabilities and
responsibilities and the establishment of mitigation and
adaptation funds. Let us therefore join our efforts and
not miss the opportunity, because a world that is
climate-smart is within reach, if we act now, act
together and act differently.
In its effort to contribute towards the global
momentum to attain a low-carbon future, Mauritius is
implementing the Maurice Ile Durable project, which
aims at protecting the environment and minimizing
dependence on fossil fuels through increased
utilization of renewable energy and a more efficient
use of energy in general.
The High-level Review Meeting on the
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the
Further Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States re emphasized the fact that, owing
to their inherent specificity, small island developing
States should be recognized as a distinct category of
countries and should be granted special treatment,
particularly in accessing official development
assistance and concessionary funding. The present
gross domestic product criterion applied in graduating
least developed countries to middle-income status is
most unfair to small island developing States, since it
does not take into account the unique vulnerabilities of
those States.
The time has come for a shift in how we think of
development. We need to articulate strongly a new
development paradigm, one where developing
countries are part and parcel of the solution to create a
more vibrant world economy in this truly multipolar
world.
We therefore look forward to the successful
conclusion of the Doha Development Round at the
earliest possible date. It is also crucial to close the gaps
in the provision of Aid for Trade so as to support the
building of supply capacity, which lies at the core of
development.
At the subregional level, Mauritius, in its
capacity as the new chair of the Indian Ocean
Commission, will continue to lay greater emphasis on
the creation of an economic and commercial space, the
implementation of a regional strategy on fisheries and
aquaculture, the promotion of tourism in our region in
traditional and emerging markets, and the development
of a comprehensive regional anti-piracy programme.
A fundamental precondition for socio economic
development can be found in a process of social
inclusiveness, with human rights at its core. As a
member of the United Nations Human Rights Council,
Mauritius is firmly committed to the safeguarding and
protection of human rights, at both the national and the
international levels. In this regard, we unreservedly
condemn the serious human rights violations
committed by warring factions in conflict zones, where
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vulnerable members of the society, particularly women
and children, are being targeted. At the national level, a
truth and reconciliation commission has started the
challenging task of compiling a report on slavery and
indentured labour in Mauritius during the colonial
period.
Mauritius continues to be preoccupied with the
fate of pro democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose
heroic and unbreakable determination and
steadfastness to free her people from years of
subjugation compel all of us who are strong advocates
of democratic values to stand and speak up. Depriving
Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi of the right to stand as a
candidate in the forthcoming general elections
scheduled in November this year is considered by my
delegation as the deprivation of the basic rights of the
people of Myanmar to freely choose the leaders to
whom they wish to entrust the destiny of their country.
Democracy and the rule of law are essential
elements for the development, stability, security and
prosperity of any country. The world has made
significant strides in this respect. Nonetheless, it is
regrettable that conflicts in certain parts of the world
continue to undermine progress. The imperatives of a
globalizing world require the international community
to remain seized of these issues and not to shirk its
responsibilities.
In the Indian Ocean region, Mauritius is
particularly concerned with the current political
impasse prevailing in our neighbouring sisterly
country — Madagascar. We are actively engaged in the
Southern African Development Community (SADC),
the African Union (AU) and the Indian Ocean
Commission, working to assist Madagascar to find a
peaceful solution to the political crisis.
In this regard, we wish to state that we are
supportive of the initiative led by the Coordination
National des Organisations de la Société Civile to
organize an inter Malagasy dialogue in order to find a
solution designed by all Malagasies to the crisis in
Madagascar. And we sincerely hope that the dialogue
will be credible, transparent and include all sections of
Malagasy society in the search for durable peace in the
interest of both the country and the region. Mauritius
has offered its assistance in setting up an SADC liaison
office in Madagascar in order to provide support in
moving the Malagasy-Malagasy dialogue.
Two decades of civil unrest have inflicted untold
miseries and difficulties on the Somali people and
rendered governance of the country almost impossible.
We commend the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development for its efforts to promote peace and
security in Somalia through the Transitional Federal
Government. We believe that the people of Somalia
deserve greater commitment from the international
community towards restoring law and order inside the
country and also towards putting an end to the piracy
problem off the coast of Somalia.
In order to promote a more proactive engagement
of the countries of the region in the fight against
piracy, Mauritius will host the Second Regional
Ministerial Conference on Piracy on 6 and 7 October,
in collaboration with the European Union, the Indian
Ocean Commission and the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa. Mauritius is also
envisaging the possibility of trying piracy suspects
caught in the Indian Ocean in its courts, if the
logistical, infrastructural and financial support of the
international community is adequate.
The current process for talks between Israelis and
Palestinians has given renewed hope for lasting peace
through the creation of an independent sovereign
Palestinian State existing side by side with the State of
Israel within secured and recognized borders.
Mauritius has always supported the legitimate and
inalienable right of the Palestinian people to live in
peace and security in an independent Palestinian State.
We therefore commend President Barack Obama for
his initiatives and leadership in enabling the direct
talks between President Abbas and Prime Minister
Netanyahu.
Global governance in the maintenance of
international peace and security will remain incomplete
until we achieve a comprehensive reform of the United
Nations Security Council — a reformed Security
Council that meets and responds to the geopolitical
realities of the twenty-first century. In this respect,
Mauritius fully supports the Common African Position,
as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte
Declaration. We reiterate our support for India, the
largest democracy, obtaining a permanent seat in a
reformed Security Council. We also support the
rightful aspiration of Latin America and the Caribbean
for a permanent seat in the Council.
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We have in no uncertain terms drawn the
attention of this body every year to the fact that
Mauritius has sovereignty over the Chagos
Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. The Chagos
Archipelago was illegally excised by the United
Kingdom from the territory of Mauritius prior to our
independence. This dismemberment was done in
blatant violation of General Assembly resolutions 1514
(XV) of 14 December 1960 and 2066 (XX) of
16 December 1965. We have raised the issue of the
sovereignty of Mauritius over the Archipelago with
successive British Governments and initially pursued
the matter as a friendly dispute. In view of the lack of
progress, we suggested that the issue be addressed in
bilateral talks. Although the process of bilateral talks
was initiated in January 2009, the issue of our
sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago has yet to be
addressed.
We are deeply concerned that the British
Government decided on 1 April 2010 to unilaterally
declare a marine protected area around the Chagos
Archipelago — our territory — allegedly to protect the
marine environment. The unilateral establishment of
this marine protected area infringes the sovereignty of
Mauritius over the Archipelago and constitutes a
serious impediment to the eventual resettlement there
of its former inhabitants and other Mauritians, as any
economic activity in the protected zone would be
precluded. The Government of Mauritius has decided
not to recognize the existence of the so called marine
protected area.
The illegal excision of the Chagos Archipelago
from the territory of Mauritius has indeed a tragic
human dimension. All the inhabitants of the
Archipelago were at that time forced by the British
authorities to abruptly leave their homes there, in total
disregard for their human rights. Most of them were
moved to the main island of Mauritius. The
Government of Mauritius is sensitive to and fully
supportive of the plight of the displaced inhabitants of
the Chagos Archipelago and to their desire to resettle
in their birthplace there.
Mauritius greatly appreciates the unflinching and
unanimous support it has consistently received from
the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement for
the assertion of its sovereignty over the Chagos
Archipelago. The last AU Summit held in Kampala last
July and the last Non-Aligned Movement Summit held
in July 2008 in Sharm el-Sheikh both reaffirmed that
the Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, forms an
integral part of the territory of the Republic of
Mauritius. They also called upon the United Kingdom
to expeditiously put an end to its unlawful occupation
of the Chagos Archipelago with a view to enabling
Mauritius to effectively exercise its sovereignty over it.
We urge the United Kingdom once again to take
the necessary steps for the unconditional return of the
Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to
Mauritius without further delay. In our annual
statement, we also reaffirmed the sovereignty of
Mauritius over Tromelin Island. The Governments of
Mauritius and France reached an agreement earlier this
year on the co management of the island and its
maritime zones without prejudice to the sovereignty of
Mauritius over Tromelin. This is considered to be a
first and positive step towards the resolution of the
sovereignty issue. The Republic of Mauritius is a crucible of
civilizations and cultures. We are proud to be a haven
of peace, where people of various backgrounds and
traditions live together in harmony. The people of
Mauritius are inspired by the philosophy of
multiculturalism and consider their diversity to be a
rich human resource. Based on the vision expressed in
our motto, “Unity, equality and modernity”, we have
committed to place humanity at the centre of all
development in our pluralistic society — a society
based on diversity, respect for cultural individuality,
non-discrimination and sharing common values.
The United Nations is the pre-eminent forum for
intercultural dialogue. My country will fully play its
part in the combined global effort for all human beings
to enjoy the consideration and respect that are their
birthright.
Finally, I should like to reaffirm Mauritius’
unwavering faith in the United Nations in the
maintenance of international peace, security and
development.