On behalf of the
Government of the Republic of San Marino, I wish to
congratulate Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on his
election as President of the General Assembly at its
sixty-sixth session. His long experience as Ambassador
of Qatar to the United Nations and his deep knowledge
of this Organization will be valuable resources in
helping us move ahead with the reforms needed in the
most important areas of United Nations activity. Over
the past few years, Qatar has played a significant
mediation role in the Arab world. The delegation of
San Marino will cooperate fully in the work to be done.
I also wish to sincerely thank the Secretary-
General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his energy and
praiseworthy efforts, for the interest he constantly
displays in all United Nations Member States, and for
his constant and crucial presence in every politically
important situation and emergency worldwide. His
reappointment to a second term is important to
promoting reform of the United Nations, guaranteeing
the Organization’s full effectiveness and preventing
any action aimed at decentralizing global governance.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere
gratitude for the excellent work done by the United
Nations, under the careful and effective leadership of
the Secretary-General, in South Sudan. By putting an
end to the violence and atrocities that have plagued
that part of Africa for several years, the United Nations
action led to the Republic of South Sudan’s declaration
of independence and its admission to our Organization
as a new Member in July.
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the
tragic attack on the World Trade Center in New York, I
would like to stress the importance of effectively
combating terrorism and taking action to prevent the
formation and development of terrorist groups. A
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crucial task of policymakers is to create conditions in
which terrorism cannot find a breeding ground.
This year’s theme of the general debate, “The
role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by
peaceful means”, unquestionably represents the
purposes of diplomacy and the fundamental reason
why States decided to cooperate within the framework
of international bodies and mechanisms, headed by the
United Nations. In a certain sense, it is also closely
connected to the reform process of our Organization.
The principle of the peaceful settlement of
disputes between States is enshrined in the Charter of
the United Nations and in many General Assembly
resolutions, and the Republic of San Marino can only
support that principle. Indeed, our country has always
tried to settle conflicts by peaceful means and has
always believed in the power of dialogue, democracy
and tolerance — values on which peaceful coexistence
among peoples is based. With a view to achieving this
principle in order to maintain international peace and
security, the Republic of San Marino supports the role
and authority of the General Assembly and the Security
Council.
This year we have witnessed a massive popular
uprising spreading across the squares of cities in North
Africa and the Middle East. These are protests for
democracy and freedom, respect for human rights and
social justice. At the forefront of this revolution are
young people from the middle classes. Despite their
education, they have found themselves excluded from
the labour market or suffering under poor working
conditions.
The unusual scale of the Arab revolution, which
has taken the world by surprise, demonstrates that
major political and institutional changes are needed,
because our economic and social foundations have also
changed as a result of globalization. We cannot
consider this spontaneous uprising of people looking
for freedom, justice and democracy only in terms of
security. If the United Nations intends to play a pivotal
role in managing global governance, it should also be
able to interpret the need for such changes and to
support them, as far as possible. San Marino believes
that the United Nations must continue to play a leading
role in managing global governance. The deeply
democratic nature of our Organization, with its
universal participation and undisputed legitimacy, as
well as the richness and diversity of cultures and
traditions that are represented here, allow us to adopt
an approach aimed at harmonizing the interests of the
entire international community and at achieving
sustainable human development.
The global economic and financial crisis, the
devastating consequences of which are evident to all,
has unfortunately demonstrated that our existing
institutions are unable to respond rapidly and
adequately to such crises. This has led to a growth in
the influence of some informal groups, such as the
Group of Eight and the Group of 20 (G-20), on the
management of global economic governance. San
Marino is grateful to those groups and for the role they
have played.
However, we believe it important to emphasize
that in their decision-making process, which should be
more transparent and inclusive, it is essential that they
take into account the interests, worries and aspirations
of States outside their groups, particularly developing
countries. The actions of such informal groups should
be complementary to those of the United Nations,
which will require the development of specific
mechanisms to regulate their relations with our
Organization. We welcome the Secretary-General’s
participation in the G-20 meetings and the
consultations held by the rotating presidencies with the
United Nations. However, we stress the importance of
transparency in relations between these informal
groups and the United Nations system, the only
Organization in a position to take decisions whose
legitimacy no one can challenge.
The Republic of San Marino is concerned about
the consequences of the economic and financial crisis
and other crises closely and inevitably linked to it.
Unemployment is a very serious problem that faces
every country without distinction. Furthermore, in
many States the youth unemployment rate is twice as
high as that for adults. Long-term unemployment has
also risen in the past few years. We believe that the
United Nations should pay special attention to the issue
of unemployment.
Unfortunately, the negative effects of the global
economic and financial crisis are still visible today.
Although the international economy experienced a
modest recovery last year, we have not yet emerged
from the 2008 crisis. And beyond the problem of
unemployment, we are now confronting a global
sovereign debt crisis.
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Is there a good recipe for recovery from the
crisis? Is a rigorous economic policy sufficient? Do
innovative measures for relaunching the world’s
economy exist? Can these measures be shared, or are
we facing a deep systemic crisis requiring an in-depth
analysis of the way our societies function and a
rethinking of current business models? I believe that if
the United Nations focused on these important issues,
its leading role in global governance could not be
questioned by anyone.
The destinies of our peoples are linked to global
threats in an increasingly direct way. Today, the threats
of climate change and biodiversity loss, economic,
financial and employment crises, food security, public
health, disarmament and the non-proliferation of
weapons and the fight against terrorism are recognized
as being interdependent. On that basis, we should
create a new form of international cooperation and
multilateralism so as to coordinate our policies at the
international, national and regional levels. We have a
duty to guarantee the full effectiveness of the
Organization’s activities with a view to preserving and
strengthening its essential value as a point of reference
for the international community.
The interdependence of such threats is more
evident now than ever before. That is the case, for
example, of the impact of climate change on world
food security, which in turn poses a threat to security
and peace, not only in Africa, where perhaps this
relationship can more easily be observed, but
throughout the world. Food insecurity fuels violent
social conflicts. Climate change leads to a reduction in
global food production, the most damaging effects of
which are experienced in Africa and Asia.
The populations of countries in a post-conflict
situation, countries that depend more directly on
agriculture or the poorest developing countries will
have more difficulties than others in coping with rising
food prices due to droughts or other disasters caused by
climate change. Our country is following the
humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa with
great concern. The populations of Somalia, Kenya,
Ethiopia and Djibouti are the victims of a severe
drought. This is a humanitarian emergency affecting
over 12 million people, including many women and
children.
The Republic of San Marino is grateful to the
Secretary-General for his rapid and significant actions
in benefit of the affected populations. We also thank
the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
and the Central Emergency Response Fund for their
immediate response and their substantial contribution
to resolving the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of
Africa, and Member States for their financial
commitments.
Another but no less important effect of climate
change is sea-level rise, which has an impact on the
very existence of many Member States. This problem
affects not only small islands, but also large islands
and countries with extensive coastlines. Therefore, this
phenomenon affects a significant number of United
Nations Member States.
The implications, interdependence and effects of
serious global threats on populations and world peace
and security are increasingly evident. With a view to
addressing such challenges, we need a strong United
Nations, as well as effective and coordinated action in
our economic, environmental and food policies at all
levels — both globally and regionally. These policies
should be designed to achieve sustainable, inclusive
and equitable economic growth.
As I mentioned earlier, this year’s theme is
inevitably linked to the reform of the United Nations.
That reform will be fundamental to future world
stability and the maintenance of international peace
and security. It must remain the target of all our efforts.
The Republic of San Marino has been following
with interest the Security Council reform process since
1994. In that regard, it is grateful to Ambassador Tanin
for the wisdom and impartiality with which he has
presided over the intergovernmental negotiations on
Security Council reform and for his tireless efforts to
reach the broadest possible political agreement. We are
convinced that intergovernmental negotiations are the
right framework within which to find a solution that
reflects the interests and positions of all Members. It is
essential to move beyond respective initial positions in
order to negotiate the broadest possible agreement. The
Republic San Marino believes that the five key issues
of reform — categories of membership, the question of
the veto, regional representation, the size of an
enlarged Council and its working methods, and its
relationship with the General Assembly — are closely
interrelated and need to be considered as a whole.
Another major reform in the United Nations to
which our country attaches great importance is the
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revitalization process of the General Assembly. The
Republic of San Marino supports this reform process
and, in that regard, wishes to thank Lithuania and Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines for having co-chaired the
Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the
General Assembly this year.
The revitalization of the General Assembly is a
politically necessary reform and, at the same time,
essential to the future of the United Nations. It is a
reform that should involve all States in reaching an
agreement based, again, on the broadest possible
political consensus and aimed at reaffirming the central
role of the General Assembly as the most
representative body of the United Nations, as well as
the role and leadership of its President. Reform should
make the work of the General Assembly more
effective, prevent duplication of its activities, and
improve its relations with the other United Nations
bodies. Nevertheless, the revitalization of the General
Assembly should not concern these aspects alone,
however important they may be. The Assembly should
become a key forum where solutions can be found to
the problems posed by the global threats that
increasingly unite the destinies of our peoples.
There are many issues and themes on which the
United Nations focuses its attention, and it is
impossible to address all of them. Therefore, I will
highlight some aspects that are perhaps lesser known,
but no less important.
About 15 per cent of the world’s population has
some kind of disability, while between 2 to 4 per cent
suffers from severe disabilities. Since the adoption in
2006 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, we have witnessed a clear affirmation of
the rights of the disabled. Today, the Convention has
been ratified by over 100 countries. The international
community has taken important steps forward in terms
of equality for and non-discrimination towards
disabled people, as well as their full inclusion and
participation in the social, political and cultural life of
societies. However, much remains to be done in order
to implement the Convention, including the
establishment of legislative frameworks and policies at
the national and international levels.
The international community should also deal
with the strong relationship between disability and
poverty, and include that issue in future political
strategies. A similar approach is fundamental in efforts
to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. At
present, 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in
developing countries and most live below the poverty
line. In addition, many of the children who do not
attend school have some kind of disability. Therefore,
it is clear that targeted strategies and policies taking
into due account the situation of children with
disabilities should be adopted to achieve the Goal of
universal primary education.
More than 8 million children under five years of
age and 350,000 mothers die every year. Today,
67 million children are still out of school, and
195 million children under five years of age suffer
from chronic malnutrition, which remains the major
cause of childhood death. Every day, more than
1,000 babies are born with HIV and about 5 million
young people between 15 and 24 years of age are
living with this virus.
Children continue to be the most vulnerable to
and most affected by violence, abuse and exploitation.
Currently, more than 200 million children, especially
those in developing countries, do not have a birth
certificate. Sadly, most can barely access basic
services, such as health care and education, or enjoy
their rights. Also, it is difficult to protect them. This
threatens to seriously undermine the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals. The Republic of
San Marino joins the international community in
supporting resolution 65/1, entitled “Keeping the
promise: united to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals”.
Gender equality is rightly placed high on the
agenda of the United Nations. In many countries,
maternal mortality figures are still worrying, especially
in the poorest areas of the world. Furthermore, young
people, girls and women are the most affected by HIV.
Unfortunately, trafficking in women and children
remains a serious problem. Women and girls continue
to be subjected to humiliating practices, such as the
payment of the bride price, child marriage, kidnapping
and sexual violence, including domestic violence.
Protecting the rights of women in conflict and
post-conflict situations continues to be another high
priority for the United Nations. Women facing such
situations are very often victims of sexual violence,
mass rape, torture and arbitrary executions.
Schooling and education are vital to countering
discrimination and favour the empowerment of women.
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Improving the quality of and access to education for
women and children requires providing them with
instruments to improve their economic and social
living conditions.
I have talked about groups of people who live in
extremely difficult conditions in many areas of the
world and represent a very large share of the world’s
population. The primary task of each individual and
State is to support every effort to help them live in
decent conditions and feelfully included in society.
Their progress will be our progress, and their smile
will be the light allowing us to look to the future with
optimism.