Allow me begin by
congratulating the President of the General Assembly
and his country, Qatar, on his election to preside over
the Assembly at this session, and by thanking
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership and
achievements.
We gather at the sixty-sixth session of the
General Assembly at an important juncture in the
history of the world. We meet at a time of exciting
possibilities and opportunities for the betterment of
hundreds of millions of people. Yet, these favourable
prospects must be weighed against the profound
dangers and sense of anxiety that currently grip our
world. The persistent economic and financial crisis,
massive unemployment, growing inequality between
and within nations, spiralling levels of debt, recurrent
famines and starvation, high levels of mortality from
easily preventable diseases and an increasingly fragile
environment are wreaking havoc on the lives of people
and the future of nations. Despite the end of the Cold
War and the premature declaration of the emergence of
a new world order, wars and military interventions
continue — almost invariably failing to resolve, and
further complicating, the problems they set out to
solve.
It is true that none of these problems are new, yet
there is no denying that the malaise seems much more
intractable today. Three years ago, the world was
infused by a renewed spirit of hope and possibility with
the historic election of President Barack Obama and
the freshness of his message of positive change.
However, in spite his best efforts, the strength of his
personality and his many talents, that hope has not
been realized. The reality is that the problems we face
are systemic, were accumulated over many years and
decades, and require systemic and structural change.
Effecting this real, positive and durable transformation
requires not only the effort of one leader and one
nation and its allies, but the concerted effort of all
nations. We look towards the emerging and
re-emerging Powers — China, India, Russia, Brazil
and others — to show more leadership and to shoulder
bigger responsibilities. We also believe that all nations,
whatever their size, can and should play an
increasingly bigger and effective role in the endeavour
to build a fair, just, equitable and sustainable world.
This year has seen stirring and courageous
initiatives taken by the people of many nations to effect
fundamental changes that would lead to a new and
dignified beginning for them and their countries. While
the epicentre of the movement has been in North Africa
and the Middle East, it is not limited to the Arab world
or to developing nations. In much of the developed
world, there is now the same sense of anger and
frustration, the same discontent with Governments that
have become beholden to a small minority with special
interests and the same yearning for decent jobs,
meaningful political participation and dignified lives.
These realities cannot, and should not, be denied.
Clearly, this is not the time for complacency or
arrogance. What is required today is a frank
acknowledgement of the stark global reality we face,
and the readiness to empower our peoples and our
youth and to work cooperatively for a secure and
brighter future for all.
As we ponder the future and take stock of the
sweeping changes that are under way, we cannot fail to
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underscore that the United Nations has already become
hopelessly outdated and risks becoming totally
irrelevant. We all profess agreement on the need to
transform the institutions and procedures of the United
Nations, but we remain paralysed, with no prospects
for early progress.
Eritrea firmly associates itself with those who
stress the urgency of real reform and believes that what
is required is not a mere tweaking of the system but a
comprehensive transformation of the institution. The
critical element of this transformation has to be the
strengthening of the authority and role of the General
Assembly. As long as this paramount body is deprived
of real decision-making powers, the United Nations
will remain unrepresentative of the nations of the
world, even if the size and composition of the Security
Council changes significantly. Similarly, there can be
no meaningful revitalization without overhauling the
methods of work and procedures of the United Nations,
respecting the rights of Member States and ensuring
transparency and accountability in all bodies of the
Organization.
Half a century has elapsed since the heyday of the
era of decolonization that led to the emergence of
independent African nations. In spite the hope and
enthusiasm of the early years and the achievements
registered since, the past five decades have been
largely disappointing. The trying times and the internal
and external challenges that caused them are certainly
not over, as Africa continues to struggle in a difficult
and complex international environment. Yet, without
exaggerating the possibilities or underestimating the
difficulties, it is clear that a number of African
countries are entering a period of political, economic
and social renewal. They are convinced that Africa has
the human and natural resources to succeed. It will not
shun international partnerships but will give primacy to
its own capabilities and to cooperation at the
continental and subregional levels. It is this perspective
that is spurring African countries to focus on the key
requirements of developing the continent’s
infrastructure and promoting trade and economic links
among themselves. Another key component is the
revitalization of the African Union and subregional
organizations.
At the subregional level, Eritrea is committed to
economic development and integration in the wider
Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions. We are convinced
that no country can succeed in a turbulent environment.
We will work for the revitalization of the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development and
strive to make it effective in promoting economic
development and integration.
We welcome an independent South Sudan and
will work with both the Sudan and South Sudan, with
whom we have long-standing ties, as they grapple with
their domestic situations and endeavour to build
cooperative relations.
On Somalia, it has now become abundantly clear
that there is a need for a new approach, as the current
one has exhausted itself and can only lead to further
complications. Given that the central objective remains
the reconstitution of Somalia and the rebuilding of
effective institutions, it is imperative to seriously
engage and bring into a Somali-owned political process
all stakeholders, including the Governments of
Somaliland and Puntland.
With regard to the Middle East, which is a key
item on the agenda of the current session of the
General Assembly, Eritrea reaffirms its long-standing
support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-
determination and an independent, sovereign State. It
also upholds the right of Israel to live in peace and
security within internationally recognized boundaries.
At the same time, Eritrea is genuinely concerned that
the current drive for United Nations membership for
Palestine does not become a symbolic battle bereft of
real substance. It is only prudent and relevant to recall
that with the exception of a few realistic voices, the
Oslo Accords were greeted with much acclaim and
that, almost two decades later, they have not led to
either Palestinian Statehood or peace between the
Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
Finally, I would be remiss in my duty if I did not
remind the United Nations of its responsibility to
uphold its Charter, international law and numerous
Security Council resolutions and take urgent action to
end Ethiopia’s occupation of sovereign Eritrean
territory. Coupled with the lifting of the illegal
sanctions on Eritrea, that would not only serve the
cause of justice, but it would enable the people of the
region to work together to further their collective
interests and consolidate Africa’s place in the world.