I
would like to extend our warm congratulations to
Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki on his well-deserved election
as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth
session. I would also like to pay a special tribute to
Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann for his able leadership
of the sixty-third session of the General Assembly.
The global financial and economic crisis that
began last year is showing tentative signs of abating.
However, many countries large and small still face
daunting challenges. The crisis originated in the
developed countries, but the developing countries have
been the hardest hit. The nascent economic recovery
has yet to begin to lift the low-income countries from
the trough.
It is commendable that the developed countries
have played a leading role in addressing the crisis. The
views of the developing countries should also be taken
into consideration, together with those of the members
of the Group of Eight and the Group of Twenty.
Measures that could have adverse effects on the
economic growth of developing countries must be
avoided. The developing countries have worked long
and hard to combat poverty and achieve favourable
conditions for economic growth. Low-income countries
require development aid beyond existing pledges of
official development assistance (ODA) if they are to
meet the challenges posed by the global economic
downturn. The developed countries should increase
their ODA to the developing countries. We welcome
the reaffirmation by President Hu Jintao of the
People’s Republic of China in his statement to this
Assembly that his country will increase support for
other developing countries hard hit by the economic
and financial crisis.
Climate change is the most pressing major threat
facing our planet. It is a global challenge that requires
a global response. No country can be insulated from
the consequences of climate change. The rapid pace
and scale of climate change requires the global
community to respond immediately and effectively.
The United Nations Summit on Climate Change
convened by the Secretary-General last week
9 09-52598
underlined the magnitude of the problem and the need
to redouble our efforts in addressing climate change.
We look forward to the Climate Change
Conference in Copenhagen in December. We hope that
the negotiations will be fruitful and result in a new
agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions, to go into
effect in 2012 when the Kyoto Protocol’s first
commitment period expires. To be effective, any deal
must be comprehensive and consistent with the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The global financial and economic crisis and the
climate change crisis have compounded the problems
we have faced in recent years. These include rising
food prices, high energy prices and the spread of
pandemic diseases. No single country can effectively
overcome these problems alone. The global community
must work together to meet its common challenges. In
these trying times for our planet, multilateralism is
more important than ever. Dialogue among nations of
different religious and cultural backgrounds can
contribute to international peace, security and
development.
The United Nations is the single world
Organization dedicated to peace and development that
enjoys almost universal participation. In recent years,
steps have been initiated to reform the Organization in
order to make it more democratic, effective and
accountable and enable it to meet the challenges of the
twenty-first century. Regrettably, progress has been
painfully slow.
If the United Nations is to make decisions in a
more democratic manner, it is essential that the role of
the General Assembly — in which all Member States
are represented — be enhanced. Security Council
reform is also important. For many years, the General
Assembly has debated the matter but made little
headway. In addition to the focus on the vexed issue of
enlarging the Council, we would like to see
constructive changes in its procedures and working
methods, particularly those that would make it more
transparent and accountable.
The continued existence of weapons of mass
destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, poses the
greatest threat to mankind. Myanmar believes that the
total elimination of nuclear weapons is the sole
absolute guarantee against the threat or use of those
weapons. Accordingly, we have called on nuclear-
weapon States to undertake a step-by-step attenuation
of the nuclear threat with a view to achieving the total
elimination of those weapons.
We believe that, pending the total elimination of
nuclear weapons, we should pursue efforts towards the
conclusion of a universal, unconditional and legally
binding instrument on security assurances to
non-nuclear-weapon States. We support the
establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the
basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States of
the regions concerned. Nuclear-weapon-free zones
enhance global and regional security and contribute to
reaching the objectives of nuclear disarmament.
It is our hope that all nations of the world will
continue to work together to eliminate nuclear weapons
so that the power of the atom can be harnessed
exclusively as a tool for the benefit of mankind and not
as an instrument of self-destruction. At the same time,
every nation has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear
energy. Nuclear technologies have widespread
applications in such areas as food, agriculture, health
care, industry and science. We welcome last week’s
summit meeting of the Security Council on nuclear
non-proliferation and disarmament and its reaffirmation
that the international nuclear non-proliferation regime
should be maintained and strengthened to ensure the
effective implementation of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Some powerful nations have resorted to economic
sanctions to pressure developing countries. Their aim
is to influence the political and economic systems of
those countries without taking into account those
countries’ historical and cultural backgrounds.
Sanctions have no moral basis, as they not only hinder
the economic and social development of peoples, but
also interfere in matters that are essentially within the
domestic jurisdiction of the country concerned. As
sanctions are indiscriminate and a form of violence
per se, they cannot legitimately be regarded as a tool to
promote human rights and democracy.
Sanctions are being employed as a political tool
against Myanmar and we consider them unjust. I would
like to state that such acts must cease. Myanmar
practises a market economy based on agriculture. We
are self-sufficient in terms of food and able to
contribute to food security in the region. We have made
considerable progress in improving socio-economic
conditions thanks to the combined efforts of the
Government and the people. Without the economic
09-52598 10
sanctions imposed on us, progress would be even
greater.
Following Cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar in
May 2008, the Myanmar Government, the United
Nations and the Association of Southeast Nations
established the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) to
undertake relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in
the affected areas. The success of the TCG has been
duly recognized by the international community and
acknowledged as an exemplary mechanism for future
disaster relief and rehabilitation.
The Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan
(PONREPP) has been established for the period 2009
to 2011. Further plans have also been adopted to
effectively respond to similar natural disasters in the
future. We will implement the projects diligently.
PONREPP will require $691 million over a period of
three years. To date, only half of that amount has been
pledged by the international community. We have
carried out many rehabilitation activities relying on our
own funds and resources. If more funds were
forthcoming and donors fulfilled their pledges, the
rehabilitation process would be speedier and more
effective.
The Myanmar Government and the people of the
affected areas will always be grateful to the
individuals, organizations and the international
community at large that came to our assistance in our
hour of need.
Domestic peace and stability and the successful
holding of democratic elections are essential to the
democratization process in Myanmar. A new State
Constitution was approved by 92.48 per cent of eligible
voters in a nationwide referendum held in May 2008.
Multiparty general elections will be held in the coming
year. Subsequently, Parliament will be convened and a
Government formed in accordance with the new
Constitution.
The country will have a bicameral legislature.
The Constitution provides for a presidential system of
governance. It is envisaged that the President will be
elected by a presidential electoral college. The State
will be composed of seven states, seven regions, five
self-administered zones, and one self-administered
division. The capital, Nay Pyi Taw, will be designated
union territory. In keeping with the State structure, the
Constitution also establishes 14 State and regional
legislative bodies.
The transition to democracy is proceeding. Our
focus is not on the narrow interests of individuals,
organizations or parties, but on the larger interests of
the entire nation. We have urged all citizens, whether
they agree with us or not, to participate actively in the
process without losing sight of the democratic goal. In
this way, the aspirations of the people will be fulfilled.
The President returned to the Chair.
The Government is taking systematic steps to
hold free and fair elections. Electoral laws will be
promulgated and an election commission created so
that political parties can be formed and contest the
elections. On 17 September 2009, 7,114 prisoners were
released for good conduct. They, too, will be able to
participate in the general elections next year in
accordance with the law.
The holding of a multiparty general election is a
significant step in our transition to a peaceful, modern
and developed democratic State. Democracy cannot be
imposed from the outside, and a system suitable for
Myanmar can be born only out of Myanmar society. It
is the citizens of Myanmar who can best determine
their own future. They can judge the merits of
democracy and make adjustments as they see fit. The
international community can best assist Myanmar’s
emergence as a new nation, based on the principles of
justice, freedom and equality enshrined in the new
State Constitution, by demonstrating understanding.
Global issues that require the attention of all
countries will increasingly come to the fore in the
years to come. Firm political will and commitment of
all countries will be needed to overcome the
challenges. Previous speakers have emphasized the
need for collective efforts to find solutions to those
problems and challenges. I fully share their views and
affirm that Myanmar will do its part.