Myanmar

We live in an era when the world is becoming increasingly interdependent. Nothing illustrates this interdependency more than the Asian financial crisis of a decade ago and the current financial crisis gripping the world’s largest economy. The problems may have local roots, but, given the severity of the situation, their effects will transcend borders. The world economy, and by extension the 08-53135 18 stability of nations, depends on the stability of the financial markets. In recent months, the world has also been challenged by the soaring prices of fuel and food, particularly such staples as rice. Those daunting challenges add an extra burden to developing countries. The answer to those problems lies not in multiplying the number of world summits and conferences but in taking concrete actions towards implementing the commitments made. My own country has the potential to contribute to energy and food security in our region. We are willing to do our part. We are making concerted efforts to produce more crude oil and natural gas to meet the needs of the domestic market as well as for export. We also have huge potential to produce hydroelectric power. Moreover, as the agriculture sector is the mainstay of Myanmar’s economy, we are focusing on expanding the cultivation of paddy, beans and pulses. We have also introduced new industrial crops, such as jatropha, for use in the production of biofuels. Developing countries like my own need to have a level playing field in order to promote the economic prosperity and social progress of our people. Subsidies and protectionist policies distort markets and do great harm to developing countries. Political and social progress can be achieved only through development, never through coercive economic measures. Such measures only serve to worsen the plight of the people, particularly the most vulnerable among them, women and children. Unilateral sanctions have been imposed on my country. Those sanctions are unwarranted. Unilateral sanctions are also against international law. They are not only unfair but immoral. They are counter- productive and deprive countries of their right to development and do not function as a solution to solve the problem. Myanmar has abundant land and natural resources with which to make a meaningful contribution to the energy and food security of our country and beyond. But in order for us to fulfil our potential we need unfettered access to markets. We need modern technology; we need investment. The sooner the unjust sanctions are revoked and the barriers removed, the sooner the country will be in a position to become the rice bowl of the region and a reliable source of energy. That brings me to the matter of making the United Nations an Organization better suited to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Only a more democratic Organization will be able to respond to the needs of Member States and serve the interests of the international community as a whole. Reform of the Organization, particularly reform of the Security Council, has been on our agenda for some time. However, progress has been extremely slow. The role and authority of the General Assembly as the principal deliberative and representative organ must be enhanced, including in the maintenance of international peace and security. Reform of the Security Council has eluded us for over a decade. Myanmar believes that the membership of the Security Council should reflect current reality. We believe in an increase in the membership of the Council in both the permanent and the elected categories. Reform should not be confined to an increase in membership but must also include improvement in the Council’s working methods. Above all, it should result in a Security Council that is transparent, credible and democratic. Here, I would like to stress that attempts to initiate formal or informal discussions in the Security Council on situations that do not constitute a threat to international peace and security are contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Charter. This is a view that Myanmar shares with the Non-Aligned Movement, which constitutes a clear majority of the membership of our Organization. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000 are imperatives that the international community has set for itself. We have now passed the midpoint, but progress has been uneven. Much more remains to be done if the Goals are to be achieved by 2015. While national Governments have the primary responsibility to ensure progress, the international community must help by creating an environment that will enable developing countries to turn faltering steps towards development into firm strides. Fulfilment of official development assistance commitments, increased investment flows, improved market access and resolution of the debt problem are needed to enable the developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. For its part, Myanmar is striving to promote better living standards for its people. The implementation of 19 08-53135 the MDGs is inextricably linked to the implementation of our national development plan. The national plan focuses on the promotion of equitable and balanced socio-economic development of both rural and urban areas. In recent years, we have made significant progress in areas such as poverty alleviation, the promotion of health and education. In the health sector, Myanmar has been implementing a national plan that accords priority to the eradication of major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The high-level multisectoral committee on AIDS has been overseeing HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities in our country since 1989. The activities undertaken by the committee include active surveillance, prevention of mother-to- child transmission and community, institution and home-based care services. These activities are carried out by the Government in close cooperation with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Food Programme, and with national and international non-governmental organizations in order to reach out widely to vulnerable groups. As a result, Myanmar has not only levelled the rate of HIV/AIDS infection but also reduced it. I would like to emphasize that if we are to achieve a more dynamic and effective global response to HIV/AIDS, adequate resources must be made available. Moreover, allocation of resources for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis must be based on need rather than on political considerations. With regard to education, we envision a system for our people that will generate a learning society capable of meeting the challenges of the information age we live in. Long-term investment in the education sector is being made with the aim of building human resource development. The Government has been expanding the number of basic, primary, post-primary, middle and high schools throughout the country in order to provide access to education for all. We strongly believe education to be a fundamental requirement for the attainment of sustainable development. It is also a prerequisite for the achievement of other MDGs. I am happy to be able to say that, as a result of our efforts, the literacy rate of those 15 years old and above has risen to 94.8 per cent. Likewise, the rate of enrolment in primary schools has reached 98 per cent. Myanmar also accords priority to creating job opportunities in rural areas as part of its poverty alleviation strategy. In that regard, development projects to improve economic, educational and health conditions in rural areas are being implemented all over the country. The Secretary-General’s initiative to convene today’s Ministerial Meeting on Reducing Disaster Risks in a Changing Climate is indeed timely. We in Myanmar can relate to the growing concern of the world regarding climate change and its adverse effects. We felt the full brunt of the devastating consequences of climate change last May, when a powerful cyclone slammed into the Ayeyarwaddy delta. Cyclone Nargis left unprecedented death and destruction in its wake. The pain and sorrow felt by the survivors of the devastating storm continue even today. There is, however, a silver lining in the dark clouds. The Myanmar nation was united in its response to the emergency. The outpouring of generosity was overwhelming. People from all walks of life, regardless of their own difficulties, donated, in cash and in kind, for the victims. The United Nations, States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, donor countries, non-governmental organizations and individuals from around the world also responded generously. We have been able to demonstrate willingness and ability to work in concert with the international community. We have been able to rebuild better and stronger homes, schools and monasteries. The paddy fields destroyed by the storm have been replanted. I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to our friends from far and near who came to our assistance in our time of need. Myanmar is home to over 100 national races, and national unity is of paramount importance. Accordingly, we have been resolutely pursuing a policy of national reconciliation. Our endeavours have resulted in the return to the legal fold of 17 armed groups. We have effectively put an end to the decades- long insurgency. Peace and stability now prevail in almost all parts of the country. We have also been implementing a seven-step political road map to democracy. The representatives of former armed groups, together with the representatives of political parties, ethnic nationalities and other representatives, took an active part in the National 08-53135 20 Convention process. The National Convention laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in a new constitution. Based on those principles, a new Constitution was drafted and was put to a nationwide referendum last May. The people of Myanmar overwhelmingly approved the draft constitution. The fifth step of the road map, general elections, will be taken in 2010. Necessary measures are being undertaken for the elections. All citizens, regardless of political affiliation, will have equal rights to form political parties and to conduct election campaigns. The Government will make every effort to ensure that the elections are free and fair. The international community can best assist Myanmar’s democratization process by respecting the will of its people, expressed in the recent referendum. The daunting challenges of the twenty-first century can be addressed only through international cooperation. We can solve international problems of economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character only by working together. To do this, powerful countries should refrain from practicing hegemonic policies through either political or economic pressure. In the global village in which we live, mutual respect, understanding and tolerance must be the values that we espouse. Let us work together to give our global village a peaceful and prosperous future.