First, let me express, on behalf of the
delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. d’Escoto
Brockmann, a veteran diplomat of Nicaragua, on his
election as President of the General Assembly at its
sixty-third session. I trust that, with him at the helm,
the work of the General Assembly is in good hands.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is of the
belief that the United Nations remains an important
and pre-eminent forum for addressing issues related to
international cooperation for economic development,
peace and security, human rights and the rule of law,
based on dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building
amongst States. For over half a century, the United
Nations has played a crucial role in maintaining
international peace and security and in promoting the
socio-economic advancement of Member States,
especially developing countries.
Yet, as the world situation becomes ever more
complex and unpredictable, the United Nations
increasingly needs more robust and effective
institutions. In our opinion, United Nations reform
must be comprehensive, transparent, inclusive and
balanced. We must strengthen the role and authority of
the General Assembly and revitalize its work.
We must also reform the Security Council,
turning it into a more democratic and representative
organ comprising new permanent and non-permanent
members alike. No less important is the need to
substantially reinforce the development pillars of the
United Nations, which include the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development, the regional
commissions and the United Nations Development
Account, enabling them to better support developing
countries.
In that context, we commend Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon’s reform efforts aimed at transforming
the United Nations into a more responsive, dynamic,
multifunctional and effective Organization. The
Secretary-General’s personal dedication to the cause of
peace, and his endeavours in search of solutions to the
three global crises of finance, fuel and food deserve
special recognition.
The current difficult and complex situation in the
field of disarmament continues to be a cause of
concern. We recognize the threat posed by the
continuing existence of nuclear weapons. It is hence
incumbent upon the nuclear-weapon States to honour
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their unequivocal commitment to work towards the
total elimination of nuclear weapons. Renewed efforts
are needed to resolve the impasse in achieving nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects.
While globalization brings with it numerous
opportunities for economic development, the obstacles
that the world faces deserve significant attention.
Developing countries, in particular the most vulnerable
group of countries — the least developed countries
landlocked developing countries and small island
developing States — have taken important steps to
further integrate themselves into the global economy.
Nevertheless, those countries remain beleaguered by
basic infrastructure of poor quality, limited access to
markets, capital and new technology, and low supply of
finance and investment.
The sudden increase in oil and food prices has led
to a period of economic instability in many countries.
To combat that problem, we stress the need for the full
and effective implementation of the Rome Declaration
on World Food Security and the establishment of a
global food bank and an international food fund to
ensure long-term food security for developing
countries, particularly the most vulnerable among
them.
In addition, the great untapped potential of those
countries should be explored and exploited to the
maximum extent through increased investment and
technology transfer by developed countries and other
development partners for mutual benefit.
The goal of achieving peace and prosperity
remains the highest priority of the international
community, yet inter-State conflict, terrorism and
unlawful unilateral sanctions and interventions
continue to impede that goal. We are greatly distressed
by the persistent conflict that has plagued the lives of
the peoples of the Middle East for decades, particularly
of the Palestinian people, who have been fighting to
exercise their right to self-determination and
Statehood.
We are deeply saddened by the number of
casualties and the material damage inflicted upon the
nations of Iraq and Afghanistan. We remain troubled by
the embargo that has been imposed on the Republic of
Cuba by the Government of the United States of
America, an act that is clearly illegal and not
responsive to the legitimate interests of the peoples of
either nation. In that regard, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic sincerely urges the parties
concerned in the aforementioned conflicts to seek ways
to peacefully resolve their differences. It is our fervent
hope that the peoples living in those conflict-affected
areas may enjoy peace and prosperity as swiftly as
possible.
Unlike most calamities, global warming affects
not only the livelihood of every being on the planet,
but also the course of human history. Climate change
will become all the more worrisome as it leads to many
other social and economic problems in addition to
those faced by our world today. That is why there is a
need for immediate global action to address climate
change in accordance with the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities. In formulating policies
to confront climate change, we should promote the
integration of all three components of sustainable
development — economic development, social
development and environmental protection. In that
respect, we call for the full implementation of the Bali
Road Map.
As widely expressed at the high-level event on
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the lack
of effective implementation of the internationally
agreed development goals, including the MDGs,
remains of deep concern. Therefore, the highest
priority should be given to securing the effective and
full implementation of the agreed goals and
commitments. In that context, we underscore the
urgency of addressing the special needs of least
developed and landlocked developing countries
through the full, timely and effective implementation
by all stakeholders of the Brussels Programme of
Action and the Almaty Programme of Action, as called
for in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.
Landlocked developing countries face a unique
impediment in not having access to the sea.
International cooperation is crucial to the success of
the development goals of those countries. We therefore
would like to stress the significance of the upcoming
midterm review of the Almaty Programme of Action, to
be held on 2 and 3 October 2008 here in New York,
which should provide the international community with
the opportunity to assess progress made, lessons
learned and constraints encountered in the
implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action.
As a member country, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic is gratified to witness the
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continuing stability resulting from strengthened and
enhanced integration of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is an important
contribution to the maintenance of peace and further
cooperation in the region and the world. A recent
momentous and milestone event was the signing of the
ASEAN Charter, which has transformed ASEAN into a
rule-based regional organization.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic continues
to enjoy solid political stability and social order. Thus,
our socio-economic development has registered
significant achievements, as reflected in the high and
sustained growth of our gross domestic product.
Notwithstanding those achievements, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic still faces impediments. Rising
oil prices, inflation and the global economic slowdown
all stand in the way of our path to economic prosperity.
This year, we have also experienced severe
flooding that has inflicted huge material losses
nationwide. Yet, in spite of all that, by improving the
quality of basic infrastructure and human resources and
cooperating with international partners, we are
determined to pursue our twin strategies of poverty
eradication and regional integration. At the current
pace, we hope to extricate our country from the
shackles of underdevelopment by the year 2020.
I cannot conclude without reaffirming that
development remains central and must come first if
peace and respect for human rights, which are
intertwined, are to be achieved. The Lao People’s
Democratic Republic reiterates its unshakable
commitment to continued full cooperation with the
international community in pursuit of a world free
from fear and want, and rooted in a new, just and
equitable order. Together, I am sure, we will be able to
reach new heights.