Hungary

As an engaged member of the United Nations, Hungary wishes to play its part in international efforts aimed at building our common future. In this spirit, we do our utmost to contribute to the crisis-management and peacekeeping operations of the international community, and we seek to deliver special added value to international development and humanitarian activities. I can assure the Assembly that as a candidate country for Security Council membership for the period 2012-2013, Hungary stands ready to work vigorously to overcome divisions and to strengthen global partnerships in today’s interdependent international environment. The Preamble of the Charter states that we the peoples of the United Nations are determined, inter alia, “to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom” and, for this end, “to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples”. In the year 2000, the United Nations exhibited leadership in the articulation and adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Contributions made at the MDG summit a few days ago reassured me that, although most of us are suffering from the fallout of the recent global crises, none of us would readily accept the vision of a bleak future that would result from slowing down the concrete actions we take. Hungary remains determined to take on its share of responsibility in realizing the MDGs on a global scale, and we will continue to implement donor programmes in various parts of the world. The effects of the recent global financial and economic crisis have thrown millions of people into poverty, especially those who are most vulnerable in the developing world. The food, water and energy crises and humanitarian disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti and floods in Pakistan have also taken their toll on the lives of people. The growing number of disasters emphasizes the great need for prevention, preparedness and disaster risk reduction, as well as for development activities centred on the promotion of sustainable economic growth. Hungary believes that, in order to achieve success and effectively meet the needs of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in these turbulent times, a 10-54959 2 partnership-based approach needs to be adopted in this regard. Similarly, climate change figures high among the pre-eminent challenges of the twenty-first century that threaten our well-being, security and economic development. The international community should pay particular attention to the well-founded and legitimate concerns of the small island States of the Caribbean and the Pacific in this regard. Our primary goal should now be the adoption of a series of ambitious, action- oriented decisions at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations to be held in Cancún, Mexico, later this year. Such decisions would prepare the ground for the adoption of a comprehensive and legally binding global framework next year in South Africa. As a State member of the European Union, Hungary is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. Moreover, we are also ready to undertake further emissions reductions if our partners make similar commitments, taking into account their different capabilities. The promotion and protection of human rights constitute the cornerstone of Hungary’s foreign policy. Hungary acts at the forefront of international efforts to fight all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on national or ethnic origin. We are of the view that the rights of minorities, with special regard for the preservation of their cultural identities and linguistic heritage, should be high on the agenda of the international community. We believe that flourishing minority communities do not weaken a society but, on the contrary, contribute to the cultural enrichment of a country. Fruitful relationships between the majority and minorities can only be pursued if human rights are not being infringed and if tolerance prevails at all levels of society. This is one of the reasons that Hungary has decided to establish the Budapest-based Tom Lantos Institute, an international centre for promoting human rights and spreading the value of tolerance. Hungary also feels compelled to raise the issue of women worldwide. The possible role played by women in accelerating the achievement of the MDGs and in reducing tensions and hostilities around the world should not be neglected. We are confident that the recent establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) marks significant progress in this regard and will make a great contribution to the elimination of the disadvantages facing women. Let me express Hungary’s sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General for convening, on this very day, a High-level Meeting on the disarmament machinery. New dynamism in this area was also clearly demonstrated at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons earlier this year, and we are hopeful that the renewed international commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation will lead to success. We note with great concern, however, that the growing consensus around the ultimate goal of a so-called global zero of nuclear weapons is being offset by overt and covert attempts at the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles by certain countries. Hungary fully supports the statement made in New York on 22 September by the High Representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, on the negotiations conducted between the E3+3 Governments and Iran. International terrorism is another of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Hungary strongly condemns this phenomenon in all its forms and manifestations and underscores the pivotal role of the United Nations in counter-terrorism. We welcome the fact that the recently concluded second review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy reinforced the consensus among Member States to foster a global counter-terrorism alliance. And, expressing our full solidarity with the victims of terrorism, we lend our unequivocal support to all United Nations efforts in this regard. Almost a decade ago, this city of New York suffered one of the most horrendous terrorist attacks in human history. The appalling statement made by one of the speakers yesterday concerning this tragic event is unacceptable and is detrimental to the noble cause of promoting mutual understanding and dialogue among religions and civilizations. The United Nations was created, and I shall again quote from the Preamble of the Charter, in order to “practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours”. Coexistence and cooperation would serve regional stability in the Western Balkans, a region which, due to its proximity 3 10-54959 to Hungary’s borders, has great importance in our foreign policy. In our view, progress towards the stabilization of the region and resolution of its persisting problems should be the result of an essentially internally driven process, with the unwavering support of the international community. Hungary respects the recently issued advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo, and our country remains strongly committed to encouraging direct dialogue between the countries and communities of the region. In Afghanistan, the international community in general, and the countries in the region in particular, should assist efforts towards reconciliation, good governance and sustainable development. Strengthening State institutions at all levels, improving the security situation and effectively implementing civilian development programmes are all essential for decreasing tensions and transferring responsibility and leadership to the Afghan Government. Hungary remains committed to supporting Afghanistan politically, and we will do our best to provide assistance to the country through both bilateral and multilateral channels. We envisage the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours. We also believe that the Middle East peace process should and can lead to overall Arab-Israeli reconciliation. We all know that it takes brave men to start a war, but it takes statesmen to finish it. In this spirit, Hungary welcomes and strongly supports the fact that the proximity talks have recently transformed into direct talks between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. We commend the personal commitment of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the efforts made by the Quartet, including the European Union, as well as the valuable contributions made by a number of outstanding Arab statesmen in this regard. Acting on its own, as well as within the United Nations framework, Hungary is a partner of African countries in enhancing development and establishing peace and security on the continent. We also encourage Africa’s voice to be heard in relation to compelling global questions such as water management, poverty eradication and the empowerment of women. Still, we once again emphasize the significance of the role of African countries themselves and the importance of dialogue and negotiations in this process. In conclusion, let me, on a personal note as the only Olympic champion in the Hall, emphasize my strong belief that multilateral partnerships can only be enhanced by respecting the jointly established rules, with special regard to the rules of fair play with other teams and players on the field. I am confident that, during the coming session of work, the noble principles of the United Nations will continue to guide all delegations in strengthening the kind of global cooperation within the United Nations machinery that is so strongly needed to tackle the challenges facing us today. I wish to assure the Assembly that Hungary stands ready to do its utmost to contribute to those noble goals.