I should like at the outset to welcome the fact that Nicaragua, represented by Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, is presiding over the General Assembly at its sixty-third session. Cameroon wishes him every success in carrying out his mission and assures him of its full cooperation. I wish also to pay a well-deserved tribute to Ambassador Kerim for the skill with which he led the work of the Assembly at its sixty-second session. Finally, I congratulate His Excellency Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, and reiterate our appreciation and support for his remarkable efforts in discharging his lofty mission. By proposing the impact of the global food crisis on poverty and hunger in the world and the need to democratize the United Nations as main themes of the general debate at the sixty-third session, the President focused our deliberations on core problems currently faced by the international community. I support this proposal all the more because Cameroon, like other countries throughout the world, has recently experienced social upheaval caused by the increasingly high cost of living. As a result, we decided on and implemented a series of corrective measures, ranging from a reduction of taxes and customs duties on certain basic commodities to an increase in the salaries of State employees and measures to stabilize fuel prices. Those measures were lauded by the International Monetary Fund and undoubtedly had very positive effects. They did not, however, totally eliminate a problem of global proportions and one which requires global responses. The food crisis, which is one manifestation, has taken on alarming proportions throughout the world. All economies, irrespective of size, but particularly those of poor countries, are seriously affected. The most vulnerable populations are forced to forego health care and education just to feed themselves. If appropriate responses are not found rapidly, there will be reason to fear dramatic repercussions on international trade, economic growth, social progress, political stability and, hence, global security. There is therefore an urgent necessity to act rapidly and collectively. We believe an appropriate response to the situation lies in ensuring coordination at the highest level. That is why I welcome the fact that the Secretary-General took the initiative to establish the High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis, whose aim is to promote a coherent and unified 08-51851 14 response to the crisis. Cameroon shares the vision contained in the Comprehensive Framework for Action prepared by the Task Force. We are of the view that a lasting solution to the crisis requires short- and medium-term actions, including increased food aid and investment in agriculture, the promotion of social welfare initiatives, reduction of agricultural subsidies in developed countries and restrictions on food exports from countries of the South. It is obvious that such solutions cannot be implemented without the participation of all and without the establishment of global food and agriculture partnerships involving all stakeholders, namely Governments, the private sector, civil society, donors and international institutions. At a time when the midterm assessment of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is under way, the global food crisis appears as one of the major challenges the international community will have to face. In that regard, Cameroon wishes to join its voice to that of the Secretary-General in appealing for financing of the measures recommended by the Task Force. But, however acute the food crisis may be, it is far from being the only snag in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. Concerning Africa in particular, there are many other challenges, such as persistent poverty, peace and security issues and the effects of climate change. Concerning poverty alleviation, our continent placed much hope in globalization which it supported in good faith, despite legitimate fears concerning the globalization of trade. It should be acknowledged that, on the whole, these hopes were dashed. Beyond the global food crisis, it is obvious that Africa has felt the negative effects of the international financial crisis and the exponential oil price hikes: phenomena well beyond its control. In addition, it helplessly watched the erosion of official development assistance and the failure of the Doha Round negotiations, where its interests were relegated to the background. This role of powerless onlooker can only lead to deep frustration and cast doubts on the chances of achieving the Millennium Development Goals within the set time frames. Nevertheless, Africa wants to believe that the international community will not give up assisting it to emerge from poverty and underdevelopment. For that reason, we fully appreciate the initiative of the United Nations to organize high-level meetings devoted to the development of our continent, on the sidelines of this session. On the economic front, Africa’s immense potential remains largely untapped, and, although many African countries have been recording good economic performance, the continent remains the poorest on the planet. Hence the need for increased solidarity of the international community. The growing impact of climate change, especially in Africa, is particularly disturbing; more than elsewhere, it affects areas on which the fate of future generations depends. There is thus an urgent need for joint action by the international community. Such solidarity should also prevail when addressing the issue of migrants. The tragedies they experience are, to put it bluntly, inhuman. The atrocities and acts of discrimination they endure on a daily basis are intolerable. There is urgent need to jointly seek solutions to manage this exodus which drains Africa of the human resources it greatly needs. There is no gainsaying that the economic development of the continent is the one and only solution to that painful problem. As regards peace and security, perhaps more than in any other area, Africa needs the active solidarity of the international community. There is reason to be satisfied with the progress made in several countries that were hitherto plagued by deadly confrontations, though it should be acknowledged that many hotbeds of tension and conflict still exist on the continent. Here, the peace agreements signed after lengthy negotiations are yet to enter fully into force. There, force is used to jeopardize democratic achievements. Continuing confrontations in Somalia, the chronic instability along the borders of Chad, the Central African Republic and the Sudan, the daily tragedy faced by the population of Darfur and the recurrent eruption of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Burundi are all cause for serious concern. Unfortunately, nor is our continent spared the threat of terrorism, which now has a global dimension. I am convinced that only global and resolute action will help address that issue. Cameroon will contribute its support as necessary. The international community, and in particular the United Nations, are making commendable efforts to 15 08-51851 promote peace in Africa. That is why the Organization must receive from all its Members the resources that it needs to ensure the effectiveness of its action. To that end, it should constantly express the common will and continue to be the crucible of the democratization of international relations. The historic achievement recorded in the settlement of the dispute over the Bakassi peninsula is one of the best examples of the remarkable results that can be generated by an authentic desire for peace shared by the parties, with the judicious support of the international community. The ceremony in Calabar on 14 August 2008, which marked the withdrawal of the Nigerian administration and police force from Bakassi and the transfer of authority to Cameroon, was undoubtedly the result of the commitment to peace shown by the leaders and peoples of both countries. In that regard, I wish to express my profound gratitude to friendly countries for the support they have continued to give to the implementation of the ruling of the International Court of Justice and to the Greentree Agreement. I wish to thank in particular the States witness to the Agreement, namely, the United States of America, France, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom. The United Nations also played a decisive role in the settlement of that matter. The tireless efforts of Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon and their representatives within the Mixed Commission deserve our gratitude. Thus dawned a new era in relations between Cameroon and Nigeria, geared towards the quest for progress and development to which our two peoples aspire. It goes without saying that the two countries must henceforth do everything possible to consolidate the settlement and seize the opportunities offered to them to develop their relations in all areas. In that regard, I wish to reaffirm that Cameroon will respect all its commitments. The delay in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals must spur us to redouble our efforts to carry out vigorous, joint and mutually supportive actions in fighting against poverty and for development. The Government of Cameroon is resolutely committed to that end. I wish to pay homage to our population for the sacrifices they have made in that respect, as well as to our bilateral and multilateral partners for the multifaceted assistance they are providing to us. That assistance is invaluable to us, particularly in our efforts to promote better management of public resources. Within that framework we have launched a fierce fight against dishonest managers, which we intend to pursue ruthlessly. Guided by a concern to improve the well-being of our people, we reaffirm from this rostrum our determination relentlessly to pursue our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. To perform that task successfully, we know that we can count on the understanding and support of the United Nations.