Algeria

His Excellency Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, has given me the honour of delivering this address to the General Assembly. At the outset, I wish to congratulate the President of the General Assembly for his assumption of the presidency at its sixty-sixth session. His professional experience in the United Nations and his personal qualities will undoubtedly lead to the excellent conduct and success of our work. I also pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss, for his efforts. Finally, I reiterate my congratulations to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary- General, upon his reappointment and express my country’s satisfaction for the dynamic manner by which he is leading the work and role of the Organization. Now that the Republic of South Sudan has joined the family of the United Nations, on behalf of my country, I warmly congratulate the people and the Government of that kindred country. The main theme of this session, namely, the role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, was chosen at a time of aggravated tensions, the recurrence of economic and financial crises, increasing unresolved challenges and diminished efforts and cooperation in multilateralism. Today’s globalized but confused world has strayed from its social structures and balances and been crisscrossed by new, unregulated influences and unequal relationships. Therefore, the international system that was established in 1945 requires today adaptation to current demands in order to respond to the expectations of the people of the world. Algeria is following with special interest the ongoing events in some countries in its region, which have led to numerous lives lost and huge material damage. Algeria deplores the violence experienced in some countries, and reiterates its call for a political settlement of all of those ongoing situations, based on the aspirations of the people for freedom, justice and democracy, and respect for each country’s sovereignty and for international law. With respect to Libya, Algeria expects a rapid restoration of peace and security and the formation of a Government that represents all sections of Libyan society. We are convinced that Libya’s stability is a fundamental element for the stability of the region as a whole. From this podium, Algeria reaffirms its determination to work immediately with the new Libyan authorities to promote full, exemplary bilateral collaboration based on a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity. Recent developments on the Arab stage will not fail to directly affect the situation prevailing in the Middle East. Continued Israeli occupation of Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, as well as the lack of genuine prospects for just and lasting peace in the region are, in that regard, a source of deep concern for Algeria. The stalemated peace process in the Middle East, the continued building of settlements and the continued campaign to Judaize the holy city of Al-Quds continue daily to further distance any prospect of a just and lasting peace based on the principle of land for peace. That situation, which weighs heavy with risk and uncertainty in an already sensitive region, is both an affront to the peoples of the region and a challenge for the entire international community. Among those 11-51390 6 challenges, the inhumane embargo of Gaza and its seacoast constitutes a genuine collective punishment of its inhabitants. The Palestinian Authority’s initiative, at this session, requesting that Palestine be recognized as a full Member State of the United Nations is an opportunity for the United Nations to correct, to some extent, an injustice that has lasted for over 60 years now. This admission will be a clear, unequivocal response by the international community showing its determination to impose international law and to reject a policy of fait accompli. In the same context, Algeria reiterates its concern at the persistence of coercive economic measures and unilateral sanctions against developing countries. I would recall in this respect the embargo that has been imposed against Cuba for over half a century now. There is another issue on the agenda of the United Nations that calls for special attention, namely, the situation in the Western Sahara. Indeed, no effort must be spared in promoting the path of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way that will enable the Saharawi people to freely express their right to self- determination. In this context, Algeria reiterates its commitment to provide full support to the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, and appeals to both parties, Morocco and the Frente Polisario, to demonstrate a spirit of responsibility in settling this conflict, which has unfortunately lasted all too long. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The time has come for the international community to reiterate its full commitment to the fight against international terrorism. The progress made to date to eradicate this scourge does not yet satisfy us, nor does it allow us to let down our guard. On the contrary, we should remain ready to contribute appropriate solutions to the root causes of terrorism and its many ramifications. Algeria would thus take this opportunity to stress the threefold need to, first, reach the necessary consensus to hasten the adoption of an international convention against terrorism; secondly, adopt a protocol prohibiting the paying of ransoms to terrorist groups; and finally, prevent the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes. In order for this approach to succeed, we must ensure a return to strict respect for the fundamentals of our cooperation, the preservation of the universal character of our Organization, the primacy of international law and the full application of the rules of multilateralism. The current weaknesses of world governance are illustrated on a daily basis in the various crises that we face. In this respect, I would refer first to the inability of the United Nations in general, and the Security Council in particular, to manage conflicts that threaten international peace and security or even to ensure the implementation of their own resolutions. Secondly, I would refer to the recent global economic and financial crisis and its devastating effects, in particular its impact on developing countries’ economies. This crisis has exposed a system subject to the vagaries of the market, which responds more to the need for large private companies to make a profit than to the need for growth and development. This system excludes the countries of the South from both the management of relevant international institutions and from setting the rules that govern them. Thirdly, I would mention the tragic effects of climate change, which are a real threat to the future of the international community. Given these realities, we must adopt, within the framework of the United Nations, a global, inclusive approach in order to, first, ensure general reform of the United Nations as a precondition to the establishment of financial institutions that can respond to the expectations of our countries and counter speculative movements and the virtual markets’ dominance over the realities of the world economy. Secondly, the reform of the United Nations should make it possible for an effective collective security system to emerge that will be able to respond to the breadth and complexity of the challenges that the international community faces. Thirdly, we must ensure the success of upcoming events and programmes on the United Nations agenda, in order to achieve real awareness- raising and so that decisive action can be taken to settle the problems caused by climate change. If Algeria is encouraging the adoption of a global approach at this crucial point of the world’s development, it is because it has participated in certain initiatives that have demonstrated how effective they can be at the regional level. Here, I would refer to the many efforts undertaken by the Sahel countries, along with their partners, during the international conference on development and the fight against terrorism held recently in Algeria. This allowed us to make important 7 11-51390 decisions on containing the phenomenon of terrorism, reducing its effects and attacking its root causes. Beyond the fight against terrorism, the conference also insisted on highlighting a priority that is often forgotten, which is putting the issue of development at the very heart of all cooperation efforts. Such cooperation, which is currently very crucial at the regional level, requires support from our partners that responds to the needs expressed by our countries. I would like to devote the last part of my comments to recent measures undertaken by my country to reinforce political, economic and social reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and good governance. On the political and institutional levels, these reforms include a review of the Constitution, the adoption of a new law on information and the media, the decriminalization of press offences, an opening of audiovisual media, an amendment of the law on political parties and of the electoral law, and the strengthening of the role of women in elected bodies. These political reforms are based on our firm desire to promote human rights as broadly as possible, as was reiterated to all the special rapporteurs who have visited Algeria since November 2010. On the economic level, decisive measures have been taken to improve the business climate, free up productive energy and reinforce the role of companies and institutions as the drivers of growth and development. On the social level, as Algeria is concerned about the future of its youth, it has increased the number of its assistance and employment programmes for the various categories of youth so that they can make a smooth integration into the labour market. These measures will of course lead to a strengthening of the democratic process and of the rule of law through an inclusive approach that brings together all the political and social forces in my country.