Belgium

Nothing is created without men; nothing lasts without institutions. Those words of Jean Monnet, one of the founders of the European Union, remain as true as ever. Security, climate change and some effects of globalization are challenges that all our countries face. That is why a global approach, with the United Nations playing a central role, is needed. But the United Nations must earn that central role. As President Barack Obama said here (see ), we cannot complain, on the one hand, about the so-called unilateral action of the United States while at the same time expecting it alone to solve all the world’s problems. In that spirit I would call for a new multilateral commitment, as the reform of international institutions is crucial in order to enhance their legitimacy, representativeness and capacity for action. Nothing is created without men; nothing lasts without institutions. From now on, those institutions should work efficiently, starting with the United Nations. It is essential to move ahead rapidly on the reform of the Security Council and of the functioning of the General Assembly. Indeed, there is an urgent need to improve the efficiency of our own operations. A glance at the organizational chart of the United Nations allows us to see not only the overlaps but also the gaps in the system. It is out of commitment to the Charter of the United Nations that Belgium, one of the founding Members, strongly appeals for more rigour and transparency in the management and budget of the United Nations in order to better use its limited resources. In addition to the fragmentation of the United Nations system, two other trends reveal the need for enhanced multilateral commitment. The first is the multitude of regional and subregional organizations almost everywhere in the world. It is true that this multitude enhances international cooperation, but regional and international organizations sometimes lack harmonization. Better cooperation should henceforth allow the optimal use of the resources of all. The second trend can be summed up by the words “imperfect multilateralism”. Countries get together on an informal basis to discuss international issues, for example — and this is very pertinent — the economic and financial crisis. These informal groups may, particularly at first, expedite the decision-making of international multilateral organizations, but they cannot replace those organizations themselves because multilateralism cannot be exclusive. Rather, it should 09-52592 26 be inclusive and transparent. Nothing can last without institutions, but even the best organized institutions cannot function in the absence of inspiration and human will. Even the best organized institutions are powerless when men prevent them from working. The economic and financial crisis has been given a great deal of attention, which is only natural. The crisis most severely affects developing countries. It is now more important than ever that donor countries meet their official development assistance objectives of 0.7 per cent of the gross national product. Belgium plans to achieve that goal in 2010. The worst international disorder is violence between States and within States. Within some States, violence continues to kill, maim and rape millions of people. The worst international disorder is reflected in the wars, civil conflicts, inter-ethnic fighting and harsh repression that deprive millions of people of a decent existence. This is our first and foremost challenge because without peace and security there is no development, let alone sustainable development. Without peace and security, there can be no fair distribution of the wealth of our Earth. As stipulated in the preamble of the Constitution of UNESCO, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. Indeed, conflict prevention begins with the banishment of all hate speech attacking the dignity of human beings, nations and communities, or the right of States to exist. Far too often, we have witnessed bloodbaths provoked by incitement to hatred. Such speech has no place in this Hall or in this Organization, whose primary mission is precisely to promote peace and security through constructive cooperation. To function efficiently, our multilateral institutions need leaders and representatives of States who share basic approaches established on the core belief in the unique dignity of each human being. National sovereignty implies responsibility. That is why Belgium wholeheartedly supports the principle of the responsibility to protect. The principle requires Governments to safeguard their citizens against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Incidentally, Belgium would like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his excellent report on this topic (A/63/677) and fully supports his efforts in this area. It is civilians, and women and children in particular, who are often the primary victims of violence and of indescribable and unacceptable suffering. Indeed, women constitute half of the world’s population, but too often we forget that human rights also fully apply to them. In situations of war and violence, women are frequently twofold victims because of the sexual violence inflicted upon them. My country is therefore determined to pursue its action against sexual violence and any kind of violence against children. Wars are caused by men, not by weapons. Nonetheless, the arms control issue has to be high on the international agenda. That is why Belgium welcomes the meeting of the Security Council at the highest level on the subject of non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament (S/PV.6191). That meeting was undoubtedly a highlight of this week. Resolution 1887 (2009), adopted yesterday, represents, in our opinion, a milestone for a world free of weapons of mass destruction. However, unfortunately, the latest news from Iran seems to be heading in the opposite direction. My country therefore endorses the very urgent call on Iran and North Korea to cooperate with the international community and respect the Security Council resolutions that pertain to them. If they do not, they will be ostracized by the international community. At the same time, the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction should not make us overlook conventional weapons, which currently kill on a massive scale. In particular, I refer here to anti-personnel landmines. The Convention that prohibits these weapons entered into force in 1999, and Belgium hopes that it will be strengthened at the Review Conference scheduled to take place in Cartagena, Colombia, in early December. With respect to that Convention, Belgium, along with Thailand, will head the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration. Furthermore, Belgium has spared no effort to push for the conclusion of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Human rights in all their aspects are a major concern for Belgium. That is why my country plays an active role as a member of the Human Rights Council. In that regard, I would like to thank the members of the 27 09-52592 Council that entrusted my country, Belgium, with the responsibility and honour to preside over that important institution. That trust is, in my view, a recognition of our commitment. Finally, human rights also concern the rights of future generations. We do not own this Earth; we have it on loan from our children. Today more than ever, that heritage is threatened, and that is why environmental protection should be our main shared concern and priority. The Climate Change Conference scheduled for late 2009 in Copenhagen is an opportunity that cannot be squandered. We need to make specific and binding commitments there. I believe that the European Union has shown the way with its ambitious package of measures adopted in late 2008. Institutions cannot function without the input of men. Therefore, those who undermine the performance of these institutions should be held accountable. That is why Belgium has been particularly active in the fight against impunity. An international legal order is required, but it can function only if it is upheld by States governed by the rule of law. I therefore reaffirm the need for common positions that are essential for a world that is safer, fairer and more prosperous. In the words of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “There is no long-term security without development. There is no development without security. And no society can long remain secure, or prosperous, without respect for human rights and the rule of law.” (Press release SG/SM/10425) Strengthening the rule of law at the national and international levels is more vital than ever for achieving a more equitable form of globalization. I will conclude with these words. Peace and security, sustainable development, and a fair distribution of the wealth of the Earth are the essential, global challenges that we face. To meet these challenges, we need solid international institutions, but institutional multilateralism is not enough. We also need a multilateralism of minds, and men and women of conviction to carry it forward. This will, belief and ambition motivate my country, a founding Member of the United Nations, to offer the candidacy for the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session of our compatriot Louis Michel, former Minister for Foreign affairs of Belgium and former European Commissioner in charge of Development and Humanitarian Aid. We are convinced that the strength of his conviction and dedication will unite us further. It is indeed only when the men and women who take the floor here are fired by a shared vision of human rights, peace and development that our institutions will be able to deliver what we need: collective results rather than individual achievements.